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January 2021

T– Bird Tales San Antonio, Texas

Happy New Year!!

Forecasting new club events for 2021; we are going to continue to watch the regression of the COVID-19 and plan

accordingly. Stay tuned for more details about our plans for a January club event. In February, it is our hope that

we will be able to get-together for the Pop-Up Tulip Field event. In March, we hope to be able to arrange a tour to

a local restoration shop and in April, we’ll try a cruise to Fredericksburg to see the Wild Seed Farm and see some

bluebonnets along the way. These events were scheduled in 2020 but were cancelled due to weather/COVID.

Again, with the COVID…..as you know, we cancelled our Christmas Party due to the pandemic. As is our custom we

nominate and elect two members at the party to fill Club Board positions. This year it was time to nominate and

elect a Vice President and a Secretary. At our Dec 13 gathering Andrea Yaudas volunteered for and was

unanimously elected to be our new Secretary. Ray Clark had expressed interest in running again for VP. Per our By

Laws, Ray was term limited and technically could not run again. However, in order for Ray to be elected, we

unanimously amended our By Laws allowing for his continued service. Ray was then unanimously voted in for

another two year term.

Finally, a quick reminder that STTC dues, (again a $20.00 bargain for the year) are due. Many of you have already

paid and we thank you. See the renewal form at the end of this newsletter.

VTCI, Vintage Thunderbird Club International-Not a Member Yet?

South Texas Thunderbird Club is a member of the VTCI. For only $40

a year, you receive 6 issues of the award winning publication, the

Thunderbird Scoop, which contains many technical articles as well as

the activities such as conventions. One of the best rewards of being

a member is meeting new people every time you attend a VTCI

convention. Visit our website for an application to join the VTCI,

you’ll not regret it. See the registration forms at the end of the

Newsletter.

Also, one VTCI convention is still planned for the middle of August

2021 in Portland, Oregon. The Convention organizers have some

great events planned for attendees.

Don’t forget to visit our excellent Website

www.southtexasthunderbirdclub.com

Brian,

President

Index

President Message page 1

Important Dates page 2

Birthdays/Anniversaries page 2

Welcome New Members page 2

Next Monthly Meetings page 3

Last Month Club Activity page 4

Past STTC Club Officers page 6-7

Health Alert page 8

Ford Tenth Generation Thunderbird page 9

Journey into the Past of STTC page 10

Ford Historical Dates page 11

Thunderbird Reflection page 12

Car(s) for Sale page 13

Past Activities worth a Revisit page 10

Tech Tip page 14-17

Business Ads page 18-19

STTC Club Information page 20

STTC Club Officers page 21

VTCI Information /Officers page 21

STTC 2021 Membership Application page 22

VTCI 2021 Membership Application page 23

President’s Message

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Important Dates

1–New Years Day

21–Martin Luther King Jr. Day

25–STTC Business Meeting

If we miss your birthday, anniversary, or any other information please let the editor know.

Awards/Car Shows

Closed for the Winter Season!

Engines cooling down.

Interesting Facts

In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts. So, in old England, when

customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them ‘Mind your pints and quarts,

and settle down.’

It’s where we get the phrase ’mind your P’s and Q’s’

today.

January 2021

6–Ron F

7-Diane K

16-Nellie W

25-Helen P

None

this month

Waiting for you !

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Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Gather One and All!

Our Meeting on Saturday January 23, 2021

Not sure what the New Year, 2021 will bring? Will the new normal still be in affect or back to where we will feel safe to meet and greet at a restaurant? We will keep you updated on when and where the meeting will be held. So, watch for emails which has been the best way to connect for the last year. So please respond when asked (ASAP) As Soon As Possible. If there is an event that you would like to do,

or the club would be interested in doing just let us know and we will see what we can do to put it into the schedule. Our schedule is not set in stone it is just a draft to draw ideas from. We are always looking for new events and ideas to do as a club. We want to make sure that we make the club enjoyable and fun for all our club members. See you in the coming year!

