Joyful Joyful Model Aers!

From parades to parties 

 Conejo Valley Model A Ford folks enjoy life!! 

Santa Paul Christmas parade brought out 12 cars and lots of decorations.

Prez Bob led the way with his Hannukah blue car!

Santa???  Love the glasses

This is why we do it.  Crowds and kids all the way.

I think the little Santa boy thinks one of the guys

pictured above could be his daddy.

 Now on to the PARTY!  Fine outfits, fun gifts, and spirited entertainment. 

Jerry Sherman and Diane Stones seem to be enjoying the day

or maybe Jerry is trying to get a closer look at that hat.

New member Scotty Cramolini appeared in era finery.

Is that an era iPhone too?

Hats were the theme of the day. 

Also note Mr. Walkey's spats.

another hat close up. 

I think Louise wore it to the Royal Wedding also.

Or wait closer look.... I believe the hat is on Royce.

Grand Vista out did itself with the Buffet.

New members Art & Dee Minnazoli try out the

omelettes made to order, carved tri tip; large shrimp cocktail,

and much more.  PLUS my favorite Champagne.

Entertainment by Westlake High School "Class Act"

Enjoyed by all.... especially Carol F.

Prize winning gift exchange! 

Larry Lutz proudly displays his gift.

( In case it isn't readable - it says

"Bet mine's LONGER than yours")

Whatever!

Wanda Fichera opened the next gift.... another hat with bear paws

Conchita wanted the bear hat and all the women wanted their

picture with Larry .  

Cheryle Potter stole the bear hat next.  Again I emphasize

wanting her picture with Larry.  Well guess the old addage is true ABOUT size. 

Larry was very popular 

 

A good time had by all.  Sorry if you missed it. 

 

Ahoy Sailor!

Brave souls of the Conejo Valley Model A Club ventured out on a drizzly Saturday morning to explore the new Ventura County Maritime Museum.  A delightful time had by all ( well most all ).

Beautiful clouds, gorgeous boats and

Beautiful Maritime Museum.  Much credit goes to the group of guys & gals, including our very own Dave Anderson who have created a truly beautiful and remarkable collection of maritime art and ship models.  if you missed this day, plan to stop in on your own one day.  Very worth the time.

We had private tours led by Mr. Dave and his colleague Bob Little, who may be able to match stories by Dave , story by story. 

Interesting piece on the Chumash Display.  Prize to the correct response for what it is.

Only Judy Hamilton and Dave Freeman see humor in Dave's antics.  The rest are intently listening to Dave Anderson describe the future buildout of the second floor. 

 

Of Course FOOD was part of the deal.  Member intently studying the menu at Yolanda's in Oxnard.  Ask Diane what's in Mexican Coffee.  ( Or maybe ask Richard)

To maintain Model A traditions.  What would a drive be without a breakdown.......2 cars wouldn't start after the museum tour.  Herb and Jim perhaps an American Made car is in order?  Or perhaps one should turn off  lights?  
Oh well, every tour has to have a story or they aren't any fun.
The quote of the day from Herb..... "It's what I get for parking next to Jim Hamilton." 

Good Fun and Friendship. 

Scarier in daylight

Conejo Model A Club gathered at Crystal and Scott Dool's home for the scariest of Halloween parties.... Adults in costume in broad daylight.  Many thanks to the Dools for making it a grand affair.  Is this a new "we do it every year" party??  

New members Scott Cramolini & friend Alyssa ( hunter and the hunted); Art & Dee Minazzoli (Hershey Kiss & Raggedy Ann) OLD member Carol ( Devil or Angel) and guest Frank Lussier ( wizard of ALL)  Wiinners of costume awards.  Please note our gold medals

Kissy Art, Al Koch & friend Janet.  Al wore his usual Saturday morning attire.

Happy looking dudes.  Phil Landry ( spaceman) Tom Yendez with sacramental glass of wine, ( all religions covered) and Dave( half out of costume - Grim Reaper)

All problems of the world resolved!!

 Pumpkins carved to perfection!

Ghosty affair - Crystal Dool

Toothless!

 AND THE WINNER IS

Poppin Crazy - by Dee Arthur

P.S.  Dee's scarey eyeball appetizers also very creative

Donna and Phil Landry flew in from outer space.

Very HOT couple

First Lady Mary, Mr. Stones ( who will never see this picture) and Kay who helped keep religious theme going with Tom Yendez.

 

 

Good time had by all!! See you next year???

Its all about me!!! ( Sort pf)

After two days of cornfields and more cornfields, we transitioned to higher ground with views of cattle and an occasional aroma of a dairy farm.  My the aroma does carry aways. 

My birthday found us heading on to North Platte, NE with a variety of sights along the way. 
Who knew but now you all will.

 Do you know who this is?

This is a way station....   where Pony Express riders changed horses.

This one is located in Gothenberg, NE.  Men as young as 12 were riders,

they were tough just like folks who go across country in a Model A.

Pony express was only in existence for about 15 months, but

it cut time for letters from months to days between SF and St. Louis..

Each night the 20 Model A cars ( 40 folks) arrive at our hotels

( very nice nice to boot).

