Did You Know?!: Popular Toys

Sales and Leasing Consultant, Tim Hoyt, is extending the holiday spirit with this edition of "Did You Know?!" 

---

December is the biggest toy month of the year thanks to the Christmas holiday. Have you ever wondered how long some of the most popular toys and games have been on the market making millions of kids happy? Below is a list of a few classic toys that made their debut prior to 1970:

1867 - Parcheesi Game

1900 - Lionel Trains

1903 - Crayola Crayons & Teddy Bears

1904 - Pit Game

1905 - Flinch Game

1906 - Rook Game & Model T Ford (first die-cast toy car)

1913 - Erector Sets

1914 - Tinkertoys

1916 - Lincoln Logs

1917 - Radio Flyer Wagon

 1929 - Yo-yo

1930 - LEGO Building Sets

1932 - Tripoley Game

1934 - Sorry Game

1938 - View-Master 3-D Viewer & Go To The Head Of The Class

1943 - Chutes and Ladders

1946 - Tonka, Nylint trucks

1947 - John Deere Die-Cast Tractor

1948 - Cootie & Scrabble

1949 - Candy Land & Clue

1950 - Silly Putty

1952 - Mr. Potato Head

1954 - Matchbox Cars

1956 - Play-Doh, Yahtzee & the Original Ant Farm

1957 - Careers Game

1958 - Concentration

1959 - Barbie

1960 - Aggravation, Etch-A-Sketch, LIFE &

 BRIO Classic Wooden Railway

1961 - Stratego

1963 - G.I. Joe

1963 - Easy Bake Oven

1964 - Easy Ride 'Ums Stick Animals, Password &

Rat Fink Collectible Hot Rod Figures

1965 - Trouble & Operation

1966 - Spirograph & Twister

1967 - Battleship

1968 - Hot Wheels Cars and Racing Sets

Did you know that the total retail toy sales in 2014 was $18.8 billion?! 

(the 2015 total has not been released yet)

Stay tuned for the next edition...

Did You Know?!: Major League Baseball History

Sales and Leasing Consultant, Tim Hoyt, is taking a moment to reflect on the history of the MLB World Series in this month's edition of "Did You Know?!"

---

Although the 2015 MLB World Series ended several weeks ago, let's take a moment to remember some of the great players who never appeared in a World Series (1903-2014).

First, let's look at the players with the most seasons without appearing in a World Series:

• Phil Niekro, 24 years (1964-1987)
• Julio Franco, 23 years (1982-94, 1996-97, 1999, 2001-07)
• Gaylord Perry, 22 years (1962-1983)
• Ken Griffey Jr., 22 years (1989-2010)
• Andre Dawson, 21 years (1976-1996)
• Ted Lyons, 21 years (1923-42, 1946)
• Lindy McDaniel, 21 years (1955-1975)
• Frank Tanana, 21 years (1973-1993)
• Danny Darwin, 21 years (1978-1998)
• Tom Gordon, 21 years (1988-2009)
• Johnny Cooney, 20 years (1921-30, 1935-44)
• Mel Harder, 20 years (1928-1947)
• Luke Appling, 20 years (1930-43, 1945-50)
• Dutch Leonard, 20 years (1933-36, 1938-53)
• Mickey Vernon, 20 years (1939-43, 1946-60)
• Elmer Valo, 20 years (1940-43, 1946-61)
• Brian Downing, 20 years (1973-1992)
• Rafael Palmeiro, 20 years (1986-2005)

Did you know that out of the 18 players listed above, nine of them were pitchers?

On deck, we have the players who played in the most regular season games without appearing in a World Series:

• Rafael Palmeiro - 2,831 games
• Ken Griffey Jr. - 2,671 games
• Andre Dawson - 2,627 games
• Ernie Banks - 2,528 games
• Julio Franco - 2,527 games
• Billy Williams - 2,488 games
• Rod Carew - 2,469 games
• Bobby Abreu - 2,425 games
• Luke Appling - 2,422 games
• Mickey Vernon - 2,409 games
• Buddy Bell - 2,405 games

Stay tuned for next month's edition...

