Volume 47 - Vol 5 | October 2025 | |
View Through The Star
by Rusty Duncan, President
As I write this, our club’s election is underway, and I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to those who have stepped forward to volunteer for leadership positions. Your dedication ensures that our Peachtree Chapter continues to thrive as a vibrant community of Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts. Thank you for your commitment to keeping our club strong and engaged!
With the fall and holiday seasons just around the corner, now is the perfect time to hit the road in our beloved cars and enjoy the fellowship that makes our club so special. Whether you’re cruising through crisp autumn air or gathering with friends and family, these moments remind us why we cherish our Mercedes-Benz heritage.
Looking ahead, we have two exciting events you won’t want to miss, along with many other opportunities to gather on our fall schedule:
• Our Fall Foliage Tour in mid-October, a scenic drive to soak in the beauty of the season.
• A Murder Mystery Dinner in November, promising an evening of intrigue and laughter.
Tickets for these events are expected to sell out quickly, so keep an eye on your inbox for signup details and secure your spot early! Read More
| |
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Anthony Miles
| | |
Hailing originally from Richmond, Virginia, Anthony married his wife, Dee, in 1987. They are proud godparents to Aleana and Frank.
After high school, Anthony attended DeVry Institute of Technology and began his working career in Atlanta, the city of opportunity.
He credits his work ethics to his father who allowed him at an early age to roll his little red wagon to the nearby grocery store and deliver the groceries to elderly residents.
“Once upon a time you could participate in that type of activity without the threat of being hurt.” With the proceeds, he opened his very first saving account. “If you could only have seen the smile on my face at that moment.” When his father died, Anthony was fifteen and the eldest of nine. “It was time to grow up and I believe I made my mother proud to say – “That's my son!” “LOVE YOU MOM!” READ MORE
| | |
Peachtree Election Results for 2026 and 2027
by Rusty Duncan, Nominating Committee Chair
I’m proud to announce the next Board of Directors for 2026/2027 will be, with terms beginning in October of 2025:
- President: Rusty Duncan
- Vice President: Sam Kamber
- Treasurer: Diana Quinn
- Secretary: Marisa Hegyesi
- Directors: Brett Butler, Reijo Haarla, Dietmar Schmid,
Please join me in thanking these outstanding members for stepping up to lead. Their passion and commitment will ensure our club continues to grow and thrive.
| | |
CV Joint Agony
by Gary Edwards, Technical Advisor
I had just done a lot of work on the CLK55 Coupe and was changing brake fluid on both 2002 CLK55s on the Monday before an HPDE event that weekend. I hadn’t taken a close look at the CLK55 cabriolet yet. When removing the cabriolet’s wheels for the brake bleeding, I saw the telltale radial splatter of grease around the left inner Constant Velocity (CV) joint. Oh no! So much for my plans for the week!
Fortunately, the last time I did this work, I bought two CV joints since I was a little concerned about the availability of these parts. I had used the Lobro/GKN (OEM) joint but the FEBEST kit with boot was still on my shelf.
This is a bit more challenging on a CLK55 than on some cars since the CV joint must be removed with a puller. To do this I must remove the axle shaft from the car. These are also sometimes referred to as half shafts; they go from the differential to the wheel carrier and have CV joints on both ends. I will refer to them as axle shafts.
| | |
Concours d' Elegance
Saturday, October 4, 2025
| | |
Join us at 10:00 am at Halcyon in Alpharetta for our annual Concours d’Elegance, sponsored by RBM of Alpharetta Experience Center.
See stunning Mercedes-Benz vehicles across Concours, Street, Custom, and Show & Shine classes — plus the Silver Star Preservation Award for original classics.
There is NO entry fee for spectators, just come and enjoy the beautiful Mercedes-Benz automobiles!
| | |
Sam Kamber, Event Planner
Join us for a spectacular Mountain Drive through the breathtaking North Georgia Mountains and enjoy the full spectrum of fall colors—from vibrant oranges to deep, rich reds!
