Director’s Thoughts, JANUARY, 2019

Well, another Holiday Season is in our back pockets.  WHEW…….. As how quick it came, that is how quick it went.  I hope everyone had a Blessed Season & Holiday.

PLEASE NOTE:  January’s chapter meeting will be the 2^nd Tuesday of the month, NOT the 1^st for the 1^st = NEW YEAR’s DAY!  

For now we must look ahead in the coming year for our 2019 Adventure(s).  As this chapter had only 1 tour during 2018, there will be many more planned tours for 2019.  If you have an idea & would like to plan to visit a facility for a day tour, please come forward so we may help you plan & to organize your tour.  Remember: you are a member of a organization with many other BUICK enthusiasts!  It’s time for you to SHINE! Come on & join in the fun events for 2019, whether you plan & organize a tour, or just to participate in & to show your support for those who plan & organize a nice day for us all!  One of your New Year’s Resolutions should be to become a bit more active in this chapter. It has something to offer to each & every one of us.

     Now, to think about the other shoe on the other foot.  Please read the article below & put on your thinking caps.

How are We Engaging the Younger Generation and Getting Them Involved in This Hobby?

See what & how others are thinking of getting the YOUTH involved:       I have a 1932 Chevy 4-door deluxe “Confederate” sedan that was black and is now painted red and white. It has magnetic signs with the fire fighter’s Maltese cross and the words “FIRE MARSHALL” on the three big magnets. It is a “Show ‘n Tell” car, not a show car. There are no do not touch signs. And, only the seats are upholstered, so everyone can see the wood in the body. Here is my small contribution to entice the younger generation to appreciate the older vehicles…We show up at Kids Build events at Lowe’s and Home Depot, kiddie care places, 55 and older developments and rehab facilities in the area. A lot of questions and memories are the result.      I offer an “Identify & Find the Features and Functions this Car Does NOT Have” contest. The quiz has a sketch outline I made of the Chevy with all of the questions listed on the page. The facility makes the copies for the “audience,” and the kids get to color the sketch and answer the questions. Their teachers judge and select the 3-4 winners for a reward ride around the parking lot. I don’t know if this results in an AACA membership or two, but there certainly are a lot of smiles and questions all around. I guess the same quiz contest could be used at the “active older” places also?! Submitted by Marshall Johnson, Mechanicsville, VA, mjoh105055@aol.com       Membership might be increased some by adding new categories that many of our younger drivers are building, i.e. retro rods, customs, etc. They’re still “old” cars, but with a new twist. Submitted by Ronald Billo, Depew, NY, rlbillo127@gmail.com      You certainly hit the nail on the head in your comment in the Speedster. We all have to get the younger generation involved and that can happen if we all are more friendly and generous with sharing our cars and the love of our cars and why. Kids are like sponges – I taught art to 1,200 kids a week for 35-plus years, ages 5 to 12.        You are so correct, if you have an older car answer questions or say hi to the kids and their parents. Open the door and show them the inside; let them sit in it if you mention to be careful and if their feet are clean. All it takes is one kind act and, if you really listen to their questions, you will have them hooked. If their parents are with them it is even better because you can get them hooked as well. You don’t have to own an old car to belong to AACA or any other club.        I enjoy sharing what I have. If it makes me feel good, perhaps it will make someone else feel good, too. Guess that is the teacher in me still lingering on. Life in general has a lot of issues we have to deal with, so the fun stuff like old cars is what lets us cope with all the rest! Submitted by Walt Gosden, Floral Park, NY, coachworklines@aol.com      We are trying hard to get younger people involved in our club. I personally think the way to do that is to have a car show each year. Car shows get everyone’s attention – people love to look at old cars whether they are Model As or classic cars. Our club has stopped doing car shows and I think they were wrong in doing that. What I guess I’m saying is to get more youngsters involved have car shows and participate in other shows .Submitted by Jeanne Shurling, Savannah, GA, momajeanne1107@aol.com

     Now, as many of you have already seen and read, I placed an article with pictures, about the North East Buick Regional Meet, Lehighton, Pa, September 20-22, 2018, in the December issue of the Bugle.   IT MADE THE CENTERFOLD!! While I wrote the article, I used pictures taken by Laura Getz & Martha Kriebel. Many “Thanks” to them!! Pete Phillips & Cindy Livingston did a fine job in setting up the format.   Many “THANKS” to Pete & Cindy! If you haven’t had a chance to see & read it, you really should. It’s GREAT!

