Sept 2008 - Lunch
Run to Ice House Pub
by George Krause
The town of Punta Gorda is
undergoing a renewal. New construction, as well as restoration of
buildings damaged by hurricane Charlie, is taking place. New businesses
are starting up. One of the recent additions is "The Ice House",
a British Pub style restaurant located in a refurbished ice house.
This was the destination of the BCCSWF September Lunch Run. Nine Club
members turned out with their LBCs on this very warm Saturday to enjoy
pub food and a large selection of British beers. And two friends of club
member, Barry Howard, showed up with a Mini Cooper S and a 356 Porsche.
Other club members enjoying the lunch run were Marji Wilcox's with her
new 1972 MGB GT, with Jerry navigating. Cy & Marcia Ling drove their
TR4, Bruce & Caroline Skaggs had their Mini Cooper S, Ken Oehler drove
his MGB, Paul Waren had his MG TD running nicely, and Robert Burney
and his Lotus 7. Two TR 7s, one driven by Headley & Aura Wilson and
the other by Donna & Larry Trinner. Louise and I drove our TR 3 to
rounded out the group.
As it turned out this was more than our typical lunch run. As we
entered the building we saw a group of men in kilts. They were the Lee
County Pipes and Drums. Earlier they had played at a ceremony honoring
a group of wounded Marines back from Iraq and Afghanistan. The Marines
were the guests of the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce who had provided
the Marines with a five day vacation for their R&R. When the Pipers
discovered we were the British Car Club they graciously offered to play
for us. This turned out to be the only lunch run we have had with
entertainment.
Having heard we were
going to be there Bob Harris of the Punta Gorda Kiwanis Club came to
invite us to the Kiwanis Club Car Show and Family Fun Day next March.
He suggested we register as a group and arrive together so we could be
parked as a group. Everyone was enthusiastic and said they looked
forward to participating.
It turned out to be great day to drive our cars, enjoy good food,
musical entertainment and an invitation to a car show. What more could
we ask.
