President’s Message: Many Thanks!

I belong to several national clubs and numerous regions and chapters of those clubs. Most of the President’s messages that I read bemoan what could have been and wasn’t for 2020.  Enough said!

Let’s talk about our successes for 2020!  I write this on October 25th after spending a very enjoyable day touring with 30 cars and many region members on our Annual Fall Foliage Tour.  It was a super tour. We needed this, so thank Martha and Bob Channel for making it happen.

Our Summer Tour, led by Pat Shaffer and Jim Yemzow was equally enjoyable. Thanks!

Our Summer Picnic at Codorus State Park, while hot, was enjoyed by those 30 folks who attended.  No one went away hungry!

Yes, the numbers were down, but the level of excitement and enjoyment was high.

On the National level, with the help of our Region and others, AACA was able to save the Grand National and the Eastern Fall National. A big thank you to those at National Headquarters and your National Board of Directors for making this happen, as well as the Gateway Center in Gettysburg for allowing us to hold these events on their property.

Speaking of National, by the time you read this we will have moved into our new National Library and Headquarters building. Our Region has supported this move financially and I hope, if you have not made a personal donation, you will consider it when you renew your National dues. Every dollar is important. This structure is the pinnacle of our hobby and I encourage you to visit it and see for yourselves.

On behalf of your Region Board of Directors, we thank you for your support, wish you the safest holiday season, and hope and pray for a better 2021 for the hobby and our nation and the world.

 

Happy Motoring!

  ~Don Barlup

 

Update from National AACA

AACA UPDATE: EVENT CANCELLATIONS & NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS SHUTDOWN

AACA and its affiliates will continue to monitor issues related to the coronavirus, as well as abiding by CDC and other governmental agency recommendations. Our members are our utmost concern, and we will work diligently to keep you informed of changes to scheduled events as they arise. As such, we have two new developments that we would like to notify you of…

The AACA Western Spring Nationals and Founders Tour in April have been canceled. The Phoenix Region will process refunds as soon as possible. AACA, this region, and their volunteers put a lot of effort into this dual event and are deeply disappointed in having to make this decision. As in all our affected events this year, if there is a possibility of finding a safe and suitable new date the club and regions will explore those in the future.

In addition, we are also sad to announce that the AACA Central Spring Nationals in Auburn in May has also been canceled and will not be rescheduled. AACA always enjoys putting on this great event for our members and, along with RM Auctions, deeply regret this turn of events. Registration checks will be returned as soon as possible, and judges’ reimbursement will take place shortly.

As you may or may not be aware, the National AACA staff is working under difficult circumstances at present. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has ordered a statewide shutdown of all non-life sustaining businesses in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, therefore our national headquarters and library are in fact closed. The majority of the staff are doing their best to work from home, so please be patient with our response times to your calls, emails and mailed requests.

We are hopeful that our normal schedule can return beginning in June, but all of that remains to be seen. As stated, your health and that of our nation is the most important factor in all our determinations. We wish you all the best in this very trying time for all of us.

AACA Library Update

A message from Library Director Chris Ritter:

As of 8:00 PM Thursday March 19th, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has ordered a statewide proclamation shutdown of all non-life sustaining businesses in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This includes the AACA Headquarters and the AACA Library & Research Center. SOME, but not all, staff will be working from home, answering emails and phone calls as best as possible but there may be a significant delay in responding. Our email address is critter@aaca.org

Thank you in advance for your patience during this time. The entire staff at AACA wish you and your families all the best during this difficult time and urge you to take necessary precautions to keep safe and healthy.

Quarantine Update

Hello! 

I hope you all are well. I’m sure most of you are aware that the Gettysburg Region and National AACA are trying to put the health and safety of its members first in the months ahead. Many of our club events have been cancelled or rescheduled. Please make sure you read your newsletters and check the AACA’s website frequently.

So far, we have had to cancel our March Covered Dish Dinner. The Spring Tour is still on for the time being, but we will be sure to keep you updated with any changes.

I know that for some of us cabin fever is already setting in and we’re itching to get our cars out of the garage. Be patient. Stay healthy. Feel free to contact me if you have any quarantine projects going on. This could be a great opportunity to spend some time in the garage and tinker! If you want your story published in the newsletter, give me a call or shoot me an e-mail: amyost20@gmail.com or 240-651-9071.

 

Be well,

Angelica Yost

Webmaster and Newsletter editor

GRAACA Spring Tour 2020

–Saturday, May 16, 2020

         Join us May 16th for the GRAACA Spring Tour starting at Bill Wessels’ second Antique Car Barn just south of Dillsburg for coffee and donuts from 9 am until 10 am. View over 20 pre and post war cars in this collection that contains completely different cars than seen on the 2019 Fall Tour.

         We will then travel on two lane roads for approximately one hour through rural Adams County to our next touring site: The Gettysburg Battlefield. We can follow the battlefield auto tour at our own pace. We have allotted approximately two and a half hours to allow you to stop at the monuments and exit your cars for photos and time to read the plaques and information boards. Don’t forget to find our Region “logo” at the Eternal Flame Peace Monument. We end the tour with a buffet lunch at General Pickett’s Buffet at 2:00 pm. This will again be a slow pace tour and we encourage you to bring out your “oldest cars”. 

