SACA ANNUAL MEET --- BERRIEN SPRINGS, MI

SACA FALL MEET AT BERRIEN SPRINGS, MICHIGAN

Friday, Saturday, Sunday Sept 18 - 20

The title says it all!

ANYONE AND EVERYONE IS INVITED. This year we will be holding the meet at Tom Kimmel's steam shop rather than at the Youth Fair, that venue was already booked more than a year ahead of time AND we can save some $2,000 by meeting at Tom's shop. Much of the arrangements are still tentative but we will likely have some sort of "Meet and Greet" on Thursday evening. Current plans are for the ubiquitous donuts and coffee in the morning, the typical unscheduled lunch at your own convenience and some kind of evening meal at the shop.

The machine tools have been relocated away from the shop which will give us plenty of adequate seating.

An informal, volunteer Time Trials committee headed by Chuk Williams is looking at some kind of events suitable for the dirt and gravel roads leading to and from the shop; anyone having a bright idea is strongly encouraged to share it at the earliest date.

Anyone having a steam vehicle of some sort is strongly encouraged to bring it either for display, to drive it around or (we all hope) give a few rides. At this moment we have no classic steam cars scheduled to participate but we can always hope the situation improves.

I also need to remind everyone that the meet is also the site of the SACA ANNUAL BOARD AND MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS. We have vacancies in the positions of Vice President, Bulletin Editor, Storekeeper and on the Board. Please contact me as soon as possible if you wish to nominate someone to these positions or volunteer yourself. Naturally, even the currently filled positions are up for election, no one has their job "for life". I might take it personally if someone were to run against me for President, by "personally" I mean I'd count it as a personal favor and might be persuaded to throw the election.... Besides elections, this is where the club conducts business. Please let me know soonest if you have any proposals for the club whether in terms of by-laws changes, new projects or whatever; this will facilitate proxy voting for Board members unable to attend.

Regards,

Ken





Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 07/10/2015 10:34PM by frustrated.

I'd suggest a time trial steam plowing match, but that probably wouldn't qualify as a "bright idea".


Tim

Just adding a post to put this back at the top of the Forum list, want to remind people to head on over to Berrien Springs, MI.

It looks like the best deal on staying in the area is the Americas best value inn & suites in Benton Harbor.
Has anyone stayed there before and have any comments about the place?
I'm planning to drive from Iowa on Thursday.

John

What ever happened to the Village Inn? Did bed bugs just eat it?

Best,

Bill G.

When I go to visit Tom, I go a couple exits to where there's a small airport, and there's good lodging there.

I'm thinking about going. Is there still a good turnout. I have'nt been there for 10 years. Bill

John,

Look forward to meeting you, all new attendees are particularly welcome as we haven't heard their stories yet!


Bill,

The Village Inn was there last year when I was lucky enough to be able to visit Art Gardiner in his room for a couple hour chat.

Regards,

Ken

Hi, Ken!

I'll add this to the Virtual Steam Car Museum's newsletter.

Best wishes!

Don Hoke

I sure wish I could attend the meet this year would love nothing more than to bring the flash steam engine and corn burner... Im going thru this whole thing with a Chinese manufacture to make 100 injectors. Its going to be expensive..

Tom even there is no hookups, will there be facilities to shower and use rest rooms in that building near the camping spots. I would most likely set up a tent to keep close to the discussions near the campfire..

Jereny

I won't able to make the meet this year,but for future reference was wondering if CDL vehicles(class A RV's and
shop/car toter trucks like you see with many race teams ). Would I have a place to park at either of the locations.
I hope to have something to show in 2018 ,needing both to do it .And a whole pack of reviewers and inspectors to run these thing thru the to mill,that I am hoping to be marketing at Hot rod shop consignment sales at that time..
Was thinking also, while I was doing the financing and warrenty on my work, throwing in a steamcar membership for the warranty period.(Your guess is good as mine on whether a turbine hot rodder would even use a membership...might even throw it on gas tiurbine versions since the upgrade is going combined cycle turbine like the commercial light plant).
Getting a little long winded...Bye

Hello,

Is anybody from or passing by Minneapolis on their way to Berrian Springs? I have a package I would like delivered there.

Thanks, PM me if it's a possibility.

Bill Gatlin

Hey Everyone!

It's almost that time again! The Great 2015 SACA Meet At Berrien Springs! This one might be the Premier Event of the Decade! From the feedback we're getting, there's going to be more people, equipment and vehicles attending this time than we've had in quite a few years....

The Time Trials Committee has convened numerous times and the resulting discussions(combined with a few appropriate libations) have resulted in a plan for the 2015 Trials that will both astound and interest everyone-so bring your fastest entry!

Bring any steam-related equipment you may have-we'll all enjoy playing with it!

I'll be headed north for the Meet tomorrow-we'll see you there!


Chuk

Is there a formal Agenda (i.e. or e.g. what is happening on each day?)

Is there an address for Tim Killel's shop, for those of us who have never been there?

Is there a website that answers some of these questions which I missed? (Sorry.)

Thanks!

Brunn

The meet will be held at 3867 Snow Road just outside Berrien Springs, MI. As the photo shows, it is just northwest of exit ramp 13 on US 31. There is a dirt road going up the hill and a sign to announce the location. Basically, just get off the freeway, head southwest and the very first trail going roughly northwest is the way to head.

The meet does have an agenda and, depending on how many confirmed attendees actually show, we may be able to more or less follow it. Basically there is a series of talks given each morning starting at 8 AM. A break for lunch and then activities such as the Time Trials, touring the steam shop and so on. A picnic dinner comes in the evening.

Thanks!

Brunn

Sadly, I can not attend this year's Berrien Springs meet. I recently moved into a "major fixer-upper" house halfway across the continent, and couldn't find a house-sitter/cat-sitter/caretaker willing to live in this severely shabby "construction zone", at any price. However, the 2016 Meet is a very definite possibility. By then, this house should be gorgeous, and I should have some serious steam-car equipment built and ready to show.

Best wishes to all attendees of the 2015 Berrien Springs SACA "Nationals" Meet; have fun, and I hope to see you next year!

I am looking forward to reading any & all reports on the 2015 meet. I may not be there "in the flesh", but I will be there in spirit. I suspect that I speak for many other SACA members on that point.

Go, SACA! Steam cars forever!

Peter



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/19/2015 04:48AM by Peter Brow.

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