News from around the region
Spirit Region Joins The Nordic CARavan on a BBQ Picnic
The much anticipated Nordic CARavan in South hosted by the Upper Midwest Region began their journey in St. Louis with registration at the host hotel, the Westport Double Tree, on Friday, May 12, 2017. Volunteers from the Spirit Region were on hand to help with registration, including Barb Knudsen, John Gibson and John Lowell.
On Friday evening, participants in the CARavan drove their Classics from the hotel to an open house at the nearby Hyman Ltd. collection hosted by Spirit Region member Mark Hyman. Mark's eclectic inventory of automobiles is very diverse and always changing, and it was evident that the evening event was a great start to the weekend ahead in St. Louis.
Dramatic aerial drone photo of Classics on the front lawn
of the Pavilion.
On Saturday the CARavan began the day with an early morning tour to the fabulous Guyton collection hosted by long time Spirit Region member Fred Guyton and Dave Groerich, followed by a short drive to the Hunter Classics facility near the western edge of Lambert International Airport hosted by member Steve Brauer. Several Spirit Region members and their cars arrived at Hunter Classics to join up with the Nordic CARavan to tour together to a barbecue picnic at Hunter Farms in suburban St. Louis. Among them were Bob Schuman, Joe Walsh, Jim Schloeman, George and Sue Dorris, John and Rose Gibson and Phil Taxman.
As cars entered the grounds of Hunter Farms on their way to the Pavilion, they were seen through the lens of an aerial drone camera guided by new Club member, Larry Hassel. Larry is a very creative and talented photographer who also captured a number of exquisite photos of the Classics displayed on the front lawns of the Pavilion.
The perfect Spring weather and magnificent blue skies brought out thirty beautiful Classics, among them several from the Spirit Region, including Randall Andrae's 1925 Rolls-Royce, John Gibson's 1931 Pierce-Arrow Touring, Phil Taxman's 1939 Jaguar SS, Wendell Smith's 1927 Rolls-Royce P1 Windovers, Bob Radel's 1938 Packard Sedan, Kevin Williams' 1938 Cadillac Fleetwood, Bob Schuman's 1941 Cadillac 60 Special, George Randall's 1948 Jaguar, and Joe Walsh's 1941 Packard.
The two oldest cars on the tour, also from the Spirit Region, were Helen Cole Imbs' 1919 Cole Tourster and a 1924 Dorris Touring owned by George and Sue Dorris. Helen also displayed several rare pieces of Cole memorabilia from her extensive collection.
Steve Brauer accepting a gift of gratitude from the UMR and Spirit Regions. Alongside are Webster Peterson (l), organizer of the Nordic CARavan, and John Lowell (r), Spirit Region Director.
After a welcoming comment from tour organizer and Upper Midwest Region member Webster Peterson, a group photo of all of the CARavan participants was taken followed by a gift presentation to Spirit Region member Steve Brauer, our host for the afternoon. By this time, we were all ready for a wonderful barbecue buffet served by Super Smokers.
At the conclusion of lunch and with one more tour stop to make prior to their drive back to the hotel, we bid the CARavaners safe travels and good wishes for a fun trip to their ultimate destination in New Orleans.
Photos courtesy of Larry Hassel
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