Michiana Monthly

Comments from the President

Note: We will not be able to meet at the Fireman's Hall for the September 14th meeting. This is due to a conflict with the hall having their union meeting on that date. So instead of trying to find a place to meet on such short notice, we will have our meeting at the Harold Zeigler show and shine on September 12. The show and shine is from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. We will have our regular meeting along with presenting member trophies and judging sheets at that time.

*******

Well, another car show for the books. Even though it rained most of the morning we still had 110 cars on the show site. I would like to thank Carl and all those who helped put on a successful show. Our sponsor Harold Zeigler came to our show with two cars to display and also a $250 check for our club. We had several positive comments about our show. Here’s an email sent to Old Fort Mustangers with a copy to us –

“Hey gang what a turnout! The OFMC rolled out of the Fort with 20 cars in tow and made it to Michiana with 19 the one casualty was Bob Nicola who had some problems with his convertible and limped the ol’ girl back home safely. We did have to put up with some tough weather but once it broke we enjoyed a really nice show, had some Enzo’s pizza and took home some hardware ie: Trophies, many of them. Congrats to all who won we will post a list with the pics as soon as Bob can get them updated. Thanks again to all who went we received many compliments from the Michiana Mustang Club and their appreciation for our attendance.”

A small group of us (17) made it to the Silver Hawks game the Monday after our show. We had a good time and you can’t beat $1 hot dogs and drinks. Plus, our club name was on the Silver Hawks electronic sign. It’s always good when you see your name up in lights. And yes, we were good luck for the team. They won 5-4.

With Labor Day over it’s hard to believe that fall is upon us. It seems like we just got our cars out and now it’s time to start thinking about putting them away. We still have at least 6-8 weeks of good Mustang weather. Brad will be letting us know what he has planned for our fall cruise.

Bob

Minutes from last month’s meeting:

Bob opened the meeting by welcoming everyone. The minutes from the previous month needed a correction. Steve York’s daughter is named Jill not Jessica. The minutes were then approved and seconded by Howard and Kevin, respectively.

There was no National Director’s Report given, as Jim was not present. We do have the insurance from the National for the Tire Rack event and it is listed in the MCA magazine.

Several members reported that Ft. Wayne was a good show this year and especially good weather. Curly talked about the Das Essenhaus show. He said there were 17 cars from our club who participated, and we were also the featured group for that night. He reported that altogether there were 174 cars that attended. We also had our picture around the Essenhaus foliage sign. Pictures from this event and from Long’s house where we had Curly’s ice cream will be in the September newsletter. Thanks, Curly, for the great ice cream!

Dave reported that 80% of our car show was already paid for and there would not be a 50/50 drawing at our meeting.

Carl talked about our upcoming show and it was announced that there were approximately 100 door prizes. There was to be show set-up on Friday beginning at noon with lunch in the mall. The set-up would begin at 1

p.m. Carl asked those helping with the show to be there Saturday around 6 a.m. Also, if anyone still wanted to volunteer to help on show day we could still use the help. He said this year we will classify the cars, get them parked and then let them go to registration. Around 10:30

a.m. participants would be allowed to get their coupon, dash plaque and voting ballot when presenting their dash card. As of this meeting there were only 12 judged cars and 42 preregistered cars (30 member and 12 non-member). There would be no club swap space as there was little interest.

Upcoming events: August 15Dowagiac show (Curly is bringing ice cream), August 22Kouts parade, September 5-Tire Rack event (be there at 9 a.m., start racing at 10 a.m. until everyone is tired, bring a dish to share and helmets), September 12-Harold Zeigler show and shine.

As of now the Cavalcade of Wheels will be March 20 and 21, 2010 at Century Center. But if they have a bad showing this year they won’t have a show in the spring.

We are planning to have a fall cruise. Brad said he would let everyone know when. Remember the next meeting is at the Fireman’s Hall and through the rest of this year. Say a prayer for Curly and Jim to have a safe trip. They will be picking up Jim and June’s newly purchased ’66 Mustang.

The meeting was adjourned.

By Pat Goeller (sub) Before I met Steve, I never thought about people being Mustang Enthusiasts or had a passion for the Mustang. I would see a nice Mustang and may have thought, what a nice car, and gone on with my day not thinking another thing about it. When I met Steve, he introduced me to his 1989 Mustang he named “Scarlet.” He soon began taking me to car shows. Before we reached our destination, we would stop at another location to look at cars on the way to show to look at more cars. I never really got it! Ever since Steve can remember, he had the “Mustang Passion!” I think the first two-syllable word he uttered was Mustang! The passion is one of the threads woven into who he is. I enjoyed our time together, and thought looking at cars isn’t the worst thing. He had countless admirable qualities about him; so if it fed his spirit, I could participate in cars shows and everything that went along with his car passion.

