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MBCACAROLINAS SECTIONTHE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE MERCEDES BENZ CLUB OF AMERICA | OCT 2017
President’s Message! 2New Members! 3Shelton Winery! 4
MBCA Carolinas Goes to College! 6Upcoming Events!! 9
Registration Forms! 10There’s MORE!! 11
WHAT’S INSIDE
Cars lined up and ready at the Shelton Winery
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OFFICERSPRESIDENTNicholas PasquineLancaster, SC(803) 283 - 3144 [email protected]
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Rugby G. Hodgkins, Jr.Gastonia, NC(704) 472-1221 [email protected]
ACTING VICE PRESIDENTButch BarksdaleCharlotte, NC(704) 497-2816 [email protected]
SECRETARYLinda [email protected]
TREASURERHarriet Pasquine, [email protected]
MEMBERSHIP CHAIRExisting Club Members
NEWSLETTER EDITORLouise [email protected]
ASST. NEWSLETER EDITOR Sam [email protected]
BOARD OF DIRECTORSPedro [email protected]
Rick [email protected]
Carl [email protected]
WEST SIDE COORDINATORTom [email protected]
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Special thanks to all who submitted photos for this issue. Ads are from member recommendations but do not constitute MBCA endorsement. See The Star magazine or go to www.MBCA.org for a list of National Officers and contacts.
About MBCA | Established in 1956, MBCA has approximately 26,000 active members and 9251 additional household members in 12 regions which are comprised of 80+ local sections throughout the United States and Canada. Each region is administered by a regional director who is responsible for assisting and inspiring the sections in the region. The regional director also fosters the formation of new sections, coordinates regional activities and represents the constituents as a member of the national board of directors. Hundreds of events are organized by sections, from social gatherings to tech sessions, from car shows to driving events. Most sections publish a newsletter of information and events and each section has its own officers and bylaws.
We have been through 9 months of 2017 and had a bunch of great events. We have done everything from seeing the actual Miracle on the Hudson, to watching new E Class Mercedes park themselves, to having a rotating Sunday Brunch at the Top of Carolina. We had a fun boat tour at Lake Lure, we showed off our cars
and had some wine if we wanted it at Shelton Vineyards and we had our Annual Dock Party on the water in Charleston. And at every event we broke bread together and made new friends. And that in essence is what this Club is about. More than a car, a community.
Yes, we get a great magazine with The Star, we get discounts from some of the Mercedes dealers, we get a $500 rebate when we buy or lease a new Mercedes, and we get a wealth of info from the MBCA.org website. But the bottom line is that it is about members interacting.
Our Board has already met to discuss events for 2018. And while we have enough events to fill the calendar, I would really like to hear some ideas from you as to what events you would like to see in the future. You have my e-mail address. Use it! Have an idea for a name for the Newsletter? Let's hear it! Have an article for the newsletter? Submit it!
It takes many hours to put the Carolinas Newsletter together. I hope you will take the time to read it. The event e-mails will continue to come at least once per month to keep you up to date.
Nick Pasquine, PresidentMBCA Carolinas Section
MBCA CAROLINAS | OCTOBER 2017 ISSUE
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NEW MEMBERS WELCOME!
WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS:John Adams # Indian Trail, NCValerie Aiken # Columbia, SCGreg Bicket # Mills River, NCWilliam Ives # Charlotte, NCJames Kerr # Monroe, NCHenry Lee # Goose Creek, NC & Austin TX.Madry Worth # Charlotte, NCDave Monteau # McCormick, SCRobert Rosenweig # Summerville, SCSteve Spiegel # Charleston, SCBob Till # Hilton Head, SC
We also wish to thank the 37 members who renewed their membership in the past quarter.
Transfer-Ins for this year from:William Lindstrom# TarheelJose Santos# # MinuetmanJim Schaffer# # WisconsinTony Martinez# # New Mexico
To our new members, we welcome you and look forward to meeting you at a future event. Please take a little time to browse the MBCA.org website. You will find a wealth of infor-mation there on anything from member benefits to information about your car to the Community Section where you can find past issues of the Carolinas Newletters. The most frequent question I get is how do we get name badges. So here is the link again: https://mbca.org/name-badge. You will also find more MBCA items at the Club Store.
MBCA CAROLINAS | OCTOBER 2017 ISSUE
On Sat. August 19th over 60 Mercedes from 3 MBCA Sections met up at Shelton Vineyards for their annual Mercedes Days in Dobson, NC. On Friday night, some members came in early and met at The Rustic Depot Restaurant hosted by the Tarheel Section.
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On Saturday, we all parked on the grounds in front of the Shelton Tasting Room and shopped prior to the grounds being open to the public. It was great to see old friends, look over each others cars and answer the many questions about our cars to others and to the public.
IT’S MERCEDES FUN & WINE TIME!
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Before the opening...
Some of us packed a picnic lunch, while others ate at the wineries’ facilities. Their Harvest Grill is listed as one of the top 10 Vineyard restaurants in the Country! We tried it for dinner on Saturday night and it was excellent.
