2014 halloween party - Arizona Classic Thunderbird Club

ARIZONA
BIRD CHATTER
Volume 43
Number 12
December 2014
2014 HALLOWEEN PARTY
This year’s Halloween Party was a rousing success any way you want to look at it! Wonderful, innovative costumes, a great mixture of socializing
people, good food and beverage choices…. and
then, of course, there was the show!
I put the words on paper, Myrna and Duane
Foster researched the music for the words, coached
and recorded all the stars, who lip-synched their own
voices on stage. They had all protested that they
could not sing, but sing they did and not too badly
either!
The good witch
was portrayed by songster Myrna Foster, the
two naughty witches
were Kathi Price and
Kathy Marchisotto, who
waved their wands
around, causing all
kinds of havoc.
Paul
Fruscello
sang and danced with
his dummy of a wife as
Captain Marvel, while
his real wife, Jean,
played the hapless
Ruby, who was thrown
over by man-about-town
Ken Falkenberry for the
luscious Joleen, Virginia
Snyder.
Pat
and
Sam
Ciammitti reprised their
roles as Bubbles and Peter Miles Long, who were
being blackmailed this year not by a ghost but by a
choir member from their church. So they offed her.
Clara, enthusiastically played by Yvonne Wager, was not a nurse this time, but an innocent
young girl being taken advantage of by a rather
nasty man who promised to marry her if she got rid
of his wife! The man, played by Tom Wagner, never
saw the end coming so suddenly, but Clara said he
deserved it.
Tom Harris bravely stepped in as the only
zombie in the cast. Duane Foster was the singing,
dancing Monster Mash, Jim Rodgers the saxophone-playing Purple People Eater, and Mike Wood
the growling, stomping, dancing Frankenstein.
John Marchisotto arrested all the evil doers,
and the judge, Mike Price, complete with robe, gavel
and English-style wig, passed sentence on them all.
The very efficient waitress in the familyoriented bar judged the
costumes, and cash
prizes were given to
Sandra Marley, outfitted
in black and white
makeup and wig, and
Frankenstein, outfitted
as, well, Frankenstein.
Because of the architectural expertise of
Duane Foster, we were
able to get the party
place free, and last
year’s decorations were
mostly recycled, except
for the witch’s cauldron
and other items put together by Mike Wood.
The masks on the
centerpieces were donated by Mary Ann
Schein and put together
by the team of Paul and
Jean Fruscello, Linda and Chuck Young, Kathi and
Judge Mike Price, who handled the unruly tape like
a pro!
I am gratified and humbled by the enthusiastic
response of the party goers in general, and especially the actors who made the words pounded out
on my computer come alive!
Thank you!
…. Jeannie K
Page 2
Once again the holidays are
upon us. This is in my estimation
the best time of the year with Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. This is truly a
time for giving thanks and enjoying family, friends
and all the good food, drinks and events the season
bestows upon us. It is also the time to get those
Classic ‘Birds out of the barn and on the road, as all
of you who drove in the Thanksgiving Parade know.
And speaking of giving, that reminds me of a
topic I recently discussed with club member Chris
Ames. If you are looking for a great gift for your car
enthusiast, how about a car battery? Alright, I know
what you are thinking: a car battery? For God’s
sake, can’t you come up with something better than
that? Well, this is not just any old lead acid battery. Antique Auto Battery produces maintenancefree gel type batteries for all sorts of vehicles from
the ‘20s to the ‘70s, including Classic T-birds. These
batteries can be purchased on their website, antiqueautobattery.com and shipped to your home for
around $300 including shipping. That’s not bad considering the fact that a maintenance-free DieHard
Platinum costs about $250. The T-bird batteries are
designed to look like the old lead acid batteries with
realistic simulated caps on the top and original design on the exterior. The ‘56-57 battery has original
dimensions of 14" x 5.5" x 9". These sealed batteries do not corrode the battery posts like the old lead
acid batteries, have 750 cold-cranking amps, and do
not go dead when they sit like the old ones do. The
next time you see Chris’ car, take a look. So, after a
few cocktails, break down and order one!
My special thanks to all the past and future club
board members, callers, run organizers and other
volunteers who have served our club so well, as well
as those faithful members who attended our meetings and participated in our events. It is all of you
who make our club the largest and most successful
T-Bird club in America. Keep up the good work, and
I hope to see all of you at our last event of the year,
the annual Christmas Party on December 13.
