Director’s Thoughts, DECEMBER, 2019

      “HAPPY DECEMBER” to everyone!!  I cannot believe its’ December ALREADY!!  It just seems like we just started 2019!! Do you all feel the same as I??

      Well, that is a deep subject, it is time to close for another fantastic year, only to look forward to a brand new exciting & fun-filled year to come, right?  This month we will induct the slate of officers & Board of Directors during the “Holiday Gathering”! This is always an exciting & thrilling event!!  Won’t you all attend the “Holiday Gathering” to wish everyone well!? Hope you can attend!!  

Please sit back & enjoy the following:

Twas the night before Christmas & in the garage, There sat on the side a Classic mirage!
             My 65 Riviera near ready to go, To all the future cruises & fun-filled shows.
Its perfect red body, oh what a sight! Black leather inside, the seats are just right!
             A manual shifter coming up through the floor,     Hooked to a Muncie, not a Turbo 400 of yore.
It sits with hood up, not running just yet, The problem elusive, but simple I bet.
             Now freshly rebuilt, this nailhead mill  Just thinking about, it gives me a chill.
All of that horsepower, all of that torque,  I can’t make it run, I feel like a dork.
              I’m about to turn in & go off to bed, Thinking a good sleep should help clear my head.
When ever so slightly I hear someone’s laughter, And Jingle Bells ringing and hooves “pitter-patter.”
            “Is this for real?” I thought to myself,      Could it be the Jolly Old Elf?
I opened the side door & had to look out, The sleigh that I saw removed any doubt.
              Across the street he was making the rounds, Rooftop to rooftop in leaps & in bounds.
Then he was gone, but the sleigh still remained, For what happened next, I’ll have to explain.  
               As I turned  around, what do you know, Santa himself, the Star of the Show!
He was standing there grinning right by the car, His pearly whites glistening, reflecting like stars.
              He was checking it over, no angle undone, And then he said nicely, “Can I hear it run?”
I hated to say it, had no other choice, This problem I had with my Buick’s voice.
              “I wish that we could, but I’m afraid not tonight.”  It’ll turn over, but it simply won’t start.     
I know its’ ignition, of this I am sure.  But I’m out of ideas do you have a cure?”
               He pondered a moment, then scratched his chin, “I have an idea.  Why don’t you jump in.” 
I climbed in the car as he looked around, Then he said, “Ahha, you have a bad ground.”
             “This wire on the coil should be attached here.”  And over he moved it without any fear.
“Hit it,” he said, his grin growing wide,  I pushed in the clutch & let out a sigh.
               I wiggled the shifter & hit the ol’ key.   And it fired at once & I howled with GLEE!
The exhaust roared and rattled the walls, Santa yelled over it, “I bet this thing hauls!”
              I killed it and jumped out, unable to speak,  Santa had fixed it with one little tweak!
“You know about cars?” I finally asked.    “Oh yes!” he replied. “My veins run with gas.”
             “I work but one night, so with my spare time, I tinker & wrench, it sharpens the mind.”
“I have a collection that rivals the best, Its my preferred hobby when I am at rest.”
              I shook his hand “Thank you,” we nodded goodbye, And with that he vanished in the blink of an eye.
As I went in to head off to bed, I thought about everything Santa had said.
             Turns out he’s a car guy & now that you know,    Perhaps you’ll see him — at your next show! 

From us, to all of you,  “MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, & to all a GOOD NIGHT!                                                             The Getz Family

“Free Spirit”, October Chapter Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order @ 7:40 pm, 22 members & 5 guests in attendance.  Motion to accept October meeting minutes as printed in the November newsletter, Kathleen Duckett, seconded by Howard Kriebel, so carried.      

Treasurer’s Report = Report was bypassed this month.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

• A. Historian –  no report  
• B. Lehighton Show  – weather = RAIN.  21 cars on show field, 0 outdoor flea market, 0 car corral.  New member joined during show.  Those in attendance seemed to make the best of a rainy situation!  
• C. Membership – no report  
• D. Newsletter – no report
• E. Programs –  no presentation held during this months’ meeting, technical difficulties.  To be re-scheduled during the January 2020 meeting.
• F. Publicity – no report
• G. Technical – no report
• H. Ways and Means –  Sold a blanket during the Hershey Fall Meet and to Maryland.

