Director’s Thoughts-April, 2015

Here we are in April, already.  Is it finally done snowing?  This has definitely been a long, hard winter.  I guess, by this time every year I am saying the same thing.  It was probably no worse than any other winter, but by the time April comes along, I am so anxious for some beautiful spring weather so I can get my Riviera out of winter storage. Can you believe that April has been declared National Car Care Month?  I have no idea who actually declares these days, but, I for one like this one.  Why April, you might ask?  Well, in April, as winter comes to an end, it is time to get your car ready for spring driving & summer road trips.  National Car Care Month reminds you to take care of any issues that may have occurred or been ignored during the winter.  Spring driving brings its own hazards such as slick, wet roads.  It is important to make sure your tires brakes & windshield wipers are ready for the rain.  Of course, we all know that most of us would never take our beloved cars out in the rain!  This is just the beginning of many car shows & events.  This is the season we all look forward to.  So, let me leave you this one thought.  If you think of the last 4 words of the National Anthem are: Gentlemen, start your engines; you are absolutely right!

Your Director, Don Sterner

“Free Spirit” Chapter Meeting Minutes, March 3, 2015

No monthly meeting was held due to inclement weather.  Be sure to attend the April meeting to see what is in store for you in the near future!

Hershey Trolley Works Tour – April 11, 2015

We will begin our day by meeting @ the Cracker Barrel Restaurant, Hamburg, PA for breakfast by 7:30 AM sharp.  If you are not meeting for breakfast, then please meet there by 8:45 AM SHARP!  It is a 50 minute drive to Hershey where we will depart on the Trolley Work Tour @ 10:15am.  Conductors dressed in period costumes will entertain you on the most comprehensive, in depth, historical tour of Chocolate Town, USA, while hearing Milton Hershey’s life story. The tour includes small sweet treats throughout.  Also, we will see & learn about Mr. Hershey’s mansion, his birthplace, the original chocolate factory, the new chocolate factory, the Hotel Hershey, &, of course, a stop @ Founders Hall @ the Milton Hershey School.  This will be followed by Hershey’s Great American Ride Tour & Hershey’s Chocolate Tasting Adventure.  Of course, there will be time to purchase goodies of your choice.  We will end our tour with an ice cream sundae!

Again, meet @ Cracker Barrel Restaurant, Hamburg, PA by 7:30 AM for breakfast= pay your own.  If you do not want breakfast, then please be @ the restaurant by 8:45 AM SHARP!!
Adult Member = $12.00 per person
Adult NON-member guest = $24.00 per person
Child(ren) of member (ages 3-12) = $9.00 per child
Child(ren) NON-member guest (ages 3-12) = $18.00 per child

Send a check, “Free Spirit” Chapter, to Stacy Sterner, 121 Pheasant Drive, Kutztown, PA 19530.  610-285-2346, staze1016@aol.com.  Hope you will join me!

Stacy Sterner

Collegeville, PA Tour, May 31, 2015

Please mark your calendar, Sunday, May 31st, to join me in taking a lovely ride through the countryside to Collegeville, PA.  There we will be under the gracious hospitality of Howard/Martha Kriebel.  They will “WELCOME” us into their quaint & lovely home which is an exact replica of William Penn’s Home.  After this, we will then be taken on a tour through their collection of cars.  From there, we will enjoy dining together @ a nearby restaurant.  Please think about joining me for a fun filled, Spring day!

Sally Getz

Lakota Wolf Preserve, Wolf Watch Tour, Columbia, NJ, June 6, 2015

Please mark your calendar on this date for a drive & a learning adventure about Wolves.  Sally will take us on a relaxing drive from Allentown, PA to Hope, NJ to “King” & Peggy Schaedels’ home.  From their home, “King” will guide us on a 12 mile drive to the Lakota Wolf Preserve located in Columbia, NJ.  There we will enjoy & learn about many types of Wolves.  From there, we will then enjoy each other’s company while dining at the restaurant of choice of the Schaedel’s.

