Director’s Thoughts, July 2015

July is here! And it’s going to be a terrific month! It’s my Birthday month! On July 24th, I will turn 67! I’m not sure yet how I am going to spend my birthday. Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to Me! Since my birthday is this month, I get a wish, right? I need to think long & hard about my wish. It should be something special! Some of my fondest memories of my birthdays growing up are those I spent with my family. My mother always made me a birthday cake of my choice. In order to make the day special, my dad would take the whole family out to a fancy restaurant for dinner. After dinner, we would all come back home to that special cake that mom made, just for me. We would sit around the kitchen table telling stories & laugh so much that our bellies would hurt & our eyes would fill with tears. After dessert, we would all go into the living room & play a board game until it was time for me & my brother to go to bed. These are wonderful memories I have of my childhood birthdays. So, I guess after thinking about all of this, what I would wish for for my birthday this year, is to spend the day with my family.

Your Director, Don Sterner

“Free Spirit” Chapter Meeting Minutes, June 2015

No meeting held during June due to the chapters’ annual picnic at Macungie, PA.

Crystal Cave – Saturday, July 11, 2015

The 55 minute tour includes a 13 minute movie in the Crystal Cave Theater presenting the history of Pennsylvania’s first show cave and the geology of caves. Trained and courteous guides will lead you through an array of spectacular milky white stalactites, stalagmites, and pillar & dropstone formation enhanced by indirect lighting. Marvels of stone sculptury include the Cathedral Chamber, The Prairie Dogs, The Giant’s Tooth, the Ear of Corn and Tobacco Leaves, the Natural Bridge, The Indian Head, The Totem Pole, and The crystal Ballroom. Concrete walks and steal railing ensure your safety through your decent 125 feet underground. The temperature is a constant and comfortable 54 degrees, however, a light sweater or jacket and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.  Our tour will conclude with lunch at the Virginville Hotel.

Meeting place: Starlite Diner & Lounge, Rts. 100/78.
Adult member = $4.50 per person
Adult NON-MEMBER/GUEST = $13.50 per person
Member Child(ren) (4-12) = $3.00 per child
NON-MEMBER Child(ren) (4-12) = $9.50 per child
Make check=“Free Spirit” Chapter, send to Stacy Sterner, 121 Pheasant Drive, Kutztown, PA 19530 by July 5, 2015. Questions: 610-285-2346, dwsterner724@aol.com, or staze1016@aol.com. Don/Stacy Sterner

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. Although this is an “Anniversary Celebration” with NO judging, do not let that discourage you from participating. To register, please go to www.buickclub.org. Here you can navigate & get to where you need to be. If you ARE NOT a National BCA member, please consider on joining ASAP so you can register & participate, otherwise you may only attend as a SPECTATOR. Questions, Sally Getz, csgetz@ptd.net, 610-377-6130

Sunday, May 31, 2015 Collegeville Tour

What a beautiful, sunny, warm day for a drive it was!! To Collegeville we went, 15 “Free Spiriters”. The 1st stop was @ the Powerhouse Antiques & Collectibles just off Rt. 29. The building which now holds the market had, @ 1
time, housed the generators which supplied electricity to the trolley cars that ran through Collegeville. Later, the building was used to store lumber. In 1970, the late Ery Shainline bought the building & after several renovations, opened the doors to the flea market in the fall of the same year. Since that time, his daughters took over the business & expanded the market to what it is today. There you saw everything from post cards to vintage clothing,
from antique dressers to dishes, from country things to seasonal items. Some goodies were sought, & bought by the “Spiriters”. The next stop was to “My Friend’s Tavern” just a few steps from the Powerhouse. There everyone’s taste buds got a good quality taste of many different selections. Despite waiting a while for the food to be served, their selections were exceptionally tasteful!!

