JANUARY 2008 NEWSLETTER

Once again, here I am telling you about what’s going on in our small corner of the world of Mustangs. For some of you it is just a recap of what we did recently and what’s coming up. For others of you it just informs you of what the rest of us have been up to while you have missed out. I know we are all busy and I know you plan on attending more in the future, but this is a new year and the future is now. Let’s all make a better attempt to attend events and participate. If you want changes in the club, then participate and express yourself. Email me with ideas. Let me know what you want, and if it’s possible we will do it. Now I don’t want to hear “we need more car shows”. I want to hear things like, “I hear they have a show at Burger King every Saturday, and I would like to help organize a trip over there as a group”. That’s what it is all about. Express yourself and participate. I will help as much as I can, but I can’t hear you from where you are sitting now reading this.

Yes, I do think we could do more and that is where you come in. Get up off that couch and get involved and let’s make this club even bigger and better. For those of you who do attend and participate, I thank you. Let’s see if you can help by getting a friend to come out and be a part of some of our activities.

I will tell you all about the Christmas party and the Toys for Tots toy drive at the next meeting. We will have a presentation about this past annual Pony Drive at this month’s meeting. Speaking of the annual Pony Drive, this year it is scheduled to be here in Florida, and I am hoping to see some of us be a part of it. I will speak more about this in the near future. See you at the meeting.

SMC Holiday Party

‘Twas a night before Christmas (December 8th to be exact), when all through the Maitlands no people were stirring, not even dogs, cats, birds, mice. I mean nothing!

But, in the clubhouse decorations were hung by the ceiling with care, in hopes that the members of the Suncoast Mustang Club would somehow find their way there!

The tables were set with holiday cheer - decorations hand-made by our own Denise Moody, here-here!

One by one and two by two, members drove through the night with anticipation of what lay ahead, while visions of food prepared by Mike’s Pizza, danced in their heads.

When out in the parking lot there arose such a clatter. Mustang club members were arriving. Residents were asking, "What was the matter?".

As we sprang from our cars, our hearts skipped a beat, as we all joined for the annual treat.

Away to the evening we did party and what to my wondering eyes should appear...but Wayne with games and presents just as he does every year!

When onto the night there arose such a fuss with members joining in on the games that went like a flash. Some ending up with great prizes and others with trash!

With a smile and a speech - no sign of despair -Christmas presents were shuffled, and I knew in a moment that mine would be there!

As the evening came to an end, members were heard to exclaim as they drove out of sight, "Season's Greetings" to all” and we'll see you Monday night!

Now dash away, dash away, dash away all, if you missed it-you missed a ball!

*Special thanks to Mona Edwards for making the club available to our members and all her hard work.

If you did miss this year’s party, please try to attend next year. People come from as far away as England (Angus Reid) just to attend this gala event. The word spreads fast that members of the Suncoast Mustang Club have fun!!!

If you have a classic Mustang that isn’t driven a lot, the tires don’t show much tread wear and so if they look good, “why mess with them?” I found out that’s not a good idea, when a tire that looked fine, suddenly lost its tread on the interstate and I nearly lost control of my car. Common sense should have told me that keeping these tires on the car for over ten years was asking for trouble. All tires have “Date Codes” printed on them. To find out when a tire was made; look at the sidewall for lettering that begins with “DOT”, it’s usually close to the rim. After that, the last 4 digits will indicate the week of manufacture and the year of the manufacture. For example: 2507 would mean the tire was built in the 25^th week of the year (approximately the first week of July) of 2007. Looking at the date code is a good idea when purchasing new tires also, especially if they will be mounted on a car that sits more than goes. How long should tires last, most “experts” say 5 to maybe 6 years is a safe bet. How old are your tires???

It is time once again to renew your SMC membership for 2008. If you haven’t done this yet, then please do so. Last year’s members will receive newsletters only through March. You can either mail the membership and dues to the Treasurer or bring them to an upcoming meeting. The following SMC members have sent in their membership forms and dues for 2008:

Joe Brend, Jim Carroll, Finley Johnson, Sherman Bliss, Al Clarke, John Cornwell, Bill Dellert, Stephen DiCenso, Ron Dring, Mona Edwards, Wayne Farnham, John Ferguson, Karen Frank, Larry Garuti, Tom Gaul, Sandy Hand, Marc Jacobsen, Mike Lemmons, Roland Martens, Jay Maule, Rose Morris, Tom O'Connor, Angus Reid, Victor Slacter, Joan Slacter, Joseph Speakes, Bob Stephens, Guy Tewksbury, Ed Tonry, and John Watjen.

2008 Suncoast Mustang Club

Membership Application

(PLEASE PRINT)

Name ____________________________________________________ Spouse’s Name _________________

Address __________________________________________________________________________________

City _________________________________________ State __________ Zip Code ____________________

Home Phone (_____)________________ E-Mail Address _________________________________________

Business and/or Cell Phone (_____) _________________________ (_____) ___________________________

Would you like to have your newsletter and club information e-mailed to you? [ ] Yes [ ] No

Mustang(s) Owned

Year Body Style Year Body Style

_________ ____________________ _________ ___________________

__________ _____________________ _________ ___________________

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Club Dues $20.00 Annually (for family membership)

New Member Dues (only)

Amount in Month Applying (Circle Please)

January $20 April $17 July $14 October $11

February $19 May $16 August $13 November and

March $18 June $15 September $12 December $10

Are you a member of the Mustang Club of America? Yes [ ] No [ ]

Make Checks Payable and Mail Application to: Suncoast Mustang Club

c/o Bill Dellert, Treasurer

6705 Cardinal Drive South

St. Petersburg, Florida 33707-3803

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Additional Voluntary Information

Birthdays: Name __________________ Month/Day ____________

Name __________________ Month/Day ____________

Wedding Anniversary Month/Day _______________

Suggestions for Programs, Presentations, Social Activities:

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