Annual Kickoff Brunch at 96th Aero Squadron

Mother Nature smiled on 45 LCOC Western Region members, family, friends, and guests at the new year’s first official club event, the annual Kickoff Brunch held February 12 at the 94th Aero Squadron restaurant, Van Nuys, California. After an unusually rainy winter season, sunshine and warm breezes inspired over a dozen members and guests to drive and display their classic Lincolns, while all enjoyed camaraderie, cars and a fabulous champagne brunch.

Among the vintage cars on hand was Ron Cressey’s beautiful white 1940 Continental, last seen briefly at the 2015 LCOC Western National Meet in San Diego until back miseries forced Ron to withdraw prior to the show. Cressey cousin and LCOC Western Region Board member Ron Cressey (no this is not a typo) came with several family members and friends. Cressy’s 91-year-old dad took the occasion to celebrate his birthday. Bob Blevins drove in from Arizona with his red 2016 Lincoln SUV, sharing long distance attendance honors with Bob and Joan MacDougal, who arrived from Carson City, Nevada.

Located adjacent to the Van Nuys Airport, the restaurant featured a World War I theme with authentic-era aircraft and artifacts on display in a 1900s country French bistro atmosphere. A pre-Valentine’s Day tradition with LCOC, the brunch was held for many years at the Proud Bird restaurant near the Los Angeles International Airport. The Proud Bird has been closed for remodeling, but the 94th Aero Squadron, a worthy replacement, is operated by the same ownership team. Thanks to Kerry Roscoe’s arrangements and decorations, LCOC’s lovebirds of all ages were treated to festive red and white table displays in a cozy private banquet room. The brunch highlights included carved prime rib and turkey, a seafood bar with all sorts of goodies such as crab legs, salmon, clams on the half shell, bagels and lox and all the fixings. There were salads and side dishes of all types, Korean-style ribs, omelets, and sausages. A dessert bar had mini-pastries of many varieties and bananas Foster made to order. Yum! Of course, the champagne flowed freely.

Newly installed LCOC Western Region Director Jim Ayres welcomed new members, guests and all attendees, and reminded everyone that our next regional activity will be the Huntington Beach Concours on June 3 for custom vehicles and June 4 for classics in both driver and concours classes. He also mentioned our joint efforts with other groups of Lincoln owners including the Suicide Slabs and a subgroup, the Suicide Kings. Their next event was the Temecula Rod Run on March 4 and some LCOC members participated.

Stacy Roscoe and Glen Kramer gave updates on LCOC national level activities including progress on the
revamped national Website, which will go active in the near future.  A second exciting development is the pending activation of a Facebook page for LCOC that should prove popular with potential new and younger Lincoln owners.

Baron Night reminded members that they can obtain LCOC name badges and other merchandise by contacting him.

After about four hours of socializing, diners headed for home tired, but certainly smiling and well fed.

 

 

%d bloggers like this: