Director’s Thoughts, October 2015

September! YIKES! Where did the summer go? It’s back to school time now all over the country! I began kindergarten when I was just 4 years old. Hey, I was a smart kid, what can I say…..LOL! I always liked school. I don’t remember crying when my mom & dad dropped me off for my very 1st day of kindergarten. I was happy to see all the other kids. It was always fun telling my mom & dad what had happened at school every day. All these memories of my childhood, bring back memories of my own kids growing up. I remember when they started kindergarten & we took them off for their 1st day. They were excited! All the other moms & dads were waving good-bye & crying. I thought to myself, don’t they know that they are coming back home in just 4 hours! LOL! I went home and just enjoyed the peace & quiet. It was as new an experience for them, as it was for us. Now, 42 years later, our oldest granddaughter is heading off to college. There I was, strong & brave when my daughter went off to kindergarten, & now, I hate to admit it, but, there I was with tears rolling down my cheek when I said goodbye to her as she went off to college! What a softy I turned out to be! You always worry about your children even when they are grown & out on their own, but, grandchildren, now that is a whole different area. I worry about them all the time. What will their life become in today’s’ world! It sure is something to think about! On a brighter note, fall is approaching, the dog days of summer are almost behind us. Let’s all get our cars out & enjoy this beautiful weather & the beautiful fall foliage before the season ends & it is time to put them back in storage for the winter.
Your Director, Don Sterner

“Free Spirit” Chapter Meeting Minutes, September 1, 2015

Director Don Sterner called the meeting to order @ 7:10pm. There were 16 members present. Motion to accept treasurer’s report for August, Don Atwood, seconded by George Grossman, so carried.

This month is the “Free Spirit” Chapters 39th birthday! It was conceived in August of 1977 @ DAF, with our own Dave Brady being one of the founding fathers & our 1st Director. Dave took a minute to tell us about the founding of our Chapter & went on to express how the club had flourished because of its leadership & members who always step up to the plate when they were needed. In conjunction with this being our birthday month, our speaker for September was our own Clarence Getz. It seems that, as recommended by our BOD, all old records of the club should be cleaned out. So, while cleaning out a huge walk-in closet where he had many of these records stored, he found a lot of interesting facts & memorabilia about the early years of the club. He was kind enough to share this w/ our members. This information was quite interesting!

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

A. Historian –photos of the picnic & DAF are on the web site
B. Kempton – Flyers are still available to members to be handed out. The deadline to register is October 16th! Clarence reported he is having lighter weight signs made as suggested by the BOD. Also, day-of-registration will be streamlined this year to avoid the traffic jam as there was last year.
C. Membership –Dolores Kennedy reported that we lost 3 members during this past membership renewal drive: Lynn Yoder, Ronald Sackeroff & Dick Kohl. We did gain a couple from DAF: Chuck/Lois Mason. Dolores questioned the name badges one receives when becomes a new member. Does the spouse have to pay for a badge? According to the present by-laws, “Initial membership fee will include membership card, I. D. badge, club roster & a copy of the by-laws. Additional badges are available for a fee.” Some members feel the spouse should get a badge without a fee. This will be brought up by the future BOD to be determined.
D. Newsletter –no report
E. Programs – Mr. Rod Kraft will be our October guest speaker on Mequier Products.
F. Publicity –no report
G. Ways and Means – Sally reported, 2 blankets have been sold during the summer hiatus: Arizona & Maryland. In preparation for the BCA 50th Anniversary Celebration, July 2016, she has 110 blankets for sale.

I. OLD BUSINESS

2016 BCA 50th Anniversary Celebration: Don reported that he received an email from John Scheib stating: looking for volunteers from the local chapter to help @ the Celebration. What help is needed was not described. Anyone interested in volunteering, call Don Sterner or Sally Getz for further contact information.

II. NEW BUSINESS

Regional Meet 2017/2018? Sally reported she received an e-mail from John Scheib asking if any local chapter would be interested in hosting a Regional Meet sometime in the near future. Because this would be a later date, & not something we need to decide right now, please, just think about whether or not you think our club should get involved in this. Sally can follow up on this in the New Year.

