Back to the Bricks®
January 2022 Newsletter
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All information about the 7th Annual Chrome & Ice™ event is in this newsletter, but can also be found on our website
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Hello everyone.
This is going to one of the BEST winter car shows yet! The 7th Annual Chrome & Ice™ Winter Indoor Car show will take place Feb 11th through the 13th brought to you by Dort Financial Credit Union.
We currently have a stand by list for automobiles, and only a few spots left for Motorcycles. We've never before featured Motorcycles at this event, so we know it's going to be a new fun attraction. There are some pretty cool Vintage and Custom bikes that will be on display. Our Committee has worked so hard behind the scenes to bring you a bigger and better show this year after we had to cancel in 2021.
Tickets to the car show are on sale NOW, a new feature this year. No waiting when you arrive. Tickets will also be available the day of show at the box office, walk in and experience the cars from your favorite Movie and TV shows. The featured display will have a car from one of your favorite Movies or TV Series, we just know there's something for everyone.
I want to personally thank our Sponsors and vendors for helping to make this event so spectacular. A special thank you to our "Brought To You By Sponsor" Dort Financial Credit Union. This year above their normal Title Sponsorship, they are also the Sponsor for the Concert on Friday evening featuring local rockers the John Vance Band and Country Recording Artist, Josh Gracin. Tickets to the Concert are separate from the Car Show Price, but are super low thanks to Dort Financial at only $15. We hope you all can come out and Escape the Winer Blues with us at this fun, safe and family-friendly event.
Thanks again and I look forward to seeing you at Chrome & Ice™
Ralph Messer
Vice Chairman of the Board
Back to the Bricks®
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Time to rock out and enjoy the sounds of a LIVE band on stage!!
Get your tickets to the Josh Gracin Concert featuring opening act, and local rockers the John Vance Band.
ONLY $15 - Doors open for concert only access at 7:30pm
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There's only a few VIP Experience Tickets left so don't miss out. This year the VIP EXPERIENCE on Friday Feb 11th from 6 to 8PM. Tickets for the VIP Experience are $40.00 each and will include FREE Parking, general admission to the car show and live musical entertainment with the John Vance Band and Country Recording Artist Josh Gracin.
PLUS with your VIP Ticket is a complimentary adult beverage at any of several bars in the arena, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, and dessert on the walkway above the Green Arena from 6 to 8 PM, compliments of the Dort Financial Credit Union.
Proceeds from Chrome & Ice™ and the VIP Experience will support the Back to the Bricks® Youth Scholarship Fund.
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Words from the Chairman of the Board |
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Hey there car enthusiasts,
Welcome to 2022! We are going to have a great year of car happenings in 2022. Chrome & Ice™ is going together very well and will be your first opportunity to look at some cool cars and start the year off right. The generosity of our sponsors and the dedication of our committee and volunteers is what makes the Back to the Bricks® organization so great to be involved with. So, if you haven’t been involved as a volunteer yet, I encourage you to consider it. There’s a link below to volunteer and become a Friend of Back to the Bricks®.
When you Volunteer you will not only have a good time, but you will also meet some great people which can in turn become lifelong friends as I have, and you will be involved in one of the biggest events that happen in Genesee County. There are so many things to do as a volunteer, there’s something for everyone! You will love it!
One of the most rewarding aspects of Back to the Bricks® is the tremendous economic impact we have on Flint and Genesee County area. It’s hard to measure, but every dollar spent is multiplied many times to the businesses and communities around. That is good for everyone.
We are busy planning the rest of the spring, summer, and fall events. Our promise to you is to provide the same, high quality, family friendly, opportunities with a few surprises along the way, that is sure to please.
I look forward to seeing you at Chrome & Ice™, and please stop me and introduce yourself. Stay Warm and Stay Safe!
Regards,
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Al Jones
Chairman of the Board
Back to the Bricks®
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What's new with our Executive Director |
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Hey everyone!
We are super excited to see you at the Chrome & Ice™ Winter Indoor Car Show, but that's not all we are working on....
The Promo Tour will be announced on Friday Feb 11th at a 10am press conference, and I know you will want to be on this Tour. I am SOOOOO proud of the Promo Tour committee and the Chairman Pete Cimbala and Co-Chairman David Stilber. With their guidance and leadership, the City Captains were off and running on plans making sure this tour was over the top filled with fun and adventure.
Cars have been selected and are already on the marketing materials, we can't wait to unveil them. Thank you for all your entry's, there were so many it made it super hard to select them this year.
