The Rotunda Times - Ford & Mercury Restorers Club of America

The Rotunda TimesJanuary 2009FMRCOA Meeting MinutesJanuary 7, 2009President Art began the meeting with a “Happy New Year“to everyone. After the Club statement of purpose wasread, he introduced guests. Bob Witt has two cars: a 1974and Mar. 21 st (Miller Welding) The cost is $10 including anice lunch. Time frame is 10 AM to 3 PM. Phil suggested thatwe could share rides and make a day of it.Mike’s mart is doing a big business, and Mike is using it as anoutlet for his used coveralls FREE! He announced that youcan have a large logo embroidered on your own jacket. SeeMike for details.A report from Terry, our Membership Chair, indicates that wehave 363 members, with 275 renewed for 2009. 43 membersstill need to renew.There was interesting car talk and a lucrative lottery drawing.A bit of the lottery money went into our charity fund. Nicegesture!Phil Lyon, Secretary105 Club Members braved the icy weather to attend the meeting!Ranchero and a 1964 Thunderbird. Russ Coty brought friendPaul Redding, who has a 1934 Ford Cabriolet, and joined theClub at the meeting. Darcy McGroarty has a 1969 convertibleand a 1951 Ford. Welcome guys! They are all nice Club cars.It was announced that Wally Wigand is in the hospital. Hewas in for a shoulder replacement, and is now recovering froma heart attack.Bob had membership badges for five members, but some werenot present. The count tonight was 105.A happy birthday to our most senior member Maurice Horger!We were reminded of the upcoming dinner dance on the 17 thof January.The December minutes were approved and the Treasurer’sreport was read and approved. Our hall rental was negotiatedand raised.Autorama is the weekend of March 12 th and Bill Large willbring us the handy fold up event calendars for 2009.Steve mentioned that he is getting low on feature vehiclesfor the newsletter. Contact him if you would like your ridefeatured.Phil told of seminars sponsored by Ididit in Tecumseh, MI.They are on January 17 th (Detroit Speed), Feb. 14 th , (Lokar)Continued on page 14.Club Members in the NewsClub Members Don Olson, Jerry Mattson, and Bill Stanleywere featured in the January 17 edition of Detroit News’Joyrides by Jenny king. The article, entitled “Breakfast ClubTakes Cars and Food Seriously,” reported on a group thatgathers faithfully every Saturday morning at the Ram’s Hornrestaurant on Rochester Road in Rochester Hills, Mich. TheBreakfast Club is an informal group of car enthusiasts andcollectors who have no officers and no by-laws. Just a passionfor older cars and trucks.Don Olson’s ‘70 Mustang in front of the Ram’s Horn“Some guys show up as early as 5 a.m.,” said FMRCOA ClubMember Don Olson. “I’m eight miles from the restaurant, so Idon’t always get there on winter Saturdays,” he continued. Hiscurrent project is a 1936 Ford he hopes to bring to perfectionin time to be invited to the 2009 Concours d’Elegance atnearby Meadow Brook Hall.Jerry Matson’s “head turning” red-and-black 1953 Mercuryhardtop was also featured. “I did find rust in the gas tankand fuel lines and had to replace those,” says Mattson, whogot the Mercury from a friend who had bought it an owner inPage 7