Director’s Thoughts, JANUARY, 2017

Happy 2017 to everyone!  I trust everyone thoroughly experienced a most blessed Holiday Season!  There is no better way to spend such a noble Holiday Season but w/ families & friends.

Now that another year has gone into the past, I look forward to a new year, 2017!  As your Director, I am looking forward to the commitment, guidance, & spending the time w/ all of you to maintain the integrity & existence of this chapter as I have done in the past.  I hope you enjoy what is in store for you as I direct this chapter into 2017.

I strongly urge each & every member to attend the monthly meetings, the planned tours throughout the year, & the annual events held:  the picnic, the Old Car show, & the Holiday Gathering.  Come out to support what you are a part of & ENJOY!!

Your elected Director, Sally Getz

“Free Spirit” Chapter Meeting Minutes, December 6, 2016

The Annual Holiday Gathering was held in lieu of this months’ meeting.  I hope you were able to attend the Holiday Gathering!  It was a lot of FUN!

Koziar’s Christmas Village Tour, Monday, November 28, 2016

While 16 “Free Spiriters” & 2 guests thoroughly was @ “AWHHHH” on this tour, the weather couldn’t have been more perfect for a self-guided tour during the evening hours.  On their way to Koziars Christmas Village, the group consumed a good hot meal @ the Blue Mtn. Family Restaurant, Shartlesville, Pa.  They enjoyed multiple food selections.  Then off they went to the Village only a few minutes away.  As most were prepared w/ their mittens, gloves, hats, & scarves for a cold winters night, as we walked amongst the lights, our bodies were nice & toasty that the extras really were not needed!

As we drove up over the hill, there in front of us was a most beautiful multitude of colored lights on display!  Lights lights & more lights.  Lights in the trees, in the pond w/ their beautiful reflections, on the barn roofs, & on the grass!  Everyone was just amazed w/ this view!  As we walked along the colorful lighted pathway, Christmas season music was heard everywhere.  I even heard many of us humming along, or, in fact, singing along w/ the songs!

Many out buildings were filled w/ multiple Christmas scenes, i.e., the reindeer stall, a toy shop, a Raggedy Ann and Andy shop, an under the sea display,  a Fire Station shop, a train shop, etc.  There were also some snack shops of which one could purchase a hot chocolate, popcorn, or candy!  Towards the end of the pathway, a huge gift shop was visited by all.

All in all, it was not only a great turnout of members for this tour, but also a GREAT time!  Many “THANKS” to all who attended!!

Sally Getz

December 6, 2016, Holiday Gathering

Another Holiday Gathering has now past.  As 28 members & 2 guests were in attendance that night, we were informed of Paul Schaffers’ unplanned hospitalization.  All signed a card for him w/ GET WELL WISHES!

As the night began w/ the social hour, many delightful stories were told.  Sally “Welcomed” everyone to the Gathering.  Besides the usual members in attendance, Leah/Wayne Kieffer & William Hallman attended for their 1st time.  When you see them, ask them how they enjoyed themselves!

While Dolores Kennedy offered the Blessing, the tasty & scrumptious entrees began coming out from the kitchen.  The aroma from the veal parmesan, the black diamond steak & the haddock entirely filled the room.  Everyone agreed that they thoroughly enjoyed their selections & that the waitress did an EXCELLENT job!!  There wasn’t one thing that she forgot.  We sure did keep her on her toes!

Stacy Sterner made the cute favors for everyone.  A snowman cup contained a “Snowman soup” recipe!  It was a very thoughtful idea, “THANKS”, Stacy!

While the meal was being consumed, 3 candy jars worked their way through the tables to see who guess the right amount of candy in each jar.  Clarence Getz won the Dove Tree, 40.  George Grossman won the Peppermint Patty jar, 15.  Laura Getz won the Kit Kat jar, 19.

During dessert a “Christmas Alphabet Game” was played.  Sandy Sylvester had an answer for each of her letters!  Joann Grossman was the winner for the next game played, “Do you have it?”  Her points added up to 265!

