The Steering WheelOur Mission Statement:

To share the love of our antique cars and to show them off. To enjoy fellowship of other car enthusiasts.

APRIL 2015 Vol.15#02

Officers:President: Al Preisner (616) 874-9336Vice-President: Jim Nyman (616) 914-8895Secretary: Shirley DeLange (616) 878-3618Treasurer: Leon DeLange (616) 878-3618

Board of Directors:15/16 Fred Brailey (616) 365-080415/16 Roseanne Lynch (616) 460-216115/16 Chuck Swift (616) 450-724515/16 Carl Esakson (616) 677-581614/15 Judy Swift (616) 450-724514/15 Dennis Biggins (616) 365-137114/15 Jim Nyman (616) 914-8895

Committee Chairs:April Auction Al Preisner (616) 874-9336

Craig Chalmers (616) 361-2220Christmas Banquet Sean & Cynthia Smith (616) 560-3108

Club Historian Roseanne Lynch (616) 460-2161Club Picnic Cheryl Chalmers (616) 361-2220

Judy Swift (616) 916-3538Membership Al Preisner (616) 874-9336Metro 28th Cruise Leon DeLange (616) 878-3618Newsletter – Typing Bonnie Woodman (616) 997-6413Retirement Visits Ruth Esakson

Jim Nyman(616) 677-5816(616) 914-8895

Sick & Shut Ins Linda Biggins (616) 365-1371Special Events Ruth Esakson (616) 677-5816

Cynthia Smith (616) 560-3108Tours: Dust Off Sean & Cindy Smith (616) 560-3108

Fall One Day Al Preisner (616) 874-9336

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Events Calendar** Indicates a SPECIAL Event

Note: - PotluckMar 24 Tue GRACC Membership Meeting – 2161 Leonard NW – GR – St. Ann’s Home

- Meeting @ 7:00pm – Greeters: Leon & Shirley DeLange - Entertainment: Potluck

April 14 Tue GRACC Board Meeting – 2161 Leonard NW – GR – St. Ann’s Home - Meeting @ 7:00pm

Note: AuctionApril 28 Tue GRACC Membership Meeting – 2161 Leonard NW – GR – St. Ann’s Home

- Meeting @ 7:00pm – Greeters: Carl & Ruth Eskason - Entertainment: Annual GRACC Auction

May 9 Sat DUST OFF TOUR – leaving ‘New Beginnings’ on 44th & Broadmoor at 8:30 AM – heading south to Gilmores – details this newsletter

May 12 Tue GRACC Board Meeting – 2161 Leonard NW – GR – St. Ann’s Home - Meeting @ 7:00pm

May 25** Mon EVENT: Standale-Memorial Day Parade - lineup @ 11am on Sunset Hills Dr - just off Lake Michigan Dr near the Golf Course

May 26 Tue GRACC Membership Meeting – 2161 Leonard NW – GR – St. Ann’s Home - Meeting @ 7:00pm – Greeters: John & Judy WilsonEntertainment:

June 9 Tue GRACC Board Meeting – 2161 Leonard NW – GR – St. Ann’s Home - Meeting @ 7:00pm

June 23 Tue GRACC Membership Meeting – 2161 Leonard NW – GR – St. Ann’s Home - Meeting @ 7:00pm – Greeters: Denny & Linda BigginsEntertainment:

June 25** Thur EVENT: East Fulton Street Car Show – from 6pm to 9pm – liningUp on Fulton Street in front of businesses.

“Dates marked in BOLD, Underlined and marked with a double asterisk **, are SPECIAL Events and Visits. Please make note of these dates. These events and visits earn points toward the year end awards.”

** We will now have a 50/50 Raffle and/or a prize drawing at all membership meetings – this is to help offset the cost of the Awards Banquet.

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

Hi All,Hopefully everyone is doing fine. Hopefully Spring will soon come and we can get our cars out.

Please remember that club dues are DUE. This months’ membership meeting will be our Spring Potluck. I hope to see all our members enjoying some excellent food. Aprils’ meeting will be our yearly Club Auction. Remember to bring your money to buy items with plus your items to sell.

Your GRACC PresidentAl Preisner

Board Of Directors Report

A Reminder: the Board Meetings are open to all Club members. If you have suggestions for the club, please join the Board Members at one of the meetings.

