Celebrating the original Ford Thunderbird
from 1955, 1956, and 1957
Recent Events
Annual Holiday party – by Laura Cielenski
The Annual Holiday Party was held on December 7TH at the Alpine Haus Banquets in Westchester. The Holiday event was changed to a Sunday afternoon luncheon which had thirty members in attendance. The festivities began with hot appetizers and drinks as members were able to mingle before the meal. Once Happy Hour was over a delicious meal was served.
After we ate Ken pulled names for the door prizes. Everyone was able to go home with several gifts. Many thanks to Ken & Kathy Smizinski for planning the party, obtaining the wine and many of the door prizes. A fun afternoon was had by all.
Those in attendance were: Mike & Laura Cielenski, Kirk & Janice Forgue, Joe & Liz Fox, Gail Hascek & Mike Detty, Peter Hauser, Karen Kelly, Len & Mary Keil, Rose Kovalenko, Marylu Kramer, Steve & Alexandra Kramer, Dan & Melinda Pritchett, Gordon Gluff and Mary Ziemba, Ron Pavlak, Lloyd & Joan Schellin, Ken & Kathy Smizinski, Len & Irene Vinyard, Liz Werth, Jim & Jane Wilson. and Madeline Zambon.
Turkey Dinner – 2025
November 2 was a beautiful Fall day for the 11th Annual Turkey Dinner at the Elburn Lions Community Park. Invited by The Illinois Region Model A Restorers Club, fifteen CTCCers gathered with numerous other clubs to enjoy the traditional Thanksgiving dinner cooked by the Lions Club. Desserts, contributed by the attendees, were plentiful. Dan and Melinda Pritchett called table numbers to go to the ample, served buffet. As usual, it was a delightful afternoon and we thank Dan and Melinda for, once again, inviting our club to participate. Members in attendance, in addition to Dan and Melinda, were Gail Hascek and Mike Detty, Bob Hoge, Mary Keil, Karen Kelly, Rose Kovalenko, MaryLu and Steve Kramer, Ken and Kathy Smizinski, Len and Irene Vinyard, and Liz Werth.
CTCC – 2025 Fall Tour
We had a sunny, warm weekend for our tour to Danville, IL and Newport, IN. Saturday morning, we left promptly at 8 AM for the drive to Newport. We entered our classics in the car show which encompassed the entire town and then made our way to the main street to position our chairs to watch the practice runs of the 57th Newport Antique Auto Hill Climb.
Sunday morning was again an early departure for the drive to Newport. We encountered Madeline’s son who was displaying his classic in the car show. We watched the actual “Hill Climb” of many pre-WWII cars, motorcycles and utility vehicles and dozens of pre-1955 discontinued makes. The competition runs over the famed 1,800-foot-long, 140-foot-high Newport Hill which is surrounded by trees.
Monday morning, we went our separate ways home. Many thanks to Dan and Melinda Pritchett for planning and executing this very enjoyable weekend. In addition to Dan & Melinda, participants included Len & Mary Keil, Karen Kelly, Rose Kovalenko, Sandy Kraatz, Lloyd & Joan Schellin, Ken, Kathy & Josh Smizinski, Liz Werth, Kami Woody and Madeline Zambon.
Annual Meeting
Johnsburg Saufen und Spiel Parade
Nine CTCC cars carried Village Officials in the Johnsburg Saufen und Spiel Parade on September 7. The day was bright, the sun was warm and the streets were packed with observers of the event. Mary and Len Keil once again hosted the participants for breakfast and lunch. A minor accident as we exited the Keils’ subdivision caused a slight delay in our journey to the parade starting point. Each vehicle was given a large bag containing candy to be thrown along the route. Several members viewed the parade and took pictures, although there are no photos of them! At the end of the parade, the drivers were given drink tickets and they enjoyed refreshing adult beverages before returning to the Keils’ for a lunch of hot dogs, chili, baked beans, salads and chips with Mary’s wonderful homemade peach salsa. Participants included Art Hahl, Len & Mary Keil, Karen Kelly, Rose Kovalenko, Dan Mrozak, Dan & Melinda Pritchett, Lloyd & Joan Schellin, Ken & Kathy Smizinski, Liz Werth and Tom Wolfe.
Picnic
It was a picture-perfect day for the Annual Picnic on the Schellin Farm. 23 club members came out for an afternoon of fun and fellowship. Everyone gathered around in the yard and enjoyed appetizers. Members later enjoyed Fried Chicken, corn on the cob and many salads were served with scrumptious desserts to follow. “Thank You” to our hosts Lloyd and Joan Schellin who made everything possible that day.
