-
-
6/2010 From Mack Karsnia:"Hey guys!
Dad and I
took one of
the '68s to
the Anoka
Classic Car
Show last
week, but
the turnout
wasn't too
great due to
an
approaching
thunderstorm.
It was the
first time
ever that we
showed up
with a car
and Gene
Rafferty
didn't! We
had just
backed into
the garage
at home and
it poured
rain!
Anyway, I
think we
need to plan
on showing
up in force
next
Saturday
night, July
3.
Let's get a
big line of
pro cars on
the street
between the
court house
and fire
station!
We're gonna
plan for a
Saturday
night in
August too,
and get
everybody
down there.
It's a lot
of fun and
we always go
eat supper
too. Last
night we
found a
great new
Mexican
joint on
Jackson
Street!"
"Hey
guys...BE
THERE!"
Mack Karsnia
-
THE PROFESSIONAL CAR SOCIETY
has established a forum for professional car discussion,
following unexpected changes in the website we've known for a
decade. The correct web address is:
www.professionalcarsociety.org. Please join us there!
Any other previously web addresses are NOT associated with the
Professional Car Society, Inc.
-
Best wishes to Kim
Karsnia's brother, Brian, who received a much needed kidney
transplant Sunday, April 25, 2010 and is doing great!
-
The Northland Crown
Journal for January/February, 2010 is out! Click
HERE
for the newsletter in pdf format to read about an historic hearse as
well as a milestone ambulance celebrating an anniversary this month.
-
3/2010 Federal Coach to
close Ft. Smith, Arkansas plant and merge hearse manufacturing with
Eagle Coach, Amelia, Ohio in March, 2010.
Newspaper article here.
-
2/1/10 Did you know?
There's a new hearse manufacturer in Lima, Ohio. Check out
Lima
Commercial Coach's website.
-
2/1/10 Our first international
member! Welcome to Dilbeet Titus of New Delhi, India.
Dilbeet owns 3 limousines, the newest of which is a 1938 Buick Series
90. Classic!
-
2/1/10 We also welcome Mike
Robison of Catlin, IL to our fold. Mike has an amazing
collection of coaches spanning the mid-1960s to the late 1970s.
-
2/1/10 Get-well wishes to new
member Calvin Whitaker of St. Louis, MO. Calvin's brother,
Tom, tells us that Calvin has been in the hospital and is now
recuperating at home.
-
Congratulations
are in order for Tony & Kim Karsnia on the acquisition of a
just-out-of-service 1994 Federal Lincoln hearse. Update, 1/28/10.
This coach has found a home in Missouri, in the extensive collection
of Matt Taylor. Congratulations, Matt!
-
1/1/10
Barrett-Jackson's renowned Scottsdale auction is January 18-24, 2010
in Scottsdale, AZ. While there are no hearses or ambulances in the
auction list, there are many other cars of interest, including three
limousines.
-
1/1/10
Happy
New Year from the officers of the Northland Chapter! We wish
all our website visitors a healthy, happy and safe 2010. Remember
that with each cold day, we're another day closer to the
spring/summer/fall car show season!
-
10/1/09 A new book is available, by
Professional Car enthusiast Peter Adsten. Entitled, "Crestline
- Building World Class Ambulances," the book covers the professional
cars and truck-based ambulances produced by Crestline. There
are about 25 professional car photographs in it, along with many
photographs of their truck-based ambulances. Order through
Peter's website.
-
9/14/09 Issue 132 of The
Professional Car is in the mail now! See pictures of the
Miller plant in the mid-1950s, an article about Crane & Breed Auto
Hearses, and much more!
-
The 2009
Miller-Meteor Reunion was in Piqua Ohio over Labor Day Weekend.
Check out the Miller-Meteor Chapter website for details:
www.mmchapter.com.
-
The Professional Car
Society, Inc. has adopted the
www.professionalcarsociety.org website as the
official,
sanctioned website of the Society. Please note that any
previous web address used by the Society is now independently
operated and not affiliated with the PCS.
-
8/17/09: The International Meet
for 2009 has concluded in Flint, Michigan. By most
reports, a good time was had by all. It is also being reported
that significant progress was made in the Board of Directors
Meeting.
-
The Miller-Meteor
Chapter of the PCS now has its own website. Visit them at
www.mmchapter.com.
-
Northland members
Gene Rafferty, Tony Karsnia & Joe & Trudy Klein participated in the
East Bethel Booster Day celebration on Saturday, July 18, 2009.
See pictures of the parade and the car show in the
past events section.
