The American MGB Association had all the principal officers of the Club in Chicago at the same time on May 16, 2022. We held a meeting to renew acquaintances in person instead of phone, text or email. Margie Springer, Bruce Magers and myself (Frank Ochal) were there.
We discussed many thing but the primary focus was to discuss the future of the club. This had been in discussion for quite a while. It was decided to no longer produce a printed magazine because of the change to electronic magazines, the rising costs of printing and postage, the continuing pandemic fears and the aging of the volunteer staff.
Members will continue to receive the Octagon publication by email only.
Bruce Magers will be retiring his role as Regalia Chairmen and Treasurer. Margie Springer will be retiring from the position of AMGBA Secretary. I will continue to maintain the membership as all members will be converted to eMembers,
The 2022 Andersonville Swedish Midsommar Fest took place on Clark Street, only a short walk from my home. The festival is held in early June each year and this year it was held from June 10 – 12. 16 Candles was the band I wanted to see. They are a cover band doing mostly ’80s and ’90s songs.
My neighbors Dan and Lisa had a first birthday for their child on November 20, 2021. John Mack’s “Doljanchi” 1st birthday on November 2021 – a Korean tradition where the child’s future is predicted based on what object representing a profession is chosen.
I attended the Lane Tech High School Reunion on October 16, 2021 at t DesPlaines Illinois Elks Club. It was a great time and well organized. Thanks to the Reunion Steering Committee consisting of Fred Bazzoli, Ken Larson, Frank Brod, Craig Matuszewski, Wally Walejeski, Phil Koel and Bruce Rapa.
AMERICAN MGB ASSOCIATION MEET 2021 and CHICAGOLAND BRITISH CAR FESTIVAL IN PALATINE, ILLINOIS
The American MGB Association (AMGBA) held its 43rd Annual Meet in conjunction with the 34th annual Chicagoland British Car Festival on Sunday, September 12, 2021 at Harper Community College in Palatine, Illinois just outside of Chicago. The American MGB Association Meet/Convention was initially held in the Chicago area in 1978 and it was good to be back where it all began. The AMGBA Meet was held with this show because of the ongoing pandemic fears. Neither show was held in 2020 because of the pandemic.
The show itself is organized by a consortium of British Car Clubs in the Chicago area. It has become the premier event for those interested in British cars in the Chicago area.
Each year the show features hundreds of automobiles ranging from those in Concours condition to just normal everyday drivers. This year was no exception as approximately 500 cars were gathered on the field representing virtually every marque produced in England under almost perfect weather conditions. Door prizes and popular vote awards were presented to the lucky winners.
Food was provided by Robinson’s Ribs. Many food vendors as well as some of the entertainment did not attend because of the uncertainty of the show due to the pandemic.
The American MGB Association (AMGBA) was on the field welcoming old members and signing up several new participants. If you have not had the opportunity to attend this popular event be sure to mark your calendar for the 35th annual event which will be held on September 11, 2022 at Harper Community College in Palatine, Illinois. For further information go to www.britishcarunion.com or www.mgclub.org .
The MGB and Midget winners were as follows:
MGB- Chrome Bumper Roadster
1. ’73 red B, Philip Wydra, ’73 red B, Fox River Grove, IL
2. ’67 red B, Denise & Pete Ballard, Plainfield, IL
3. ’64 red B, Chuck & Gail Haskins, Burlington, WI
MGB – Rubber Bumper Roadster
1. ’80 red B, John Frost, Kenosha, WI
2. ’79 yellow B, Dean Hickenlooper, Darien, IL
3. ’79 B LE, Melissa Gonzales, Pingree Grove, IL
MGB-GT
1. ’74 gray B-GT, Jeremy Kinsey, Burlington, WI
MG Midget
1. ’65 red Midget MKII, Stephen Sparks, Chicago, IL
2. ’74 blue Midget, Paul Polaski, Lyons, IL
1st place Chrome Bumper MGB – Philip Wydra, ’73 MGB, Fox River Grove, Illinois
1st Place Rubber Bumper MGB – John Frost, ’80 MGB, Kenosha, Wisconsin
1st Place MGB-GT – Jeremy Kinsey, ’74 B-GT, Burlington, Wisconsin
1st Place MG Midget – Stephen Sparks, ’65 Mk II, Chicago, Illinois
2nd place Chrome Bumper MGB – Denise & Pete Ballard, Plainfield, Illinois
2nd place Rubber Bumper MGB – Dean Hickenlooper, ’79 MGB, Darien, Illinois
2nd Place MG Midget – Paul Polaski, ’74 Midget, Lyons, Illinois
Went to Wisconsin Dells in July which was my first trip outside of the state since the pandemic began. In Wisconsin we did the usual things like tour downtown, ate, visited the many water parks and ate. We also had a caricature made by a local artist on the main street. On the way back, we visited the Fi-Serv Forum and the Deer District where the Milwaukee Bucks would win the NBA championship the next day.
