Hi, Ford lovers everywhere,

I suppose after this cold snap we can bet all the riff raff are gone! Only true North Dakota and Minnesota hearty souls are left and a few of them are wondering WHY… Why do I stay here?  Well, there are no mosquitoes now.  It could be worse.

On to happier topics.  I received a flier for a car show out west in the Denver area.  The Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup and Autocross is June 14-17, registration is $50 for the show and $20/driver for the autocross.  Now they have Mustang classes!  Although it is open to other Fords they have 39 Mustang classes!  And we thought we were over run with Mustang classes at our All Ford Show.  If you want info to plan travel or if you are just curious I’ll bring the flier to the next meeting.

I also received the Pony Express Newsletter.  We were not the only ones having trouble getting people to step up as officers.

But this did bring up that we need our fliers for BOTH car shows done.  So what do we need to put it together?  Date, Time, Place, Classes, Trophies, and most important Sponsors should be listed on the Flier.  This is advertising…it needs to look good to attract cars and people.  We probably need a budget so we can discuss how much money we need from the sponsors.  So Dean, look back in the records to see what we spent.  And what came in from registration.

As a club we have been asked if we could put together a few cars for both Toppers and Prime Steel in Grand Forks.  This is a great chance to get the club’s name out there.  If anyone is planning to go let me know and I’ll fill out the form and organize the display (with any help I can get).  I called my contact with Toppers and asked if they needed any help at doors and such for their show, as of now he has not called back.

We sent in our annual report to the State Attorney General to keep in good standing.  We also received our bill for keeping our Domain Name. 65 bucks/year seems high but then I’m Norwegian so everything sounds expensive.

This month’s meeting is starting at 7:00 not 6:30 as usual.  This is a personal thing I have another meeting I have to preside at before our meeting.  We also have the annual chili feed.  Bring your special blend or just show up to celebrate Carrol Shelby’s birthday.
See you at 7:00 the 13th.

Elton

January Meeting – January 9, 2006
6:34 Secretary illegally gaveled the meeting to order (missed the wood block).
6:35 Prez officially gaveled the meeting to order.
Maggie moves and Peg seconds to accept Secretary’s minutes.
The Treasurer reports we have money and the calendars are paid for.
Committee Reports
Dean reports the downtown show is in progress.
Todd is looking for a few good volunteers. Dave M. volunteers.
The mid month meeting committee has not yet met. (Interesting)
The Prez says to pay your dues, get your calendar, get your window stickers and business cards.
The meeting degraded to chaos when discussing the Christmas party.
Chad moved and Dave seconded to reserve the Marriot for next year. It passed unanimously.
Car Shows
The All Ford car show will be on Sept 8th. We will start working on Flyers for the Toppers’ Car Show.
The Downtown show will be on July 21 and it will be downtown.
Anyone interested in a club jacket should talk to Elton. They are about $75. Greg and Chad are interested.
Elton once again lost control.
New Business
Toppers’ Car Show. Do we want to work the doors for them again? Prez says it’s up to the club.
Do we want a Club exhibit for Toppers’? We will have to register soon. Prez says it’s up to the club.
The next meeting will be the chili feed for Carroll Shelby’s birthday. Do we need ice cream and cake for the cool down after? Prez says it’s up to the club. It is definitely required.
Greg went to the SEMA show and the Mustang was the most popular car there.
He also toured the Shelby factory. It was great and highly recommended. (Where were the pictures??)
The Prez bought a lemon, a 64 221 CID V-8 that had been pickled with lemon furniture polish. It smelled good.
Bob motioned to adjourn, Josh 2nds and it is unanimous.
Gavel banged it closed.
Peg tried to say more. NO, NO.

Mark

Hey, where did January and our nice weather go?  Chili sounds good during these cold days of February.  Make a pot of your favorite chili and bring it to the meeting to share.  I have some bowls and spoons I will bring to the meeting.  I believe we are going to have cake and ice cream also.  If anyone wishes to bring some chips or crackers, they are welcome to do that.

