Happy New Year!

2018 was a great year for the club as we saw an increase in the number of events, both driving and social, a new website and improved communication with the members.  As a result we are experiencing growing participation and several new members have joined the club.  

2019 is looking even better.  The highlight of the year will be in October (17-20th) when the club hosts the Fall Gathering of the Faithful in Katy.  In addition, Mike Woodward, Club President & Events Chair, has put together an excellent schedule with both social and driving events every month.  The year will have a mix of our traditionally popular events and several new experiences. 

What's new you ask?  Well let me tell you - We will host several tech sessions, a gimmick rally, two overnight trips, a day drive to a WWII museum, a bowling party, a beach party and a visit to the Art Car Museum. 

The traditional includes the annual picnic, Tour of Rice Village, quarterly breakfasts, tech sessions, president's social, the Spring Thing and Houston All British Car Day.  

And remember, our club is made up of all volunteers who give of their time to plan these events, so please come out and support them.  Our cars were made for driving.  If you would like to help with any of the events or have an idea for an event please send an email to HoustonMGCarClub@gmail.com.  We will especially need volunteers for the Fall GoF.  With your help, we can make it the best ever.

To see all the events go to the  2019 Events page.

REMINDER:  If you have not already renewed your membership for 2019 now is the time to do it.  Go to your profile page and follow the instructions at the top of the page or mail a check to our Membership Chair Dwight Dawson.  His address is in the Directory.

Dear All,

To help plan your new MG year please see below the preliminary event calendar for 2019. Additional information on each event will be posted on the website nearer to the event. Please be sure to mark your calendars for the Fall GOF which this year will be hosted by our club.

Safety fast!

Mike.

Month                Date                    Activity                                                        Organiser

January               5                       Monthly Meeting                                      Mike Woodward

                            12                       Quarterly breakfast                                 Mike Woodward

                            19                       Ceramic Coating Tech Session              Mike Woodward

                                        

February             2                       Monthly Meeting                                      Mike Woodward

                            16                       President's Social                                     Mike Woodward

                            23                       Tech Session                                               Ray Holzapple

                                        

March                 2                        Monthly Meeting                                      Mike Woodward

                             9                         Gimmick Rally                                            Dave Renner

                            15,16,17           Nacodoches Trip                                       Mike Woodward

                            23                       WW2 Museum trip                                   Fred Whitla

                                        

April                    6                       Monthly Meeting                                       Mike Woodward

                            20                      Spring Thing                                                Ron Redding

                            27                      Quarterly Breakfast                                  Mike Gentry

                                        

May                    4                         Monthly Meeting                                       Mike Woodward

                            11                       Tech Session                                               Ron Redding

                            18                       Spring GOF                                                  Ron Redding

                                        

June                    1                        Monthly Meeting                                      Mike Woodward

                            15                       Picnic                                                             Dwight Dawson

                            22                       Off to the Races                                         Mike Woodward

                            29                       Richmond Winery                                      Jim Early

                                        

July                     6                         Monthly Meeting                                      Mike Woodward

                            13                        Quarterly Breakfast                                 Ray Holzapple

                            20                        Bowling                                                        Dave Renner

                                        

August                3                        Monthly meeting                                       Mike Woodward

                            10                       Quarterly breakfast                                   Bob Chalker

                            17                       Beach Party                                                  Marylin Procter

                            24                       Art Car Museum                                          Dave Renner

                                        

September         7                        Monthly meeting                                       Mike Woodward

                            14                         Tour of Rice Village                                   Ray Holtzapple

                            21                         Houston All British Car Day                    John Bowyer/Mike Gentry

                            27,28,29              All British Car Day                                     Nick Roccaforte

                                        

October              5                          Monthly meeting                                      Mike Woodward

                            17, 18, 19, 20      Fall GOF                                                       Bob Chalker/Ron Redding

                            26                          Quarterly Breakfast                                Dwight Dawson

                                        

November          2                          Monthly Meeting                                      Mike Woodward

                            9,10                      Galveston Weekend                                 Dave Renner/Bob Chalker

                            22                          Black Friday drive                                     Mike Gentry

                                        

December          14                        Christmas Party                                        Mike/Stephanie,Candy,Hillary

                                        

Wishing Everyone a very Merry Christmas!

May it be joyous, peaceful, filled with family and friends

Are you looking for a great Christmas present for you favorite Houston MG Car Club Member.  How about a club shirt!  We have two styles available in our website store. 

By Bob Chalker

The Club’s 2018 Christmas party was a smashing success. Falcon Point had the room beautifully decorated, a fire in the fireplace, and excellent food. Our President, Susan Cannon had prepared two fun trivia games with very nice prizes. (Ask Ron Redding to show you his new watch!) The only thing that didn’t work out was the weather but, of course, it wouldn’t be a Houston MG Car Club event if it didn’t rain. Two MGs— the Bards’ 1973 MGB and the Chalkers’ 1972 MGB—graced the parking lot in spite of the cold, wet day.

The best part was the great turnout of club members and guests. As we all know, we joined the club because of the cars, but keep attending events because of the people. Each year the Christmas party is a highlight of our motoring season.