Saturday, February 27,2021 STTC Meeting

Last year we were unable to accomplish this activity due to rain, so we

are going to try it again this year and hope the weather will be on our

side and allow us to enjoy the Pop-up Tulip Field out by La Vernia. We

will meet at 9:30am at the Garden Ridge Community Center/

Elementary school 9500 Municipal Parkway Garden Ridge ,TX. A fee

is charged to enter the tulip field and pay for any tulips that you would

like to take home. Afterwards, we will go to a restaurant for lunch, if possible. Will keep you

posted by emails.

Please fill out a new application form and mail it into our club treasurer. The form can be found on page 22. Our dues are only $20.00 which also include our monthly T-Bird Tales. At the same time, it would be a great time to join our parent organization, Vintage Thunderbird Club International, VTCI. As a member you will receive a by-monthly magazine the “Thunderbird Scoop” which is full of information, stories, technical articles about Thunderbirds, and Regional and International Events VTCI supports throughout the year. Upon request VTCI furnishes a Certificate of Liability Insurance for local club events. A VTCI form can be found on page 23. Please consider joining today.

Mail your form and dues to Danny Varella , his address in on the STTC form

Membership Dues are Due… Join today, STTC & VTCI

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Christmas Poker Cruise through the Countryside on December 13, 2020 On December 13th, we combined our Christmas Poker Cruise with a Charity donation to the Vineyard Ranch Elementary School on Huebner Road. We met there several times in 2020 because of Covid-19 to maintain social distancing but still allow a chance to socialize safely. The PTA asked if we could help with their project for the year, a new outdoor science/garden area for the students. We decided that Sunday would be a good time to drop off our donations before our Christmas cruise. These PTA ladies have been busy because several months ago when we were there in June the place was dirt with a few tires and a greenhouse. We provided many bags of soil, plants, and plastic water bottles for filler which they requested. Next, we held a short business meeting to elect Ray C. as Vice-President and Andrea Y. as our new Secretary for the next two years. Congratulations to you both and thank you. Finally, we left the school, after everyone drew their first card, for our poker cruise along the countryside which took just a little over an hour. We made four stops along the way. Everyone was able to stay in their cars and select another card at each location. The last location was at the Walmart shopping center in Spring Branch. The best poker hand went to Andrea Y. with a Three of a Kind and she won a membership to the VTCI . There was a three way tie for the worst hand and then had a best card run off. Troy K. won three Multimode Collapsible Lanterns. The weather was questionable at the beginning of the day but, it turned out to be a great day to drive our Thunderbirds down the road !

Olga & Stan A , Brian C, Kathy & Danny V, Diana & Troy K ,

and Andrea & Steve Y (Left to Right )

Andrea and Steve Yaudas with 2005

Thunderbird. This is the first time

that Steve has been able to join in

on a Thunderbird event because he

works on Saturdays . Welcome!

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Carron’s 68, Varella’s 66, Kruse’s 04 and Yauda’s 05

At one of our card stops !

Countryside Fall

Colors

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Past Officers for the South Texas Thunderbird Club

The first Thunderbird Club in San Antonio to recognize Thunderbirds from 1958-1966 was established on

September 15, 1979 and was Called Alamo Area Vintage Thunderbird Club, and headed up by Willard A. Lang. The club started with 20 members. It has continued to grow and today all Thunderbirds from 1955-2005 are recognized and welcome. Years: 1980 1981

