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Board Meetings
Our Club Activities for the 2012 Season
Club’s Web Site - www.michianabrits.com.
Membership - Currently the Club’s annual membership is 72.
Board Members
‘British Marque’ Car Club News
If you are not receiving this publication, please advise Herm Marrese at (574) 271-7550
Newsletter Submissions
This is the Newsletter of the Michiana Brits, Ltd., Car Club and is distributed to all paid Annual Members as
part of their dues. If you would like to submit articles for publication, they are most welcome, the deadline is
the 25th of each month. Send all correspondence (electronic submissions are preferable) to the President,
bring it to a General Meeting, or send to the Newsletter Editor at [email protected]
Material is subject to editorial revision and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily
reflect those of the © 2012 Michiana Brits, Ltd., British Car Enthusiasts.
November 6, 2012 6:30 p.m. Tom Shumaker
30327 N. Meadowbrook Lane, Elkhart, IN 574-370-0941
January 7, 2013 6:30 p.m. Mary Petersen 574-273-1462
51620 Fox Hollow Court, Granger, IN 46530
December 1st, 2012 6:30 p.m. Chuck and Blanche Knight 260-854-2959
6645 S. 500 East [email protected]
Wolcottville, IN 46795
Details page 7
President: Larry Palguta V.P. Membership: Herminne Marrese
Phone: 574-288-3923 Phone: 574-271-7550
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
V.P. Activities: Tom Shumaker V.P. Communications:
Phone: 574-264-5727 Email:
Email: [email protected]
Secretary: Treasurer: David Piser
Email: Phone: 574-217-8557
Email: [email protected]
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Minutes f rom November 6 , 6:30 p.m. Board Meeting
1) Financial report - $1043.32 in the club’s account.
2) Newsletter – Mary has the newsletter ready for final editing.
3) 2013 Car Show - the MGB/GT was selected as the Featured Marque.
4) Flexible magnetic logo sign – Tom provided a sample with the club’s logo, about 18” long by 6” high,
authorized to purchase 20 more for a cost of $70 for all 21 magnetic signs.
5) Elections – Larry will announce results at November 17th
meeting/breakfast.
6) Facebook page for club – Mary volunteered to set up and maintain a Facebook page for the club,
Steve Peterka is supplying electronic logos and photos for the page.
7) Christmas/Hanukkah Party – Dec. 1st at Knight’s; email notices will be sent out.
8) General Meetings/breakfasts, 8:30 AM – November 17th
at Perkins, Toll Road Entrance/Exit, Elkhart;
January 19th
– Copper Creek Café, Pancake House & Restaurant, 12634 SR 23, Granger, IN 45630.
9) Board meetings, 6:30 PM – January 7th
Mary Petersen’s residence.
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October Meeting/Dinner at Wheatberry Restaurant and Tavern by Larry Palguta
On the evening of October 10th, the Brits met at the Wheatberry Restaurant & Tavern, Buchanan, MI for their monthly meeting/dinner. Twenty-four members were present in the back room reserved for the dinner. Chuck & Blanche Knight drove their MGB/GT from Wolcottville, IN to attend the dinner. Mick Ross brought his friend Gary, who is visiting from Florida and looking for a British sports car to purchase. I had recommended he come to the dinner so he could see some of the Brits' cars and discuss the pros and cons of various makes and models. Gary was also told that the desire to buy a British sports car is something akin to a disease that is incurable, actual ownership only lessening the symptoms. David Piser provided a Treasurer's report and Larry discussed the recent and upcoming drives (Fall Tour, Winona Car Show, Fall Colors Drive). Randy & Bev Glanders are again hosting the Fall Colors Drive on the 20th, and a sign up sheet for potluck dishes was passed around to those who will attend the drive and dinner.
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Larry announced the nominees for election to the Board and that nominations will close on October 11th. He also requested a volunteer to host the annual Christmas/Hanukkah Party on possibly Nov. 30th or Dec. 1st, or Dec. 7th or 8th. The next general meeting will be a breakfast on November 17th at the Perkins Restaurant & Bakery at the Elkhart, IN Toll Road Entrance/Exit.
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Winona Lake Fall Festival and “Fall Out” Car Show by Larry Palguta
The Northern Indiana Lakes club’s October 6th
“Fall Out” Car Show at the Village of Winona is
always the last local car show of the season. Weather can be “iffy” as shown by a couple of past drives
and shows in light rain and cold temperatures. The 2012 Show was proceeded by the arrival of a cold front
with a high predicted temperature of 50 for the day. So a light turnout wouldn’t have been surprising.
