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Our 2016
convention was September 12-14 in Effingham, Illinois. Your website editor
was there early
to help get the registration desk set up. The Holiday Inn provided a very
nice facility for our registration
to take place. We would not have been able to get these facilities were it
not for the assistance of
Mike Yager and the Mid America Motorworks team.
Now fast
forward a bit to when the cars started to arrive. As you can see, there
was nice weather which was good for the
cars and also good for the local folks who just wanted to see the solid axles.
Left to Right: Dale Lael, Gerri Hollada, Mary Rae Brockhouse, Max Brockhouse.
After the board meeting,
the chapter reps met.
Here's another view..
Soon enough it was time
to line up to convoy over to Mid America CEO Mike Yager's house for a poolside
reception.
It was a very short and easy drive.
Here we
are at Mike's yard. Look at the nearest car (red/white). Looking up
from the back edge of the front tire
you can see the mansion where we were shuttled to.
And here is
how we shuttled up to the pool patio reception area.
That's Blake Yager at the wheel. Michael Yager also did shuttle duties.
Hey, it's
a tough life! Here you see Mike's Chevy Bow-Tie pool and beyond that the
reception
area. The weather was spectacular, nobody needed a jacket or air
conditioning.
Here's another view.
And another view.
Here you see Mike with a
wireless microphone. He was welcoming us to his poolside reception area,
and also he mentioned upcoming events and happenings.
Laurie Yager joined in the welcoming message.
SACC President Max
Brockhouse also greeted the Yager family and our group.
And through the magic of electronics, here is that same scene as seen from behind Max and Mike.
And here are three of the party animals.
I shot this picture to
provide an over-view of the poolside reception area.
Now it is next
morning. I ran into Jim Clayton with his real nice '62. He has had
the car since 1994.
I talked Jim into climbing out so I could take a better pic.
Also in
the parking area was Bill Huffman (Michigan Chapter President) with his very
nice '60. He has
owned this car since1968, and is the third owner. It has had a full body
restoration.
Quite an interesting story...Bill had sold the car, the new
owner later traded it in for a Trailblazer, and Bill
hurried over there and bought it from the dealer.
Time to board the bus for our St. Louis tour.
When in St. Louis.....take the Budweiser tour!
And see the Clydesdales.
No comment. I
wondered if the horse thought we were blue oval enthusiasts.
This is the rotunda at the old court house.
And then it was to the Arch. I took a somewhat different vantage point for this picture.
Then we
boarded the bus, went to The Hill area, and dined at this fine outdoor patio at
Favazzo's
Italian Restaurant. They didn't let us down, either.
And then it was a Rt. 66 icon, Ted Drewes Custard stand for dessert.
And if that wasn't enough, we saw a superb play at the Fox Theater.
This is just the lobby.
Another view of the lobby, looking back towards the doors.
Now it is September 19. SACC President Max Brockhouse kicks off the tech sessions.
Bill Preston from Dallas gave a presentation on the art and science of restoring.
Bill Huffman, Michigan Chapter President, gave tips on restoring and how to find information.
Then it
was line-up to head on over to Schultheis Garage and Classics. We convoyed
to the other side of town.
There were stop lights, but Max had prepared a map that highlighted the route to
take.
And I had a chance to chat with Steve Short and check out his red '61.
Here we are across town, ready to tour Schultheis Garage and Classics.
And here is the showroom.
And our buddy Lori Worman is the manager.
And we were also greeted
by Mrs. Schultheis.
They have some real nice cars there. Some being upgraded or repaired, some for sale.
Shop manager Derek
Schmidt (gray tee shirt) discussed the projects that were being undertaken.
I told ya they had nice cars there..
And the
MY Museum at Mid-America Motorworks did double duty this evening, as our
banquet and annual meeting
took place there.
And Max presented
gifts from the club to Mike and Laurie. Mike is holding the convention
poster
and Laurie has the vase with flowers.
Here is another view from a different vantage point.
And here is
our hosts, Mike and Laurie Yager, with their gifts from the club in appreciation
for
hosting our convention. As you can note, Mike is holding the poster that
was signed by all the SACC
participants, and Laurie has the vase on the counter.
I would like to also add my thanks to Mike and Laurie, their
sons Michael and Blake, and to all the Mid-
America staff who helped make this a most enjoyable convention. Thank you,
guys!
So that's a pictorial recap of the 2016 convention. We
will be heading to the Sunshine State of Florida in 2017..
-Jack Hollada (Holiday), DC
The very next day was the first day of Corvette Funfest. Click HERE to learn what all happened there.