We’ll kick things off at the Miles Through Time Automotive Museum (583 Grant St, Clarkesville, GA 30523) in Clarkesville, GA at 10:00 am with a museum visit before hitting the road. From there, choose your adventure:
-
Leisurely Drive – Take your time, soak in the autumn scenery, and enjoy a picnic lunch along the way (don’t forget to pack a cooler!).
This route ends at the stunning Tallulah Falls.
-
Spirited Drive – Prefer a faster pace and the thrill of mountain curves? This route is perfect for you!
On the way home, we highly recommend a stop at Jaemor Farms—a real treat, especially if you’ve never been before.
Final routes for both drives will be shared closer to the event. This outing is open to members and non-members, so bring a friend!
| | |
Help Plan Our 2026 Club Calendar!
We want your ideas! Join us for a virtual Event Planning Workshop as we brainstorm next year’s drives, tech sessions, and social events. Whether you have a favorite scenic route to share, expertise with Mercedes-Benz technology, or simply want to host or help at an event, this is your chance to shape the year ahead. From mountain drive radios to local destinations, your suggestions will make our club even better!
We can’t wait to hear your ideas!
| |
Murder Mystery Dinner
November 15, 2025
| | |
by Marisa Hegyesi, Event Planner
Step Into the Glamour (and Danger!) of 1930s Hollywood
MBCA Peachtree is rolling out the red carpet for an unforgettable night of mystery, mayhem, and a touch of murder! Join us for our Murder Mystery Dinner featuring Best Laid Plans — a lively, interactive show set against the glitzy backdrop of 1930s Hollywood.
The Scene Is Set:
Picture this — the lights are low, the champagne is sparkling, and everyone looks suspiciously fabulous. A crime is committed, clues are revealed, and YOU could be the key to solving the case (or hiding the evidence!).
Dress to Kill:
Gentlemen, dust off those tuxes or go full gangster with a pinstripe suit and fedora. Ladies, this is your moment to channel your inner silver-screen siren with silk gowns, furs, hats, heels, and jewels that dazzle. Prefer not to dress up? Regular attire is welcome — but there’s a Best Costume Prize on the line, so why not play along?
This is more than dinner — it’s an experience! Gather your friends, dress the part, and get ready to laugh, guess, and gasp as the mystery unfolds.
Spots are limited — Register Now and be part of the story!
| | |
by Ernie Smallman, Event Planner
Join us for a festive Holiday Luncheon at Osteria Mattone, a charming trattoria on Canton Street in Roswell known for its award-winning Italian cuisine and exceptional wine list.
We’ll enjoy a family-style feast featuring arancini, fresh salads, classic pastas, grilled chicken, Neapolitan meatballs, and seasonal vegetables — all for just $45 per person (tax and gratuity included, thanks to a club subsidy!).
Valet parking will be available. Space is limited, so register by December 8, 2025. And don’t forget to bring an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots to help spread holiday cheer.
| | |
Ladies of Mercedes Enjoy Elegant High Tea
September 19, 2025
Nine “Ladies of Mercedes” gathered for a delightful afternoon High Tea at The Ginger House in Alpharetta. The event was filled with warm conversation, laughter, and plenty of culinary treats.
Guests enjoyed a beautifully presented selection of finger sandwiches, fresh scones served with jam, and a variety of savory entrées — with quiche and shepherd’s pie being the most popular choices. The afternoon concluded on a sweet note with an irresistible assortment of pastries, truly the “icing on the cake” to a perfect gathering.
It was a wonderful time to relax, connect, and share in good company — a tradition we hope to continue! A big shout out to Geri Whaley-Ewers for organizing.
| |
Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing Team JMF Motorsports Secures Third Overall SRO GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS Race Win of the Season Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park
| |
September 5, 2025
Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing teams JMF Motorsports secured a must-win victory they needed Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park to take the SRO GT World Challenge America Pro-Class championship battle down to the wire at next month’s season finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). Mikael Grenier started the No. 34 JMF Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 from the pole in Sunday’s second and final 90-minute GT World Challenge America race of the weekend at Barber and joined closing co-driver Michai Stephens for the team’s second overall series victory in the last two race weekends.
| | Peachtree Chapter Officers | | | | |
