Michiana Monthly

HOW NOW BROWN COUNTY?

By June Schmidt

On our first trip to the SAAC Spring Fling held at Brown County State Park in Nashville, Indiana, we were warned about how hot it could get down there in May. However, for the first two years that we attended, the weather in the area hit new low temps for that time of year: 30 degrees in the mornings and it may have hit 65 degrees by late afternoon. Since then the temperatures have varied from that low to highs in the 80's some years. However, one weather factor has remained constant -- it almost always has rained on at least one of the 3 days of the event. This year didn't disappoint the rain dancers.

We left on Friday morning with gray skies and rain forecast. The first 50 miles of our journey, it sprinkled and drizzled, but then was rain free with a hot sun when it did shine. We chose not to do the Friday morning Pony Trail this year. As always it was a beautiful drive from Nashville to Madison. The newly-green trees and the small towns and the many beautiful Mustangs cruising along were a beautiful sight to see. We heard that some road repair and trucks hauling gravel spiced up the drive this year.

Friday night, the group of 17 Michiana Mustangers split up to eat at various places in the area. We ate at the rustic Abe Lincoln Lodge there in the park. Buffet style or ordered from the menu, the food here is just like homemade. Mother Nature treated us to a roaring rainstorm spiced up with some hail while we ate.

The Friday night Welcoming Bash was next on our agenda. Mostly healthful items were on the snack table this year; no greasy, unhealthful hors d'oeuvres as in the past, just some chips with dip and salsa and fresh carrots, cauliflower, broccoli and radishes. With each person's registration packet, a small packet of puzzle pieces was attached. For the ice-breaker each person had to find someone with puzzle pieces that they needed and exchange for different ones needed. Curly Long was the official rounder-upper of pieces, assisted by the official putters-together Jane and Dave Yoder, Bob Goeller, and others interested in helping. All the cooperation helped our puzzle be one of 24 put together. Names were put in a hat and those winning a whole puzzle were Jim Schmidt, Curly Long, Alan Wright, and Terry Gunderman. Door prizes were also given, but for some unknown reason, just a couple were won by our club members.

After this activity ended, all us Northerners headed to our rooms/ cabins hoping to spend a peaceful night resting up for the Saturday show. Those of us in the lodge or annex were able to walk back to our rooms under cover of the newly built walkway and indoor water park which just began operating this spring. We had hoped to spend a peaceful night resting up for the car show, but again Mother Nature had a thunder/boomer storm awaiting us.

Saturday morning/show time came up looking threatening with the usual predicted. The men headed down to the show area to clean up the cars - again - and thanks to Karon Long, eleven of us girls were chauffeured to downtown Nashville for some looking and shopping. After about 5 hours, our shopping addiction was ended and it was time to decide what to do about our famous Chef Diane cookout, planned for the evening meal. After much discussion and waffling, it was decided to call it off because of the huge possibility of rain and wind. However, it seems MN was through with the rain, but everything was pretty well soaked, so eating together at a Mexican restaurant turned out to be fun and dry.

As usual, we all waited patiently in the hallway for the banquet to be over, so that we could hear some new Mustang stuff and see if we won any awards. The speakers were engineers with Team Mustang and spoke to us about the 2010 Mustang and the GT500. They also wanted to hear what we liked and disliked about the 2010 and what we wanted to see in the future. One of the nicest things about this Brown County show is the beautiful glass or acrylic awards that they present.

Our members attending this show were: Becky and Art Campbell, Pat and Bob Goeller, Jane and Dave Yoder, Shirley and Larry Weaver, Alan Wright, Connie and Vic Garrison, Karon and Curly Long, Jim and June Schmidt, Diane and Kenny Reed. Rose and Hal McClure, Shirley and George Wachs, Lola and Terry Gunderman, Kami and Chad Woody, Paul Rogers, and Dawn and Steve Scarborough. 1st place winners were Wachs, Wright, Reeds, and Woodys. 2nd place were Longs, Becky Campbell, Schmidts, Scarboroughs, Weavers, 3rd place winners were McClures and Yoders.

Last, but not least, we all await the announcement regarding the Attendance Award. Doug Scott, the MC for the program at the Spring Fling who once was a member of our club, always has something nice to say about the Michiana Mustang club. This year he mentioned that ours was a model club and because of our encouraging members to attend this show, we almost always won the attendance award - except last year - when the Saleen club beat us out, BUT THIS YEAR, BECAUSE OF OUR GREAT MEMBERS, we tied with the Saleen Club, and each club got a $100 award. HOORAY FOR US AND THANKS ALL YOU MICHIANA MUSTANGERS FOR COMING THROUGH AGAIN!! ! ! ! ! ! SEE YOU NEXT MAY!! ! ! ! !

