With the World economy on a downward spiral and record high unemployment, we stand on the precipice of uncertainty. However, even foreclosures can bring a glimmer of good tidings. A year ago we acquired the two-unit coach house adjacent to our Fern Court building at a foreclosure sale for 35% of its last selling price. After correcting several legal flaws in the title, we finally got a building permit for the renovation on June 6th. The master plan was to covert it from two, 2 bedroom apartments to a single

family residence with 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, a garage and a pleasant patio (landscaping by Diane) & garden. Including extensive demolition, and all new electrical, plumbing, HVAC and masonry, our team of sub-contractors finished the project in under 90 days! The new Fern Court façade has been met by rave reviews from our neighbors. The most impressive aspect of the project was how Burt morphed it from derelict small spaces into a light, airy upscale residence with large bedrooms. It’s actually nice enough (giant MBR walk-in closet) for us to live in! Our travel pace has slowed a bit, but we did begin the year with a long January weekend in Scottsdale, AZ to attend the Annual LeMay Board Meeting. This was a nice respite from chilly Chicago and allowed us to connect with a few local AZ friends. No, we did not go to any of the annual Scottsdale auto auctions …because we already have a full garage!

independence in 1873. Our route took us from the gold & silver mining mountain town of Ouro Preto down to Parati, the seaport that took all the smelted ingots back to the Royal coffers in the 1800s. What we also discovered is that Brazil is a very prosperous country with the 7th largest global economy with the 5th largest population & land mass. Our traveling companions were equally impressed with Brazilian cuisine, what we ate, what we saw & what we learned on our trip. With less than a week to recuperate from our trip, we headed to NY as Teeny Tiny Productions was responsible for assembling a large Microcar Exhibit as part of the LeMay - America’s Car Museum’s exhibition for the New York International Auto Show. There were 29 cars from Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York & Pennsylvania.

Virtually all of them were driven into the congested NY traffic by their courageous owners. The LeMay exhibition had the distinction of having over 115,000 guests visit the exhibit. It was a tough five days of being on our feet to greet the enthusiastic visitors and answer their many questions. However, we met lots of fun people and inspired future car collectors.

A few of our motorcycle pals journeyed to Rio de Janeiro for a motorcycle adventure to explore Brazil’s history from Portuguese Colonial times to

In 2007 Diane was gifted with a sewing machine, that had been languishing unopened. Now we have a dedicated, official 12” x 18” Sewing Center in a prominent spot in our office that is safely ensconceed under millenary projects patiently waiting the genius of the bobbins and thread …and Diane!

Burt headed off to Italy in May with eight friends to explore Calabria, the toe of Italy’s boot. The group enjoyed the historic towns, walled villages & historic Roman archeological sites. Then we flew to Bologna

As we acquire new toys, we have to remove some to make room for the new additions. We loaded up our van & trailer with 5 motorcycles to take to the Barber Fall Motorcycle Festival in Birmingham, AL. We sold everything at the auction, but it seemed wrong to return with an empty trailer, so we came back with a Hungarian motorcycle with a sidecar for grocery shopping. We also sold 2 of our Microcars during the year and replaced them with something more unique – a Messerschmitt, which

to participate in a five-day road rally for vintage motorcycles in the Motogiro d’ Italia on more tiny back roads and wonderful surprises like this 130 year old bath house in Salsomaggiore Terme. In June we hosted a get together in our motorcycle den to support and promote one of our favorite chairities, Riders for Health. They teach health care paramedics, nurses, doctors, & midwives how to ride and

is great fun, and generates more smiles per mile! Entry is akin to getting into an airplane cockpit: lifting up the clear dome and stepping into the tandem seating. Vrrrooooom…or just putt, putt?

service their small motorcycles as they deliver donated medicines to rural African villages. We also enthusiastically support World Bicycle Relief that provides durable bicycles that enable villagers in Africa to ride to work, go to school & provide easier access for medical assistance. Amazingly, each bicycle ($134.00) improves the lives of 10 people.

Our Richmond family tradition is for the four brothers, plus nieces, nephews & grandchildren to convene in Chicago for what has become a weekend of many thanks - a Thanksgiving festival. Paul & Jan won the long distance award from Shanghai; Mel & Mitch drove from Eagle, CO and Bruce & Kathy plus kinder flew in from LA. Ah, but that was only part of it. We renamed the weekend Jack Fest to honor his 80th birthday with anecdotes, historic photos & modest roasting with humor & tears of joy by all. In August we celebrated Dot Fitzgerald, Diane’s mother’s 80th birthday on Long Island. Whoopee!

After updating the progress of the LeMay Museum building in prior Annual Reports, we are delighted to report that we celebrated a ‘soft’ opening on Sept. 24th at the Hard Hats & High Heels Gala. While the building is complete, the displays & exhibits have to

Back to what kind of a year 2011 has been. It has been full of great experiences, traveling with good friends and sharing wonderful milestones. Overall, we would score it a 10!

be prepared for the Grand Opening next June 2nd. The LeMay – America’s Car Museum has 165,000 sq. ft. of automobile display space on 4 floors.

Happy Holidays

♥ Diane & Burt