The official induction of Officers & BOD’s took place.  The slate is as follows for 2017:

Officers

• Sally Getz = Director
• Kathleen Duckett = Assistant Director
• Thomas Duckett = Secretary
• Clarence Getz = Treasurer

BOD’s

• Don Atwood,
• John Moore,
• Shirley Schaffer,
• Don Sterner
• Thomas Sylvester

Crazy Bingo, well, it was “CRAZY”, especially for Rita Atwood!  Ask her how many times a gift was taken from her!  (Approximately 6!)  Bottles of Merlot & others wines along w/ a “Box of chocolates” seemed to be the hit items for trading this year.

While Shirley Schaffer won the red bow tree, Stacy Sterner won the modern Christmas tree.  6 table centerpieces were also raffled off to members.  Despite the “Not so nice” weather while driving to the Gathering, everyone made a safe journey home.

Till next year,

Sally Getz

22 Adult Truths

1. Sometimes I’ll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
2. Nothing stinks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong.
3. I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger.
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.
5. How are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
6. Was learning cursive really necessary?
7. Map Quest or Google Maps really need to start their directions on # 5.  I’m pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
9. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t at least kind of tired.
10. Bad decisions make good stories.
11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment when you know that you just aren’t going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blu-Ray?  I don’t want to have to restart my collection… again.
13. I’m always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.
14. I keep some people’s phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers.  I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Light than Kay.
17. I wish Google Maps had an “Avoid Ghetto” routing option.
18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
19. How many times is it appropriate to say “What?” before you just nod and smile because you still didn’t hear or understand a word they said?
20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front.  Stay strong, brothers and sisters!
21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.
22. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey – but I’d bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.
It just gets better as you get older, doesn’t it?

Made in the USA

ACE HARDWARE – Made in the USA- Very Encouraging!

Costco sells Goodyear wiper blades for almost half the price that you will pay on the outside & they are made in the USA.

Unfortunately our politicians & top CEO’s have pushed for trade to China & Mexico for years so Americans are now out of work.

Did you know that there is no electric coffee maker made in the US & that the only kitchen appliances made in the US is Viking?  This information came from a report by Diane Sawyer.  Hopefully this has changed or will soon!

I DIDN’T KNOW HALLMARK CARDS WERE MADE IN CHINA!  That is also why I don’t buy cards @ Hallmark anymore.  They are made in China & are more expensive! I buy them at Dollar Tree – 50 cents each & made in the USA.

I have been looking at the blenders available on the Internet.  Kitchen Aid is made
IN THE USA. Top of my list already…

Yesterday I was in Wal-Mart looking for a wastebasket.  I found some Made In
China for $6.99. I didn’t want to pay that much so I asked the lady if they had any others.  She took me to another department & they had some at $2.50 Made in USA.
They are just as good.  Same as a kitchen rug I needed.  I had to look, but I found some made in the USA – what a concept! – & they were $3.00 cheaper!

We are being brainwashed to believe that everything that comes from China & Mexico is cheaper.        Not So.

One Light Bulb at a Time.

I was in Lowe’s the other day & just out of curiosity, I looked at the hose attachments. They were all made in China. The next day I was in Ace Hardware & just for the heck of it I checked the hose attachments there. They were made in USA.

Start looking, people.  In our current economic situation, every little thing
we buy or do affects someone else – most often, their job.

My Grandson likes Hershey’s candy. I noticed, though, that it is now marked “Made in Mexico.” I don’t buy it anymore.

My favorite toothpaste Colgate is made in Mexico …now I have switched to Crest.

You have to read the labels on everything.

This past weekend I was at Kroger.  I needed 60w light bulbs & Bounce dryer sheets. I was in the light bulb isle & right next to the GE brand I normally buy — was an off-brand labeled, “An Everyday Value.” I picked up both types of bulbs & compared them: they were the same except for the price . . . the GE bulbs cost more than the Everyday Value brand, but the thing that surprised me the most was that the GE was Made in MEXICO & the Everyday Value brand was made in – you guessed it – the USA at a company in Cleveland, Ohio.

It’s way past time to start finding and buying products you use every day that are made right here.

So, on to the next aisle: Bounce Dryer Sheets… Yep, you guessed it, Bounce cost more money and is made in Canada.  The Everyday Value brand cost Less, & was MADE IN THE USA!  I did laundry yesterday & the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years, at almost half the price.

My challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things & see what you can find that is made in the USA –  The job you save may be your own or your neighbor’s!

