Not a Good Day to be a Shrimp

The 2012 edition of the annual SABCC picnic is in the books and it was a one of the best attended picnics in recent memory. The mild spring temperatures, glorious sunshine and near constant breezes made for a perfect day. This year's picnic was scheduled a month earlier than is normal on the club calendar as the traditional May event, the St. John's Catholic Church Lawn Party was canceled.

The impromptu car show

MG-TC owners and club members John and Barbara Shaw graciously offered to organize a shrimp boil in place of the traditional hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill. You may remember that last year John and Barbara cooked a huge pot of jambalaya for the event. That memorable meal was all the membership needed to jump at the generous offer. 

The boiled bounty

The lovely Oscar Johnson Memorial Park in Silverhill, Alabama was reserved for the event and we were delighted to see several major improvements in the facility upon our arrival. A new grilling shed was constructed just this week. Attached to the main pavilion, the shed has a sink with running water and a food preparation area. Unfortunately the new grill was delayed in shipment and was not installed prompting an emergency call to the always helpful Ron Wolverton and Becky Kramer to see if they could fit a grill in their car at the last minute.

Moving through the serving line

The shrimp and cooking gear arrived at the appointed hour and John set to work getting the huge pot boiling. In went corn on the cob, potatoes and sliced sausage to cook prior to the dunking of the fresh Gulf shrimp. 

SABCC'ers - many in their classic British cars - came early to help set up the serving tables and enjoy the company of their fellow club members ahead of lunch. Ron and Becky saved the day with the grill and soon it was sizzling with a few hamburgers and hot dogs for those who preferred a more traditional picnic lunch.

The impromptu British car show brought several drivers in the park from busy Highway 104 for a closer look at the mostly MG group. Of course, the recently-acquired (and massive) 1962 Pontiac Bonneville Vista driven to the picnic by club president Richard Cunningham drew its own admiring crowds, too.

The wreckage

Soon the meal was ready and SABCC vice president for membership Jack Ross asked the blessing. "Amen," brought a line to the groaning table of freshly-boiled shrimp. The portions were generous and delicious. A hush settled over the pavilion as the hungry club members dispatched the shrimp and the side dishes that were brought to share. 

After a brief business meeting the attendees sat back and visited with each other or wandered through the assembled cars. Soon enough, it was time to leave the park cleaner than we found it and head our own way. 

The club owes a great deal of thanks to John and Barbara Shaw for the lovely shrimp dinner and to Ron Wolverton and Becky Kramer for wrangling the barbeque grill and cooking the 'burgers and dogs and to everyone that brought a dish to share.

We are already looking forward to the next picnic.