-
It is International
Meet Week! Many PCS Members are in Flint, Michigan for the annual
festivities involving friends--both old and new, professional cars,
and important decisions.
-
"Pink Champagne,"
the 1973 Superior Crown Sovereign Combination owned by Tony Karsnia,
returned to funeral service on Wednesday, July 15, 2009. A retired
firefighter's family requested a vintage vehicle to transport his
casket to the church and cemetery. As far as Tony knows, this
is the coach's first funeral service trip since retirement about 20
years ago.
-
The Minneapolis/St.
Paul area had a large storm blow through on Tuesday, July 14.
Damage was reported by many, including Tony & Kim Karsnia, who
suffered a possible lightening strike at their home which affected
several of their electronic components, including their home
computer. Update: Tony & Kim report that they're back on
line, and their a/c is working again!
-
Congratulations
are in order for Jon Wurm, the new president of the Miller-Meteor
Chapter of the Professional Car Society. John is a founding
member of the Miller-Meteor Chapter, a long-time member of the
Northland Chapter, and a man who truly has the best interest of the
Professional Car Society members at heart.
-
7/10/09: Apologies from the
co-webmaster! Dennis did the usual first-of-the-month update
on the Northland website, but neglected the final step in the
update: Clicking on the "publish" button. I'm sorry for
the delay!
-
June, 2009: The latest, latest issue of
THE PROFESSIONAL CAR is out! For the numerically
inclined, it is issue 131 (1st Quarter 2009). IMPORTANT NOTE: THE BALLOT FOR
ELECTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE PROFESSIONAL CAR SOCIETY, INC.
IS IN THIS ISSUE. PLEASE VOTE! YOUR VOTE CAN AND WILL
MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE DIRECTION THE P.C.S. IS HEADED.
-
The addition of the
Walter M.P. McCall Collection photographs continues in the archives.
More than 300 rare photographs have been added spanning the
decades from the 1920s to the 1980s. Many of
the photographs are from Canada, furthering our mission of Preserving the World's Professional Car History™.
-
5/25/09: Check out
the
EVENTS page for updates on
local car shows and cruises where you are likely to meet up with
fellow Northland Chapter members!
-
5/27/09:
Northland Chapter members Paul Saether and Chuck Kramer ventured way
south to Bowling Green Kentucky to take delivery of Saether Livery's
FOURTH Eagle Ultimate Elite hearse. Congratulations are in
order, as are pictures, which are
here and
here!
-
5/25/09: The
Northland Professional Car Archives,
the world's largest collection of professional car photographs and
information, tops 1800 photographs!
-
Congratulations to Tony Karsnia,
Editor of THE NORTHLAND CROWN JOURNAL! The Northland
Chapter's quarterly publication was just honored with the
prestigious 2008 Golden Quill award
from Old Cars Weekly in recognition of excellence in publishing in
the Regional Compact Publication category.
-
Northland Chapter members Dennis &
Peggy Goethe ventured over to the Indiana Chapter's Spring Driving
Tour on April 25-26, 2009. Interesting activities included
tours of the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum, the Kruse Museum and
Collection, an unusual cave, a glance into the Accubuilt plant's lot
in Lima, and a tour of two castles.
-
Just added! 4/14/09:
May 17-23, 2009 is EMS Week. On
May 20th, the Northland Chapter will be participating in the
HealthEast Medical
Transportation Headquarters in St. Paul, MN, open house and
BBQ. We're invited to display ambulances and
combinations, full-size and diecast size.
More details are on the
Events page.
-
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO
THE NORTHLAND CHAPTER! MARCH 29, 2009 MARKS THE 20TH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE GRANTING OF THE NORTHLAND CHAPTER'S CHARTER UNDER
THE PROFESSIONAL CAR SOCIETY, INC. WE'RE STILL GROWING AND
GOING STRONG!
-
Just Added 3/24/09: Details on the
2009 MILLER-METEOR REUNION! Check the
M-M Reunion Page (link expired) for the details,
and book that vacation so you can be there!
-
Just Added, 3/23/09: Details on
the Northland Chapter's Spring Fling Weekend. See the
Events page.
-
URGENT AND
IMPORTANT:
DUE TO UNEXPECTED,
SERIOUS DELAYS IN THE PUBLISHING OF THE PROFESSIONAL CAR SOCIETY,
INC. MAGAZINE, THE PROFESSIONAL CAR, THE NORTHLAND CHAPTER
PRESENTS THE CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR PCS OFFICERS. SEE THE
DETAILS IN
THIS PDF DOCUMENT (link expired).
