MAY 2017Thunderbird Owners of New York

Web-page: http://clubs.hemmings.com/tony/index.htmlMember, Classic Thunderbird Club International – Chapter 49 -

1955 1956 1957

Meeting: Monday, May 1st - 7 p.m.

Bethpage Library, 47 Powell Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714 516-931-3907

Ford Thunderbird Appreciation Day

Long Island Thunderbird Club & Thunderbird Owners of NY will be present May 21, 2017 at the Key Food Shopping Center

OFFICERS: PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: Joseph Marchione

President Joseph Marchione – 631-261-0179

Vice President Stan Matusewicz – 631-231-3156

Secretary John Cattonar - 631-269-4705

Treasurer Pete Cochrane - 631-363-6662

CTCI Advisory Council Rep. Bob Ceraso - 631-757-9476

Tech Advisor: 1955’s Bob Ceraso - 631-757-9476 Tech Advisor: 1956’s Stan Matusewicz -631-231-3156

Tech Advisor: 1957’s Lou Realmuto - 631-226-1733 Computer Advisor Sal Perrotta - 631-884-3179

Newsletter Editor Arlene Swenson - 631-277-9511

Hello Everybody,

Wow, $1740 to the winner! That was the result of the 50/50 drawing and the grand finale to a great day. Once again the Empire Galaxie club put on an amazing display of cars, cruizin’, food and raffles. Hopefully, when the dust settles they'll be able to write out a big check for the Vet Dogs, so they can continue their great work. We witnessed this firsthand as we listened to a veteran tell his story of depression and how the gift of one of these special dogs literally saved his life. The room fell eerily quiet as we all realized that we can never do enough for these amazing heroes who have done so much for us.

As usual T.O.N.Y. was well represented and picked up a few of the raffles to boot. In addition, the Burkos dabbled in the bidding for some items up for auction: Charlotte had the high bid for an enormous tool chest for Dan and Dan was the best bidder for a ride in a real tank. However, he looked a little disappointed when they told him he could not fire live ammo!

Yesterday, 4/23, we had our Dust Off Brunch and we couldn't have asked for a nicer day: pastel colored thunderbirds lined up in the sunshine and 27 members enjoying each other’s company. We had a semi - private room this year so we were much more comfortable. Basically meaning it was easier to make our way to the food tables and pile it on. It was nice to see Bruce Daly looking healthy, sporting his new and improved pacemaker. I guess in the classic car hobby you might say he now has a "supercharger". As usual, everyone left with a smile.

You may have heard, May 21st is T- Bird Appreciation Day. To celebrate we will be joining up with the Long Island Thunderbird Club at 10am at our Kings Park location. It's not a show, it's just for fun, and we're trying to make arrangements for lunch so stay tuned for the details.

Our next meeting is May 1st and we will have a tech presentation by our very own Sal Perrotta so don't miss out. We start at 7pm but as usual come early for cake and coffee. Also, if you ordered a T-shirt, I will have them with me so I'll see you there.

Unfortunately, I must end on a sad note: our condolences to Pete Cochrane, who lost his beloved sister Kathleen this past saturday. We're sorry Pete, we know she meant the world to you.

Be well everybody,

SECRETARY’S REPORT:T.O.N.Y. MEETING NOTES

SECRETARY'S REPORT prepared by JOHN CATTONAR

The April meeting began a little late (7:15 P.M.) due to people still drinking coffee and eating the goodies picked up by Al Continelli as he usually does. The president, Joe Marchione thanked Al for doing this each and every meeting. After the pledge of Allegiance, Pete Cochrane gave the usual treasurer’s report - the club now has $2,639.33 locked away safe and sound in Pete's pocket. The first thing discussed was our yearly "Spring Dust Off" brunch, once again at The Bonwit Inn. As of our meeting, there are 30 folks signed up ready to go. The club welcomed another new member, Lois & Dennis Widmyer, from Hicksville, who doesn’t currently own a baby bird (owns a 2005 bird) but still joined the club. Next on the agenda Joe spoke about the Vet Dog Cruise out to Orient Point and also about in May, Field of Wheels on the 20th sponsored by Newsday and on the 21st, T-Bird Appreciation Day up at the Key Food on Indian Head Rd. in Kings Park (where we will hold our All Ford Car Show on July 9th). People have already been signing up for this show and the first 100 signed up get special T-shirts. This meeting we had a guest, Elliott Weiner the President of the big T-Bird Club. Elliott gave a nice presentation on detailing your car for a show and also what to do when you're there already. He described the kit he carries with him when he goes to shows and the different products he uses and also recommends. He also demonstrated the products on a painted sheet metal panel. …A nice presentation for club members. At 7:55 P.M. we closed the meeting since no one out of the 30 people had anything else to add. The 50/50 was won by Dan Burko, $44.00, $45.00 to club.I'm sure Dan could use the money since he's begun restoration on his 1957 Thunderbird.