President, Harold Hill President, Steve Hill Vice-President, Vice– President, Bart Harris Secretary, Secretary, Enos Gary /Don Wunderlich (Jan) Treasurer, Joe McMahon Treasurer, Curt Burleigh 1982 1983 President, Steve Hall President, Curt Burleigh Vice-President, John Fielder Vice-President, Willard Lang Secretary, Don Wunderlich Secretary, Trish Fielder Treasurer, Curt Burleigh Treasurer, Frank Whitaker 1984 1985 President, Curt Burleigh President, Dan Lanier Vice-President, Willard Lang Vice-President, Dick Gabel Secretary, Carol Brown Secretary, Mary Beth Whitaker Treasurer, Frank Whitaker Treasurer, Mike Mantooth 1986 Renamed the Club to Lang’s Alamo Area Vintage Thunderbird Club 1987 President, Dan Lanier President, Dan Lanier Vice-President, Dick Gabel Vice-President, Dick Gabel Secretary, Mary Beth Whitaker Secretary, Mary Beth Whitaker Treasurer, Mary Lou Hoekstra Treasurer, Mary Lou Hoekstra 1988 1989 President, Dan Lanier President, Dick Gabel Vice-President, Dick Gabel Vice-President, Mike Talley Secretary, Miriam Koppin Secretary, Barbara Talley Treasurer, Barbara Talley Treasurer, Beverly Freeland

1990 thru 2006 there are no records on the officers of the club in the archives. There was mention that the club name was changed to the South Texas Thunderbird Club around 1995.

1990 1992 President, Dick Gabel & Mike Talley President, Stee Hall & Mike Talley 1993 1994 President, Gus Wieters President, Marilyn Paliani 1997 1998 -1999 President, Gus Wieters President, Lou Paliani

2000-2001 2002-2003 President. Kevin Dubois President, Peer Gerlach

Vice President, Art Rosa 2004-2006 Secretary, Laura Wahrmund President, Marilyn Paliani Treasurer, Gus Wieters Vice-President, Steve Hall Secretary, Pat Roe Treasurer, Chris Gerlach

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2007 2008 President, Marilyn Paliani President, Art Roe Vice-President, Gus Wieters Vice-President, Gus Wieters Secretary, Anita Lamothe Secretary, Anita Lamothe Treasurer, Dave Sustman Treasurer, Dave Sustman 2009 2010 President, Art Roe President, David Ewing Vice-President, Richard Lamothe Vice-President, Richard Lamothe Secretary, Anita Lamothe Secretary, Anita Lamothe Treasurer, Dave Sustman Treasurer, Marilyn Paliani 2011 2012 President, David Ewing President, Ray Clark Vice-President, Ray Clark Vice-President Richard Lamothe Secretary, Olga Andrews Secretary, Olga Andrews Treasurer, Marilyn Paliani Treasurer, Stan Andrews 2013 2014 President, Ray Clark President, Ray Clark Vice-President, Richard Lamothe Vice-President, Richard Lamothe Secretary, Olga Andrews Secretary, Olga Andrews Treasurer, Stan Andrews Treasurer, Stan Andrews 2015 2016 President, Ray Clark President, Marilyn Carron Vice-President, Marilyn Carron Vice-President, Brian Carron Secretary, Olga Andrews Secretary, Cheryl Busald Treasurer, Stan Andrews Treasurer, Gerald Busald 2017 2018 President, Marilyn Carron President, Brian Carron Vice-President, Sam Martin Vice-President Ray Clark Secretary, Cheryl Busald Secretary. David Diamond Treasurer, Gerald Busald Treasurer, Gerald Busald 2019 2020 President, Brian Carron President, Brian Carron Vice-President, Ray Clark Vice-President, Ray Clark Secretary, David Diamond Secretary, David Diamond Treasurer, Gerald Busald Treasurer, Danny Varella 2021 President, Brian Carron Vice-President, Ray Clark Secretary, Andrea Yaudas Treasurer, Danny Varella

STTC Club Officers for 2021

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Health Alert

Well, Covid-19 is still hanging around (will it ever leave) and the Flu and Cold Season has

started or about to begin. Someone emailed the chart below to help decide the correct

symptoms to determine the differences between these three health issues. I thought that

maybe they would be of interest to you as well.

Also, we all know Covid-19 really affects your beathing (lungs). It might be a good idea to

have an Oximeter to measure your oxygen level. If you fall below or at 88 you should call

your doctor or go to the hospital as a precaution. You can buy an Oximeter at any drug

store and it is easy to use for piece of mind. Continue to follow the guideline and stay safe.

