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MBCACAROLINAS SECTIONTHE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE MERCEDES BENZ CLUB OF AMERICA | APR
President’s Message! 2
Welcome New Members! 3
Upcoming Events! 4
Lake Lure Registration! 5
January Northlake Event! 6
February Carolinas Event! 8
March Planes, Trains and Automobiles!! 10
And There’s More!! 14
WHAT’S INSIDE
SEE INSIDE >
Northlake MercedesSee Page 6 >
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OFFICERSPRESIDENT Nicholas PasquineLancaster, SC(803) 283 - 3144 [email protected]
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Rugby G. Hodgkins, Jr.Gastonia, NC(704) 472-1221 [email protected]
ACTING VICE PRESIDENT Butch BarksdaleCharlotte, NC(704) 497-2816 [email protected]
SECRETARY Linda [email protected]
TREASURER Position Open Harriet Pasquine, [email protected]
MEMBERSHIP CHAIR Nicholas PasquineLancaster, SC(803) 283 - 3144 [email protected]
NEWSLETTER EDITOR Louise JohnsonBrookfield, CT(203) 885-9168 [email protected]
ASST. NEWSLETER EDITOR Sam [email protected]
BOARD OF DIRECTORSPedro [email protected]
Rick [email protected]
EVENT ASSISTANTS Tom [email protected]
Photographs By: Steve Lawson, Tom Shrara, Marellen Struhar, And Elizabeth McFadden.
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 completed the first 3 events of the year. Two of them very family friendly and all well attended. My emphasis has always been on activities that we can share with each other, that will broaden our knowledge, learn about what is around us, expose your kids to our events, while keeping the cost as low as possible.
We are also a car club, and therefore there will always be car shows and Mercedes dealer events as part of the mix.
I hope you have enjoyed the ones you have attended and would hope those of you who are not taking part in the social benefits of local events will at least give one a try. Part of your dues goes to local events and the newsletter, so give it a try. Upcoming events appear in the events calendar in this issue are are updated in local e-mails monthly.
Someone asked why more people do not attend. Part of it is only 47 to 55% of our members bother to read our e-mails despite the time it takes to produce them. I also see that the bulk of e-mails are opened via cell phones and that is part of the problem. Constant Contact, who sends our e-mails puts them into what they call a smart phone friendly format, But in reality a 15 to 20 page illustrated newsletter will never be smartphone friendly, so dust off that laptop, desktop or tablet once in awhile. Also makes it easier to print and reply to registration forms.
Enjoy this issue. Right now I am working on finalizing our plans for our trip to Colonial Williamsburg. The Embassy Suites in Williamsburg is finalized under the group name Mercedes. A long separate e-mail will give you the rest of the plans fairly soon.
Nick Pasquine, President - MBCA Carolinas Section
MBCA CAROLINAS | APRIL 2018 ISSUE
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A BIG WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS
WE WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS, AND THEIR ASSOCIATE MEMBERS, FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE 52 MEMBERS WHO RENEWED THEIR MEMBERSHIPS DURING THE PAST QUARTER.
Don Abbot Hendersonville, NC
Shyler Brown Columbia, SC
Andrew Clappa Charleston, SC
Betha Ertzberger Gastonia, NC
Bill Gamble Fort Mill, SC
Theadore Haviland! Aiken, SC
David Isenhour Salisbury, NC
Hartley Leroy Cornelius, NC
Gerry Martin Pawley's Island, SC
Scott Maser Matthews, NC
Deborah Moritz N. Myrtle Beach, SC
Gerald Oppliger Burnsville, NC
Chris Petersen Columbia, SC
Keith Roberts Marshall, NC
David Shaw Charleston, SC
Peter Sparzo Hilton Head, SC
Michelle Stein Mt. Pleasant, SC
Patrice Tappe Black Mtn., NC
David Terry Pawley's Island, SC
Robert Wilkes Myrtle beach, SC
And welcome to transfer in Hal Harper from the Portland Section.
Some people join for the dealership discounts, some join for socializing with other Mercedes owners, and some want access to The Star magazine. We find that hose who attend local events are most apt to attend more events and get the most enjoyment out of the Club.
New members can get name badges via https://mbca.org/name-badge. They are a help at events so other members know who you are and where you are from.
New members should also try to spend a little time on the extensive National MBCA website, www.MBCA.org. For starters check out the many benefits under membership. Then check out all the information under Communities. All of our past local Newsletters are archived there. It is also a good place to learn about technical issues and to ask questions about your car.
Login for Communities is simple, Your e-mail address and whatever password you select.
Once you do a login your profile will come up. Verify your personal information. Is it all correct? Is your associate member listed. Is your car(s) listed? Simple to correct them right there. Note that for security reasons none of your information is stored locally.