RAFFLE:  Alan Robertson was the recipient of the raffle for this month:  a BUICK lanyard! Congrats to Alan!!

OLD BUSINESS:  Congats to those members who received awards during the Eastern Hershey Region AACA Fall meet: 

• Michael Nester, Repeat Historic Preservation = 1978 Buick Electra
• Alfred Paul, Repeat Original HPOF = 1988 Buick LeSabre
• Martin Zimmerman, Repeat Preservation = 1933 Plymouth DeLuxe

Again, CONGRATULATIONS!!

NEW BUSINESS:     Nominations for Officers & BOD’s (No contestants) were accepted:  

• Director:  Sally Getz
• Assistant Director:  Debbie Brady
• Secretary:  Lisa Senishen
• Treasurer:  Sally Getz
• Membership Chairperson:  Dolores Kennedy

2 Board of Director’s: 

Induction of Officers & BOD’s will take place during the annual “Holiday Gathering.”

      The Board of the National BCA has approved the following:   A new tool to help chapters promote the BCA. Cards are available through the BCA office, Maple Grove, MN.  The purpose of the cards are a great way to promote the BCA to your BUICK friends who are not members. It offers 20% discount to new members for the 1^st year of their membership!! All they need to do is to use the promo code listed on the card to join online or to call the BCA office to join, 763-420-7829.  I, as your Director, have already placed the order for cards to be used by the “Free Spirit” Chapter Buick Family!

      Table Fall centerpieces went to the following:  

• Edward Lenny
• Thomas Duckett
• Dolores Kennedy

     Motion to adjourn, Dolores Kennedy, seconded by Alice Schaffer, so carried @ 8:30 pm.                    Respectfully submitted, substitute, Sally Getz 

43^rd Annual Old Car Show, LEHIGHTON,  Sunday, October 27, 2019

      Rain Rain go away, come on back another day!  But it did not listen! It rained all morning til 11:30, then it stopped.  Then the sun came out around 2:30 pm! Within an hour, everything was dry!!  You say to yourself, how could this have happened. Well, it did.  

     But inspite of the rain, there were some very nice car enthusiasts who came out to attend the show, w/ their cars.  It was a very small group of die hards, but we all had a fairly good time.  

      While 21 cars were in attendance, 17 “Free Spirit” members volunteered their time to support one another on this wet day!  

      The following were the recipients of the awards:

Class A

Class B

Class C = 1^st = Steve Chappelear, Orefield, 1954 Buick 4 dr

Class D = 3^rd = Joe/Rose Barachie, Lehighton, 1968 Oldsmobile

                2^nd = Karen Brandis, Jim Thorpe, 1961 Studebaker Hawk

                1^st = Larissa Barachie, Jim Thorpe, 1967 Volkswagon Beetle

Class E = 2^nd = Butch Preist, Sweet Valley, 1979 Buick LeSabre

                1^st = Ronald Bowman, Lehighton, 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Class F = 3^rd = Amber Curran, Lehighton, 1977 Pontiac grand AM

                2^nd = Keen Beltz, Slatington, 1984 Buick Regal

                1^st = Todd Kriner, Lehighton, 1983 Buick Riviera Conv

Class G

Class H = 3^rd = Joe Curran, Jr., Lehighton, 1997 GMC Sierra Truck

                2^nd = Scott Freeman, Effort, 1990 Chevy Suburban

                 1^st = harry Miller, Nesquehoning, 1997 Ford 350

Class I

50/50 Raffle = our own Steve Chappelear!!

