EASTERN OKLAHOMA SECTION OF THE MERCEDES-BENZ CLUB OF AMERICA TULSA STAR NEWS August - September 2017 Care enough to raise your hand? John Kushnerick President In this issue President s Message Page 1 Our Facebook Page Jackie Cooper AD Page 2 Parke Ad Autohaus Winkler Ad Benzin Ad Page 3 Past Events Page 4-6 Upcoming Events Page 7-9 Meeting Schedule Member Information Page 10 Membership Benefits Page 11 Officers and Board Page 12 Welcome to August. Soon the kids will be heading back to school or college, tailgating, and hopefully cooler weather. Every other year, August also marks nomination season for section officers and board members. This year all positions are open for members to throw their name in the hat as one of our officers or as a member of our board. Let me say that I will seek the office of section President for a full term. Currently I am filling the unexpired term of President Mike Eddy. I have enjoyed the job tremendously and think we can make this section even better over the next few years. I welcome everyone to consider seeking a way to help make our section better for both participating and nonparticipating members. I rely on the other officers and board to keep this club going in the right direction. There is a dedicated core of members who have spent lots of time making sure we have a great newsletter, driving tours, and plan our Christmas party. They have opened their homes, shared their contacts, and offered their time and talent. We thank you. If you are a writer, please help with the newsletter or with event recaps. If you have an eye for photography, we would love you to develop content for our Facebook page, meeting notices, and website. If you are handy with cars, we need you to be our Tech chairman. If you are friendly and outgoing think about membership. Like planning trips? Then work with the board to plan activities and destinations that will enhance your club experience. The point is, do you care enough to take an active role? I welcome your input and your help. There are always areas to improve. Even if the section does not get bigger, we can always make it better. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or any of the officers. Thanks for this opportunity to stand on my soapbox. I need you to raise your hand. Page 1
Our Face Book Page Web Site http://easternok.mbca.org Mike Eddy does a great job posting to our Face Book Page as well as the Jackie Cooper Page We continue to see increased activity on our Facebook Page and encourage everyone to like our page as an easy way to keep updated on the club activities. Please encourage your friends to like us on Facebook. Page 2
Place an Ad in our Newsletter 1. Full Page $175 2. Half Page $135 3. Business Card $65 Price is for a year 6 Issues Page 3
Past Events MBCA helps Leake Auction move almost 700 cars Hot rods and Exotics, imports and trucks were all part of the almost 700 cars up for sale at the annual Leake auction June 9-11, 2017. Eight Eastern Oklahoma members participated as drivers and runners for the event as fund raiser for the section treasury. 25 Mercedes Benz automobiles up for sale. The best of which were a 1956 White 190SL, silver 2006 SLR McLaren, and a brown 1966 230SL. This event helped pay for the smoked meats consumed at the July Western BBQ dinner. Thanks to Tim and Kitzie Vanderkoi, Ben Cunningham, Richard, Jagel, Ron Hardage, Walt Miller, and John and Harriet Kushnerick. These members put in 101 hours over the 4-day event. Below are some pictures of the cars sold at the auction. Page 4
A special day for Ben Kehe Friday June 9 th was a special day for member Ben Kehe. Ben and his wife Cathe made their way to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for a reunion of the 54 th Artillery Group, 7 th Battalion, 8 th artillery that departed for Viet Nam 50 years ago to the day in 1967. Our 7 th of the 8 th Artillery Group has constructed a memorial at Fort Sill museum to remember the Automatic 8 th for future generations. The site has a monument showing the names of fallen soldiers within the 7 th of the 8 th in Viet Nam. Also at the site is a battery of bricks with each donor s name engraved. Although it comes nowhere near the total of over 1000 men who served, there is a good representation of the soldiers who served. An ensemble of the Fort Sill band played and the Fort Sill color guard did extreme justice to the stars and stripes along with a bagpipe presentation of Amazing grace says Ben. Ben met his Battery Commander. It was awesome to visit with him and the other soldiers who served with me. We were known as boat people as we were among the original 1000 soldiers to travel to Viet Nam aboard the ship, General Nelson Walker. Finally, there was a representative from the Pentagon who presented each of the men with a lapel button commemorating their service in Viet nam along with the words A grateful Nation thanks and Honors You, USA Viet Nam War Commemoration. Ben and the others were also presented with a frame ready thank you letter from the President of the United States. Thanks to all of the Veterans for their service. Mercedes Mayfest may become an Eastern Oklahoma section tradition Despite the threat of severe weather, twenty-six members of the Eastern Oklahoma section gathered at the home of section officers John and Harriet Kushnerick May 18, 2017 to enjoy a spring pot luck dinner. Members feasted on BBQ Brisket and German brats as well as a huge selection of salads, beans, fruits, and desserts. A Maypole decorated the foyer of the Kushnerick home and members were encouraged to get their picture under the flowers and streamers. The gathering celebrated new members, returning members, and even potential new members meeting the group for the first time. Page 5
