STERLING BRITISH MOTORING SOCIETY -- November 17, 2004

A sizeable contingent of our group enjoyed a wonderful trip to the Four Roses Distillery on Saturday, October 30. Thanks to careful planning by Cheryl and Ed Howell, the route, attractions, and food were all first-rate. Although the Howell’s spring drive through horse country was marvelous, they may well have outdone themselves on this occasion.

Beginning in Winchester at 9:00 on a rainy Saturday, our intrepid group journeyed down winding country roads to an apple orchard. There, we sampled cider, purchased apple-related items, and enjoyed the availability of restrooms. Thus fortified (and relieved), we resumed the trek and soon arrived at Four Roses Distillery. Although yours truly has toured many such establishments, each offers something unique, and this was no exception. Owned by a Japanese beer company, Four Roses exports 99.9% of its product, with the remaining .1% being currently available only in Kentucky. The distillery itself is quite old, sporting a California mission-style building dating back to 1910. The guides were extremely knowledgeable, and the entire group appreciated their passion about the distillation of this unique Kentucky beverage. Of course, the opportunity to sample the product at various stages of production did not hurt our mood a bit.

As we left the distillery, the clouds and rain parted, and yours truly seriously considered removing the "hood" for the short trip into Lawrenceburg for the noon repast. Fortunately, the wisdom and warning of your editor’s wife prevailed, as we encountered monsoon-level rains within five minutes of pulling out of the parking lot. Of course, the MG’s cutting-edge defroster and high-speed windshield wipers did their usual fantastic job, enabling a top cruise speed of 20 mph with only a modicum of weaving wildly from one lane to the other; it is a curiosity of the first magnitude how a country with the rainfall levels of England could produce such miserable rain-removal equipment. In any event, we were all grateful to arrive safely at Kavanaugh’s Bed and Breakfast for a terrific lunch. Given the 80 miles driven during the morning and the rigors of sampling various varieties of bourbon, the group consumed prodigious quantities of food before heading home via independent routes.

At this time of the year, and as various journeys are reviewed, your editor intensely regrets not having taken each and every road trip offered through the hard work of our members. Hope springs eternal for next year.

Another year has come and gone here in old Kentucky, and the Sterling British Motoring Society has somehow meandered through it all.

We began the year with new officers, permitting Sallie and Mike Razor to take a rest after years spent in forming and nurturing our group. Paul Dolloff assumed the reins as president, and has worked hard to assure continuity as well as accommodate new ideas and plans. Many thanks to all of our officers (both past and present) who have worked so hard. Let’s make every effort to support our 2005 folks as they try to move the club even further into an oil-stained British car future.

Our monthly trips have been fun, albeit thwarted somewhat by rainy weather. Given the challenges presented during 2004, we are statistically certain that next year’s drives will all be in perfect conditions, that our cars will run well, and that there will be free lunch and libations around every corner.

We were regally entertained by Debbie and Dan Morton with a terrific back yard fish fry, and traveled to various car shows here and there. We met with astonishing frequency, consumed vast quantities of food, drank various liquids, made plans, and discussed the latest strange behavior exhibited by our vehicles. The fellowship was wonderful, and we all looked forward to the first Tuesday of each month. Although present plans for a meeting place are a bit murky given the temporary demise of the Grill at Old Silo Golf Course, we will assuredly locate a fine spot which will be honored to host a club of our high caliber.

To be sure, the year brought sadness as well. Jack Lewis died only within the last few months, and will be missed by all; those who knew Jack can verify that he knew much about British cars, and that he was generous in sharing that knowledge. Sad news came earlier in the year of the death of longtime member Gene Wills only a few days after a club meeting which he had attended. Gene was virtually a charter member of our group, a great supporter, and a wonderful man. There is an empty space in our club roster as a result of Gene’s death.

One of Gene’s favorite events was the British Bash, and we hope to honor him and others who loved this event by making it better each year. Mark your calendars for May 6-8, 2005, in beautiful Lexington, Kentucky, and we will promise a unique weekend you will never forget, a car "show" which is unlike any other you will ever attend, and an opportunity to experience Kentucky during its absolute best time of year.

Our best for a terrific holiday season and a spectacular 2005.