Director’s Thoughts, January 2018

Do you believe in, & actually stick with NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS?  I always start out thinking about certain ideas but never stick with them.  Something seems to always get in the way therefore, never following through with them.  I believe one needs to discipline themselves extremely hard to follow through.  Do you, or can you discipline yourself to the point of completing your resolutions goals?  If you can, you are a better person than me.

Top New Year’s Resolutions, 12/1/2017

New Year’s Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It’s a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. Did your New Year resolutions make our top ten list?

Spend More Time with Family & Friends  Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. Make plans to meet up with friends. Work shouldn’t always come first!

Fit in Fitness The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better.

Tame the Bulge   Over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese by recent studies, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions. Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of Americans who made a New Year’s commitment to shed extra pounds.

Quit Smoking   If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you’ve tried to quit before and failed, don’t let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life!

Enjoy Life More   Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that “enjoying life more” has become a popular resolution in recent years. It’s an important step to a happier and healthier you!  Or just get out and try something new! Take up a new hobby or try your hand at skiing. Go to a theater performance, or head to the local spa.

Quit Drinking   While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. Many heavy drinkers fail to quit cold turkey but do much better when they taper gradually, or even learn to moderate their drinking. If you have decided that you want to stop drinking, there is a world of help and support available. There are also a number of treatment-based programs, as well as support groups for families of alcoholics.

Get Out of Debt   Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions of Americans who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. It’s a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead.

Learn Something New Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book, you’ll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year’s resolutions to keep.  Most local colleges and universities offer distance and adult education programs.

Help Others  A popular, non-selfish New Year’s resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help. The Pittsburgh Cares organization makes it easy by connecting volunteers with projects to fit practically any schedule. Or if your time is really in short supply, maybe you can at least find it in you to donate the furniture, clothing and other household items that you no longer need, rather than leaving them out by the curb to fill up our landfills.

Get Organized   On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, these tips and resources should get you started on the way to a more organized life.

Do anyone of these resolutions come to your mind for 2018?

The View From My side Of The Road by Ray Maxfield

I received this note from John Scheib, who, in turn, received from a fellow BCA friend from the state of Washington, Mark Shaw of the Pre-War Buick Division, who asked for this information to be passed on to other members of the club.  Sit back & take a few moments to read, food for thought:

The purpose of the Vintage Motor Car Club of America is to encourage preservation, restoration, and use of antique and historically significant automobiles.

The Purpose That Binds Us

An article title in the current Autoweek caught my eye, “The purpose that binds us”.  In the body of the article is a quote I think fits how we love & use our cars perfectly. The article is actually about a 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. “It’s very much what you see is what you get. In some ways, it’s like driving a vintage car (one needing a steering adjustment), all loose & bouncy & crude but still charming in a timeless way.”

That is an accurate description of a VMCCA tour experience. It is also a close description of what Randy Carlson said of his drive to our chapter’s annual Thanksgiving dinner. Randy arrived in their 1928 Chrysler sedan. Each of the drivers of the other cars pictured might describe their drive differently. Each car passes the test of “still charming in a timeless way.”

Noticeably the other 3 cars in this Denny Holland photograph are not of US manufacture. There were seven other vintage cars in the parking lot that are of US manufacture. A question that might occur to an observer is, how or why do the owners of all these different cars belong to the same club? The simple answer is, that it is not just about the cars. A more complete answer is that it is about belonging. Belonging in an organization or club happens some time after joining a club & is a separate condition. Belonging is more about the people than the cars. The condition of belonging happens when people are bound by the purpose of the club, VMCCA. The purpose of the VMCCA is stated above. It always is! The condition of belonging also includes, what we practice. We hear over & over how valued our tours & gatherings mean to our membership. A large component of belonging is being where we are accepted.

I have been thinking about an additional tag line for our club. We are widely known as The Touring Club. We also frequently invite people to come tour with us. One of the core values of VMCCA is to be inclusive. One of the variations of the additional tag line I like is “You are all invited & it will be fun!” Most organizations grow because of individual person to person invitations. Perhaps our most effective membership campaign will be how effective we are in inviting people to join us & show them what belonging to VMCCA feels like.

How true does this sound.  This not only works for the VMCCA club, but for any type of club or organization, right?  Think back, how many times you may have been invited to join a friend in something & when it was all said & done, you had a good time, furthermore, now maybe you got, & are involved in helping out or attending their functions etc.  Oh, how true the power of friendship can be in making glorious times happen!  Again, food for thought!

Wow, I guess this month I just rambled on & on & didn’t know when to stop, til now!                                                Your Elected Director, Sally Getz

 

“Free Spirit” Chapter Meeting Minutes, December, 2017

The annual “Free Spirit” Chapter Holiday Gathering event was held @ the Starlite Diner & Lounge in lieu of the December monthly meeting.

WELCOME, New Members!

