ARKANSAS TIN LIZZIES NEWS

Arkansas Tin Lizzies, a local chapter of the
Model T Ford Club of America

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

For those of you who didn’t make Steve Bonifant’s tour last month at Jacksonville, you missed a good tour.  We had good fellowship and lots of food.  We even got to drive on some muddy roads.  We had thirteen cars and one on the buzzard wagon.  (I won’t call any names.)

I have really enjoyed being President for the year.  I had a lot of good help to thank for it.  I look forward to working with Frank Cook in the coming year.  He will do a wonderful job as President.  I’ll hand the gavel over to him at our January meeting.

Remember get out and drive those Ts.  See you in January. 

Bill Payne, President

MEETING MINUTES
October 17, 2009

Zone 4 hosted the fall meeting of the Arkansas Tin Lizzies at Cotham’s Restaurant in Scott.  There were twenty members in attendance.  After a good southern cooked meal, President Bill Payne opened the meeting by thanking Steve Bonifant for doing a good job and having the club at the Little Rock Air Force Base.

The minutes from the last meeting were read and approved.  The treasurer reported there had been no checks written and two deposits totaling $100.00 since the last meeting.  The current bank account balance is $2,208.38. Bill Howell moved to approve the treasurer’s report and it was seconded by Frank Cook.

Bill Howell agreed to have the next meeting in January at the Howell car barn.  Due to the cold weather at this time of year, this will be another technical meeting. 

President Bill Payne gave an update on the condition of member Joe Garcia who is recovering from a stroke suffered while having heart surgery.  Joe is up and walking at St. Mary’s Rehabilitation unit in Russellville and continuing to make progress.

In old business, the club revisited the topic of whether to have three or four tours in addition to the technical meeting.  After discussing the matter President Bill Payne called for a vote and the majority decided to have three tours and the one technical meeting.  In further discussion, it was agreed to return to the zone rotation with the zone director planning the meeting.  Originally it was thought to have the meetings in each zone to encourage more participation of the area members.  The attendance has generally not been impacted by location with the same members going to all the meetings regardless of where it is held.  Therefore, the majority agreed meeting locations may be selected wherever the zone director chooses.

The Golden Mouse Award presentation was made to Bill Howell for the Model T Ford Club of America best website for the year 2008.  This is the second time that he has been awarded this distinction.  When our club was notified of the award at our spring meeting the award had not actually arrived.  This past meeting was the first that award and recipient could be gotten together.

Vice President Frank Cook presented the officers nominations for 2010 as follows: Zone 1, Mike Walker, Director; Zone 2, Frank Cook, President; Zone 3, Bill Howell, Vice President; Zone 4, Joe Jeffers, Director.  David Ragsdale agreed to serve as secretary/treasurer one more year.  No other nominations were offered from the floor.  All were accepted by acclimation.

Bill Howell made a motion to continue sending a newsletter to surviving spouses of deceased members.  The motion was seconded by Steve Bonifant and approved by the majority.

In other business a suggestion was made by Bill Howell for the club to have a 4 to 5 day progressive tour in the near future and advertising the tour in Vintage Ford.  Frank Cook stated that the spring tour and meeting would be held again in Eureka Spring around the middle of April.

A photograph was presented to Nellie Howell by Frank Cook of her standing in the truck bed of a stranger’s pickup clicking photos of the Ts lined up waiting on traffic at a road construction area.  Various door prizes were presented at the meeting’s end with Roy Mathis getting the treasured dish towel with Tena’s hand tatting.

The meeting was then adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
David Ragsdale, Sec/Treas.

Meeting Summary:

1.      Tech meeting in January.
2.      Update on Joe Garcia.
3.      Club account balance:
4.      Tech meeting plus three regular meetings for each year.
5.      Golden Mouse given to Bill.
6.      2010 slate of officers accepted.
7.      Spouse of deceased members to receive newsletters.

Fall tour

Thursday afternoon Steve Bonifant directed a tour for the group of the air base’s “schoolhouse”.  It was the first time for most of the members to learn about the training that takes place for a C-130.  Not only did the Tin Lizzies get an overview of the training but there was also a visit to the flight simulator.  It was an informative and fascinating tour.