RACE TO INDY

By Bob and Pat Goeller

Our trip to the Nationals in Indy was one of the nicest experiences that we have had and overall better organized. On Friday morning we arrived to find a long line at registration but it did move along. There actually had been just in front of us a group of 30 Bullitt Mustangs with a police escort. Hey! Where was ours? Aren’t we special too? After getting our picture taken and parking the car, we spent an hour cleaning our car and then said enough of this! We quickly made our way over to watch the Mustangs’ drag race and went to the shirt vendors to get first pickings on everything. Around mid-afternoon we left to go stay with our son and his wife. And as all good parents do we told our son to remove all vehicles from his garage (we did say it in a nice way) because our Mustang was going in for a thorough cleaning. And as all good children do, don’t argue with mom and dad.

Saturday was another beautiful day and a little warmer. More cleaning!! Judging was at 11:30 a.m. and we finished cleaning at 11 a.m. We were fortunate enough that the judges came by around 12:30 p.m. so we didn’t have to clean again on Sunday. The rest of the day was ours to visit with old friends and watch racing. There

One of the best parts of a show is being able to visit with friends

were truck pulls, diesel drag racing and burnout contests. We were able to locate Jim and June Schmidt, Larry Weaver, and Dave Yoder, who rode to the show with Larry. We also found some of our club members who just came for the day.

On Sunday, after the last few remaining cars were judged, there was more drag racing. Show participants were also able to take their cars a few laps around the O’Reilly Raceway track. Since there was a long line we opted not to do this.

Awards were at 1:30 p.m. This is where we found out that there had been 514 cars on the show grounds. The bad part of the awards ceremony was that it was hard to hear the announcing. There was no p.a. and the open drag racing was still going on. But the good part was that even with the large number of cars all our members received awards. The award was a ceramic stein with the show logo on it along with a certificate. Jim and June received a Gold, Larry a 2^nd place, and we received a 1^st place.

All in all it was a great time with good friends and good-looking cars.

There was plenty of action on the track

Getting to know…

Family

Location Occupation (s)

Member Since Current Mustang (s)

What got you ‘into’ Mustangs?

Your favorite Mustang? Your dream Mustang? Your favorite Mustang

Experience?

People might be surprised to know that I/we...

Vic & Connie Garrison Larry & Shirley Weaver

Son Tommy Daughters Brenda and Kimberley, 4 grandchildren

LaPorte (35 years) Mishawaka (45 years) Vic: Branch Manager for Motion Industries Larry: Retired Elementary Principal,

1992

‘67 Coupe, ‘71 Mach 1, ‘94 GT Convertible

Almost driving one at the ‘64 World’s Fair in New York

Black ‘67 Shelby Convertible

Any long cruise. ‘Pulling’ over 22 Mustangs through Atlanta. Crossing the Smokies with over 16 Mustangs. Cruising to Kokomo with Darrell, who needs to show up again and have some more fun!

Like woodworking and photography. Even though I was only 12, I was one car away from driving my first Mustang in New York City. I was born and raised on a farm in New Jersey.

Shirley: Retired Special Ed Teacher, both from School City Mishawaka

1998

‘69 Convertible, ‘72 Convertible (‘Little Red’)

Larry: I’ve always loved sporty looking cars and the Mustang was that; plus, it was affordable. We bought our first new one in 1972. It was a ‘Grabber Blue’ convertible.

We both love ‘Little Red’.

A ‘66 Shelby GT with racing stripes

All of our trips with the club, the Fall Cruises, and the extra things, such as bowling.

Shirley loves Corvettes, and over time has owned 2 different ones. (Ed. Note: Have Shirley tell you some of her Corvette stories!)

Things For Sale! Two Engines

One is a 5.0 and has been rebuilt and is ready to be bolted in. I also have the fuel injection to go with it for $1,000 or best offer.

The second engine is the 3.8 from the 1983 Mustang. It has been totally rebuilt and has only 1,000 miles on it.

If you have any questions, you can e-mail Harold at hjedrzejewski@yahoo.com

***

I still have 5 like new P185/75R14 tires for sale, white wall. One has NEVER been on the ground; still have the wear tips on yet. The other 4 have 4/32" wear left on them. They are already off the rims.

For anyone who is a club member of M.C.A. or the Ohio Classic Mustang Club I will sell ALL 5 for $175.00 (That's $35 ea.) Four of them are SEARS tires & one is a Cooper Tire, but all of them match.

If anyone wants these tires, they can e-mail me at

phigley@srscnet.com

***

1985 mustang 5.0 ho, automatic, lx hatchback. All original except exhaust and paint. Motor has new oil pump and timing chain, but transmission needs work. Very drivable after trans repair but lieu of, very good for parts. Like to sell for $950.00. Well worth it just in motor and rear axle. If interested please call Harry Scholz at 574-291-9085 home, or 574-386-7512 cell.

***

• 9“ Ford center section - 4.56 gear with spool set up for a 31 spline axle $450.00

• 428 4-barrel intake (C68E) $150.00

• Set of cast iron factory headers for a ‘71 429 $250.00

• 428 FE block (C6ME) $200.00 For more information call Ken Reed (269) 641-2120

***

• 1994-95 Automatic Transmission; 80,000 miles, works great. $150.00

• Black 1994 convertible interior; no tears, a little sun damage. $250.00

• (4) Stock 17” rims (no tires); good condition $100.00

Call Steve York 574-532-4810

***

"Original A.M. Ford Mustang Radio"

Has #5 in the upper left hand side of the face, p/n 5TPZ -029105, casting # 2814675-8. The bezel is PERFECT! No pits in the chrome, plastic behind bezel is perfect! Wires have NOT been cut! Housing is clean! Need Knobs. It’s been gone through & it play's beautifully!

