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Hi folks! Its me Enzo, your favorite feline, back to bring you some more of my helpful hints and stories. My friend Albert is on his way over, he says he has a question for me. You remember my best friend, Albert Felinestien; he’s the smartest cat I know. That’s why I can’t understand why he needs to ask me a question. Maybe I’ll grab a snack before he gets here. Albert is a pretty big boy and while I really like it when he comes over, he can do quite a job on my Friskies. Wouldn’t you know it. Just as I bent my head into the bowl the scratching on the door starts. That’s Albert’s way of announcing himself. He says its much more acceptable than the proper way of making his presence known. That being have someone in front of you with a flag calling out “Here ye Here ye, his most smartness, Albert Felinestien, decendent of the most famous cat of all, Edward Wellington Mouseripper III, hath arrived. All Hail Albert!” Whew ! That would sound pretty silly. I guess I can live with the scratching after all. “Hi Albert”, I meowed, “how are you?” “I’m delightful Enzo and how is my favorite friend?”. Uh oh, I like Albert a lot but I know he is buttering me up for something. “So tell me Albert what is the big question you needed to ask me.?” “Oh yes, Enzo, that…” Albert paused a moment as he gathered his thoughts. “Well Enzo you see my mom and dad are going to go on a trip, and well, they are considering taking me along.” “Hey that’s great Albert. I’d sure like to go on a trip with my mom and dad, like maybe Hershey.” Suddenly from all the way over in the living room I heard… “Forget it Enzo!” “That was my dad”, I told Albert. “Yes Enzo, I recognized his voice, somewhat of a demanding gent isn’t he?”. “Yea, he is” I replied, “ but he is usually pretty ok.” Albert gazed into the air with a seemingly confused look on his face. I had never seen him perplexed before. Albert could figure out anything. Finally looking right at me he mumbled…. “I need to know how to go on a trip Enzo, what happens at the airport and on the plane and so on.” “Ahhh no problem Albert. I’ve heard my dad talk about it lots of times. He’s done some pretty cool stuff on the airplane.” Albert looked up his eyes the widest I’ve ever seen. “No not that Albert, take it easy this is a “G” rated story.” “Ok, Enzo, sorry, too much HBO I guess. Ever since they re-ran Garfield I have been watching too much TV.” “Albert I’ve heard my dad talk about this a lot. Let me walk you through what a trip would be like.” Albert curled up on my mom’s favorite little throw rug and listened as only Albert could. He listened as only Albert could. He was so smart. I expected at any moment he was going to take out a pad and pencil and begin to take notes. Wait a minute! What am I talking about? Cats can’t write! We don’t have pockets ,either so I guess the note taking is gone for lots of reasons. “Albert here is how it goes. First off you need to get to the airport early. I f you are flying out of Pittsburgh, the parking spaces go pretty quick. So get there at least two hours before your flight. Make sure you have your drivers license to show the people at the ticket counter and at the security line.” Albert raised his paw. “What is it Albert?” “Enzo”, he meowed, “I don’t have a drivers license”. “I know Albert, don’t worry cats are exempt; just make sure your parents have theirs.”: Albert relaxed again. “Next Albert your parents go to the ticket counter and check their luggage and other things. Remember only one bag per person now or there is an additional charge. Plus the bag cannot weigh more than 50 pounds. After all that your parents will have their boarding passes and must now go through security.” Up went the paw again. “Yes Albert what is it?” “What happens in security?” “I’m getting to that Albert, relax.” I went on, “Its easy Albert, you take your shoes off and any coat or sweater off and put them in the plastic tub. Then send them through the X-Ray machine while you walk through the big metal detector. Albert made a horrible hissing sound! “Hhhhhsssssssssss…..” “Whats wrong Albert?” “Well Enzo we have several problems here. First Enzo my coat doesn’t come off; second I don’t have any shoes,; third I simply do not get in the tub. and finally you remember last year when I told you I was playing with my moms diamond ring and accidentally swallowed it. Well the metal detector will pick it up right?” “Hmmm that’s a good question Albert, we’ll have to ask my dad later if it is still bothering you.” Why do you say “if” Enzo? Relax Albert, we’ll get to that. Once you are through security Albert the rest is easy. You go to your gate and wait until its time to board your flight. When they call your flight you get on the plane and take your seat. Albert do you expect to be flying first class or economy?” “Why I do not know Enzo. I suspect that I should fly first class, my parents might choose to go economy.” “ Well Albert,. it makes a lot more sense to fly economy. There are some really good deals out there if you search for them. Plus sometimes if you talk real nice to the ticket counter people they will put you in first class anyway. Albert there is a lot of little stuff that I could throw in but this is all the basic stuff my dad told me about. Oh and Albert…. “ “Yes Enzo?” “You wont have to worry about the no drivers license thing, or the coat not coming off or even the metal detector. “I won’t Enzo, why not?” “Well Albert, I hate to have to tell you this but you’ll be flying in the cargo bay in a cat carrier box! “Good Lord Enzo they can’t do that to me, they wouldn’t, why I’m Albert Felinestien, the smartest cat there is!” “Yes your are Albert and you’re riding in the cargo bay. Albert don’t worry about