Finally, I want to thank each of you for trusting
me to be your club president for the past two
years. When I joined this club I never planned to be
the club president, and I have to thank John Marchisotto for encouraging me to do this. It has truly been
an honor to serve you and to be part of this great
club. We have enjoyed fun times in 2014, and with
our new President, Jim Rogers, and returning other
board members, 2015 truly promises to be another
December 2014 Arizona Bird Chatter
great year. So, hang some holly from the rear-view
mirror and get out there and enjoy the roads and the
holidays. May your hearts be filled with love, your
home filled with peace and your
lives filled with God’s richest
blessings!
Gregg Thurston
No regular
meeting this
month!
All ACTC events
are smoke-free!
~ DECEMBER ACTIVITY ~
December 13 .......................... Christmas Party
MAJOR JANUARY AUCTIONS
10-18
14-18
14-16
16-17
Barrett-Jackson, Westworld
Russo & Steele, 101 & Scottsdale Road
RM Auctions, The Biltmore
Gooding & Company, Scottsdale Fashion
Square
…. Stewart Wright
Note of Thanks
I’m on the mend and coming along well. I’m
pretty skinny, but getting my strength back. A
rough road.
Thanks!
Terry Duquette
Arizona Bird Chatter December 2014
2014 CALENDAR OF ACTC EVENTS
December 13
Christmas Party
Thurston
2015 CALENDAR OF ACTC EVENTS
January 11
Meeting
January 30February 1
Back to Tubac
Marchisotto
February 8
Meeting
February 14-15
Road Rally/Valentine Weekend
Wagner/Thompson
March 6-8
Midnight at the Oasis
Wagner
March 15
Meeting
March 21
ACTC Tech Day
Falkenberry
April 11
ACTC Night at the Pavilions
Havel
April 12
Officers’ Picnic
April 18
Eastside Progressive Dinner
Fruscello
April 25-26
Economy Run
Wood/Bialy
May 1-3
Route 66 Fun Run
Thurston
May 17
Meeting
June 14
Meeting
June 27
Pool Party
McKee
July 12
Meeting
August 26-30
CTCI Regional in Albuquerque
Thompson
September 13
Meeting
Page 3
October 10
ACTC Night at the Pavilions
Havel
October 10
T-bird Birthday Party
Dechaine
October 11
Meeting
October 17
Westside Progressive Dinner
Kennedy/McKee
October 31
Halloween Party
Kennedy
November 8
Meeting
November 14
Road Rally
Marchisotto
November 26
Veterans Parade
Havel
December 12
Christmas Party
UNSCHEDULED 2015 EVENTS
TBA
Palm Springs
Fruscello
TBA
NASCAR at PIR
TBA
Sonic Flash Mob
Falkenberry
TBA
Wrigley Mansion/Tovrea Mansion
Wagner
TBA
Hawaiian Luau
Foster
TBA
Bondurant High Performance
Driving School
PLEASE NOTE !
September 25-27 Run to the Pines
Marchisotto
All dates and events listed above are tentative
and subject to change. Please check the calendar
each month for changes.
SHHHHHH….
As a courtesy to others, please remember
to turn off your phones or set them on vibrate
when you enter the meeting room!
Page 4
NOVEMBER MEETING MINUTES
President Gregg Thurston called the November 9, 2014 meeting to order at 10:10 AM
at the Elks Club, then led our Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. A motion to approve the October minutes was presented and seconded.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Gregg called our attention to the gift baskets up front. Kathy Marchisotto
explained the theme of each basket. Tickets are $5
each or six for $20. Winners will be drawn at the
Christmas Party.
ACTIVITIES: Myrna Foster reviewed the coming activities. Refer to the Activities section in the
newsletter for details. Checks for the Christmas
Party must be received by November 25! Rooms
will be available at the Embassy Suites, PhoenixScottsdale in case you don’t want to drive home after the party, a 3.2 mile drive from the party. Ask for
the group rate of $126 per night. ▪ John Marchisotto
spoke briefly in regard to the Tubac outing in January. Refer to the newsletter for details.
AUDITOR: Kathy Marchisotto had no report.
SECRETARY: Dede Ross had no report.
TREASURER: Tom Wagner gave the current
balance in both the checking and rainy day accounts.
WAYS & MEANS: Don Rebtoy spoke about
the new Route 66 light switch plates. Jackie McKee,
Manager of Copenhagen, had purchased a promotional pink chair with the proceeds going to Arizona
Oncology. Jackie and Tom donated it to ACTC for a
special auction, the proceeds of which to be donated to the Wounded Warriors. Ken Falkenberry
was the winner with a $75 bid.
