Rummage Box

It’s unbelievable how fast this year has gone. Our regions and chapters have done a phenomenal job of hosting Meets and Tours. Hershey week was exciting as usual and probably the most perfect weather of any in recent memory.

This article was initially written to be included in a fall issue, but never went to press. I will try to update since my last note in the spring/summer edition of the Rummage Box. After our spring meet in Cumberland, we had the Sentimental Tour in Hickory, NC, a meet in Hastings, Nebraska, a Central Divisional Tour originating in Minot, North Dakota, the Eastern Divisional Tour in The Berkskires, Massachusetts, Central Fall Meet in Mason City, Iowa, the Glidden Tour hosted this year by VMCCA in LaCrosse, WI, the Western Fall Meet in San Diego, CA, the Eastern Fall Meet in Hershey, PA, the Reliability Tour in Chattanooga, TN and the last event of the year, the 20th anniversary of the Founders Tour held in Easley, SC, 15 miles from my home and hosted by my local region, SC Region AACA. As I stated earlier, there have been quite a few activities for everyone to enjoy in 2008. If you were active this year, I’m sure you will agree there has been a phenomenal amount of work by everyone to host events for our members to enjoy.

I was able to represent AACA as president for 2008 at all events except two meets and one tour. Executive Vice President Randy Rutherford represented me in Mason City, Iowa and San Diego, CA meets. Randy has attended every meet for the last six years except one and that was because his flight was cancelled and he was unable to schedule another. Joanna Cooper represented me for the Glidden Tour® in LaCrosse, WI. Joanna was able to attend every meet and every tour this year and several other events with regions and chapters.

One of my goals this year was to let the membership know that the board is elected by the membership to serve the membership and we want and need your input on how to make our organization even better to continue growth for car enthusiasts to enjoy our hobby.

I had encouraged the board to be very active letting everyone know we are available to our members. A new mission statement was adopted at the fall board meeting: “America’s premier resource for the collectible vehicle community”. When looking at our world class AACA Museum, the most extensive collection of automotive literature in our AACA Library and Research Center, and the national activities of AACA, it is easy to see why we can state that we are the premier resource.

The Rummage Box is just 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 newsletters. The newsletter editors need to let us know what material would be helpful for their members to read.

At the membership roundtable in Melbourne, Florida, we were asked once again when you would be able to pay for meets and tours online with a credit card. I had instructed our Executive Director to expedite this and was assured it would happen in 2008. We have worked with our regions and chapters who were hosting our 2008 events to coordinate online payments. Though the entire process did not get completed in 2008, you are able to go online and pay for the judges breakfast with a credit card. We are looking forward to this computer program being completed in the early part of 2009.

We will continue the four free AACA memberships to each region and chapter in good standing to entice new members never belonging to AACA to join your region, with the hopes that once they see all the fun and benefits of belonging, they will renew year after year.

Remember: Headquarters is staffed for your convenience to address any questions or concerns, and the AACA directors are listed in the front of Antique Automobile and on our website at www.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.

It’s been awhile since I’ve placed an article in the Rummage Box. Honestly, I’ve had a little difficulty coming up with items of interest to Region and Chapter members from my 2008 base as Secretary-Treasurer. So, I thought about other things I could write about, and I’ve come up with a few random thoughts as I’m finishing up my 14th year of service on your Board of Directors. I’ve pretty much enjoyed all fourteen of these years, and I’ve learned a few things along the way. One more year, and I finish out the maximum number of years that I can serve you. I wonder, how many of you members knew we had term limits? There was a time when a Director could serve indefinitely, but that was changed at least 25 years ago. Now here’s some news that conflicts with what I just told you. Directors elected since 2004 are now limited to twelve years of service. If you didn’t know that, you’ve just learned something new.