Sally Getz

June 14, 2015, “Free Spirit” Chapter Annual Picnic

Where:  Weeping Willow Pavilion, Macungie Park, Macungie, Pa
When:  Sunday, June 14th, lunch 12:30pm
Who:  Last names beginning with
A-I=dessert
J-R=cold dish
S-Z=hot dish

As in the past, the chapter will supply the meats, plates, utensils, beverages, napkins, cups, and hot plates.  Get those recipes out & intrigue the members with your favorite specialty!  There will be a surprise guest speaker attending this year’s picnic!  Come out to attend this event & to show support for fellow members and guest.  Questions, Clarence Getz, 610-377-6130, csgetz@ptd.net

BCA 50th Anniversary Celebration, July 27-30, 2016, Allentown, PA

National Buick Club of America will be celebrating its’ 50th Anniversary on July 27-30, 2016 on the grounds of Mr. Nikola Bulgari, Fenwick & Ellsworth Streets, Allentown, PA.  Close to 1000 BUICKS are anticipated to be on display during this time.  For those of you who a National members, be sure to watch your upcoming future Bugle’s to register your car(s).  If you’re attending this year’s National Meet in Springfield, Missouri, you will be privy to register during that time.  So, say, be very attentive to your future bugles to register.

Although 2016’s show is an “Anniversary Celebration” & there will be no judging, do not let that discourage you from participating.  It’s a very overwhelming yet extremely exciting feeling to be in amongst & part of such beautiful BUICKS & their owners!  Each day, tours are offered to different places, ie. Simeone Institute, America on Wheels, AACA Museum, Martin Guitar, etc.

If you ARE NOT a National BCA member, please consider on joining ASAP so you can register & participate in what this celebration has to offer to you.  If you ARE NOT a National BCA member, you may only attend this celebration as a SPECTATOR.  Contact Sally with questions, csgetz@ptd.net, 610-377-6130

A Changing World

I read an article recently about Uber & their plans to manufacture a self-driving vehicle.  Can you imagine an overnight trip, somewhere across the country, where you wake up just as you arrive, fully refreshed & ready to drive into your vacation?  It sounds promising doesn’t it?  The article went on to whine the loss of jobs this advance in technology will create.

Consider for example, all the truck drivers who spent countless hours over the road now needing to find another source of income.  With the current shortage of qualified truck drivers to deliver goods the idea sounds like a valid solution.  Now, instead of having to rely on a driver, a dispatcher programs a destination & the goods are delivered to the customers dock, in time.  All the customer needs to is unload the goods, notify the shipper who will then remotely send the truck to its next appointment.  And, it can operate tirelessly-24/7.

Consider all the taxi drivers, lined up @ the airports & convention centers ready to pick up passengers, now out of work.  Instead, passengers climb into an awaiting cab, punch in their destination, & the cab slides out into the traffic flow, switching lanes just like an experienced driver, & the passengers arrive unscathed in the best possible time.  Controllers watching flight arrivals & events across the city can remotely send more cabs to an area that needs them @ any given time.

All of this may sound like science fiction & something eons down the road, however many of the inventions sounded far-fetched, as well, just a couple of years ago.

What about the whine of lost jobs?  I recall that same cry when the computer first became commonplace.  Granted, the computer has transformed the workplace & how we do business.  E-mail takes a matter of seconds to convey information that previously took several days via the postal service.  Desktop publishing has allowed even the novice user to use their imagination & create attractive programs & invitations.  Online ordering has replaced the hassle of running from store to store & mall to mall to find something.  In many cases, you can order & pay for a product today, & have it delivered to your door tomorrow.  Software programs enable us to keep track of information & create reports that provide tremendous value in decision making.  Accounting programs allow us to get up to date information on accounts receivable, accounts payable, overdue invoices, etc., that help us make informed financial decisions.  Have these changes caused a loss of jobs?  I would expect opinions on that to vary, but we do know some jobs have disappeared while new ones have developed.

Perhaps it is more of a shift to different kinds of jobs than a loss of jobs.  In the printing business, for example, entire departments have been eliminated.  The paste up & dark room work have all shifted directly to the computer.  Some of the processes have become much more automated, something that wasn’t possible when doing it manually.  Other businesses have experienced similar transformations.  Today’s worker needs a different set of skills than the previous generation.  Computerization demands ever greater efficiency & increased production.

Older workers who are less skilled with computers find the shift to computerization a greater challenge than the coming generation.  As technology continues to advance, the workforce of the future will continue to need computer skills.  It is no longer just a computer in the office, but almost every piece of manufacturing equipment & machinery is now controlled & operated by computers.