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING THE PROFESSIONAL
CAR HOBBY BY SERVING THE MEMBERS OF THE PCS HONORABLY, PLEASE
RESPOND BY MARCH 31, 2009.
-
Sunday,
March 1, 2009: The
Northland
Professional Car Archives topped 1,700 photographs today!
Be sure to visit the largest collection of professional car
photographs anywhere to see what's new since the last time you
visited.
-
Our
prayers are with Tony & Kim Karsnia
and family. Kim's
brother, Brian, had open heart surgery on Tuesday, February 17, 2009
at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, MN. At such a young age,
Brian has had more than his share of medical problems. Brian,
we're thinking about you! UPDATE:
Monday, Feb. 23rd, Brian was released from the hospital and is
making a good recovery at home.
-
Congratulations are in order! Northland member
Rick Duffy has been
elected, elected, ELECTED! Vice President of the Professional Car
Society, Inc.
-
John Baines: Rumor has it
that Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 was a milestone birthday for you. Happy Birthday from your Northland Chapter
friends!
-
Northland Chapter Midwinter
Warm-up Meet, Saturday, February 7, 2009 was
the date of the very first professional car meet anywhere in the
country, and it was right here in the Northlands! From 1:1
scale to 1:43 scale, books, posters, advertising, memorabilia, dvds,
movies, a professional presentation on car photography, and a
delicious birthday cake (Happy 20th Birthday, Northland!) friends
from near and far gathered to take it all in. Pictures are on
the Past Events page.
-
February 4, 2008: Three Northland members met for lunch for an
impromptu gathering of the minds. Larri Dirks
and Chuck Kramer
journeyed to St. Paul, MN on
funeral-related business, and met Tony Karsnia for
lunch before heading back home.
-
January
23, 2009: Our Amazon Listmania
list has been updated with new titles (including a couple of
yet-to-be-released surprises!), and now totals 37 of the most
desirable, must-have books in any professional car library.
See the links page.
-
Inauguration Day, 2009, was an
exciting day for Professional Car Enthusiasts! The
inauguration provided for the first official sighting and appearance
of the 2009 Cadillac Presidential Limousine,
affectionately called "the beast." While similar in many
respects to the former (2005 and 2001) state limousines, it is
markedly different in appearance from several angles.
-
THE FIRST PROFESSIONAL CAR MEET OF 2009
is February 7, 2009 in Ramsey, MN! See the details on the
Events page.
-
Coming
in February 2009: Its twins month (not the baseball Twins,
either). You'll think you're seeing double when you see The
Feature of the Month
cars and the Monthly Miller-Meteors. Watch for it:
February 1st!
-
January 5, 2009: The
Northland
Professional Car Archives tops 1,600 photographs! A huge
THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed photographs to the world's
most extensive photographic archive of professional cars.
-
Northland & Miller-Meteor Chapter
President Tony Karsnia
composed a three-part feature article on
Professional Cars, which was published in the October, November and
December issues of the Gorder Communique. The Communique is the monthly newsletter of Gorder Supply Company,
serving funeral service professionals in the Northlands.
-
HAPPY NEW
YEAR 2009! To all of our professional car friends, we wish you
a very happy, health, safe and prosperous new year.
-
December, 2008:
ISSUE 3 OF THE AWARD-WINNING
NORTHLAND CROWN JOURNAL IS OUT!
You'll find articles about a
Superior Miller-Meteor, a 1966 C/B, and custom coaches built right
here in the Northlands in the 1970s. You'll enjoy the 14
high-quality color photographs, too!
-
Walt McCall, a
frequent contributor to the Northland Archives, has a new professional car book
NOW AVAILABLE! Go
to the links and go to the Amazon.com "Professional Car Reading Material"
Listmania list!
-
Welcome to
the Northland's newest members, Ed Renstrom
of Hot Springs, South Dakota and Keith Lampe
of Lake City, Iowa.
-
Take a step back in time to the 1961 NFDA
Convention in Minneapolis, MN, courtesy of Walt McCall's photographs
by visiting the 1961 NFDA Convention page.
-
2009 S&S Cadillac
Imperial Hearse and 2009 Superior Cadillac Premier Hearse! What
do the newest offerings from S&S and Superior look
like? Did I mention that one is a limousine-style hearse?
See the pictures of the new Imperial & Premier shown for the first time at
the 2009 NFDA Convention in Orlando. Pictures
here.