Those in attendance: Lee & Gina Bakakos, Bill & Jane Balogh, Mike & Laura Cielenski, Gail Hascek and Mike Detty, Len & Mary Keil, Karen Kelly, Rose Kovalenko, Dan Mrozek, Dan & Melinda Pritchett, Lloyd & Joan Schellin, Ken & Kathy Smizinski, Liz Werth, Jim & Jane Wilson and Madeline Zambon.
Mt. Prospect Cruise Night By Liz Werth
Saturday, July 26, began rainy and seemed to put the Mt. Prospect Cruise Night in question. However, Ken assured us that it would be nice and that the event would be happening. He was correct! We had ideal weather and a good turnout: eight classic ‘birds and five other show cars. Twenty-eight people enjoyed each other’s camaraderie and the delicious pizza and soft drinks provided by the club. Once again, a good time was had by all. Those in attendance during the afternoon/evening were: Lee & Gina Bakakos, Bill & Jane Balogh, Kirk Forgue, Gordon Gluff & Mary Ziemba, Gail Hascek & Mike Detty, Len & Mary Keil and grandson Ray, Karen Kelly, Barry Konigsford, Rose Kovalenko, Steve Kramer, Dan Mrozek, Dan & Melinda Pritchett, Lloyd & Joan Schellin, Ken & Kathy Smizinski, Len and Irene Vinyard and grandson Chris & his girlfriend Ashley, and Liz Werth.
AeppelTreow Winery & Distillery
On Sunday, June 8, 2025, thirteen of us set out from the McDonalds in Grayslake and followed Bob Wenderski’s turn-by-turn/mile-by-mile directions to the AeppelTreow Winery & Distillery in Burlington, WI. Six cars made up the caravan – one old ‘bird (Smizinskis), one new ‘bird (Wenderskis), one VW Bug (Karen Kelly & Rose Kovalenko) and three daily drivers (Keils & Liz Werth, Schellins and Vinyards). Once at our destination, we were given a very comprehensive tour of the small facility by one of the owners, Milissa. This was followed by a tasting of everything on the “Cider & Spirits List”. The list included traditional cider, flavored cider, small-batch cider, sparkling wine, table wine, dessert wine and distilled spirits. Everyone had an opportunity to taste everything if they so desired. Several of us made purchases of some of the beverages we had sampled. From there, we drove to the Birchwood Grill in Bristol. Many of us enjoyed the huge buffet which included breakfast things, salads, dinner items and many desserts. Following our meal, we said our goodbyes and headed home. It rained while we were eating which reinforced why some of us had not driven our classic cars.
Ken Nagel's Classic Car Collection
By Jim Wilson
May 24, 2025 CTCC Members gathered in Plano, Illinois to view 26 impeccably restored milestone 50's and 60's cars in Ken Nagel's Collection. Of special note was a '57 T-Bird F Code supercharged joined by a '57 Ford Retractable F Code with the top partially down to show the intricate mechanism, said to be one of only 17 made with that engine. The newest car present was a 1970 Pontiac GTO Ram Air IV, one of only 12 4 Spd. convertibles made. There were 1957 and 1959 Pontiac Bonnevilles fuel injected and AACA Natl.
Award Winner. A '65 Pontiac LeMans convertible was unrestored.
Three Mustangs were represented a '66 GTK Code 4 spd 289 HiPro
271 HP, a '68 Shelby GT500KR 4 Spd. Convertible, and a '69 Boss 429 Fastback, with thoroughbred gold status. A '56 Ford Sunliner convertible sported a two tone of dusk rose and black. Six Chevrolets included a '70 Chevelle LS6 SS convertible one of 18 made, a '64 Impala 409 SS, a '58 Impala Tri-Power, a '57 Dual Quad and a '57 Fuel Injected, an a '56 Bel Air convertible, the only solid color made. A '58 Buick Limited convertible, dripping with chrome, was one of only 839 made. A '53 Buick Skylark was one of 1,690 made. It was Matador Red with white wheel wells.
Mercury’s were represented by three '54 Monterey’s, one a replica of Ken's first car, an AACA award winner, and a Sun Valley glass top. Chrysler Corp. products included a '58 DeSoto Firesweep, a '59 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer, and a '60 Chrysler 300F Dual Quad, all Rare convertbles.
Ken provided interesting history on each of the above. In addition to the cars Ken had interesting artifacts made from dried cow bone and currently has 77 cows on the property.
Colletti’s
Karen Kelly planned yet another wonderful get-together for a mid-afternoon meal at Colletti’s on Sunday, March 23rd . Twelve t-birders came out and enjoyed each other’s company and delicious food.
Thank you, Karen, for planning this outing. In attendance were: Gail Hascek & Mike Detty, Len & Mary Keil, Karen Kelly, Rose Kovalenko, Marylu Kramer, Steve Kramer, Lloyd & Joan Schellin, Ken & Kathy Smizinski.
