June 2024 Newsletter
DIRECTOR’S THOUGHTS, JUNE, 2024
Happy Summer to everyone! Despite the offbeat weather we have been having, there are still a few months ahead of us to thoroughly enjoy the summer! How many car shows and or cruises have you attended thus far? One can find something to attend, car wise, every Saturday and Sunday. Keep abreast of the many Calendar of Events later in this e-newsletter/newsletter, furthermore; check out the many car web sites on the internet. There you can pick a specific area and or state.
Has anyone attended the Buick GS Nationals in Kentucky in May? I have seen many pictures that participants have posted on Facebook. Looks like it was a good time but, they experienced not so good weather on judging day, therefore, some of the participants DID NOT take their Buicks out of their trailers. BUICKS WERE BUILT TO BE DRIVEN! Rain never hurt anyone or anything, right?
The “Free Spirit” annual picnic will take place on Sunday, June 9th under the Weeping Willow Pavilion at the Macungie Memorial Park beginning at 12:30 pm. Hope you can attend. Bring your quarters to play a few rounds of BINGO! William Hallman will be accepting chapter renewal dues if you haven’t paid already.
Your Elected Director, Sally Getz
“Free Spirit” Meeting Minutes – MAY 7, 2024
Meeting called to order @ 7:35 pm. 14 members are present. Sally “Welcomed” everyone to tonight’s meeting. She asked if anyone would like to share any special events anyone did the past month:
Steve, Lisa, Tom and Kathleen made a trip to Bill’s Bike Barn. Steve and Lisa drove in their 1956 Buick. Tom and Kathleen drove in their 1950 Buick Riviera. A great place to see numerous items from motorcycles to old store fronts. Bill’s Bike Barn is two stories with stairs, no ramps or elevators. They also found a great place for lunch. Sally went with Tom, Kathleen and their grandchildren on a day trip with the Ontelaunee AACA Club to Pioneer Tunnel in Ashland. The guide was highly informative. It was a little cold and damp but would be a great trip for the summer months. Tom’s grandson was offered a job, but decided against it. It only paid 50 cents a week… the going rate when the mine was in operation. Sally on her ride home from VA spotted a 68 Skylark on a trailer headed to a new home. Tom and Bob took an interesting trip to a large car repository (junkyard) that was almost in New York. It contained over 600 cars in various stages of deterioration. Tom was looking for that switch for his 39 Cadillac. Still Looking! Shirley Schaffer sold a Matador car. John/Gail Malone vacationed for a week in Palm Springs, California. Sally vacationed for a week in Shenandoah, Virginia, and while traveling back to Pa, she passed by a 1968 Buick Skylark on a car trailer being taken to its new home in PA. William Hallman is now a Library co-chairman of the Vintage Chevrolet Heritage Foundation, CONGRATs, William!! It was so wonderful to see Dini Vigliano at the meeting, considering what medical issues she has gone through. Sally Getz, along with Kathleen/Thomas Duckett and their 2 grandchildren, they participated in the Ontelaunee Region AACA day tour to the Pioneer Coal Mine Tour, Ashland, PA. The tour guide told some very interesting coal mine stories!!
Motion to accept April meeting minutes as printed in the May e-newsletter/newsletter, William Hallman, seconded by, Steve Chappelear , so carried.
Treasurer’s report: Report given for April 2024, motion to accept, Kathleen Duckett, seconded by Bob Miles, so carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Historian; no report
Lehighton: Sally has this year car show flyers for the membership to take to pass out. J C Taylor has been contacted via phone and e-mail for this year’s award allotment, no response. National BCA award allotment has been acquired.
Membership: William collected monies from members not wearing their chapter badge. William collected renewal dues from members who attended the meeting. He will be attending the picnic on June 9th for those who want to renew their dues then. Renewal dues are $15.00. Please be sure to renew by June 30th!!
- E-newsletter/newsletter: no report
- Publicity: Car show flyer was sent to web master to be placed on the web site.
- Technical: no report
- Ways-n-Means: no report
OLD BUSINESS: Position for Assistant Director remains open for someone to volunteer. Contact Sally if you would like to fulfill this position. Sally reminded those persons to please remember to vote for 3 BOD’s, and to then mail in their ballot by June 1, 2024.
Future Buick National Meets:
- 2024 = Cleveland, Ohio
- 2025 = Concord, North Carolina
- 2026 = Albany, NY in mid-August
- 2027 = Columbus, Ohio in late July
The Annual Chapter Picnic is Sunday, June 9, 2024 under the Weeping Willow Pavilion, Macungie Memorial Park. As in the past, the chapter will supply the condiments, paper products, utensils, and beverages. Tom will supply the grill. Sandy and Dan will procure the burgers, hot dog, buns…Shirley will borrow the bingo game from the Ontelaunee AACA Club. Bring your Quarters to play “BINGO!” Members are asked to bring the following depending upon the first letter of their last name:
A – G = dessert H – O = hot item P – Z = cold item
Now, if you are not a baker, please bring something scrumptious for everyone to enjoy! Plan to eat around 12:30 pm. Bring your comfy chairs and BUICK stories!
NEW BUSINESS: John Scheib, our Regional Coordinator, would like to see the chapters in his region strongly participate with the Upstate NY Buick chapter in hosting the 2026 National Buick meet. John Defiore, Upstate NY chapter Director, along with his membership, helped to host the Tri-Regional Meet which was held @ Morgantown, 2023.