$ Treasurers Report from Leon DeLange $Treasurer's report – First Report for 2015

              Balance January 1st $3,343.05              Receipts                                       366.79         Disbursements                             - 685.31             Balance March 9th $3,023.53

Note: a further detailed report will be available at the March membership meeting.

Committee Reports

Sick & Shut InsLinda Biggins – Chair

Thoughts and prayers for all our sick & shut-ins are greatly appreciated ……

Roseanne Lynch was in for foot surgery and is home and doing well. Cards may be sent to Roseanne at: 7635 Leonard St, Coopersville MI 49404

It’s good to report that all others from last month’s ‘Sick’ list are doing well.

NOTE: If you know of someone else in the club who has been ill and/or in the hospital, has had a death in the family, etc. Please call Linda and let her know – 616-365-1371

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Retirement VisitsGREAT NEWS!! Ruth Esakson and Jim Nyman will be sharing the ‘Retirement Visit’ duties for the for seeable future. THANK YOU!!!!!

Brought to you by Ruth Esakson & Jim Nyman

July 25 Sat Veterans Carnival 3000 Monroe 11-3 please arrive between 10-10:30

PS – if you’re not sure where a ‘Retirement/Nursing Home’ is – ask us – maps are available!!

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Special EventsBrought to you by Ruth Esakson & Cynthia Smith

(616) 677-5816

Two Events locked in for 2015 – see Ruth to sign up: Mon. May 25 – Walker Memorial Day Parade @ 12 noon Thur. June 25 – East Fulton Street Car Show

Thanks again, Ruth & Cynthia

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Membership

Al Preisner – Chair

We currently have a total of 67 families in our group!

WELCOME to our newest member – Peggy Barber of Muskegon. She does not have a car as of yet but is looking for a 60’s Mustang Convertible – if you know of one – let someone know. Please be sure to say HI and Welcome when you see her at the next club event.

DUES - ARE DUE!!!! They can be paid via mail or at the next club meeting. They are $20.00 per family for the year. They can be paid by check - made out to GRACC and mailed to: Al Preisner - 7973 Ramsdell Dr NE – Rockford, MI 49341-8079 OR bring them to the next membership meeting. If you have any questions, contact Al.Note: - the following still have not paid dues and will not receive a newsletter if not paid by March 24th.Ted & Catherine CallenderBob & Dolores ChettleburghBob & Cherle GilesMark & Elizabeth Gunlach

Casey & Ruth MeyerTerry & Caroline NoffsingerLavina OosterhouseJohn S Scott

Ronald & Ruth WaybrantBob Woods

Extra Newsworthy News

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MARCH Don’t forgot it’s the March Potluck this month – bring a dish for all to enjoy, plus your tableware. Beverages will be provided. Date is Tuesday, March 24th. Come early to grab your spot. We usually try to eat at 7:00pm that night. Also bring the recipe of the dish that is brought so that it can be published in an upcoming newsletter.

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April AuctionApril 28 th – The Auction will soon be here. Start thinking of items you can bring in for others to bid on. We will have a short meeting starting at 7pm, with a brief break following, then the fun begins with the auction. For those that are new to this, you may bring in stuff laying around the house (sorry ladies, no husbands), such as gifts you received and didn’t like, something that you haven’t used in awhile or you can request donations from businesses (such as restaurants’, oil change garages, car washes, auto parts stores, etc). We do have letters for businesses for any donations given – if businesses would like one, PLUS – if you get their business card, we will advertise in an upcoming newsletter. Everyone receives a number at the door, and when the ‘auction’ begins, you just shout out your bid or hold up your number. DON’T” FORGET – bring a full wallet to buy the stuff you now have room for, since you brought other stuff in to sell! Good times are had by all!!

A Note to the ladies (or our gentlemen bakers) there will be a “Bake Sale” during the auction, bring in some goodies to be purchased. Have them tagged with a price for selling. There will be a separate table set up for the baked goods.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Sign in a Automotive Repair Shop

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2015 Car Club Dust Off Tour May 9th 

We hope everyone is getting a chance to enjoy the finally arriving Spring weather.  I know we are ready for the snow to be gone and Spring to arrive. This year for our Annual Car Club Dust Off Tour we hope that you will all join us on a trip to the Gilmore Car Museum.  Everything is pay on your own. 

