Northern Illinois Regional Group Reunites for

Creative Annual Summer Picnic at Culver’s

By John Emmering

Challenging times call for creative measures and our Northern Illinois Regional Group certainly found a creative way to get together for our annual summer picnic on Sunday afternoon, August 16.   Timmermann’s Ranch has been the site of the summer picnics for last decade, but this year was a bit different. Desiring to avoid sharing food at close quarters, and unsure if there would be enough participants to make setting up a traditional picnic worthwhile, our board decided to hold the picnic at the Culver’s restaurant in St. Charles. The Culver’s has been the site of our “Fords and Friends” activity in the past, in which we held in conjunction with the Model A Club.  

It all kicked off shortly before 1:00 pm.  Arriving a bit early John Emmering staked claim to the parking area east of the store.  Parking his 1949 Ford on the end of the row and then strategically placing some lawn chairs in the lot and posting an NIRG sign, customers got the idea that a car event was about to take place.  Soon some Early Ford V-8s and a few other members driving interesting cars of different makes and models cruised into the lot to take part in the event.  New arrivals then backed their cars into spaces that had been reserved.

Traveling in Early Ford V-8s were Ron & Arlene Blum, 1940 Ford Deluxe Fordor, Tom & Judy Buscaglia, 1951 Ford Custom Tudor, John & Robin Emmering, 1949 Ford Custom Fordor, Jay Hinshaw, 1940 Ford Tudor, Pat & Dee Maroney, 1936 Ford Deluxe Fordor,  Tom O’Donnell, 1953 Lincoln Capri Custom Coupe, John & Este Scheve, 1947 Ford Super Deluxe Coupe, Ron & Colleen Steck, 1941 Ford Super Deluxe Station Wagon, and Jim & Harriet Taylor in their 1949 Ford Custom Convertible.

Riding in modern transportation were Elaine Braun, Ron Dopke and Bernice Short, Gary & Dawn Osborne, John Slobodnik and George & Dawn Zulas. Those driving other antique and special interest cars were Scott Gilday, 1969 Ford Mustang Convertible, Paul Levine, 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible, Roger Obecny, 1963 Buick, and Joe & Delice Serritella driving their 1950 Rocket 88.

After a long separation due to the current health crisis, members were glad for a chance to reconnect with their fellow members.  There was a great spirit of cooperation as members willingly wore masks when conversing.  Three or four groups set up chairs with appropriate intervals as members visited.  Culver’s owner/operator Kris Callahan set up a system allowing members to present a ticket when ordering food and then billing the order to our group at the end of meal.   By 1:45 participants began to file in at intervals and ordered their meals, bringing them back outside to enjoy their burgers or other selections outdoors.

There was much discussion of technical matters and exchange of information on how to solve typical Ford V-8 mechanical problems.  Plenty of other Culver’s customers passed by to view, discuss, and photograph our Ford V-8s and the other cars displayed.  A young man with a nice 1965 Ford pickup truck joined the lineup, filling the vacant spot of a departing member’s car, and he was welcomed.

Stretching on past 4:00 pm members enjoyed the excellent weather.  As the activity broke up it was apparent that everyone had experienced an enjoyable time.  It certainly was a unique event which proved to be economical and meet the need of our regional group to gather in the safest possible way.