Winter Check Up Special

Winter is fast approaching - don't get caught out in the cold! Let the service professionals at Baum Chevrolet Buick help prepare your vehicle for winter with the 

$39.95 Winter Check Up Special. 

During the Winter Check Up, our GM Certified Technicians will perform the following services:

Multi-Point Inspection

Battery Test & Inspection

Coolant (anti-freeze) Quality Check

Lubricate Locks to prevent freezing

Washer Fluid Top-Off with De-Icer

Quick Wash

You will also receive the following complimentary gifts and coupons:

Lock De-Icer Spray

Ice Scraper

$5 off Wiper Blades

$10 off Coolant Flush

To schedule your appointment, call 217-935-3156 or click here. We look forward to seeing you soon! 

Chevrolet Youth Soccer Program Aims to Help Clinton Community YMCA

Baum Chevrolet Buick Teaming Up with Clinton Community YMCA for Big Goal

Baum Chevrolet Buick to provide Clinton Community YMCA with new equipment, monetary contribution and fundraising opportunity

Clinton, Sept. 29, 2015 – Baum Chevrolet Buick is partnering with Clinton Community YMCA in Clinton as part of the national Chevy Youth Soccer program to provide new equipment, a monetary contribution and an opportunity for community members to earn additional funds for the club via a Test Drive fundraiser.

Baum Chevrolet Buick will present Clinton Community YMCA with soccer kits filled with various items such as equipment bags, pop-up goals, corner flags, soccer balls and Chevy Youth Soccer t-shirts.

In addition, Baum Chevrolet Buick will present a check representing a one-time monetary contribution to Clinton Community YMCA.  Sponsored clubs across the country will have the chance to earn additional funds as community members take test drives at their partnering dealership to help support the league.

“We are proud to be able to bring our community closer to the game and support the development of kids through the power of play,” said Scott Baum, Owner of Baum Chevrolet Buick. “The message we’re sending to friends and family members of Clinton Community YMCA is that at Baum Chevrolet Buick, we play for you.”

For more information about Chevrolet Youth Soccer, please visit www.youthsportswired.com.

About 

Baum Chevrolet Buick is a family owned automotive dealership located in Clinton, Illinois. Established in 1928, Baum has prevailed through three generations of ownership and evolved into a one-stop automotive sales and service center. By combining traditional values with an emphasis on complete customer service and loyalty, Baum has infiltrated its success throughout central Illinois for over 87 years. In addition to automotive sales, the dealership has a service division composed of a parts and service department, 24 hour wrecker service, collision repair center, detail shop and Quick Lube center. For more information please visit www.baumchevybuick.com.

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 115 countries and selling around 4.8 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

#   #   #

Scott & Ted's 10th Annual Car Show - THANK YOU!

Words cannot even begin to describe how grateful we are for the support we received at Scott & Ted's 10th Annual Charity Car Show yesterday. We had a record turnout of 257 vehicles and raised over $10,000 for Dove, Inc. of DeWitt County. Our team truly appreciates all the participants, volunteers, vendors and donors who helped make the show a success. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

We would also like to congratulate Jack Jordan, the winner of the 1991 Chevrolet S-10 custom pick-up raffle! Enjoy! 

Jack Jordan and Scott Baum

Did You Know?! Vehicle Colors II

For the September edition of "Did You Know?!" Sales and Leasing Consultant, Tim Hoyt, has added to his previous list of unique vehicle color names (click here for the previous list). The following colors have been featured on various Chevrolet and Buick vehicles over the past 15 years...

Greens:

Rainforest

Fairway

Forrest

Sherwood

Silver Green

Fern Mist

Moss

Fresh Lime

Dragon Green

Jalapeno

Emerald

Jasper

Steel Green

Shark Skin

Blacks - Silvers - Browns:

Sable

Smokin' Asphalt

Black Granite

Carbon Black

Ashen Gray

Taupe

Gray Stone

Cyber Gray

Tungsten

Iridium

Desert Brown

Brownstone

Chocolate

Sandstone

Silver Topaz

Quick Silver

Sheer Silver

Platinum Gray

Silver Stone

Satin Steel

Cherry Ice

Cappuccino Frost

Mocha Steel

Cocoa Silver

Light Bronzemist

Dark Bronzemist

Espresso Brown

Sand Beige 

Whites:

Summit

White Gold Flash

Opal

Arctic

White Diamond

White Pearl

Diamond White

White Frost

Iridescent Pearl

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for next month's edition...

