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Volume 37, Issue 2 March-April 2016
The Prairie Chief
The February Chapter Meeting & Chili Feed was hosted by members Marv & Kathy Neilsen of Minden on the 21st. Kathy supplied a huge crockpot of chili and other members brought sides and desserts. After lunch, Tom conducted a meeting and Marv and Kathy took us on a short tour.
Marv and Kathy have added a new addition to the Pontiac/Oakland collection. It is a ’37 Pontiac street rod above. It has a ’65 GTO motor with a tri-power and many cool and modern features. At right, all the fellas check out the ride.
Two more examples of Marv & Kathy’s collection.
Marv & Kathy’s sons ’63. Hillis enjoying the conversation.
Above is a cool custom made steel bench that was presented to Marv & Kathy by friends.
Nebraskaland Chapter Meeting @
Motorsport Park Hastings 427 S Showboat Blvd • Hastings, NE • 402-461-8031
1:00 to 4 PM, Sunday, April 24, 2016
Take Hwy 281 south to Hastings.At the 1st stoplight-42nd St-turn east (left).Follow new bypass east (about a mile)-42nd St.It turns south onto Showboat Blvd.Follow Showboat South-cross Hwy 6.MPH race track is on the east side.Turn in drive then turn left (north).The Club House is the first building inside thenorth gate.
You can also come from the east on Hwy 6.
Arrive at Track 1:00 PM-$10 per Person 1:15 PM Lunch-Valentino’s Lasagna/Salad Bar/Refreshments 2:00 PM-Short Driving School Outline in the Clubhouse 2:30 PM Track Laps-parade Laps First then Faster Fun Laps with 5 cars at a time. Lead and Follow. 3:13-3:45 PM MPH GR Club Member Rides-From the Clubhouse Gate
The last time the POCI National Convention was held in the Quad Cities was 1996. Three years prior to that, Dan Driscoll (now acting GM of Cordova International Raceway) had the dream of bringing it here. From every report that I’ve ever heard, he and the club succeeded and went beyond on every level! You may have had a taste of it then but, as you’ve probably noticed from the updates in Smoke Signals, we’re proud of our history. Our history in the Quad Cities goes back before the Civil War days. You might have read that the first railroad bridge to cross the Mississippi River was built here in the mid 1800’s. You might not have known that angry boatmen set a boat ablaze and pushed it towards this first bridge to destroy it in protest to reclaim riverboat trade. You also might not know that a young lawyer named Abraham Lincoln worked on behalf of the railroad. Yet, while all this history is interesting, the truth of the matter is that what really matters is the upcoming 2016 Convention. The Blackhawk Chapter’s goal this year is to further surpass Dan’s expectations and give you the best POCI convention experience you’ve ever had! That’s why, as locals, we’re going out of our way to bring you the best of what the Quad City Area has to offer. You may ask, what does Southeastern Iowa or Northwestern Illinois have to offer? We’re here to tell you, our area has plenty, a lot more than you may realize. Our feature tours, include visiting state-of-the-art companies like Alcoa Aluminum and John Deere Harvester Works, should be evidence in and of themselves.
While Alcoa is part of the auto industry, producing body panels for the Ford F-150 trucks, John Deere is just as competitive in the Ag industry, maintaining and updating its manufacturing processes to stay on top of the competition. You will also be able to capture more of the John Deere Experience at the John Deere Commons in Moline, Illinois.
Our other ‘ride supplied’ tour is the Pontiac Oakland Museum and Research Center. While you may have been to the facility, have you been to it lately? Tim and Penny Dye work tirelessly to keep it fresh. That way, while not all of it changes, there’s something new every time you go there. We’ve also got two pages of local attractions that you can go and see on your own, including the Village of East Davenport. You should take the available shuttle bus service to experience LeClaire, Iowa, amongst other things the home of American Pickers. Almost every single spot is less than a half an hour away by car or water taxi.
Wednesday features the Welcome Night, sponsored by Ames Performance. We have managed to secure Gray Wolf. They’re one of the Quad City Area’s finest entertainers. The members of the band describe themselves as a bunch of guys playing the music that they (and we) grew up with.