Friday morning began with a drive by a local nursing home.  The Tin Lizzies paraded by the facility and showed off the Ts to several of the residents.  Our next stop was an impressive collection of restored cars at the Solomon Bros. Car Barn in Jacksonville.  It was an extensive

display of classic and antique cars.  From the Car Barn the group travelled by the Old Mill in the North Little Rock Lakewood area, built in 1933.

Though not that old, it was featured in the opening scenes of Gone with the Wind.  Next on the agenda was Union Train Station in Little Rock.  It was fun to see where thousands of travelers arrived in Little Rock beginning in 1921.  Amtrak still uses it today.  From the station you can see the state capitol.  The Model Ts caused quite a stir as they all pulled up right in front of the capitol building.  In route to the Governor’s Mansion we drove past the famous Central High School that made civil rights history in 1957 and 58.

Central High School

Arkansas’ first lady, Ginger Beebe, greeted the group in front of the mansion.  The Model Ts were photographed by Mrs. Beebe’s official photographer and admired by all those present.  Everyone loved

 

seeing the beautifully restored homes of the Quapaw Quarters before going for lunch in the River Market area.  Some went to see the Clinton Library, others visited the Old State House museum and a few went the Pharaoh Exhibit at the Art Gallery.

The Saturday ride went to the country.  It was a beautiful day to spend in the Arkansas farmlands.  Marlsgate Plantation near Scott is a Greek revival style mansion shaded by enormous oaks and pecan groves.  The Model Ts had a fabulous backdrop for a photo.

The Plantation Agriculture Museum provided an educational look at  Delta farming.  There was plenty of memorabilia, pictures and excellently restored buildings.  The last official stop was Cotham’s Restaurant. The biggest hamburger you ever saw was served to several brave souls.  Though the place looked like it might fall into the bayou any minute, it did hold up for an excellent lunch and the quarterly meeting.

 
          Cotham’s Restaurant

We made it back to the Air Base to see the Razorbacks almost beat Alabama.  Everyone hollered and cheered those hogs on but to no avail!

New Members

The Tin Lizzies welcome new members Ernest and Mary Jo Lastovica of Bentonville.  They have a 1919 Speedster/Pickup and a 1927 Coupe.

Former member honored

Master Sergeant Bubba Beason,
 America’s Hero, 2009

Chevy had a promotion that encouraged people from all over the country to nominate friends or family members who, while in uniform, have demonstrated the military spirit of overcoming obstacles, inspiring others and positively impacting their country and community. Friends and family of the service members were asked to submit a video or written essay.  Five finalists were chosen for a public voting period where people were asked to choose which story most inspired them. The promotion will culminate at the CMA Awards in Nashville, TN on November 11^th when the winning service member and family will attend the show and get the opportunity to meet Dale Earnhardt.

Bubba Beason was named America’s Hero for 2009.  He is the son of members Ron and Brenda Wood and a former Arkansas Tin Lizzie member.  Along with this honor Bubba will be given a new Chevy Equinox.  He is now stationed at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey and is a member of the 305^th Maintenance Squadron, 305^th Air Mobility Wing. He has been in the Air Force since 1991 and received more than 20 major awards and decorations among which was the USO Airman of the Year.  Bubba is preparing for his seventh deployment in the Middle East.

Ron and Brenda will be with Bubba and Angela and their son, Christopher, at the presentation on November 11 which is televised.

2010 tine Lizzies’ meeting and tour schedule

January 7-9: Winter Technical meeting, Russellville, Bill Howell (contact.)

April 15-17: Spring meeting, Zone 1, Dogwood Tour, Eureka Springs, Frank Cook and Earl Zechiedrich (contacts.)

July:  Summer meeting, Zone 3, Bill Howell (contact.)

October:  Winter meeting, Zone 4, Joe Jeffers (contact.)

Tulsa Model T club visits River Valley area

In mid-September the Model T Club of Tulsa came through the River Valley as part of their Talimena Drive Tour that hubbed from Mena.  There were sixteen folks that joined several Tin Lizzies for dinner on the 17^th at the Howell’s car barn.  The weather cooperated and produced a sunny day on the 18^th for a trip up Mount Nebo in the Ts and then over to Mt. Magazine for lunch.  The ride up both mountains was no obstacle for the Ts.  It was quite a sight for the state park visitors at both parks to see all those Ts up on the mountains.