Director’s Award = Jack Seidel, Fleetwood, 1964 Buick Special Sedan

       Many many “THANKS” to those members who braved this annual chapter event!  Mostly all of you came prepared for the rainy weather (rain gear, boots, umbrellas, & GOOD SPIRITS!!)  Many “THANKS” to Sandy/Dan Reiniger for providing the coffee & donuts for those members who attended.                                                                                   Sally Getz

NEW MEMBER!

      A new member joined this Buick family during the Old Car show, Lehighton, Pa:  

•                Keen Beltz
•               Slatington, Pa 18080
•               1984 Buick Buick Regal

Be sure to add his information in your membership rosters.  Give him a “WARM WELCOME” when you meet him!!

January, 2020 will be the presentation on Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

      The Lockheed SR-71 “Blackbird” is a long-range, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft that was operated by the United States Air Force.^[2] It was developed as a black project from the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft in the 1960s by Lockheed and its Skunk Works division. American aerospace engineer Clarence “Kelly” Johnson was responsible for many of the design’s innovative concepts. During aerial reconnaissance missions, the SR-71 operated at high speeds and altitudes to allow it to outrace threats. If a surface-to-air missile launch were detected, the standard evasive action was simply to accelerate and outfly the missile.^[3] The shape of the SR-71 was based on the A-12 which was one of the first aircraft to be designed with a reduced radar cross-section.

      The SR-71 served with the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1998. A total of 32 aircraft were built; 12 were lost in accidents with none lost to enemy action.^[4][5] The SR-71 has been given several nicknames, including “Blackbird” and “Habu“.^[6] Since 1976, it has held the world record for the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft, a record previously held by the related Lockheed YF-12.  

      Due to November’s technical difficulties, this presentation will be done during the January meeting.  Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused anyone.

 “Holiday Gathering” Tuesday, December 3, 20189

   The annual “Holiday Gathering” will once again be held @ the Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, PA, home of the monthly “Free Spirit” Buick meetings. Social hour = 5 pm w/ sit down dinner being served @ 6 pm. “Crazy Bingo” will once again be played & enjoyed by all!! Don’t forget, EACH PERSON brings a wrapped $10.00 gift, only to go back to home with an unwrapped $10.00 gift!!

Dinner = soup/salad/bread bar, entrée, side, coffee/tea/soda/water, dessert.

Broiled Haddock, Black Diamond Steak, Chicken Pamigiana

Member = ___________________ entrée choice_________________=$8.00
Spouse = ____________________ entrée choice_________________=$8.00
Member child(ren) (6-12) = ___________________, child menu choice, free
Non-Member = _________________, entrée choice = ____________$29.00
Non-Member child(ren) (6-12) = ____________________, child menu price

Submit your entrée choice(s), reservation(s), & check made payable to:
“Free Spirit” Chapter, to Sally Getz, 1060 Main Road, Lehighton, Pa 18235 by November 27, 2019. Hope you can attend this ABSOLUTE FUN event!!!

                                      Calendar of Events

DECEMBER                     HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

• 3 – Annual “Holiday Gathering”, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa.

JANUARY 2020                “HAPPY NEW YEAR!!”

• 7 – Monthly chapter meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa.  Dinner @ 6 pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm. (WEATHER PERMITTING)
  
• 17-19 – Automania, Ag Hall, Allentown, Pa  
  

FEBRUARY 2020              “HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!”

• 4 – Monthly chapter dinner (6 pm) & business meeting (7:30 pm), Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa

                                     CARS/PARTS “FOR SALE”

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 

Exterior, cloth maroon interior.  $10,00.00.  610-377-6130.

1967 Buick 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! $8,500. 610-377-6130

1991 Chevy Suburban, 2500,  Big block, 454 engine, 111,530 original miles.  2×2. Turbo 400 transmission. Black with 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! $8,000. 610-377-6130 

Heater Core, NORS made in USA, fits 1982-87  Buick Regal/Olds Cutlass
Supreme $25.00
Heater Core NORS made in USA , fits large Buick 1978-1988 $25.00
Heater Core Good Used  Circular under seat fits 1954-57 Buick  Century $20.00
Contact H Kriebel..Sauenohr1@gmail.com

In Search Of

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