Wisconsin Section News

2004 Drive-to-Dine Recap

Sunday May 23 Jim and Cathy Loseke greeted members at the Cruise In Diner in Kaukauna. The rain broke for some before they left and others just as they arrived at the diner. The afternoon was overcast but otherwise pleasant. Represented were Keith Higgins 280SL, Scott and Colleen Lowry SL600, Gordy & Ruth Wolfgram E430, Dean and Nancy Pearson 190E 2.6 SprortLine, Ken & Erma Port 300D and Jim and Cathy Loseke 450SL.. Lunch off the menu was enjoyed in the mussle car motife of this Jersey-style, stainless steel diner. It would have been nice to have more Fox Valley members come out, but good conversation ensued on a variety of topics with those present. Thank you to Jim and Cathy for their help with the event and to those stalwart folks who made an otherwise dreary day into a nice drive and social event.

On Saturday June 12 Wim Van den Berg made a quick switch of locations to the Country Café in Sun Prairie (just up the street from the intended Fitzgeralds.) Wim's 300SDL was prominently parked at the entrance with an MB Club banner and a directional arrow affixed to his rear door (in between the faux bullet holes the SDL sports, just to make people wonder what he's been doing.) A week of record rainfall ended Saturday morning just in time to provide a beautiful day in Sun Prairie for the event. Country Café moved some tables together and served great food from their extensive menu at very reasonable prices. Attending were Nils Crough SLK230, Jim & Linda Stoll SL500, Scott & Colleen Lowry SL600, Dean & Nancy Pearson 190E 2.6 SportLine, Keith Higgins 280SL, Jim & Cathy Loseke 450SL and Wim 300SDL . Great conversation included discussions of past and the up-coming StarFest national events, and a possible driving tour around Lake Michigan and/or Lake Superior. Nils drove around all the great lakes last year in one road trip of over 3000 miles! A few others (that should remain nameless) shared quite humorous stories about things they have done with rental cars and even a dealer courtesy car. It would be wise not to lend your MB to any of this group! The convertibles all left with tops down. We could have talked even longer, but long grass awaited many at home.

The July 17th Drive to Dine was held at the Cedarburg Coffee Pot. Fourteen hungry members enjoyed the excellent food and service. This is a small restaurant with a big menu of casual fare and attractive decor. Put this spot on your list of good, low cost places to eat. We welcomed first timers Frank and Cathy Lubinski with the grandkids and Pres. Dave and Rita Anderson. Loseke and Van den Berg had the distance drives but their wives had other commitments so both spent some quality time on the road with their cars and over lunch with other club members.

The new MB E320 CDI was the hot topic of conversation along with trips to Germany for European Delivery of this new model. Several in attendance had taken Euro delivery previously and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We hated to break off the conversation, but historic Cedarburg offers many opportunities to enjoy visiting the quaint shops.

It was top down weather for Pearsons, Andersons, and the Lowrys. Jim Loseke drove his 2002 C230 Kompressor coupe and said he had to settle for an open sun roof. In fact, MBs parked on Washington Ave. caused several locals to look our cars over. We had E430, SL600, 280SL, C230 Kompressor, 300SDL, CLK320 Cabriolet, and C240 models attending. Of course, Wim van den Berg's 300 SDL with (fake) bullet holes can generate comments all by itself. Thanks to Gordy and Ruth Wolfgram for hosting this fun event.

Saturday, July 24th started as a beautiful day with temperatures in southern Wisconsin in the low 70's. Drive to Dine at the Mineshaft Bar & Restaurant in Hartland attracted eighteen enthusiastic members and guests. Mineshaft has expanded over the years into several adjacent buildings and may be the largest bar & restaurant in the state. Mercedes and Harleys lined Main St. Gordon & Gen Woller, and Rob't & Terry Knutson were with us for the first time, as was Colleen Lowry's grandson.

Gordon Woller drove his 560SL – the points winner from the Gathering on the Green car show. Others included two 190D2.5's, E430, CLK320 Cabriolet, 280SL, 320E, 450SL, and Wim's Impala (???) with the fabulous custom sound of triple airhorns hidden under the hood. You'll know him if you hear him.