Congratulations, Orie!

The Baum team would like to wish a very happy 30th anniversary to Orie Shaw! 

Orie Shaw and Scott Baum

Congratulations on this impressive milestone, Orie! We appreciate all of your hard work over the past three decades and look forward to continuing to work with you for many years to come.

Did You Know?!: Vehicle Color Names

When it comes to purchasing or leasing a vehicle, there are several factors or "hot buttons" that influence customers. Features such as heated seats, power windows, towing capacity, and cargo room can make or break a vehicle for certain customers. However, the most difficult decision when it comes to finding the right vehicle may be as simple as picking out the right color.

The August edition of "Did You Know?!" focuses on the various GM (Chevrolet and Buick) vehicle exterior colors that the dealership has had over the past 15 years. Sales and Leasing Consultant, Tim Hoyt, has compiled a list of the numerous shades of blue and red that he has sold over the past few years. Enjoy!

---

In the 15 years that I have been selling cars, I have seen a lot of colors on Chevrolet and Buick vehicles. Here's a brief list of base metallic and tricoat colors- focusing mainly on reds and blues.

BLUES:

Midnight Blue

Blue Ray

Superior Blue

Indigo Blue

Glacier Blue

Concord Blue

Titanium Blue

Bermuda Blue

Topaz 

Deep Ocean Blue

Atlantis Blue

Blue Granite

Brilliant Blue

Electric Blue

Denim

Laser Blue

Grape Ice

Dark Sapphire

Blue Velvet

Arrival Blue

2015 Chevrolet Colorado  in Laser Blue

REDS:

Cardinal

Crystal Red

Butte Red

Red Hot

Red Rock

Garnet

Cabernet Red

Santa Fe

Salsa

Carmine Red

Bordeaux

Deep Magenta

Blaze Red

Torch Red

Siren

Ruby Red

Deep Ruby

Dark Cherry

Copper Red

2015 Chevrolet Camaro in Red Rock Metallic

Next month, I will cover some of the other colors! Stay tuned...

SuperChevyStores.com 100

Super Chevy Stores To Hold Car Shows To Promote Springfield ARCA Event
Ticket Giveaways Part Of Dealership Promotions This Weekend

                With the SuperChevyStores.com-Allen Crowe Memorial 100 just a little over a week away, a few Central Illinois Chevy Dealers are holding events to promote the Sunday, August 23 ARCA race.  Three different dealerships will have functions this coming weekend that will include show cars, the beautiful State Fair pacecar, ticket giveaways, and more.

                This Friday, August 14, the Bill Hendren Motorsports Chevrolet #24, driven by local dirt track star Ryan Unzicker will be on the lot at Baum Chevrolet in Clinton, IL.  The show will take place from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM and will include signups for lucky racefans to win tickets to the event.  Baum Chevrolet is located at 801 W Van Buren in Clinton, IL.

                Two other shows will be held on Saturday, August 15, starting at 9:00 AM and ending at 12:00 noon.  One of which is not too far from the race venue.  Friendly Chevrolet, located at 2540 Prairie Crossing Drive in Springfield will have the Brandt #51 Chevrolet from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.  The car is driven by Justin Allgaier, who is from the area and a former ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards champion.  The staff at Friendly will also be providing visitors with free food and a number of other games and activities to participate in.

                The final show on the schedule is also Saturday from 9:00-12:00 and will be at Mile's Chevrolet in Decatur.  The Bill Hendren Motorsports Chevrolet #24, driven by local dirt track star Ryan Unzicker will be on the lot as well as the Macon Speedway Late Model two-seater and the Illinois State Fair pacecar.  Folks are welcome to stop by and register to win a pair of tickets to the race.  Miles is also having their End of the Summer Closeout on all remaining 2015 Chevys and all pre-owned cars, trucks, vans, and SUV's. 

