President's Page June 2009

With our June 3rd meeting, we mark the half-way mark of the year - difficult to believe in some ways! In terms of tours, we’ve had a slow start, but heads-up, there’s a lot on the agenda going forward!

Following the great snacks many of you brought to the last meeting and the special dessert of ice cream and Stresman’s maple syrup, hot pizza and soft drinks is on the menu for a 6:30pm start to this month’s meeting at the Champlain Trail Museum in the train station area or inside depending on weather. Either way, bring your lawn chairs and auction sale goods.

Tuesdays have seen the Museum Project guys busy with the restoration of the horse-drawn Risto delivery wagon. Great job! The Dore Bay turkey fry was another superb outing for many and during May, the Antique Car Tunes folks practised at Ron & Dawn Roy’s for the highly touted live on-air gig on Victoria Day at Valley Heritage Radio 98.7 FM in Renfrew.

Speaking of that day, our tour down the Valley was blessed with sunshine and many new acquaintances were made. We had the opportunity to meet three new couples who have indicated their interest in joining ACCP. We will have the opportunity to welcome them at the upcoming meeting. To have a growing membership, as we have seen in recent years, clearly signals a healthy club.

Our calendar of events for the coming months is full! Three in June – Heritage Manor on Saturday June 20th ahead of Father's Day, the Red Hatters’ 50s Party at the Legion on the 22nd and the Champlain Trail Museum Strawberry Social on Sunday June 27th. On July 4th, we’re invited to the Waltham QC 150th Anniversary celebrations, and to our cottage on Golden Lake for an overnighter on July 7th. (There’ll be a full moon boat cruise & bonfire that evening).

The City of Pembroke has asked ACCP to coordinate a full-scale vintage car show in conjunction with the August 8th & 9th Waterfront Festival. Plans are to block off Pembroke Street and the side streets to grow the festival up into the city core. This will be a big undertaking, so we will need to recruit many of the other enthusiasts in the area. More details to be discussed at the meeting.

We have a few members who are convalescing and I take the opportunity here say that our club has much to offer besides the vehicles and tours. Our group has a fine social structure and it’s the elements of camaraderie and community that are so important when someone might have some difficulty. Our thoughts are continually with Joan TerMarsch, Ed Wodzak, Jim Rolfe, Stan Priebe and Lorne Troutman, each of whom is on the mend these days.

Dave Lemkay