We still have some members who have not paid their dues for 2007.  See the list of members who have not paid and get your dues mailed to us.  Dues run from January – December, they are $20 and include a club calendar.  If we have not received your dues by the end of February…you will no longer receive the newsletter.  So get those dues paid today.

I did some checking with Sew What on club jackets.  $75+ tax will get you a jacket with the large club logo on the back, a small logo on the front and your name on the front.  If you do not want the logo on the back it is $55+tax.  They have sizes up to 4X.  You can stop by and order your jacket.  There is no minimum number of jackets that we need to purchase.  Sew What is located just south of Main Ave off 45th St on 2nd Ave E in West Fargo (2200 2nd Ave E).

Thanks to Craig for the article on the Apple Valley Car Show and to Elton for the article on the Model T transmission.

See you Tuesday, February 13 at 7:00 Luther Family Ford.  (Note the time change!!)  The President has another meeting!

Colleen

With all the discussion we have each month concerning our own car shows, I thought I'd tell you about one that a fellow Mustanger talked me into attending last June.

In my opinion, what makes a memorable car show isn't one that you come home with a piece of hardware, (although that's always nice) but it's the overall "atmosphere" of the show.  What I mean by that is, new acquaintances that you make, entertainment provided during the show, cars I've never seen before, ideas exchanged with other enthusiasts of our hobby and a certain "excitement" in the air.  To those of you who are "newbies" to car shows and especially ones this club puts on, you know the feeling or will soon know it.  Northstar Mustangs puts on two of the best car shows in the area every summer.  If you can attend either or both of our shows and better yet, contribute in any of the multitude of ways this club needs help, please consider doing so.

If, on the other hand, you're a member who's attended a few shows, maybe you're looking for an event where (a) it's out of town with lots of other sites to see and things to do or (b) we don't have to organize the show and run it!  If so, I have a show for you!  You can blame my exuberance on fellow member Tim Dahlsad, who first attended this All Ford - All Models show in 2005.  After listening to him go on-and-on about how great the event was, last June I decided to join him in displaying our cars.  After attending, I'll never question Tim's opinion of a car show again.

The show we're talking about is sponsored by the 150 member Shelby American Car Club of Minneapolis and St. Paul.  The show is held at Apple Valley Ford in Apple Valley, Minnesota with this year's show scheduled Sunday, June 2^nd from 9 - 3.  This club puts on about 4-5 shows a year but this one is the largest.  Imagine my surprise last year when Tim and I arrived and registered at 7:30 AM and there were some 150 cars already parked!  My class for '69 and '70 Mustangs had 27 entries including 7 Boss 302's, 2 Boss 429's and 16 Mach 1's!  Best estimates of last year's attendance....400 cars, trucks, kit cars, Shelby's and even an original GT40 on display.  Spectator attendance is upwards of 15,000.  Odds are, if Ford Motor Co. ever made it, you'll see it at this show!  There are 26 judging classes and trophies are awarded for the first three places in each class.  In addition there are music and trivia contests all day long, a swap meet, food vendors, bathrooms and raffle for a restored 1965 Mustang convertible.  Registration is $6.00 in advance, $10.00 the day of the show.

Needless to say, Tim and I are hooked on this show and are planning on attending this year's show.  Plans have us leaving for the cities Saturday morning, June 1^st.  We stay at the AmericInn which is some 4 blocks from Apple Valley Ford.  Interested in going to the Mall of America?  Take a motel shuttle, its just 10 minutes away!  Worried about where your car will spend Saturday night?  We have standing reservation to park them inside the security fence at Apple Valley Ford.  Hungary?  There are also a couple of fast food  and sit down restaurants within walking distance from the motel and certainly all the options available at the Mall of America.  For more information about the Shelby American Car Club and the Apple Valley Show here's the address:  http://www.midwestshelbyclub.com

Contact Tim (work:  235-2020) or Craig (work:  235-1937) if you have interest in joining us for this show.  Our plan is to commute together so everyone, whether they trailer or drive, gets to the cities and back safely.  If you go, we know you'll enjoy it as much as we have!

Craig Johnson