it. You’ll be at your destination before you know it. Oh and Albert, while you were watching all that HBO you didn’t happen to catch “Snakes on a Plane” did you?” Hey folks, I hoped you liked my conversation with Albert. He really is a great cat. Keep in mind when you’re traveling by plane. Get to the airport early, be prepared, check for any rule changes on your computer, make sure you have your drivers license, your passport or both. You just never know when you might need something. If you can pack your things so that you can carry your bag on the plane. that is even better. It will save you time. Above all have a great trip. Listen my friends. Now that Spring is finally here its time to get the cars out. Lets have some fun on the road this year. Stick an AACA application in your glove box or pocket when you go out too. You just might meet someone who would love to become a member. That’s it for this time. Like Albert said when he left the house…. “I’ll be back!” Geez that cat really is watching too many movies. Have a great touring season everyone. Your Pal Enzo the Cat
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By Kim Miller
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Junior members of AACA have a new and improved Wheels newsletter! Our new publication is in full color and is directly targeted to our young members. Under the direction of a new team at National Headquarters, the first issue was published at the end of April, with the Summer issue ready in July. Targeting our 12 and under members, the newsletter contains games, contests, articles on topics that interest that age group and a “spotlight” on a junior member. Bringing the production of “Wheels” in-house will provide a more timely publication as well as access to material from the AACA Library. “Wheels” staff members are AACA Executive Director Steve Moskowitz, AACA Staff Member Lynn Gawel, AACA Librarian Kim Miller, and Graphic Artist Maria Martinez. Contributions of articles, pictures and “spotlight” member stories are welcomed and encouraged. Limited copies of “Wheels” are available from National Headquarters and we urge you to encourage the young urge you to encourage the young become Junior members and send us literary contributions that we can use in an upcoming issue. All contributions, no matter the age of the writer, are welcome. Please send them to: Kim Miller It is our hope that the new publication will enhance your efforts to include junior members in your region in activities. Our youth are so important to our future. Take the new “Wheels” for a ride!
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By Steve Moskowitz |
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As you can see elsewhere in this issue, we have a new employee. The addition of Ann Kulp to our staff will not only insure our magazine continues to be a sound business but also afford us many new opportunities in the public relations area. One of Ann’s first tasks will be to build a solid public relations kit for our regions and chapters. This is especially important if we are going to help you grow as a region and us as a national organization. There are many more opportunities for all of us that have gone wasted strictly due to a lack of manpower. The addition of Ann will insure that your home office is doing everything possible to support you. The Rummage Box Make sure you read my column in the July/August issue on our pedal car project! You also should stay tuned to our website www.aaca.org and check the posts in the General Discussion area. We will keep updating the information about this incredible event. Our pedal car extravaganza is nothing short of spectacular! Naturally the money it will raise for the AACA family is important but these new one-of-a kind pedal cars are sure to be instantaneous collectibles and valuable at that! Please make sure that you contact us for possible merchandise for your region to sell at events. We have a limited supply of discontinued merchandise that we would make available to you at below cost; hats, ties, etc. We also have a large supply of “Hershey” videos (’95, ’97,’98) that are available for only $2.00 each plus shipping! We have these in very significant quantities so don’t be bashful! Our AACA merchandise site has been greatly enhanced. We have a huge selection of great AACA items. It is not too early to start shopping for the holidays! Our line up includes a greatly expanded women’s clothing department along with a “bargain corner” with many deeply discounted items. Please check us out often as we are soon going to add a significant grouping of new items with our new AACA marketing image that we think you will really like. Always remember that we are here to serve you so call our office at any time if we can be of service!
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New Activities? Some Good Idea By Terry Bond |
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Being able to talk with members of AACA’s regions and chapters is exciting! There are so many out there having an absolute blast enjoying the old car hobby in many different ways. It is so interesting learning what you do for fun, and it helps greatly when someone seeks ideas for new and different kinds of activities. Here are a few different ways you can enjoy the old car hobby – some of them you can even enjoy in-doors during the winter! Have a “hobby night” during one of your regular club meetings. Set up some tables and allow members to bring in and display their “other hobbies.” It need not be car related of course. You’ll be surprised at what turns up! Whether it is collecting something, making something, or doing something, there is unbelievable variety of interest among us and sharing is what it’s all about!
