BIG BAND ENTHRALLS CLASSIC CAR MEMBERS
Dan & Yvonne Sheek
If anyone had told us that Classic Car Members could be so enthused about musical sounds of the Big Band era we would have questioned it. Only a camera could have captured the pleasure and delight on the faces of the male members of the Region as they listened to familiar sounds ensuing from a talented ensemble of musicians at Conner Prairie August 26th evening of Big Band and Swing Classics.
Love of Classic Cars seemed to have dimmed for love of refrains such as Deep Purple, Let’s Dance, Sunrise Serenade, Sting of Pearls, I’ll Never Smile Again, I’ll Be Seeing You and Sunny Side of the Street. A special arrangement of Indian Love Call gained popularity. Norm Leyden, conductor, Shera and Rod Lucich, vocalists, persuaded the audience to join the refrain for several songs. It was heartening to see members participate in the refrains and join in the dancing. Lou and Gloria O’Keefe, guest of Bill Lurvey, gained center stage as the waltzed to the music. Joe Keller, another guest of Lurvey’s, kept time as he enjoyed the rhythms. Also seen on the dance floor were Pam and Jim Ray, Bob Titlow, Helen Vogel and Molly and Bloor Redding. Tom and Paula Hartz came with the Richard Stroors’ who purchased Tom’s 33 Packard 8, 1004 7 passenger sedan. Dan and Yvonne Sheek were seated at table B2 with the McKnight’s and their guest, Bonnie and John Carter. John and Elaine Klein were seen table hopping and visiting with all the members. A third love surfaced as Molly and John shared stories about flying.
Fried chicken, ham sandwiches, Hawaiian ribbon sandwiches, chocolate covered strawberries, carrot curls and cream puffs were enjoyed by club members. Wines and cold drinks complemented the array of tasty foods.
Eight Classic Cars were on display for the enjoyment of patrons to the Big Band performance: ‘28 Stutz 8 BB Convertible Coupe, Phillips (Ray’s), ‘33 Packard 8, 1004 7 Pass. Sedan (Storrs’), ’37 Rolls-Royce 6, 25/30 Sedanca Deville, Hooper, …Molly’s… (Redding’s), 37 Packard 12, 1507 Formal Sedan (Klein’s), 37 Packard 8, 1501 Conv. Victoria (Vogel’s & Titlow’s), 40 Cadillac 60S (Sheek’s), 41 Lincoln 12 Continental Coupe (McKnight’s), 41 Cadillac 8, 75 5 Pass. Touring Sedan (Lurvey’s).
Our hats are off to Sally and Hugh McKnight for a second delightful evening at Conner Prairie. Evenings like this are truly nostalgic. Will this become a tradition?