How many of you know when the Club began accepting vehicles 25 years old and older? Ah, I have a little history lesson for you. In 1960 the Club began accepting vehicles up to 1935. Oh, so that’s when they started accepting vehicles 25 years old, right? Well, no, that’s not the correct answer. From 1960 until 1968 it was the year 1935 that was the dead cut-off, except for the Lincoln Continental which was accepted up to 1948. Until 1966 only certain Cadillac’s were accepted in Class 19 as Classic cars, but all LaSalle’s were. Hmm, strange you say? Well, a certain young man stood up at the very first Region President’s invitational dinner in Philadelphia in 1965 and asked why that was. The next year all Cadillac’s through 1942 became accepted in Class 19. At the National Board meeting held in Philadelphia in February, 1968, the Board decided to accept one additional year, every other year. Hence, the 1936 vehicles were accepted beginning in 1968, the 1937 vehicles in 1970 and the 1938 vehicles in 1972. Then, in 1974 the dam burst under heavy pressure and the Club went to a repeating 25 years of age rule. That year the 1939 through 1950 vehicles were accepted, and it has been a new year of acceptance in each succeeding year since, until now, beginning in 2009, the 1984 vehicles will join us at our Meets. Our Tours, of course, are set to cover select periods and bring select types of similar vehicles together. However, the Founders Tour and most Divisional Tours will advance to 1984 in 2009. The rules allow the years covered by Divisional Tours to be set by the hosting Region, but in recent years, most have gone to 25 years of age.

Speaking of National Meets, the 2009 Winter National Meet is coming up in a very short time after you read this article. This is because the registration cut-off is February 7th. This writer has been asked to perform the duties of Chief Judge. Since this Meet is so near the end of 2008, it’s been noticed that a lot of Judges have tried to register before they have paid their National dues; and likewise a few members have tried to register their vehicle before paying their National dues. Uh oh, that will not work. Our computer is so smart; mind you <said with a grin> that it will not let us register your name until you’ve paid your National dues. Now that’s something new you may have just learned that you can tuck away in your memory for next year.

Before closing, let me just relate what a wonderful year 2009 will be for all our members west of the Mississippi. The Divisional Tour out of Sonora, California taking tourists through the Mother Lode country is really exciting. This writer was once the editor for a club that often toured that area, and each time their tours were written about I dreamed of being able to attend. Then, the Glidden Tour® will be in the area of Golden, Colorado, while the Founders Tour will be in the area of Odessa and Midland, Texas. Alas, my doctor has told me I’m too old for my western boots anymore. It must be too many years behind the wheel of a 1939 Buick, I guess.

Everyone have a wonderful, active and exciting new year of 2009 enjoying your antique automobile. Just think, gasoline prices have dropped just so we can make this one of our best years, right? Let’s enjoy it while we can.

Hi ya my friends at AACA it’s me, Enzo, your favorite feline, back to paw out some of the antique car happenings from my perspective.

Truthfully though folks, I am exhausted. I have been literally begging Mom and Dad again, to take me to Hershey next October. I've told them I'll be good, I'll clean up after myself and I won't even consider any territorial claims or markers. Still I get the same story time after time. "Enzo, Hershey is for car fun it’s not a place for cats." But don't they realize that for many years now, I'm the unofficial official AACA cat. The FIRST FELINE, so to speak. I should be at Hershey, Geeez I should have a statue built at Hershey to honor me.

More people in AACA know who I am than know my Mom and Dad. Boy am I tired. I need a nap. Hey do you folks dream when you're sleeping? I dream a lot. I bet you didn't know that cats dream, did you? Some cats dream of catching their very own fish, or running into a big fat mouse, for me, it's just about Hershey, always Hershey..... I'm sorry folks I need to take a break and get a nap. Let me jump up here on Mom and Dad’s new couch. I'm not supposed to, but its really comfy..... zzzzzz zzzzzzzz zzzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzz

Where am I? What is this place? HOLY COW! I can't believe it, I'm at Hershey! There is Mom and Dad. Hi Mom, Hi Dad.... shucks they didn't hear me. Where did they go? Oh well, I'll meet them back here later. This must be the main entrance. I can tell, there is a big motor home parked here. I never saw a motor home that big. I wonder if they have a cat? I'd like to see inside there. I bet they probably have filet mignon and them little ugly fish egg thingies to snack on. I am kind of hungry. Wow, look, there is a Model T Ford driving around. I'm gonna follow it. Whew, that was a long trip. Where am I? Oh the sign says "Trailer Parking". I'll check it out. Wow, look at all the trailers and trucks. I thought Mom and Dad had a great truck and trailer, till I saw this. Goodness, these are beautiful. Let’s see if there is any food around. Uh Oh! It’s starting to get kinda dark here. FIRE! FIRE! Quick, someone call the Fire Department. Oh, false alarm! They're having a cookout. Wow, I didn't know Hershey had cookouts. I'll scamper on up and play cute, and maybe they'll feed me. Hi Mister!, I said, in clear precise cat language. Oh look! That must be his wife? Hi Miss!, I meowed. She looked down and noticed me. Then, she looked over towards the man and said, “Look dear!, at the big fat kitty that has come to visit us!” Hey!, whatta ya mean big fat? I'm a nice cat. Now feed me! I hear noise over there. Another fire and another cookout. Wow, this is really neat, maybe they'll feed me. I scampered on over and gave my best nice kitty impression. There were several people at this cookout and even a couple kids and they all seemed to be friends, hmmm must not be related! One of the kids held up what looked like a piece of meat. He showed it to me and tossed his straw across the way yelling "go fetch!". I looked up at this young genius. I thought, maybe I better not tell him that he needed to rush home, get his parents to open up the old encyclopedia and show him the picture of "Dog". I am a cat and an important cat to boot.

Showing some concern, Enzo now realizes that for the first time he is alone. No Mom and Dad around, not in his house, strange surroundings. Enzo decides it’s time to find Mom and Dad.

Where can they be? They should be easy to find, Hershey can't be that big. Can it? Maybe I should wait until morning when it’s daylight out and I can see better. You know all those myths about cats being able to see in the dark, we'll don't believe it. I'm gonna get under this trailer and get some sleep.

Morning arrives soon enough and Enzo's eyes slowly open. The big paws show their claws as the long legs perform their normal morning stretch. Where's breakfast? Look! More cookouts. Wow, if I didn't know this was Hershey, I'd think I was in Picnicville.

What do they have? Eggs? yuck! Hey, got any bacon? I meowed. The guy cooking tossed me a piece of something I didn't recognize. He called it hot sausage. I gobbled it up and it was good too. I could use a drink. Look! There's a bowl over there. Someone wrote on the bowl, why would they do that? It says "DUKE". Oh well, who cares, there is water here. Ooooh and it’s good water too. What's that noise? It sounds like thunder and feels like the whole world is shaking. My goodness, look at the size of that creature heading towards me. I gotta get out of here. Quick thinking as always, I jump into the back of an old Fire Truck heading out of this trailer parking lot. Oh, look! I'm back where I saw Mom and Dad yesterday, cause there is that motor home. Though I thought the motor home I saw yesterday was different. Look! There is another motor home and another. I've decided this isn't going to be as easy as I first thought. Oh well, I'll walk around and surely I'll run into them eventually. They might yell though, cause they don't know I snuck in the back of the car to get here. Oh look, this guy sells tools. He has lots of different tools too. This guy has Model A parts and this guy has Cushman stuff. What the heck? This goofy guy is walking around wearing a billboard! One side says, "Wanted" and the other side says "For Sale". I wonder if he gets paid for doing that? He probably does. Ooooh look, that sign says "Hot Sausage" That's the stuff I had this morning and it was great. I could do an early lunch. Holy smokes there are 57 people in line. I don't want to wait. I want to see Hershey, plus I need a massage.

Suddenly a noise erupts from the sky.... "Attention Flea Market Visitors......." Hey I thought, that's me, I'm a flea market visitor. "Yes," I respond? But, nothing more happens except, something about unauthorized vehicle traffic? I don't have an unauthorized vehicle anyway. Hey where the heck is my Mom and Dad? I'm really lost. But, it’s fun to be lost at Hershey. I have to go to the litter box. I wonder where they have it? Goodness, there has to be one soon. This is getting serious! There they are. They're weird looking. They have them for men and women and even a handicapped one, but, nothing labeled cats or pets. What do they expect us to do? Maybe I'll get in line anyway. Finally my turn, "WAIT! HOLD the DOOR OPEN!! Darn, what am I gonna do now? I'll figure sumptin out. Oh, look, everyone is putting a quarter in that dish. I don't have a quarter. Wow, it’s even complicated to go to the potty here if you're a cat. I guess I'll try the old fashioned way. I hope nobody's looking.