                The shows lead up to next weekend's doubleheader at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.  On Saturday, August 22, the USAC Silver Crown Champ Car Series will race 100 laps in addition to preliminary action from the Sportsman Nationals.  On Sunday, August 23, the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will compete in the SuperChevyStores.com 100 as well as the Sportsman in their feature. 

                Full information on the event, including discount ticket options, can be found at www.trackenterprises.com.

Scott & Ted's 10th Annual Charity Car Show

Did You Know?!: Notable Losses in 2015

We're already halfway through 2015! Since the year is flying by, we would like to take a moment to remember a few notable celebrities. Sales and Leasing Consultant, Tim Hoyt, has compiled a list of famous individuals who passed away during the first six-months of 2015. The following list includes the numerous actors/actresses, comedians, politicians,athletes and musicians that have recently passed away. Some are more famous than others, but the list covers an 80-year range of notable people- not just today's pop icons.

• Actress, Anita Ekberg - 83
• Actress, Lizabeth Scott - 92
• Actress, Mary Ellen Trainor - 62
• Actress, Donna Douglass aka Elly May Clampett - 83
• Singer, Little Jimmy Dickens - 94
• Singer, Leslie Gore (It's My Party) - 68
• Singer, Andrae Crouch - 72
• Singer, Percy Sledge - 74
• Singer, Ben E. King (Stand By Me) - 76
• Actor, Rod Taylor - 84
• Poet/Writer, Rod McKuen - 81
• Star Trek Actor, Leonard Nimoy - 83
• CBS Reporter, Bob Simon - 73
• Former NY Governor, Mario Cuomo - 82
• Former IL Governor, Dan Walker - 92
• Former College Basketball Coaches, Dean Smith - 83 & Jerry Tarkanian - 84
• Actor, James Best (aka Rosco P. Coltrane) - 88
• Actor, Louis Jourdan - 93
• Actor, Christopher Lee - 93
• Suzanne Crough (The Partridge Family) - 52
• Harlem Globetrotter Icon, Marques Haines - 89
• Singer, Jim Ed Brown - 81
• Billionaire, Kirk Kerkorian - 98
• Comedian, Anne Meara (Ben Stiller's Mother) - 85
• Wrestler, Dusty Rhodes - 69
• Actress, Jayne Meadows - 95
• Movie Composer, James Horner - 52
• Actor, Dick Van Patten (8 Is Enough) - 86
• TV show Avengers actor, Patrick Macnee - 93
• Former baseball player, Minnie Minoso - 83
• Former ESPN broadcaster, Stuart Scott - 49
• TV Evangelist, Robert Schuller - 88
• Actor, Geoffrey Lewis - 79
• Actor, Windell Middlebrooks - 36

Stay tuned for next month's edition...

Baum Quick Service Center Information

The Baum Chevrolet service team has added a new quick check wheel alignment system to the Quick Lube oil change center. The new service is provided without charge to all Baum Quick Lube customers during the oil change service.

The Hunter Quick Check system provides a fast, accurate means to check the basic wheel alignment condition of most passenger cars and light duty trucks. This allows service technicians to determine if the basic alignment condition of a vehicle is within proper condition or warrants further inspection and testing. 

It is important to note that the system is not intended for a complete wheel alignment service. Vehicles which indicate the likelihood of a further problem are referred to a full wheel alignment service system to completely check and inspect the vehicle to determine what, if any, correction is required.

The Baum Chevrolet Quick Service center is equipped with the latest Hunter Hawkeye Elite wheel alignment service equipment and qualified Baum service technicians to check and diagnose any problem with wheel alignment or suspension and correct the problem accurately and efficiently.

The combination of both the Quick Check system and the Hawkeye alignment system allows the Baum service team to give their customers an accurate way to completely monitor the condition of their vehicle at the least cost. Baum customers can enjoy some peace of mind knowing the condition of all the important systems of their car at the most reasonable cost. 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HUNTER:

The Hunter Quick Check wheel alignment system was developed by Hunter Engineering Company of Bridgeton, MO. Hunter is the world leader in wheel service technology. For more information, please visit www.hunter.com 

Please contact our Quick Lube team at 217-935-3156 for more information about the Quick Service process. 

