Ten years at the beach, a bright sunny day and a record registration of 127 cars marked this years Beach Bash. Yes, PBCA made it ten years at the beach with no rain outs and the sun was so intense that many of our guests, particularly those who were experiencing their first day in the sun since winter, went home with more than just a little sunburn. Therefore, next year one of the additions will be a large tent at the show site to provide some shade....lets not hear one word about protection from rain!!!! Another addition to the 2003 show, will be dusk to dawn security at the hotel parking lot both Firday and Saturday nights.

It has been over 10 years and it will be another 10 years before it happens again but, in 2003, Easter falls on the third weekend of April therefore the Beach Bash will be April 25th and 26th. Our negotiations to move Easter weekend failed and not wanting to adversely effect Easter Services attendance, a certainty to bring rain, maybe even a little hail and brimstone, we have moved the show to the fourth weekend. The weekend before Easter will be Spring Break at the Beach and that is to be avoided at all costs!!! We hope that this one time change does not impact any other shows and apologize if it does. The show site on the beach will be the same and the host hotel, Pensacola Beach Best Western, will again be the location of the traditional Friday evening "Red Beans and Rice" Welcome Party.

For those attending the show, our web master, par excellence, Mike Japp and his recent bride Cherie, had the awards list and photos of every car at the show on the PBCA web site by Monday. The web site address is www.pbca1.com for your viewing pleasure.

The show committee sincerely thanks every PBCA member who brought in Class Sponsors. We had a record 33 sponsors this year. Space, the large number of workers and fear of leaving someone out prevents us from listing everyone who helped make this year show a success, but needless to say all of their efforts were very much appreciated.

A couple of stand outs do need to be mentioned. Gus and Ann Fell and the PROtoads did another great job of organizing the Welcome Party. Bill Cornacchione, T-shirt super salesman, made record sales and Inge Bruening bested raffle ticket sales by 33% over last year. Bob Henson and Bill Snyder and their parking crew got the field set up in fine order. Kieth and Nelda Sanders attended to the numerous details, supplied the motorhome and Keith manned the PA system all day. Jeanne Schmitz and Melissa Silhan ablely handled the record number of registrations. Bill Silhan supplied the artwork for the T-shirts and trophies. The efforts of all these club member made the job of co-chairmen for Tom Schmitz and Bob Henson a snap on show day.

But most of all our thanks goes out to those who came from as far away as Michigan and Miami, Atlanta and New Orleans, Knoxville and Natchez and all points in between. With them, there is no show. Thank you and hope to see you all next year.

June 9, Sunday: Tour to and Lunch at the Fish Camp Restaurant, Bon Secour. This is a third time for this ever popular event. AND, this is the one that is subsidized by the club. Cost is $5.00 per person for two persons per membership not including booze. (Our insurance does not allow us to subsidize alcohol.)

We will meet at 10:00 am at the parking lot of the China Wall Restaurant which is on Navy Blvd just before the stoplight where U.S. 98 heads west. It is just north of and across Navy from the old Fosters Bar-b-que (now Sonnys) where the club used to meet. We will leave at 10:00 am at take a scenic route to Bon Secour, Alabama, going thru Gulf Shores. We will make a wizz and catch up stop at the Alabama Gulf Coast Visitors Center which is located on the west side of Highway 59 just north of the Bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway. That stop will probably be at about 10:45 am. Bring a pen or pencil and something firm to write on as there will be a quiz about sights along the route. (You'll have to do the entire route to qualify for the quiz prize)20

June 17, Monday: Regular Monthly Meeting, Seafood Shanty. 6:00/7:00 pm.

5th Annual PBCA/SABCC Picnic at the Schmitz's in Lillian, July 21, 2002 If you have not been to the picnic before, you may want to keep this for the directions below.

This Picnic date is for your future planning. There will be emails and US Mule mailings coming to remind you of upcoming events. GET IN THE HABIT OF CHECKING YOUR EMAIL...75 of our 83 members are online. You can also check in at the PBCA web site for additional info: Make note of the New and Simplified address www.pbca1.com In case you have a problem with this new address, the old one still works www.geocities.com/pbca120

The date for the 5th Annual PBCA/SABCC Picnic at the Schmitz's in Lillian will be July 21, 2002. Starting time 12:00 noon, grilling starts at 2:00 pm.

As I did last year, I am asking that people WHO KNOW they are coming let me know by July 12 so that I can get a rough idea of how much hamburger, hot dogs and buns to get. This does not mean that people must RSVP to come. Last minute guests are always welcome and we always have plenty, but I still have several hamburgers in the freezer from last year. (No, I won't be serving those!!!!) Bring a covered dish, salad, dessert, or whatever and what you prefer to drink. Parking in the driveway and front yard is reserved for British Cars.

Activities: Fishing off the pier, pedal boating, swimming (pool or Soldiers Creek), relaxing, and eating. Just before we start grilling we will have a short monthly meeting and try to get a photo of the group for the archives.

Directions: From Pensacola: U.S. 98 to the Lillian Bridge. At west end of Lillian bridge, stoplight, turn left (south) on County 99. Go approximately 6 miles (I say approximately as British speedometers are notoriously inaccurate) to stop sign (the only one you will encounter). Straight thru stop sign, go 8/10s mile, turn right (you must turn right or go into Soldiers Creek) and go 1 mile to 9609 Soldiers Creek Rd on left, British Flag.

From the west: Take U.S. 98 thru Elberta to County 91 (well marked, flashing light), turn right (south), go 4 miles to stop sign, trun right at stop sign and follow directions above. By Boat: Up Soldiers Creek into second bay until you see British Flags on your right.

It is not necessary, but try to drive your British car. Fastest you'll need to go is 45mph and it is a nice drive. You will easily be home before dark.

Contact Tom at: 251 961-7171 or tschmitz@ametro.net