One of the greatest benefits of being retired is the pleasure of not being awakened by an alarm clock in the morning and the possibility to sleep as long as you want. On this Tuesday morning, however, blaring Beethoven music from my alarm clock ejected me from dreamland (filled with classic British cars driving along curvy roads through sun-filled but moderate temperature pastures, naturally). I had to get ready to leave at 8 a.m., which is also known as the middle of the night for the people who never get to bed before midnight.

Instead of driving the Lagonda, I opted for the nearly classic BMW (10 years old), because I had to cover multiple destinations as far as Naples in limited time. Instead of driving on curvy roads, it was the endless asphalt beauty of I-75 from Harbour Heights to the Fort Myers Alico Road exit for me.

With the help of Mark Shlien’s description, it wasn’t too difficult to find Haney’s Café. When I parked the car I saw other club members entering the restaurant. Being five minutes early, I wasn’t the first at the scene. Obviously many BCCSWF members got up much easier than me and were already at the tables.

Nearly everybody who signed up came: Chris and John Baum, Sandy and Peter Blackford, Antje and Ray Boulay (from the Mercedes Club), Charlie Cox and Mary Young, new members Marguerite and Tim Donnery, Susan and Bob Engelhart, new member Randy Fogel, Jay Huffaker, Isabel Mack and Kirk Pierce, Gerry and Ed McMahon, David Ross, Michelle and Steve St. Angelo, Tom Shaw, Chuck Swanson and Dan Tiedge. Including myself, we were 25 participants in this club event.

Dan came in, pointing out that it was going to rain and triggered Kirk to run out and put the top up on his MG Midget.

The British cars in the parking lot showed a cross section of our club with Charlie’s Aston Martin, Randy’s Bentley, David’s Jaguar, and Kirk’s MG, accented by a Porsche, Maserati, Lexus and other nice “daily drivers.”

The food was good and the service fast and efficient. I tried the Egg Crêpes with Bacon and Avocado and it was very good.

The lively discussions at the tables centered around cars (who would have guessed) and other subjects. After the breakfast and with the rain gone, several people continued their conversations in the parking lot, looking at the cars and attracting further interested people passing by.

It is great to spend time with fellow car club members. Okay, it was early — but it was worth every minute of missed sleep.

[As both the President and Secretary were out of town, Mark Shlien ran the monthly meeting. —Contrib. Ed.]

The BCCSWF held its club meeting on Tuesday, August 9th, at Famous Dave’s BBQ.

We had 22 attendees (including Larry and Tom, current Board members).

Three new members were in attendance, including Randy Fogul, and Tony and his wife Beverly.

The 50/50 raffle was held.

Birthdays for the month of August were covered.

According to Larry, we now have 88 member accounts — and growing!

We discussed the breakfast at Haney’s Café (positive feedback) and our upcoming event at Bahama Breeze. As it relates to this event, we have roughly 21 RSVPs and Mark will be resending the invitation this weekend.

The Pool Party on September 10th was also covered, including that guests are requested to BYOB and a side or a dessert.

The Treasurer’s Report was provided by Larry.

One thing I did want to mention: the room was not set up for the meeting. That said, the service was pretty quick.

NAPLES, Fla. — On June 25th, a group of 13 BCCSWF members and one guest met for lunch at Spanky’s Speakeasy Restaurant. It was great to meet members from Naples that we don’t see much at our meetings in Fort Myers. We decided to place more events in the southern part of Southwest Florida.

From Spanky’s we moved on to a short visit of Naples Motorsport, where we looked at McLarens, Cobra replicas and a $180,000 Mini from David Brown. We stood around this very special “classic” Mini, but nobody from our group put a deposit down.

Then we made our way over to the Revs Institute, where our guide was waiting to take us through the museum and point out the specialties of the many interesting and beautiful cars. The guide took our group picture.

The glass eagle head is not our new club logo, but we all agreed that it was the most beautiful radiator cap/hood ornament in the museum.

Our thanks go to Dan Tiedge, who responded to last month’s greetings and organized our trip to Naples by arranging everything with the Revs Institute, as well as reserving the tables at Spanky’s.

Newly rejoined member Peter Blackwood invited us to his garage, only a mile away from the Revs, to offer cold drinks and a look at his interesting collection of three Lotus, a Nash and a Mercedes-Benz.

This was a Saturday well spent on a car theme.