Baum Donates $1,000 to Farmer City Youth Baseball League

Baum Chevrolet Buick Hits Grand Slam for

Area Youth Baseball

Baum Chevrolet Buick and Baum Motor Company wrap up 2015 baseball season partnership with Farmer City Youth Baseball

Clinton, July 1, 2015 – Baum Chevrolet Buick, one of 12 Chevrolet dealers from the Champaign area that partnered with local youth baseball leagues for the 2015 baseball program, has concluded a successful season with Farmer City Youth Baseball. Baum Chevrolet Buick  provided Farmer City Youth Baseball with new equipment, a monetary contribution and an opportunity for community members to raise funds for the league via a Test Drive fundraiser.

“We’re glad we were able to extend Chevrolet’s commitment to spreading play and the possibilities it opens to the members of our community,” said Scott Baum, Owner of Baum Chevrolet Buick.

Baum Chevrolet Buick partnered with the Farmer City Youth Baseball because of the league’s proximity to the dealership. Equipment donated by Baum Chevrolet Buick included items such as bags, batting tees, catcher’s gear, water bottles and Chevrolet Youth Baseball T-shirts. 

“We truly enjoyed being involved with Farmer City Youth Baseball this year,” said Baum. “This partnership gave us the opportunity to support the love of the game and we are thrilled to have achieved such positive results for the community." 

In 2015, nearly 1,500 Chevrolet dealers participated in Chevy Youth Baseball. Since the program began in 2006, Chevrolet has made a positive impact on more than 3.6 million children by bringing a unique experience to their community.

For more information about Chevy Youth Baseball, visit www.YouthSportsWired.com.

About Baum Chevrolet Buick

Baum Chevrolet Buick is a family owned automotive dealership located in Clinton, Illinois. Established in 1928, Baum has prevailed through three generations of ownership and evolved into a one-stop automotive sales and service center. By combining traditional values with an emphasis on complete customer service and loyalty, Baum has infiltrated its success throughout central Illinois for decades. In addition to automotive sales, the dealership has a service division composed of a parts and service department, 24 hour wrecker service, collision repair center, detail shop and Quick Lube center. For more information please visit www.baumchevybuick.com.

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year.  Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Service is just a "click" away!

BaumChevrolet-Buick is proud to introduce a new, more convenient approach to scheduling your next service visit.

Recently, our dealership partnered with Xtime, a web-based scheduling service that allows both dealership personnel and our customer to schedule service work quickly and accurately via the Baum Chevrolet-Buick website.

Much like today's popular online shopping websites, Xtime allows our customers to shop for only those services their vehicle requires. This "a la carte" style gives customers the ability to pick and choose what items they wish us to diagnose and repair. Additionally, the Xtime system also makes suggestions on scheduled maintenance based on the user simply updating the current mileage.

     

Not car-savvy? No problem! Xtime also allows customers to describe how their vehicle is performing, or in some cases, not performing. The information is shared, verbatim, with our service team who can ask additional questions once the vehicle arrives.

    

In addition, our new system provides customers with an appointment confirmation moments after completing a request, and also sends reminders about upcoming visits.  Additionally, Xtime can provide regular status updates after the vehicle has been checked in from the service drive.

     

Once an appointment is booked, it immediately shows up on the scheduling system used by our service advisors. That provides our service department with a real-time look at what work is coming into the shop, helping to schedule future appointments.

     

Thanks to Xtime, your next visit is only a few clicks away! 

Schedule your next Service appointment here.

Did You Know?!: Presidential Trivia

We're taking a break from the automotive industry to highlight some interesting facts about our former Presidents. Sales and Leasing Consultant, Tim Hoyt, has compiled a list of Presidential trivial for the June edition of "Did You Know?!" 

---

Did you know that...

