1st Award Winner

Russ Dolbear & Fred Schmoyer

Footnote:  President's Message page is a "throw-back" to the original T-Bird Times newsletter.

Trophy Award History

                  The idea for a ”most miles driven” trophy began back  in 2006. Then VCTC President, Fred Schmoyer thought it would be fun to have a friendly competition to promote driving of our classics. Our trophy was designed and crafted by club members George Lake and Fred Schmoyer.

                  Mileage is tracked for Classic Tbirds driven to club events simply by noting the mileage from member’s home to the club meeting location using Google Maps.  The noted mileage is doubled to create a round-trip total and then tabulated.  The club member who travels the most miles for the year has their name placed on the trophy and is awarded The Trophy for a year.

CURRENT TROPHY HOLDER

      Some of you may be thinking about hosting a club event but are hesitant because you haven’t done it before or have concerns about organizing it. If that’s the case, no worries…it’s relatively easy to plan, there are no hard-and-fast requirements, and other club members will answer questions, provide advice, or help you plan. There are a few considerations to make things go smoothly and create the environment for an enjoyable social experience for club members.

     Usually, plan for guests to arrive by 11:30 with things kicking off at 12:00. It’s best if there is a dedicated/designated parking area for those driving classic and retro TBirds. If meeting at a restaurant, the business management can often help identify and reserve a suitable area. When weather cooperates, we can have 10 or more classics at the event. Hosts should plan to arrive a bit early to confirm plans with the restaurant and direct parking.

     For planning, usually 20-40 members attend our monthly events. The host will be required to provide the basic details such as who, what, where, when, and RSVP information to the club secretary for posting to the club web site. The club secretary will then post and send event notice to all members. This notification needs to be posted as soon as details are available. Ideally, the meeting would be held in a room large enough to seat everyone comfortably. If in a restaurant, it’s best (though not required) if the area is separated in some way from other customers to facilitate group discussion and business.

     Since the pandemic some venues have started charging a room or service fee. In this case, VCTC will provide hosts with up to $150.00 to offset the cost of these room/service fees. These funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.

     Options for lunch can vary depending on the venue. Regardless of choice, hosts should talk to restaurant management to inform them of the overall plan and coordinate necessary details. Ordering and paying individually from the standard menu is one option. If going this route, it’s best to coordinate with restaurant management to make ordering and serving go smoothly without excessive delay. Selecting menu items in advance or catering a buffet line is another possibility. Another option depending on the venue is to determine/provide the main course and have attendees contribute to the meal by bringing a dish to share. Generally, try to keep costs for lunch about $25 per person. Meeting hosts can collect lunch fees from guests as they arrive or guests can pay checks individually after lunch, depending on which option was used.

     At the meeting site, you can expect the club President to discuss the plan and manage timing to briefly conduct VCTC business and make any pertinent announcements prior to serving lunch. This business generally takes less than 15 minutes. When complete, lunch is served and expect the rest of the day to go smoothly as the servers do their thing and attendees can continue mixing, meeting and eating.

     As an after-lunch option, consider if there are additional activities available at or near the meeting location which can be visited following lunch. While not required, this can provide opportunities for attendees to visit places they otherwise would not have known about. Previous examples include wineries, car/tractor museums, botanical gardens, and various historic sites. These can be set up as group activities or merely offered as information for those who might want to check it out.

     Please consider if you have a great restaurant or unique idea for hosting an upcoming event. We are always looking for new places we haven’t visited before.

PRESIDENT          

VICE PRESIDENT   

TREASURER 

Bill Brown

J. Brown

Eric Best

SECRETARY

ACTIVITIES 

CHAPLAINS

Stan Hostetler

Linda Twilley

Brenda Morrison / Carrie Hillman

Bill Brown presenting trophy to Stan

"Trophy Love"

Nancy Schmoyer

George Lake

Bill Brown & Stan Hostetler

Bill is a multiple winner (4 times)

and has the highest mileage total!

whbllb082069@gmail.com

designgroupoffice@aol.com

Epabest2@verizon.net

**     If you are interested in hosting a monthly club meeting, contact     **  Activities Coordinator, Linda Twilley  (email:  lctwilley821@aol.com )

President’s Report                                                                                                            May 2023

     The nineteen VCTC members who attended the Stonehouse meeting, hosted by George Siecko, were treated to the finest BBQ East of the Mississippi. In 2012 Sothern Living Magazine had an article on the 10 best BBQ joints in the south. Pierce’s, a Williamsburg institution, ranked second only to Bodacious BBQ in my hometown of Kilgore, Texas. Might say I’ve been exposed to some pretty good BBQ in my lifetime. This meeting also served as VCTC’s observance of the 2023 Thunderbird Appreciation Day. Although the number of members in attendance was lower than usual, we had a great turn out with T-birds driven. We had 6 Classics, 4 Modern Classics and 1 Vintage Thunderbird. I hope all of you had an opportunity to drive your birds this weekend and show Virginia some iconic cars.

