DIRECTOR’S THOUGHTS, OCTOBER, 2024

What do you think of when you think of the month of October?  Do you think of goblins, witches, pumpkins and ghosts?  Do you think of just the season of FALL?  Do you think, “Oh My Gosh, I have to start thinking of shopping for the Christmas holiday!”?  Well, as a BUICK enthusiast, I think of attending the Hershey AACA Fall Meet at Hershey, Pa as a vendor!!  As most of you know, this show is HUGE!!!  There are so many things that go on during the Hershey meet!!  The main feature is the flea market areas.  My spaces are in the green field:   3 rows from the exit of the green field across the street from the AACA Library, 3 spaces in from the end of the isle facing the orange field area.  My spaces are GAF 6 – 8.   I’m across the aisle from Schwalm’s Babbitted Bearings for Model A Fords.  John Moore, along with Mike Allen are in aisle, GAC, by a parking lot light.  If you do not run out of energy to walk through the green field, stop by the mentioned spaces to say “HELLO.”   The BCA tent is also located in the green field.  Stop by the tent to “sign-in”.  Besides there to sign – in, you can obtain a list of vendors selling “BUICK” parts!!              

By the end of this month, the 48^th Annual Old Car Show with Outdoor Flea Market will be held at the Phifer’s Ice Dam, 880 Main Road, Lehighton, Saturday, October 27, 2024, with a rain date of Sunday, October 27, 2024.  Some car pre-registrations have been coming in the mail.  Place this date on your calendars for many volunteers will be needed to full fill parking of cars, placing flea market vendors, help with the day of show registrations, 50/50 selling, and tallying ballots for award presentations.  The DJ has been contracted and the Franklin Township Lions will be providing food selections.  An ad was sent to the Buick Bugle and Sally will be placing multiple ads on multiple internet web sites.  

                                                                                                                                           Your Elected Director, Sally

“Free Spirit” Meeting Minutes – September 3, 2024

Meeting called to order @ 7:20 pm.  18 members are present.  Sally “Welcomed” everyone to tonight’s meeting.  She asked for members to share what they did over the summer hiatus:    Eric Hunsberger attended multiple car events and cruises; Kathleen Duckett added a 1967 Wildcat to their Buick collection.  

 Motion to accept August meeting minutes, not applicable due to summer hiatus.

Treasurer’s report:  Report given for August 2024, motion to accept by Todd Kriner, second by Kathy Duckett, so carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:  Historian:    “HAPPY 47th BIRTHDAY, FREE SPIRIT CHAPTER!!!!”  Everyone sang Happy Birthday to everyone.  Beautiful VOICES from all!!!!  A delicious yellow cake with butter cream icing was thoroughly enjoyed by all!

Lehighton:    Annual Old car Show flyers are available to those who need some to hand out.  `The following is pre-registered thus far:  14 cars, 4 vendor spaces.  The rent is paid to Franklin Township along w/ security deposit.  The Franklin township Lions group will provide multiple food selections.  The DJ is scheduled.  Members will be needed to fill in the duties it takes to host this show (park cars, help w/ registration).  Next month, Sally will ask for volunteers to meet before the show to layout the field.  

Membership:    William Hallman collected monies from 3 members who forgot to wear their Buick badges.  William announced a new member:    Benjamin and Dr. Melanie Turrano of 1389 Valley Road, Tamaqua, PA 18252-5012. They are proud owners of a 1937 Buick Special, model 41 (4 dr trunkback).  They can be reached at 570-656-5991, or benturranorealtor@gmail.com.    Also, present at tonight’s meeting, are 2 other new members:    Rob Macmillan and Sandy Rosenberger of 858 Wynnefield Drive, Souderton, Pa 18964.  They, too, are proud owners of a 1990 Buick Reatta Convertible!  They can be reached at 215-350-2096, or macmil@comcast.net.  “WELCOME” to this BUICK chapter!!!!  Please be sure to enter their information into your membership roster!!!             Richard “Rich” Day, who has joined in April, is in attendance at tonight’s meeting also.  “WELCOME” to you, Mr. Day!!! Martha Kriebel is celebrating Howard’s “90^th” Birthday by inviting friends and family to a church service at the Augustus Lutheran Church, Trappe, Pa on Sunday, September 22, 2024.  There will be 2 services held, 8:30 am and 10:30 am.  

There are 12 members who did not renew to this chapter.

E-Newsletter/Newsletter:  “RAPP Parts” of Starlight, PA is a new advertiser, “THANK YOU”, Mr. David Rapp.  Bob Miles recruited this advertiser, “THANK YOU”.  Please see your September newsletter for more information on “RAPP Parts”.  

Publicity:    car show ad is in the September issue of the BUGLE.  Sally will place on free web sites on internet.

Technical:    John Malone reminded members to be sure their vehicle taillights, brake lights and flashers function properly.

