Wine, Cheese, Beer MG Parade

I have written articles for the Driveline for many years now. Probably started back in the early 90s when Susan and I moved from Baltimore to Naperville (via Amoco Oil Co at the time), found the CMGC and went to a Natter N Noggin (I think somewhere on the north side???). I didn’t know anyone but struck up a conversation with this guy, Tom Josefek. Tom was a past president of the club and the club’s technical guru. We talked for a long time, and I knew this was the place for me.

Steve Skegg helps a stricken B

I had belonged to MG clubs in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Philly, and Columbus (OH). None were as dynamic or as large as the Chicago club….WOW! I guess the rest is history. It was great to be in one place for a while and Chicago being Amoco’s headquarters, I figured I was there for a while (man, I was tired of moving all over the place).

Dan Herman's "Secrets of Jo Daviess County"

Susan and I raised our 2 girls there as I moved through a few work assignments and Susan, being British, loved the club! Meetings, rallies and especially the 2.5-day overnight tours were something we did together. Susan was also a great navigator. I wrote my “Mongrel” articles and was Treasurer for 6 years. Did the Christmas parties and worked with Russ Mehaffey, planning the Wine, Beer & Cheese tours.

Tom & Judy Josefek’s “Lands End” weekend tours of Wisconsin set the stage for the clubs most popular events i.e., the 2.5-day tour. Land’s End was also a treasure hunt- type rally which challenged driver, navigator & marriage. I remember a hot June day being given cold root beer at a check point. At rallies end if the bottle was opened you lost points….evil!

Elvis’ appearance at Wine, Cheese, Beer tour.

Dan Herman’s “Secrets of Jo Daviess County” tour gradually took the place of Lands’ End. It started with a cocktail hour at Dan & Nancy’s house followed by a fish fry. The next 2 days were a very scenic (& social) affair enjoyed by all.

The John & Ann Schroeder “Wine, Cheese & Beer” tour was a September 2.5 day event in Wisconsin and became as popular as Jo Daviess. When they retired from this tour Russ Mehaffey & I took up the reins. Our planning days were full of insults at each other and tons of laughter!!

Ralph, Russ & Dave in action

I am not quite sure how we hooked up with Russ and Amy, but I do remember a 2.5-day tour….I think it was one of Tom Josefek’s “historic” 2-day Lands’ End tour. Susan & I were sitting at a table one evening with friends and of course it was only after the appropriate number of libations, when I heard this couple close by making as much noise as we were!? “Well, the nerve of these people making more of a ruckus than us?” I went over to Russ & Amy, made some stupidly humorous remark and things just went on from there.

(Continued on page 7)