February 2024 Newsletter

DIRECTOR’S THOUGHTS, FEBRUARY 2024

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY to everyone. Whether you receive roses, candy, a cruise, 4 new tires for your BUICK, a detailing appointment for your BUICK, a “SWEET HEARTS” dinner, or taken out to the movies, may you thoroughly enjoy your day!!

February is a “funny” month. By “funny”, I mean it’s a month where you can sit back and relax and not feel guilty about anything. It’s too early to become excited about going to outdoor car shows, plus, the weather play’s a big role. Unless you love the cold/freezing temperatures by skiing, snow tubing, cross country skiing, and/or ice skating, snowmobiling, staying inside where it’s warm is where it is. On the flip side, this is the time when persons take the time to change, fix, and/or repair things on their BUICKS pampering them to be ready for the car season. Whatever you decide to do this month, you do what makes you “HAPPY”. Life is way too short not to be happy, so go out and enjoy!

Your Elected Director, Sally

Image result for Valentine's Day logos. Size: 158 x 102. Source: pngimg.com

“Free Spirit” Meeting Minutes –January 2, 2024

Meeting called to order @ 7:15 pm. 15 members are present. Sally “Welcomed” everyone to tonight’s meeting. She asked how everyone’s Holiday Season was and did they watch the “Ball” fall on New Year’s Eve. The majority of members present did not watch the Ball fall on New Year’s Eve.

Motion to accept December’s meeting minutes, NONE. “Holiday Gathering” was enjoyed by members.

Treasurer’s report: Report given for December 2023: motion to accept Isabel Lenny, seconded by Shirley Schaffer, so carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Historian; no report

Lehighton: 2023 car show magnetic leftover plaques were offered to those in attendance.

Membership: William Hallman collected monies from members not wearing their chapter badge.

E-newsletter/newsletter: Sent out 9 advertiser renewals, received 3 renewals to date. Received 1 new advertiser, John Malone, III. My apologies to the advertisers for I forgot to place the ads into January’s e-newsletters/newsletters. I’m not off to a good start for 2024, am I? Again, my apologies. The ads will definitely be in the rest of this year’s e-newsletters/newsletters.

Publicity: no report

Technical: John Malone brought in a switch for a 1938 Buick that does not work. Discussions took place and it was decided that the switch needs to be carefully taken apart and be cleaned very carefully. John is encouraged to

report back to next month’s chapter meeting (February) to let everyone know whether or not the switch works by just doing a cleaning.

Thomas Duckett is looking for a 1939 Cadillac heater switch. Can anyone help him out? If so, please contact him.

Ways-n-Means: Sally rented a space during the Ontelaunee Region Swap Meet to be held at Leesport Farmers Market, Leesport, Pa this March, 2024 to sell chapter items.

OLD BUSINESS: Position for Assistant Director remains open for someone to volunteer. Contact Sally if you would like to fulfill this position.

The club’s profit from the 2023 October car show was very minimal. A discussion occurred amongst the membership in attendance, as to sending a check to Dream Come True, Blue Ridge Chapter as the chapter’s charitable contribution. The result is Sally will send out a check for the agreed amount.

NEW BUSINESS: A discussion occurred about options to increase the ## of members to attend meetings:

Change night/time for winter months of holding meetings? Or all the 8 months when meetings are held?
No meetings during the months of Nov/Jan/Feb/?March?

There were several options put forth and discussed. It was determined that if the day and/or time was changed that it might mean the further loss of membership. So everything stays the same: continue with holding monthly chapter meetings the first Tuesday of each month @ 7:30 pm. It is an option for members to meet at 6 pm for dinner, prior to the 7:30 pm business meetings.

Motion to adjourn, Isabel Lenny, seconded by Kathleen Duckett, so carried. Time 8:10 pm.

Submitted by: Kathleen Duckett

Find a Vehicle That Fits Your Lifestyle

Questions affect us in all aspects of our lives. Some are more significant than others. As some are rhetorical, many are necessary, especially when purchasing a new vehicle. How do you find the perfect fit? What is the purpose of the vehicle? Leisure or work? Are you interested in practicality or personality?

