The August 2020 President Message has the following vector file:
Content of the August 2020 President Message is as follows:
Colonial Town Crier August 2020 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
I think you all will agree, this is a year to remember ! We have only had one meeting this year, and that was our February dinner meeting. Little did we know, as we were planning our next few months of outings, that everything would be shut down. And little did we know that the virus was actually, already in the country. So I’m thinking that everyone should have completed all those projects you had on your “ sometime” list , including working on that car you needed to fix.
Don has indeed been alternating between 2 projects, both large. He fixed the brakes on the Model A pickup only to discover the gas tank was full of sludge. That meant taking the windshield out to remove the tank and take it to be cleaned. Of course that messes up the paint and after making a new seal, he needs two or three people to help lower it into place. (We need to host a meeting). In between that, he is trying to get the 1919 Dodge running. It also has had one problem after another. And those two vehicles fill the work area, so until he gets those out, he can’t bring in the ’61 Plymouth Fury to check out the right front brake cylinder. Well, he could clean out his tractor shop and use the lift. Excuses come in all forms.
I have gotten lazy. I have no energy in the summer and must force myself to pick berries and tend vegetables in the garden. Sitting in the air conditioning is heaven, hence this newsletter. Thus there will be no rides in the old cars until cooler weather. And you may have heard that we are looking for a 1954 Plymouth or Dodge with automatic transmission and 4 doors. The ’61 and ’57 seats are tilted back and low making them uncomfortable for bad backs and hard to get out . We plan to sell the ’61 which has been our longtime driver.
The tour to Burlington, Vt. was the last long trip, and thanks to Don Palmer, it wasn’t a disaster. Our planned outing to the Quabbin Resevoir is now scheduled for August 16 at noon. This is the 3rd and last try. I am not very optimistic that we will have any indoor meetings, but I sure hope so. No other meetings are scheduled at this time. We are planning month by month, or week by week.
In the meantime, stay safe.
Until we meet again,
Judy
As much as I would love in person meetings – I could use some sage advice on some small issues with Gus the Bus (1941 Special Deluxe / Running Board delete) – the reality is that it is unlikely and unwise and likely will be for the next year or two! Given that likelyhood, I’d like to consider bringing in some of the ideas that have been used by the Rainbow Elders Supper Club as well as the ham radio community (hams specialize in innovative communications in difficult times!)
The RESC has been having weekly 1 hour online meetings rather than the monthly dinner. We have played Jeopary using subjects topical to the group. We could do Plymouth Jeopardy. Yes, I volunteer to look into setting it up if there is interest. It’s fun, you see old familiar (and new unfamiliar) faces, and it breaks the isolation. ARRL just held an on-line convention: this is likely too expensive. RESC also has movie nights online – a topical (to the group) movie followed by discussion. I have a few candidates. I am willing to put in effort, IFF I get a sense that people will participate. All it takes is a cell phone or laptop. Additional things we’ve done include “show and tell”, where each person spends five minutes sharing some creative work – on the car or not! (I wrote a song about my car…)
LET ME KNOE IF THERE IS ANY INTEREST. Also note the active online prescence is the way to get younger people involved. I’d rather sit down for dinner together, but that isn’t going to happen soon, it seems clear. Also, we have stills of members cars – all to the good – and some YouTube how-to’s – this is a good time for all of us to add a “how to” video; and to PRIVATELY share virtual introductions – I plan to record a 5 minute walk around of my car and me because until today (G-d willing), I have not met the other members in person. And even today, it will be behind a mask and shield and at a greater physical distance than usual. Again, I am will to help make these ideas work IFF there is a clear interest. Stay calm and Plymouth On. (Yeah – it’s got a flathead!)
Will bring up this subject at today’s “socially distant” meeting/picnic/tour at Quabbin Reservoir as well as at the next yet to be determined Covid free meeting.
Don
PS – Having a 1941 car that apparently was parked “for the duration” – and my suspicion that the owner never returned – I find an imperfect analogy here – as in 1939-1945, we are in a situation of extreme danger that requires sacrifice. People had to adapt then. (“Women can’t do factory work!” – Yeah? Tell it to the women who made all those shell casings at the Evansville Plant. “We got married and wanted to start a family but the draft notice came…”) I am grateful I never had to make a sacrifice of that level. But the world was much changed, and everyone had to adjust to new realities. Maybe it’s the low mileage 1941 that reminds me of all this.