Asu 100^th  homecoming features Antique cars

It looked like a time machine had transported homecoming participants back to the 1920s at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas, on Saturday, Oct. 24.  A lengthy parade of Model T's and other antique cars proceeded to the Cooper Alumni Center where they rallied in front of the building as part of the University's Centennial Homecoming.  About 30 Model T and other antique car enthusiasts from around the region drove their vehicles to participate.

A historic re-enactment of an iconic photo in the 1959 A-State yearbook was held using the actual car and many of the ladies who were originally photographed 50 years ago.

ASU alumnus Ken Swan of Selmer, Tennessee, drove the very same car which was photographed with Phi Mu sorority pledges for the 1959 yearbook. This special event in honor of ASU's Centennial celebration also noted the 100^th birthday of the Model T Ford, the car which revolutionized American society and forever changed transportation world-wide. 

Ken Swan worked with Dr. Nancy Hendricks, director of ASU Alumni Communications to recreate the moment from a half century ago. Michael Nowlin of Jonesboro, an instructor of auto mechanics at the ASU Technical Center in Marked Tree, was instrumental in organizing the logistics of the event, including a local driving tour and securing the staging area at the ASU-Jonesboro Farm Complex prior to the parade to the Alumni Center.

Participants from the Arkansas Tin Lizzies, Arkansas Model T Ford Club, Tennessee T’s Model T Ford Club and others enjoyed a tour of the area on the perfect autumn day before rallying at the Alumni Center, where they joined the pre-game tailgate party after the historic photo re-enactment.

Winter tech meeting

Put January 7-9 on your calendars for the Winter Technical meeting.  It will be in Russellville at the Howell’s Car Barn.  Mike Bender and Fred Houston have graciously agreed to conduct another learning session for the club.  One of the important features of this meeting will be assembling a short block.  Other possible topics to be discussed could be testing coils, changing steering, ’26-27 spindles and carburetors.  Email or call Bill Howell if you have a topic you to discuss or present.

A block of 15 rooms has been arranged at the Hampton Inn, 2304 N. Arkansas Avenue, Russellville.  From I-40 take Exit 81 going south on State Highway 7.  Then turn east onto E. Harrell Drive from Hwy. 7.  If the group uses seven rooms or more the rate will be $79.00 per night.  The Hampton has a continental breakfast and Wi-Fi is available.  Call 479-858-7199 for reservations before January 1.

The Howell’s car barn is 206 Howell Road south of Russellville.  From the Hampton Inn, go south on Highway 7 for 5.4 miles.  Turn east onto State Highway 247 and go 1.8 miles.  Turn south onto Howell Road, go .1 of a mile and turn left at the first driveway.

2010 events of interest

February 19-21: MTFCA Members Meeting in Mesa, AZ.

April 10: Tulsa T Azalea Tour, Frank Robinson (contact.)

April 15-17: Tulsa T and AR Tin Lizzies’ Dogwood Tour, Frank Cook and Earl Zechiedrich (contacts.)

May 13-15: Springfield, MO Show Me Tour.

Sept. 7-12: Heart of the Ozarks, Hillbilly Tour.

Sept. 10-12: Eureka Springs 40^th Anniversary Antique Car Show.

Oct. 21-16: Jones Tour, Mary Jones (contact.)

Oct 21-23: OK Ts Fall Tour, Eureka Springs, Jack Schriewer (contact.)

Logo clothing

 
If you want a shirt, jacket, hat or other item to be embroidered with the Tin Lizzie logo, contact Tina Byrum at Rags to Stitches, 479-890-5270.  You can provide the item to be embroidered or purchase it from her.

2009 Tin Lizzies officers

President…………..Bill Payne
Vice President…….Frank Cook
Sec./Treas………....David Ragsdale
Director…………….Steve Bonifant
Director…………….Earl Zechiedrich
Webmaster………...Bill Howell
Newsletter Editor….Nellie Howell

2010 Tin Lizzies officers

President…………..Frank Cook
Vice President…….Bill Howell
Sec./Treas………....David Ragsdale
Director…………….Joe Jeffers
Director…………….Mike Walker
Webmaster………...Bill Howell
Newsletter Editor….Nellie Howell