Director’s Thoughts, May, 2017

Mother’s Day Mom-isms

Do you remember all those things Mom used to say? While some words were of wisdom, some were educational, warnings, & some of them you just did not understand until you grew up & started using them on your own kids. They call them “momisms”. Well, here is our list of those favorite sayings. Join the fun:

• You better pray that will come out of the carpet.
• Be careful what you wish for, it might come true.
• If I talked to my mother like you talk to me….
• Don’t eat those, they will stunt your growth.
• If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything.
• If you don’t eat those, you will stunt your growth.
• What’s meant to be, is meant to be.
• Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re in an accident.
• Shut your mouth and eat your supper.
• When you get to be my age, you’ll understand.
• It doesn’t matter what you accomplish, I’ll always be proud of you.
• I hope that when you grow up, you have kids “Just Like you”!
• Because I’m your mother that’s why.
• Go ask your Father.
• If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times.
• “Eat your vegetables.
• If you fall out of that tree and break your leg, don’t come running to me.
• “Cheer up, the worst is yet to come.”
• Someday your face is going to stick like that.
• Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
• Yes, I *AM* the boss of you.
• Because I said so.
• Just wait till your father gets home.
• No dessert till you clean off your plate.
• I love you, but not the things you do.
• Close the door, were you born in a barn?
• You be nice to your little brother. One of these days he is going to be bigger than you.
• Money doesn’t grow on trees.
• Honey, I will always love you!
• Like mother, like Daughter!

How many different names are used for “MOM?”  Ma, Mam Mom, Mommy, Mum, Mummy, Muma, Mother, Grandma, Grandmother, Gram, Grammy, Nan, Nana, Nanny, Oma.  What have you, or do you call your mother/grandmother?  Better yet, what do your children/grand/great children call you?
To all of the Mother’s in this chapter, “HAPPY MOTHER’s DAY!”
Your elected Director, Sally Getz

“Free Spirit” Chapter Meeting Minutes, April 4, 2017

Director Sally Getz called the meeting to order @ 7:35 pm.  There were 24 members & 1 guest present.  Sally introduced guest speaker, Mr. Daniel Dillard, executive Director/CEO of the Burn Prevention Network in the LV.  Mr. Dillard spoke about how the network supports burn patients in the Lehigh Valley area.  That severe burns affects them for a life time, not only in appearances but in the need for future surgeries as the age.  Dan also spoke of how they work with the schools to help educate the children on how to prevent burns & what to do in case of a fire.

Treasurer’s report – bypassed.

Motion to accept March meeting minutes as printed in the April newsletter, Don Sterner, seconded by Kathleen Duckett, so carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. Historian – no report
B. Kempton – flyers are available to members to be handed out.
C. Membership – Dolores to contact member who overpaid yearly dues.  A dollar was collected by Dolores Kennedy for a member not wearing their badge.  Member new address:  Don/Stacy Sterner
2314 hemlock Farms
Lord’s Valley, Pa 18428
Be sure to make this change in your 2107 Membership Roster!!
D. Newsletter – no report
E. Programs –  March 25th- Musical Memories tour a success, 20 persons attended.  Stacy gave a brief synopsis of that day to the membership.
April 24th – Kreamer’s Textile Tour, meet @ Starlite @ 9:15 am.
May 2nd – speaker from “Through These Hands”.
May 6th – Hatfield Auto/mercer Museum tours.
May 18th – Lake Tobias Wildlife Park tour w/ Safari.
June 4th – Annual Chapter picnic
Mr. Robert Miles to check on organizing an overnight tour to Eagle Mere, Pa

If you would like to hear from a specific organization or person for 2017 meetings, please let Sally Getz know.

F. Publicity – no report
G. Ways and Means – no report
I.  OLD BUSINESS:
2017 Upstate NY Regional: Upstate NY Chapter is holding a 2017 Northeast Buick Regional, September 29-October 1, 2017 @ Clifton Park, NY.  (approx. 3hrs 45 mins from Allentown, Pa, or roughly 235 mi.).  Sally encourages members to attend.  You can book your room now, & delete days before the show if you cannot attend, without being charged!
II. NEW BUSINESS
Chapter received a “Thank you” note from Heartland Hospice for its memorial donation of passing of Rodney Wiedinmyer.  Also received “Thank you” note from Constance Wiedinmyer.
A donation was sent to “Animals In Distress”, Coopersburg, Pa on behalf of the request of Mr. Ray Schefly.
Received chapter yearly monetary donation from J. C. Taylor, awaiting on BCA’s.
Everyone was reminder to “Vote” for 2017-18 BOD of BCA as the ballot is on the front of the April Buick Bugle issue.
Motion to adjourn, Dolores Kennedy, seconded, George Grossman, so carried @ 8:30 pm.                                      Respectfully submitted, Thomas Duckett, Secretary

Chapter Badge(s)

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.