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 by President Hermann Schaller. It was reported that of July 10th, there were 81 paid membership accounts with 154 voting members.

Past events

June 25 — REVS Institute in Naples.

Upcoming events (as of the meeting date)

Hermann Schaller presented a first edition of the activities plan for the 2022/2023 season. Activities include:

July 26 — Breakfast Social, 9 a.m., Haney’s Café, 18011 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers.

August 9 — Membership meeting. Dinner at 5:30 p.m., business part at 6:30 p.m.

August 24 — Brunch, 11:30 a.m., Bahama Breeze, 14701 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers.

September TBD — Pool Party.

September 13 — Membership meeting. Dinner at 5:30 p.m., business part at 6:30 p.m.

October 11 — Membership meeting. Dinner at 5:30 p.m., business part at 6:30 p.m.

October 19 — High Tea, 2 p.m., Brambles Tea Room, 340 5th Ave. S., #102, Naples.

October 26 — Brit-toberfest, 10 a.m. Sanibel Causeway Islands Park, Island #2.

November 8 — Membership meeting. Dinner at 5:30 p.m., business part at 6:30 p.m.

November 12 — Naples Botanical Garden Tour, 10 a.m., 4820 Bayshore Dr., Naples.

November 16 — Welcome Back Party, 5 p.m., Lighthouse Bay at Brooks Club House, 23740 Olde Lighthouse Road, Bonita Springs.

November 20 — British Car Invasion, Mercato Cars & Coffee, 9 to 11 a.m., Mercato Shopping & Dining Complex. 9132 Strada Pl., Ste. 11103, Naples.

December 13 — Membership meeting. Dinner at 5:30 p.m., business part at 6:30 p.m.

December 17 — Christmas Holiday Party, 6 p.m. (to be confirmed), Jim and Kim Orr’s, 5813 SW 1st Ave., Cape Coral.

January 10 — Membership meeting. Dinner at 5:30 p.m., business part at 6:30 p.m.

January 15 — Car & Art Invitational International Classic, Exotic & Sports Car Show, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens, 5800 Riverside Dr., Punta Gorda.

January 27 — Everblades hockey game, 7 p.m., Estero Hertz Arena.

February 4 — Cars on Fifth, Naples.

February 14 — Membership meeting. Dinner at 5:30 p.m., business part at 6:30 p.m.

February 18 — Ferry to Useppa Island for lunch and tour, 9:30 a.m.

February 26 — Jeri Schaller’s Chili Cook-off, 2 p.m., 3572 Peace River Dr., Punta Gorda, Harbour Heights.

March 5 — B.I.G. European Car Show, 10 a.m., Rotary Park, Cape Coral.

March 14 — Membership meeting. Dinner at 5:30 p.m., business part at 6:30 p.m.

April 8 — Captain’s Table Restaurant Dinner, 6 p.m., Punta Gorda, Fisherman’s Wharf.

April 11 — Membership meeting. Dinner at 5:30 p.m., business part at 6:30 p.m.

For sale

1953 MG TD — $25,000, contact Bob Engelhard.

1954 Lagonda DB 3-Litre Drophead Coupe — Contact Hermann Schaller.

1977 MGB — Good driver at $3,400 by Treasurer Larry.

1995 Jaguar XJS V12 — $12,500, contact Bill Longley, (404) 307-2076.

Fort Myers Theatre & Dinner — May 12th

The Triumphs of Southwest Florida organized the dinner at Ron Dao’s Pizzeria & Sports Bar, followed by a visit to the Fort Myers Theatre close by. The BCCSWF joined the event, which drew ten members and guests from both clubs. The food at Ron Dao’s was good and the many TV screens created a pre-theatre atmosphere.

Then we drove the short distance to the theatre. We found the place located in a strip mall next to the Point Ybel Brewing Company. The community theatre has 65 very comfortable seats plus 11 spots for handicapped people in front, which were empty at this performance.

The play, The Addams Family Musical, surprised us all, but specially yours truly, who had no clue about the Addams Family. The U.S. TV show didn’t make onto German TV as so many others. I had heard the name and seen some pictures during my 25 years in the States. But I was convinced that my cousin by name, Herman Munster, was part of the Addams Family. Before the show started, I was educated by the others in our group about the existence of two different TV shows.

Anyway, sitting in the first row and looking right in the eyes of the performers, it was hilarious and great. We all enjoyed it immensely.

