Minuteman

This spring we decided to sell our 1989 560 SL. The car was just too perfect and original, I couldn't bring myself to drive it. We sold it to a private collector and now it was time to find a replacement that we would drive. We decided on an SL 500, push button hardtop would make it easy for Nancy to enjoy, it would enable her to drive it on her own with out having to worry about a manual top. Now the search was on for the perfect SL. I had black and silver in mind but didn't want the usual interior choices, about a week later we found a 2005 Brilliant Silver over a rare Berry and Charcoal interior. The car was at Viti Mercedes Benz in Tiverton RI. I knew Steve Koertje, the Used Car Manager and Minuteman Member so I called him
and went down the next morning. Salesman Gary Garofalo had the car waiting for me, one look and I was sold! We put 1,500 miles on the SL in less than 2 months which is more than we would put on the 560 SL in a Year!

Gary is now a Minuteman Member, give him a call for your next Mercedes Benz.

Spring has been busy for the Minuteman Section. In April we had our tech session at European Auto Solutions new facility. Section VP Ed Owen and the entire staff at EAS have gone to great lengths with this facility to provide the ultimate service experience for the Mercedes Benz driver and they now boast 2 acres of parking! The event was great as usual and I want to thank Minuteman Member Tim, Ed, Arthur and Scott for their support of the Section. I also want to thank Jim Parker Minuteman Member and Parts Director for Mercedes Benz of Westwood for all the raffle items he donated, he and MB of Westwood are longtime supporters of the Minuteman Section.

In May we had a Cruz In at Prime Mercedes Benz Service Center in Hyannis. They are a new Web Advertiser and put on a great event. Manager David Slayter and his staff provided a DJ and a cook out for our members who came as far as Springfield, Ma to enjoy the Cape. It was nice to see members from the Cape who don't usually make it to other events.I hope a Cape member will step up and run more events. Thanks David!

Classic Motorsports of Merrimack, NH, is our newest Web Advertiser, click their banner for used classics, thank you Andrew.

If it seems that I mention our Sponsors often it's because they are the ones who enable the Section to have great events. With out their support we would have events of less quality and fewer of them as well. Please support those who support the Minuteman Section.

Next up Ken Bourques' Nautical Cruise Presented by AlphaCars and then Germanfest XXVI Presented by Intercity Lines followed by Farberaylle Presented by European Auto Solutions

On March 25th The Minuteman Section held it's Annual Dinner and Elections. The current Officers were reelected by unanimous vote.

I want to thank the membership for allowing me to serve as President for another year. Thank you to Vice President Ed Owen, Treasurer Mark Fancy and Secretary and Webmaster Nancy P, for all their efforts. Ron Beaton continues his fine work as Newsletter Editor. I also want to thank the Board of Directors for their continued work for the Section.

I can't put into words the appreciation I have of Rich Garrick's Chairmanship of our Annual Dinner. This was Rich's 25th year chairing the event and no one works harder. It's always a well planned and much anticipated affair. He's an inspiration to me and the benchmark for all other events.

We are always looking for new events and people to run them. If there is an event you'd like to run let me know and I'll help make it happen.

Our next event is European Auto Solutions Tech Session at their new facility at 1486 Main Street Waltham, RSVP at [email protected] .

Attention Cape Cod!! On May 20th we have a "Cruise In" at Prime Mercedes Benz Service Center in Hyannis, bring your favorite Mercedes Benz and enjoy food and entertainment provided by Prime, the only Authorized Mercedes Benz Service Center on the Cape. Same RSVP and details for both events are on the Website www.mbca.org/minuteman .

I'd like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. The Minuteman Section is in the planning stages for our 2012 events, there are some new and some old favorites. Dates and descriptions are being posted on the website as they are finalized.

2011 saw changes to the Section Board. Director Col. Al Cooper passed away, Al was a great guy who truly loved driving his Mercedes Benz'. After being elected by the National Board to Northeast Regional Director, Ernie Fancy has resigned as Treasurer. Ernie has served the Minuteman Section since 1976 in every capacity, and is always the first to greet new members. He'll still be Director at Large and at our events, best wishes on your new post!

I'd like to thank Mark Fancy, Ed Owen and Nancy P for assuming new responsibilities. Mark has moved from VP to Treasurer, Ed from Secretary to VP and Nancy along with her fine work as Web and Communications Director, has added Secretary to her resume. Without these three individuals along with the Board of Directors, this Section could not function.

I'd also like to thank all of our Sponsors, their financial support makes it possible to have such great events.

I hope 2012 is a great year for the Minuteman Section and all it's members.