2024 Trophy Winners Sue & Randy Mays

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We are looking for a host for our January meeting.

Please contact an officer or Linda Twilley if you can help out to secure a meeting place.

New Retro Thophy

George Lake & Fred Schmoyer

The Original Miles Driven Trophy 

for the Classics

Retro Trophy Winners

                                                                 miles 

2024 Sue & Randy Mays                          796

Footnote:  President's Message page is a "throw-back" to the original T-Bird Times newsletter.

Trophy Award History

                  The idea for a ”most miles driven” trophy began back  in 2006. Then VCTC President, Fred Schmoyer thought it would be fun to have a friendly competition to promote driving of our classics. Our trophy was designed and crafted by club members George Lake and Fred Schmoyer.

                  Mileage is tracked for Classic Tbirds driven to club events simply by noting the mileage from member’s home to the club meeting location using Google Maps.  The noted mileage is doubled to create a round-trip total and then tabulated.  The club member who travels the most miles for the year has their name placed on the trophy and is awarded The Trophy for a year.

       In 2023 CTCI membership voted to include the "Modern Classic" Retro-Birds. In accordance, VCTC also includes Retro-Bird ownership. (VCTC has always welcomed Retro-Bird owners into the club.) In the latter months of 2023, VCTC membership voted to include a 'Miles Driven' competition for those driving Retros. George Lake and Fred Schmoyer were then 'commissioned' to build a new Trophy to recognize the 'Most Miles Driven' winner of the Retro Division.
      The new trophy was exhibited at the November VCTC meeting. Mileage tabulation began in January, with a winner to be declared for the year 2024.

CURRENT TROPHY HOLDERS

      Some of you may be thinking about hosting a club event but are hesitant because you haven’t done it before or have concerns about organizing it. If that’s the case, no worries…it’s relatively easy to plan, there are no hard-and-fast requirements, and other club members will answer questions, provide advice, or help you plan. There are a few considerations to make things go smoothly and create the environment for an enjoyable social experience for club members.

     Usually, plan for guests to arrive by 11:30 with things kicking off at 12:00. It’s best if there is a dedicated/designated parking area for those driving classic and retro TBirds. If meeting at a restaurant, the business management can often help identify and reserve a suitable area. When weather cooperates, we can have 10 or more classics at the event. Hosts should plan to arrive a bit early to confirm plans with the restaurant and direct parking.

     For planning, usually 20-40 members attend our monthly events. The host will be required to provide the basic details such as who, what, where, when, and RSVP information to the club secretary for posting to the club web site. The club secretary will then post and send event notice to all members. This notification needs to be posted as soon as details are available. Ideally, the meeting would be held in a room large enough to seat everyone comfortably. If in a restaurant, it’s best (though not required) if the area is separated in some way from other customers to facilitate group discussion and business.

     Since the pandemic some venues have started charging a room or service fee. In this case, VCTC will provide hosts with up to $150.00 to offset the cost of these room/service fees. These funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.

     Options for lunch can vary depending on the venue. Regardless of choice, hosts should talk to restaurant management to inform them of the overall plan and coordinate necessary details. Ordering and paying individually from the standard menu is one option. If going this route, it’s best to coordinate with restaurant management to make ordering and serving go smoothly without excessive delay. Selecting menu items in advance or catering a buffet line is another possibility. Another option depending on the venue is to determine/provide the main course and have attendees contribute to the meal by bringing a dish to share. Generally, try to keep costs for lunch about $25 per person. Meeting hosts can collect lunch fees from guests as they arrive or guests can pay checks individually after lunch, depending on which option was used.

     At the meeting site, you can expect the club President to discuss the plan and manage timing to briefly conduct VCTC business and make any pertinent announcements prior to serving lunch. This business generally takes less than 15 minutes. When complete, lunch is served and expect the rest of the day to go smoothly as the servers do their thing and attendees can continue mixing, meeting and eating.

     As an after-lunch option, consider if there are additional activities available at or near the meeting location which can be visited following lunch. While not required, this can provide opportunities for attendees to visit places they otherwise would not have known about. Previous examples include wineries, car/tractor museums, botanical gardens, and various historic sites. These can be set up as group activities or merely offered as information for those who might want to check it out.

     Please consider if you have a great restaurant or unique idea for hosting an upcoming event. We are always looking for new places we haven’t visited before.