     There is still room at the Richard Johnston for the 66th annual AACA meet hosted by the Historic Fredericksburg Region that is scheduled for 3 June 2023. This has been the “Gold Standard” of events and a tradition for VCTC for 20+ years and it is our only overnighter.  J and Connie Brown always put on a great show and the Richard Johnston Inn is a beautiful place to spend an evening. Happy Hour will start Friday the 2nd at 5pm on the patio at the Inn followed by an all you can eat pizza party. Show day our hosts will provide box lunches for club participants. I hope you will consider supporting the show if not overnight, at least join us at the car show and help us bring home the club participation trophy again this year.

     Reminder that the Richmond Region AACA Chapter is hosting their 54th annual Car Show and Swap Meet on Saturday, 10 June from 8am-3pm. The show will be held on the lawn of Saint Joseph’s Villa in Richmond. More details for these events can be found on our webpage under the event drop down menu.

     Friday, 14 July is National Classic/Collector Car Appreciation Day so make sure to get the T-bird out for this one.  Saturday ,15 July is scheduled to be the annual trek to Steve and Nancy Wigley’s pool for some summertime fun. Due to the many requests and back by popular demand your President, in his speedo, will be in the pool. So put it on the calendar and hope all of you will plan to attend the event, and don’t forget your bathing suits.

      News from CTCI. VCTC has been recognized as an “All-Star Chapter.”  This means we have provided year end reports on time and without errors among other things, and all board members are CTCI members. Thank you, Eric, for your hard work as Treasurer.

Just a reminder that the paper ballots for CTCI bylaw change, to recognize all two seat Thunderbirds in CTCI, will be released on 5/26 and must be mailed back by 6/22. The electronic “Opa-Vote” will be open on 6/9 and will also close 6/22 at 4pm. The results will be presented to the board and the membership on 7/14.

      Here are some tidbits for the month of May concerning the history of the Ford Thunderbirds:

5/12/2003-specifications for the 2004 retro birds were released to the dealers

5/30/2003- Last day for dealers to order 2003 retro birds

     As always, I am looking forward to seeing all of you at the next meeting and remember,

     IT’S ALL ABOUT FUN X 3!

Bill Brown

October 25-29, 2023     CTCI Southeast Region 4 Touring Convention

(at The Villages, FL)

June 3     AACA Car Show in Fredericksburg    Hosted by Connie & J. Brown

     This event has been an annual event for our club for many years.  

Typically participants arrive on Friday, spend the afternoon shopping and then have a nice gathering for dinner, then spend the night at the Richard Johnston Inn B&B.

     The AACA Car Show is on Saturday, and J Brown always takes care of the Thunderbirds that are entered in the show.

     This year we will gather in the courtyard of the B&B for a Pizza party on Friday evening.  Connie & J will be providing box lunches on Saturday for all members that are in town for the car show.

       Historic Fredericksburg AACA Antique Automobile Car Show flyer and registration form available at this link (Click Here)

July 15     Hosted by Nancy & Steve Wigley

August 19     Hosted by Linda Twiley & Len Alexander

September 16     Hosted by Lynn & Ron Padrick

October 14     Hosted by Carrie & Lynn Hillman

November      Hosted by Brenda & Tom Morrison

December     Hosted by Lee & Stan Hostetler

The Davidson's  April 2009

The Most Tbirds at a Club Event  20 Classics & 4 Retros

Thunderbird Appreciation Day 2019

Chesterfield

November 2020

Photo taken at Graves Mt. Lodge  Syria, VA  2008

Note:  Click on photos to enlarge and see more.

PAST AWARD WINNERS

2007     Alice & Russ Dolbear

2008     Alice & Russ Dolbear

2009     Linda & Bill Brown

2010     Linda & Bill Brown

2011     Peg & Gene Marianetti

2012     Sue & Steve Patterson

2013     Nancy & Fred Schmoyer

2014     Carrie & Lynn Hillman

2015     Nancy & Fred Schmoyer

2016     Linda & Bill Brown

2017     Peg & Gene Marianetti

2018     Paula & Eric Best

2019     Lee & Stan Hostetler

2020     Defered - pandemic2021     Linda & Bill Brown                  510

2022     Lee & Stan Hostetler              786

Dedicated to the enjoyment, restoration, and preservation of the Classic Thunderbirds 1955,1956, and 1957

miles

1252

1050

2064

1222

1346

1276

1116

1068

  946

1300

1030

1112

1126

stanthehos@verizon.net

lctwilley821@aol.com