Charlie went to the Chicago Dog Beach at Wilson Ave and Lake Michigan in July. He enjoyed the cool water. A new addition this year to the area is a dog wash on the beach.
Annual visit to the Chicago Auto Show on February, 11, 2020. I went with Bruce Magers of the American MGB Association.  Bruce Magers birthday was then celebrated at Chicago Chop House where the food and atmosphere with back drops of photos of every Chicago Mayor, The wall of Chicago Gangsters and the Wall of Al Capone are located.
The American MGB Association’s annual car show, Meet 2019
was held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
This meant a drive by the officers (Bruce and myself as Margie was
unable to make it) to bring out the club items to the show. This includes the table, chairs, tent, and
membership item
We rented a 2019 Nissan Rogue for our journey which started
early on Thursday, October 3, 2019. We stopped for lunch in Lexington, Kentucky
at a Chick-fil-A for a chicken sandwich which was disappointing.
Next stop was Knoxville, Tennessee where we stayed overnight
on Thursday. We dined at Altrudas
outside of town and then visited Market Square area of downtown Knoxville and
took a brief tour of the University of Tennessee.
We left early Friday to Myrtle Beach thru the Smokey
Mountains and stopped for brunch at the Corner Kitchen in the Biltmore Estates
area of Asheville, North Carolina. We also then drove through the Biltmore
Estate where the mansion is located.
We made it to Myrtle Beach on Friday afternoon and had time
to go to the beach and have a snack
along the boardwalk at Dirty Dons Oyster Bar & Grill. We then attended the welcoming party for the
car show on Friday night at Nacho Hippos in Market Common and met with local
club members and organizers.
Saturday was the car show which many of our members attended
at the Market Common in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This is an upscale area of town and was
developed on the site of the old Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. There was a good showing of MGs at the event
and organizers said it was the largest turnout they had ever had. Jersey Dogs served lunch to the spectators. They were good but nothing compares to a
Chicago style hot dog. That evening we
traveled to Savannah, Georgia and dined at Boars’ Head along the river and
stayed in the area Saturday night.
We left early Sunday morning to tour old Savannah along the
river. We had breakfast at Hueys and
then headed to Atlanta, Georgia. In Atlanta we visited the the Georgia Aquarium which is the largest
aquarium n the world. It was spectacular
and included Sea Lion and Dolphin shows. We toured the Buckhead area of Atlanta
and ate dinner at the South City Kitchen. Monday morning we toured the new
Sun-Trust Atlanta Braves ballpark area.
They built a ballpark along with a cluster of bars and restaurants
around it to give it the feel of a Wrigleyville although it is all new.
We then headed north to Chattanooga, Tennessee and lunch at
the Boathouse Rotisserie and Raw Bar on the Tennessee River. We then went on to
Nashville and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Many artists had exhibits in the
Hall of Fame including some that you may not think of as country artists such
as Elvis Presley, Ray Charles and Taylor Swift.
Afterward we walked to Broadway and stopped at many of the bars
including Tootsies, Jason Aldeans and the Mellow Mushroom Every place we stopped had a band for entertainment.
Dinner was at Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant up the hill from the Broadway
entertainment area of downtown Nashville.
Of course there was a performer at the restaurant.
Heading north on Tuesday, we stopped for lunch near downtown Louisville at the Grind Burger Kitchen for hamburgers. We stayed overnight in Columbus, Indiana where we visited the many architectural marvels in the town. We then headed back home to Chicago on Wednesday morning and returned the rental car having put more than 2400 miles on the car!
miscellaneous ramblings of a North side Chicagoan and sports fan