We will meet at the New Beginnings Restaurant on 44th Street & M37/Broadmoor.We will be leaving there at 8:30 am sharp & head towards the Gilmore Car Museum.  If you arrive in an antique car, it will cost $ 8.00 per person. (for this discounted price, our antique cars will need to be shown along with other cars)If you do not have an antique car, it will cost $12.00 per person.  

Lunch will be on your own at the Blue Moon Diner on the premises.We will be leaving around 3:00 pm.  If you choose to, you can stay there until 6:00 pm. 

Thank you,Sean, Cynthia, Michael & Daniel Smith

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We need some ‘Greeters’ for our monthly membership meetings. We have most of the months covered, just a couple more need to be set. So, if you can meet & greet and bring a little treat – please sign up at the next meeting. A flier will be passed around. It’s a great way to meet the members, especially our newer ones.

Month: Meeting Event Greeters

February: Tax Talk w/Leon Carl & Ruth EsaksonMarch: Spring Potluck Leon & Shirley DeLangeApril: Annual Auction/Bake Sale Carl & Ruth EsaksonMay: ?????? John & Judy WilsonJune: Cruisin’ after meeting Denny & Linda BigginsJuly: Cruisin’ after meetingAugust: Cruisin’ after meeting Casey & Ruth MeyerSeptember: ?????????October: Fall Potluck Chuck & Judy SwiftNovember: Election Night Chuck & Judy Swift

PS – if you think of something interesting for the May and/or September meeting – let a board member know – maybe a speaker or game or something????

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Merchandise SalesGRACC merchandise is available For Sale and/or Order .

Contact the following members for imprinted items you can order and/or purchase with the GRACC logo.

Name Tags : Linda Biggins – (616) 365-1371– Special order only

Hats are $15.00 /Key Chains are $6.00 / Car Magnet Signs are $6.00/each: talk to Bonnie or John Woodman – (616) 997-6413

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** Auto Trivia Answer: Watch next months’ newsletter for the answer to this months’ Trivia.

1. Which automobile was the infamous John Dillinger’s favorite car to steal?Ford

2. What year did Studebaker introduce snap-on fender skirts?1934

3. What auto company became the third place automaker in 1928?Chrysler

4. What year were rear-view mirrors standard equipment on production cars?1916

5. What year was the first speeding ticket issued in the U.S.?1902

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Visit our web site at www.clubs.hemmings.com/gracc

Cars/Parts For Sale and/or Wanted

WANTED: A Classic Mustang Convertivle - mid to late 60s/Early 70s – mid condition call Peggy Barber - @ 231-740-8200 03/15

FOR SALE: 1984 Corvette – Viper Red – New Paint/Interior Auto/Sharp, 68,000 miles call Dick Hayes @ 616-250-6611

FOR SALE: 1950 Plymouth Special Deluxe Club Coupe – 100% original – 47,000 miles, excellent condition, inside and out. Runs and Drives Well - $8,000 or Best Offer – call Ken

Bogardus @ 616-534-3778 or Cell 616-648-1394 (11/14)

FOR SALE: 1957 Chevy Bel-Air – 2 Door Hardtop – Yellow & Black interior – 25,449 miles, 283 4BBL V-8, Power Glide, Power Steering & Brakes – Dual Exhaust, Rear Antennas, Calif. Car until 2001, never driven in salt – lots of extras & in very good condition - $27,000 – call 616-457-2450 (11/14)

GARAGE Available – Call Al Preisner – (616) 874-9336

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Breton Auto Wash (in Grand Rapids)Eastbrook Auto Wash Oil & Lube (in Comstock Park)

Will be advertising our Car Club on their website – and feature some of the activities & events that we as a group participate in. So please, if you’re in the area stop by and use their services. And be sure to let you friends and family know. Great advertising for us!!!!!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Some Fun Auto Trivia

So, if Henry Ford didn’t invent the first automobile, who did? And when? The answer may surprise you: it was Ferdinand Verbiest in 1672! This Flemish missionary invented what many people consider to be the first self propelled vehicle.

The first windshield wipers were introduced in 1905. They were invented by a woman named Mary Anderson in 1905. This interesting woman was also a rancher, real estate developer and viticulturist!

Slow down! The first speeding laws in the world originated in the UK. They were adopted in 1865 to regulate the speed of horse drawn vehicles. They could be ticketed for going over 2 mph in town or 4 mph in the country.

Japan has a vibrant automotive industry which adds a lot of variety to the market. The first Japanese car built in America was the Honda Accord in 1982.