MEMBER NEWS:

Carberry – April 9th , Cruise to Orient Point – club members attending: thanks from Joe Marchione for photos:

GARDEN CITY ANTIQUE & CLASSIC CAR EASTER PARADE – April 16, 2017:

Peter Cochrane attended the 62nd Annual Easter Vintage Car Parade in Garden City – he reported that he saw club members Joe Greco, Stan & Mindy Matusewicz, Joe Nolan and Steve & Sherry Siben - one of the antique vehicles is shown below:

A 1968 restored CCC Concrete Mixer at Garden City parade –restoration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX2WmyQG1ZQ 10/2016

(short version: https://wn.com/restored_1968_crane_carrier_corp_concrete_mixer

It was found in New Hampshire and was trailered down to College Point, New York. This would become an 80th birthday gift from a Grandson to his Grandfather, who was one of the original founders of Ferrara Bros Building Materials Corp., Ozone Park, NY. This truck closely represents one of the first brand new trucks bought by the young company.

Thank you to Steve Siben for sending these photos:

THUNDERBIRD “DUST-OFF” BRUNCH - Sunday, April 23, 2017 at the Bonwit Inn, Commack, NY27 members - seven ‘57’s - attended the # 10 Spring Day at 11 a.m., for an enjoyable Sunday Brunch

PHOTOS from Pat Scomello and Arlene Swenson

Sad News: It is with deep sorrow that I tell you about the death of Kathy Kiss, Peter Cochrane’s sister in her 69 th year, on April 23rd. The Thunderbird club extends their deepest sympathies to Peter and to all their family. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Peter, we wish you strength to sustain you during this difficult time and healing that soothes both mind and spirit.

MAY CAR SHOWS other weekend car shows will be Emailed to members every Wednesday.

“OUT OF TOWN CAR SHOW” - Thunderbird Convention - August 2-6, 2017

Mark your calendar and plan to attend the CTCI Convention sponsored by the New Jersey Open Road Thunderbird Club. The host hotel is the Hannover Marriott in Parsippany, NJ.

FOR DETAILS VISIT: www.njortc.org/2017-convention.html or www.ctci.org

MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND SAVE THE DATE! - Sunday, July 9th Rain date: July 16

It’s our 12th Annual “Thunderbird and All-Ford Car Show”– along with the Long Island Thunderbird Club – at the Key Food Shopping Center in Kings Park, NY - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. -

rain date: Sunday, July 16th - see another flyer with this Newsletter – This year we are including a“CAR CORRAL”

*PLEASE NOTE: When you register, consider checking the box on the registration form, at the bottom of the flyer, to

add a donation for “Homes for Heroes” - If you are not showing a car, perhaps you will consider just including a

donation to “Homes for Heroes” (w/ check made out to ‘Homes for Heroes’) and send it all along to Dennis Benfante at

his address on the registration form. THANK YOU thank you!!

MAY Dates of Interest:

Monday, May 1st - May DayThursday, May 4th – National Day of PrayerSunday, May 14th – Mother’s DaySaturday, May 20th – Armed Forces DaySunday, May 28th- INDY 500 - http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500

Indy Pace Cars: http://indymotorspeedway.com/v1/500pace.htm May 30th – Memorial Day – but observed on Monday, May 29th

12

Trivia:

What automobile started the ‘fin fad’ of the 1950's?The 1948 Cadillac.  Harley Earl got the ball rolling when he became fascinated with the design of the vertical stabilizers on the Lockheed XP-38 airplane during a trip to California in 1940.  The '48 fins were a modest

beginning to the excesses of a decade later.  Yet, they ushered auto design into the jet-age.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

MAY BIRTHDAYS

Carl Juliano – 2nd Michael Tinnirello – 4th

George Edwards - 15th Mindy Matusewicz -16th Margaret Zengel – 16th Sandy Lauper -17th Linda Roth – 20th Regina Murnane – 21st Dennis Terrell -26th Colleen Wolcott – 27th Arlene Swenson - 28th Pat Scomello – 31st

Happy T-Birding - See you on the Road - Arlene Swenson, 4/25/2017