My grandmother Mimi was the pillar of my life. She was the epitome of kindness and everything that was good. She was more to me than my grandmother; she was my mentor and my friend. It was a privilege and honor to be her granddaughter. I loved her as much as it was possible to love another human being. She inspired me to be the best person I could possibly be. I still remember getting the call from her. They found a lump and it looks like cancer. “Cancer,” I repeated back to her. She said it again. I began to cry. She said, “Don’t cry, everything will be alright!” There she was facing this insidious disease; how frightened she must have been, and she was comforting me just as she always did.

“A Mustang Story”

by Dawn Scarborough

I knew from the very beginning, she would be a survivor. She had to be. I didn’t want to think losing her was a possibility. She had a mastectomy and began chemotherapy. It was a brutal cycle. She became violently ill after every treatment which lasted for days, and quickly lost her hair. She faced this challenge the way she faced every challenge in her life, with dignity and grace. She never complained nor was her faith ever shaken. She had hope from the very beginning. After one year of therapy, the doctors deemed her in remission. This was a time to celebrate. I breathed a sigh of relief.

The celebration didn’t last long. We received news from her oncologist. It was the worst report possible. The cancer had returned and seemed to be more aggressive. Another round of chemotherapy began in conjunction with radiation. The combination of the two really took a toll on her body. She lost so much weight and began to look like a shadow of herself. She weighed less than 90 pounds. Once again, it didn’t impact her spirit. I was in denial as it wasn’t in her liver, so I believed she was going to be a survivor. She passed away on July 23, 1991. She was the most treasured person in my life, and now she was gone.

About a year ago, Steve came to me with a desire. He wanted to purchase a new 2008 Mustang. Not just a Mustang, but a ‘Warriors in Pink’ Mustang honoring my grandmother. We named her “Sally.” I know in my heart of hearts, a black Mustang with pink stripes wouldn’t be Steve’s pick for himself. I believe he would have chosen a smoking-hot red Mustang or a Kona Blue Mustang with white stripes. He unselfishly picked this car for me. I cannot think of a more endearing way he could show how much he loved me and honored my grandmother. What a precious gift; I will forever be grateful. He then had the perfect idea for a license plate, ‘4A Cure’. Not only does “Sally” honor my grandmother, it is our desire this somehow gives hope to the people still in the fight. There are survivors. Although my grandmother wasn’t one of them, she still inspires me today as I carry her with me everywhere I go. Every time I drive “Sally,” I feel the special connection and bond I had with my grandmother. It transports me to a special place. It’s a time to celebrate again!

I am very careful when I park “Sally,” not too close to anyone, fearing a door-ding may occur. I do not care how far I have to walk. She is washed and dried every Friday whether she needs it or not. I don’t want to drive her in the snow. She was parked all winter in the garage, where she is safe and sound awaiting the sunshine so she could emerge again. This past spring, we took Sally to the Brown County Shelby Show and won Second Place in our class. I was on top of the world! I thank Steve for unleashing the “Mustang Passion” in me. It is one of the threads woven into who I am. Now, “I get it!”

A special thank you to Art Campbell for inspiring me to share my story with you.

(Ed. Note: Pictures of Dawn’s car are on page 11)

Treasurer’s Report: August 2009

Total Day-of Show Registration 1010.00 Pre-Registrations 159.00

Membership Dues

Membership Anniversaries

Are on page 10 this month

On the mend…

Please keep these folks in your thoughts, and keep in touch with them as they return to good health...

• Dick Spitaels, complications from a broken leg and ankle

• Ted Sauerbeck, from surgery

2009/2010 Events Calendar

Sunflower Fair Car Show, Downtown La

Porte (9:30 AM-3:00 PM) Wanatah Scarecrow Festival Car Show, Wanatah Lions Club Park (8 AM-3 PM)

Michiana Mustangs Monthly Meeting

Winner’s Circle—July

Bourbonnais Show

• Alan and Lisa Ippolito

• Jim & June Schmidt

• Kami Woody

Cruise-In Calendar

Winner’s Circle (continued)

Old Fort Mustangers’ Show

• Bonnie & Phil Higley: 1st

• Kevin Price: 1st

• Steve Scarborough: 1st

• Larry Weaver: 1st

• Alan Wright: 1st

• Howard Barrett: 2nd

• Curly Long: 2nd

• Jim Schmidt: 2nd

• Laura Berry: 3rd

• Phil Nicodemus: 3rd

• Ken Schmitt: 3rd

And the Winner is...