HOSPITALITY: Yvonne Wagner welcomed
potential new members Ed and Karen Gallagher
and their yellow 1956 T-bird. Also welcomed were
newlyweds Shelly and Alan Thurston. ▪ Michael Trapasso has a new daughter-in-law. ▪ Yvonne mentioned both Lynne Silvernale and Ruth Butera were
battling a sciatica problem. ▪ We were all happy to
see Terry Duquette and Dean and Ina Wakefield at
our meeting and feeling better. ▪ Ken Falkenberry
thanked Kathy and John Marchisotto for the fun
Road Rally held November 1. ▪ Tom Harris reported
that his 15-year-old granddaughter, recovering from
appendicitis, was still able to place fourth in a swim
meet and fifth in a relay race; a tough cookie! ▪ Bonita Lilly mentioned Anne Hoag would like to hear
from old members as she is not able to attend meetings. ▪ Chuck Thompson mentioned his daughter
completed the New York Marathon. ▪ Last of all,
Happy Birthday was sung to members with November and December birthdays.
EX-OFFICIO/NOMINATIONS: John Marchi-
December 2014 Arizona Bird Chatter
sotto had no report
MEMBER-AT-LARGE: Sam Ciammitti
had no report.
MEMBERSHIP: Pat Ciammitti reported
membership stands at 130 households, 236
members and 108 T-birds. We have (23) ‘55s,
(33) ‘56s and (52) ‘57s.
NEWSLETTER: Barb Blair had no report.
CTCI: Chuck Thompson mentioned he has
membership applications available.
PUBLIC RELATIONS: Michael Trapasso
spoke of upcoming parades. The Grand Marshall of
the Veterans Day parade on November 8 was none
other than Bruce Campbell who was in the movie
We Were Soldiers. Upcoming parades are listed in
the Bird Chatter.
PARLIAMENTARIAN:
Mike Wood looked
over the cars driven today and commented on the
increased number of T-birds driven to the meeting
(17). He chose a beautiful ‘56 yellow ‘Bird belonging to Ed and Karen Gallagher, who earned a $20
gas card.
OLD BUSINESS:
Jeannie Kennedy, just
voted the ’Hostess with the Mostest,’ recognized the
cast members who starred in her Halloween extravaganza. Not only did members have a crazy fun
time, the party generated over $400 to be added to
the ACTC coffers. Way to go, Jeannie (and Mike
too)!
NEW BUSINESS: Be sure to take a minute to
check the ACTC website, as there are pictures
available from each event going back years. It’s fun
to go back to see what we used to look like! A reminder at the end of the meeting: Toyz for Totz will
again be held in Wickenburg on December 7, although this is not a club-sponsored event this year.
HISTORIAN: No report given.
E-MAIL COORDINATOR: Shirley Pettingell,
was not in attendance.
NEW BUSINESS: After today’s meeting a
Planning Meeting for the 2015 activities will be held.
SPLIT THE POT: John Clark won $80.
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:10 AM
was made and seconded.
See you at the January 12, 2015 meeting!
Respectfully submitted,
Dede Ross, Secretary
A BUCK ‘N’ A TEE
On behalf of the Phoenix Rescue
Mission, I want to thank Dede Ross for
her donation of a buck and a T!
Jerry Bestland
Arizona Bird Chatter December 2014
Page 5
ACTC ROAD RALLY
“Turn right at the light, go around
the roundabout, pick up another instruction….”
This is what the road ralliers were
doing Saturday, November 1 for the
second ACTC Road Rally.
We started out at Cabela’s on Glendale Road
across from the Westgate complex at 9:30 AM,
where we collected our instructions and our first
clue to the next stop. Fifteen cars were lined up and
revving their engines. Happily, there were nine little
‘Birds including our own. There were two Mustangs,
a Ranger, a Corvette and others. There were a few
sputtering engines, but they all made it out of the
parking lot and were on their way. When we
reached our first stop, we picked up our next set of
instructions, and so on until the end.
We traveled through Vistancia and then south
to Estrella Mountain, past the Phoenix International
Raceway and ended at Ruby Tuesday’s for lunch.
Of course, you have to have some winners at a
Rally. We counted up the numbers on the instructions that everyone received and had three winners.
The Prices won first place, second place went to
Ken and Virginia and the Thompsons won third.
Now we just have to wait for the next Rally.
Somewhere in the Valley, on roads that we have
never traveled before….