The cast of 16 people for such a small theatre showed passion and commitment. The value for the money was unbeatable and we should go back there. —HS

The Chokoloskee Lunch Tour — May 14th

The lunch tour to Chokoloskee was a blast. Great weather, great people, good food, and lots of fun. We left on time with six cars and 10 people.

The drive went smoothly until just after we turned onto busy Hwy. 29 going into Immokalee. Tom’s car abruptly stopped. With Tom still at the wheel, three would-be mechanics ganged up on the little MG TD. She was no match for the expert touch of Price Lindsay and Doug McPherson. In short order Doug had the problem solved and the TD was back up and running.

With the expert driving of Marcia McCartt bringing up the rear guard, she pulled out onto the busy highway to block the traffic allowing our merry band of travelers to get up and going once again.

We arrived at the restaurant a little late — but no problem. The lunch and conversations went very well. Soon we departed with travelers choosing different return routes for their various home destinations. —EO’N

Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens and Ice Cream Lunch — May 20th

Under daunting skies and between downpours of rain, 15 1/2 members of the BCCSWF managed to get to the Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens on the outskirts of Punta Gorda. (The entrance of the Gardens was part of the clues on our Murder Mystery Drive.)

Encouraged by our member Dan Sater, we started talks a month ago with the Gardens management for a car show on their grounds and received free tickets for BCCSWF members to visit the park. Unfortunately, the 1/2 member wasn’t too impressed with the Gardens and made his grandparents to pull out just when we got ready to start.

The President of the Board of Directors, Bill Klossner, gave us a free guided tour and explained the special plants and the sculptures, which were extremely interesting.

After visiting the butterfly house, a few raindrops caught us on the way to the north side of the Gardens. But it stopped right away and we were able to take a group photo with sculptures.

After the photo, we cooled off a little in the building in the rear, visited the rest of the Gardens, and managed to get back to our cars before it got too hot.

We continued our event with a short convoy drive to Zoet Sweet Boutique, where the owners had arranged the tables for us. Charlotte County’s No.1 Ice Cream Shop offers lunch fare as well, which most of us took advantage of. Their offer to split the large sandwiches for the couples allowed us to order ice cream afterwards. —HS

Memorial Ceremony in Arcadia — May 30th

British tradition states that British soldiers are to be buried where they fall. During World War II, 15,000 British airmen came to the U.S. for pilot training. One training site was located in Southwest Florida. At the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Arcadia are the graves of 23 cadets who died in training or by other mischance.

Since 1994, the BCCSWF has joined a Memorial Day event hosted by the local Rotary Club to raise the Union Jack and lay a wreath for the fallen Commonwealth soldiers interred there.

Led by Club Vice President Dr. Cecil Carter, 16 members and eight cars of the BCCSWF made the trip to the ceremony, including six British vehicles.

Following the solemn ceremony, the club drove 26 miles to the Celtic Ray Public House in Punta Gorda for lunch. We were joined for lunch by past club officers Bill and Mary Newman. —IM

The monthly member meeting on June 14th was preceded by a Board meeting. The member meeting was called to order by President Hermann Schaller at 6:30 p.m. There were 25 attendees.

Membership status —

A roster of members may be posted on the club webpage. Details are being finalized to ensure privacy is protected.

Treasurer’s report — The current balance was provided, with no outstanding items.

Past events — Four articles were submitted to British Marque covering activities during the past month. [They are combined into the single report above. —Exec. Ed.]

Upcoming events (as of the meeting date) — The following calendar brings us into next year:

June 15 — REVS Institute (car museum and research facility), Naples.

July 12 — Monthly member meeting.

July TBD — Club activity, likely to be a drive and breakfast.

August 9 — Monthly member meeting.

August TBD — Pool Party, Mack/Pierce residence.

September 13 — Monthly member meeting.

October TBD — Britoberfest, Sanibel Causeway (members voted to select a weekday).

November 20 — British Invasion at Cars & Coffee 239, North Naples.

December TBD — Holiday Party, Orr residence.

January 15, 2023 — Cars & Art International Car Show, Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens.

Other items — It’s the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee. She trained as a mechanic during World War II.

Ideas for activities or alternate meeting locations are invited.

The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

On Saturday, April 30th, at 9 a.m. Jeri Schaller discovered a dead body in the garage. Police were called and secured the scene with yellow caution tape.