But weather doesn’t deter the Brits or be allowed to diminish our reputation as a driving club.
Ten LBC’s showed up for the breakfast meeting at the Bravo Café at Osceola, IN. Randy Glanders,
Tom Shumaker, Keith Wishmeier, Dan Craft, Herm Marrese, and Dave Terhune were soloing it for the
day, while Larry & Deb Palguta, Bob & Mary Petersen, Roger & Ruth Deacon, and Bob & Wendy
Kerstetter occupied both seats of their LBCs. John Dieringer was there for just breakfast and visiting with
the Brits. Three MGBs, two MGB/GTs, one MGA, one MG Midget, two Spitfires and a Mini Cooper.
Dave Terhune and the Kerstetters arrived post-breakfast, while the Deacon’s two granddaughters, Olivia
and Emileigh, also arrived after breakfast to ride along in the Mini.
The morning turned out to be sunny, dry and cool for the drive southeast to Warsaw and the Village
at Winona. And most of the day was that way until cloud cover began rolling into Winona around 2 PM.
The caravan of ten cars left the Bravo a few minutes after 9 AM, and crossed the street where it was
promptly stopped by a train that slowed to a standstill. The Kerstetters had buzzed by the street, missing
the turn, but went east and crossed the train tracks. After about 5-10 minutes of waiting, the club reversed
and went east also to cross the tracks in front of the waiting train. Although Bob and Wendy waited for the
caravan to show up on County Road 26, we did not reconnect so they headed on to Warsaw. Randy lead
the now 9 car caravan along a series of back roads that slowly jogged us over to SR 15 for the straight
south shot to Warsaw and Winona. No dirt roads, no gravel roads, very smooth driving.
At Winona we waited in line to clear the “money lady” and have a photo of each car taken before
heading down along the canal to a designated parking area. Everyone got situated in due course, and
headed to the registration tent to check in, get a goody bag, and then start looking around. The rules
changed this year - you had to turn in a ballot before you could get your door prize ticket - thus ensuring a
high return of completed ballots. And for the first time in years, no discount coupon for lunch at the Boat
House Restaurant. Oh well, nothing ever stays the same, always change.
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Spitfire GT6
The Car Show had a turnout of 83 cars (16 from the Brits) and there were lots of “civilians”
attending the Fall Festival and Car Show. Some highlights were a literally pristine Spitfire GT6, a like-
wise high caliber Triumph TR250 next to it, a cute small mouth TR2, and a rare 1937 Railton Limosine
with all of the detail accoutrements in its extra trays and cubby holes. The trunk was completely full of
specially designed-to-fit luggage. A Rolls Royce doesn’t get any better than this vehicle from up the road
in Goshen.
TR2
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We decided to go to the Boat House for lunch at noon. Unbeknownst to us there were parties, a
reception and other groups packing the Boat House for lunch, in addition to the usual tourists. We were
told our estimated party of 16 would have to wait an hour to an hour and a half to be seated. I guess my
announcing loudly to the group that we’d have to go somewhere else to eat was more than the now-present
manager could take, so he found us two tables of 8 each. We ended up with 11 members for lunch (a
couple of potential attendees wondered elsewhere on their way to the Boat House). Nevertheless, we had
great service and very good lunches and back on the street in 50 minutes. Hint - next year, call from the
Bravo with a head count for a reservation at the Boat House.
Ruth, Deb & Herm in search of a good buy
I checked the white board on the bridge over the canal and my door prize ticket was not yet listed
(but it was in 20 minutes and I accepted my prize of a non-wax paint polish). Walking around before and
after lunch revealed other Brits who were at the Car Show - Ken & Kathy Geljack (1961 MGA Police car),
John & Kathy Bushnell (1949 MGTC), Bob Danielson (1955 Jaguar XK 140 MC), Stan Mason (1960
Austin Healey Sprite), Dale & Judy Zinn (1952 MGTD), and Carl & Betty Young (1958 MGA).
Considering the predicted cold weather, possible wind off the lake (didn’t happen!!) and the variety
of new cars at the Show, this turned out to be a beautiful day, great drive, and one of the better Car Shows
at Winona.
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Last club event of 2012 !!
2012 Christmas/Hanukkah Party on Saturday, December 1st
Chuck and Blanche Knight are hosting the annual Christmas/Hanukkah Party on Saturday,
December 1st, 6:30 PM at their large log cabin in the woods. The Knights reside at 6645 S.