Let’s get with the program & help our fellow Americans keep their jobs & create more jobs here in the USA.

January 2, 2017

As of January 2, 2017, when attending the monthly chapter meetings, be sure to wear your BADGE!  When you became a “Free Spirit” Chapter member, you received a badge with your name on it.  Be sure to find it to wear to each & every meeting.  If you are a recent new member & you did not receive your badge yet, please ask Dolores Kennedy for one.  If you are a member & your spouse does not have a badge, please see Dolores Kennedy.

Dolores Kennedy will be collecting a dollar from anyone who attends the meeting NOT wearing their badge.

Upstate NY NE Buick Regional, September 2017

September 29th to October 1st at Clifton Park, NY.  Clifton Park is about mid-way between Albany and Saratoga Springs (east access off the Northway (Route 87) and will offer numerous opportunities for organized tours and individual self-driving tours.  This is a slight change from what was originally suggested, but it makes for a shorter trip for many of us. Details are not yet ready for publication but will follow soon.  The committee will issue information on their website and to all Chapter Directors and on to Chapter Members.   Please advise your members to “Hold the Dates”.

Northeast Buick Regional, September, 2018, Lehighton, Pa

A Northeast Buick Regional will be held @ Lehighton, Pa @ a place called Pheifers Ice Dams.  This is a community park w/ pavilions, ball field, grass, macadam, playground, & plenty of space for a nice show!  There are 2 local hotels, 1 within walking distance & 1 just 1000 ft away.  There are fine dining restaurants as well as fast food restaurants.  The PA turnpike is only 1000 ft away for those who travel!  Please keep abreast of the future newsletters to be kept in the loop about this exciting event!

Buick Trucks & Commercial Vehicles

Entering the passenger car market in the same year as Henry Ford, Buick then began building light commercial vehicles in 1907, using passenger car chassis.  This truck was called the M-2A and was offered with a “plumber’s body”, probably because David Buick’s first fortune was founded on porcelain bathtubs.  Buick had been bought out by Billy Durant’s fledgling but voracious General Motors in 1905.

The first chassis for commercial use was the Model 2, powered by the “valve-in-head” design for which David Dunbar Buick was well known if not well compensated.  This 22-hp two-cylinder horizontally-opposed engine was the same as in the Model F passenger car.  The ¾-ton Model 2 used the engine-under-seat design prevalent in horseless carriages at that time.  A two-speed planetary transmission, similar to that used by Ford, transmitted power to the rear wheels via dual chain drive.  Two wheelbases were offered, 92-inch and 110-inch, at $965 and $980 respectively for bare chassis.

Factory literature showed several body styles available directly from Buick (General Motors).  The 1911 brochure began by stating “the doom of the horse-drawn vehicle is assured”.  Further introductory text read, “The load capacity of our cars is normally 1,500 pounds with a maximum of one ton.  By this we do not wish to indicate that 2,000 pounds is the absolute load limit, but drivers are so prone to over-load without regard to road conditions that we set this as the load limit at which our responsibility ceases.”

Frame construction was described as having “specially treated steel, angle section, hot riveted frame fittings are of 3% nickel steel drop forgings.”  The Buick Commercial Car used I-beam axles, front and back.  Steering knuckles were nickel steel forgings also, with tool steel pivot pins, oil hardened and ground.  Wheels were of “second growth hickory” with twelve spokes to each wheel.  A Remy high-tension magneto was used for ignition on the Buick motor, but a “set of dry cells” was provided as well, this prior to the invention of the electric starter motor by Charles Kettering at Cadillac in 1912.  A gear-driven force feed oiler lubricated the engine and outer bearings of the transmission.  A water pump assisted in cooling the engine.  Brakes were of the expanding type with total braking surface area of 352 square inches.  Buick light trucks had a warranty for 90 days in 1910/1911.

In 1912 the two-cylinder engine was superseded by the Buick four-cylinder engine for the ½-ton Model 3 and ¾-ton Model 4.  Along with the new larger 37-hp engine, a three-speed sliding gear transmission was adopted using three-point mounting on a sub-frame using a more conventional chassis layout with engine in front of the driver.  The clutch was a leather-faced cone type.