Jeri’s husband, Hermann Schaller, who is also the President of the BCCSWF, arrived at 11 a.m. from visiting friends on Florida’s east coast, where he had been for two days. Shocked by the news and police at home, Hermann learned that the dead body was that of his friend, a mechanic, who died under the car lift in the garage, which had lowered on him in an accident, or suicide, or homicide.

The police found a damaged cell phone at the scene and were able to retrieve the victim’s movements of the last 24 hours, as well as photos from Friday. But the photos were partially damaged, and their time information was missing. The local Sheriff’s deputies informed Hermann about this but pointed out that due to the weekend and a staff shortage, they were neither able to take the body away, nor follow potential leads.

Knowing that solving mysteries is as British as MG and Triumph, Hermann called on the BCCSWF members to help.

By 1 p.m. a total of 27 amateur detectives had driven through pouring rain and were reviewing the gruesome scene in the garage. Two teams arrived in their classic British cars and one investigator, Isabel Mack, was dressed like Emma Peel from The Avengers.

All received copies of the turn-by-turn description of the victim’s movements, as well as copies of the photos. With that, 13 lead detectives and their assistants left to follow the movements and find the places where the photos had been taken on a search for clues to determine motive, opportunity and suspects.

The 98-mile drive took them in a figure eight over beautiful back roads to Solomon’s Castle and back to the Schaller house.

After their return, they shared their findings with Hermann. Several teams had found security camera footage that showed Hermann in his car outside a well-known ice cream shop. Inside the shop at that time were his wife and his mechanic friend. While nobody pointed out that Hermann had lied about being at the east coast on Friday, many BCCSWF members made their case that Hermann may have killed his mechanic friend because he suspected he was having an affair with his wife.

This conclusion was supported by circumstantial evidence.

While Hermann claimed his innocence, the majority found him to be the most likely murderer. But fortunately for Hermann, the victim shocked everyone by showing up — completely alive! — and explaining that the real victim was Hermann, the victim of a bold prank.

The mechanic, aware of the tools Hermann was missing in his garage, had met secretly with Jeri to advise her on a good surprise birthday gift for Hermann. They noticed Hermann outside the ice cream place and the jealous temper in which he drove off, so they planned to stage the scene in the garage and have two friends pose as deputies. They wanted to scare Hermann, which worked out very well through the evidence the BCCSWF members were finding as the case unfolded.

The team of Norma (a/k/a Miss Marple) and Jim Woodall identified all clues and found the locations of all photos, winning the first prize in the mystery challenge. Deb Watkins (a/k/a Dr. Watson) and Rich Lesinski took second place, while former BCCSWF President Headley Wilson (a/k/a young Sherlock), with Shirley and James, took third. The consolation prize went to Kitty and Bob Begani.

They all celebrated with the 23 other guests — a good use of a rainy Saturday.

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 by President Hermann Schaller with 29 attendees present.

Membership

As of April 12th, there were 69 paid membership accounts with 131 voting members. Membership Director Tom Shore reported on the progress of the members list.

2022 budget

Hermann Schaller reported that we have the minimum eight NAMGBR members to be able to get insurance through them. This will improve our cost situation and allow for more money to support events. The updated budget was presented and unanimously approved.

Past events

April 16 — Wheels Across the Pond, Jupiter. John Sergeant reported on this large show. Ed O’Neal and Dennis McKinley led a group of club members there.

April 22-24 — MG GOF South, Howey-in-the-Hills. No member present went there.

April 23 — Ed O’Neal’s Lunch Drive to Gator Shack. Five cars participated.

April 30 — Murder Mystery Drive & Party. There were 32 participants (see accompanying write-up).

May 7 — SanCap Motor Club Cruise-in. Tom Berger stated that it had a great turnout.

Upcoming events (as of the meeting date)

May 12 — Addams Family, musical comedy at the Fort Myers Theatre, 16120 San Carlos Blvd.

May 14 — Ed O’Neal’s Lunch Drive to the Havana Café on Chokoloskee Island.

May 20 — Visit to Peace River Botanical Garden.

May 30 — Memorial Service, Arcadia.

June 14 — Member meeting.

December — Christmas Party & Cape Coral Lighted Boat Parade.

January 15, 2023 — BCCSWF International Invitational Car Show at Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens.

For Sale

Club cars for sale included a 1953 MG TD for $25,000 (contact Bob Engelhard) and a 1954 Lagonda DB 3-Litre Drophead Coupe (contact Hermann Schaller).