Election of Officers/BOD: In October, we will, once again nominate officers & BOD for our chapter. Our current officers are:
Director Donald Sterner (2-year term) *
Assistant Director Sally Getz (2-year term) *
Secretary Stacy Sterner (1-year term) *
Treasurer Clarence Getz (1-year term) *
BOD Kathleen Duckett (2-year term)*
Thomas Duckett (2-year term) *
John Moore (2-year term)
Thomas Sylvester (2-year term) *
*The office w/ a * after them are the ones up for election. Please come to the October meeting prepared to nominate members for elections.

Correspondence: Sally reported that she received a letter from Christine Cleaver of Camelot For Children, thanking us for our $100 contribution. Also received, was an invitation from our newsletter printer, TN Printing, Lehighton, Pa., to attend an Open House of their Re-Designed facility on Thursday, September 9th. Refreshments provided.

A motion was made to adjourn by Thomas Sylvester, seconded by Shirley Schaffer, so carried, 8:37 pm.

Respectfully submitted by: Stacy J. Sterner, Secretary

Carolyn R. Pope, (1924-2015)

It is with much sorrow to learn of the passing of Mrs. Carolyn Pope. She was 91 years of age. She passed away at ManorCare Health Services, Pottsville, Pa. Sunday, August 30th. Born in Pottsville, August 11, 1924, she was a daughter of the late Herman G. & Caroline Lebengood Rhoads. Carolyn was a member of United Presbyterian Church. She graduated from Pottsville High School, Class of 1942. She was also a graduate of Syracuse University & a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. Surviving are her husband of 64 years, Spencer “Pete” Pope; 4 sons, Spencer III & James, both of Auburn, Pa, Andrew, husband of Denise, & Bill, husband of Kris, both of Pottsville. Carolyn has 8 grandchildren & 7 great-grandchildren. Carolyn R. Pope was truly a lady! She will be sorely missed! The “Free Spirit” chapter has given a contribution to the United Presbyterian Church, Pottsville, Pa in memory of Mrs. Carolyn R. Pope.

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 joining ASAP so you can register & participate, otherwise you may only attend as a SPECTATOR. Questions, Sally Getz, csgetz@ptd.net, 610-377-6130

Removing Bug Remains From Your Vehicle

I got this tip from a friend in the hobby, who had asked a retired professional detailer for his suggestion. To easily remove bug remains from your vehicle, put a couple of Bounce (yes, the fabric softener) sheets in an empty spray bottle & then add water. Spray the mix on the remains, & wipe with another Bounce sheet. I have tried this & 2 friends in the hobby have done this, & it works! Ed Lenny

Pennsylvania Auto Insurance Companies Are At War For Your Business

DO NOT pay your next car insurance bill until you read this…………..This is the one simple truth that your car insurance company doesn’t want you to know about. Did you know that you could get an extremely huge discount on car insurance if you drive less than 50 miles per day & live in a qualified zip code? Furthermore, if you don’t have any DUI’s in the past 2 years, you can get even bigger discounts. But has your insurance company told you this I bet not…………………When drivers visit the Easy Auto Quotes official site, the results can be extremely shocking. Many drivers are reporting that it’s possible to save more than 60% on their car insurance while many found rates low as $9.00/week. When we first heard about this, we decided to find out if it was really possible.

After pouring through mounds of research to see if these types of comparison services were possible, the results were very exciting. Our team discovered that not only were these claims true, but some drivers actually ended up saving over $400/year compared to what they were previously paying. They also found that many other people are indeed able to save similar amounts. So, what exactly is the “One Simple Rule” you need to follow? Don’t even think about getting insurance without 1st comparing discounted quotes from an unbiased source. So this begs the question – are you being scammed by your insurance agent? Our research indicates that for years, PA drivers have been overcharged for their insurance. Since drivers end up saving up to 60% on their insurance, it’s no wonder services such as these are growing rapidly. Our research concluded that Easy Auto Quotes as one of the most reliable, trusted, & highly effective tools to provide driver with low rates. Over 2,000,000 US drivers have already used services like Easy Auto Quotes.

Watch out for Deer!

They say death & taxes are the only certain things in life, but if you live in a rural area you can add hitting a deer on the road to your list. Every year the insurance company State Farm conducts a survey about the likelihood of hitting those creatures. West Virginia tops the list of states where a collision is most likely, with the odds of hitting a deer at 1 in 39. For PA, it is 2nd. The odds are 1 in 71. I believe if you live in this region your odds are even better: I believe that everyone who drives rural roads has a number; & that number will come up sooner or later in your lifetime.