PRESIDENT          

VICE PRESIDENT   

TREASURER 

Stan Hostetler

Patsy Gregory

Eric Best

SECRETARY

ACTIVITIES 

CHAPLAINS

Bill Brown

Linda Twilley

Brenda Morrison / Carrie Hillman

The Davidson's  April 2009

The Most Tbirds at a Club Event  20 Classics & 4 Retros

Thunderbird Appreciation Day 2019

Chesterfield

November 2020

Photo taken at Graves Mt. Lodge  Syria, VA  2008

Note:  Click on photos to enlarge and see more.

PAST AWARD WINNERS

2007     Alice & Russ Dolbear

2008     Alice & Russ Dolbear

2009     Linda & Bill Brown

2010     Linda & Bill Brown

2011     Peg & Gene Marianetti

2012     Sue & Steve Patterson

2013     Nancy & Fred Schmoyer

2014     Carrie & Lynn Hillman

2015     Nancy & Fred Schmoyer

2016     Linda & Bill Brown

2017     Peg & Gene Marianetti

2018     Paula & Eric Best

2019     Lee & Stan Hostetler

2020     Defered - pandemic2021     Linda & Bill Brown                  510

2022     Lee & Stan Hostetler              786

2023     Lee & Stan Hostetler              748

2024     Paula & Eric Best                     761

Dedicated to the enjoyment, restoration, and preservation of the Classic Thunderbirds 

All 'two-seater' Ford Thunderbirds

miles

1252

1050

2064

1222

1346

1276

1116

1068

  946

1300

1030

1112

1126

Bill Brown & Stan Hostetler

Bill is a multiple winner (4 times)

and has the highest mileage total!

     If you are interested in hosting a monthly club meeting, contact       Activities Coordinator, Linda Twilley  

President’s Message                                                                                        November 2025

        It was another beautiful Fall day last Saturday when we gathered at Kitchen33 in Glen Allen for our November meeting.   We had 23 members, 1 guest, and 1 Marine and his wife in attendance for our luncheon meeting.  It was our annual Toys for Tots ‘fundraiser’ and our group supplied more than one large box of toys to be donated to the Marines for distribution to children in need.  We also had a raffle for a beautiful Christmas wreath that was donated by Kitchen33, with proceeds also going to T4T.  Mike Martin held the winning ticket. Congrats to Mike and Ruth!

        Although it was a chilly morning, the sun quickly warmed us up and we enjoyed a great day to drive our Thunderbirds.  On display were 5 Classic Tbirds and 5 Retro Tbirds. It was really good to see Val Knight and the Moodys, who we haven't seen for a while.  Everyone enjoyed a great meal and excellent service, as always, provided by the restaurant staff.

        A big Thank You to Bob & Bev Davidson and Tom & Brenda Morrison for setting up this venue for us, and securing the Marine. 

        We also had a short business meeting where we had our election for club officers to serve on the board for the coming year.  Our present officers, Patsy Gregory (Vice President), Eric Best (Treasurer), Linda Twilley (Activities Coordinator), and myself (President) will be joined by Carl Claus who will be our Secretary for the year 2026.  Thank you to these volunteer members for offering their time and efforts to make the Virginia Classic Thunderbird Club a fun and worthwhile club to be a part of.  Having good and helpful people on the board makes my ‘job’ so much easier.  Thank You. 

        Saturday December 6th is the date of our December meeting at the King's Corner Restaurant @ the Chesterfield Airport hosted by Moring 'Grav' Gravitt.  The plan is to gather at 11:30 and have lunch at 12:00 and enjoy their outstanding all-you-can-eat Southern-style Buffet.  We will also be collecting non-perishable food items for donation to the local Food Pantry.  For those wanting to participate, there will be a Silly Santa gift exchange, bring one gift per person. $10/12 average price.

        If you are planning to attend, send Grav an email, a text message, or give him a call. You can find his contact info on the club roster.

        That’s it for now.  Get your Thunderbirds out and enjoy late year cruising before the weather turns cold!

         Remember:  “Take care of your Tbirds… and each other!”         Stan Hostetler

"Trophy Love"

Nancy Schmoyer

George Lake

2024 Trophy Winners Paula & Eric

1st Award Winner

Russ Dolbear & Fred Schmoyer

Tribute Photo Album of Russ Dolbear    1950 - 2023

Please send all correspondence to:

Vaclassictbirdclub@gmail.com

VCTC officer's emails will be forwarded to the designated individual