It isn’t likely that we will ever computerize ourselves out of work.  Obviously, the skills & types of jobs will change.  We can sit back & whine of the good old days or we can rise to the challenge of making ourselves useful & productive in the day & age we live in.  There is still work for anyone who is willing to learn.

When Is Seat Belt Replacement Necessary?

Seat belts & airbags are safety devices that serve to limit or prevent injury in the event of an automobile accident.  Drivers & passengers tend to take these devices for granted, but these safety measures can greatly reduce a person’s risk of injury or even death.  Although seat belts do not degrade as quickly as parts of a vehicle that need frequent servicing, there are some instances when seat belts should be replaced.

Seat belts, like car seats & air bags, are considered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to be single-use items.  Seat belts are designed to work just once-protecting & immobilizing a passenger in the event of a crash.

Seat belts are more advanced than they were when first introduced in vehicles.  Early seat belts were options on cars.  It wasn’t until Saab first introduced seat belts fitted as standard in 1958 that the practice became commonplace.  Since then, seat belts have been redesigned many times to make them even more effective.  They have a pretensioner, which reels back slack on the seat belt.  Pretensioners pre-emptively tighten the belt to prevent the occupant from jerking forward in a crash.  They can be activated in a bad crash or any crash severe enough to deploy an airbag.

Seat belts also are equipped w/ locking retractors, which afford the seated occupant some movement while still providing a means to limit movement in the event of a crash.  Retractors equipped w/ internal locking mechanisms stop the belt from extending off the reel during severe deceleration.  Both of these safety belt components may effectively work only once.  After an accident, the ability of pretensioners & retractors may be compromised.  The fabric seat belt itself also may have been marginally stretched out in the crash.

It’s advisable to replace any seat belts that were in use during a crash to ensure the belts will offer the same measure of protection should a collision occur in the future.  Some manufacturers also recommend changing all of the safety belts in the vehicle, even if they weren’t in use @ the time of the crash.  The vehicle owner’s manual should include recommendations regarding when to change seat belts.  If it does not, drivers can speak w/ a dealership mechanic.

Seat belts that are frayed or do not operate properly, regardless of whether or not they were involved in a crash, also should be replaced.  Some safety experts advise having seat belts inspected & possibly replaced after 10-15 years of use.  One can never tell how older seat belts will stand up in the event of an accident.  If the seat belts have a built-in indicator, verify that they have not been stretched during regular wear to warrant replacement.  Seat belts can protect passengers only if they are in good working form.  They likely need replacement after a collision.

Shape Up Your Vehicle for Spring & Summer: Undoing the Damage from a Rough Winter

This year’s epic winter created endless misery for motorists, & cars took an unusually tough beating.  Some of us learned this the hard way as sub-zero temperatures took their toll, freezing door locks, draining batteries, icing up fuel lines, & leaving some drivers literally out in the cold.  Winter driving conditions place a heavy burden to a vehicle’s performance.  That’s why when the worst of winter is over, drivers need to inspect their cars for damage that could cause problems well into the summer.

TIRES – Collisions with potholes can cause concealed damage to a car’s tires & suspension.  Under-inflated or worn tires are common problems leaving you with poor contact & increasing the risk of sliding on wet pavement.  The pressure should be checked regularly & filled to the recommended level.  Correctly inflated tires can improve gas mileage up to 3%.

BRAKES/SUSPENSION – Faulty brakes can be dangerous so a thorough brake inspection should be include brake linings, rotors, drums & fluids.  Other warning signs of a faulty suspension are if your vehicle rolls or sways on turns, or the front end dives when braking or bounces or slides sideways on a winding & rough road.

FLUIDS – Just as with people, fluids are critical for vehicles when things begin to warm up.  Check your owner’s guide for the proper procedures to verify the following:  Engine oil, coolant level, automatic transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid.  If you notice any leaks or puddles or stains under your vehicle, it is a good idea to have it inspected.

WIPER/LIGHTS – Good visibility is essential to safe driving.  Inspect wiper blades for cracks & brittleness.  If your blades are more than a year old or don’t get the windshield completely clean-without streaks-in 3 swipes, it’s time for new ones.  Inspect your car’s headlights, taillights, brake lights & emergency flashers.  Keep them clean & in good working order.  Use a soft cloth to clear away winter grime on headlights & tail lights.

