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By Sharon Lee
AACA President
Hello Everyone,
By the time you read this issue of the Rummage Box, we will have already had our last 2007 board meeting where outgoing 2007 President Dave Berg, said goodbye to retiring board members, attended the 2008 AACA Annual Meeting, introduced the new board members you voted in for a three-year term, had the first meeting with the new board of directors, attended the annual awards banquet where your new president for 2008 was presented and the 2008 AACA board was introduced with their assigned positions for the year. We have started our year filled with exciting meets and tours.
This year, in addition to the above, we attended the Southeastern Winter and Annual Grand National dual meets in Melbourne, Florida; the Southeastern Spring Meet in Charlotte, North Carolina; and by the time this is printed we will have already traveled to Tucson, Arizona for the Western Spring Meet, followed not far behind by the Eastern Spring Meet in Cumberland, Maryland. So as you can see there have already been quite a few activities for everyone to enjoy in 2008. All our tours and several more meets are still to come. Please refer to the national calendar in Antique Automobile or contact any of the Directors in your area for an activities card.
You know, it might be easier becoming or at least remaining president by NOT stating all you plan to do during the year and just go about doing things for the members. I want to remind each of you that I, as AACA President, and all the directors in their various positions are AACA members, too. We were elected by you, the members, and are here to serve you. I did divide the VP Regions position; each of the four divisions (Eastern, Central, Southeastern and Western) has its own VP Regions - Development and Support, with a large committee established to be working with our members. This committee is working diligently to contact every region and chapter to inform them of all the programs available to strengthen the core of this organization. They are working with the VP Membership and VP National Activities and all the committees to help spread the word that we're here for you. Don't hesitate to contact them if you need help.
The Rummage Box is another tool to let everyone know what is
going on in AACA. We see a lot of the articles reprinted from the Rummage
Box in your Region/Chapter newsletters. Newsletter editors; let us know
what material you think would be helpful for the members to read. At the
membership roundtable in Melbourne, Florida, we were asked once again when
members would be able to pay for meets
and tours online with a credit card. I have instructed our Executive
Director to expedite this, and have been assured it will happen this year.
We will be working with Regions and Chapters who are hosting 2008 events
to coordinate online payments soon. We will continue the four free
memberships to each Region and Chapter in good standing to entice new
members never before belonging to AACA to join a Region or Chapter and be
given a free AACA membership, hoping that once they see all the fun and
benefits of belonging, they will renew year after year.
Remember, AACA Headquarters is staffed for your convenience. If you have any questions or concerns, please call. There is also a board of directors address list in the front of Antique Automobile and on our website at ww.aaca.org. Watch for many more exciting things throughout the year as we enjoy this great hobby together. Better yet -- become involved and be an active member -- AACA wants and needs you.
Sharon Lee
AACA 2008 President
By Joe Gagliano
Chairman Youth Awards Committee
2007 was a record year for nominations and applicants for AACA Youth Awards. I am pleased to report that your Board of Directors decided to increase the number of awards in response to this wonderful interest in our youth awards program.
I’d like to recap for you the awards and award winners for 2007.
AACA Scholarship Award
The AACA Scholarship Award is awarded to an AACA member, child or grandchild of an AACA member in good standing for at least 5 years, who has been accepted to an institution of higher learning or is now currently enrolled. This award is granted by the AACA National Board of Directors to encourage our members to further their education and stimulate interest in AACA and the history of vehicles in general. I am pleased to report that the AACA Board decided to present four AACA Scholarship Awards for 2007!
- Jeremiah Hoffman of Chicopee, MA.
Zack has been active with his family in the old car hobby since he was 10 years old. He has helped his father work on their 1916 Hudson and has been involved with the Connecticut Valley Region, assisting on the 2008 Divisional Tour. His educational plans include receiving his Associate Degree in Computer Information Technology this June at the Springfield Technical Community College. In addition to the 1916 Hudson, he intends to own a 1950’s Hudson Hornet someday.
- Elizabeth Lehtola of Bridgewater, MA.
Liz has grownup surrounded by her father’s and grandfather’s antique brass era cars. Antique auto touring has been a part of her involvement and she appreciates the camaraderie of the members and the places she has been able to visit that otherwise she would not have seen. This spring she will be attending Queen Mary, University of London, studying abroad; she will return in the fall to finish her mathematics degree at Tufts University.
- Sarah Oelz of Matthews, NC.
Sarah has related the exceptional experiences she has had participating in old car activities with her parents and members of the Hornet’s Nest Region through the years. She says her love of old cars will never fade from her interest and even with a very busy schedule at school and working she was able to squeeze in some car events in her valuable free time. Sarah is a junior at Western Carolina University majoring in nutrition.
- Katherine Serzan of Lillington, NC.
Katherine says she has a great passion for old cars and is truly her “daddy’s daughter “when it comes to cars. She says the ability to drive a manual transmission automobile opens up many new doors to drivers, the only door she wanted to open up was to his 1976 cherry red MGB convertible! She has also assisted in some local car shows. She attends Campbell University School of Pharmacy and expects to graduate in 2010.
AACA Young People’s Award
The AACA Young People’s Award is presented to a child or grandchild of an active AACA member in good standing for at least five years who has been accepted into an accredited institution of higher education, leading to a bachelor’s degree or two year vocational education program leading to a diploma. This award is given based on the recommendation from a majority vote of the Board of Directors and an AACA Region or Chapter.