Hatfield Auto & Mercer Museum  Tours, May 6, 2017

The Hatfield Auto Museum offers a truly unique automotive experience. Conveniently located in Hatfield (Montgomery County) PA, they specialize in Antique, Classic & Special-Interest cars. They cater to both auto enthusiasts & local auto clubs, & their #1 objective is to have fun when dealing with their cars & automotive passion. The museum is the kind of place where you can come to look at unique vehicles, or simply seek advice on your automotive problems, questions, or concerns.  It is a 100-year old former automotive show room that has been completely restored & decorated in a vintage & antique motif. On the 1st floor is the Vehicle Show Room & Storage Area.  On the 2nd floor is the Museum’s Event Center and “Old Car Bar”.  Here you can preview additional Antique & Classic Cars, see the Automotive Collectibles Display, or just shoot a game of pool on their 19th century pool table.  It is handicapped accessible.  Lunch following (pay your own). After lunch, we will tour the Mercer Museum, Doylestown, Pa.  The Mercer Museum is a history museum of everyday life in America during the 18th and 19th centuries. Henry Mercer (1856-1930) gathered the collection and constructed the Museum. The collection of some 40,000 objects documents the lives and tasks of early Americans through the tools that met their needs and wants prior to the Industrial Revolution, or about 1850. Visitors can choose their own paths through the Museum. Most of the 55 exhibit rooms and alcoves display the tools or products of an early American craft, trade or occupation. Other rooms show categories of objects such as lighting devices or architectural hardware.  Handicapped accessible!  Meet @ Starlite Diner & Lounge by 9:30, leaving promptly @ 9:45 am.  Member = $12.00 per member.  Non-member = $22.00 per person.  R.S.V.P. to Sally Getz, 1060 Main Road, Lehighton, Pa 18235 by May 2, 2017.

Lake Tobias Wildlife Park Tour, May 18, 2017

Since 1965 Lake Tobias Wildlife Park has been fascinating patrons with its wild, exotic animals and adventure-seeking safari tours. The late J.R. Tobias founded the park on the same property where he was born and raised. He and his wife, Pauline, reared their seven children here before his passing in 1996. Mrs. Tobias still resides in the farm house.  Before his passing, Mr. Tobias bestowed his hobby-turned -business to his children, many of whom were already managing areas of the park. The unfortunate death in 2010 of the eldest of the seven children, Dee Ann (Tobias) Hoffman, has resulted in the current ownership of the park being the six remaining siblings and a grandson. Under their direction, J.R.’s love and interest in animals continues to grow as a self-sustaining, family-owned business that has become a favorite family attraction for over 170,000 park visitors each season. Lake Tobias relies strictly on park revenue for its financial support and does not receive any state or federal funding.  Safari Tours are the main attraction at Lake Tobias Wildlife Park. Specially designed, open-air cruisers take you across 150 acres of rolling hills where you see herds of wild and exotic animals from around the world. Tour guides travel with you through pasture land and wooded areas giving expert information on the various species and their habitats. Approximately 500 head of mammals and flightless birds, which may vary daily, are on the tour.  Is handicapped accessible.

Meet @ Starlite Diner & Lounge by 8:45 am, ready to leave @ 9:00 am.  Member =  $7.00.  Non-member = $18.00.  Person has FREE admission with MILITARY ID!  Send check made payable to “Free Spirit” Chapter, to Sally Getz, 1060 Main Road, Lehighton, Pa 1835 by May 12, 2017.  610-377-6130, csgetz@ptd.net

June 4, 2017, Annual Chapter Picnic

“Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Announcing this years’ chapter picnic!”  To be held @ the Weeping Willow Pavilion, Macungie Park, Macungie, Pa.  Lunch to begin approximately around 12:30 pm.  “Come One, Come All!!”  The chapter will supply the meats, drinks, paper products, & utensils.  All you need to bring is yourselves, your favorite homemade food selection(s), lawn chair(s), & stories!!  The following is so you know what type of food(s) to bring:
Last name beginning A-I = Cold food selection
J-R = Hot food selection
S-Z = Dessert selection
So, bring your empty bellies, good stories, scrumptious food selections, & BUICKS & enjoy your day!!  Dolores Kennedy will be accepting your chapter renewal dues for this year, June 1, 2017 – May 31, 2018.