• James Madison was the shortest President at 5'4"
• John Quincy Adams was the first President to be photographed
• Martin Van Buren was the first President to be born in the United States (New York)
• William Henry Harrison had the shortest term, only one month, due to pneumonia
• John Tyler had the most kids (15)
• Franklin Pierce had the first Christmas tree
• James Buchanan never married
• Abraham Lincoln was the tallest President at 6'4"
• James Garfield was the last President to be born in a log cabin
• William McKinley was the first President to ride in a car
• Woodrow Wilson is the only President buried in Washington, D.C.
• Harry Truman gave the first speech on television
• Gerald Ford was the only President who was adopted
• John F. Kennedy was the youngest elected at the age of 43
• Ronald Reagan was the oldest elected at the age of 69
• Bill Clinton was the first President to be a Rhodes Scholar

Stay tuned for next month's edition...

Mark of Excellence Award Winners

We are proud to announce that Baum Chevrolet Buick has received the 2014 Mark of Excellence award for Buick. The dealership earned the award based on sales performance and overall customer satisfaction. Out of GM’s approximately 4,300 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac dealerships across the United States, only 301 dealerships received the Mark of Excellence Dealer award.

Several Baum Chevrolet Buick staff members were also honored with Mark of Excellence symbolic awards. Those top performers include:

·         Russell Crutcher (Sales) – Chevrolet honors

·         Will Daniels (Sales) – Retail Sales Manager

·         Tim Hoyt (Sales) – Chevrolet honors

·         Jeff Company (Sales) – Chevrolet honors

·         Dee Rutledge (Sales) – Certified Pre-Owned honors

·         Chuck Dunning (Collision Repair) – Body Shop Manager

·         Chad Scott (Service) – Service Repair Manager

Thanks to all our customers who helped us receive GM’s Mark of Excellence award. We are looking forward to 2015!

What is a car lease and how does it work?

2015 Buick Enclave

What is a car lease and how does it work?

Many people prefer leasing over buying because leasing provides the buyer with a brand new car that is under warranty and is dependable for a low monthly payment. A car lease is a finance option that allows a consumer to obtain a new car while only paying a percentage of the total value of the car. Residual value is the expected value of the car at the end of the lease. The lease percentage paid is calculated by subtracting the residual value of the car from the total price of the car. The difference of the total value and residual value is the lease price of the vehicle. Essentially, a lease pays for the deprecation of the vehicle throughout the course of a lease agreement.

An average lease runs for a 3 year term with an allocated 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year. 3 year terms are recommended because new-car bumper-to-bumper warranties are usually available for the first 3 years of purchase. The new-car warranty will cover most of the vehicle repairs needed throughout the course of the lease.

Once the lease terms have been fulfilled, you'll have no equity in the vehicle and will need to explore other vehicle options. Most leasing consumers consider this a benefit rather than an obstacle because each new car you lease will have up to date technology and safety features. However, if you would like to keep the car at the end of the lease terms you can generally buy it by paying cash or by taking out a car loan to finance the remaining balance owed on the car.

It is important to evaluate individual driving habits when considering a lease. There are many different factors to weigh before deciding if leasing is right for your budget and lifestyle. Most lease payments are negotiable and can be adjusted to meet individual needs. Stop by Baum Chevrolet Buick today for leasing assistance.

Sources:

http://www.autobytel.com/car-financing/lease-a-car/what-is-a-car-lease-100519/

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Buying_vs_Leasing/

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/buying-selling/how-to-lease-a-car1.htm

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/buying-selling/how-to-lease-a-car.htm

Did You Know?!: Batter UP!

Sales and Leasing Consultant, Tim Hoyt, is back in action for the April edition of "Did You Know?!"

---

It's April which means only one thing...baseball is back! Here are some facts and tidbits on the great American pastime. 

Did you know that...

