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WE RODE ON THE LAP OF LUXURY – STRAIGHT EIGHTS BEACH BALL 2011

Even during a season that brought us earthquakes, hurricanes and endless rain, we were not deterred, and the Straight Eights Annual Invitational, Beach Ball 2011, held in September, was once again a great weekend with fun times for everyone!

The majority of attendees arrived early to mid-Thursday afternoon, and there was only one glitch. Smitty’s 1962 Chrysler New Yorker decided to close its thermostat for business at the turn off for Route 16. One screwdriver and a pair of needle-nosed pliers later, and he was back on the road.

Our first new event, the Rolls Royce Rooftop Reception was moved to the Atlantic Sands Restaurant due to thunderstorms and high winds. No problem. We still had a great time as people picked up their packets and schmoozed while nibbling on yummy hors d’oeuvres and having a few cocktails from the cash bar.

Friday started an hour earlier (actually the events, not the day) with the Ambassador Breakfast at Café Azafran. The restaurant put out a beautiful spread and the ambiance was to die for. But no one died.

Soon it was time for the Duesenberg Dover Air Force Base Caravan and Monte Carlo Mini Car Show at Meding & Son Seafood. As the cars lined up on Baltimore Avenue for the caravan, we made sure no cars of similar color were too closely placed in line. One doesn’t want to clash. And off they went as those of us who stayed behind to set up Friday night’s event waved and held a handkerchief to catch tears of sadness, for we would miss them.

At Dover, they were given a tour of Air Force Two, and all their purses were checked upon exit to be sure no one stole any of the China or silver. From there they went to lunch and had another chance to socialize and look at each other’s prized beauties.

Friday night was time for Club Babalu, Celebrating Lucille Ball’s 100th Birthday. Mark Sleith had the winning costume, arriving as “Lucy Ricardo’s Hollywood Movie” complete with fishnets and a very large headdress. Jeffrey Bonacci and David Porterfield came as “Lucy and Ethel on the Roof after a Fight” complete with bathrobes and their hair wrapped in do-rags. Howard Ghee debuted as “Aunt Martha’s Old Fashioned Salad Dressing – Isabella Clump,” and Milton Stern, showed up as the “Here’s Lucy Marionette.” Guests enjoyed a buffet, great music and a great location, Cloud 9, for socializing, dancing and an all-around good time.

mark and milton

Since we had the above-ground parking lot this year at the hotel, a strange thing happened. Most of the Beach Ballers fluffed up their cars on Friday. A few took advantage of Imperial Fluff-up behind the hotel, but not like years past. Then it was time for the Cadillac de Ville Car Show, which for the first time took place on Baltimore Avenue. What we expected to be a major cluster-f—k, turned out to be a smooth operation as Ron Royston took charge as Head Valet with his crew of assistants to put all the cars in place. By 10:00, the show was ready!

It is too bad Mother Nature is not a fan of car shows. In spite of the weathercasters saying no rain was expected, at about noon, the sky opened up, and it rained the rest of the afternoon. However, that did not keep the crowds away or dampen our good time. We just moved the ballot box under the canopy, closed our windows and continued. The show must go on!

Because we were “riding on the lap of luxury” this year, the majority of our cars were Cadillacs, and there were quite a few Lincolns as well. There were also three cars from the “Classic Era.” In addition, we had six station wagons, representing full-size family haulers, a mid-sized dream with skylights and even a vintage four-wheel drive from the last of the independents.

The Lincoln Continental Lunch was served in the hotel lobby with tables set up outside and shielded from the rain.

Saturday night’s Silver Shadow Silent Auction and Cocktail Hour brought its own surprise as two of the Straight Eights Board Members, Howard Ghee and Milton Stern, dressed as Chippendale’s dancers and sold a record number of 50/50 raffle tickets with the winner getting $515!

Then it was time for the Buick Electra 225 Banquet. This year we had three emcees, Frank Adinolfe, Barry Bugg and Milton Stern, and Mark Sleith created a slide show of the car show award winners. All attendees received a pearl necklace and we were even asked to practice their waves – touch the pearls, screw in the light bulb!

The one award that earned its winner a standing ovation was “Most Butch Car” for the 1969 Pontiac Firebird, owned by Lisa Fritz. She has owned the car since high school and does all her own work on it. We love that car and her!

Toward the end of the banquet, our Beach Ball Bunnies, Mark Jordan and Howard Ghee, delighted us with a preview of the Grand Invitational in 2012, hosted by the Straight Eights.

On Sunday, after the Mercedes Benz Good Bye Breakfast, all were on their way home after a fun-packed weekend.

The Straight Eights will host the LCCI Grand Invitational, September 20-23, 2012, in Rehoboth Beach, DE, Beach Ball 2012, “We Love the 80s!” celebrating the Straight Eights 30th Anniversary. Space will be limited, so we ask that you register early and make your reservations at the Atlantic Sands early as well.

Click Here to see Tim's picture album from Beach Ball 2011.

Below is a list of the Car Show winners from
Beach Ball 2011.

Pre-1950
1949 Hudson
Bill McLin & Mac Mackeon

Hudson - 1949