Some members spent the day chatting with others and some took advantage of the tours and tastings.
The format of the show was a little different this year. Instead of Judges running around with clip boards and running their fingers under our fenders, it was a peoples choice event. Anyone, including the public, could get a ballot at the Hagerty Insurance tent and then vote for their favorite cars. Later in the afternoon the ballots were totaled by category as in sedans, wagons, SL's, etc. When that was complete, everyone met to hear and see who won their category. Shelton again gave out bottles of their wine with exclusive MBCA labels that they created for us. This popular event will be repeated next August. You can spend as much or as little as you want on the week-end. It is an ideal event to meet other members.
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Cars and people everywhere!
One of the eight winners.
Lunch?
MBCA CAROLINAS | OCTOBER 2017 ISSUE
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MBCA CAROLINAS | OCTOBER 2017 ISSUE
MBCA CAROLINAS GOES TO COLLEGE! WELL SORT OF…
On Sept. 19th a group of 26 members showed up at the Capstone Building at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Members came from as far as Hilton Head to check out Brunch at their newly re-opened Top of Carolina Restaurant. And not just any restaurant! This one sits on top of a 19 story girls dorm and goes around in circles!
(continued on next page) Early birds get the best parking.
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The rotating restaurant is from the 1964-65 NY World's Fair. Remember the introduction of the Ford Mustang?
After the fair a businessman from Greenville, SC bought the restaurant and donated it to his alma mater USC.
They put it on top of the newly designed girls dorm and opened it in 1969. The restaurant overlooks the City and makes 1 revolution per hour. I found out about it from Dick Dyer Mercedes.
USC had closed it two years ago to do a complete renovation, including to the mechanicals. It re-opened the beginning of Sept. and we were one of the first groups to enjoy the renovation AND the food! It is a buffet set up and NO-ONE left hungry!! And now they are "graduates"!
After lunch we met downstairs for some more socializing and some great door prizes. Those who won got more than the Club subsidized $19.95 they paid for the Brunch!
At the end I asked if we wanted to return or do another Sunday brunch? Every hand went up! Thanks Neal Bray from Dick Dyer and Cali Young from Northlake Mercedes for your attendance. And thanks to Top of Carolina for doing a great job with a new staff.
We are glad we could help the University and a few students.
MBCA CAROLINAS | OCTOBER 2017 ISSUE
(continued on next page)
Photos: (top) Talking before we go up.(middle) 3 of our 7 tables.(bottom) Around we go!
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MBCA CAROLINAS | OCTOBER 2017 ISSUE
USC Student CJ picks door prize winners.
If Cali gives you Mercedes teddy bears do you promise to buy a Mercedes after you graduate?
Elise gets $19.95 back!Deb gets a $27 ladies key chain.
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MBCA CAROLINAS
UPCOMING EVENTSFOR ADVANCE PLANNING,
PLEASE CHECK YOUR CALENDARS!
2018 EVENTS OCTOBER 20-21 - Eurofest - European car show featuring over 400 cars in Greenville, SC.
The link for all info is:http://www.euroautofestival.com. MBCA Carolinas will also host a dinner on Fri. night 10/20. You already received an e-mail regarding this dinner. See registration form on the next page.
NOVEMBER 3-5 - Hilton Head Motoring Festival. All information sent previously. Contact member Bruce Wood if planning to attend at [email protected]. Peachtree is also sponsoring a dinner.
NOVEMBER 12th - Asheville - Luncheon, Drive, and Craft Beer - See Registration Form from Board member Tom Sharar on the next page to get signed up.
DECEMBER 9th - Annual Dinner Meeting - The Willcox Inn, Aiken SC. Also new this year is a Christmas luncheon. You recently received all info, rules and details in separate e-mails. THIS EVENT IS ALREADY 35% BOOKED. DO NOT WAIT!
2018 EVENTSJANUARY 20 - Northlake, NC - Planning a Product info and Meet & Greet for at Mercedes of Northlake, followed by a luncheon. Details to follow.
FEBRUARY 24 - Charlotte, NC Based on member comments and the number of people unable to attend due to overbooking, we are returning to the NC Aviation Museum next to the Charlotte Airport followed by lunch. Event will start at 10 am.
MARCH 24 - Hendersonville, NC - We will repeat our Planes, Trains and Automobiles event from over 2 years ago at the Apple Valley Model RR. This was a fun visit that attracted many. The Apple Valley RR has added new displays. Our visit will be followed by a luncheon.
APRIL - Charleston. SC - We are working on partnering with the Peachtree Section to do a week-end in Charleston including hotel, meals and tours. Tentative dates would be 4/20 - 22.
MAY - Lake Lure, NC - This very successful event has been suggested as a repeat as many were unable to attend due to weather concerns. Planning for May before the crowds start.
MAY 14-21 - MBCA Starfest - This National event at the Mercedes Plant in Alabama has everything. From tours to driver safety and race track training to City attractions. Too extensive to list it all here! Go to https://starfest2018.mbca.org/ for all details.