One day while tooling down the road & up over the hill, suddenly a deer appeared in the middle of my lane. My lights were low because of oncoming traffic so I didn’t see it until it was too late. In just 1 second, there was $3,500 damage. Only 1 of us walked away. Some say swerve away from hitting the deer but then you end up hitting something else. Some say, just hit the deer. Some also say, blow your horn & the sound will scare off the deer. That is a good thing if you are traveling down a highway at the posted speed. What do you think of doing within that split second? What can you do when you’re supposed to keep your eyes on the road & not on the woods next to you? Can these incidents be prevented?

Usually if a deer crosses in front of you, chances are there are more nearby. Slow down & keep an eye out for more deer darting across the road. SO, the best advice is to slow down. You never know what’s up ahead.

Falling Leaves Present a Beautiful Safety Hazard

Watching leaves turn brilliant shades of color & fall from the trees is a favorite activity each fall. Drivers travel near & far to witness spectacular & colorful displays of fall foliage, hoping to catch the peak hues in their respective areas of the country. While falling leaves can be a sight to behold, those leaves can become a nuisance to drivers in various ways. Understanding certain inconveniences & safety risks posed by falling leaves can help motorists protect their vehicle & themselves.

Staining – leaves can do more than just stain driveways; they also can damage a vehicle’s paint job. Should wet leaves, sap & other chemicals that leach out of the leaves stay on the car for an extended period of time, they can cause an outline stain & damage to the paint. It’s important to manually pick leaves off of the car’s surface right after they fall. DO not sweep them away; otherwise the leaves can scratch the paint surface. When all the leaves have been removes, thoroughly wash & dry the vehicle. Should stains be present already, use a commercial leaf-stain remover or automotive paint cleaner. Tackle 1 stain at a time.

Clogging – Leaves that fall can become trapped in air intake vents, eventually impeding the flow & causing odors. Leaves that fall in the groove of the windshield by the windshield wipers should be removed. Use a high-powered shop vacuum to remove any leaves that are embedded in the venting. Check other areas of the car where leaves can become problematic, such as under the vehicle or on the rear exhaust pipe.

Slippery Surfaces – The Car Care Council notes that wet leaves on the surface of roadways can be hazardous. Wet leaves can make roadways quite slippery, even as slippery as roadways when snow is falling. Drivers should slow down when roads are covered w/ wet leaves & take turns & off-ramps more carefully. Dry leaves can also pose problems, as they tend to accumulate @ the edges of roads, where they easily can obscure curbs or street markings. Leaves may fill potholes, giving the false impression that a road is smooth & causing damage to tires & suspension systems when drivers drive over them. Autumn leaves may be beautiful to see, but they can complicate driving & fall car care. Motorists should keep their cars clear of leaves & use caution on roadways.

Cold Weather Riding Tips For Bikers

The arrival of cooler temperatures means motorcycle enthusiasts should have a plan in place for their vehicles. Although fall sees many riders pack their bikes into the garage to wait out the winter, many others see no reason to quit the great outdoors just because colder weather is on the way. No matter which path riders take & when they take it, preparation is essential when riding motorcycles. Here are a few pointers for riders to consider once the leaves have started to change color.

Layer-Up – Layering clothing is a key component of riding a motorcycle in colder temperatures. Many people are not very active on the back of a bike, so they will not generate enough heat on their own. Layering clothing will take the bite out of frosty winds * any precipitate that happens to be falling. Layering clothing so that you will feel comfortable, may be even a bit warm when you are just standing around outdoors. A first layer of thermal or fleece is a good idea. Then layer other materials as needed for comfort. Just do not wear so many layers that your mobility is compromised. If layers are not keeping you warm enough, invest in heated clothing. The outermost layer you wear should be weather-&-wind resistant. Wind chill can quickly sap your energy & cut your ride considerably. Leather clothing will fit the bill in most cases, but a rain suit or some other waterproof material also may be necessary at times.

Leaves – Leaves can be a significant hazard to riders in the fall. Damp leaves can make a slippery mess of roads, particularly on turns & curves. Avoid all piles of leaves, as you do not know what may be hiding beneath them. Consider wet leaves as dangerous as black ice, as soggy leaves can be just as slippery.
Salt & Sand – Road maintenance crews will use sand & salt to keep roads clear when snow & ice forms. Avoid riding on salty roads because the salt can corrode chrome & paint. If you choose to do any winter driving, apply a coat of wax to all parts of the motorcycle before going for a ride. This will help protect it & enable any salt to be easily wiped off after riding.

