2018 White Elephant Gift Exchange and Potluck Lunch
A recent cold front brought chilly temperatures and the threat of rain on the first day of the New Year. However, that did not deter 48 hardy club members from attending our annual White Elephant gift exchange and potluck lunch at Turtle Beach. Attendance was only slightly less than prior, “balmier” years. This traditional event is always a great way for the SBCC to start the New Year. Thankfully, the wind abated and the rain stayed away. The club provided ham and turkey and the members brought plenty of food, as usual.
Also, as usual, some gifts from previous years made a return appearance. Choice among new gifts was a Donald Trump talking toilet paper holder with a roll of toilet paper featuring Vladimir Putin’s face. (This family-oriented website is unable to post any of the witticisms revolving around this gift.) Gene Cohen won a prize for this themed present. Betsy and Gene McOmber also won a theme prize for their stuffed carrot thingy. Also notable was Gene Cohen’s landing of an unusual “candle holder.” And, in a surprise development, President Jim Wilson had the “winning” number for the Treasure Chest this year. All said, everyone had a great time before departing in warm, mostly American cars.
Information from Jim Wilson and photos by Jack Knuese.
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The Suncoast British Car Club had a wonderful Sunday afternoon together, Nov. 26, at a cricket festival held at Parry Field on Lakewood Ranch, home of the Sarasota International Cricket Club. It was one of those beautiful Florida autumn afternoons — mostly sunny, a light breeze and pleasant temperatures. The club picnicked under oak trees and watched the two cricket teams from the original six clubs compete in the championship match of the 23rd Annual Six-a-side Tournament.
The Gator Wilderness Camp School Car Show & Lunch, also known as the GWCSCS & L, was held on Saturday, October 28, 2017, at Ellen and Duane Magnuson’s home. Even with the threat of foul weather, this annual event was again well attended. We had 25 cars, and 38 club members. Some of the cars came “topless” despite the forecast, which ultimately proved correct. We were joined by about 20 youths and leaders from the school in Charlotte County. Detwiler’s Farm Market provided a wonderful healthy lunch; supplemented on the caloric side by the members’ supply of home baked goods and other yummy desserts.
Despite the forecast of another hot and sticky Florida summer day, we had a great turnout for the Breakfast Tour on Sunday, August 20, 2017. There were seven LBCs – 2 TR3s, 2 TR6s, a MGB, a Morgan +8, a Jag XK8, plus a Tesla(?). Members and guests participated in a one and half hour drive over some nice tree canopy and curvy roads to Wheelers’ Café in Arcadia. One guest, Steve Phillips, drove his MGB with 140,000 miles on it. His father bought it new so its classification has transitioned from that of a one-owner to now a one-family car. Steve is working on making it more dependable. Coincidentally, Peter Gallagher’s son, Steven, has decided to keep his late father’s 1969 TR6. He brought his mother, Irene, on our Breakfast Tour in honor of Peter. Member Jay Taback had two friends with him and decided to take the Tesla instead of piling everyone into his Mini Innocenti. Wheelers’ has remodeled, removing counters and adding more tables inside. They were busy this morning and thus sat us out on the famous front porch, which “is on the side alley.” But, with new fans and open windows it was still very pleasant. The locals showered much attention on our LBCs parked in front. Speaking of showers, to make the day perfect, we all made it home before the seasonal afternoon thunderstorms.