500 East, Wolcottville, IN 46795 tel: 260/854-2959 email: [email protected]
Club members planning to attend, please RSVP to Chuck or Blanche at (260) 854-2959 or
[email protected] , no later than Saturday November 24th
, and advise of the potluck dish
you will bring. Members with last names A-M please bring side dishes, N-Z bring desserts
and appetizers.
The club will provide the meat dishes and members should bring a potluck dish and their
own beverages.
The dinner is followed by an optional gift exchange (small separate gift exchanges by the gals and the
guys). Rules: Guys bring a gift with a British or motoring theme and a value of $15-20; gals bring a gift
with a value of $15-20. The will be the usual gift stealing after opening the gifts.
Toll Road – go east and exit at SR 9, Howe Exit, head south about 15 miles (7 miles south
of LaGrange), turn left onto East County Road 700 South (Lutheran Church on NW corner;
this road is north of Wolcottville), head east about 1/2 mile to a four way stop, go straight
through the four way stop and go one mile where you turn left onto South County Road 500
East (intersection at top of little rise, only turns left), head north about 0.3 mile, first house
on the right (cannot see house from road), look for a rail fence. DO NOT USE GPS coming
from the north unless you have an AMPHICAR.
SBN By-Pass/Route 20 – head east to downtown LaGrange, turn right onto SR 9 and head
south about 7 miles, turn left onto East County Road 700 South (Lutheran Church on NW
corner; this road is north of Wolcottville), head east about 1/2 mile to a four way stop, go
straight through the four way stop and go one mile where you turn left onto South County
Road 500 East (intersection at top of little rise, only turns left), head north about 0.3 mile,
first house on the right (cannot see house from road), look for a rail fence. DO NOT USE
GPS coming from the north unless you have an AMPHICAR.
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SR 6 – head east, just past Brimfield turn left onto SR9, head north about 7 miles, turn right
onto East County Road 700 South (Lutheran Church on NW corner; this road is north of
Wolcottville), head east about 1/2 mile to a four way stop, go straight through the four way
stop and go one mile where you turn left onto South County Road 500 East (intersection at
top of little rise, only turns left), head north about 0.3 mile, first house on the right (cannot
see house from road), look for a rail fence.
________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________
2012 Fall Colors Drive By Mary Petersen
The 2012 Fall Colors Drive, held on Saturday, October, 20, was hosted at the home of Randy and Bev
Glanders. The morning was cold and rainy, but would not stop the many members who braved the weather
with the tops up on their cars and met at Bev and Randy’s home. Drivers received their maps and
instructions. Ladies visited and refrigerated their goodies for the dinner later.
We started out on our 2 ½ hour drive to Mendon, Michigan to eat lunch at The Fisher Lake Inn.
Lunch was delicious! Service was great. It poured down rain while we were having lunch, but by the time
we left the rain had stopped or at least slowed down a bit. We drove through some awesome roads with
beautiful fall colors.
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After lunch, we drove the winding roads for a stop at Bonneyville Mill in Bristol. We drove through the
Langley Covered Bridge that was built in 1887.
,
Our Fall Colors Drive ended at Randy and Bev’s house for a
pot-luck dinner made by club members to accompany the chili that was served by the hosts.
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HOCKING HILLS REVISTED
(or How I Learned to Love Wally World!)
By Larry Palguta PART 1
The Michiana Brits completed another four day Fall Tour in successful fashion (we
all made it without a major breakdown!) for the five cars that traveled to southeastern Ohio.
The club had visited Hocking Hills four and five years ago, and enjoyed the scenic beauty,
huge rock formations, and fabulous driving for little British cars. The lure of the
challenging driving, staying in cabins with good amenities and hot tubs, and the many
sights and activities brought us back for another visit.
Thursday morning, September 20th , under overcast skies and cool temperatures, the
travelers met for breakfast at the White Dove Restaurant on the east side of Nappanee, IN.
Tom & Debbie Shumaker in a 1980 TR7, Randy & Bev Glanders in a 1974 Triumph
Spitfire, Larry & Deb Palguta in a 1972 MGB, and Roger & Ruth Deacon in a 2006 Mini
Cooper, had an enjoyable breakfast while waiting for Jim & Kim Betz in their 1960 MGA
to join the group. The Betzs showed up and the group was off, out the parking lot and
down the road a few hundred yards when the CB crackled that we needed to pull over, the
Betz’s MGA was puffing smoke. A quick check under the hood revealed a radiator coolant
hose blown off a metal sleeve and the loss of some coolant. Larry had a clamp and
screwdriver, Tom had coolant and duct tape, and Jim had a funnel for refilling coolant.