By June Schmidt

Of all the places that we have attended car shows, the one that gets our vote for all the best things would be the Old Fort Mustangers show in Ft. Wayne, IN. Although it is over a one hundred mile drive for us and on fast time it is well worth the time.

Held on the paved parking lot of IVY Tech College, it is easy to find and get to. Even in hot, windy, or rainy weather there is always the air conditioned building to shield us from the storms. A grassy knoll with shade trees is often nicely cool and a breeze usually finds its way to us. This year, for the first time, the grassy shady knoll was too cool, and we found ourselves sitting out on the parking lot where it was warmer. As in every year in the 10 that we have gone there, rain always finds its way before, during, or after the show, but not enough to keep the ponies away. For a change, the building was warmer than the outside, so we "warmed" up in there while we ate a healthful lunch prepared by the culinary students at the Tech.

Until 2 years ago, this show had been a popular vote only, so with our crowd of members, most of us won in our class. Since it has changed to modified MCA judging, guess what? Almost all of the 16 cars entered won again. Those attending this year and winning first place were Bonnie & Phil Higley, Kevin Price, Steve Scarborough, Larry Weaver, and Alan Wright. Winning seconds were: Howard Barrett, Curly Long, and Jim Schmidt. Third place plaques went to Laura Berry, Phil Nicodemus, and Ken Schmitt. Also attending were Master Photographer Vic Garrison and Vince Springer.

Because Ft. Wayne listed us as having 16 cars entered in the show, our club won the attendance award of $100. Although we don't know who the other "members" might be, we happily accepted the check (we will probably be passing that award back to the Ft. Wayne club at our club show on August 8^th). Useful prizes are raffled off here, too, as Karon and Curly Long found out one year when they won a set of brand new tires.

What more can we say to convince you to try the Ft. Wayne show? Try it and we know you will like it.

Bourbonnais or is it Bearbonnais?

This little town just across the border in Illinois has been our last show of the season for about 10 years. In case you Colt fans don’t recognize the name, it is the home of the Chicago Bears’ summer training camp.

One of a few held on Sunday, the show was held at a Ford dealership until about 5 years ago when it moved to a beautiful grassy and shady city park that had once been a farm. There were over 300 cars this year, the largest number since we have been going.

Each year this club honors a different Mustang and that model year gets in free. Last year, it was the Mustang II and there were about a dozen beautiful 2's there. Never thought we'd call that year model beautiful, but they were. This year's honored

By June Schmidt

car was the Indy Pace Car and strangely enough there was only one.

The Park department sells lunch sandwiches as does a private vendor, so lunch is hot on the spot. The Ford semi-trailer selling Ford and Mustang apparel, jewelry and other Mustang- themed articles was also there; the first time we have seen it at a regional show. The club said they had called to inquire about getting the truck and they just happened to have an empty spot in their schedule. From the look of the lines of people waiting to buy, I would say that their trip was worth their while.

Because of the large crowd, this show always has a healthy 50/50 drawing. Back in 1999, we won $201. This year the winner took home $431!!!

Attending, but not winning the 50/50 this year were: Dawn and Steve Scarborough, Kami Woody, Sandy and Joe Kraatz, Alan and Lisa Ippolito and Jim & June Schmidt.

The trophy winners were the Ippolitos, the Schmidts and Rac'n Kam.

This show probably gets the best assortment of Mustang, Thunderbird, and Ford-powered vehicles that you will ever see in one spot. Try it some year, you will like it.

Essenhaus

The Michiana Mustang's participation at the Essenhaus Cruise-in on Thursday July 30 went very well. The weather reports leading up to Thursday night were reporting rain and storms but the weather people showed their true skills...it was a beautiful evening. The Essenhaus set aside a special section for our cars. The club had a very good turn out with 17 cars on display. We talked to a couple of potential new members and several who will be attending our show on August 8. Joel Miller, the Cruise-in coordinator, mentioned over the PA several times our club and our August 8th show. As a note of information: Joel Miller's parents started the Essenhaus. Several of our members won door prizes.

We had our usual "member circle huddle of lawn chairs" with lots of good conversation before and after, most of the group going to the Essenhaus to take advantage of the plentiful, good food and the 10% discount. They all came back licking their chops. Beef and noodles were popular for many of them.

At the end of the cruise-in, some of the club attendees drove their cars to the hedge row on the grounds where Essenhaus has sculptured their name with a hedge row and had our picture taken by Joel.

Following the event, some of the club members went to our house (Curly & Karon) for some tasty home made ice cream. We've done this in the past. I want to thank all the Michiana Mustang members who attend the Cruise-in. Some, like Dick & Gloria Cornman, came a long way. We'll plan to continue this as an annual event.