Ways-n-Means:    Sally sold 2 blankets during the summer.  Did not sell anything during DAF, but did collect 3 membership renewals.  

OLD BUSINESS:    Position for Assistant Director still available.  

NEW BUSINESS:    Next month, October, nominations will be taken for the following positions:

 Assistant Director, Secretary, Treasurer, Activities Director, 2 BOD’s (Thomas Duckett and John Malone stay on for another year, Dan Reiniger and Steven Bubbenmoyer come off.)

Sally received an email from fellow Mason-Dixon chapter Director, Larry Dibarry.  

Sally:    Just giving a heads up as to the possible folding of Mason Dixon. Just one of those things with me. Once I took over as director in 2013 others slowly stepped away leaving all up to me. Tours and activities I scheduled ended up being ignored. The newsletter I solicit contributions, and none come in. A group of the faithful (used to be dozen now only about 6) still meet for a sham meeting to just eat and car talk. Our numbers are down to 23. Last Thursday I received a notice that our Tax-exempt status has been revoked for not filing our 990-EZ form for 3 years. Richard Sills as secretary always took care of this.  I would check with him each of the last 3 years to make sure it would be taken care of.  Apparently, he has not taken care of this even though he had filed extensions after I would remind him.  Now going through the IRS quagmire trying to at least save the Tax-exempt status. Just in case someone would want to resurrect the chapter at a later date. As you know as a director, we are the contact persons and the ultimate responsible party.  This was just the last straw.                                    Best Regards:  Larry

This is a very sad note to hear about a Buick chapter here in PA.  I have heard that many clubs, car related or not, have a difficult time getting and keeping members.  Plus, to members be active in that group.  The world is certainly changing and so I guess we have to change along with it.  

The following is 2 inserts are from the May national BCA Board meeting:      “6. National Meet Committee:  A.  Marck barker commented that there will be no Buick heritage alliance banquet @ the 025 National Meeting in charlotte, North Carolina, as it would take 370 attendees to break even.  This would be very difficult to achieve and it was not possible to find a sponsor.  Examples quoted were $66.00/pp for the banquet meal and $3000.00 for the judges breakfast.  The increasing food and beverage prices at the expense of hotel accommodation prices wer discussed.    B.    Marck barker commented that the Up-State New York Chapter national Meet Committee has been meeting w/ their Chapter about making arrangements for the 2206 National Meeting.  Progress is being made.”             Motion to adjourn by Bob Miles, seconded by Eric Hunsberger, so carried.  Time = 8:20 pm.                        Respectfully submitted by Kathleen Duckett 

September 22, 2024,    HAPPY 90^TH BIRTHDAY, HOWARD!

On Sunday, September 22, 2024, a special church service was held in honor of Howard Kriebel’s 90^th Birthday at Augustus Lutheran Church, Trappe, Pa.  During the 10:30 service, everyone sang “HAPPY Birthday” to Howard.  Following the service, refreshments were available to everyone.  The following “Free Spirit” chapter members were in attendance:   

CALENDAR of EVENTS, 2024

OCTOBER 2024                                                HAPPY FALL/HALLOWEEN!

• 1 – Monthly chapter dinner/business meeting, dinner @ 6 pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm.  Trivet Diner, 4549 West Tilghman St. Allentown, Pa. 18104
• 6 – Becky’s Drive-In Car show, Berlinsville, Pa 
• 7 – 11 – Hershey AACA Region Fall Meet, Hershey, Pa.
• 26 -48 th Annual Old Car Show, Phifer’s Ice Dams, 880 Main Rd., Lehighton, PA, rain date 27^th.  
• 27 – Old car show RAINDATE 

NOVEMBER 2024                                            HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

• 5 – Chapter dinner/business meeting, Trivet Rest., 4549 West Tilghman St., Allentown, Pa, dinner @ 6:00 pm, business meeting @7:30 pm.

DECEMBER 2024                                            HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

• 3 – Annual “Holiday Gathering” Trivet Restaurant, Social hour 5-6 pm, dinner following @ 6 pm.  CARS/PARTS FOR SALE         1948 Buick Super Convertible 56C  Full restoration necessary or parts car. Serial # 64981161. Style # 48-4567X. Does not run.  Price, $1,500.00 OBO. Photos via Google drive available upon request.   Alan Babp at aababp@gmail.com or 610-657-0015. 

CARS/PARTS FOR SALE        

1948 Buick Super Convertible 56C  Full restoration necessary or parts car. Serial # 64981161. Style # 48-4567X. Does not run.  Price, $1,500.00 OBO. Photos via Google drive available upon request.   Alan Babp at aababp@gmail.com or 610-657-0015. 

Rapp Parts – Parting out 75    1920’s to 1970’s BUICKS, plus other antique cars/trucks, David Rapp, Starlight, Pa 18461        570-798-0390.  (PLEASE CALL FIRST)