In 1916 a bare chassis was priced at $1,150.  An additional $100 bought a simple express body.  Wheelbase was 122 inches, and 35×5 pneumatic tires were used.  All Buick commercial chassis were supplied with pneumatic tires as standard equipment.  Buick literature pointed out that although solid tires may last longer, “No solid tire has ever been made that does not subject the motor and driving mechanism to continual jar and vibration that is ultimately more expensive than saving on tire wear.”   Also standard were electric headlights with a dimmer, electric taillights, trouble lamp with extension cable, electric horn, extra demountable rim, tire pump and complete set of tools.  This was considerably more generous than what hundreds of budget builders of light trucks provided at the time.

David Hayward, automotive and military historian in England, notes that the Model 16AA ambulance was based on the D-4 and E-4 vehicles of 1917, built in large numbers in 1916-17 for the US armed forces, and perhaps after 1917 for allied forces.  Some were “demobbed” and sold into the British civilian market.

The two commercial models were continued until 1918.  The Model 4 was also called the Model D-4 and was advertised as capable of doing four times the work of a pair of mules.  However, GM began building the Chevrolet Model T light truck in 1918, and rather than duplicate production, only Chevy and GMC offered trucks.

In 1922 Buick introduced a new inexpensive passenger car, and this chassis served as the platform for a new light truck called the SD4, of which 2,740 were built up until 1923 when GM management again returned to Chevy and GMC badges for light commercial vehicles.  Word is that the 4-cylinder truck chasses was built (or, at least, is listed as available) as a 1924 model.

In 1928 an experimental van was built by Buick, which was used by the Flexible Company as a long-distance bus.  After the stock market crash of 1929 Buick continued to provide chassis for professional cars, hearses and ambulances.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JANUARY 2017                  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
3 – Monthly chapter meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa.  Supper @ 6 pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm.   Remember, wear your BADGE!!
20 – 22 – Allentown Auto Show, Fairgrounds, Allentown, Pa
26-29 – PA Auto Show, Harrisburg, Pa
FEBRUARY 2017                 HAPPY VALENTINE’s DAY!
7 – Monthly chapter meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa.  Supper @ 6 pm, business meeting @ 7: 30 pm.  Remember, wear your BADGE!
MARCH 2017                           HAPPY St. PATRICK’s DAY!
5 – Hamburg Swap Meet, Hamburg, PA.  Sponsored: Ontelaunee Region AACA.
7 – Chapter meeting, starlite Diner & Lounge, Rts. 78/100, Allentown, Pa.  Supper @ 6 pm, business meeting @7:30 pm.  Remember, wear your BADGE!

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.

1951-52 Buick Mustache Bar to be rechromed, very hard to find!  $400.00.  William, 610-970-7183, 484-948-6213.

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

1966 Buick Skylark GS 2 dr HDT, red/white top.  $16,500.00.  610-582-3758

1979 Buick Riviera 32,000 miles call Michael Spitzer at 215-255-5768

1981 Buick Regal 4 DR dark green, garage kept.  75K mi. 717-576-7588

1987 Buick GN, T-Top blk w/ grey/blk int., orig parts, EXCELLENT condition, 3200 ORIGINAL miles.  Stored in heat controlled garage.  $28,500 (OBO), gbrentano@verizon.net

1996 Buick Riviera Diamond White w/ excellent burgundy leather interior. 106K miles. Supercharged, chrome wheels, Astor roof. Garaged kept. New tires 9,000 miles ago. Super clean; not driven in winters; used for BDE Tours. Cold AC. Well maintained Buick. $7000. Ed Lenny BCA # 7534 Allentown, PA. lugnuts36@icloud.com, 610-751-770

1958 Super/Limited Chrome & stainless trim, rear Ltd. Bumper end.  610-509-2061.

1964 Buick 300 V-8 w/ factory aluminum heads, complete w/ fan, carb, air cleaner, etc.  TH 400 auto trans #BU-64-23582. Eng. #4K5029219, $700.00.  610-509-2061.

In Search Of

OPEL Manual, 717-201-1660.

1948 Buick Special 2 door back chrome.  Doug @ 570-573-0948.

1951-52 Buick Roadmaster RH grille bar extension.  C. Wenger, 433-710-6624, crewzn@broadstripe.net

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