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PGI CAR CLUB Marlene Jones, 410-703-2252, marlenejones22@gmail.com

Thank you to Jane and Bill Leach for writing the April newsletter article about the “See Florida” car cruise. They certainly
did a great job in planning and implementing this event.

The end of March, the Car Club held the very popular suckling pig roast at the Punta
Gorda Isles Civic Association. Again, this year Sandy Franzino organized the outing,
which was attended by many members and their guests. It gave us a chance to
celebrate a successful year of activities and to say goodbye to those who were
heading north for the summer.

In mid-April, a group traveled to the Nav-A-Gator Grill for a 1½ hour boat tour. Cruise
leader Don Gordon said it is the best way to experience the Peace River with
sightings of alligators, nesting birds and other wildlife.

End of April, 25 members were
treated to a special guided tour
of the Octagon Wildlife
Sanctuary in North Ft. Myers.
This facility is a rescue and
rehabilitation home for over 200
exotic animals. The animals
have been rescued from
circuses, carnivals, zoos or
animal acts that are no longer
wanted. Animals include lions,
tigers, bears, foxes, primates,
leopards, alligators and
numerous small animals. Many
of the animals were abused, starved, badly beaten and arrived at the sanctuary close to death. Dedicated volunteers
like our guide, Sandy O’Brady, love the animals and volunteer many hours to their care. After touring OWS, the group
headed to Hogbody’s Grill for a delicious lunch.

Featured car: 1953 MGTD owned by Gary and Joanne Kropf,
who bought the car in 2014. Gary says he has had many British
sports cars in the past, but always wanted a T-series. The
speedometer showed 98,000 miles when he bought it. The
numbers indicate it is a late 1953, very near the end of

production. The car had been idle for many years,
therefore it needed a lot of work. After more than a
year of sweat equity, the car is on the road again and
Gary drives it almost every day.

The next meeting of PGICC is June 6, at the Muscle
Car Museum. Breakfast at 8 a.m., meeting at 9 a.m.

For more information about our monthly meetings,
cruises and social events, please visit the website,
www.pgicarclub.com.
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