Directions to Wessels’ (different location than previous Fall Tour): 

From 15 South: Go past Bakers Restaurant in Dillsburg approximately 3.1 miles and make a left onto Old Cabin Hollow Road (M&P RV is across the road on 15). Go 1.4 miles on Old Cabin Hollow Road to a stop sign in Franklin Town. Make a right onto Baltimore Road / 194. Continue 2.3 miles on Baltimore Road / 194 and at the white Barren Lutheran Church sign (on left) make a left onto Mt Top Road (no stop sign). Continue 0.2 miles on Mt Top Road and arrive at Wessel’s on left.  

From 15 North: Go past the EMMR Museum sign (has racecar on it) at Latimore Valley Road approximately 3.6 miles and make a right onto Old Cabin Hollow Road (M&P RV is across the road on 15). Go 1.4 miles on Old Cabin Hollow Road to a stop sign in Franklin Town. Make a right onto Baltimore Road / 194. Continue 2.3 miles on Baltimore Road / 194 and at the white Barren Lutheran Church sign (on left) make a left onto Mt Top Road (no stop sign). Continue 0.2 miles on Mt Top Road and arrive at Wessel’s on left.  

Cost per person: $20 which includes coffee, donuts, buffet lunch and a few door prizes.   

Physical Addresses: Bill Wessels’, 150 Mountain Top Road, Dillsburg, PA (GPS use 150 Mt Top Road, Dillsburg, PA). 

General Pickett’s Buffet, 571 Steinwehr Avenue, Gettysburg, PA. 17325 

Registration deadline is Wednesday, May 6thDue to necessary headcounts required for General Pickett’s Buffet Wednesday May 6th is the absolute last day for registrations. So please mail in your insert prior to that day.  Insert is in the March-April issue of The Gas Buggy Gazette.

Questions: contact Ron and Val Green at (717) 443-3903 or Karl and Mary Krouch at (717) 697-9543. Send event registration insert to: Karl Krouch, Sr., 711 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg, PA. 17055  

 

Annual Dinner 2020– a look back

–Saturday, February 1, 2020

Always held right before the National AACA Convention, this event is our region’s opportunity to install officers for the New Year and show our appreciation for our members. The committee–Ron Green, Karl Krouch and Ed Rogers–did a great job of planning the evening. Held once again at the Lower Allen VFW Post #7530, attendees got to enjoy a buffet dinner and entertainment from The Klineklaus Duo who played “jazz and popular music with a groove” from the 50’s to the 70’s. They were a hit and, wouldn’t you know it, they also have an interest in cars!

Honored guests for the evening included AACA Executive Vice President Jim Elliot, AACA Executive Director Steve Moskowitz, and AACA Museum Executive Director Jeff Bleimeister. Jim and Steve both gave exciting updates about the national club, the new headquarters, the convention in Philly, and the recent purchase of the Free Library of Philadelphia’s auto archives by the AACA Library. Jeff also graciously spoke about the museum and the new “Age of Aquarius” exhibit. He also talked about the importance of the museum’s volunteers, some of whom are Gettysburg Region members including Bob And Dottie Shultz.

The most important part of the evening was the installation of officers in which the gavel was passed from President Annette Yost to new President Bon Barlup. Other new officers for 2020 include Karl Krouch as Vice President, Deb Sherwood as Secretary and Al Maybee as Treasurer. Also, Jim Yemzow and Pat Shaffer were given the Outstanding Service Award for 2019.

For photos, please visit our Facebook page.

 

Summer Tour to the 50th Swigart Museum Meet

—August 9th-10th, Huntingdon, Pa.

The Gettysburg Region AACA is planning an overnight tour to the 50th Swigart Museum Car Show hosted by the Allegheny Mountain Region AACA at the Swigart museum in Huntingdon, PA.

Mark you calendar for Friday, August 9th and Saturday, August 10th, optional Sunday, August 11th if you want to tour the storage buildings.

 You are responsible for your own reservations and schedule for traveling, below are several driving routes.  You can enjoy the weekend of festivities beginning Friday evening and ending Sunday with a tour of the storage building or just attend the show on Saturday.

The drive to Huntingdon using back roads is very scenic and relaxing or you can travel Route 22/322 west from Harrisburg or the Pa. turnpike west to Route 522 N. to 22/322 W. My favorite route is Rt. 641 W from Mechanicsburg, Carlisle to Rt. 522 N to 22/322 W.

This route will take you over two mountains with lots of scenery and little traffic with a nice lunch & rest stop at the intersection of 641 and Rt.75 at Spring Run, Pa. Follow 641 to Rt. 522 at Shade Gap and continue north to 22/322. Turn left toward Huntingdon and the Swigart Museum will be on your right about four miles before getting to Huntingdon.

Check your old fashion maps for the best route from your location and enjoy the trip.

The schedule of events and registration form are in the July/August issue of The Gas Buggy or click here: http://www.swigartmuseum.com/2019Meet.pdf. Contact Bob Shultz @ 717-766-0457 or bobshop120@gmail.com with questions or information.