I say, we may be a small group of BUICK enthusiasts, but we are MIGHTY!!                                                  Your Elected Director, Sally Getz  

“Free Spirit” Chapter Meeting Minutes, December 4, 2018

The Annual “Holiday Gathering” was held on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 @ the Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa in lieu of the monthly chapter meeting.

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!

December 4, 2018 “Holiday Gathering”

     30 “Free Spirit” members & 2 guests were in attendance for the annual “Holiday Gathering”.  It was held @ the Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa, home of our monthly chapter meetings.  After a “WARM WELCOME,” everyone enjoyed their entrée selections followed by a scrumptious dessert!!  

     Sally Getz presented a few important announcements:

1. Paul Schaffer is home from inpatient rehab.  
2. If you are a stay overnight participant of the upcoming 2019 Fall Hershey AACA Meet (vendor/spectator/volunteer), please read the following:

ATTENTION: Hershey Red Field South Vendors Only

By R. J. “Mac” MacAdam, Flea Market/Car Corral Registration Chairman,
Hershey Region AACA, fallmeet@hersheyaaca.org For the 2019 Hershey Fall Meet, the Red Field South (RFS) will be used to stage construction equipment for the new $150 million Hersheypark expansion. All RFS vendors will be relocated to other fields of the Fall Meet with the exception of the vendors in the RSB row who do not have back to back spaces. You should receive your pre-registration card around December 20 with your current row/space designation. DO NOT cross out the spaces. Instead write a note as to where you would like to be relocated. You should request at least 3 different field choices for relocation. The field choices are: Chocolate Field North
Chocolate Field South
Green Field
Orange FieldRed Field North
Red Field West
Red Field Central
Tramway (vendors with back to back spaces only)
The Tramway spaces noted above are 30′ X 10′ and will be used exclusively (until filled) for those vendors who have back to back spaces. The field requests will be assigned by the postmark on your pre-registration card submission, so get them in early! If we do not have a note/letter from you or there is not enough information provided by you, we will make the decision for your assignment. If we do not receive your pre-registration card and fee by the deadline on the card, you will lose your spaces. All vendors will be able to return to the South Red Field for Fall Meet 2020. It will be your choice to either stay at the space(s) to which you were reassigned or return to your previous Red Field South space(s). IMPORTANT: As a reminder you must have a 2019 AACA membership to renew your spaces (call 717-534-1910 to renew). If you haven’t received your membership card in the mail by the time you are ready to submit your pre-registration, DO NOT hold up the pre-registration card. Simply write your AACA number on the pre-registration card in the space provided for life members. We can confirm your renewal with AACA. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this temporary relocation may cause.

ATTENTION: 2019 Hershey Fall Meet Attendees & Vendors

We have been informed that there will be a very large national soccer tournament in the area the same weekend as the Hershey car show (October 9-12). We do not want to panic anyone, but we are strongly suggesting you book your hotel rooms for the fall meet now!!  
This is especially important if you normally stay at any of the outlying hotels. This very large kids soccer tournament will literally bring several thousand extra people to the local area. Even though the main part of the tournament is one county over from us and many involved with the tournament will stay outside of our area, some Harrisburg and close by hotels may get booked up for Friday and Saturday nights. 
We’ve made some calls and the Hershey proper hotels do not seem to be affected yet, but we would suggest making your reservations early there as well. Please, do not take this lightly. 
Make your reservations now, so that you don’t have to scramble later.

1.  PLEASE NOTE, the January chapter meeting night will be on the SECOND Tuesday, January 8, 2019 due to the 1^st Tuesday of January = New Years Day.

Induction of Offices/BOD’s

     The “Swearing-In” induction took place during this evening:

OFFICERS:  Director = Sally Getz

                    Assistant Director = Deborah Brady

                    Secretary = Laura Getz

                    Treasurer = Sally Getz

BOD’s:  Howard Kriebel, John Moore, Alfred Paul, Thomas Sylvester

ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR:  Shirley Schaffer

MEMBERSHIP CHAIRWOMAN:   Dolores Kennedy

Basket Drawings

Large “WINE –n-DINE” Basket = Bruce Stephens

Small “FOOT REJUVENATION” Basket = Edward Lenny

The table centerpieces & small votive candles were raffled to many members.  