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Ford Thunderbird 1955-2005 Tenth Generation 1989-1997

Part 3 1991 The automotive industry was in a slump and the sales for the Thunderbird were falling, Ford was not ready to capitalize more money to improve the Thunderbird models. The only good news for Ford in 1991 was that they were able to bring back the V8 engine to their consumers. They could offer a 302 V8 option to replace the 3.8 V6 by altering the intake manifold and some other hardware to the engine. The engineers were able to fit it within the close quarters of the Thunderbird’s new engine bay. One look and you knew the car meant business. It did drop the horsepower to 200 but at least gave the Thunderbird buyers back their V8. Badges on the front fenders promoted the V8 ‘s return. The optional V8 motor would cost the consumer an extra $ 1,100, but sales managed to account for 21 percent of all Thunderbirds built for the year.

An increasing number of features appeared on both the Base Thunderbird and the LX models. The Base Thunderbird included area window defogger, deluxe wheel covers, air conditioning, tinted glass and power windows and steering, and more. The LX list included, illuminated entry, illuminated visor mirrors, reclining “luxury “cloth bucket seats and armrest, a leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel, power door locks, and cruise control. When you ordered the V8 engine, the LX made a highly confident, comfortable vehicle, even though it was tough to distinguish between it and a Base-level Thunderbird.

The Super Coupe sales fell because of the V8, and the Sport Coupe was back but faltered because the consumer liked the V8 engine over the costly super charged V6. A well-equipped LX was considered a better value. A sport option was also available which provided lower-tech suspension setup of stiffer springs and bigger stabilizer bars.

Motor Week, in a review of the 1991 Thunderbird completed a road test of a V8-equipped Thunderbird, revealed that the car could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 9.2 seconds; approximately two seconds faster than a standard V6 Thunderbird and only two seconds slower than a Super Coupe.

[

Only 84,719 Thunderbirds came off the assembly line, 72,799 for the Base Thunderbird and the LX, Thunderbird and 11, 920 for the Super Coupe and Sport Coupe The future of the unique Thunderbird was growing darker for this “One of a kind car”.

Information Obtained; Wikipedia, T-Birds by Doug Mitchel p 83-91, Thunderbird Fifty Years by Alan H. Tast p 134-153 , Photos from the internet, Ford Thunderbird Ninth Generation Images.

Super Coupe

Base Thunderbird

LX Thunderbird

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Journey into the Past of the South Texas Thunderbird Club

The early years of the Thunderbird Scoop provided its members the opportunity to send in questions, about a concern they were having with their car, to ask an expert for help in finding a solution to a problem. What we call our Forum today, which you must sign up for. So, here is one that might even help someone today. Dear John, I have a problem with my 1965 Coupe concerning stop lights. I have taillights and signals but no stop lights. I have replaced the brake switch and jumped the wires before the switch, but with no luck. There is power coming into the switch. I need help, this thing is driving me mad. Norm Mangler Dear Norm, There is a relay in the signal sequencer in the trunk. This could be causing your problem. Check this first. I can get you a wiring diagram and trouble-shooter’s guide for $4. It is a well explained arti-cle with good diagrams. John Draxler

Thunderbird Scoop Vol. 14, No. 1 Jan-Feb. 1982, pg., 28

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Dates in Automotive History

Last year we took a look at the Automotive History, important dates, for the Ford Motor Company by each month that had to do with the Operations, Manufacturing of their Models T Fords and mainly their Ford Thunderbirds. This year we will focus on other automobiles The Ford Motor Company manufactured to broaden their customer base over the years. The information is obtained from a book called Automobile History Day By Day, Douglas A. Wick. He states this is just an accumulation of facts and data he discovered, and the history of the Automobile is constantly changing with companies, technology, designers, and important people. But this first edition is a good start.

