Director’s Thoughts for April 2013

On your mark, get set, gooooooooooooooo! The car season is upon us! Go & have a great time driving those cars! They were made to be driven. Blow the dust out of them & let them show you what they can do! Since they have been in hibernation all winter, they are ready to go! 

Well, it is only 4 months till DAF 2013. The planning & organization of “Buick” being the “Featured Car” is going very well. Please visit our website, www.buickfreespirit.org to register your car(s), to receive further information, & to register for the weekend events. The BOD have been working diligently to cover everything so everyone enjoys their weekend. As director of the “Free Spirit” chapter, I highly recommend its’ members to wear the chapter shirts which are, & have been, available. By wearing these shirts, visitors & other fellow Buick enthusiasts will be more apt to know who to ask w/ questions & or directions during the 3-day event. Besides the shirts, I also highly recommend wearing your membership badges. This way the “Free Spirit” chapter membership is clearly more identifiable to others. Besides, its’ good PR for us as a cohesive chapter. 

This month’s meeting guest speaker will be Mr. Chris Ritter. He is the Head Librarian @ the AACA Library,in Hershey, Pa. He is extremely well verse on many things, & even owns a BUICK! Please join me in attending this months meeting to hear what Mr. Ritter will present to the group, guaranteed it will be most interesting!! 

Next months guest speaker will be Todd, a representative of “Gift of Life” program of Lehigh Valley. Maybe you know of someone who has benefited from this association. 

As you will read further into your newsletter, I have information on the chapters Spring tour scheduled for Thursday, May 16, 2013. Yes, I know this date is not on a Saturday or Sunday, but the place I will be taking you is only open during the week. So please set aside May 16th on your calendars & plan on joining me & others on a fun filled tour. HAPPY SPRING!!

“Free Spirit” Meeting Minutes, March 5 2013

Director, Sally Getz, called the meeting to order @ 7:45pm. There were 28 members present. Sally introduced guest speaker, Mary Ann Snell. Mary Ann is an attorney in Bethlehem, Pa. Her focus is on Orphans Court. The topic she shared w/ us was “Estates & Elder Law.” She explained the “ins/outs” of making a Will. She included what a Trust was, along w/ Power of Attorney (POA)& a Living Will. Moving forward, she went into great detail on the subject of Elder Law. She explained what a person can & cannot do w/ their assets. She left us w/ the thought that Estate Planning is matter of responsibility. This was a subject that most of us were able to relate to. “Thanks” to Mary Ann for this most informative presentation. Motion made to accept meeting minutes of February by Alice Schaffer, seconded Don Sterner, so carried. Treasurer’s report for February given by Clarence Getz, motion made to accept by Dolores Kennedy, seconded by Don Atwood, so carried.

I. COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. Historian-information is continually being sent to web master.
B. Kempton-Kempton flyers have been received, & have already been handed out @ the Hamburg show. Each member received a few flyers. 
C. Membership- no report
D. Newsletter-all newsletter advertisers have renewed for 2013.
E. Programs-guest speaker for April meeting=Mr.Chris Ritter, Head Librarian, AACA Library, Hershey, Pa. 
F. Publicity-normal advertising for monthly meeting completed.
G. Technical-no report
H. Ways-n-Means- members are encouraged to wear the chapter shirts & or badges @ DAF 2013 for chapter identification.

II. OLD BUSINESS

DAF 2013- To date, Shirley Schaffer reported that 83 Buicks have pre-registered. This is 10 more than last month! Sally’s goal of 100 is still attainable! There will be a BOD meeting @ Dave Brady’s on March 20th @ 6:30 pm. Keep your eye on the Calendar of Events for tours being planned. 

III. NEW BUSINESS

Sally received a letter from Rick Young, BCA President, making reference in the President’s Message in this months edition of the Bugle, that the 2016 National Meet is expected to be held in Allentown, Pa. Sally is keeping in touch w/ Richard Earl, Harley Earl’s grandson, in attending DAF 2013. Also, she has contacted an owner of a GM Furturliner, in Michigan. To attend DAF 2013, is too costly, but may be something to plan for in 2016. Motion made to adjourn by Kathy Duckett, seconded by George Grossman @ 9:30 pm, so carried. 

Respectfully submitted by: Stacy J. Sterner, Secretary

How to Spot a Flood Damaged Vehicle in Your Area

Hurricane Sandy left many NE motorists w/ vehicles that were submerged in flood water to varying degrees. Vehicle flooding often results in difficult & expensive repairs. Private vehicle owners, auto dealers & car auction managers now face the dilemma of salvaging or restoring flood-damaged vehicles. Flood-damaged vehicles can be shipped anywhere for resale throughout the US. These vehicles can continue to appear in the marketplace for up to a year after a major flood. Due to the short time period between the water damage & being sold, often these vehicles are not identified as flood-damaged in national databases.