Perfect for your early ‘65 Mustang. Can fit what we call a 1964 1/2 Mustang, but the number's don't match that run. First $300 takes it! Photo of the radio can be sent by e-mail. But you must ask for them..

Shipped anywhere in the U.S. by ground U.P.S.. Any club member that buy's this radio, I WILL TAKE CARE OF THE SHIPPING!! (Must show membership card #.) Shipping runs $5.00 on way..

phigley@srcsnet.com

Looking For...

WANTED: 1965/1966 parts car for use as an assembly guide to finish my convertible. Tim Janowiak at 574-271 -7568.

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If your item has sold or is no longer available for sale, please contact the newsletter editor.

Lost and Found

There was a green folding chair left behind at the

Zeigler Show and Shine. If it’s yours, I’ve got it. You

can claim it at the picnic. –AC-

From the Back Seat…

The trees in the park…

(This section is mainly for our newer members, who would not be familiar with part of our picnic tradition.)

Seven trees stand to the south and west of the picnic shelter in Twin Branch Park. Seven trees...some well on their way to maturity, others in various stages of the journey… Seven trees planted by the Michiana Mustangs Club in remembrance of members we have lost in the past few years.

The eight people recognized by these trees helped make this club what it is today. Some were not with us a long time; others had a profound influence on us as a club and, for many of us, personally.

Each year we gather among the trees to formally remember our friends. Of course, for many of us these people are in our thoughts throughout the year.

The trees in the park...one more part of the Michiana Mustangs ‘family’.

And Bob, even though there’s no tree in the park (as you wished), we’re thinking of you, too.

*****

If you get a chance, pick up a copy of the July issue of ‘Muscle Car Review’ magazine and read this month’s guest column ‘Your Turn’ by reader Dave Hoover.

The writer of the column talks about his Chevys, but the Mustang version of his column could be titled ‘But it’s only a…’

I don’t know how many people I’ve heard over the years (and I’ve been one of them) answer a compliment of their car with ‘Yeah, but it’s only a four-or six-cylinder, unfinished project car, daily driver, or GT,

or whatever, instead of a Mach,

Roush, Saleen, or Shelby. Dave’s answer is one we should all keep in mind…’Yeah, but it’s mine.’

Let’s make it a goal to eliminate the phrase ‘But it’s only a …’ from our vocabulary and that of any other enthusiast we encounter.

We may have Mustangs that we dream of having some day, but until then, let’s enjoy our current cars to the fullest, and not let anyone (including ourselves) take any of that enjoyment away from us.

To quote the article, ‘Be proud, and feel free to use those four words.’

Have a good month...

Speeding Tickets - Which State is the Most Expensive?

What is the most expensive speeding

ticket in the US? If you’re the type that gets in a car and likes to put the pedal to the metal, you may want to ease up on that pedal. This should be true wherever you are but one should pay special attention to their speedometer when they are in the state of Virginia. The state charges up to one hundred dollars more than the national average but they have also just added a new $1,050 surcharge for first-time offenders for those that live in the state. This totals $1,350 and is the most expensive speeding ticket that one can receive in the United States.

Watch the speed when traveling in Georgia as well. They not only have a charge of $1,000 for first-time offenders but these offenders could also be put in jail for up to one year. North Carolina also charges $1,000 dollars for a first speeding offense but they will let the accused off with only sixty days in jail. Other states that carry the $1,000 fine are Nevada and New Hampshire but there you will not serve any time in jail.

Alabama History - From a Technology Standpoint

Last January the New Orleans Times Picayune reported that a Cajun amateur archaeologist dug to a depth of 10 feet and found traces of copper wire dating back 100 years and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 100 years ago.

Not to be outdone by the Cajuns, in the weeks that followed, Texan scientists dug to a depth of 20 feet. Shortly after, headlines in the Dallas Morning News read: "Texas archaeologists have found traces of 200- year old copper wire, and have concluded that their ancestors already had an advanced high-tech communications network one hundred years earlier than the Cajuns."

One week later, The Birmingham News reported the following: "After digging as deep as 30 feet in fields near Sylacauga, Bubba, a self-taught archaeologist, reported that he found absolutely nothing. Bubba has therefore concluded that 300 years ago in Alabama they were already using wireless."

Harold Zeigler Show and Shine

22 Mustangs came out in what at first looked like threatening weather for our annual Zeigler Show and Shine. Thankfully the weather cooperated and kept any rain at bay.

New General Manager Nelson Neal spent the morning meeting and getting acquainted with members. He is very excited about the club and has more than a few ideas for our September Show and Shine.

Many thanks to Nelson and his staff for their hospitality, not to mention the pizza! As usual, a good time was had by all.