Annual NIRG Picnic – Timmermann’s Ranch

By Ken Bounds

On August 11 we held our annual picnic for the 4^th consecutive year at Timmermann’s Ranch in Island Lake.  Our hosts Don and Elaine Braun and their friends Art & Carol Timmermann treated us to a great day of fun, food, beautiful Early V-8s, and plenty of V-8 camaraderie.  We had nearly perfect weather with the high in the low 80s and plenty of sunshine.  It was a real treat to have Don present all day, along with his beautiful ’36 Coupe and slick ’56 F-100.

As we started arriving around 10:00 am, we were relieved that the Brauns’ son and grandson had already put up Club tent, saving us a little work and a lot of embarrassment.  This year we set the tent up in a new location a little farther away from the horse stalls. A fleet of gorgeous V-8s began pulling onto the grounds and 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 burgers, brats, and hot dogs.  While the food preparation was in process, Len Vinyard and John Slobodnik sold 50-50 raffle tickets and a few took a horse ride.

Just before lunch, Art & Carol provided us a special treat; two different horse troupes performed for us in the adjacent corral.  The first performance had a patriotic theme while the second was a NASCAR theme. The riders, accompanied by music, were exciting and very professional.  Everyone, especially all the kids present, enjoyed the performances.

At the conclusion of the show, lunch was served.  With the burgers, brats, and hot dogs and beverages supplied by the club and plenty of side dishes provided by members, no one went home hungry. 

After eating, everyone proceeded to kick tires, and tell a few stories.  As the afternoon drew to a close, one of the kids pulled the winning 50-50 raffle ticket.  For the second time in four years, the Pudelek’s daughter Catherine Pauly was the lucky winner of $127.  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 & Carol Timmermann.

Along with several guests and family members, attendance included:  Our hosts Don & Elaine Braun – ’36 Coupe and ’56 Pickup and their guests Stan Gaynor and Art Russell, Scott & Nicole Gilday and daughters Reese and Ciena – ’41 Convertible, John Bauer – ‘49 Pickup, Ron Blum – ’40 Fordor, Ken Bounds – ’50 Convertible, Tom Buscaglia – ’51 Tudor, Norm Collins with granddaughter – ’41 Mercury, Ron Dopke, John & Robin Emmering – ’49 Fordor, Earl & Gene Heintz – ’63 Convertible, Roger Hunz – ’51 Tudor, John Judge – ’50 Convertible, Charles R. Kaiser, Joe & Nell Kozmic – ’53 Mercury with guests Bob & Cathy Sochacki and Mike Sturm, Roger Obecny, Tom & Madeleine O’Donnell and family  – ’40 Mercury, Gary & Dawn Osborne, Dan & Diane Pudelek with son-in-law John, daughter Catherine and grandchildren Jack & Isabella – ’53 Victoria, John & Este Scheve, John & Barb Slobodnik, Stan & Jo Anne Stack – ’53 Tudor, Ron Steck – ’40 Pickup, and Len & Irene Vinyard – ’39 Convertible.