After about 20 minutes, we were all up and running again. Jim later admitted it was ironic
that a hose connection he had made would fail on his car.
The group traveled Route 5 which went west around Ft. Wayne and connected with
Route 224 at Huntington, IN, and stopped at Decatur to gas up before heading into Ohio.
The weather was a bit overcast but no rain, so it was easy driving in cool weather. On the
south side of Decatur, we took US 33 all the way to St. Mary’s, OH (just missing Bobo, IN)
where we picked up Route 29, to head diagonally southeast across Ohio.
Around 1:30 PM we arrived in Sidney, OH where Tom had identified The Spot
Restaurant (located at the southwest corner of the stately court house) for our lunch stop.
We parked near The Spot, which is known for its pies. A bunch of tables pushed together
seated all ten of us, and orders were placed at the walkup counter. Milk shakes, pies,
sandwiches and Kim’s tenderloin sandwich that hid all of the plate underneath, were big
hits with the Brits. The shakes were so thick that Randy held his cup upside down, with a
spoon in the shake, and nothing fell out! And the pies were great.
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Deb, Tom & Debbie hit The Spot
The Brits drove on through Urbana to Route 56 at Mutual, then to London,
Circleville, and finally Laurelville at the Hocking County line. From there it was a short
drive up Route 180 to Route 374 and the Nestled In cabins. The ten of us occupied 3 cabins
and our host Cris Paxton marked on the Hocking Hills magazine all of the good places to
eat. The first local place for dinner was the Home Tavern in Logan, the nearest actual town
about 10-15 miles away.
The Home Tavern is a large bar restaurant – beer drinking, TVs, card game
competition and dining all at the same time. Although dinner was a slow affair, we all
relaxed and enjoyed great burgers, drinks and fried pickles. Plus the major of Logan
chatted with us; his children being grads of Purdue and Notre Dame, he had been in South
Bend for the game on the 8th.
After dinner, we all went over to Walmart just off US 33, where some of us hung out
in the parking lot with local teenage boys, while those who went shopping decided to buy
food for breakfast. Each cabin has a kitchen, but the main cabin has a full size kitchen
(dishwasher!!!). Making our own breakfasts saved us lots of commuting time in the
mornings in addition to a few dollars.
Friday the 21st started with Jim Betz (talented amateur cook!) making scrambled
eggs, sausage and toast for the group. Everyone pitched in and helped with food prep,
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serving, or clean up. Then we were off for a quick walk through Rock House (located
about 100 yards up the road) and a scheduled tour of the Columbus Washboard Co. on the
south side of Logan (actually down the street from the Home Tavern). Rock House is a
cave with a grand tunnel-like corridor midway up a 150 foot cliff. It is a gentle climb and
walk; a short adventure to start the day.
Rock House Cave
The Columbus Washboard Co. is the last manufacturer of washboards in the US. The
business boasts four employees and the thorough tour of their small manufacturing facility
was very interesting. Thousands of washboards are sold each year, some to major US retail
chains, and many go overseas for actual use in washing clothes by locals. The manager is a
British expat who has a taste for American muscle cars, but he was excited to look over
each of the five LBCs in our group.
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Columbus Washboard Company
After the tour of the washboard company and photos in front of their 35-foot tall
washboard, it was back to Wally World for gas and a new CB for Tom to replace a failed
unit. While there, Jim’s MGA started producing a lot of hot electrical smell. After crawling
and poking around under the dash board on the passenger side, Randy found wires too hot
to handle. The problem turned out to be a shorting out fan motor for an A/C unit that has
not been used. The rogue fan was turning on and off randomly; Kim wondered at times if
she was having hot flashes! The fan was disconnected and we headed out to lunch on the
southeast side of Logan. Pearl’s is a neat-as-a-pin small diner on east Front Street. The
owner/waitress Pearl is quite a character who serves lots of great home-made dishes. Tom
asked “what is the spaghetti salad like?” and Pearl, after a large sigh, said “It’s got spaghetti
in it!”. Anyway, lunch was really good and we’d gladly dine there again and enjoy Pearl’s
hospitality. After lunch, we headed to Old Man’s Cave off of Route 374, located well south
of our cabins. Randy led the way and we had good driving on Route 664 and great driving
on twisty up-and-down Route 374.
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Jim & Randy fixing the rogue A/C fan, Kim supervising
(ARTICLE CONTINUED NEXT MONTH)