• The Seattle Mariners have the most single season wins with 116 in 2001, but no World Series appearances ever.
• The Washington Nationals, formerly known as the the Montreal Expos, have never been in the World Series either.
• Stan Musial had 3630 hits: 1815 at home and 1815 on the road.
• Willie Mays had 7092 outfield put outs.
• Ernie Banks and Harmon Killebrew were never ejected from a game in their 41 combined years.
• Manager Bobby Cox was ejected 158 times.
• Jim Palmer pitched 3,947 innings without allowing a grand slam.
• Craig Biggio was hit by 285 pitches.
• Ricky Henderson walked 2,558 times and scored 2,295 times.
• A-Rod has hit 23 grand slams.
• The 1968 St.Louis Cardinals had 30 shutouts- Bob Gibson threw 13 of them
• Jamie Moyer is the oldest pitcher to win an MLB game at the age of 49. 
• Mike Trout is the youngest player to hit 100 home runs at the age of 23.
• Roger Clemens, Kerry Wood and Randy Johnson all have struck out 20 batters in a single game.
• Greg Maddux has the most Gold Gloves (18).
• Yogi Berra had 71 hits in 14 World Series
• Micky Mantle has the most World Series homers with 18.
• Baseball has more stats than any other sport
• When it comes to the Cubs/Cardinals rivalry, the Cubbies hold the edge with 1,190 wins to 1,138 wins.
• Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet go together in the ole U.S.A.

Stay tuned for next month's edition...

April Showers Bring May Flowers...& Potholes

With the winter season in the rear-view mirror, we now find ourselves affected by chilly and wet spring-time conditions. These conditions are a major reason for the many potholes we encounter on surrounding roadways. Potholes create stress on a vehicle's steering and suspension systems. If a vehicle is knocked out of alignment, it creates uneven tire wear and is often diagnosed with a noticeable pull of the vehicle in one direction.

If your vehicle has these symptoms, bring it in to have one of our certified technicians diagnose and correct your alignment issues. First, a technician will visually inspect the steering linkage and suspension components. Next, we will perform a computerized alignment angle check. If an adjustment is needed, a technician physically brings those angles back to within specifications set by the vehicle manufacturer.

Baum Chevrolet Buick will soon unveil its newest venture, the Alignment Quick Check service available at our Quick Lube facility across from the dealership. If your vehicle is experiencing any of these symptoms, you can stop by our facility without an appointment and will receive a complimentary "quick check" of your vehicle's alignment. A vehicle, when properly aligned, rides smoothly and reduces the risk of uneven tire wear.

Have another issue? Contact one of our service advisors at (217)-935-3156 to set an appointment and keep your vehicle running smoothly. 

Baum Chevrolet Buick Open House

Baum Chevrolet Buick will be hosting an open house on Thursday, April 9 at 4:30 PM to showcase the all-new Chevrolet Colorado and Chevrolet Trax.

The Colorado is an all-new midsize pickup with the style and versatility of a truck and the refinement, maneuverability and efficiency of a crossover. Featuring the latest in convenience and safety features, the Colorado is perfect for work or play. The Colorado is smaller than the Silverado and is available in a crew cab or extended cab body style. It is engineered to perform better than other competitors in power and payload while delivering a smooth and quiet ride. It was recently named Motor Trend’s 2015 Truck of the Year!

Chevrolet’s newest small SUV, the Trax, has a sporty design and major curb appeal. With an EPA estimated 34 MPG, up to 16 available storage areas and 4G LTE Wi-Fi, this vehicle is the perfect combination of style and function. In addition to great looks, the Trax received the highest possible 5-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program. The rating was given to both front- and all-wheel drive models.

Highlights for the open house include:

•  Dinner and refreshments provided by Basket Case Catering
•  2015 Chevrolet and Buick vehicle displays
•  Raffle
•  Valet parking
•  Balloon Art provided by Liza of The Unique Twist
• AutoRewards members will receive 50 FREE points for attending

As always, the event is open to the public. Our staff looks forward to seeing you on Thursday, April 9!

Meet The Team: Jody Scott

Even before legally able to drive a vehicle, Service Technician Jody Scott was well-versed in all aspects of a vehicle. From an early age, Jody worked on vehicles, even tackling some re-building projects.

Service Technician, Jody Scott

Jody continued his education with more hands-on training before he hired with Baum Chevrolet Buick in October 1988. Still today, more than 26 years after first walking through the doors, Jody values his role in helping the customer.

"When things go bad, I like to analyze and find a solution," Jody said. "In today's advanced, computerized vehicle systems, it's always important to monitor your vehicle, and I like playing a part in maintaining a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems."

