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August, 2007

2100 Walnut Street

Kansas City, MO 64108

Local Chapter of MAFCA and MARC

NEWS

‘A’

LETTER

Heart of America Model A Ford Club

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Certificate of M erit” 2006

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A ward of

Continuing Excellence” 2006

OFF THE INTERSTATE

I am a fan of the late Charles Kuralt, and his CBS series, On The Road. I recently told a friend that I look forward to re-

tiring and traveling across the nation taking the back roads to small towns. My friend quickly responded, “Didn’t the

Charles Kuralt guy do that?” “Yes,” I said, but Kuralt didn’t do it in a Model A. My retirement dream must wait for a

couple of years. Until then, I will satisfy myself by reading some great books by people who have bypassed the Inter-

state, taking the two-lane highways to small towns in rural America. A man named Bill Geist is one of those people who

took such a journey and wrote an absolutely uproarious book titled, Way Off the Road, Discovering The Peculiar

Charms Of Small- Town America. Geist makes the observation, “We don’t learn much about our country on the inter-

states, except that Americans are in a hurry and happily trade speed for wonder and discovery.” If you read his book,

you’ll meet people like Elsie Eller, the sole citizen of Monowi, Nebraska. She says, I am the mayor, the board, the secre-

tary-treasurer, the librarian, the bartender---that’s my most important title---the cook, the floor sweeper, the police chief,

and I have the books for the cemetery if someone wants to buy a plot.” The small town of Luling, Texas hosts the world

watermelon-seed-spitting contest. Lee Wheelis, a recent champion describes what it takes to be a world-class champion.

“It’s a gift; [spitting watermelon seeds] you either have it or you don’t. Kirk Fisher is a resident of the small town of

Beaver, Oklahoma. This town brags about being the world’s cow-chip capitol. He says, “Ours are the finest cow chips

in the world.” There is a lot to discover when you travel off the interstate. One of those travel and discovery events is

happening in September.

Some months ago, Jim Spawn came to me with an idea for a tour. The name of the tour is “The Bonnie and Clyde Tour”.

Jim has done some remarkable research concerning Bonnie and Clyde. In fact, his research is a story in itself. I want Jim

to tell you about his research and the details of this remarkable tour. So, I won’t say anything more other than this is a

tour you won’t want to miss. Thanks Jim, for planning this unique tour event.

The 2008 MAFCA Regional is just around the corner. This event will give us another opportunity for off-the-interstate

adventure. Bob Hess is at the helm for this event. One of the tours will be a four-state-tour in one day. I am helping plan

the tour with Bob’s wonderful support. By the time you receive this newsletter, Bob and I will have planned and driven

the tour route. This tour is not unique. Last year the “Plain Ol’ A’s” drove the four-state-tours. However, they did it in

two days because they stopped top see some really great sights in towns along the way. We are going to do this tour in

one day. Sure, we’ll see some great sights. However, Bob stringently reminded me the goal of the tour is to drive in four

states in one day. I met with Theresa Gunther, a member of The Plain O’l A’s and planner of their four-state-tour. She

was very helpful giving many wonderful suggestions. Thanks, Theresa. Some of you have the See The USA In Your

Model A badge. Probably most of us have driven in Kansas and Missouri. This tour will qualify you to attach two more

state dangle bars to your badge. In addition, Lance Burton is developing a beautiful large-scale version of the See The

USA In Your Model A badge. Lance is going to show this plaque at the next meeting. If there is enough interest, we

might place an order. The cost is determined by the number we order.

Well, that is about all for now. Hope to see you at our August meeting.

Chris Launer, President