Of course there will be the swap space. If 1996 is any indication of how many vendors and people selling parts that will be here, we’ll have plenty, most likely with any and everything you’ll need to finish that project at home.
Thursday is a big day to concentrate on POCI events like the Oakland Breakfast Cruise, Road Warrior Lunch cruise, chapter meetings, and seminars. We’ve got some great speakers for seminars including Tim Dye from the museum and Fred Simmonds. You might remember that Fred was in charge of GM’s drag racing program until Pontiac Motor Division was gone. Both are world class in their knowledge and presentations. This packed day culminates with the POCI night Banquet.
On Friday, you have a choice. The points judged cars are on the field bright and early to be scrutinized by the qualified judges. There’s also the excitement of pure Pontiac power and performance at the drag strip.
Drag Racing has been part of the POCI experience since its start right here in the Quad Cities back in 1996. Cordova International Raceway, a little less than 30 minute drive up river on the scenic Great River Road, is going to open the gates at 9am with cars on track at 10am for a whole lot of quarter mile fun. You can run in the cash classes or just come out and see how fast your car will go in 1320 feet. If you’d just like to come out as a spectator and get all your senses stimulated, that’s almost as much fun. (Continued on page 5)
Dean Fait, Editor of the Blackhawk Chapter, which is hosting the POCI Convention this year sent this convention teaser.
Friday would not be complete without another feature event, the Captain Dinner Cruise on the Celebration Belle, leaving the Isle host hotel dock at 6:00pm. You will have the Mississippi Riverboat experience that has always been on your bucket list.
Of course Saturday is the big car show for Popular Vote and Road Warrior entries. We’ve got a covered show field for you that we’re pretty sure will be more than adequate to hold every show car.
It all winds down on Saturday evening with the annual POCI awards banquet. Our goal is the same as it was in 1996, to give you the best POCI convention that you’ve ever been to.
Make sure to catch the 2016 POCI Convention feature articles for more details on the events mentioned above. As stated, it is the Blackhawk Chapter’s intention for you to have a great time in the Quad Cities with memories that last another 20 years!
Chuck Merica has designed and is selling
Nebraska Pontiac Ownerst-shirts, polos,sweatshirt and hoodies They are nice shirts
and can be orderedin several colors.
If you are interested, contact Chuck at 402-734-0494 or
email at [email protected]
for prices and availability.
Tom Rappl 3-10Delane Adkins 3-13Kevin O’Rourke 4-6Marv Neilsen 4-12Ernie Abariotes 4-14Mike Chamberlin 4-24Joe Sharpnack 4-30Bill Walkinshaw 4-30Joan Kirchhoff 5-3Mary Wahonick 5-17 Mary Schwanz 5-24
Beryl & Mary Lou Thomas 4-1Chuck & Fran Merica 4-8Bill & Mary Schwanz 5-5 Ed & Susan Dellinger 5-11Mike & Toni Chamberlin 5-21 Jim & Meg Black 5-28
April 24 Chapter Meeting, Motorsport Park @ Hastings, NE Pg 3 info @ http://www.racemph.com/event/pontiac-club/
May 22 Chapter Meeting & Potluck BBQ, Walkinshaw’s, Lincoln, NE Pg 7 June 4, 2016 7th Annual Pontiac Tribute Day, Olathe, KS Pg 9 July 12-16, 2016 POCI Convention, Bettendorf, IAJuly 14 Chapter Meeting 3 PM @POCI Convention in Rio De Janeiro Room July 13-17, 2016 GTOAA Nationals, Seattle, WAAugust 5-7 TriPower Nationals, Norwalk, OHAugust 20 Pontiac Challenge Drag Races, Pacific Junction, IAAugust 21 4th Annual Show & Shine, Restore A Muscle Car, Lincoln, NE Sept/October ?? Chapter Meeting (TBA) Sept. 17-18 Pontiac Show, Pontiac, ILDec.?? Holiday Brunch & Meeting @ Misty’s Lincoln, NE
2016
Hello Nebraskaland! Some of you may not have heard that long time club member and past vice president, Chuck Roberts, is having medical problems and has been hospitilized. He now is recovering at Nebraska Skilled Nurses. Claudia and Mary have visited with him and he would like to hear from club members. Chuck Roberts NE. Skilled Nurses 7410 Mercy Rd. Omaha, Ne 68124Thanks to Marv and Kathy Nielsen for hosting our February meeting. Kathy provided a couple of tasty chili's and there was a good selection of desserts. The meeting was okay, too.POA members are having a car display at World of Wheels, March 18-20. There will be some POCI information, some Smoke Signals and registration forms for either Pontiac club, available. If you go to World of Wheels at Century Link, check out the display and volunteer to spend some time at the Pontiac table.I received an e-mail from the POCI office reminding members to mark the ballot in the February Smoke Signals, write in "Nebraskaland" along with your POCI number and get it mailed before March 31st. Also, packets for July's Nationals, will start going out March 15, for those already registesred.Our next meeting, in Hastings, at the Motorsports Park was arranged by Steve and Karen Kissinger. The club has been there, in the past, and this should be a fun activity with good food from Valentino's. See you in April.