Thanks to Don Rebtoy, Dede Ross, Sam and
Pat Ciammitti, Chuck and Linda Young, Don and
Rosemary Henderson, Judy and Chuck Thompson,
Mike, Kattie and Jack Dolan, Jeannie Kennedy,
Mike Wood, Paul and Jean Fruscello, Jim Rodgers,
Mike and Kathi Price, Ken Falkenberry, Virginia
Snyder, Jerry and Rochelle Bestland, Yvonne and
Tom Wagner, Leigh Dechaine and his friend Pina
Tomassi, Audrey, Gene and Garrett Andersen for
participating. You know how ACTC members help
each other. Well, Jack Dolan became Jim Rodgers’
navigator. It is always nice to see the kids join us.
See you on the road!
…. Kathy and John Marchisotto
There were roads and areas that a lot of us
had never driven before. We went to the White
Tank Mountains Nature Center and Park, where we
had thirty minutes to drive through the park and collect two more instructions. The park is large and
has beautiful desert vistas, just a wonderful place to
drive through. If you go, stop at the Nature Center
and thank Raymond for helping us out and see
some of nature’s animals and creatures.
Page 6
December 2014 Arizona Bird Chatter
ACTC HALLOWEEN PARTY
Arizona Bird Chatter December 2014
Page 7
Page 8
December 2014 Arizona Bird Chatter
ROCKIN’ AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE
Saturday, December 13
Each year the Christmas
Party replaces the December
monthly meeting, so this will be our
last gathering for 2014.
Our
theme, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” is based upon that
Brenda Lee song by the same name which was first
released in 1958 by Decca and has been a Christmas favorite since then. It is amazing that at the
time of that recording Brenda was only 13 years old.
The song reached #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in
1960. And, you guessed it, the song is bound to be
played at our party.
The Party will be at the Elks Club Lodge 335,
14424 North 32nd Street (between Thunderbird and
Greenway) in Phoenix starting at 6 PM with cocktails, dinner at 7 PM and more fun and dancing
thereafter. If you missed the deadline to send in
your invitation, let me know since we sometimes
have cancellations and it is always possible that we
can add a few more folks.
The Embassy Suites (4415 East Paradise Village Parkway South, Phoenix 85032) had given our
group a rate of $126, but only until November 22.
You may still be able to get a room at the regular
rate of $165. This is 3.2 miles from the Elks Club,
an eight-minute drive. The hotel property code is
PHXPVES#1, and their phone is (602) 765-5800.
I hope to see all of you at this, the final event of
the year!
…. Gregg Thurston
BACK TO TUBAC
January 30-31, 2015
Next year's Tubac Car Show will be
held on January 30-31 at the Tubac Golf Resort and
Spa. This is a very popular show and sells out fast,
as we found out this year with the Pinetop show.
Don't wait; I recommend you go online to
www.carnuts.org to download an application and
send it in now. For those who have never attended
this show, the Tubac Golf Resort and Spa is a beautiful place and has everything we need. The show is
held on the grass driving range unless it rains, then
they will hold it in the parking lot. The show goes on
rain or shine.
There is still room left to enter your car in the
show. There are no more rooms available at the
Tubac Resort, but an alternative is the Wyndham
Green Valley Canoa Ranch Resort, 5775 South
Camino Del Sol, Green Valley, (520) 382-0450.
Their available rooms are: one or two queen beds
$118.15 + tax; a king bed $126.65 + tax; a onebedroom suite for $169.15; a two-bedroom suite for
$232.90. AAA rates are lower than quoted. There
is no resort fee and they offer a full free breakfast.
They also have condos for rent, and the property is
on a golf course, just 15 minutes from the Tubac
Resort. The exit for the Wyndham is #56 off I-19
South; the exit for the Tubac Resort is #40 South.
If you already have a room reservation at the
Tubac Resort and need to cancel, please notify me
first so I can take care of members on the wait list.
For those who would like to caravan, we will
meet at the Cracker Barrel on the west side of I-10
at Chandler Boulevard at 10:00 AM. We will leave
at 10:30 and head for Tubac. We can stop for lunch
as a group or individually at the Texas Roadhouse,
exit 246 off I-10 in Tucson, (520) 579-3855.
The Car Nuts are hosting a BBQ at the resort
on Friday night for $19.50 per person. Most attend
this, and again it fill up very fast. If you want to attend the BBQ, enclose the money with your registration application.
The Tubac Golf Resort is the official car show
host location. THOSE ROOMS ARE SOLD OUT!
This year some members, myself included,
are only staying for one night and returning to Phoenix after the show on Saturday. We will have our
usual Happy Hour Friday afternoon and then the
BBQ for those who signed up. For Saturday night
dinner, you can venture into Tubac Town or stay at
the inn for dinner.
Make your reservations early, and please notify me so I have a list of everyone who is going.
Also, please let me know if you will be attending the
BBQ and/or caravanning. Thank you.