Whether you are shopping for a new vehicle from a dealer or are a used one from any source, follow these tips:

• Engage your sense of smell to detect any damp or musty odors in- side the vehicle
• Are the windows fogged up? Has the carpet or upholstery been re- placed or recently shampooed? Pull back the carpet @ different areas & look for mud, dirt, or signs of water stains.
• Inspect the dashboard underside for signs of mud & dirt. This is a particularly hard area to clean.
• Look under the vehicle for corrosion. It is common to find corrosion in newer vehicles & those that are owned or sold in southern states.
• Open all doors, hood, & trunk to inspect for corrosion, mud & dirt or discoloration on the door frames, hinges & under the weather stripping. Pay special attention to small spaces & crevices that are difficult to clean. Check all electrical components to ensure they are working properly.

• While a non-working part alone does not mean the vehicle was flooded, it combined w/ other difficulties is a cause for concern.
• Obtain a CARFAX Vehicle History Report. This report can potentially reveal if the vehicle has been involved in a flood, major accident, fire, or uncover odometer fraud. Always have the vehicle inspected by a quality repair facility prior to purchasing. Good luck!

MOVE OVER: Police Enforcing Steer Clear Law

Do you slow down or move over a lane when you pass a police officer, accident scene or emergency vehicle alongside the road? If not, then you are breaking the law. Local police departments are now enforcing the Steer Clear Law.

The ‘Steer Clear’ law requires drivers to move over or slow down when they encounter an emergency scene, traffic stop or disabled vehicle. According to the Officer Down Memorial Website (www.odmp.org), since 1980, 305 police officers in the US have been killed in the line of duty after being struck by vehicles. Not only is it the law, it is common courtesy. Sometimes a law has to be made to force people to use common sense.

If you come upon an incident along the side of the road that involves an emergency responder, please remember to steer clear. Under PA’s Steer Clear Law, motorists are required to move at least 1 lane away from the incidents. Emergency responders can include law enforcement, tow truck operators & other emergency personnel. The law applies any time an emergency vehicle has its lights flashing & where road crews or emergency personnel have lighted flares, posted signs or tried to warn motorists.

If you cannot move over because of traffic or other conditions, you must reduce your speed. Failure to move over or slow down will not only result in a citation that carries a fine of up to $250, but drivers cited for traffic violations in these situations will face double fines. If that violation leads to a worker being injured, a 90-day license suspension or jail time could result. If law enforcement is not present @ the time, the law allows road workers & emergency responders to report violations by motorist. Citations can then be issued by police based on these reports.

More information about the Steer Clear Law can be found on the PENDOT website (www.dot.state.pa.us) & state police website (www.psp.state.pa.us) This law will help prevent injuries & save lives, but only if drivers follow the law & use common sense.

Old Thoughts

How many of us can remember thinking of some of the following?:

• Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging 7 cents just to mail a letter?
• If they raise the minimum wage to $1, nobody will be able to hire outside help @ the store.
• When I 1st started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 25 cents/gallon? Guess we’d be better off leaving the car in the garage.
• I’m afraid to send my kids to the movies any more. Ever since they left Clark Gable get by saying damn in Gone w/ the Wind, it seems every new movie has either hell or damn in it.
• I read the other day where some scientist thinks it’s possible to put a man on the moon by the end of the century. They even have some fellows they call astronauts preparing for it down in Texas.
• Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $50,000/year just to play ball? It wouldn’t surprise me if someday they’ll be making more than the President.
• I never thought I’d see the day when all our kitchen appliances would be electric. They’re even making electric typewriters now.
• It’s too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet.
• It won’t be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids so they can both work.
• I’m afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole line of foreign business.
• Thank goodness I won’t live to see the day when the government takes our income in taxes. I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people to government.
• The fast food restaurant is convenient for a quick meal, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on.
• There is no sense going on short trips anymore for a weekend. It costs nearly $2/night to stay in a hotel.
• No one can afford to be sick anymore. At $15/day in the hospital, it’s too rich for my blood.
• If they think I’ll spend 50 cents for a haircut, forget it.
• Remember way back when, school was still in session no matter how much snow there was, & we had to walk!
• As a pedestrian, you waited out for cars, not cars waiting out for you.
  

  “FREE SPIRIT” Spring Tour, Thursday, May 16, 2013

  Please join me on an interesting tour to the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Museum & Academy in the beautiful & SWEET SMELLING Hershey, PA. We will meet in the back parking lot of the Cracker Barrel Restaurant, Hamburg, PA.