This month we will take a look at the historical timeline of the Edsel. The Edsel was a defunct automobile brand of Ford Motor Company that sold between 1958 to 1960 model year. The Edsel was intended to give Ford a fourth brand, allowing the company to gain additional market share between General Motors and Chrysler. In a similar fashion to Buick, Oldsmobile ,and Pontiac, Edsel and Mercury shared a similar price range; the division shared bodies with both Ford and Mercury,

June 7, 1954 The Ford Motor company forms a styling team to undertake the conception of an entirely new car, the as yet unnamed Edsel November 8, 1956 The Ford Motor Company selects “Edsel” as the name of its new marque to be introduced for the 1958 model year November 19, 1956 Edsel division of the Ford Motor Company was formed, Ford-Lincoln-Mercury September 4, 1957 “E-Day” Marks the Introduction of the Edsel, Ford Motor Company’s much heralded new named for Edsel B. Ford and introduced on the 40th birthday of his son Henry Ford II– the first sale is to Dr. Frank Zeller Jr. of Winter Haven ,FL. who purchased a turquoise and white Pacer convertible October 14, 1957 To promote the Edsel Ford, The Edsel Show was produced. It was not as successful as they had hoped. The public was not convinced or favorable to the Edsel’s styling an un conventional build January 15, 1958 The Ford Motor Company creates the Lincoln-Edsel-Mercury Division, hiring former Packard President James J, Nance as the Vice President in charge of the division November 19,1959 The last Edsel is produced-The Mercury –Edsel-Lincoln division of the Ford Motor Company was officially recreated as the ”new” Lincoln-Mercury Division with Ben D. Mills continuing as General Manager

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Information from internet: lov2xlr.no; Ford Photos-images results

Thunderbird Reflections Some of the ads, and photos which introduced the Ford Thunderbird to their customers for the

1988 Thunderbird

Thunderbird LX

Thunderbird Turbo Coupe

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Thunderbird For Sale

2002 Thunderbird

Vintage Thunderbird Club International (VTCI) Award Winner; VTCI Certified Concours judged – First Place award winner at 2014 and 2019 VTCI International Conventions in New Orleans and New Jersey respectively. This Thunderbird is an extra sharp Torch Red with automatic black convertible top with a red hardtop on a hardtop carrier. Seats are black leather with red leather inserts, 3.9L, V-8, auto, a/c, all options, PB, PW, PL, Power Seats, CD player, chrome factory wheels, all service records, all books/docs to include original window sticker, always garaged, car cover, cover for hardtop, bug bra, never wrecked, never raced and always pampered, one owner. If you want the best 2002 Thunderbird around this is it! Asking $19,000 Call Brian for more information at 210-497-0345.

Still asking all members to write up a story, about their Thunderbird, with pictures. Tell us how

you acquired your car, why it is so special and what you enjoy doing with your Thunderbird.

First, it will be placed on the website under Featured Club Story and then moved to Club

Members Stories under News when another member’s story is featured. Cannot wait to

read and share everyone's story!

Dick’s Classic Garage a place to revisit if we could but it has closed!

1918 Milburn Electric Runabout 1921 Stanley Steamer Model 735B

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Selling or Buying a Car at an Auction

By Lance Herrington owner of Thunderbird Southwest in La Grange, TX . Lance

wanted to share the Pitfalls of Car Auctions He feels that it is essential to anyone

that goes to these auctions (even to just watch) understand what the buyer or seller

of a vehicle will face, especially if it is your first time. Car Auctions go on all year

long and he hopes it helps someone. I believe this is worth sending out under Tech

Tips! This is a repeat, was first seen in March of 2018.

Tech Tip

AUCTIONS

The Good, Bad and Ugly

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Southwest Chrome Plating 9023 IH –10 East Converse, Texas 210-658-8087

Email: swchrome@hotmail.com Affiliated with Pulido Plating, will pick up and deliver back to this location for your

chrome plating needs. Email is the best way to get hold of them from the website or

call the Balch Springs location.