As a member you can also place free ads for your car, part, or accessory in The Star magazine at no charge.
So again, Welcome to MBCA and the Carolinas Section. Do not hesitate to contact any of the Officers listed in the issue for any Club help.
MBCA CAROLINAS | APRIL 2018 ISSUE
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APRIL 20th - 22nd Spring Fling Registration for Charleston is closed. If you attending and would like to do a short write up and a couple of photos for the next newsletter please let me know.
MAY 19th — LAKE LUREClub Luncheon and Lake Museum and informative Boat Tour. This was our most popular and largest attended event last year, attended by families young and old. See write up and registration form in this issue.
JUNE 9th — ANNUAL DOCK PARTY, Charleston, SCDetails will be sent out in early May. Note your calendars. This annual event is heavily attended every year. This year will bring a few positive changes. Open to all Club family and friends, kids and dogs too!
JULY — No event scheduled. Traditionally many members on vacation.
AUGUST 25th — Three Sections come together for Mercedes Day at the Winery. A very popular relaxing fun event with a lot of Mercedes of all types. Cost can be almost zero or make a week-end out of it. Watch for details.
SEPTEMBER 7th - 9th — COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG, VAWe will again have the opportunity to have private Club tours of the largest living History Museum in the World. You will receive a separate detailed write-up on this event open to all Section's members and guests at a very low cost.
Note: Don't try to read it on your phone!
SEPTEMBER 29th — NEW CAR SHOWFormerly Rock Barn Auto Classic - is moving to Lake Lure this year. Will forward details in the next Newsletter.
OCTOBER — Month is open. Have something you would like to suggest?
NOVEMBER 2nd - 4th — HILTON HEAD MOTOR FESTIVALThis is a major car show On Hilton Head Island. Like Colonial Willilasburg this an event you should make plans early for. Discount tickets will be available until 10/15. If you would like advance info or would like to reserve a spot to show your car contact member Bruce Wood at [email protected] asap.
You should also take a look at the concours website at www.hhiconcours.com
DECEMBER 8th - 9th — 2018 ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING AND CHRISTMAS DINNERRoom prices and meal choices will be posted by Oct. 2nd. Mercedes reservation block will open on that date. Prior reservations will be at the regular public rate.
NEXT YEAR: Have an idea for an event? Send it in so it can be given to the Board for consideration and follow up.
Family friendly events are good. Would also like to see an event that would support the SPCA or local animal shelter that wants to work with us and has space available.
EVENTS CALENDARThese are the planned events for the rest of the year, as of this date. Note almost all are designed to be family friendly. Some educational, some just fun, most low cost.
MBCA CAROLINAS | APRIL 2018 ISSUE
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Lake Lure Lunch Registration FormMembers & Family: Circle one Boat Tour:
Name: _______________________ BG CC BF YES NO
Name: _______________________ BG CC BF YES NO
Name: _______________________ BG CC BF YES NO
Name: _______________________ BG CC BF YES NO
Guests: # Circle one:
Name: _______________________ BG CC BF YES NO
Name: _______________________ BG CC BF YES NO
Total Members ____ x $12.50 ea = $ ___.__# # Total kids to age 14 ___ x $10.00 = $ ___.__
Total Guests ___ x $16.00 = $_____.___
Boat tour costs are:
# ____Adults at $16.00 ea = $ ____.__# # # # ____ Seniors at $14.00 ea. = $ ____.___
# ____ of kids to age 12 = $____.___
Total amount enclosed for lunch and boats tours = $ _____.____
Please send check made out to MBCA Carolinas by __________ to:
Nick Pasquine, President1584 Greyfox Estates Road
Lancaster, SC 29720
As the weather warms and the grass greens, the Carolinas Section of the MBCA begins to look forward to warmer-weather events. On the calendar for the second year is our May trip to Larkins on the Lake in scenic Lake Lure, North Carolina.Last year was one of our best attended events in several seasons. Over sixty five participants enjoyed a great lunch at top rated Larkins on the south end of the lake. We had the whole upper floor of the restaurant with its windows and views. On May 19, 2018, we’re planning to do it again. At 11:30 we’ll begin to assemble for a noon lunch (we’ll order promptly at noon) at Larkins on the Lake, 1020 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure, NC. Following lunch, we’ll drive
around the lake for a boat tour at 2:00 PM. Lake Lure Tours is located at 2930 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure, North Carolina - about 3.6 miles from the restaurant and next to the lake Lure Museum. Your menu choices are:- 1/2 pound Colossal Bayfront Burger with fries BG- Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich with fries CC- Blackened Catch of the Day (fish) Sandwich with fries BF Menu includes a non-alcoholic beverage. A cash bar is located downstairs for those wishing an adult beverage. Your Club subsidized cost for Club Member and Associate is $12.50 pp., your kids to age 14 are $10.00 ea. Cost to Guests is $16.00 pp. Last day to sign up is April.