KEEP IT CLEAN – Cars can get pretty messy after a winter’s worth of snow, sleet, salt & slush.  When the worst of winter is over, wash the underside thoroughly to eliminate corrosive chemicals & road grime.  When the undercarriage is clean, check for damage caused by potholes or road salt & have it repainted as soon as possible.

                                              CALENDAR OF EVENTS

APRIL 2015                         (WEATHER PERMITTING)

7 – Monthly chapter meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Rts. 78/100, supper @ 6pm, business meeting @ 7:30pm.  Guest speaker is a representative from “Habitat for Humanity”.  Join us for a very informative evening on 1 of many community services!

11 – Hershey Trolley Works Tour, Stacy Sterner, 610-285-2346

16 – 4th Annual Car Show, 4th St., Hamburg, PA.  610-562-4332

17-19 – Spring Englishtown, NJ

22-25 – Spring Carlisle, Carlisle Fairgrounds, Carlisle, PA

26 – Auto Parts Flea Market, Leesport, PA

MAY 2015

3 – GM On Display Show, Macungie Park, Macungie, PA

5 – Monthly chapter meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Rts. 100/78, supper @ 6 pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm.  Guest speaker is Ms. Jennifer Washney, Specialist Mission Delivery of East Central Division/American Cancer Society, Inc.  Please join us!  Who knows, YOU may benefit from this one day!

9 – Pottstown Cars: Coffee & Friends, Stowe, PA.  Ray, 484-919-3424

16 – Ambler Car Show, Ambler, PA.   215-654-9663

17 – Wind Gap Show, 400 S. Lehigh St., Wind Gap, PA.  610-704-6586

17-21 –14th Annual Brass Era National Tour, Morgantown, PA.  Jim Dix, 607-562-3501

31 – Collegeville, PA Tour, tour master, Sally Getz, 610-377-6130

JUNE 2015

6 – Lakota Wolf Preserve Tour, Columbia, NJ, tour master, the Schaedel’s

12-14 – Elegance @ Hershey.  717-534-1910

14 – “Free Spirit” picnic, Weeping Willow Pavilion, Macungie Park.

20 – Palmerton Car Show, Palmerton, PA.  610-826-3393

20 – 20th Annual AACA Museum Carnival Show, Hershey, Pa.  717-566-7100

26-28 – GM Nationals, Carlisle, Pa

CARS/PARTS “FOR SALE”

1917 Buick Roadster All restored.  $25,000.00, 860-982-3001.

1927 Buick Sport Roadster (54) 3p, very rare car.  Jack Bennett, representative for Rose Nemeth, (Erno’s wife,) Ringoes, NJ 908-303-5391

1956 Buick Century Riviera Series 60 – 4 dr htp.  Original 322 “Nail Head” V8 Road Master engine (255hp) w/ “Dyna Flow” A/T & factory dual exhaust.  PS, PB, PW & S.  Sonomatic push button radio, factory deluxe lighting pkg.  72,700 original mi.  Frame/body solid.  Garage kept.  Pics available.  $15,000.00/negotiable.  570-309-2367, Robert.stavish@gmail.com

1962 Buick Skylark Conv. – Overall Good condition.  Various NOS chrome installed.  Runs/drives nice!  Transmission, rear; top, & rear window good.  Dave’s Interior Restorations, 525 Chestnut St, Emmaus, Pa 18049

1969 Skylark Convertible – kimberly.pavlick@scranton.edu

1973 Buick Centurion 455 Conv.  Met. Brown w/ buckskin int., white top.  Orig. paint, int. & running gear.  Runs/drives EXC.  103K, 2nd owner.  Includes cover & top boot.  Sold new @ C&G in Emmaus.  Trans was completely rebuilt 2 yrs ago.  $12,000 OBO.  Carl, 610-366-7107

1981 Buick Regal – 4 dr dark green.  Garage kept.  75,000 mi. 717-576-7588

1937 MINT Buick Owner’s Manual, $35.00.  kriebel12@verizon.net

1972-’87 pr. of NOS brake rotors for FS Buick, $45.00. 610-489-1253

1983-’86 Buick Regal NOS headlight frame LF in original GM box, $25.00.  kriebel12@verizon.net, 610-489-1253

1989 Buick Riviera 122,000 miles. Good condition, Garage kept. $3,500 OBO. 2000 miles on tires. New battery. Tom Kenn at 610-633-5285