The third stop was to “Trinity Church” of which Mrs. (Pastor) Martha Kriebel is a minister. The sanctuary is beautiful! The fourth stop was to the Kriebels’ lovely home. It is a replica of what William Penn had built back in his day. Many many hours of intense research was done in order to have their home built. Much of the furniture & things were made by Mr. Kriebel & his son, Dave. Snacks were served & enjoyed. The last stop was up Rt. 29 to their farm. There, Dave Kriebel, son of Howard/Martha Kriebel, gave the group a barn tour of the cars (restored &
ongoing projects). It sure was a fun-filled & exciting day for everyone! It is truly amazing how a small group of persons can get together for an adventure & have the best time together! Priceless!! “Thank you” Martha/Howard Kriebel for your gracious hospitality!

Saturday, June 6, 2015 Lakota Wolfe Preserve Tour

13 adventurous “Free Spiriters” joined together for a very informative day tour to Columbia, NJ where they learned much about Wolves! Once there, the group took a bus ride up the mountain side to the Observational area. There informal talks were given in the center of the packs of wolves: Timber Pack, Arctic Pack & British Columbian. The talks included learning the social structure of the packs, their eating habits, their interaction w/ man & many other interesting facts. During their time in the Observational area, they watched as the wolves played, interacted w/ one another & even hard them howl! Truly an experience of a At the end of the talks @ the observational area, the group was then guided to an area of which housed 3 Bobcats & an area which housed 2 Foxes, a Red Fox & a Silver Fox. Again, tremendous educational talks were presented on each group. After the Wolfe Preserve Tour, tour master, King Schaedel, guided the group to Hope, NJ where they were met by Peggy Schaedel & their son & his wife & son. While the group was thoroughly enjoying the Wolfe Preserve, Peggy & family were busy beavers preparing lunch for everyone, & what a lunch it was! From pizza to hotdogs, from sandwiches to fruit, they had it all! Homemade desserts, too! And not only 1 dessert, but 3! The selections were WONDERFUL & the desserts OUT OF THIS WORLD!

It was such a beautiful day for a tour & a picnic lunch too @ the “Big Oak” Homestead, PRICELESS! Many many “THANKS” to Peggy & King, family too, for their generous hospitality!

Get Expanded Traffic Info on Penn Dot’s New 522PA Website

Pennsylvania’s 511PA traveler information system is now providing motorists with better access to traffic information w/ a new & improved website, www.511PA.com, as well as improved phone &personal-alert systems. The redesigned website, which works on both computers & mobile devices, provides free, 24-hour ravel information for 1000’s of miles of state roads including the PA Turnpike. Incident & construction information is available for 40,000 miles of state roads, essentially the entire Penn Dot-maintained system, plus the PA Turnpike. The original 511PA system offered information for the 2,900 miles that make up the core system of interstates & select US routes. Information on current traffic conditions has improved w/ real-time traffic-speed data now available for 15,000 roadway miles, expanded from 659.

The site also now offers access to 30 additional traffic cameras form the PA Turnpike Commission, in addition to the 650 already available across the state. Users who opt to get their traveler information on the phone will find an easier-to-use system that provides information more quickly & includes better voice recognition technology. The phone system is accessible by dialing 511 from w/in PA. Users who call 511PA from outside the state should call 1-877-511-PENN (7366).

In addition to the website & phone options, motorists can sign up to receive personal travel alerts through email & text messages. The alerts can be customized by roadway, time of day & days of the week. Alerts are also available through Twitter feeds assigned to each 511PA region, as well as a statewide feed.

July 4th, Independence Day

Variously known as the Fourth of July and Independence Day, July 4th has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution (1775-83). In June 1776, representatives of the 13 colonies then fighting in the revolutionary struggle weighed a resolution that would declare their independence from Great Britain. On July 2nd, the
Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later its delegates adopted the Declaration of
Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 until the present day, July 4th has been
celebrated as the birth of American independence, with typical festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826–the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. In 1870, the U.S. Congress made July 4th a federal holiday; in 1941, the provision was expanded to grant a paid holiday to all federal employees. Over the years, the political importance of the holiday would decline, but Independence Day remained an important national holiday and a symbol of patriotism. Falling in mid-summer, the Fourth of July has since the late 19th century become a major focus of leisure activities and a common occasion for family get-togethers, often involving fireworks and outdoor barbecues. The most common symbol of the holiday is the American flag, and a common musical accompaniment is “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the national anthem of the The Signers, 56, of the Declaration of Independence Numbers of signers to the Declaration of Independence.

Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston comprised the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration. Jefferson, regarded as the strongest and most eloquent writer, wrote most of the document. It’s also worth noting that:
John Hancock, President of the Second Continental Congress, was the first signer. This merchant by trade did so in an entirely blank space making it the largest and most famous signature — hence the term John Hancock, which is still used today as a synonym for signature. There are 7.4 million businesses with paid employees in the U.S., of those establishments 1 million are in the retail trade Benjamin Franklin (age 70), who represented Pennsylvania, was the oldest of the signers. Franklin County, Pa., had an estimated population of 152,085 as of July 1, 2013. Edward Rutledge (age 26), of South Carolina, was the youngest. Two future presidents signed, John Adams (second President) and Thomas Jefferson (third President). Both died on the 50th anniversary of signing the Declaration (July 4, 1826). There are 12 counties nationwide named Adams and Robert Livingston, who represented New York, was on the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence but was recalled by his state before he could sign it. Livingston County, N.Y., was home to an estimated 64,705 Representing Georgia in 1776 were Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall and George Walton. Gwinnett County, Ga. (859,304), Hall County, Ga. (187,745) and Walton County, Ga. (85,754) were named for these signers.
Charles Carroll, who represented Maryland, was the last surviving signer of the Declaration. He died in 1832 at the age of 95. Carroll County, Md., named for him, had an estimated population of 167,564 as of July 1, 2013.
Roger Sherman, who worked as a land surveyor and lawyer, represented Connecticut. Nationally in 2012, there were an estimated 29,976 surveyors, cartographers and photogrammetrists employed full time, year-round, and
841,077 lawyers employed full time, year-round nationwide. Nelson County, Va. (14,789) and Wythe County, Va. (29,344) were named for two of the six signers who represented the state of Virginia — Thomas Nelson Jr.
and George Wythe.

The New American Consumerism

For decades, we worked to own homes-the bigger, the better. And ownership was the default choice for homes, cars & everything else.Things are different today. Homes are shrinking in size for the 1st time in years, more people are renting & car leasing is on the rise. Meanwhile, some  of the fastest-growing companies promote sharing rather than owning. A look into these phenomena offers insight into our changing times.
HOMES- In 2014, the median size of American homes clocked in @ 1,870 square feet-more than twice the size of an average American home in the 1950’s. While still large in historic terms, the 2014 median represents a year-over-year decrease. The typical home purchased last year was a little smaller than in years past. Home sizes continue to drop. The largest cohort of Millennials (typically defines as anyone born between 1980 & 1995) are 24 years old, & most 1st-time home buyers purchase smaller homes.

Research also shows that today’s young people have a preference for city living. That could mean an uptick in smaller urban homes like condos, co-ops & townhouses in the coming years. And young people aren’t the only ones forgoing McMansions: The 50+ crowd is also showing a preference for smaller homes that are close to amenities like parks & shops. The relatively young age of the large Millennial generation, coupled w/ the lingering effects of the recession, also mean more people than ever are renting. Homeownership is at its lowest level since 1995. It’s not just among the young- it’s across the board.

Diminished home values & foreclosures left many people no longer viewing homes as attractive investments. Others are unable to secure a home loan. When combined w/ employment uncertainty & the Baby Boomer generation’s desire to downsize, it’s easy to understand why renting is on the rise. Is small replacing big-& sharing replacing owning?

CARS- In 2013, leasing accounted for 23% of new car sales-& it’s growing Leasing luxury cars has always been common. Yet between 2008 & 2013, the leased share of compact cars more than doubled while the share of subcompact cars nearly tripled. Experts predict that leasing will continue to account for even more new car growth in the coming years, thanks to attractive leasing offers & the appeal of less upfront cash & lower monthly payments. If you lease, there are some things to keep in mind when it comes to insurance coverage. Your leasing company may require you to carry higher limits on your liability protection & lower deductibles on your physical damage coverage. If your leased car is in an accident, it’s possible that you could owe more on the car than what it’s worth. That’s where gap insurance steps in to bridge the difference & pay your leasing company what you actually owe on the car.