…. John Marchisotto
WINTER WEEKEND
February 14-15, 2015
Mark your calendars for February 14!
Yes, that’s Valentine’s Day, but it is also
ACTC’s Winter Weekend, a fun-filled day you won’t
want to miss.
The day will begin with one of Kathy Marchisotto's famous Road Rallies. Those of you who
have participated in the past know all the hard work
that Kathy puts in to finding a route, hiding the clues
and giving us a most enjoyable reason to drive our
collector cars.
Following the Rally, we will head to Saguaro
Arizona Bird Chatter December 2014
Lake Ranch (www.saguarolakeranch.com) where
we will spend the evening. For those of you who
have not been there, it is a wonderful old, authentic
guest ranch that gives the feeling of stepping back
into the old west. The Ranch has 18 cabins which
have all been reserved for ACTC.
Upon arrival, and after checking in, we will
have a Happy Hour and present the Road Rally
awards. This will be followed by a roasted chicken
dinner with all the trimmings. Afterward you will
have a chance to enjoy the stars and solitude in this
remote desert setting.
On Sunday morning, the Ranch will be serving
us a full ranch breakfast before we return to our
more urban Phoenix locations.
Saguaro Lake Ranch is located in the Tonto
National Forrest at the base of Saguaro Lake Dam.
There is lots to see and do for those of you who
have not been there. And it’s close, so no one will
have to drive too far.
The entire cost of this event is $227.60 a couple or $133.80 per person. This includes room, dinner, breakfast, taxes and gratuities. As mentioned,
Saguaro Lake Ranch has only 18 cabins. These
will be available on a first-come basis, so make your
reservations now by calling (480) 984-2194. Ask for
Sean A’lee Bevel and be sure to tell her that you are
part of the ACTC group. Contact Chuck or Judy
Thompson with any questions at (480) 773-0222.
MIDNIGHT AT THE OASIS
March 6-8, 2015
**MAJOR DEVELOPMENT**
Important message for anyone who was
on my list for a room in Yuma: We have it on
good authority that the Clarion Suites is very
likely to be closed as a hotel by the time this show
comes around, maybe even by the end of 2014.
With this in mind, I am in the process of procuring another hotel that can handle our whole
group. By the time you read this I am hoping to
have something already in place and to have contacted those on my list, but if not, I will have hotel
information for you in the very near future.
As for the show, no postcard confirmations as
yet but they will be forthcoming. All of you who registered vehicles are still on the show list and you do
have parking spots.
As always - any cancellations, please let me
know so I can keep tabs on the group. Thanks!
…. Tom Wagner
(602) 448-1891
tywagner56@msn.com
Page 9
ACTC ARCHIVES
About 80 ACTC members attended the December 18, 1989 Christmas Party at the Moon Valley Country
Club. The cost was $25/person plus an
unwrapped child’s gift for the Salvation
Army…. and you could dance until midnight.
Don Ulses wrapped up his first term (his second was in ‘96) as ACTC president and thanked the
very special ‘89 Board and all the supportive members of ACTC for their help in making ‘89 a great
year for ACTC. Don also thanked an extra special
person, his wife Mary, by saying that without her
help, patience, understanding and gentle (?) nagging to get things done on time, it would have been
an impossible year. Thanks, Mary!
The December ‘89 issue of the Bird Chatter
arrived with a colored front cover. No, no one had
digital cameras back then, but our editor, Bill Moser,
did have crayons and colored pencils and so he
hand-colored every front cover of that issue with a
personal greeting to each member. [See below.]
Yes, I know, colored film was available back then,
but color printing was pricey and our yearly dues
were only $30. Besides that, just like today, our editor works for nothing; what a deal!
Oh, one more thing, that unsigned Hard Top
Kid drawing that was colored on the Bird Chatter
cover was done by that mystery cartoonist. His/her
identity was revealed in that December ‘89 issue, so
there’s a clue.
Next year I will once again dig into the ACTC
archives to see what we did in 1990. In the meantime, Mary and I wish every one of you a Merry
Christmas with Happiness and Good Health in
2015.
…. Stewart Wright
Page 10
December 2014 Arizona Bird Chatter
~ WE
ACTC ADVERTISERS ~
Sandy Trasente, Owner
3515 West Union Hills #102, Glendale, AZ 85308
Phone (602) 896-4000 or (888) 896-1199
E-mail: KruiseAway@aol.com
Web: www.arrowhead.cruiseholidays.com
E-mail: rob.slagle@sstireaz.com
ROB SLAGLE
Picture from the Past
“The part I saw fall
off your car was
about this big….”