Enzo scampers on, ever consumed by the sights of Hershey. Not to mention, the hundreds of different tasty morsels available, if you're lucky enough to be in the right spot at the right time. Wednesday became Thursday and soon enough Friday. Enzo has still not seen even a good portion of Hershey and has been on the move each day from dawn to dusk.

Look, there is one of the auctions Dad always talks about. I'll go down and have a closer look. WHOA....!, Enzo's eyes open really wide as he sees a stunning sight in the window of yet another motor home. It has to be the most beautiful long haired Persian Cat ever.

I've never seen a cat that beautiful. I have got to get in that motor home and meet her.

I know, I'll park myself underneath where the door opens. When the people leave I'll dart inside and meet her. The minutes that went by seemed like hours to Enzo. He finally made some wild noises that sounded like animals fighting violently. Sure enough, the lady in the motor home came running out and when the door flew open, Enzo leaped inside and hid in an open cabinet. Enzo heard the lady yell into the screen door. “Cleo I'm going to go find daddy, be a good kitty while I'm gone.”

Enzo bolted out of the cabinet and jumped onto the driver seat and looked up at Cleo. “Hi, I'm Enzo, the unofficial official AACA cat.” “It’s nice to meet you, Cleo.” Cleo hissed for a moment, then moved over a little closer to Enzo. They each decided to see if their noses still worked and then sat down together. Enzo learned that this was Cleo's first time at Hershey. Enzo admitted it was his as well. They talked for a few hours and then Enzo said to Cleo, “Well, I’d better get going. I need to find my Mom and Dad.” Cleo wished Enzo well and off he went again.

Darkness soon approached as Friday closed and Enzo decided he’d better find a nice place to sleep as the sky looked like rain could happen. Enzo doesn't like rain. What is this place, Enzo wondered? Oh look, it says Car Corral. Hey dad likes the car corral. So, I guess I should sleep here. Hey, there is a car with no windows. I'll just jump on the running board and onto the seat like at home. Wow, this is great. Say, I wonder what kind of car this is? Whatever it is, we need to get one of these. This seat is really comfortable.

Saturday morning started unusually early. Cars were moving about everywhere. Enzo made his usual stretch and jumped out of the Packard Touring car he had so comfortably spent the night in. It was still dark, but the action was getting busier. These people are crazy, Enzo thought. So early, and they're all moaning and groaning. All I hear is, I need coffee and why did you park so far away!? Where can all these people be going so early? Ahhhh, now I know. They are going to the judges breakfast. Look, there goes Mom and Dad. Out of breath, Enzo yells for Mom. Look, she saw me, yippieeeeee! Uh oh, she doesn't look as happy to see me as I am to see her. “ENZO !!! How the %&*^# did you get here?” I rubbed real nice against her shoe and plopped down in front of her. She told me she had to go to the judges breakfast, but that I should wait out here by the door. OK Mom, I meowed.

I'm sure I can look at the cars while she is at her breakfast. When I see people leaving the building I'll rush back over......

OOoooh look, a Rolls Royce, and a little Isetta following it. Hey, there goes the car I slept in. It’s a Packard. The minutes became hours and Enzo couldn't take his eyes off all the different cars entering the car show. Hundreds of them, no thousands, maybe even millions, nah, I guess not millions. Enzo just sat looking at each one carefully and thinking Hershey really is fantastic. All of a sudden, Enzo heard a loud noise. “ENZO get your %&* off that couch!”

Waking suddenly from my deep sleep, I realized that it had been, but a dream. Then again Hershey is a place of dreams. I hope all of you folks, my AACA friends, find your dreams at Hershey too! Geeez, I wonder if Cleo really does go to Hershey??????

Folks, I've enjoyed telling you my stories over these many years. Sometimes, they're helpful, sometimes funny, and sometimes just plain ole me being a cat.

So hopefully, I'll see you on a tour some day or maybe even at Hershey.

Your pal
Enzo the Cat.