A great time was had by all and happy birthday to the USA!

Frank

The AMGBA Officers met in Milwaukee the day before the event.  Bruce Magers and I drove up on Saturday afternoon to meet Margie Springer and her daughter, Joanna Garvey.  We had a great time seeing some to the sites of Milwaukee including the Art Museum, the rivers walk where there was a statue of Fonzie from the Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley TV shows that were set in Milwaukee and a great dinner near at Smyths near the Harley Davidson Museum.

The one day show on Fathers Day drew approximately 250 cars representing numerous British marques. MG’s dominated the field with a strong showing of Triumphs and Austin Healys as well as smaller groups of Jaguars,Land Rovers and Sunbeams.

The show featured a low-key popular vote which worked well and everyone seemed to enjoy. The best of show went to a pre-war 1932 J2 MG Midget owned by John Morris which was restored to its original beauty. All of the winners drove up to the reviewing stand to receive their awards from the shows sponsors. Margie Springer handed out the AMGBA awards.

The local boy Scouts provided food and drinks for the hungry crowd estimated at 400+.

The AMGBA officers were kept busy signing up new members and handling regalia sales at the official “tent ” headquarters.

The AMGBA wishes to thank John Stockinger and his staff for hosting this fine event. For information on next year’s event or on the American MGB Association, please contact the AMGBA, P. O. Box 11401, Chicago, IL 60611; phone: (773) 878-5055; email:  meet@mgclub.org ; website: www.mgclub.org .

Bruce Magers with Joanna Garvey	The 3 Officers with the statue of Fonzie along the Milwaukee River
Milwaukee Art Institute	Margie taking a photo at the Art Institute
1st place chrome bumper – ’67 of Wayne Everhard	3rd place rubber bumper B – ’75 of Ed & Julie Polonus being given award by AMGBA secretary, Margie Springer with AMGBA officers Frank Ochal and Bruce Magers on far left
Joanna Gafrvey, Bruce Magers, Margie Springer and Frank Ochal at Milwaukee Art Institute	AMGBA Tent at Meet 2010
1st place GT – ’68 of David Nordby	AMGBA Officers Frank Ochal, Margie Springer & Bruce Magers in Milwaukee (with Fonzie)

The parade and celebration will be in Chicago on Friday morning June 12, 2010.

Congratulations Blackhawks!

Chuck in Back Yard

I got another dog at PawsChicago on Clybourn Avenue in Chicago. His color reminded me of Rusty and so does his temperament. He is house trained, vaccinated, neutered, micro-chipped and house trained. The donation fee for the adoption included the first vet visit and dog training. His name is Chuck and he is an 11 month old Labrador retriever mix.

Mom headstone

Visit to cemetery on 1st Mother’s Day without her.  Headstone reads “Best in the World” – the same as dad’s to the left of her.

Rusty and Mom at Dog Day Afternoon at White Sox Park

It was one of the hardest things I have had to do but he could no longer walk and he had some other blood blockages causing swollen limbs. He was put to sleep earlier today.

I took to the hospital in the Miata as it was lower and easier to get him into than the Jeep.

I am comforted by a number of photos that I have to remember him by including the one with my mother and him at the ballgame.

Rusty's Last Day at Hospital

Rusty in Centerfield at White Sox Park

Bulls - Celtics game

I had a great time at the Bulls – Celtics game last night.  The Bulls won to keep their playoff hopes alive.  The crowd was lively and the electronics and media at the United Center kept the crowd entertained all night.

In between there was the tailgating before the game which is getting increasingly popular as they have now allowed in the parking lots for a number of years. Thanks to Pete and his friends for a great feast before the game.

There also was the best defensive play I have ever seen by a pitcher when Mark Buerhle fielded a play hit off his leg that went into foul territory by throwing a strike to Paul Konerko backhanded between his legs.  What a great time at the ballpark and the White Sox won 6 to nothing.

I was really impressed with the White Sox new spring training facility called Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona.  It is much better than the previous facilities in Tucson, Arizona and Sarasota, Florida.  Also it is in the Phoenix metro area which makes it close to all of the many other teams that train in Arizona.  I had a great time on the trip.

Copper Sprike Train in Globe, Arizona

Spring training game at Camelback Ranch in Glendale,

I had a great time in the warmth of Arizona for a trip that included White Sox spring training, tours of Scottsdale and Tempe and trips to the Red Rock Canyon and a ride on the Copper Spike Train in Globe, Arizona.