OKLAHOMA MERCEDES BENZ OWNER PICNIC On Saturday June 17, 2017 we met at Jackie Cooper for a drive to Edmond to attend a joint picnis with the Central Oklahoma Section. The event was set up for 10:00 am with lunch served at 11:30 am. They had a employee of the Mercedes Dealership in OKC doing the cooking on the grille. They served Hamburgers and Hot Dogs, chips and drinks as well a desert. A special surprise was the visit to the event of Terry Kiwala, the National President of The Mercedes-Benz Club of America. He flew in from Chicago that morning and arrived at the event just before we adjourned. He spoke for a few minutes and then greeted several members as we adjourned. Western BBQ Dinner Saturday July 15, 2017 The Eastern Oklahoma section headed west to Bristow Oklahoma to the home of William and Linda Hill for a western BBQ dinner Saturday July 15, 2017. A total of 35 members and guests of the Hill s enjoyed a smoked meat feast of Ribs, pulled pork, and Bologna. Members each brought sides and desserts to complete the meal. Summer heat can always be an issue in Oklahoma but the cool drinks, shade and great company made for a another great outing. Page 6
Upcoming Events Page 7
Fall Tour to Little Rock, Arkansas, September 23 rd and 24 th A tour to Little Rock, Arkansas is planned for September 23rd and 24th. The starting location will be Jackie Cooper s, departing on Saturday the 23rd at 8:30 am. Various highways and byways will be driven including Arkansas s scenic Hwy 23, known as the Arkansas Pig Trail. We will have lunch in the Weinkeller Restaurant at the Wiederkehr Winery near Altus, AR., order lunch from the regular menu and pay by separate checks. In Little Rock we will dine and see a play at Murry s Dinner Playhouse, tour the fabulous Marlsgate Plantation and have lunch there. On Saturday night we will be staying at the Comfort Suites, which a block of 15 rooms (10 king & 5 queen) has been reserved, all are no smoking. You must make your hotel reservation prior to September 1st. The block expires on September 1st. Sept. 23rd---------------Comfort Suites, 11 Crossings Court - tel. 1-501-954-9300 Tell them you re with the Mercedes Club of Eastern Okla. Rate---$90 plus tax. A deluxe hot breakfast is included. Entertainment Costs-The cost for Murry s Dinner Playhouse and Marlsgate is $77 per person, which includes tax and gratuity. At Murry s alcoholic beverages are not included in the reservation, and must be self-paid at the time of purchase. Payment by check only, made to Ron Hardage. Your check is your Reservation Mark your calendars for Sept. 23rd and 24th for a great fall tour. We will have some fun and lots of food. Be sure to make your hotel reservations prior to Sept. 1st and have your check for entertainment to Ron Hardage by no later than September 8th. Your reservation is firm at that time and no refunds can be given after that date. Ron Hardage address is: 18037 S. 72nd East Ave., Bixby, OK., 74008. Page 8
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Meeting Schedule Saturday August 19, 2017 Thursday September 21,2017 6:00 to 8:00 PM 6:30 PM Ice Cream Social Flying Tee Home of Fritz & Anna Winkler 8501 East 122th St South 700 Riverwalk Terrace Bixby, Okla Jenks, Okla ieakecar.com/buy/? Membership Information New Members Expired Membership Renewed Members June John Tanner June Rex Alexander David Box Charles Crouse July Linda Ferris Jerry Pearce Fritz Winkler Harald Zimmerman Thanks for Renewing Page 10
Mercedes-Benz Club Member Benefits Page 11
Mercedes-Benz Club of America, Inc Eastern Oklahoma Section Ben Cunningham, Editor 16100 East 120 th St N Collinsville, Oklahoma 74021 Regional Director, South Central Region Gene Jurick, 6008 Bracknell Drive Parker, TX 75005 Ph: (h) 972-467-1981, or gjurick@tx.rr.com Officers, Eastern Oklahoma Section President: John Kushnerick 918-527-8121 or jkushnerick@zebco.com Vice President: Ben Cunningham 918-728-0139 or cunnben@yahoo.com Treasurer: Richard Jagel 918-357-2573 or richjagel@gmail.com Secretary: Harriet Kushnerick / Sally Mueller 918-740-7624 or hkush@cox.net (Sally) sallymueller44@gmail.com Membership Chair: Fritz Winkler 918-369-2513 Other Board Members of Eastern Oklahoma Section Ben Cunningham 918-728-0139 Newsletter Editor John Mueller 918-494-2952 Bruce Smith 918-430-4240 Ron Hardage 918-364-3838 Ben Kehe 918-906-3715 Page 12