As of February 13, 2024 teleconference of the National BCA Officers and BOD’s, there are 68 car registrations and 45 flea market registrations for this year’s National Buick Meet, Strongsville, Ohio.
Received an e-mail from the Mason-Dixon chapter: a member has a 1967 Electra 225 4 dr htp for sale, located in Chambersburg, PA. It is an original 1 owner, 165K Buick. Anyone interested, please contact Sally.
Received a “Thank you” from Dream Come True for 2023 Charitable contribution.
Sally brought in 2023 issues of the Buick Bugle and AACA magazines for whomever would like to take and to enjoy reading them.
Motion to adjourn, Shirley Schaffer, seconded by Steve Chappelear, so carried. Time 7:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Duckett
Membership Renewal
Please RENEW YOUR MRMBERSHIP by sending $15.00, “Free Spirit” Chapter, to: Please submit to William by June 30, 2024. wfh23@comcast.net. If you already renewed, please disregard this notice, thank you.
Spencer “Pete” G. Pope, Jr. (1925 – 2024)
Spencer “Pete” G. Pope, Jr., 98, of Pottsville, passed away on Monday, April 15th, at Providence Place, Pottsville. Born in Mahanoy City, on October 31, 1925, he was a son of the late Spencer G. and Bertha (Seligman) Pope, Sr. He was a 1943 graduate of Pottsville High School; Culver Military Academy, Culver, Indiana; Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania; and the Dealer Management course at General Motors Institute, Flint , MI. Pete proudly served in the United States Army Air Corp from 1944-1946. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, Pottsville, where he served as superintendent, elder, trustee, and Sunday School teacher. Pete was the owner and CEO of Pope Motor Company, a Buick, Pontiac, GMC Truck Franchise. He was President of Pope Leasing Co. and National Finance Co. He was very active in the Pottsville community. He was a Director and Chairman of the Board for the Miner National Bank and its successor, the Heritage Bank and the Bank’s holding company, serving for 31 years. He was formerly on the United Way Board and served two terms on the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce Board and President of the Benevolent Association, which ran the Pottsville Children’s Home. Pete was a Rotarian for over 50 years and a 32nd Mason in the Pulaski Lodge 216 and Caldwell Consistory, Bloomsburg. He was a member of the Schuylkill Country Club, the former Pottsville Club, Schuylkill County Historical Society, and the Yorkville Hose Company. He was an Eagle Scout and former Cub Master. He was an antique car enthusiast and belonged to numerous car clubs and most enjoyed spending time with his family. In addition to his parents, Pete was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn, on August 30, 2015, to whom he was married 64 years; and sons: William A. and James R. Pope. Pete is survived by two sons: Spencer G. Pope III, of Auburn; Andrew R. Pope, husband of Denise, of Pottsville; daughter-in-law, Kris Pope; and 8 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
CALENDAR of EVENTS, 2024
JUNE 2024 HAPPY SUMMER VACATION!
- 2 – GM on display, Macungie Park
- 8 – 1st Annual Gasket Goons Spring Showdown In the Park, Macungie, Pa
- 9 – Annual chapter picnic, Weeping Willow Pavillion, Macungie Memorial Park, Macungie, PA
- 10-15 – Cadillac and LaSalle Club Gran National Meet, Wyndham Hotel, Gettysburg, PA
- 15 – Chariots of Fire Show, Classic Auto Mall Show, Morgantown, Pa
- 16 – Pretzel City Rod/Custom Father’s Day Show, Oley Fairgrounds, Oley, Pa
JULY 2024 HAPPY 4TH OF JULY
- 10 -13 – Buick National Meet, Strongsville, Ohio
- 13 – Rock n Rescue, 1375 Oak Grove Drive, Lehighton, Pa
- 14 – 6th Annual Hanoverville Roadhouse Car Show, Bethlehem, Pa
- 20 – Not Your Father’s Car & Bike Show, 2100 Bushkill Park Drive, Easton, Pa
- 27 – 9th Annual NASD Student Council Car Show, Bicentennial Psrk West, Northampton, Pa
AUGUST 2024 DOG DAYS OF SUMMER!
- 2-4 – Das Awksht Fescht, Macungie Memorial Park, Macungie, Pa
CARS/PARTS FOR SALE
1955 Buick Special 2 door htp: cascade blue and temple grey, 264 Nailhead engine, 4 BBL carb, power steering, original front/back seats, headliner and working am radio. Show condition: top 40 winner Wildwood Boardwalk 2019 Classic Car Show. Asking $37K. Contact Rich Eberhart FMI (215-409-5195 Pennsburg, Pa.)
1966 LeSabre Conv in good working condition. $14K. Barry Follweiler, Allentown, Pa , 610-509-9533 1967 Buick Electra 225 4 dr htp original 1 owner car w/ 165K original miles. $15K. Was purchased from Haselwood Buick in Bremerton, WA. Ordered December 1966 and took deliveryo n February 1967. Service and dealer information catalogs for this car included. Tires are new from 2018 w/ 4K miles on them. Vinyl interior and headliner in excellent condition. Ensminger,Chambersburg, Pa. 717-264-6870, jbe@pa.net
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