Tom
President’s Notes
Nebraskaland Potluck & Chapter Meeting
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Secretary Notesby Mary Schwanz
The chili feed meeting was held February 21, 2016, at Marv & Kathy Nielsen’s place in Minden. President Tom brought the meeting together and thanked the Nielsens for hosting the meeting and chili feed. Beautiful weather and wonderful food. Nice to see all of those that attended. Thanks again.
Our last meeting was at Misty’s Restaurant in Lincoln. We had a great turnout - 48 people. It was nice to get together over the holidays. Plan is to have it there again next year. Chuck Roberts has decided to resign from being our vice president. We appreciate all of his input over the years. Hillis Mathes has volunteered to be vice president.
It is time to vote for new directors for POCI. In your latest Smoke Signals, you should have a post card to vote and mail in. Be sure and fill in Nebraskaland and your number. Alan Fanning from our club and district decided not to run. They have profiles on everybody running. Nice to vote for someone who actually is involved in the club. Tom brought up the new Smoke Signals and everyone felt that the new format is easier to read and a lot of articles along with photos. They were suggesting that the members write an article about themselves and why they are involved in the club and their love of cars.
April 21 is our next meeting (see flyer) at the Motor Sports Park in Hastings. We are having a catered lunch from Valentino’s, cost is $10 per person. Hope we get a good turnout. Another thing that some of us are going to is the Pontiac Tribute Day in Olathe, KS. It is held at the Bass Pro Shop on June 3. It is a show and shine. Some of us have been there before and it is a laid back show and shine. Hope you can join the crowd going. Of course, the nationals are coming up - July 13 to 17. Claudia talked to Larry Kreider who is setting up a meeting room for us so we can have a short meeting at the Nationals. We believe a large group is going to be attending. Chuck Merica and Hillis Mathes have arranged a cruise over to the Nationals. More on that in the newsletter. Claudia reminded all of us that after you register, you should go sign in at the chapter book. POCI acknowledges attendance per size of clubs. Hope a lot of you can make it. Diane brought up that possibly we could have a picnic in the fall. There is a dealership in Wahoo that we could maybe tour and then eat at Dos Margaritas in Wahoo. Tom and Diane’s son is a volunteer fireman so we could use their hall and bring food in. Also, some of us didn’t tour the classic car collection in Kearney so we could keep that in mind.
Claudia gave us a treasury report - $879. Remember dues are due. Mary Schwanz handed out handouts from Bob Hughes who has been working on the website. It is https://nebraskapontiacowners.wordpress.com. Thanks to Bob for working so hard on this. If any questions or you want to put something on the website, just let him know. Chuck Merica brought a sample of a new t-shirt for the club. Quite nice. It has Nebraska Pontiac Owners so it can represent both clubs and anyone else that would like to buy one. The shirt company needs an order of 50 to go ahead with it so if you are interested, be sure and let Chuck know.
Tom talked about the NRCA and how they stick up for the hobby. Of course, they will have Tour Nebraska the first weekend in June. They also have a jacket for sale and a couple of people from the club are purchasing them. The next NRCA meeting is going to be in Wahoo. No one had anything else, Hillis asked for adjournment with Chuck seconding it.