• Bruce/Deborah Gibby of 139 Carroll Avenue, Glenside, Pa 19038-2112, BCA #32306. 215-884-0975 (H), 267-918-6067 ©.  1925 Buick Master 6 Series, 5 person Phaeton, 45, 1927 Buick Master 6 Series, 7 person Sedan, 50.
• Tom Kriebel of 1999 West Philadelphia avenue, Oley, Pa 19547, 610-689-5769 (H), 610-763-9519 ©, 1965 Buick Skylark Sport Wagon.
• Alfred/Roberta (Bobbie) Paul of 1033 Resolution Drive, Bethlehem, Pa 18017, 484-281-8048.  1988 Buick LeSabre “T” type, 4HP37.

Please update your 2017 Membership Roster w/ this information.  When you meet them, give them a warm “Welcome”.

Chapter Badges

Please remember to wear your chapter badge that has your name on it.  Wearing it to the monthly chapter meetings is a must, or you will owe $1.00 to Dolores Kennedy.  Also, please wear it to the periodic chapter events, thus   everyone can get to meet/greet you if you are a new member.  If you do not have a badge w/ your name on it, please contact Dolores Kennedy & she’ll be more than happy to see you receive a badge!

Everyone Is Welcomed!

Now that 2018 is finally here, I am extending a “WARM WELCOME” to any member who would like to send me information, articles, etc. for in the monthly newsletter.  I am open to ideas, articles, clippings, stories, etc.  If you would like to share something w/ others, feel free to send your information to me via e-mail, U.S mail, phone call, visit, or however you want.  If you would like to hear from a group or person of an organization, please let me know & I can do the foot work.  This is your chapter, let’s make this year a fun-filled year!

Northeast PA All Buick Regional, September 20-22, 2018, Lehighton, Pa

WOW!  Can you believe we are in 2108 already?  It just seems like yesterday we just got started in 2017!!  The time is going by quickly, don’t you agree?  This means it is now, only 8 months away from the 2018 NE PA ALL BUICK REGIONAL!!  Can you believe it?  I have been receiving phone calls & emails from prospective attendants since late November!  I want to congratulate on of our own Buick members for being the very 1st Buick enthusiast to have signed up for this Regional.  Mr. Michael Nester & his wife have registered for this exciting, forthcoming event.  THANK YOU!!  I am so excited of being a part of this Buick chapter in hosting such an event.  For you, the members, is what makes this chapter the GREATEST!!

A NE PA All Buick Regional will be held @ Lehighton, Pa @ Phifer’s Ice Dams, September 20-22, 2018.  There are 2 local hotels, 1 = 0.5 mile & 1 = 1 mile away.  The PA turnpike is only 1 mile away for those who travel!  View the web site, www.buickfreespirit.org, to be kept in the loop about this exciting event, & to register your BUICK(s)!!!

 

40 Million Fire Extinguishers Recalled

Just recently a recall was announced involving 40 million fire extinguishers manufactured by Kidde. The recall involves 134 models of Kidde fire extinguishers manufactured between January 1, 1973 and August 15, 2017, including models that were previously recalled in March 2009 and February 2015. Be advised that some of the recalled extinguishers were sold under names other than Kidde (i.e. Fuller Brush, Honeywell, Montgomery Ward, Sears and other names), Kidde Fire Extinguisher Product Safety Recall Information Be advised that the link above has the list of recalled extinguishers. It also lets you submit your request for a replacement extinguisher after you provide your name, address, the model extinguisher and serial number. It verifies that your extinguisher is being recalled and submits your request for a replacement. If you do not want to submit your request online, you can contact Kidde via telephone to find out if a fire extinguisher is included in the recall or to get a replacement.    Contact Kidde at 855-271-0773 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST Monday-Friday (excluding holidays), or between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. during the weekend to determine whether your extinguishers are affected. Given how many AACA members have fire extinguishers for their vehicles, we have no doubt that some AACA members have extinguishers that are being recalled. Please take action on this situation immediately and be sure to share this information with all of your region and chapter members as soon as possible.

 

December 6, 2017, Chapter Holiday Gathering

34 “Free Spiriters & 2 guests attended this annual event.  During Social hour, many stories & interesting conversations were humming in the air. After Grace was given by Sally’s mother, Marion, the salad, soup n bread bar was engaged.  As usual, “YUM, YUM”.

A choice of 3 entrees were ordered & consumed by the group.  The Broiled Haddock was the #1 choice of the night, followed by the Black Diamond Steak, then the Chicken Parmigiana w/ Pasta.  Boy, the servings were HUGE!!  Following the entrees, everyone had their choice of 1 of  8 desserts!  There were many boxed items taken home only to be enjoyed the next day.

The following were inducted for their perspective terms by Thomas Duckett:

• Director = Sally Getz, 01/2018-12/2019
• Assistant Director = Debbie Brady, 01/2018-12/2019
• Secretary = Don Atwood, 2018
•  Treasurer = Clarence Getz, 2018
• Board of Directors = John Moore, 01/2018-12/2018
•                                 Thomas Sylvester, 01/2018-12/2018
•                                 George Grossman, 01/2018-12/2019
•                                 Dan Reiniger, 01/2018-12/2019

Congratulations to all the above members!!