Lake Lure MBCA Carolinas Luncheon and Educational Boat Tour
MBCA CAROLINAS | APRIL 2018 ISSUE
Last fall I was contacted by Cali Young who handles marketing and Special Events for the Hendrick Northlake Group. She noted that the Club had not been to Northlake since the week it opened. She wanted us to see how the dealer had progressed and to meet their new staff including the new General Mgr. We set a date of Jan. 20th for the Club to visit.
The last time we visited Northlake it was like a monsoon outside! This time there was still snow on the ground but all was clear and the weather was fine.
When we arrived we found Northlake had rented tables and chairs for our use and had coffee and serious carbs for us! Yum! We also spent some time wandering the showroom which has an exten-sive inventory representation with an AMG emphasis plus with a well stocked accessory and gift boutique display.
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IT WAS AN INFORMATIVE DAY!by Nick Pasquine
MBCA CAROLINAS | APRIL 2018 ISSUE
We then sat down and Pres. Nick introduced Cali who introduced Todd Nolan, GM and Jeremy Wages, Service Mgr. They both welcomed us and then spoke about the dealership's growth in the past two years. WE also got some info on upcoming product of which there is a lot coming! There is NO question that electric IS the future emphasis to meet fuel economy goals. Hope the utility companies are ready! Todd also introduced us to key staff members. Nice to see some of the promotions since opening.
Two members vehicles were selected and brought in to the service bays where they were given compli-mentary inspection as members watched and learned what they do during these inspections and A & B services. Plenty of questions were asked, and we learned more about Service operations and what we are paying for. We had hoped to have separate presentations for ladies, but we had too few signed up plus some no shows. The cost of a special ladies Rep was not worth it for so few. Maybe we can do bet-ter the next time. The gals did get Gift bags worth up to $65 on their way out as we headed for lunch at Killington's Pub in Statesville. Both Cali and Todd joined us for lunch. After Lunch and a lot of socializ-ing, Todd thanked us all for visiting and reminded everyone that his dealership does give 10 to 15% discounts to MBCA members for almost all parts and service. Take advantage of their offer! Just show your member ID.
President Nick covered some up-coming events including our Sept. educational trip for families, young and old, to Colonial Williamsburg, the largest living History Museum in the World. It was a low cost fun day for all who attended.
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Last year we visited the Carolinas Aviation Museum next to the Charlotte Airport. It houses the "Miracle on Hudson" plus numerous other Passenger planes, Military aircraft, historical planes and civilian aircraft. Unfortunately we wound up over booked
and had to turn some people away. So we spoke to Ken Upton, Education Co-coordinator for the Museum who again agreed to let us have another Saturday tour, which they do not normally do.
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MBCA CAROLINAS | APRIL 2018 ISSUE
We Did It Again!
We set up our second tour for Feb. 24th and quickly booked the 30 person maximum. Our tour started promptly at 10AM and our guide started out with a brief history of how the Museum got started and how it became the large Museum it is today.
We then proceeded in to the Miracle on Hudson, the airliner that landed in the Hudson River in freezing weather and everyone survives. We learned what the bird strike did to the engines, how the plane survived the crash and how the passengers survived and were taken away quickly by the River tour boats who rushed to the scene. We learned the difference between over land vs. over water planes. We also saw the displays of the engines and numerous items on board. We also watched videos of the plane crash and of pulling the plane out of the Hudson river and moving it back to Charlotte.
After that we were free to tour the rest of the Museum at our leisure. This place is fascinating.
If you have never never been you should try to visit it. Seeing the movie "Sully" before going is a help but not necessary. April 26th is Community day and the Museum is open to the public at no charge, but be warned. Get their early as it will be VERY busy.
After our tour we headed to the nearby Jocks and Jill restaurant arranged for us by Board member Joe Clemmens. We had a private room and the food was great. President Nick also did a bunch of door prizes, some with an airplane theme.
So we had another Club family friendly day, at low cost. We learned and we had fun socializing. And that is what the Club is all about.
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MBCA CAROLINAS | APRIL 2018 ISSUE
The Apple ValleyModel Railroad Club by Tom Sharar
So, they tell us that March brings spring. On Saturday, the 24th, spring wasn’t really in the air for the MBCA Carolinas Section trip to Hendersonville, NC, to visit the Apple Valley Model Railroad Club. Though Hendersonville was just south of the predicted snow line, we had over forty attendees for the event. Fortunately, we only had cold temperatures and a few sprinkles. It is notable that several of the attendees arrived without their “good weather” cars.