Choosing a vehicle often reveals your persona. A convertible might appeal to someone sporty and active. Practical thinking could lead to a 4-door sedan. Color also plays a role. An outgoing personality might prefer red or blue. A more preserved person might choose an ivory or cream. Gauge your response to vehicles on the road. Which ones grab your attention? Which ones have you yearning to visit a dealership and make a purchase?

Your initial response often reveals your intentions. Anything is fair game, including a vehicle’s appearance. The reflection of your personality is important, but so is visualizing whether it will meet your everyday needs. Simply put, which type of vehicle will best fit your lifestyle?

Questions to ask yourself:

Do you take road trips?
Intentions to tow or haul?
Do you have or plan to have kids/grandkids?
Do you live in a cold weather region with harsh winters?

Another question is likely the most important. What meets your budget? Estimate your monthly income before subtracting the following: Estimate monthly bills/utilities and rent/mortgage payments. Include other recurring payments like credit cards/personal loans. Be sure to leave room for unexpected or miscellaneous expenses.

Calculate the number, then see what remains. This is an excellent indicator as to what you can afford monthly. Perhaps the most frustrating step is haggling over a price. It can deter the enthusiasm of most shoppers, even if you are dead set on buying the vehicle. Find out what others paid for the same vehicle with national, regional and local data making sure you know whether you are being offered the best deal. Ask questions. Know your taste. Set a budget.

CAR TRIVIA

The yearly cost to drive a motor vehicle continues to decrease. True or False
Annual expense of owning a 2023 vehicle has increased by $12K, or $1K monthly from 2022. True/False
New vehicles are expected to depreciate by an average of $4.5K per year over 5 years of ownership-up 22% from 2022. True or False
Automakers focus on producing more oversized, luxurious and expensive vehicles loaded with extra features that increase prices even more. True or False
The Pick-up vehicle market has grown over the past 12 months with gas prices trending higher and financial costs climbing. True or False
Cold weather liquefies engine oil. True or False
Batteries lose approximately 35% of its efficiency when the temperature is below freezing. True or False
Battery cable corrosion allows power to flow freely from the battery, increasing the power to start the car. True or False
Having your car garaged can help extend a battery’s lifespan. True or False
It only takes approximately 10 minutes of driving a car to fully recharge a battery. True or False

BATTERY TENDER 4 Amp Selectable Battery Charger - Picture 1 of 1

CALENDAR OF EVENTS, 2024

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)

APRIL 2024

2 – Monthly chapter business meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa. Dinner @ 6 pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm.
7 – Indoor/Outdoor Antique/classic Auto Show Swap Meet, Classic Auto Mall, Morgantown, Pa
17 – 21 – Spring Carlisle, Pa

CARS/PARTS FOR SALE

FAN SHROUDS

#784 1967 Skylark 300/340, have 4, $200.00 each
#785 1967 Skylark V6 = $150.00#786 1968 Skylark: 1 = C, 2 = C/J, have 3, $175.00 each
#787 1969 Skylark, 1 left, $175.00
#788 1970 Skylark = $100.00
#789 1971 Skylark, have 2, = $100.00 each
#791 1963-65 Riviera w/ 2 cracks = $150.00
#792 1967 Riviera NO CRACKS, = $225.00
#793 1967 Riviera w/ air, has chunk missing, = $150.00
#794 1966 Electra/WC REPAIRED, w/ air = $125.00
#795 1978 Electra 403, 2 pieces, = $175.00
#796 1973 Centurion 350, have 2, $185.00 each
#798 1969 LeSabre 350/Electra, have 2, #1385492 = $175.00 each
#799 1972 LeSabre w/ crack, #18436572, NO AIR, = $100.00
#800 1969-72 Chevelle 4 BBL 350, = $125.00
#802 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass w/ air, have 2, has chunk out = $80.00 each
#803 1973-77 Oldsmobile cutlass w/ air = $175.00
#804 1971-76 Impala/ 1973-77 Chevy Chevelle/Malibu/Mon Car, #3986905, #6261917, $95.00