July 2005

Dear Model T’ers Everywhere,

“A messenger boy was walking down the street reading a novel when he was struck by a Ford car. The driver asked the boy if he was hurt. “Naw,” said the boy, “but you made me lose my place in the story.” (Funabout Fords, by J.J. White, The Howell Company, Chicago, 1915)

At our June meeting we had 31 Model T’ers present at the Piccadilly Cafeteria here in Orlando, we even had some T folks from South Carolina that were down on business and looked us up. Of course we talked and talked about our favorite hobby – THE T – but we also received an invite from Marquise and Jack Mahaffey to join them at their place to celebrate the 4th of July too. Well, we of course accepted, since we know that Marquise is a great cook and promised us barbeque chicken, beef and spare ribs – plus all of our ladies were bringing deserts and side vegetables. Before the festivities though we went on parade with our 8 or 9 T’s to Geneva where we experienced a fly by of World War II vintage aircraft, three bi-planes and I believe I saw SKY KING hero of my youth do a fly by too. We paraded with horses, buggies, kids on trikes, a real honest to goodness Cobra that the owner had bought new, a couple of tractors, kids on bikes, black powder gun tottin and civil war cannon pullin Confederates, and a three wheeled BMW bug. June was almost a record month of rain here for us in central Florida – it rained every day in June but three days! Our hats are all off for having a beautiful day on the 4th of July. Jack really worked on making sure the road to his house was passable – and we sincerely appreciate all of the effort that went into the day. We also had some Model T races on the back porch with six Model T’s (they really have a big back porch) and just about everyone wanted to get in on the action. We even picked up a new member that day at the parade -- a grand old 1926 two door sedan and her family who had adopted her family just two weeks before and they followed us to Jack & Marquise’s house for the festivities too – what a great celebration we had – HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! Makes you want to sing ….. “I’m proud to be an American!”

Today as I sit and write the newsletter I’m envious of all of those members – six or seven families – that are up in the Shenandoah Valley for our Model T Ford Club International’s 49th Tour – May you have a safe and enjoyable tour – ah, next year! Those of us that have to stay and work salute you and look forward to hearing all about it too.

Wayne Thalasinos passes on this interesting and here before unknown Tinkering Tip. Wayne and his son were working on the gas tank of a Model A and trying to clean it out. It was bone dry and had been for some time. They found out that you could put some duct tape on the end of a stick, put it in the tank and pick up a lot of really neat pieces of wood, rust, cork, and metal shavings, but you just couldn’t get it all. Whereupon they decided to use mom’s trusty vacuum cleaner. Wayne’s small grandson said something about the vacuum going boom, but Wayne said that’s OK it’s probably just a bolt or metal shaving, not to be deterred they continued to vacuum out the tank and shaking the car from side to side, whereupon the vacuum clean really went BOOOM caught fire, and all hands – and the rest of them too --evacuated the garage. The moral of the story is – listen to your small grandchildren – OR – don’t use Elaine’s vacuum cleaner (or anyone else’s) to vacuum your gas tank – OR – try to explain to your wife why her vacuum cleaner is out in the yard on fire!

Jack and Susie Whitt are in the planning stages of a little overnight tour for us to Homosassa Springs October 22-23rd which will be a lot of fun too – make sure you are at the next meeting to get some more details too. Our Christmas party plans are in full swing and we even had a volunteer to coordinate the caterers – Bodacious Sue Restich. The Model A’s of Greater Orlando are looking for a few good cars and have invited us to their annual roundup, Olympics, games, and picnic.

MAKE a grea”T” day! Mike Story, President

EVENTS

July 26th – Next Meeting Piccadilly Cafeteria,1801 E Colonial Dr (SR 50), Orlando 7-9 p.m.

July 17-22 – 49th Annual Tour Model T Ford Club International in Shenandoah Valley, VA

September 18th – Model A Olympics

October 8-11 – Hershey Swap Meet

October 22 – Tour to Homosassa Springs sponsored by the Whitts

November 10-13 Zephyrhills Florida Festival

December 10th – Christmas Party

Copyright© 2005 -Modet T Ford Club of Central Florida - All Rights Reserved