Sally Getz

Upstate NY NE Buick Regional, September29-October 1, 2017

Clifton Park, New York
Meet Itinerary- Friday: self-driving tour to the Saratoga Auto Museum.
Saturday: car show 9AM – 3 PM & banquet
Sunday:  An after tour of historic sites is being developed.
HOTEL INFORMATION Homewood Suites & the Hilton Garden Inn located at Exit 9, Rt 87 (the Northway) with easy off/on availability.   HOST HOTEL:  Homewood Suites, Clifton Park Center, 42 Clifton Country Rd, Clifton Park, NY 12065. Rates 135+ tax per night includes breakfast.  Call 518-371-2000 or 1-800-HILTONS.   Mention room code BCA.  Hilton Garden Inn, Clifton Park Center, 30 Clifton Country Rd, Clifton Park, NY 12065. Rates $125 + tax, db., Queen, King. No breakfast included but available on premises. 1-800-HILTONS. Mention room code BCA.  www.unybca.com

Northeast PA All Buick Regional, September, 2018, Lehighton, Pa

A Northeast PA All Buick Regional will be held @ Lehighton, Pa @ Phifer’s Ice Dams.  This is a community park with pavilions, ball field, grass, macadam, playground, & plenty of space for a nice show!  There are 2 local hotels, 1 within 0.5 miles & 1 just 1 mile away.  There are fine dining restaurants as well as fast food restaurants.  The PA turnpike is only 1 mile away for those who travel!  Please keep abreast of the future newsletters to be kept in the loop about this exciting event!

Musical Memories Museum Tour, March 25, 2017

16 “Free Spritzers” & 4 guests thoroughly enjoyed this tour day!  Mr. Ray Schefly, born December 1931, has been collecting musical items since age 10.  You can figure out now just how long he’s been collecting.  From radios to phonographs, from organs to pianos, this tour was absolutely AMAZING!!  Items were viewed everywhere in his private home.  Marion Straub, Sally’s mother, even got to serenade the group by playing a few songs on a Grand Piano!!  Mr. Schefly & his daughter, Elaine, were great hosts, & enjoyed our group tremendously!   After the museum, the group savored their selections from “Ringers Roost” restaurant.  Many “Thanks” to everyone who attended this tour.

Stacy/Don Sterner

What Should You Do When A Loved One Is Too Old To Drive?

The following are some questions driving experts recommend asking older motorists to determine if they are still road worthy:

• Do other drivers often honk @ me?
• Have I had some accidents?
• Do I get lost, even on roads I know?
• Do cars or pedestrians seem to appear out of nowhere?
• Have passengers in my car told me they are worried about my driving?
• Am I driving less because I am unsure about my driving skills?

Give these questions to your older driver.  It’s extremely difficult to give up driving, but they might be persuaded. Here is a personal anecdote that could help.      When I was a boy, my grandfather refused to listen to my father who was telling him it was time to quit driving.  One afternoon, I was riding with my grandfather. He drifted across the white dividing line in the road several times.  He hadn’t noticed he was driving erratically.  I told him I wouldn’t drive with him anymore because I was afraid.  He gave the car keys to my father the next day.

Giving up your car has major psychological barriers.  It represents a loss of youth, vigor, and independence.  But also raises fears about the obvious:  How will I get around?  If your older loved one asks this question, tell them that the AAA estimates that the average cost of owning & running a car is about $8,700.00/year. or about $167.00/week.  You can get around pretty well by taxi, bus & train for &167.00/week.  Older drivers are the fastest growing segment of the U. S. population.  There were 18.9 million older licensed drivers in 2000 – a 36% increase from a decade earlier.  By 2020, it is estimated that more than 40 million older Americans will be licensed drivers.

The following are some interesting statistics, Older Drivers:

• Tend to drive when conditions are safest.  They limit their driving during bad weather & @ night, & they drive fewer miles than younger drivers.
• Are the least likely to kill other drivers.
• Are more likely than younger drivers to die from injuries in car accidents.
• Are less likely to drink & drive than other drivers.
• Wear safety belts more often than any other age groups except preschool children.

