First Joint President’s Tour a Success – Dennis Mykols Reports In.

Woohoo! A Tour!

Thanks to fellow Woody Boater Dennis Mykols for sending in this wonderful report, that illustrates how much fun the folks up in Michigan have. Take it away Dennis.

On April 8th and 9th the A.C.B.S Michigan Chapter, (covering all of the S.E. Area of the State), and the Water Wonderland Chapter, ( which covers the rest of the State, including the U.P.) held a joint two day President’s Tour, in the Southwest corner of the State.
Approx 40 A.C.B.S. Members attended the Saturday Afternoon Tour Of the Gilmore Car Museum, in Hickory Corners, Mi.

Pictured here, are Ann Guldemond, President of the Michigan and Tom Rudy, President of the Water Wonderland Chapter. While a little chilly, the blue skies encouraged us to stroll among the several turn of the Century barns, housing various vintage car displays.

Many of the Red Barns are from the late 1800’s, dismantled, and moved to this site.

Even warm enough to grab a bite to eat outside the 50′ Diner.

In the evening the Chapter Members enjoyed a social hour, getting to know one another, with outstanding waterfront views and a great dinner at the Gull Lake Country Club. Special thanks to Country Club member Bruce Hutchinson for making the arrangements.

View of Gull Lake

A group “Hand Shake” during the multi Chapter social hour.

On Sunday, the group drove over to Dr, Roger Pecina’s Mahogany Outfitters boat Museum, in Cassopolis, MI. Dr. Pecina is a avid supporter of A.C.B.S. Chapters, and has agreed to a five year $1000.00 Sponsorship to both the Michigan and Water Wonderland Chapters.
At the museum the visitors will find a top notch collection of Century Boats, many of the “ Last of “ the wooden production, or the “First of “ the fiberglass. This is the era Dr Pecina has a passion for and it shows in his boat collection.


Dr Pecina purchased the old Ford Dealership in town, and converted it into a great vintage boat museum. He also has restored several old buildings in town.

A rare Sliver Arrow

The front Show Room full of First class Century’s

Lunch was had in the new Lakeside Diner, located inside the Museum. While the food was great the “Milk Shakes” were to die for… Thanks Dave and Staff for a job well done.

Dr Pecina is an avid collector of all thing vintage. He said he ran out of places to store most of his findings from over the years, so he decided to restore a couple of older buildings in Cassopolis,to share his passion for things of the past.

The Holden Green Tavern circa 1926

An old fashion Ice Cream Parlor

A Pool and Gaming Room

Need a quick shave for”Two Bits”, Dr Pecina’s got you covered

We spent a lot of time in these restored time capsules, looking at all the memorabilia, Yes, even a full Service Gas Station from years gone by…

All in all, the weekend was a hit, and everyone enjoying themselves. We all want to thank Dr Pecina’s as well as his right hand assistant, Molly for opening doors on a Sunday and telling us the stories behind the stories.
While I do not know if other A.C.B.S Chapters have had joint President Meetings, but we all enjoyed meeting new people with the same interests, Classic cars and Classic boats.


Many chapter members belong to both Chapters, and they look forward to meeting more members from each chapter.
On May 20th and 21st, these two chapters will hold a Joint Shake Down Cruise on two West Michigan inland lakes, with plans in the works to hold such an event on the East Side of the State next Spring.

8 replies
  1. Greg Lewandowski
    Greg Lewandowski says:

    We attended this great event and want to thank Dennis and Ronnie for all of their hard work in arranging it. It was a great time. We will see them again, with boats, this weekend for the Spring Lake shake down cruise. Michigan classic boating is alive and well!

  2. Ann Guldemond
    Ann Guldemond says:

    We had a great time, even my granddaughter, who learned a lot of history in the “Barber Shop”. We are joining the Water Wonderland folks again this weekend for another amazing event,
    cruising on the “other side” of the great state of Michigan.

  3. Royce A. Humphreys
    Royce A. Humphreys says:

    What a great place to visit! Thanks to Dr. Pecina for sharing his collection and window into history. I think there might that be an Okoboji Century in there somewhere!

  4. m-fine
    m-fine says:

    They still have “full service” gas stations in New Jersey, but the experience is a tad less romantic.

  5. Dennis J Mykols
    Dennis J Mykols says:

    Thanks to Shannon Knight and David Irvine for all the great photos. It was the goal of the two Chapter Presidents to have the membership of the two chapters get to know one another and support each other’s events throughout the year. This event was a great start to that goal.
    Thanks to all that came out and help make this event a success.

  6. roger pecina
    roger pecina says:

    I wanted to thank everyone who came to Cassopolis and made the tour, and especially Dennis for getting them their! Great job on the article, Roger

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