“HAPPY NEW YEAR” TO YOU!!!!  I would like to share my resolution with everyone for a healthy and prosperous 2024.  Furthermore, may we all find peace, love, and kindness throughout the world and to defeat the turmoil.   

Now, since the hustle and the bustle of the Holiday season is over for another year, what are some things you do and enjoy during the winter months?  Unless you live down South where the temperature is a bit warmer, the only car events in our area are inside swap meets and the like.  This year, the Ontelaunee Region AACA group will be hosting their annual swap meet at the Leesport Farmers Market on Sunday, March 3^rd instead of at the Hamburg Sports Fieldhouse, Hamburg, Pa.  I will be attending w/ a table to sell the Club’s Ways-n-Means, weather permitting.  Hopefully the Farmer’s Almanac is wrong in that we will not have to participate by shoveling a lot of SNOW!!  Can you remember when you were a young child how you would look forward to a lot of snow so you could go out and play and make a snowman and have snowball fights?   Then, the older you became and had to drive in the inclement weather, it wasn’t as much fun anymore, was it?  Well, since the majority of this chapter’s membership are of the retirement age, if the weather is bad, we just stay indoors to relax watching movies, watching grandchildren, playing games, working on your BUICKS, or just catch up on our sleep, right?  

Winter IS the time of year when guys DO work on their cars, right guys?   If you are fortunate, your BUICK may not need any fixing or upgrades, therefore, you can spend more time w/ family and friends.  How many of you remember what make/model of car(s) did you grow up with, that your parents drove as the family car?  Mine were always BUICK STATION WAGONS, because there were 7 of us to cart around.  Those were the good ole days, weren’t they?  I loved being able to sit in the third back seat of the WAGON looking out the back window looking at the driver behind us!  I remember we would wave at the driver behind us.  Sometimes when we would travel to visit my one set of Aunt/Uncle/Cousins in states away from PA, we’d put the third seat down flat so we, my siblings, cold take a nap during travel time.  BUICK cars were great cars back then!!  Besides how great they were, BUICKS had their own personality.  The fins, styling features, grilles, and large trunk areas played a part of their personalities.  Do you ever think these features will ever return in the future?  Food for thought.             Sally       

“Free Spirit” Meeting Minutes –December 2023

ANNUAL “HOLIDAY GATHERING”

The December meeting was not held, but the Annual “Holiday Gathering” was at the Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa, 17 members were in attendance.  Sally “Welcomed” everyone, and Grace was given by Sandy Reiniger.  Dinner was served at 6 pm after social hour, 5 – 6 pm.  The 3 entrees served were Monterey Chicken, Meatloaf, and Broiled Haddock.  Besides the entrée, the soup/salad/bread bar was included, along w/ coffee, tea and beverage.  Dessert was a huge sheet cake saying, “Happy Holidays” w/ red/green icing.  The food was served hot and very tasty!!   No one went away hungry!! 

After the meal, “Crazy Bingo” was played and enjoyed by all!!  There were a few gifts that had been swapped from one person to another several times.  After the game, Sally asked some Trivia questions to the group.  2 door prizes were given out.  John Malone was a recipient of a 1940’s BUICK wheel cover w/ the word “BUICK” embossed in it.  Isabel Lenny was the recipient of the other door prize, a Mr./Mrs. Snowman couple.  4 small Poinsettia flowers were handed out from their ticket number being drawn:  Dini Vigliano, Sandy Reiniger, Dolores Kennedy, and Isabel Lenny.  

Induction of Officers/Board of Directors occurred:       

• Director = Sally Getz          
• Assistant Director = open     
• Secretary = Kathleen Duckett            
• Treasurer = Sally Getz            
• Membership Chairperson = William Hallman 
• Activities Director = Shirley Schaffer

Board of Directors:

• Steven Bubbenmoyer 
• Thomas Duckett 
• John Malone
•   Dan Reiniger

 All in all, the night was very enlightening and enjoyed by everyone who attended. If you have any meeting or trip ideas, day or overnight, please talk to any of the officers/BOD and inform them of your ideas.  Brainstorm to see what you can come up with for everyone to enjoy during 2024!!

Missing from the picture is:   Kathleen/Thomas Duckett, Steven Bubbenmoyer,

Yum Yum!!  A 2 layer vanilla cake w/ pudding in the middle!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS, 2024

JANUARY  2024                                                  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

• 2 –Chapter  meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa, dinner @ 6 pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm.  (weather permitting)
• 19 – 21 – Automania, Ag Hall, Allentown, Pa

FEBRUARY 2024                                                HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

• 6 – Chapter meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa, dinner @ 6 pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm.  (weather permitting)

MARCH 2024                                                       DAYLIGHT SAVINGS MONTH!

• 3 – Leesport swap Meet, Leesport, Pa  (Ontelaunee Region AACA)
• 5 –  Chapter meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa, dinner @ 6 pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm.   (weather permitting)                                              

CARS/PARTS FOR SALE

SHIFTERS

• #603    1 – ‘70’s Oldsmobile Shifter, 1 wo ball top = $200.00
• #613    1965 Rivera Shifters, $125.00
• #614    1966- 68  Riviera Shifters, actual handle missing (square handle) $125.00
• #615    1964 Riviera shifter, #1364768, button stuck, $125.00                                                     Any interest, contact 484-464-3418