Many seniors continue to be capable drivers.  However, there are changes that affect our skills.  Joints stiffen.  Muscle weakens.  Eyesight & hearing diminish.  Reflexes slow down.  Your attention span may shrink.  And these are just the normal changes that don’t include the effects of disease & the medications we take.  To deal with the effects of aging on pour driving, here are some tips:

• Plan to drive on streets you know.
• Take routes that avoid tricky ramps & left turns.
• Add extra timer for travel so you don’t feel pressed.
• Don’t drive when you are tired.
• Avoid listening to the radio or talking w/ passengers.
• Leave more space that you think you need between you & the car in front of you.
• Use your rear window defogger to keep the window clear @ all times.
• Always turn your headlights on when driving.
• If you don’t have them, get large mirrors for your car.
• Replace your windshield wiper blades often.
• Take a driving refresher class.  Some car insurance companies lower your bill when you pass this type of class.

Look Beyond Technology

Technology is a wonderful thing.  Cellphones have so many wonderful gadgets & devices contained in that small piece of technology that allow them to scan documents, translate texts, detect magnetic fields, use a compass, track inventory, instantly receive messages as well as make phone calls.  And that is just the beginning!  Today we can watch movies in our homes without having to purchase anything more than the digital stream that delivers it to our TV’s or Blu-Ray players.  Road maps are a thing of the past w/ the advent of GPS devices, which is another function of smartphones.  We don’t really have to leave the house to view entertainment of all forms, because between the Internet & cable or satellite TV we can view almost anything at any time.

Unfortunately there are some casualties in this paradise of technological pastimes & entertainment.  Outdoor activities for one!  As young children growing up many many years ago, we spent morning until night outside playing & using our imaginations to create diversions.  We played games & sports of all kinds all year long!

Unfortunately between the increases in dangers to our children today, coupled with the technological alternatives, outdoor play is not as plentiful & in many places not as safe as it was 30 years ago.  Most parents keep a tight rein on their children to ensure their safety.

Another casualty is live entertainment.  For whatever reason, unless it is a very big name, many people seem to find better alternatives then attending show featuring live entertainment.  One exception may be the weekend bar scene where local bands & disc jockeys still manage to have a following.  How things have changed w/ the advent of TV & motion pictures.  100 years ago, live entertainment was in its golden age in the US.  There were vaudeville circuits all over the US & every town of any size had a theater or was near a larger town w/ a theater where such shows would appear.  Magic was in its golden age @ that time as well.

As movies & TV grew in popularity through the mid-20th century, it signaled the death of live entertainment on a grand scale.  Vaudeville theaters started to convert to movie theaters & then eventually showed only film.  Most of these vaudeville acts & performers either transitioned into movies & later TV or they soon found themselves out of work.  Many were quite successful in the new mediums even though their 1st love was the stage.  Lice entertainment has not totally dies out, but is much rarer than it once was.  Even when there is a live show, unless it is a big name act, many times it is a struggle to get folks in to the seats, especially in local theaters. This is a shame!

There is nothing more exciting than a live good live show.  There is a unique atmosphere seeing live theater, musicians, magicians & novelty acts that is different from seeing the same on TV.  Live entertainers & their audiences enter into a symbiotic relationship @ their best & each feeds off the other’s energy. The result is typically an entertaining, engrossing show!  There is a difference however in live entertainment & its public perception. Music seems to have a special forgiveness not reserved for other live entertainers.  One can watch an awful concert, hate the performers, yet the next time there is an opportunity they will go see another music act.

People implicitly understand that 1 musician is different from another & will not hold all musicians accountable for a single bad show.  Unfortunately most other live entertainment disciplines do not share the same luxury. For some reason, if a person sees a bad comedian, magician or ventriloquist, they to6ally write off the whole entertainment option.  They don’t give such acts a 2nd chance for some reason.

Conversations go something like this: “We had a magician @ so-&-so’s BD party & he was awful,” “we were able to see through his tricks” or “the magician we had was insulting & nasty to the guests.”   That1 act in their mind colors the whole entertainment branch w/ the same brush & unfortunately robs them of what might be a wonderful entertainment option.  Another issue is that in hiring a magician blind cold lead to someone who is not professional enough to be performing for money.   This results in a bed experience for all involved & the belief that all are the same.  Word-of-mouth is a valuable asset when hiring a magician or any novelty act.  Bedside spending money on someone who is unqualified, other people believe live entertainment is too expensive & look for other options.

