Staff Profile
Gail Lenhard
Gail Lenhard
NAMGAR Copy Editor
It’s all Bruce Woodson & Carol Shamonsky’s fault. Why you ask? Let me back up to February 2011 when I was attending the British Motor Trade Association’s Annual Conference in Daytona. Bruce mentioned that there were a couple of positions open for MGA!. He said that he thought I would be interested in one of them.
“What are they?” I asked innocently, not realizing that the hooks were out.
“The Editor and Copy Editor’s positions,” he replied then continued. “I can send you some information on them, if you want.” He smiled when I told him to send the information.
Fast forward two weeks where on February 19th, Carol and Bill Shamonsky joined The Florida Suncoast MG Car Club on a tour of the Florida Southern College that was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. I happened to mention what Bruce had said about the two positions and Carol told me that I would be great as a Copy Editor for MGA!. She, too, offered to send me information.
True to their word, I read what both Bruce and Carol sent me regarding the open positions. Still I asked why me? Did I look like I needed something else in my life to fill up my spare time?
Well after debating this question for some time, I came up with several reasons why I should take the Copy Editor’s position. First – I love to write and have written several children’s stories that I would love to see in print someday. I belong to the Florida’s Writers Association and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators that have fueled my love for writing. Second – I love to read. If I’m not writing, I’m reading. Books, magazines, newspapers – I don’t go anywhere without having something to read with me. Third – I have experience editing. A good friend asked me to edit her children’s book, Grandma’s Pocket Pals, and she then self-published it. Fourth – I love MGs. I saw my first – an MGBGT while in high school. I thought it was way cool until I met Glenn who was rebuilding the engine in an MGA. Our first date was me handing him tools then paying for our dinner later that night because he spent all his money on the car. I was hooked! Of course I had to marry this man and we celebrated our 36th anniversary this year. We don’t own the same MGA, but we do have another one plus many others. And my last reason for accepting this post – I always, always find myself correcting articles in the newspapers, magazines, and even in books. So…what the heck!
Some other background info (for those of you who are interested, otherwise skip to the next article). My husband and I both grew up in Rochester, New York but moved to Florida in 1979. We have two grown daughters, Paula who is a veterinarian and lives in Leesburg, VA, and Jennifer who is a leasing agent and lives with us along with her two beautiful daughters, Laci & Liliana. Our home isn’t complete without our dog, Sadie, and cats, Buddy and Charlie (short for Charlene). Glenn is the owner of Glenn’s MG Repair in St. Petersburg, FL and brings Sadie to work everyday. Sadie has to share the attention of our shop cat, Max, who loves to climb up people’s legs. I work in the office but am also a certified K through 6 Grade teacher. For the last three years I had the honor of being the Chairperson for the BMTA and have been the Secretary for The Florida Suncoast MG Car Club for numerous years.
As well as being members of NAMGAR, we are members of NAMGBR and several local British car clubs. In addition to our 1962 MGA MK II, we own a 1967 MGBGT, which both our daughters learned how to drive in and which is now being restored, and a 1966 MG1100 four-door sedan.
I’m looking forward to working with MGA!’s new Editor, Mike Tooke, and everyone who contributes to this fine magazine.