Troy Krause Echo Canyon Auto Pros Owner 1434 Mesa Creek San Antonio, TX 78258 service@echocanyonautopros.com www.echocanyonautopros.com 210-729-5566 (New number local)

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List of Dealers for Parts

58-66 Bird Nest 800-232-6378 www.tbirdparts.com

55-72 Classic Auto Parts 800-654-3247

www.classicautoparts.com

55-86 Concours Parts 800-722-0009

www.concourspartd.com

58-94 Thunderbird Ranch 715-884-6546

www.tbirdranch.com

55-56 Casco 800-374-0914 www.classictbird.com

55-56 Hill’s Classic Cars 740-949-2217 www.hillsresto.com

Rock Auto www.rockauto.com

Hi-Tech Electronic/Radio Repair Service,( Modern Classic

T-Birds and more) Van Nuys, CA, 818-785-8085

Service@Hitechserv.com or https://hitechserv.com/

electronics-repairs/oem-navigation-dvd-ed-charger-repair/

Rick Monroe "Straightnshinybygolly" Chrome Straightening &

Polishing Phone: (210) 584-5856. Email: mongooserpm@gmail.com

Thunderbird Southwest

4635 E, State Highway 71

La Grange, Texas 78945

Phone 979-249-4200

www.thunderbirdsouthwest.com

Owner Lance E. Herrington

Full-service Thunderbirds 1955-1979 featuring

restoration, mechanical service, consignment

sales and parts.

2450 Babcock Road # 138

San Antonio , Texas 78229

Phone 210-616-9669

Hours: Monday-Friday: 8:00-6:00

Saturday: 8:00-1:00

Sunday: Closed

info@concoursautosalon.com

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STTC Club VTCI Members

One of our Goals this year is to increase our membership in VTCI.

Continue our Challenge,

Raising the Bar in 2020

Help our list Grow!!

Thunderbirds are Unique!

New members in January 2021 (0) and VTCI (0)

San Antonio Texas Thunderbird Club (STTC) Inc. has been in existence for 41 years 1979-2020. STTC is a family-oriented organization with the goal of enjoying and preserving our Thunderbirds among friends and elevating the interest of these beautiful cars within our community. Our annual membership is $20.00 and prorated throughout the year for new members. These dues entitle members to a club roster and the club’s monthly newsletter. Most importantly membership provides the opportunity to contribute and participate in Regional and International Conventions. Dues are due on January 1st and no later than March 1st. We historically welcome all Thunderbirds from 1955-2005.

Members

In STTC

# 33

Members

In VTCI

# 15

Stan & Olga A

Gerry & Cheryl B

Brian & Marilyn C

Walt & Pocahontas C

Ray C

Gary & Carolyn F

David D & Sam M

Al & Barb Mc D

Dennis & Judie M

Lou & Marilyn P

Dave & Roxi R

Dannie R

Danny & Kathy V

Laura W

Jack & Nellie W

September 30, 1979

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Vintage Thunderbird Club International (VTCI)

South Texas Thunderbird Club Inc. is a chapter of the Vintage Thunderbird Club International.

This organization is dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of all Ford Thunderbirds

1955-2005. If you are not a member of VTCI and would like to join, you can go to VTCI’s

website at www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net and download an application form, include fee

and mail it to VTCI, P.O. Box 75308, Wichita, KS 67275 or fill it out online. You can join through

our web site www.southtexasthunderbirdclub. com if you prefer.

South Texas Thunderbird

Club Officers for 2021

President:

Brian Carron

210-497-0345

Vice President:

Ray Clark

210-875-1411

Secretary:

Andrea Yaudas

210-238-6958

Treasurer:

Danny Varella

210-215-7163

Committee Directors:

Newsletter Editor:

Marilyn Carron

Newsletter Co-Editor:

Brian Carron

Auto Technical Advisor:

Ray Clark

Website Assistance:

Ray Clark

Historian:

Marilyn Carron

Websites:

www.southtexasthunderbirdclub.com

www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net

laura@designsforeveryoccasion.com

VTCI Officers 2020

President:

Rod Wake

Vice President:

Ed Elzinga

Executive Secretary:

Jack Wake

Treasurer:

Randy Mattson

Concourse Director:

Paul Prokop

Historian:

Dan Likar

Technical Director:

Alan Tast

Publication Director:

Terri McNeil

Country Store:

Laura Wahrmund

South Central Regional Director:

Brian Carron

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