Standing Water – If it rains or snows lightly after an extended period of dryness, oils in the road can come to the surface, making roads quite slick. In addition, stay on the lookout for puddles & other standing water. While motorcycle tires are good for displacing water, they still can hydroplane. Stay focused when riding on wet surfaces.

Foraging Animals – 1 potential hazard riders may not consider is wildlife. Harvested crops reduce easy food sources, & animals may be on the move looking for food. Deer can be pushed out of fields by hunters. A collision w/ a deer can damage a car; never mind a motorcycle. Always use caution in rural areas, particularly at dawn & dusk.

Winterizing – If you choose to store your bike when the weather starts to get cold, remember to put a fuel stabilizer in the tank, fill the tank w/ gas & hook up the battery tender. This will ensure the bike is ready to hit the road when the temperatures warm up.

Fall Has Arrived: Let’s Go Leaf-Peeping!

Colors – Even though we have not had a lot of rainfall this past summer, the “colors will pop” now that it is October.

How Much Rain? – Weather patterns over the next few weeks will be conducive for good colors when they emerge on October.

What’s Ahead? – As the weathermen try to sort out the future radar for weather prediction conditions, hopefully, we will not see, on the horizon, any really big storms or an early frost. These 2 items can play havoc on the colorful leaves on the trees.

How Leaves Change – According to the PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, leaf pigments, length of night & weather are the 3 main factors affecting autumn color. Chlorophyll, the most abundant pigment in a leaf, is broken down & replaced during the growing season, giving off a green color. Other pigments include carotenoid, which reflects orange, yellow & brown colors in corn, carrots, buttercups & bananas; & anthocyanin, which give red, blue & purple colors to cranberries, apples, grapes, berries, cherries & plums. When nights grow longer, chlorophyll production eventually stops, unmasking the colors of carotenoid & anthocyanin pigments. A succession of warm, sunny days & cool, crisp but not freezing nights seems to bring about the most spectacular color displays. Soil moisture changes annually, giving the same location different levels of fall color each year.

Best Time To See Foliage – Currently, < 10% of leaves in the region have achieved their full color. Peak viewing time can be around October 10th-12th. Peak fall foliage viewing across PA usually lasts from October 5th-21st. PA has the longer & more varied fall foliage season than any other state in the nation, or anywhere in the world!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

OCTOBER 2015 (HAPPY HALLOWEEN!)
1-4 – Fall Carlisle Meet, Carlisle, Pa
3 – Fall Flying Festival Car Show, Coatsville, PA
4 – Lehigh Township Festival & Car Show, Walnutport, PA
5 – Monthly chapter meeting, (NOTE: Change of date this month due to Hershey Meet!) Starlite Diner & Lounge, Rts. 78/100, Allentown, Pa. Supper @ 6:00 pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm. Guest speaker is Mr. Rod Kraft from Mequiars Products. Please join us tonight to learn the Do’s n Don’ts on car products. (NOTE: CHANGE OF DATE THIS MONTH ONLY!)
7-10 – Fall Hershey Meet, Hershey, Pa
10 – Norristown Car Show
17 – Pottstown Classic Car Show & Pumpkin Run, Boyertown, PA
18 – 5th Annual Car Show, Cabela’s, Hamburg, PA
24 – Fall Swap Meet & Market, Maple Grove Raceway
25 – 39th Annual Old Car Show, Kempton, PA. Member participation greatly appreciated! See you there!

NOVEMBER 2015 (HAPPY THANKSGIVING!)
1 – Riegelsville Fall Roll-Out Car Show
3 – Monthly chapter meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Rts. 100 & 78. Dinner @ 6:00 pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm. ELECTION DAY, vote before you attend the meeting! Nominations for elections to be voted on. Member participation highly encouraged. YOUR VOTE COUNTS!!

DECEMBER 2015 (HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE!)
7 – “Free Spirit” Annual Holiday Gathering, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Rts. 100/78.

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
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
In Search Of
1951-52 Buick Roadmaster RH grille bar extension. C. Wenger @ 443-710-6624, crewzn@broadstripe.net
1967 Buick Electra Convertible, 610-730-4599, dwebster80@gmail.com