Many of our section events focus on information. The trip to the model railroad club was no different. HO is the primary gauge and there is some Lionel and G-scale model trains, but around that they’ve built an excellent history of railroading in general, and railroading in the Western North Carolina mountains in particular. We learned the challenges of
bringing coal and passengers to the mountains via steam-powered locomotives, and what is meant by the phrase “runaway train”.
The Apple Valley Model Railroad Club has its own interesting history. Larry Morton, the club’s President, gave an opening presentation to our members. He detailed the club’s history dating back to the early 1990’s when they acquired the abandoned Hendersonville train depot from the city. The depot closed in 1968 when passenger service to Hendersonville was ended. The building fell into a state of disrepair and was an eyesore to local residents and businesses, and a problem with no solution to the city. That’s when the Model Railroad Club stepped in and offered to restore the building for the use of a room for model trains in the back.
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MBCA CAROLINAS | APRIL 2018 ISSUE
The club did a great job on the building restoration and an even better job of filling it with antiques and memorabilia from the golden days of the railroad. In the back of the building we saw the most amazing dioramas, hand built by the club members, and featuring realistic depictions of railroads and railroad towns. The attention to detail and the obvious dedication and hard work of the model railroaders is obvious in every scene.
Following the tour of the depot, we transitioned south to the Flat Rock Wood Room for lunch. Jamie Guay, the proprietor, and his staff served up some great food – their specialty is BBQ, and their reputation well-earned. The food was great, and of course the usual mingling with other Mercedes lovers was even better. After lunch, Nick presented the door prizes. This time the theme was trains
and transportation. This writer received his first glider in decades and discovered that Styrofoam has replaced balsa wood for the wings and fuselage…oh well.
All-in-all, despite the gloomy weather, the event was well-attended and enjoyed by all. Because of the nature of the event, we attracted young and old. For the adults, there was history; and for the kids (and grandkids) there were the model trains. I suspect that many of us older folks enjoyed the trains as much as the history too.
After that great lunch about 1/2 of s headed to the Western NC Aviation Museum. A tour guide was waiting for us. He explained to us how the Museum came to be and how it continues to operate. He gave us an over-view of the planes on display in the hanger. There was everything from original Piper Cubs, to WWI reproductions, to
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experimentals, to what he called the Mercedes of private planes.
There were also a lot of photos and memorabilia to see. All who went enjoyed
it. Too see what is there go to their website at: www.westernnorthcarolinaairmuseum.com
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AND THERE’S MORE!FOR SALE: 2004 SLK M/B AMG: $25,00023k original documented miles. 3.2 liter, twin plug, supercharged engine. Orig bill of sale: $57,780. Title in hand. Black/black. Rare car, pristine, showroom quality, new Michelins. Always garaged. 2nd owner. Dealer maintained, all original. Full 21K tune up and inspection completed. Bill Jay - 704-989-4428
StarFest - National Event - 5/15 - 5/21. Alabama. Get details in The Star magazine or at: https://www.mbca.org/starfest-2018-about
June Lottery - This time MBCA is giving away a new S Class Convertible. You should have received a mailing at this point. You can also go to MBCA.org if you did not.
Congrats to The Willcox and Town of Aiken, where we have our Annual meeting. See the latest issue of Southern Living for their top ratings in the South.
Ladies - Several Sections have a active Ladies of Mercedes group. Interested in starting one here? Please contact me. If enough interest we can pursue.
Surprised to learn that some of our members do not know that you qualify to $500 back on the purchase of a new Mercedes after you have been a member in good standing for over a year. Go to the National website www.MBCA.org for details and the rebate form. Also a good time to review all membership benefits and discounts at the MBCA website. Yes, under the membership tab.
LOTS of Mercedes all over the automotive press. New models galore coming in every class. A straight six engine returns. Hybrids and electrics are part of the mix virtually across the board as gas mileage issues continue. Stay tuned.
LAST, BUT MOST IMPORTANT: I announced last October that 2018 would be my last year as your President and that we must find a replacement. There are health and other concerns. Six months later and we are no closer to solving his problem. Not a single member, out of out almost 400 has stepped forward to even ask about it! There is also need to refresh some of our other officers positions. This has to be resolved by October or we will have little choice but to let the Region consolidate us into other Sections and lose our identity That would be very frustrating as over the past 6 years we have worked very hard to become the 2nd largest Section in the Region and to have at least 10 events per year. There would be no upside to consolidation for Carolinas members. Please contact me if you have any interest in helping solve this issue.
Nick Pasquine, President
MBCA CAROLINAS | JANUARY 2018 ISSUE