-
Our sympathy
to Chuck and Linda Kramer, Northland and M-M Chapter members, on the
death of Linda's 89 year-old father, Glen Beneker on Thursday,
December 4, 2008. Visitation and funeral mass will be held in
Prairie Du Chien, WI. An online obituary and guest book are at
www.garrityfuneralhome.com .
-
Northland member
John Ringdahl of Fergus Falls, MN, recently celebrated the 40th
Anniversary of Ringdahl Ambulance Company, and was presented with a
Certificate of Recognition from Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.
See the information on Ringdahl EMS's website
here, and
the article in the Fergus Falls Daily Journal
here.
-
We are thankful for many things, and
there are many things we forget to appreciate and express our thanks
for, especially in difficult economic times. This
Thanksgiving Weekend 2008
make it a point to give thanks for the good things in your life:
Family, friends, freedom, faith, health, food and shelter come
immediately to mind, but lets not forget to be thankful for the
things we take for granted in our daily lives, like employment,
transportation, technology and convenience.
-
Northland members
Dennis & Peggy Goethe with their 1995 S&S Cadillac Victoria
participated in the Missouri Route 66 Chapter's Hallowine Meet over
Halloween weekend. Surrounded by the glowing reds, yellows and
oranges of the fall trees in Hermann, MO, the hearses and limousines
in attendance looked spectacular!
-
The Northland Professional Car Archives are closing in on 1,500
photographs! Watch for a very special group of new photographs
to celebrate number 1,500.
-
Northland members Tim Fantin and
Dennis & Peggy Goethe participated
in the Car Cruise & Show at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati,
Ohio on Sunday, October 13, 2008. There were about 14
professional cars in attendance, along with about 250 other show
cars and more than a thousand people.
-
We extend our deepest
sympathy to Northland Chapter member, Kevin Kocur and his family.
Kevin's uncle, James Kocur, died suddenly on September 29, 2008 at the
young age of 53.
-
What are you doing Labor Day Weekend, 2009? Check the
Miller-Meteor page (link expired) for the answer!
-
Chuck Kramer to the rescue!
Monday, Sept. 22, 2008, Chuck was called for an emergency limousine
trip at St. Gabriel's School in Prairie Du Chien, WI. It seems that
the school children were to have a limousine ride to Pizza Hut, but
the hired limousine broke down. Chuck quickly got his limousine
over to the school and avoided many children being disappointed.
Way to go, Chuck!
-
The Miller-Meteor retirees
reunion was held Sept 13, 2008 with about 30 people in attendance.
Mike Stevens brought his 1961 Miller-Meteor Cadillac Futura
Limousine Combination.
-
The Museum page premiered a new look and a completely new
gallery on September 11, 2008: Professional Cars Through The
Years. Be sure you check it out to see what's new!
-
Kim Karsnia's brother, Brian,
had a stroke at the young age of 32 on Sept. 8, 2008, and was just
released from the hospital Sept. 23, 2008. He is recuperating at
home and having out-patient therapy.
We wish Brian all the best for a speedy and complete recovery!
-
It's here! A web page dedicated to
Miller-Meteor (link expired) professional cars premiered on
September 11, 2008. Now see the M-M website at
http://www.mmchapter.com.
-
Did you see us at Wheels & Wings Fest in
Osceola, WI Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008? Tony Karsnia was there
with his 1973 Superior Crown Sovereign and Jon Wurm brought
his 1972 C/B ambulance. Picture
here.
-
Or maybe you saw the hearses and
ambulances at the Anoka River Run later that Saturday evening
(September 6, 2008)! Tony was there with his 1973 Superior
Crown Sovereign, Jon switched to his 1976 M-M Lifeliner, Gene Rafferty joined in with his 1976 Superior hearse and
John Baines brought out his 1964 S&S Victoria 3-way hearse.
Pictures
here.
-
Congratulations to Rick Duffy, a
faithful member of the Northland family, elected Vice-President of
the Professional Car Society at the International Meet in Mt.
Laurel, NJ in August, 2008.
-
Northland members John Royark, Nick Bliss,
Tim Fantin, and Dennis & Peggy Goethe
participated in the Indiana-Illinois Chapter's Bell Block Party on
August 23, 2008, where John won the long-distance award with his
1991 M-M Lincoln hearse.
-
It's Back! The
Members Roster section is back and updated as of September
1, 2008.
-
1953 Henney
Packard Junior Ambulance owned by Nyle Zikmund wins prestigious
Best In Show award
at 2008 Packard Meet! See this fantastic story
here.
-
A 3 CD set of over 1800 pages of Henney literature
has been compiled. Click
here for an order form to print and mail in.
PROFESSIONAL CAR SOCIETY