ALL NEW this year to the Promo Tour is.... HA You thought I would give anything away? NOPE! You will have to tune into the news, Facebook or stop by the Promo Tour Table during Chrome & Ice™ and see the details and register. Also, the website will be live soon after the Press Conference allowing those far and or not able to make it to Chrome & Ice™ the ability to see the details and register. Space is limited on the tour, so don't miss your opportunity to Cruise with Back to the Bricks®.
And if all this isn't exciting enough, we have the 2nd Annual Dust 'em Off Car Show almost all planned out for Sunday May 22nd, and we will be announcing all details on that soon!
On top of Chrome & Ice™, the Promo Tour, Dust 'em Off, we also have TWO Road Rally's planned thanks to our sponsors, Shea Automotive and Halo Burger. But we also are working on Tune Up Week and the Main Event festivities. There's truly something for everyone, so get ready... We are about to burn some rubber and have a rocking time this year!
Looking forward to seeing you all soon.
Amber Taylor
Executive Director
Back to the Bricks®
Direct: 810-877-8383
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Time to STOCK up on the latest BttB merchandise!
We have back by demand the ALL-NEW Neon Back to the Bricks® Collectors clocks and a special Chrome & Ice™ Clock. We also have all NEW Hoodies or Long Sleeve Back to the Bricks® t-shirts and Hats.
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Come SHOP with us at Chrome & Ice in the Lobby |
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Al’s Garage
Vol. #3, Issue #1
It is my hope that all of you had a great holiday season, which was filled with joy and good health. There was a great holiday TV commercial from Chevrolet that featured a ’66 Chevrolet Convertible that had been sitting in what appeared to be, an old tool shed somewhere out west. The owner, a widower, could not bring himself to restore it because it brought back so many memories of his deceased wife. Then, in steps his daughter with a plan. She asks the local car collector community if they would assist in making the convertible presentable again, which all agreed to pitch in. The ad, which I am sure most of us have seen, was somewhat of a ‘tearjerker’ and ends on a happy note with the daughter and father driving off with the top down to wherever. It is conceivable that some may conclude that this type of generosity does not occur often but let me tell you about a similar story that occurred right here in the Flint area.
A good friend of many, Mike G. (I am leaving last names off) was diagnosed with cancer that unfortunately had migrated thru his body and the prognosis was not good. Mike had owned a ’66 Oldsmobile Delta 88 convertible for a lot of years but just did not get around to finishing the car. He had all the parts to include a complete new interior, mechanical parts, and trim parts. Our Monday and Friday morning coffee group reaped many harassing comments on Mike to get the car finished and we would even help him get the job done, if he would let us. Mike was a strong willed individual and any work on the ‘Olds’ would be on his time schedule.
Time marched on and his cancer progressed to the point that Mike was placed into hospice care. All of us recognized that time was running out and the Olds had to be completed soon and fast. So, with a little positive pressure put on Mike, he agreed to let us take the car out of his pole barn and let us finish the car. First step was the mechanical issues being addressed. Master mechanic Keith D. replaced the valve guides and seals, installed a new pitman arm and new universal joints. The Olds was moved from Keith’s garage to my garage for trim, interior, electrical, weather seal installation and other small miscellaneous problems. Don D., tackled the electrical issues and got all the lights working to include turn signals, brake lights, horn, etc. Tom C., Ed R. and Scott tackled the installation of the new interior. Doug H. worked on the trim and Ed. R worked on the front seat risers. Jerry K. pitched in wherever a second pair of hands were needed and was assisted by Dave W. As for myself, I was the chief ‘go for’ tools, water, pointing out where my vise was at and most of all, chief harasser!
The bottom line is two-thirds of the team are current members of the Back to the Bricks® organization and all the team members regularly participate in some, if not all, of the BttB events. You are probably thinking if Mike got to see his car finished? His sons made a great video for Mike to watch that he viewed numerous times, but unfortunately, he did not get an opportunity to drive or ride in his car. His family kept asking ‘why are you doing this for us. This is just unbelievable!’! ‘How much do we owe you?’ Nothing, Mike is our friend and friends come together in the need of time. Mike is no longer with us, but he left for the big car show in the sky knowing that the Olds is now ready for the 2022 car and cruise season.
The memory of what the team from the BttB organization did for fellow car enthusiasts will be with us for the rest of our lives. I must admit, I am very proud to be associated with these guys. God bless Mike and his family and the BttB team.
Keep on roll’
Al Hatch
Founder of Back to the Bricks®
Chairman Emeritus
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The Car in Al's Story.... |
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