A very special thank you to Susan and Keith Cannon for their hard work in planning a wonderful event.

 

Traditionally, one of the most anticipated moments of the party is the presentation of the annual awards. This year’s winners are:

Ralph Diebert Award - Jim Early

Driver’s Award - Dwight Dawson

Kimber Spirit Award - Mike Woodward

Safety Fast Award - Bob Chalker

Broken Crankshaft Award - Dwight Dawson

Board of Directors’ Award - Bob Chalker

Presidential Recognition Award - Susan Cannon

A few more photos.....

The Club is proud to announce the new 2019 officers and board members.

Mike Woodward, President

Greg Fleischer, Vice President

Dwight Dawson, Board of Directors

Ray Holtzapple, Board of Directors

John Bowyer, Board of Directors

Continuing in their roles are:

Mike Gentry, Chairman of the Board

Tim Weeks, Secretary

Fran Carpenter, Treasurer

Dwight Dawson, Membership Chair

Mike Woodward, Events coordinator

Bob Chalker, Webmaster

Stephen Fillmore, Regalia

Dave & Linda Renner, Editor, the ROARS

If you would like to volunteer with the club we can always use the help and would love to have you join us.  There are many opportunities - plan an event, submit an article to the ROARS or help with the organization of the car shows.  In October, 2019 we will be hosting the Texas Gathering of the Faithful, we will need lot's of help with this.

By Greg Ulrich

Ever wonder why you frequently see bottles of “Old Speckled Hen” English Ale displayed along with those cute little MG’s at our car events? The ale was originally brewed in Abingdon, England, the same town where MG’s were produced for over 50 years. In fact, the ale was first brewed to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the MG factory in Abingdon. The strong brew was named after an old canvas sided MG that was used as a factory run around car. Once again, all things MG have various versions. I happen to like this one.

    

Over the years, the sides of the run around car became “speckled” with various shades of paint used in the factory.  Factory workers and locals dubbed the MG “the owld speckled un”. Hence, “Old Speckled Hen” ale was named after an old trusted factory MG called “the owld speckled un”. Moreland’s Brewery now brews Old Speckled Hen and claims that the distinctive flavor of their ale comes from the waters around Abingdon.  Moreland’s further claims that their ale is so popular that it now outsells Newcastle Brown Ale, a very popular English ale in the United States. 

Want to learn more, click on the beer bottle below....

Club member Jim Early’s 1962 MGA graced the back cover of the latest issue of MGA Magazine.  His is in the top photo.  Congratulation’s Jim on your car once again being recognized as a premier example of the MGA.  

While most people throughout the U.S. were in malls and shopping centers, standing in lines, wrestling for that last sales item and generally frustrating themselves, a few of us were out and about in our Little British Cars enjoying the day. We had a great turnout with 17 people driving 9 MGs and one modern Mini Cooper. Not sure how the Cooper snuck in, but hey, we are the Marque of Friendship, so we will let anyone join us. Before leaving, we even had a great conversation with the proud owner of a classic Pontiac.

Meeting up at Buc-ee's in Katy

We gathered at the Katy Buc-ee’s, filling ourselves with coffee & kolaches and our cars with pure-gas. Then we headed out onto a series of twisting, meandering country roads.

Kicking the tires before departure

Out of town visitors joining us for the drive

(Can't believe Bob let his son-in-law drive his baby)

Our 58-mile route took us through Brookshire, out past San Felipe de Austin State Park, turning south towards Simonton, into Fulshear and finally into Richmond where we ended the Trip at Bob’s Taco Station. This area is still wonderfully rural with lots of great driving, allowing for mostly unfettered 50 to 60 mile per hour driving on well-maintained roads. There are only a few small towns, requiring minimal stop and go traffic.

The gang's all here

The sights along the way were very much Texas – Longhorn cattle, horses, beautiful ranches and one very large roadkill (a wild boar) that made for an extra chicane in the roadway. Oh yeah, and let’s not forget the house that was being moved and looked like something out of the Wizard of Oz.

Auntie Em, Auntie Em...

A very special shout out to the world famous Bob, of Bob’s Taco Station. He arranged for special parking in the front of his restaurant and reserved seating inside. We had great food, fun and laughter sharing stories and discussing potential future drives.

No better place to end a drive than Bob's Taco Station in Richmond, TX

I am happy to report that the weather held with moderate temperatures, clouds, and only a couple very light sprinkles in the morning. As we came out of Bob’s Taco, the clouds cleared, the sun came out and we had excellent top down driving weather. I am also happy to report that no one qualified for next year’s Broken Crankshaft Award. The cars ran flawlessly.

Drivers and navigators were: Roger & Kaye Sykes, Ron Redding, Dwight & Candy Dawson, Mike & Stephanie Woodward, Jim Early, Bob & Stephen Chalker (Bob’s son), David & Taylor Smit, Kim Chalker & Bob Loomis (Kim’s dad) Dave & Linda Renner and Gordon Bard.

Wishing one and all a very Happy Thanksgiving!