This is not necessarily true.  A magician might range from $125-$200 for a BD party in NE PA.  For a party of 20 children, this fee becomes an entertainment option of $6-$10/child.  There are few alternatives that are so economical.  With that said, it is not recommended to go w/ the magician down the street who would do it for free unless they have good references.

Live entertainment is 1 item where the axiom “You get what you pay for” has never been truer.  Sometimes there is a reason why someone is free & it is not necessarily quality.  So if you are looking for something bedside TV, consider going out for the evening & watching live entertainment @ a local venue to support them.  If you are planning a party, consider live entertainment & help support all the arts.

The Twins

Two nearly new 1987 Buick Grand National ‘twins’ found in garage after 30 years, with Consecutive VIN’s, the Buicks are twins.

Back in the ’80s, a Buick Grand National could leave a lot of vehicles in its dust. The final, 1987 version of the menacingly styled performance coupe produced 245 horsepower and 355 pound feet of torque, & it was never designed to sit still, let alone for 30 years. But 2 low-mile Grand Nationals did just that.  At the time, it was widely known that nothing like the Grand National would be built again, as the Regal platform would be moving to front-wheel drive. So a lot of buyers stockpiled Grand Nationals & rarer GNX versions with the idea of making a buck on them when they gained value. Some people even bought several.  That’s what happened to 2 cars, recently unearthed from their slumber. 30 years of storage has turned them into barn finds instead of showroom beauties, & they haven’t exactly been flawlessly preserved. A story reported on gm-efi.com shows the cars – the “Twins,” as they’re called – parked side to side, the way they were laid to rest decades ago, with thick dust on them.  2 enthusiasts originally contacted the owner, who had posted them for sale on Facebook with a staggering $200,000 asking price. After inspecting the cars & confirming they were legit, the prospective buyers managed to strike a deal for an undisclosed sum. The story does say the seller was a bit eccentric, demanding money in hand before the cars could be touched at all, but the cars were eventually acquired & transported to a shop for desperately needed refurbishing.  Time has caused the headliners on both cars to droop, & it’s obvious all gaskets & fluids will need to be addressed, but both cars have extremely low odometer readings: 1 has 807 miles on the clock, while the other hasn’t even reached 600. The car with a more miles was moved “once in a while,” so clearly the original owner couldn’t resist giving it a go while the other one slept.

June, 2017, Renewal Dues Month

Next month will be RENEWAL DUES month for “Free Spirit” Chapter, BCA.  Look for the renewal dues form in this months’ & next months’ newsletter.  Your dues will be good from June 1, 2017 – May 31, 2018.  Please submit your form with your check, payable to “Free Spirit” Chapter, BCA, to Dolores Kennedy, 2620 Ambassador Drive, Bethlehem, Pa. 18017-7717.  Dolores will be ACCEPTING RENEWAL DUES during the chapter picnic, June 4th.  Please renew by June 30, 2017!

                               CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MAY 2017                            HAPPY SPRING!!
2 – Monthly chapter meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa.  Dinner @ 6 pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm.  REMEMBER TO WEAR YOUR BADGE!
Guest speaker, “Through These Hands”, Allentown, Pa.
6 –Hatfield Auto/Mercer Museum tour. Tour masters, Sally Getz/Dan Reiniger
7 – 39th Annual GM on Display Show, Macungie Park, Macungie, Pa
18 – Lake Tobias wildlife Tour w/ Safari, Halifax, Pa .  Tourmaster = Sally getz

JUNE 2017 HAPPY SUMMER!
3 – Mason-Dixon chapter BCA, 9th Annual Buick Show, Mechanicsburg, Pa
4 – Annual “Free Spirit” Chapter Picnic.
10 – 12th Annual Fleetwood Rotary Show of Wheels, Fleetwood, Pa
16-17 – Pypes Exhaust Muscle Car/Truck Show, Hatfield, Pa

JULY 2017    HAPPY 4th of JULY!!
4 – Car Show w/ Flea Market, Fleetwood Community Park, Fleetwood, Pa.
5-8 – Buick Club National Meet, Brookfield, Wisconsin
28 – St. Philip Neri Church 15th Annual Car Show, Klinerd Rd., Pennsburg, Pa
29 – 3rd Annual Northampton Area School District Car Show, East Allen Twps., Pa

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.

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

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

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.

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

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