“CRAZY BINGO”

Well, the only thing I can say about this “CRAZY” game, is, IT’S CRAZY ALRIGHT!  For those members in attendance, you know what I mean! This year the “HOT” item was a “REDNECK PLUNGER”!!  And it even made a noise!! Oh, what a fun time it had being swapped, traded, taken away from one, given to another all night long!  It was a “HIT”!! Despite “King” Schaedel opening up to see his gift, REDNECK PLUNGER, Edward Lenny ended up with it taking it home, after it had gone through about 7 to 8 other hands!  

After “Crazy Bingo” the 5 jars of candy were passed out to the member who guessed either the right amount of candies, or at least closest to that mystery number:  M/M Tree = Don Atwood

                            Hershey Kisses = David Brady

                            Candy Canes = Allen Robertson

                            Miniatures = Thomas Duckett

                            Welch’s Fruit Snacks = Edward Lenny

Everyone left with their bellies full, an unwrapped gift, keep sake items, & the memory of having yet another “Good Time”.  For those members who were unable to attend, hopefully next year you can join in on the “FUN” had by everyone! “HAPPY HOLIDAYS to ALL”, & “To All, a Good Night!  

                                                                            Sally (Ms. Santa Claus) Getz

Calendar of Events

JANUARY 2019            “HAPPY NEW YEAR!!”

8 – Monthly chapter meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa.  Dinner @ 6 pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm. (WEATHER PERMITTING) (PLEASE NOTE DAY CHANGE.  This is the 2^nd Tuesday of the month, NOT the 1^st Tuesday of the month)

18 – 20 – Automania, Ag Hall, Allentown, Pa

FEBRUARY  2019    “HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY”

5 – Monthly chapter dinner meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa.  Dinner @ 6 pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm. Guest speaker present. (WEATHER PERMITTING)

7 – 9 – AACA Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pa.

MARCH 2019                     “HAPPY ST. PATRICK’s DAY”

3 – Hamburg Auto Swap Meet, Hamburg Field House, Hamburg, Pa

5 – Monthly chapter meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa.  Diner = 6 pm, business meeting = 7:30 pm. (WEATHER PERMITTING)

CARS/PARTS “FOR SALE”

1965 Buick Electra 225 4 dr, hardtop, Black.  62,634 original miles. 425 engine.  Aluminum valve covers, chromed air cleaner.   Vacuum trunk release, PS, PW, PB, power seat & antenna.  AM/FM radio. Chrome wheels, remote mirror. UNRESTORED, ALL ORIGINAL CAR!  Trim code 642. Needs headliner & has slow trans leak. Garage kept! $7,000.  610-377-6130.

1967 Buick Skylark 2 Dr Coupe, black on black, ALL ORIGINAL.  85K original miles. Garage kept.  $10,000. Has won Archival Award @ Buick nationals.  610-377-6130

1967 Buick Skylark 4 Dr Sedan 340 2-barrel, ST 300 Switch Pitch, PS, manual brakes, cassette player, no air.  70,100 original miles. Maroon color ext., cloth maroon/int. Was repainted. Interior still original!  Garage kept! $10,000. 610-377-6130

1967 Buick Skylark Special Deluxe Sport Coupe 2 dr, 300 2-barrel.  Spruce Green exterior w/ vinyl top, black interior.  68,305 original miles. Power steering, manual brakes.  RH mirror, AM/FM radio. Spinner wire wheel covers. UNRESTORED.  Garage kept! Runs good! $8,500. 610-377-6130

1987 Turbo Regal HT, 73k original miles, 100% rust free, original dark blue ext & int, chrome trim, factory aluminum wheels, drums, & bumper inserts.  A/C, PW, tilt, cruise, posi, original exhaust. $20k. Steve Perry 914-262-9965, Carmel NY. sep440@aol.com

1991 Chevy Suburban, 2500,  Big block, 454 engine, 111.530 original miles.  2×2. Turbo 400 transmission. Black w/ gray interior, 3^rd seat, AC (front/rear), AM/FM radio, tow package, cassette player, power door locks/windows, vent shades, tailgate window, in GREAT condition.  Garage kept! Very powerful! $10,000. 610-377-6130

In Search Of

1967 Buick Electra Conv. 610-730-4599, dwebster80@gmail.com1976 Caddy Eldo 500 ci – Pete Stoki, 609-915-9948