1st Award Winner

Russ Dolbear & Fred Schmoyer

1.      Usually, plan for guests to arrive by 1130 with things kicking off at 1200. 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.
2.      For planning, usually 20-40 members attend our monthly events. If a head count is desired in advance, email notices can be sent requesting RSVP from those planning to attend. (Club officers will help with that.) 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.
3.      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 under $20 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.
4.      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.
5.      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.

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

PRESIDENT          

VICE PRESIDENT   

TREASURER 

Bill Brown

J. Brown

Eric Best

SECRETARY

ACTIVITIES 

CHAPLAINS

Stan Hostetler

Lynn Hillman

Brenda Morrison / Carrie Hillman

June 4:  Historic Fredericksburg AACA annual car show in Fredericksburg

             (Hosted by J. & Connie Brown) . **

President’s Report                                                                                                                             March 2022

    It was great finally getting our first meeting of 2022 off to a fantastic start. Heartwarming to see our members getting together and having a great time again. Hope this starts VCTC off to new beginnings (post pandemic) and encouraging members to start driving the birds. I would like to take a moment to introduce our latest members Eric and Bonnie Hodell from Mineral to the club. Also want to give a “BIG THANK YOU” to Lynn and Carrie Hillman for hosting the March meeting.

    Also, I would like to mention that we got through our once-a-year VCTC Business Meeting this month, and I’m happy to report that we are doing great. As far as the budget goes, Eric Best (treasurer) reported VCTC is in the green. The event calendar is starting to develop into a promising year with several exciting venues. We still need a little help for the months of September, October, and November, so if interested please consider hosting an event.

    The April meeting will be hosted by Charlie and Peggysue Ford at the Indian Fields Tavern, located in Charles City, VA. We have held meetings here in the past and the food was great. More details will be coming later.

    Saturday, May 14th will be the combined CCCCV Breakthrough Car Show and Ford Thunderbird Appreciation Day. This event will be hosted by Bill and Linda Brown. This was a fun event with 25 club members participating last year. One VCTC member, Susan Thorson, took home a trophy last year. The hosts will be providing the desserts. The application for Pamplin can be found on our webpage under “Events”.

    June AACA Fredericksburg show is back for 2022. The car show will return to Caroline Street on Saturday, June 4th. The Richard Johnston Inn and Caroline House will be available for those wanting to spend Friday and/or Saturday Night.  J Brown still has three rooms reserved in his name so when making your reservations be sure to mention his name.

    July is tentatively scheduled to be hosted at the home of Steve and Nancy Wigley. This was a great club meeting last year and I hope all of you will seriously consider attending.  Steve’s juggling act alone was worth the price of admission.

    We still have several months that need hosts including September, October, and November. Hosting is fun and easy. We have a “How To” checklist on the webpage if you need assistance. We have many members who have hosted in the past that you might consider teaming up to make it even easier. If you are interested in hosting, please contact Lynn Hillman, Activities Coordinator, at: Im_hillman@mac.com. 

    I have a technical review to share with you this month that is a follow-up to the February 2022 Thunderbird fires and tire care article. The tech tip discusses fire extinguishers approved for cars. It is very important since it addresses real concerns with car fires that are documented in the CTCI The Early Bird magazine. The article is on our webpage under the “More” tab then the “Technical” drop down.

     I’m looking forward, as always, to meeting with you and sharing a story or two about Thunderbirds.

REMEMBER, IT’S ALL ABOUT FUN X 3!

Bill Brown

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: Lynn Hillman @ lm_hillman@mac.com

August:  Hosted by Lee & Stan Hostetler  Date, time, & location TBD

September:  Open

October:  Open

November:  Open

www.vaclassictbirdclub.com

The Davidson's  April 2009

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

Thunderbird Appreciation Day 2019

Chesterfield

November 2020

"Trophy Love"

Nancy Schmoyer

George Lake

October 25-30:  CTCI International Convention in San Antonio, Texas

Photo taken at Graves Mt. Lodge  Syria, VA  2008

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 YEAR TOTALS

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

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

lm_hillman@mac.com 

July :  hosted by the Wigleys   (date & location TBD)

 **  Historically this has been a 2 day club event with members arriving on Friday for lunch, sight-seeing and local exploration during the afternoon. After check-in at the Richard-Johnston Inn (or Caroline House), there is usually a cocktail hour in the courtyard followed by dinner in a nearby restaurant. Saturday after breakfast, the action moves to Caroline St. for the Car Show. After the awards are received, most members return home, but a few stay an additional night to enjoy a relaxing Saturday evening.

June 11:  Richmond AACA Annual Car Show at St. Joseph's Villa

link to Car Show Website:   http://www.richmondcarshow.com/ 

Note:  Click on photos to enlarge and see more.

December :  hosted by Lyn & Ron Padrick  (date & location TBD)