The following were the recipients of the Prettiest & Handsomest Holiday Sweater Contest:  Dolores Kennedy & George Grossman, Congratulations!!

A raffle was conducted during the event & Sally Getz was the lucky one whose number was drawn!  The surprise was a BUICK pen and BUICK Mini mag flashlight!  Congratulations!!  (Proceeds from this raffle will go towards the 2018 NE PA ALL BUICK REGIONAL.)

5 candy jars filled with different candies occurred next.  The following were the recipients:     Peppermint Jar = Clarence Getz, 30 pieces

• Red/Green Tree = Leah Kieffer, 156 pieces
• Kisses Tree = Don Atwood, 63pieces
• Reese’s Jar = Allan Robertson, 28 pieces
• Santa’s Candy Cane Jar = Allan Robertson, 75 pieces

Congratulations To All!!

“Crazy Bingo” then was the high-light of the evening!  It seems as though bottles of different wines has become HOT ITEMS for the past couple of years!!  Participants traded wrapped gifts only to have these bottles be traveled through many hands!  Besides the trading of the bottles, a case of Lead Substitute & Summer Sausage made its way around the group.  Oh, by the way, when you see Ed Lenny, ask him how he enjoyed his gift he got to take home!

The following were recipients of door prizes & table centerpieces:

• Ceramic Candle/Votive burner = Sandy Sylvester
• Reindeer family = Alice/bill Schaffer
• Bow/Candy Cane Christmas Tree = Martha Kriebel
• Centerpieces = Dolores Kennedy, Joann Grossman, Laura Getz, Peggy Schaedel,
• sorry I do not remember the last 2 persons.

Some announcements made by Sally Getz:

A Holiday card was passed around for everyone to sign for Paul Schaffer of whom we have not seen for a long time at events due to continued medical illness.

Sally sold 2 blankets: Kansas & Wisconsin

Sally has received a registration for the 2018 NE PA ALL BUICK REGIONAL from Michael/Christina Nester!  THANK YOU!!

At the end of the fun-filled evening, Sally wished everyone a Safe trip home & a most Joyous & Blessed Holiday!

Many “HEART FELT THANKS” to all who attended, for ALL of YOU make this a GREAT Chapter of SUCCESS!                       Sally Getz

 

“Many Thanks” to everyone who attended.                                      Sally Getz

Clarence (Bobby) R. Getz, Feb. 1, 1956 – Dec. 10, 2017

Clarence “Bobby” R. Getz, 61, of (Franklin Township) Lehighton, son of Elsie M. (Hittner) Getz & Walter W. Getz, suddenly died December 10, 2017.  He started his painting career early working @ Muhlenberg College for approximately 4 years.  Then he branched out to become self-employed as a painter & wallpaper hanger for 39 years.  Some of his favorite pastimes over the years included camping, tinkering around w/ many things, antique collecting, & enjoying his antique/classic vehicles & attending many car events.  Over the years, he had gained a wealth of knowledge of not only about cars, but of many things.  He was involved in the “Free Spirit” Buick chapter, the national Buick Club of America, the National Oldsmobile Club of America, the Ontelaunee Region AACA as well as the National AACA, & the National Milk Bottle Club.

Surviving is his wife, Sally Jane, daughter Laura J. of Palmerton, son Brent R. of Franklin Township, felines Cami & Lebron James; sisters Dianne, wife of Gary Wehr, Naples, Florida, Dawn of Walnutport, Richard, husband of Barbara Getz of Lehighton, & nieces & nephews.  Clarence is preceded by brothers Neil & Donald “Porky” Getz.

Services were held on December 14th & 15th in Lehighton, Pa.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be honored in his name & sent to:

“Free Spirit” Chapter of Pa
C/O Sally Getz
1060 Main Road
Lehighton, Pa 18235

May Clarence rest in peace.

 

JANUARY 2018            “HAPPY NEW YEAR!”
2 – Monthly chapter meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa.  Dinner @ 6 pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm.  Start your New Year off on the right track!
20-22 – Automania, Ag Hall, Allentown, PA
25-28 – Pa Auto Show, Harrisburg, Pa 717-910-4090
FEBRUARY 2018           “HAPPY VALENTINE’s DAY!”
6 – Monthly chapter meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa.  Dinner = 6 pm, business meeting = 7:30 pm.
9-11 – Classics in Atlantic City, Atlantic City, NJ 1-800-227-3868
17-18 – Motorama, Harrisburg, Pa 717-359-7056
MARCH 2018                  “HAPPY ST. PATRICK’s DAY!”
4 – Hamburg Swap Meet, Hamburg, Pa
6 – Monthly meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa.  Dinner @ 6 pm, business meeting 7:30 pm.
22-25 – LV Auto Show, Bethlehem, 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.

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

BUICK BUGLES – 30 years of “Buick Bugles” FREE for the taking.  Must take ALL!  610-248-1638.

In Search Of

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

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