JUNE - Charleston - Annual Dock Party - Waterfront - Details will be out by the March Newsletter. Date is based on the tides. One of our more popular family friendly events.
JULY 2018 - TBD
AUGUST - Dobson, NC. - Annual Mercedes Day at the Shelton Winery. Date is usually 3rd week-end of August. Details from 2017 event in this issue.
SEPTEMBER - Colonial Williamsburg, VA. - Based on initial responses we have enough interest to go forward with repeating this educational trip for both young and old. Planning takes a good 9 months to pull this off. The cost was quite low for all we got and did. Stay tuned for further details.
NOVEMBER - Hilton Head Motor Festival. - Upscale Concours Event plus Car Club day usually the first week- end in November. The Amelia Island of So. Carolina with lots to see.
DECEMBER 8th - Aiken, SC. - Annual Business Meeting Dinner and Club Christmas Dinner.
REGISTRATION FORMS ON NEXT PAGE >
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Registration for Eurofest dinner at 7 PM - Friday October 20thEpicurean Restaurant | 1455 WOODRUFF ROAD, GREENVILLE, SC 29607
If you would like to join us please send back your reservation to me NO LATER THAN October 7th:
MBCA CAROLINAS Eurofest Dinner - We will attend!
Names # ___________________________________________________________________ ,
# # ____________________________________________________________________
E-mail address:________________________________________________________________
Section _____________________________
Nick Pasquine, President MBCA Carolinas - [email protected]
MBCA CAROLINAS
REGISTRATION FORMS
Registration for November Craft beer, Lunch and Drive Sunday, November 12th
Tom has reserved a private room at the Gondolier restaurant in E. Asheville for 11:30AM. We then go to on the Whistle Hop Brewery after lunch. It isn't a long drive between the two. Best way takes us on a short stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway - avoiding the interstate. Easy drive.There are some outdoor things to do at the brewery. Working on a tour of the brewing process as well.Don't miss this fun with other members low cost event! This event is open to all Mercedes members and guests. Please respond to Tom NO LATER THAN Tues. 11/2 at [email protected] Gondolier restaurant - 1360 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC 28805 Whistle Hop Brewery - 1288 Charlotte Hwy., Fairview, NC 28730
We want Italian food and craft beer! With other members!
Member Name _______________________________________________________________ ,
Guest(s)# # ______________________________________________________________
E-mail address:# ______________________________________________________________
Reply to Tom Sharar no later than 11/2. Better yet, do it now!
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MBCA CAROLINAS
AND THERE’S MORE!
First Issue is election of Officers.
Most Sections complete their elections by October. I have advised the Board that 2018 will be my last year as your President. I have done it for 5+ years. That provides plenty of time to react. It is time for me to step aside and be replaced with someone younger with fresh ideas and enthusiasm. However, I am more than willing to step aside sooner for a suitable candidate.
We currently have enough staff to continue to function properly. There are some additional positions I would like to see filled. It would be great to have some members soliciting advertising for the Newsletter to generate some plus income. It would be good to have some new board members with fresh ideas. It is vital that we all work on getting new members and follow up with your local dealer to do the same. We also should develop a back up bench for positions in the event of a sudden loss as we sadly had with our Treasurer Roy Davis last year. If you, as a primary Carolinas Section member, are satisfied with our current Officer roster please be prepared to vote for same at the Annual meeting on 12/9.
• Regional Director - Jim Roberts has announced he is moving up as Director At large for MBCA at the National Level. Doug Geganto, former Peachtree President, will take over as our new Regional Director. We wish Doug much success in his new challenging position. His contact info is under our list of Officers next to the President's message.
•New factories! The news has been released that MBUSA will invest $1 Billion on a new factory to support the production of new electric powered models, as well as a battery factory to support same. Both will also be in Alabama. They will create and employ 600 skilled workers. You can find the full report on a number of news websites.
• Policy Change - Mercedes USA will once again be placing our MBCA applications in the glove box of new models being sent to dealers. Note that shoppers buy more used than new cars so both you and your dealer’s support are still needed. However, this is a great positive move by MB for the Club to increase membership. Pretty basic. The more participating members we have the more and better events we can have.
• MBCA RAFFLE - If you did not get an entry in the mail, simply go to MBCA.org to get one. Someone will win and the odds are MUCH better than the lottery!
• New S Class - The 2018 S Class is coming out now. The Automotive press, like AutoWeek, is being VERY nice to it! It is an amazing car.
• Sprinter - I have been advised by Mercedes factory management that work is progressing on the new SC Sprinter factory. They will advise when a factory tour would be available some time in 2018.
• The BRICK - If you are at the award winning Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, look for our Zoo supporting donor brick. It is about half way down the walkway near the rest rooms which get lots of traffic. We will plan another Zoo visit in the future. I would also like to see us come up with an event that supports the SPCA.
MBCA CAROLINAS | OCTOBER 2017 ISSUE