We gather at 6pm for a drivers meeting, another phrase for wine and beer.

Since this was my birthday, Dave had arranged for

Opolo wine to be shipped to the hotel

and we bought some cheese, crackers etc for a special evening. 

Lots of fun new friends.

Then a few continued the birthday celebration at a local restuarant in North Platte.

I may have to get the recipe for the salmon I had.

Please note the young man standing at end of table.

Justin was our team mascot and a delight the entire trip.

And for a perfect evening, Charlie from the Conejo Model A Club

serenaded me with Happy Birthday and more.  it was a memorable day.

The entire restaurant became part of my birthday. 

Charlie, took over for the paid piano player who didn't seem to mind.

The trip is also an eating excursion.  We have had great and not so...

Charlie and I start working an hour or so out to decide where

and when we should stop for our next meal.  

The picture above is at a truck stop, Charlie was a little hungry

and ordered a HALF ORDER of biscuits and gravy. As you can see

it was the size of a meat platter.  I had a blueberry muffin.

Remember vacation calories/fat don't count.

We arrived in Golden, CO the day after my birthday and had

a great dinner in old downtown Golden with John Solomon.

Non Model A folks may want to skip the rest of this

Any idea what/where this is? 

 Building looks nice in picture than reality.

It is where many of the Model A folks have sent lots of money.

This sign is very small in a tiny window.  Yes it is

Bert's Model A Center in Denver.

Though closed on Sundays, they opened up special

for us for Sunday Services.

The wheels aisle.

Brake or clutch pedal aisle.

 ( who can tell the difference)

Please note the ladder, ( the newest thing in the place)

for access to the higher level inventory. 

An unbelievable, gigantice warehouse.

They also own a BBQ wagon,  Dave has arranged for this

to be delivered to his Kiwanis Club.  The license plate reads BBQ.

Yes we were close to the last to leave the Sunday Services.

Charlie bought something and so did Dave. 

I don't know or care what.

The scenery changed shortly outside or Denver. 

 More on this tomorrow.



It's the "humes" Honey.

It is Hot...  How hot?  According to the lovely TV weather girl it is 98degrees but feels like 113 due to humidity. I have felt 113 and trust me this is hotter.  Some you  Model Aers remember my 120 degree thermometer story,  well it is so hot here that the ink in my ball point pen melted out the bottom.

Today we arrived in Gretna, just south of Omaha!!  Grueling drive.  Sadly not only heat but the sky is a shade of grey due to the smoke from Colorado fires. 
But a few final stories of the MAFCA meet.

PARADE OF PARADES

 

On our next to last evening of the Model A convention, 160 Model A Cars lined up in Ishpeming and led by the 20 millionth Model A paraded thru the towns of Ispeming, Neguanee, and other small towns to throngs of local residents lining the streets, smiling waving, sharing beers and having a great time.  Small towns are the best!

Following the parade we were treated to a pig roast!

and a concert by the local community band. 

Not the high school band as evidenced by the AARP cards

carried by the majorettes.  Still great fun.

Now on to St. Ignace ( pronounced in the UP Ignes)

Just in case seeing 300 Model A cars weren't enough ...

As we left Marquette, we dropped down to St. Ignace and the first day

of the Great American Race.  Oh joy 80 plus more cars to see.

The venue was great at the Marina looking over

to Mackinac Island ( pronounced Mackinaw)

Then on to Gaylord, MI..  If you ever get there be sure to eat at the

Sugarbowl and stop in the Chocolat Haus next door for

 chocolate covered potato chips and bacon ( chocolate covered). 

Now on to South Bend

Now I know what you are thinking... that Carol is a saint.
Look she even went to the Studebake museum in South Bend, IN.

I went for the PIZZA, oh yuks who serves pizza without beer.

The very gracious and fun friends in the Hoosier A's

Did you know the Studebaker plant was in South Bend? 

Did you know they started making wheelbarrow, then wagons

then carriages, up to cars and even fire trucks.

this was my favorite. 

While in South Bend we did visit Notre Dame campus

and had lunch at "The Legends".

Now on to Gilmore....  for guess what....

A car museum under construction............ 

MAFFI is building a Model A museum to  house

one or more of every Model A, plus a research library

containing original drawings and specifications.

AND look another parade but sadly  no cars.

Oh be still my beating heart, a parade of antique tractors.

( Is there a status above sainthood?)

Seriously, the museums at Gillmore are worth the trip. 

Packards, Cadillacs, every antique/classic car imaginable.

Leaving Dearborn, and driving thru south side of Chicago to Moline

Traffic was harrowing though the picture is sideways,

please note Little Red truck sticking its nose between

two very large, very fast semi trucks. 

They passed us constantly on both sides.

I now have a story to top the drive to Orange County.

We chose to get off the Interstate and find a local road.

And stared at this for the next two days so far.  More tomorrow
through Nebraska to North Platte.  For the non-farmers, this is
a cornfield.  They are on both sides for as far as you can see.
Charlie gives detailed descriptions of their status at each gas stop.

Could be a short blog tomorrow.