FINALLY MAFCA CONVENTION

For those that haven't received my emails of dispair re: dilema of not being able to send emails thru WiFi hook-ups, I also couldn't get onto the correct blog to post new blogs.  Patience being a virtue and knowing how virtuous I am, it took several attempts but I finally have done it.  Just hope I can do it again. 

So due to time and millions of pictures I will even further condense this dialog.  For those interested a 6 session detailed lecture series will be offered upon return to Thousand Oaks.  ( Model A Club has no choice it will be the program at many future meetings.

ARRIVED AT MAFCA CONVENTION

Welcomed by Ishpeming, Marquette, Neqaunee etc

Cut outs of various Model A  models were hung about town.

No matter where we went the folks were welcoming and curious.

 Even police escorts !!!

                          Things we've seen

 Ford Bungalow home

Ford bought up most of the upper Peninsula to obtain

the source for timber and iron ore to manufacture his cars.

Today we call it vertical integration.  He mastered it.

This home was used by the Ford Family when in the area. 

Imagine sitting in the white rockers on the porch and

looking out at a beautiful lake.Today it is privately owned.

 Available to rent by the week - sleeps 16, some "bungalow".

         

        Steam Fire Engine

(sorry Dan I didn't note the year, 1900?)

Located in small town of Lake Michigamme

     

 The Steam Fire engine was first pulled by horses

(very large strong ones) till town purchased or Ford

gave them this 1928 Model AA truck.  This truck is totally

unrestored ( duh for the non collectors )  Sold by the town

for money many years ago along with an the Steam engine for $1000.

Bought back on E-bay a few years ago for $180,000.

Gigantic water pump used ore mining

Iron Mountain, Ford replaced all the mining operations

in the area with modern plants, built power plants, etc. 

modernized the area and the economy.  Eventually

most all closed down.

WWII Glider plane

Google "gliders during WWII" for the full story of their use. 

Due to Ford efficiency, he underbid all others by

$10,000 each plane for the contract.  Built at $25,000each.

Used behind the lines, they were a one time use plane.

Things with Ford name 

Can anyone tell how Kingsford briquets came about?

Kingsford was Henry's cousin.  Apparently inherited the

"waste not, want not" gene and suggested they use the

left over burned wood chunks and sell them as

charcoal briquets.  (Kingsford Briquets)

Henry may have been an egomaniac also.  He put his name on

everything used.  This is silver ware from UP supervisors cafeteria.

But even the everyday workers cafeteria used monogramed

plates, bowls and flatware.

  We met the VP who today protects and authorizes

the use of Ford logo.

Ford Football team for kids ( note the ages)

no he did not make the football

A man way ahead of his time. 

 For my Rotarian friends !!! I did my make-up and traded banners.

AND for the Kiwanis... at the top of a hill in Neguanee, a hundred years ago,

The Kiwanis built the world's highest man-made wood ski jump.

They still hold one event a year.  ( anyone want to try)

see below

 Dave, John LaVoy , editor of Model A Times and

 organizer of our driving to and from MI.

Plus Justin, John's delightful10 year old grandson.

I think they are discussing who is going to climb up the ski jump.

ENOUGH for the day,  time for a snack or wine.