I am pleased to report the AACA Board decided to present two Young Peoples Awards for 2007.
- Amanda Blythe of Concord, NC.
Recommended by the Hornet’s Nest Region:
Amanda has grown up around old cars and AACA. She will be the third generation of old car hobbyists in her family. She feels the best thing about the old car hobby is the exceptionally nice people, their love of their cars and the memorable trips she has taken. She enjoys the tours as it enables her to be with her family, grandparents and other special people from AACA. Her personal favorite car is the Chevrolet BelAir; she hopes to own one someday. She is currently a freshman at Wake Forest University in Winston- Salem, NC. And pursuing Anthropology, Criminology and/ or Law.
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Jacqueline Gariepy of Tucson, AZ.
Recommended by the AACA Tucson Region
Jackie has grown up around old cars and has fond memories of driving with her father on old car trips. Like most AACA members one of her favorite things to do was progressive dinners, where she could meet with her car friends and eat. Her first car was a 1961 Volkswagen “Ragtop” and would eventually like to own a 1964 Mustang. She intends to use her Scholarship award to purchase a laptop computer and printer. She is currently attending Northern Arizona University in Religious Studies.
AACA Student Scholarship Award
New for 2007 was the AACA Student Scholarship Award, it is a $1,500 cash award to a student currently enrolled in an institution of higher learning leading up to a degree in antique automotive technology and/or restoration. This award is granted by the AACA National Board of Directors to encourage young adults to further their education, and stimulate interest in AACA and the history of vehicles in general. AACA membership is encouraged but not required. One or more awards may be presented each year.
This award is open to any student:
~Attending any institution or higher learning leading to a diploma in automotive technology and/ or restoration and has shown an active interest in the hobby of antique vehicles through restoration, preservation, or ownership of such vehicles.
~Nomination for the award will be accepted from any faculty member from the school or university of attendance.
Our very first recipient of the AACA Student Scholarship Award is:
- Drew Lewis of Oreland, PA
Drew is currently a sophomore at McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas relating to a degree in automobile restoration. Drew has wide spread interest in all automobiles, but is particularly focused on Fords. One of his main projects has been a 1926 Model T Ford Speedster.
What Happens in Philadelphia Stays in Philadelphia
By Brenda Shore Kaiser
Vice President - Data Management
Yes, you are correct; I borrowed this phrase from Las Vegas. It does fit however when I think about those that go to the AACA National Meeting in Philadelphia and those that do not attend. As to why the National Meeting is always in Philadelphia, suffice it to say that there are quite a few reasons but I will save that for another time. Right now I want to focus on giving some insight into what happens in Philadelphia so that it does not stay in Philadelphia!
Every year over 988 AACA members from 41 states, Puerto Rico, Sweden and France drive or fly to downtown Philadelphia. The weather is always cold and sometimes there is snow but that makes it exciting. Remember I live here in Texas so I get enough warmth. Sometimes it is fun to see that funny white stuff fall from the sky. People start to arrive as early as Wednesday but most come in on Thursday. Everyone stays at the host hotel (we get a great rate, especially for a large downtown city) and we don’t have to hassle trailers, campers or rigs. This get-together is all about the people although we are all there because of our shared love of the cars.
During the day there are a lot of options. You can go to a variety of sessions where you can learn about many subjects; everything from how to host a meet or tour, creating quality newsletters and web sites, to information about the AACA Library. Oh yea, there are a lot of sessions about cars as well, including storing them (lifts), restoring them, and special areas of interest. If you want to take a break from the sessions you can visit the Trade Fair where there are many vendors with car-related items. You can even enter to win the prizes that every vendor gives away! On Thursday evening this year, we were treated to an evening at the National Constitution Center hosted by one of our members from the West.
Friday night includes a great dinner for all Region/Chapter Presidents or their representative. You don’t want to miss the Museum auction. It starts at 8:00pm and goes until almost midnight; if you stick around long enough and the item you want is auctioned later in the evening you may just get lucky. There is also the silent auction so even if you don’t like to engage in the live bidding you can still get something you have always wanted. Regardless of what you win the amount you pay goes to the AACA Museum – all of it. What a great way to make a contribution.
On Saturday there are judging schools (beginner and advanced). Anyone can attend even if you don’t want to become a judge. You can learn how our cars are judged and what is important. Also on Saturday is the General Meeting where we can learn about what is going on in AACA, find out about our fiscal stability, and ask questions. Believe it or not these meetings attract around 250-300 people each year.
My favorite part of the whole weekend is Saturday night – the Awards Banquet. This is where all of the National Awards are presented and it is quite an exciting event. The ‘best-of-the best’ cars win special awards and are displayed on a large screen while the owners are recognized by the President and receive a lovely award. But the evening is not just about the cars; it is about our members who have made a contribution to the AACA in the prior year. Newsletter editors, webmasters, and those that participate and commit their time and energy are recognized through special awards. It is so much fun to see all of the excited winners and be there to wish them congratulations.
By Sunday I am exhausted but extremely happy. I have seen friends, had time to visit with them, talk about our shared love of cars and learn from them as I attend the workshops. Philadelphia might be a long way from home and it may be cold but I plan on going every year.
What happens in Philadelphia should not stay in Philadelphia – you should plan on attending next year. I know that you will enjoy your trip!