CRUISER MUSINGS

January 21, 2008

Roy Miller is happy these days. His 33 Willys is gone. Sold thru Performance Auto Group in Glen Cove.

At the January 10th meeting the club elected Mike Martino, from Glen Cove to membership. Mike was a big help at last year's show and the fact that he has a 1961 Buick didn't hurt. Welcome aboard, Mike.

People from "Piston Racing Engines" attended the meeting and announced that they would like a vendor spot at the show and will be assembling a Chevy small block motor on the show grounds. They will be donating that motor for us to raffle off after they get it running. They are a young company and are looking for name recognition. They see this as a way to do it. More details to follow.

The club has voted to make donations based upon last year's show proceeds to the following organizations: The INN, Morgan Park Restoration Fund (for electrical work to get more power to the gazebo and our cooking area), the School for Language and Communication Development, the Lake Delaware Boys Camp, and the UCP in Bayville. We should feel good about helping make someone else's life a little better.

The President's meeting is soon. This is where we get our show on the calendar with minimal local opposition and is the first place we start handing out flyers. Before long, show time will be upon us. Those of you who sold journal ads please get ready to contact your customers again. Once ad prices are established for the coming year we will have a short time to get the ad material and the money.

Following is a schedule that has been worked up to show us target dates for tasks that must be completed before the show.

Those are the jobs as we see them now. Any suggestions are certainly welcome and help is always needed.

Let's go Giants.

December 2007

December 16th - The club held it's annual Christmas Party at LaBussola Ristorante in Glen Cove. There were about 35 people in attendance. The food and wine were, once again, very good and all that attended had a good time.

The President, Don Figliozzi, spoke glowingly of the contribution made by past President, Frank Chircop and how we would not be where we are without his effort. The club is in it's eleventh year and Frank served as President for eight of those years. Thanks Frank.

It is rumored that one of our more "entrepreneurial" members is hunting for a slice of Miami vice. Will it be Crocket or Tubbs? Stay tuned.

Work on Freddy Mestrandrea's '55 is at a stand still while Valerie Figliozzi gets a well deserved new kitchen.

Dennis Deveau reports that work is progressing on his '57 Chevy. Hope we see it soon Dennis.

Jason Kittlestad is itching to go racing with his new motor built by Piston Racing Engines in Bayshore.

The weather now has caught up to us and winter is here.

November 2007

Sunday, October 21 - Attended the show at Flower Fields this afternoon. Met up with Frank Chircop, Bob Pagnotta, and Ed Virgilio shopping for fleas in the flea market. Saw Bob Doxey and John Pace with their cars on the show field. With the weather as warm as it has been everyone is lamenting the end of "show season".

John Pace catching rays at Flower Fields

Sunday October 28th - We visited the annual "Monster Mash" at Bald Hill. There were a lot of cars as the weather was beautiful if not a little cold as fall is finally making an appearance.

They really had a good turnout as it was the only show in town this weekend. We hope that their charities really made out.

Sunday November 4th - The usual suspects (Frank Chircop, Don Figliozzi, Ken Fransen and Art Ehrich) met for breakfast at the Brookville Diner prior to attending the show at Belmont Race Track. Again the weather was beautiful. My saying that must be getting to sound like a broken record, but, it seems as though each Sunday, the past couple of months have been really nice.

Joe Mancino's Crown Victoria The Usual Suspects

When we pulled into the parking area we were pleasantly surprised to find ourselves parked directly across the isle from Joe Mancino and his beautiful '56 Crown Victoria and just as we got situated, Roy Miller followed us in. Speaking of Roy, he has his beautiful '33 Willys for sale. Anyone interested, or knows of anyone who might be interested, contact Roy. This is a cool car. As we wandered the flea market we met up with Mario Mazzella and Ed Virgilio. The club was well represented.

It's official - The date and time for the Christmas Party has been confirmed. It will be held, once again, at LaBussola Ristorante (40 School Street) in Glen Cove at 12:00 noon on Sunday December 16th. For those unfamiliar with the restaurant and its location, take Route 107 north into Glen Cove. At Bridge Street (Police Station on right, apartment complex on left), turn right onto Bridge Street. Proceed north to the second traffic light. (Highland Road).You will pass the restaurant. It will be on the right side of the street. At the second light, make a right turn and then the next right turn into the municipal parking complex. You will be parking in the rear of the restaurant where the main entrance is. See you there.

Good luck to John Pace and his new Lexus. Ditto to Ed Virgilio as he has been playing musical cars again. The 33 roadster and the Mustang convertible are gone and in their place is a nice red 57 T-Bird. Ask him to show you the "Bird's Nest".

Sunday, November 11th - We attended the East End Olds and LI Truck Club food drive at Bald Hill. We found Bob Pagnotta and John Moccia, both also members of the East End Olds Club serving coffee in the host tent where Santa had help distributing gifts to kids. There was young girl that entertained during the breaks by the band. I didn't get her name, but, she will be the next Brenda Lee or Lee Ann Rimes. You saw it here first.

There was good turnout of cars and judging by the stack of food and gifts the show was a success.
Saturday November 11 - Visited Figgie's garage and must report that the work on Fred Mestrandrea's 55 Wagon is progressing nicely. While there we learned that Roy Miller is faster than a speeding bullet. We mentioned back a few paragraphs back that he has his Willys up for sale. Well he has already taken delivery of it's replacement. A beautiful 38 Ford Club Coupe powered by a big block Chevy thru a 350 tranny to a 9" Ford rear. See below.

Good luck Roy.