Presidents Message
Welcome to the June–July issue of the Badger Star. With spring here and as we look towards the warmer months, the Wisconsin Section has events planned for everyone, regardless of what you enjoy or where you live in our Section. Before we look at upcoming events I would like to thank Mike McKinney and his staff for hosting the 13th annual Spring Tech Session at Black Forest on April 28. I would also like to thank Umansky Motors for their display of the new C63s AMG Cabriolet at the Tech Session. We listened to your comments from our recent member survey, and the theme of the Tech Session was proper winter storage techniques, and using the recommended A & B Maintenance schedules. You can read more about the tech session elsewhere in this newsletter.
Final Survey Results
The member survey conducted by your Board of Directors concluded April 30. The initial results of that survey appeared in the last Badger Star, and the final results will be on the Section’s website at (https://wisconsin.mbca.org/) until June 15th. No access to our website, and want the survey results? Give me a phone call and I will mail you a copy. Thank you again to board member Andrew Opicka for preparing and managing the survey. Your feedback was instrumental in planning and improving future events.
We have 2 outings to Road America planned for this year, a June 9th Drive-2-Dine in Green Bay, and we’re working on a Drive-2-Dine in the Madison – Janesville – Beloit area. The Chicago Section has also extended an invitation to join them on a fall color tour to the Galena Illinois area. Another new item in direct response to your survey input is a “For Sale/Wanted to Buy” section in each issue of the Badger Star. This is the spot to place your ad to clean your garage of your old Mercedes parts, or to let your fellow members know there is something Mercedes-related you want to buy. Ads can only be placed by Wisconsin Section members, and are limited to Mercedes-Benz items. Space may be limited. Send your information to John Ledbury, and contact John or myself for more details.
Allow me a final comment on the survey. If you were one of those who responded “no” to helping plan an event, remember that working on an event doesn’t mean a lot of work, and it’s a great way to get to know your fellow members better, and to get more out of your MBCA membership. If you live outside the Milwaukee metro area it’s also a good way to help us hold an event closer to your home. Remember, a board member is always willing to help you plan and stage your event!
The Journey
This issue contains the inaugural installment of “The Journey,” the personal story of how a member obtained theirbeloved Mercedes. Do you have a story about your Mercedes? Did you travel across the continent to find the perfect Benz for you, or find it sitting a barn, awaiting a new home? Whether it happened last week or a decade ago, if you have an interesting story about “the journey,” how you acquired your favorite Mercedes-Benz, we want to publish it. Contact newsletter liaison John Ledbury with your story.
Recent Events
As I write this some of our members will be on their way to StarFest 2018 in Birmingham, AL. You can read their initial report elsewhere in this newsletter; the full report of their experience will appear in the August–September issue. John Ledbury hosted the May 19th outing to Road America’s Spring Vintage Races. John’s remarks are also elsewhere in this newsletter. Thank you John!
Upcoming Events
The next Wisconsin Section event is a Drive-2-Dine in Green Bay, hosted by Dick and Nancy Kusch. Event details can be found in the Upcoming Events Calendar. Four lucky attendees to this event will win a $50.00 gift certificate, and you will have the opportunity to meet Bailey Hansen, our new newsletter editor, in person. Mark your calendar and plan to make the trip! June 30th we have a Drive-2-Dine at Zarletti’s in Mequon, hosted by Nancy & Dean Pearson. July 13th is Starry Nights and on August 25th we go to Waupaca for a Drive-2-Dine and a boat cruise (optional) on the Chain of Lakes on the old Chief Oshkosh. You can find out more about these events in various places in this newsletter. Besides these Section events, Show and Glow, formerly Masterpiece, is Aug 4th and 5th this year, and your Section always participates.
The full calendar of upcoming events with all the details appears elsewhere in this newsletter. We are also planning a fall Rallye and a fall Tech Session, tentatively to be held at International Autos in Elmbrook. Other events are being planned as I write this. That’s why I always close my remarks on upcoming events by saying… If you have a suggestion for a Drive-to-Dine venue or an idea for an event, please contact myself or one of our other board members. We are always looking for feedback and opinions from our members.
Show Cards Available
Your Section has purchased a quantity of Display Cards for Shows from the MBCA National Club Store. They are 15 inch x 8 inch heavy cardstock, and are ideal for giving the details of your Mercedes when you show or display your car. Contact me if you would like one.
Track Time for Your Mercedes?
Would anyone be interested in an event where you got to take your Mercedes out on a race track? Think Road America or Blackhawk Farms. If you have any interest in something like this please contact me.
Please join with me in welcoming our newest members as of May 13th:
Mark Duszynski Peter Haas Michael Henneberry
Mark Rogers Wilbur Sarino Richard Sem
Finally, help me “welcome back” the 46 members who have renewed their membership since January 1 of this year. THANK YOU to everyone for being a member of this Club. New member or long-timer, I’d love to hear from you; your comments and suggestions are always welcome. We couldn’t exist without your interest and participation; it’s what makes this organization successful. We are always looking to improve your membership experience and give you value for your member dues.
Looking forward to seeing you an at upcoming Wisconsin Section event,
Bruce Hamilton