August 8th was a nice Sunday with temperatures in the 70's and sunny. We know it was nice because Gordon & Gen Woller drove the 560SL and Nancy Pearson had her CLK320 Cabriolet. Both of these cars won 1st-Place awards at the Gathering on the Green car show in July. Seven members met at Oscar's Custard in Waukesha and were later joined by Bill & Vicki Sirney and their two children. Terry Bruss drove his SLK so we had four convertibles and one sedan with custom paint that Dean called $1000 Green after Gordy Wolgram explained it was a special color request that cost him an extra grand. Perhaps we should change that to "Grand Green" it sounds better. There was room for a few more...

Saturday, August 14th approximately 10 members traveled to Johnson Creek and met for lunch at HiWay Harry's (I-94 & Hwy 26) along with a dozen or so friends of Robert & Terry Knutson who were visiting from various parts of the US. The out of state group are people that have met exchanging emails – initially with the common interest in Mercedes Benz – but going beyond that today. With over twenty people, there was no lack for conversation. In fact, Robert had a difficult time introducing his guests amidst all the commentary. Many of those attending owned more than one MB. A very interesting group, to say the least.

Lunch had originally been planned at Mel's Diner in the outlet mall. Mel's closed the doors about two weeks earlier, however. Anyone that arrived prior to 1:20 was directed to the improvised location. Hiway Harry's provided a private room, but had to scramble a bit (with a small staff) to accommodate us without notice. Although not the 50's diner atmosphere we planned, no one complained and the food was good. It would make a nice location for a Club dinner meeting.

Members drove to the shadows of Lambeau Field Saturday September 11th to the legendary KROLL's WEST for lunch hosted by Jim & Cathy Loseke. Nils Crough made a weekend of it arriving on Friday night and planning some touring of "Titletown." Mel & Pat Mahlendorf drove-in early and visited the Packer Hall of Fame. Kroll's special hamburgers and chili were consumed by several. Dean & Nancy Pearson rounded out this small group which produced a lively discussion of possible club events and other things interspersed with other car talk. Thanks Jim & Cathy.

Enthusiasm for these events is catching. After attending an earlier event, Linda & Jim Stowellsuggested they host one at STONE BANK PUB. September 25th Nineteen people descended on the quiet little town of Stone Bank (mostly in Mercedes) and enjoyed a wonderful lunch off the menu of this Irish Pub. Several were attending for the first time. It was a very social group with multiple conversations rampant around the tables. After lunch, the call of weekend chores and of the beautiful day caused each of us to drive on. Thank you for a nice afternoon, Linda & Jim.

At the Fall Tech Session, long-time members Bela and Jenni Horvath were listening to discussion of the previous Drive To Dine events. Soon, Jenni was volunteering to host another on October 16th at NO NO's in Newburg (east of West Bend.). Although the day started out wet, the rain stopped early and it was a beautiful time to be driving with pleasant temperatures and fall colors. The turn-out was great with fourteen "star" enthusiasts enjoying varied lunches off the menu. It looks as if Horvath's discovered another nice restaurant in a small town. Thanks for sharing it with us Jenni and Bela.

These were the last of the Fahren Zum Essen events for the club this year. Plan to come-out in the spring and meet some of the nicest people in Wisconsin enjoying and sharing their enthusiasm for these fine cars. If you have a favorite place and/or would host an event, let the board know. Any restaurant where the group of 10-20 can sit together – preferably around one or two tables appears to work the best. Some locations this past year had unique atmosphere, others good food, and others were just favorites. Ironically, those places that served adult beverages had a better draw than the others. Is this just a coincidence?

Past News

Great River Road Rally & Dinner Cruise

Tech Session Unfinished Business...

MBCA Defensive Driving & Autocross–Aug 29, 2004

Drive-to-Dine, Grant's Fintail, Misc. Bits & Pieces

Fall Rallye & Annual Meeting–Oct 25/26, 2003

Lothar Altmann

Songbird Hills Golf Outing–June 28, 2003

Spring Rallye–May 4, 2003