The Sharing Economy- 1 of the most hottest consumer trends is the “sharing” or “peer-to-peer” economy. Today, more & more people are renting or borrowing goods rather than buying & owning therm. Borrowers typically deal
directly w/ sellers, which can save money by cutting out middlemen. Everyone wants to avoid costs associated w/ a middleman. They also want to avoid buying things they only need occasionally. In many ways, the sharing economy is a story of consumer empowerment.

This story, however, comes w/ some caveats. For starters, there are unresolved questions about how to tax & regulate the sharing economy. There’s also the issue of insurance. While many of these companies offer coverage,
others offer nothing or only minimal levels of coverage. That could leave you w/ If you participate in the sharing economy, find out what kind of insurance is automatically offered. Then talk to your insurance agent to see if there are coverage options for your situation. The times are changing. But whether it’s your home, your car or something you own, put trust into your insurance agent to give & to guide you on how to protect it.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

July:
5 – Anthracite Region AACA show, McAdoo, PA. 570-929-2017
11 – Crystal Cave Tour, Kutztown, PA, Stacy/Don Sterner , 610-285-2346
12 – Cystic Fibrosis Show, Bethlehem, Pa. don@cfcarshow.com
12 – Car Show, 2443 Lehigh Street, Allentown, Pa.
18 – Classic Show, Nazareth, PA. 610-434-2777
18 – Zion’s Stone Church show, Kreidersville, Pa. www.zionsstoneucc.com
25 – Eastwood Summer Classic Show, Pottstown, Pa. www.eastwood.com
25 – Indian Trail Park Show, Pennsville, PA. spohnster1@aol.com
25 – Wheels For Meals Show, Fair Grounds, Gilbert, Pa. 570-424-5329
31-August 2 – 52nd DAF, Macungie Memorial Park, Macungie, Pa

AUGUST 2015
7-9 – 45th Annual Swigart Museum Show, Huntingdon, Pa. 814-643-2024
8 – 22nd Annual Great Pottsville Show, Pottsville, Pa. 570-628-4561
9 – Vettes For Pets Show, Meuser Park, Easton, Pa. 610-762-3165
16 – 16th Annual Sticks Reunion Show, Wind Gap, Pa. 610-588-0521
22 – 40th Annual Show, Souderton, Pa. 215-368-4438, ext. 44110
29 – Duryea Days, Boyertown, Pa. 610-367-2090
30 – 1ST Annual “ALL MAKES” Show, Reagle Dodge, Rt. 512, 610-381-7222

SEPTEMBER 2015
1 – Monthly chapter meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Rts. 100/78. Dinner @ 6
pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm. Guest speaker is Clarence Getz
19 – Carbon County Shrine Show, Jim Thorpe, Pa. 484-629-3805
19 – Richland Twsp. Community Car Show, Quakertown, Pa. 215-529-7263
19 – Mahoning Drive-In Theater Show, Lehighton, Pa.
20 – Star BOP Show, Rt. 33, Easton, Pa
30- October 3 – Fall Carlisle

CARS/PARTS “FOR SALE”

1939 Buick Special (41) 4-DR Trunk back Sedan, unrestored original car, Straight 8, manual transmission. Runs Well! Rebuilt engine & components, brake system, drive train, transmission. Upgraded carb, electronic ignition, oil
filter, NEW exhaust system. WW tires. Pics available. $16,500/negotiable. Ken Davis, 610-489-1649, kwmcdavis@verizon.net

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

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

1987 Buick Grand National, T-Top – black w/ grey/black int., orig parts, EXCELLENT condition, 3254 ORIGINAL miles, stored in heat controlled garage, $28,500 (or reasonable offer). gbrentano@verizon.net

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

1951-52 Buick Roadmaster RH grille bar extension. C. Wenger @ 443-710-6624, crewzn@broadstripe.net

In Search Of

Late 1980’-early 1990’s Buick LeSabre/Electra – In good running condition for daily driver use in local town driving, reasonably priced. Does not have to be in perfect condition. Harold, 610-826-2639.

1967 Buick Electra Convertible, 610-730-4599, dwebster80@gmail.com