Safety first! Auto insurance is not just a modern day necessity: the first policy was sold in Westfield, Massachusetts in 1897!

Dazzling Auto Records Records are a fun way to test your knowledge and show off to your friends. Here are some interesting

auto records that not a lot of people know. Pull these facts out on trivia night: Now that’s what I call service! In 1985, an engine was removed and completely replaced in a Ford

Escort in 42 seconds! If you hate your commute, consider this: in 1980, the world’s longest traffic jam occurred between

Paris and Lyon. It was 110 miles long! Low on cash? Consider the “Tata Nano.” This India built vehicle is available brand new for the

astonishing price of $1,800. I wonder if reputable Ford repair shops enjoy working on such a vehicle. Got more cash than brains? You might be interested in the Bugatti Veyron. This vehicle is the world’s

most expensive car at $1,600,000. More traffic problems: the tiny country of Luxembourg has 570 cars per 1000 people giving it the most

crowded streets in the world!

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Back Seat Drivers APRIL Recipes

Dyke’s Soup

3 cup V-8 Juice 1 tsp. Spicy Mrs. Dash1 cup beer 1 to 2 stalks celery – chopped3 beef bouillon cubes 2 carrots – chopped1 large can tomatoes (don’t drain) 1 med. Onion – chopped1 lb. cubed stew beefBring beer to boil; add bouillon cubes, V-8, tomatoes. Brown cubed beef; add to pot. Add Mrs. Dash & vegetables. Season to taste w/ salt & pepper. Simmer 1 hour.

Spinach/Mandarin Orange Salad

1 lb. fresh spinach – wash, remove stems & tear in bite size pieces1 med. Red Onion – sliced 1 large can mandarin oranges – drain wellMix togetherDressing:½ cup sugar ½ tsp. salt1/3 cup vinegar 1 ½ Tbsp. grated onion¼ cup poppy seed 1 tsp. dry mustardMix in blender – add 1 cup salad oil & toss with salad gently

Chocolate Peanut Butter Squares

¾ cup butter – melted 1 lb. powdered sugar1 ½ cup peanut butter 1 (12 oz) pkg chocolate chipsIn large bowl, combine melted butter, peanut butter & powdered sugar. Press mixture into bottom of greased 9x13 pan. In double boiler, melt chocolate chips. Spread melted chocolate evenly over ingredients in pan. Let cool before cutting into 1 inch squares.

Tips for Planning/Organizing a One – Day Tour9

If anyone is interested in putting together a one-day tour, here are some ‘guidelines’. If you have any suggestions or ideas, those are always welcomed.

Find a place or places of interest to go (shouldn’t be more than two hours or so distance from where you’re starting. (in the past, we’ve tried to find something to go to in the morning, then a stop for lunch, then perhaps another place of interest for the afternoon ride home.) Quite often a stop on the way home for Ice Cream.

Make contacts with the people of your places and set your dates and times. Choose a starting point (usually a place for breakfast or at least coffee (we’ve even supplied our

own rolls or doughnuts on occasion) Get the county maps out and route your tour. (ask around, some of us have good county maps) Locate a place to eat lunch midday, talk to a manager, let them know what is being planned –

we’ve been able to call them the morning of a tour to let them know how many to expect, which helps them out. We also get a great response and most if not all places are willing to have us.

If you’re going further than an hour or so, you may want to locate a ‘potty’ stop along the way, both going and coming. (even if it’s a small road side park)

Take a day and drive your route. (what I have done in the past, is written the route out ahead of time, turns, route #’s, etc according to our maps – then make your corrections as you drive it and time the route. Usually plan for not much over 45mph – some of our older cars don’t like to go as fast as others.

Type up or write up your route, place(s) you’re going to, costs, fees, etc. and make copies to be handed out the morning of the tour. (Newsletter editor will help with typing out the info if it’s gotten in time)

Let the newsletter editor know of the details (date, starting point, time heading out, and extra expenses (such as meal costs, entry fees, donation contributions, etc.) so that it can be published ahead of time. Be sure to include your name and phone number in case anyone has any questions.

We have tried to put a little fun in some of our trips, games and such for drivers and passengers to play along the way. Again there are county maps to be borrowed, and even some books on places of interest.

We would love to see more participation from our members and planning and organizing a tour is a great way to benefit everyone.

Happy motoring…….

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