In His Grace Curly & Karon

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...

Curly & Karon Long

Children Dave, Dian (deceased), Doug, and Dena, 8 Grandchildren

Bristol (since 1985)

Retired: Curly in '93, GTE Division Manager and Karon in '95, Optician

2000

1967 Purple Coupe; 1996 Red GT Convertible; 2006 Red GT Convertible.

After college we had no car. I'd always owned Fords, so I walked to the Ford Garage in Grinnell, Iowa, where they had a 1965 White 289 V8, Fastback. I couldn't pass it up and drove it home.

Our favorite Mustang is the one we're driving at the time.

Our dream Mustang would be our first '65 fully restored.

Our favorite Mustang experience would be any and all the times we've spent with the MM Club Members.

Though we believe we have a model marriage now through God's grace, we had to get married, our first child was born 26 days after our wedding and our first years were very, very rough and shaky.

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

***

"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

***

I have the following items below for sale. Please call

574-360-860 for more info. Thanks, Ted Sauerbeck.

• 1968 Ford Ranger. Clean

• 1988 Mustang GT Convertible. Show car.

• "Kar” Car Dolly. Good Condition w/winch.

*** Looking For...

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

***

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 June Zeigler Show and Shine. If it’s yours, I’ve got it. You can contact me to claim it. –AC-

Membership Anniversaries

Ken & Diane Reed 15 years

Phil & Bonnie Higley 5 years

Kevin & Janette Price 5 years

Frank & Kathryn 5 years

Schmidt

Blake & Angie Pierce 4 years

Phil & Tandy 2 years

Nicodemus

Buck & Ann McKesson 2 years

Robert Baracani 1 year

Jeffery Phillips 1 year

Terry Perschke 1 year

Jason & Jill Sisk 1 year

Welcome, Back!

Becky Christena Chris & Elizabeth Pasternak We’re looking forward to seeing

you!

Correction…

The dangers of ‘cut and paste’… Last month I should have said that Decker Scholarship winner Jill Sisk is studying Nursing at IUSB instead of having Jessica Milliken going to two schools in two states. Best wishes to you, Jill, along with my apologies.

Happy Anniversary!

29 Ken & Diane Reed (42 years)

If I missed your birthday or anniversary, please let me know. Thanks!

This Month

2 Ken Schmitt

6 Becky Christena

19 Theresa Sarul

19 Jane Yoder

19 Jackie O'Blenis

20 Becky Schmitt

22 Louis Estrada

24 Janice Wright

26 Sandy Kraatz

From the Back Seat...

Numbers

Included on the Membership Application and Renewal form is a place to list the Mustangs you own. I’m not sure if it has been done before (I’ve never seen such a report), but I sat down recently and went through the roster of cars. We currently have 147 cars registered.

• By generation: 1st (1964 1/2-1973): 59 (40.1%) 2nd (1974-1978): 1 (0.7%) 3rd (1979-1993): 32 (21.8%) 4th (1994-2004): 34 (23.1%) 5th (2005-2009): 21 (14.3%)

• The most popular model year: 1967 (15 cars-10.2%)

• We have 10 or more cars in 3 model years: 1964 1/2-65, 1966, and 1967

• We have no cars in 8 model years: 1974-75, 1977-78, 1980 -81, 1993, and 1995.

• We have 40 ‘Special’ Mustangs (Shelbys, Machs, Bosses, etc.)

While I was going through the list I also looked at our demographics.

• The Club has members in three states (Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio)

• The 74 Indiana member families live in 22 different cities, in 11 counties

• The most represented city is Elkhart (14 members)

• The most represented county is Elkhart (26 members), just beating St. Joseph county (25 members)

If anyone wants to see the lists, let me know. I’m not sure what all of this tells us, but it was an interesting exercise.

*****

I hope you enjoy Dawn Scarborough’s Mustang story as much as I did. I saw her display in Brown County and knew there was a story behind the car. This time I was right. Thank you Dawn, for agreeing to write your story.

On a related note, again I am begging for newsletter contributions. As you see on page 8, I came up short a profile this month, and there is nothing currently in the pipeline for profiles or car stories.

My gut tells me that there are other stories out there that members would enjoy. Please help make this newsletter interesting!!

*****

One last note: Thursday, October 1, is the annual Leukemia and Lymphoma Society ‘Light the Night’ walk. Again this year there is a team registered for the Michiana Mustangs. Anyone who would like to walk with me is more than welcome; any donations you care to make will also be appreciated. If you have questions, see me after the meeting.

Dawn Scarborough’s ‘Warriors in Pink’ Mustang