In August 2014, Jody re-certified his skill set through the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) program. Through the program, Scott completed coursework in the areas of manual drive train, suspension and steering, braking systems, electrical and electronic systems, heating and air conditioning systems, engine performance and all components related to a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.

Jody said he is a proud member of the Baum team, and enjoys his role in living up to the dealership's high standards for quality customer service.

"Here at Baum's, we are still a family-oriented business," Jody said. "We believe in traditional values like honesty when helping our customers with their automotive needs."

If your vehicle is in need of maintenance, please contact one of our service advisors at (217)-935-3156 to meet all of your automotive service needs.

Meet The Team: Tony Souspreskis

Since 1970, Service Department Porter Tony Souspreskis has developed a passion for both the automotive industry and for doing all he can to ensure customer expectations are exceeded each day. Souspreskis gained a technical understanding of the industry while attending Danville Junior College in Danville, Illinois. He later worked for a Massey-Ferguson dealership before entering the automotive industry at another area dealership.

Service Advisor, Tony Souspreskis

He first joined Baum Chevrolet Buick in May 2001, working first as a service technician. The following year, Souspreskis was selected to work out of the newly-built dealership in Farmer City, Illinois. From 2002 to 2013, Souspreskis acted as service advisor for all Farmer City service customers.

"I like people and I want to help them solve their vehicle problems to keep them safe," he said. "Baum's is a family-oriented dealership, and here, we have a way with people. I like knowing people have confidence that we will do the job the right way, and we want them to leave happy and continue to rely on us for service."

Baum Motor Company, Farmer City, Illinois

These days, Souspreskis remains at the center of Farmer City service operations. Since the recent change to bring all Farmer City vehicles in for service to the better-equipped Clinton location, Souspreskis now coordinates receipt of vehicles to the Farmer City location and personally transports each vehicle for service in Clinton. Once there, vehicles are inspected and repaired by a host of qualified technicians with more resources readily available.

"With this new system, a customer doesn't have to drive a long distance for service," Souspreskis said. "We work with them to receive the vehicle and make sure they get where they need to go with as little inconvenience as possible."

If your vehicle is in need of maintenance, please contact one of our service advisors at the Clinton location by calling (217)935-3156. They will work with Souspreskis to coordinate the most efficient means to fixing your vehicle.

Did You Know?: Fallen Stars Part II

It's hard to believe that 2014 has come to an end... 

While we've already said goodbye to another year, we would like to take a moment to remember a few notable celebrities. Sales and Leasing Consultant, Tim Hoyt, has compiled a second list of famous individuals who passed away this past year. In addition to the individuals previously mentioned in the July 2014 post, the following list includes the numerous actors/actresses, comedians, politicians and athletes that passed away during the second half of 2014:

• Former Washington, DC Mayor, Marion Barry - 78
• TV and movie star, James Garner - 86
• Former Dallas Cowboys fullback, Robert Newhouse - 64
• President Reagan's Press Secretary, James Brady - 73
• Rock singer, Johnny Winter - 70
• Actor and comedian, Robin Williams - 63
• Actress, Lauren Bacall - 89
• Saturday Night Live announcer, Don Pardo - 96
• Actor, Ed Nelson - 85
• Actor, Edward Herrmann - 71
• Comedian, Joan Rivers - 81
• Country singer, George Hamilton - 77
• Actor/Director, Richard Attenborough - 90
• Actor, Richard Kiel - 72
• Actress, Polly Bergen - 84 
• Actress, Jan Hooks - 57
• Singer, Paul Revere - 76
• Fashion Designer, Oscar de la Renta - 82
• St. Louis Cardinals outfielder, Oscar Tavares - 22
• Director, Mike Nichols - 83
• Journalist, Ben Bradlee - 93
• Former Chicago Mayor, Jane Byrne - 81
• Actress and former Miss America (1959), Mary Ann Mobley - 75
• Singer, Joe Cocker - 70
• Illinois politician, Judy Barr Topinka - 70

Did you know that former actor, Richard Kiel, was famous for his role as "Jaws" in the James Bond films?

Stay tuned for next month's edition...