Submitted by Mary Schwanz
Pontiac Tribute Day Sponsors
7th AnnualPontiac Tribute Day
• Door prizes• 50/50 drawing• Dash plaques for all cars• Raffle for neon light Pontiac sign• Discounted tickets to the KC Auto Museum
For more information contact: Wayne Kitchen at (816) 810-6969 or [email protected]: KCARROWHEADS
Nearby Hotels: Hampton Inn 12081 S Strang Line Rd Olathe, KS 913-393-1111With parking for trailers:Hilton 12080 S Strang Line Rd Olathe, KS 855-499-0001Holiday Inn Express 12070 S Strang Line Rd Olathe, KS 913-397-0100
June 4th, 2016
Bass Pro, 12051 Bass Pro Drive, Olathe, KS (I-35 to exit 220 at 119th St.)• Registration Opens at 10:00AM * No fees * No Judging * Rain or Shine• All Pontiacs, Oaklands and GMCs invited – newer, older, restored or unrestored• Meet Rocky Rotella, Author of How to Rebuild Pontiac V8’s and other Pontiac
performance books• Meet Tim Dye, Editor of POCI Smoke Signals magazine and Founder of the
Pontiac-Oakland Museum
Presented by the KC Arrowheads Pontiac Club
Wayne Alderson with the Bandit, Snowman’sSemi and David Betz as Sheriff Buford T.
Justice
DJ Terry NicollPlays Your Favorite Tunes All
Day
Performances byOneNiteOnlyKC
As The Blues Brothers!
Membership Application for the:
Nebraskaland POCI ChapterA Chapter in good standing in the Pontiac-Oakland Club International, Inc.
Thank you for your interest in our NEBRASKALAND Chapter of the POCI. In May of 1980, we began to form our Chapter. We now have approximately 32-40 members and their families from across the state of Nebraska.
Our Chapter membership dues are $20 per year. Each applicant is encouraged to become a member of the Pontiac-Oakland Club International. Inc. (See above)
The NEBRASKALAND Chapter meets throughout the year at members homes, car shows, rallies, etc. Activities include picnics, cruises, tours, swap meets, BBQ’s, potlucks,etc.
Date____________ Car(s)__________________________________________
Name_____________________________________ __________________________________________
Spouse/Associate___________________________ __________________________________________
Address___________________________________
City_____________________________________ State_______ Zip___________ POCI #_____________
Phone___________________________________ Email_____________________________________________
Birthdays________________________________________________ Anniversary______________________
Send dues to:Nebraskaland Treasurer • Claudia Mathes • 7304 Co. Rd. 25 • Kennard, NE 68034-5002
Dues for 2016 were due January 1, 2016. Your label or email will have a “16” behind your name if you have already paid.
Please send the application below when you mail your check.
Other News
Chuck Merica has organized a Cruise Across Iowa, going the the POCI Convention in Bettendrof, IA. We will leave Wednesday morning the 13th of July from Council Bluffs, IA. The complete itinerary will be in the next newsletter.
There will be a chapter meeting at the POCI Convention Thursday, July 14 in the Rio De Janerio Room in the host hotel from 3 PM to 4PM.
Don’t forget to sign the Chapter book before noon on Thursday, July 14 at the Convention
Chuck Roberts is doing well and is at home.
Please support these Nebraskaland members and their businesses.Any members with businesses or services that would like them listed, send a card or information to the editor.
President:Tom Rappl
4001 NW 126th St.Lincoln, NE 68524
Vice-President:Hillis Mathes
7304 Co. Rd. 25Kennard, NE 68034
(402)-427-7323
Secretary/Treasurer:Claudia Mathes7304 Co. Rd. 25
Kennard, NE 68034402-427-7323
Newsletter Editor:Claudia Mathes7304 Co. Rd. 25
Kennard, NE 68034402-427-7323
Board of Directors:
Larry FuchsArlington, NE (Eastern Area)
Bill LorenzenLincoln, NE (Central Area)
Marv NielsenMinden, NE (Western Area)
(308) [email protected]
Nebraskaland POCI
Claudia Mathes7304 Co. Rd. 25Kennard, NE 68034
First Class