  Meet @ 9:30 AM, leave @ 9:45 AM SHARP!!
  If you would like to have breakfast @ the Cracker Barrel, be there early enough to allow yourself time to eat & then to be ready to leave on the tour by 9:30AM SHARP.

  Besides visiting the museum, we will also be taken on an actual guided tour of the PSP Academy, just adjacent to the museum! Between the museum visit and the tour, the approximated time taken may be 1.5-2 hours. So please wear comfortable walking shoes. Both areas are handicapped accessible.

  After the PSP museum & guided tour, lunch, on your own, will be consumed @ The Farmers Wife, 10609 Allentown Blvd, Ono, PA. Good food w/ down home pricing!

  Registration:
  Member & spouse name(s)____________________________________FEE=$3.00 x per person==_______

  Non-member name(s)________________________________________ FEE= $6.00 x per person==_______

  Cell phone number__________________________________________Total amount enclosed==_______

  Make check payable to: “FREE SPIRIT” CHPTER.
  Submit registration form & check to:
  Sally Getz
  1060 Main Rd.
  Lehighton, Pa 18235

  Please RSVP: Tuesday, May 14, 2013. sally@buickfreespirit.org, 610-377-6130.

  Hope you plan to attend to enjoy the day w/ me!!

  Sally Getz

  CALENDAR OF EVENTS
  APRIL 2013 (WEATHER PERMITTING!)
  2 – Monthly chapter meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Rts. 100 & 78, 7:30 pm. Join members for supper @ 6:00 pm. Guest speaker will be Mr. Chris Ritter, head librarian of the A.A.C.A. Library, Hershey, Pa.
  24-28 – Spring Carlisle, Carlisle, Pa. 717-243-7855
  27 – 3rd Annual Cool Cars Show, A.A.C.A. Museum, Hershey, Pa. mtsherrick@yahoo.com
  28 – Automotive Literature & Gas Station Memorabilia Show, Leesport Farmers Market, Leesport, Pa.

  MAY 2013
  5 – Ciff Cowling field, 30th Annual Car Show, Bath, Pa. 610-625-0851
  5 – 35th Annual GM on Display, Macungie Park, Macungie, Pa. 610-640-7464
  7 – Monthly chapter meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Rts. 100 & 78, 7:30pm. Join members for supper @ 6:00pm. Guest speaker will be a rep from Gift of Life of Lehigh Valley
  19 – 3th Annual Wind Gap Show. Tony 610-704-6586
  19-23 – 12th Annual Brass in Bucks County, Reading, Pa. jim@bigflatsrivet.com
  30-JUNE 1 – AACA Eastern Division Meet, Carlisle, PA. pullman1914@aol.com

  JUNE 2013
  1 – 2nd Annual Fallen Heroes Auto Show, Pottstown, Pa. Vic 610-323-8360
  8 – Paoli Car Show, Paoli, Pa. John 610-644-5300
  16 – Annual chapter picnic, Weeping Willow Pavillion, Macungie Park, Pa.
  21-23 – GM Nationals, Carlisle, Pa.
  22 – 18th Annual AACA Museum Car show, AACA Museum, Hershey, Pa.

  CARS/PARTS “FOR SALE”1939 Buick Parts – Owner’s Manual, 6 hubcaps; pr tail lights & shock absorbers; head light lens. Chuck, 410-876-3517, crgraf1@verizon.net. Can send photos!

  1956 Buick Century 4 Dr. Riviera, PS, PB, AM/FM radio conversion, next to NEW COKER wide whites w/ rubber nubs. Rear air shocks to supplement the BUICK ride! Original unrestored BUICK! Also comes w/ large tote of NOS & rare items worth about almost $1,000 if sold on E-Bay. Shop manuals, showroom sales brochure & a file of all records of maintenance. Trim=633. Paint=BMB or 8M8. Acc:F S. Body= #530. Style= #56-4639. Model= #56-63. Vin=6C3005072. $14,000 but is subject to discussion. Bob @ 1-570-606-8061, bobs0825@msn.com

  1966 Buick Riviera – excellent condition. Is a BCA member. Located in CT. 15K OBO. Arlen Roth 914-629-9654

  1988 Buick Reatta Hardtop – Red w/ British Tan interior. Original owner, excellent body condition. 120K miles. 2008 inspection & registration. New tires, ps, pb, ac, pw, power seats. $3,000.00. Contact Toni 610-797-7900

Used it to haul children to school? 
Need to earn money to keep her running great?

Why not consider joining Avon and keep your baby in fantastic shape!

Mary Lacy, Ind. AVON Sales Rep.
639 W Tilghman St. Allentown, PA 18102
www.youravon.com/marylacy
610-820-9188