Annual Picnic – Timmermann’s Ranch

By Ken Bounds

On August 5 we held our annual picnic, once again at Timmermann’s Ranch in Island Lake.  Our hosts Don and Elaine Braun and their friend Art Timmermann treated us to a great day of fun, food, beautiful Early V-8s, and plenty of V-8 camaraderie.  After an oppressively hot summer the weather could not have been more pleasant with the temperature reaching only into the low 80s on a sunny day.

As we started arriving around 10:00 am, several of us participated in our Keystone Kops routine of setting up the large Club tent.  It stayed up all day, so we consider the effort a success.  As the gorgeous   V-8s began pulling onto the grounds, members set up groups of chairs to enjoy each other’s company.  Again this year, Joe Kozmic’s friends Bob Sochacki and Mike Sturm did a terrific job cooking brats and hot dogs.  While the food preparation was in process, Joe and Len Vinyard worked the crowd selling 50-50 raffle tickets.

Lunch was served about 12:30 – what a spread!  With the abundance of brats and hot dogs supplied by the club and the endless number of side dishes provided by members, no one went home hungry.  Those who left room were treated to two beautiful cakes commemorating our group’s 45^th Anniversary.

After eating, everyone proceeded to kick tires, tell a few stories, or even take a horse ride.  As the afternoon drew to a close, the 50-50 raffle provided $115 to one of Art Timmermann’s staff and $115 to the club.  The tables and chairs were stacked, the tent came down and was packed, and everyone began to make their way home after a wonderful day.  Our sincere thanks to our hosts Don & Elaine Braun and Art Timmermann.

Along with several guests and family members, attendance included:  Our hosts Don & Elaine Braun – ’36 Coupe and ’56 Pickup, President Tom O’Donnell – ’40 Mercury, Ben & Ginny Ashley – ’53 Pickup, Ron Blum – ’40 Fordor, Ken & Carolyn Bounds – ’50 Convertible, Tom & Judy Buscaglia – ’51 Tudor, Norm Collins with son & granddaughter, Joe & Marie Dispensa – ’50 Tudor, Ron Dopke, John Emmering – ’49 Fordor with guests Bob and Rhonda Miller - ’36 Coupe, Scott Gilday – ’41 Convertible, Earl & Gene Heintz – ’51 Mercury, Roger Hunz – ’51 Tudor, Joe & Nell Kozmic – ’53 Mercury, Tony Mireles, Roger Obecny, Gary & Dawn Osborne, Dan & Diane Pudelek with daughter Cathy and grandchildren Jack & Isabella, John & Este Scheve, Joe & Delice Serritella, John & Barb Slobodnik – ’54 Fordor, Stan & Jo Anne Stack – ’53 Tudor, Ron & Colleen Steck, Bill & Marty Valters – ’40 Coupe, Ron Vaughan, and Len & Irene Vinyard – ’39 Convertible.