Duluth, MN area
2023 President: Brent Blaede
September-October 2023 Chapter News
Hello to everyone from the Northland! The Arrowhead Chapter would like to ask you to join us in welcoming three new members to our club. On July 11th, Vice-President Steve Carlson and Linda Whitsitt hosted our Chapter tour with the invitation also including members of the Itasca Vintage Car Club out of Grand Rapids and the Northland Wheels Chapter of the Studebaker Club. An absolutely picture-perfect summer day greeted us as we met at the Holiday Gas Station in Pike Lake for coffee and Lemon Danish provided by Rosemarie Blaede. We welcomed two of our new members – John & Brenda Bergman, sponsored by Linda & Steve. The Bergmans are a wonderful couple. Open and friendly, they seemed like long-time members as we all caught up with each other over coffee and Danish. Bringing their beautiful ‘55 Crown Victoria along for the ride, it was a good start to the tour.
Onward we all headed north on Highway 53 and back roads through forests and farmland, along winding county roads to Hibbing, to see a “not-to-be-missed” collection of pedal cars, fully restored to their original condition by Benny Castagnari. Some of the cars were Chevrolets, Cadillacs, Fords and Chrysler and ranged from the 20s to the 50s. My favorite…a 1919 Mack AB Dump truck – but with a SOLD sign on it. Story of my life!! Disappointing but enjoyed seeing all of them and the stories about each one. Benny was an outstanding host and joined us for our lunch at an original Hibbing Speak-Easy – Palmer’s Bar. The service, food, prices and boisterous conversations hit the mark. With our bellies full, we all happily pedaled back home! Thank you to Steve and Linda for a superb outing, in every way!!
August 12th was our Annual Walt Carter Memorial Steak Fry, co-hosted this year by Jim & Linda Finn and Dale and Janice Jones…and what a job they did!! We all met in Hermantown where Jim had refreshments for us. Don & Grace Chesney brought their friend Therese Jordan, who drove her beautiful 50th Anniversary Thunderbird. Therese is looking for a club where she can “drive her collectible cars” and “have fun with friends”. We think she has found the right club and extend a big open arm welcome to you, Therese! With Jim Finn in the lead in Linda’s ‘39 Buick Special, we headed to the world renown restoration shop of Tom Maruska. Some of you may know Tom by his restoration of the Mercury XM Show Car, as well as his Amphicar, which set a new record high at Barrett-Jackson. His collection of “bullet” Thunderbirds and an Amphicar he is restoring is very impressive, and what a nice person to talk to!! We were honored to have Tom join us for our tour and Steak Fry. His black Thunderbird convertible fit right in to our group. We headed up the scenic North Shore to another “Tom” – Tom’s Logging Camp. We walked the grounds, saw the sights and visited the gift shop. So much to see!
With a growling in our stomachs, onward to Jim & Linda Finn’s home for our Steak Fry and Dale Jones’ special Coconut Shrimp. With just under 30 attending, a steaming garbage can of corn on the cob, salads, outstanding steaks and shrimp greeted us. Linda, Janice, Jim and Dale – you really outdid yourselves!. The steaks were better than any steakhouse and it was great fun seeing Jim’s car collection and his Kaiser Frazer. I was amazed and had lots of fun. We’re looking at having a Chapter Fall Foliage tour in early October. I will have more information about this in the next issue of the Northern Lights. Happy motoring and see you soon.