Pizza Meeting

By Ken Bounds

A nice turnout of 47 V-8ers, family, and friends attended the annual Pizza Meeting April 20 at John’s Pizza in Addison.  Members began gathering shortly after 6:00 pm as our host Bob Paladino collected the money and recorded the attendance.  The only Early V-8 seen in the parking lot was the Herzog’s ’53 Coupe.  Super-salesmen Joe Kozmic and Ron Blum collected money for the 50-50 raffle.  Around 6:30 President Dan Pudelek brought the crowd to order to conduct a short business meeting.

Dan reported on upcoming events and encouraged members to volunteer for various duties at the Early Ford Day show at the Volo Auto Museum August 14.  Signup sheets were available for the different jobs.  Dan also encouraged members to consider hosting the Christmas Brunch.  In the absence of our Treasurer, Dan gave the Treasurer’s Report showing an ending balance of $2,839.94 in the bank. 

Ken Bounds gave the membership report showing 82 current members and welcomed John & Mary McCarthy, who joined the club in January.  Ken talked about the upcoming Roundhead’s Roundup dinner in Lombard May 1 and the May 23 driving tour to the Illinois Veteran’s Home in Manteno.  A signup sheet was provided for the latter event.  Neil McManus spoke briefly about the health & welfare status of members and recognized the presence of Don Braun and George Cech in the crowd – see Neil’s report on Page 7.

The meeting came to an abrupt end as the all-you-can-eat pizza arrived.  This year, the restaurant chose to place all the pizzas on one table.  This caused a bottleneck and a little grumbling, so we will probably ask the restaurant to revert to the old method next year.  Hopefully, no one left hungry.  There was plenty of time to share V-8 fellowship and renew old friendships.  It was really good to see Don Braun out and to see George Cech able to walk gingerly after his recently broken ankle.  Also nice to see Collin Sprau since he hadn’t been around in a while.  Before the festivities wound down, Dan presented the 50-50 raffle.  Good thing Collin showed up because he went home $50 richer.  Dan also conducted a raffle of a Mobil oil drum generously donated by Ron Blum.  Alan Wall took the drum home with a winning bid of $30.

Our thanks go out to Bob Paladino for once again hosting this perennial favorite.  We also thank all the V-8ers in attendance, including our host Bob Paladino, President and First Lady Dan & Diane Pudelek, Ron Blum, Ken & Carolyn Bounds, Don & Elaine Braun, Tom Buscaglia, George & Betty Cech, Cliff Dixon, Lloyd & Gladys Duzell, Ed Fontana, Stan Gaynor & Guests Pam Sipp & Art Russell, Mike Heatherly, Earl & Gene Heintz, Ernie & Terry Herzog, Sam & Grace Iusi, Paul Jensen, John Judge, Joe & Nell Kozmic, Paul Linzer, Frank & Phyllis Madrigali with Frank’s mom Johanna, John & Mary McCarthy with John’s brother Rick, Jack & Jean Nikolich, Roger Obecny, John & Barbara Slobodnik, Collin Sprau, Alan Wall, Larry & Jerry Webb, and George & Dawn Zulas.

Hopefully, everyone made it home OK, with no cars being rear-ended like Roger’s was last year!