On a more “automotive” theme, how about a series of “tech sessions.” These
can include visits to members garages or workshops and can be set up with
One club that I am familiar with has a standing date monthly for anyone who wishes to gather at a local restaurant for a brunch. It’s a Sunday after church affair and anyone is welcome. On a nice day, there can be from two to a dozen antique cars in the parking lot. People literally come and go all day. It’s very informal and a fun chance to get together. A positive spin-off has been the ability to attract new members. It is quickly becoming known as the gathering place for the antique car club, and new members can join on the spot – and, they do! Does your town have one of those fantastic Christmas light displays? An evening in the old cars touring those lights is a lot of fun. Bundle up if necessary, our put the top down and crank up the heater if you wish. These things have be- come a fun event for participants and spectators alike. This year, we met early at a local restaurant. The folks who put on the light display really look forward to this event and work hard to keep us all together. Spectators really enjoy seeing all the old cars going through the beautiful lights. Sort of like a special parade, just for us! There are a lot of possibilities, and if you are looking for ideas for new and different kinds of activities, just ask!
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For the last 4½ years the club has been operating with a reduced workforce at national headquarters in Hershey. The need to provide more services to our members and to reduce the workload of our current staff made it painfully clear that we needed to find a marketing communications manager. Ann Kulp has been hired to handle a majority of AACA’s marketing duties, the very important task of assisting the club with badly needed public relations activities for not only the national club but also for our regions and chapters. In addition, Ann will be responsible for overseeing our display advertising sales in Antique Automobile. Ann was selected from more than 80 applicants and, as a “car fanatic,” we are excited to have her as part of our team.
Ann comes to AACA by way of Purdue University, an eclectic career including operating her own business and, most recently, as director of legislative and regulatory affairs for a trade association. Ann is looking forward to meeting you, enjoying your stories and learning all about your treasures!
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By Bruce E Wheeler |
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Greetings to my fellow AACA newsletter editors! I hope that everyone is having a good summer and is spending time with your antique vehicles in between publishing issues of your Region/Chapter newsletter and other commitments you may have. I know this issue is running much later than normal, and many of you have been inquiring when this issue was going to be be published. Its been a busy year for everyone that contributes their time and energy to the Rummage Box and I apologize for the tardiness. There were a number of circumstances beyond anyone’s control that delayed this issue. However, as the Editor, it is ultimately my responsibility so I am the one that you can send all of the nastygrams to. As editors of your Region/Chapter newsletter(s), you are responsible for providing your members with the best newsletter to your capability. Even though there may be other people in your Region/Chapter that contribute material or otherwise help with the newsletter, you have the ultimate control over the content, quality, and usefulness of the newsletter to your members. You may have noticed a new masthead on the Rummage Box. It was the very good idea of our Executive Director Steve Moskowitz and the design of our Antique Automobile editor, West Peterson. It adds some color to the front page and I think it adds some new life to the Rummage Box. A change or new addition now and then in any newsletter always freshens up the publication for its readers. Sometimes, it may seem that members take your newsletter for granted. As an editor, you do not want this to happen. The newsletter provides information to the your members and represents your Region/Chapter to others. The receipt of a newsletter should make the member want to open it and read it , or at least make a note to themselves to get to it when they have an opportunity. If members seems to ignore or take the newsletter for granted, then some changes may need to be made. Find out what isn’t working and revise it. Add something new now and then. Don’t let it fall into a rut. Keep it fresh, informative, and entertaining. Take care and enjoy the rest of the summer. And as always….. Happy Antique Motoring! Bruce
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demonstrations on using various pieces of shop
equipment to showing restoration and maintenance techniques. One club we
belong to even has an informal session where members can just come and
“tinker” with their cars. There are usually some small projects that
everyone can enjoy learning from. This year, we got to see carbs tuned,
weather stripping replaced, and a troublesome speedometer cable repaired.
Along the way, gallons of coffee, dozens of donuts, and a whole bunch of BBQ
and soft drinks were consumed. People were free to come and go as they
pleased, making it a fun and mostly unstructured event. It was a good excuse
to clean the garage too!
Now you don’t just wake up one day with
a passion for cars. Rather, it is an obsession cultivated over a lifetime.
And, in Ann’s case, it was inherited from her parents who loved antique
cars and auto racing. Her childhood was happily spent at Summit Point,
Watkins Glen, Mid-Ohio, Circuit Mont-Tremblant, Road Atlanta, car shows
and club events and in the garage under the 1965 MGB that her father
bought new from Manhattan Auto in Washington D.C. That’s her at the wheel
(above) shortly after she and her husband, Greg, completed its
restoration, proudly continuing a legacy. The little B holds some
wonderful memories for Ann; not only is it her first car (how cool is
that?!), but she participated in club events with it and used it while
dating Greg (car girl meets car guy).