President's Page - September 2013 ~ Our 50th Year

Nathan and Andrea’s family photo alongside the Model A  -  Photo by: Karen Kavanaugh Photography

To all members and friends:

Here we are approaching September and staring into autumn, wondering where did the summer go? Looking back with fond memories on our tours, meetings and personal outings, clearly it has been another busy summer. Some of you are still on vacation, some are preparing for 'fiddle park' and others for the Barrie Flea Market. It seems that the fall brings with it a more relaxing atmosphere, a sort of getting back into a routine that makes sense. Nonetheless, with the rich fall colours and abundance of vegetables and fruit, it’s truly a special season – a time to reflect and realize how thankful we can be.

At our August meeting we were few in number, with the approach of a storm and possible tornado. It wasn’t conducive or encouraging for us to attempt to camp out at the Waterfront. We can be thankful to Chris at Joeys Restaurant for allowing us on short notice to use his place to conduct our meeting. Sitting high and dry, we soon noticed the down-pour of rain.

Apologies to those who had driven to the waterfront, and who may have missed our exodus to Joey’s. With the help of others, I made an executive decision to ensure the safety and comfort of all.

Our most recent new members, Larry & Margaret Smith have placed their handsome 1959 Dodge Custom Royal on the front cover, along with a nice write-up on the history of that unique year. Welcome Larry and Margaret, it’s great to have you join the ACCP family. There are a number of 'Dodge' aficionados who will be happy to have the extra support.

This month, some had the opportunity to tour to Round Lake Centre for the 'Party in the Park followed by the Popkie Mill Car Show. This past week, we were entertained by Wendy and Phil, in a Fiftieth Anniversary Ice Cream Cone Cruise Night, visiting some of our heritage at the little garage at the former Stresman’s Store where initial meetings were held and to the former Roy Wegner’s Plumbing Shop on Bruham Avenue where we gathered for so many years. Thanks to Wendy and Phil for reviving this tradition and making it a special evening.

The President’s Mystery tour will have taken place by the time you read this… so you will know that the tour combines two provinces, a cache of great original old cars and a wonderful meal at an Ottawa Valley heritage landmark.

To all members and friends, our next meeting will be held back at the Champlain Trail Museum, Wednesday, September 4th, at 7pm. Maybe it will make sense to bring along your lawn chairs so that if the weather is nice, we could meet on the lawn (or in the church). Remember, to bring your auction items.

As Roy Rogers would sing: “Happy Trails to you, until, we meet again” Delores

Antique Car Club of Pembroke Celebrates Fifty Years

by: Dave Lemkay - ACCP Secretary
and as published in the Flying Quail, newsletter of the Antique Car Club of Pembroke
and the Quill and Quail, newsletter of the Model A Owners of Canada Inc.

Established in 1963 as the Model ‘A’ Ford Club of Pembroke (MAFCP), this club endures the test of time. Today, in 2013, a thriving Antique Car Club of Pembroke (ACCP) continues to be active with touring throughout the upper Ottawa Valley. Back in 1963, according to Don Stresman, one of the original members, an ad was placed in the Pembroke Observer calling out for owners of Model ‘A’ Ford cars to get together to form a club. This resulted in a series of meetings that, early on, saw the MAFCP become a vibrant group. As one might imagine, fifty years ago, there were all kinds of Model ‘A’s and, of course, many other makes of cars that were what we call today “barn finds”. Without sounding hokey, it's a fact that up in “the Valley” in the 1960s, before the onslaught of ATVs, there were a lot of these 1930s vehicles still in use – certainly on farms, at hunt camps or in bush lots.

In the beginning, the MAFCP was well organized largely through the leadership of an avid Model ‘A’ enthusiast Len Etmanski who took charge as president for the first three years. A club room was set up in the basement of Roy Wegner's plumbing shop, and with monthly meetings, tours, family picnics and a fall Road-A-O, where members performed skilled and often stunt-driving feats, the club was active. Once the “driving months” had passed, winter activities were the order of the day with horse-drawn sleigh rides, skating, snowmobiling and tubing parties, and these always culminated with a meal at a local rink or at members' homes. It's fair to say that touring and family events are the hallmark of the Pembroke club, continuing in this anniversary year, with “tours to everywhere”, the annual September Road-A-O and another tradition, the Christmas Shine, a year-end dinner and dance and well-deserved, sometimes hilarious, awards ceremony. The club newsletter; “The Flying Quail” has been mailed monthly to members and sister clubs since the late 1960s with costs partially supported from proceeds of a lively auction sale of unwanted treasures at the end of the monthly meetings.

Early on the MAFCP applied for and received charter status to the Model ‘A’ Ford Club of America and anyone perusing old copies of The Restorer will find Pembroke Chapter news in just about every issue from the 60s through to the 80s. Tours have been made over the years to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn and to Hershey in the USA, to Ford in Oakville and General Motors in Oshawa and to Muskoka, Lake Nippissing and the Thousand Islands for boat cruises. A number of members participated in the cross-Canada tours of the past, but mainly its monthly tours, in and around the Valley, that keeps the club occupied. Some ACCP members are regular vendors at Barrie and Sterling. Parades of any sort are always populated with ACCP cars and trucks. In fact Valley parades for years featured “Ike and Mike from the Wilno Hills” (AKA Don Stresman and the late Len Etmanski) who performed in a smoking, squirting, rag-tag 1928 Model ‘A’ Phaeton. The club also has a band of musicians aptly named the “Antique Car Tunes” tharoutinely performs at senior citizen homes across Renfrew County, playing familiar old-time music, often accompanied with old cars on display – another nice signature of the club.

While the membership was initially attracted by their interest in Model ‘A’s, there were some who also collected other marques. Over the years, the roster has included cars such as: Nash, Whippet, Maxwell, Hudson, Chevrolet, Packard, Mercury, Karmann-Ghia, Chrysler, Cadillac, LaSalle, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Buick, Austin, Jaguar, Morgan Mog, Willys Jeep, Terraplane, Plymouth, Dodge, Studebaker, other Fords such as Mustang’s, Fairlane’s & Thunderbird’s and Comet, International, Mercedes Benz and even a Messerschmidt! In this vein, the club was re-named the “Antique Car Club of Pembroke” in 1976 to accommodate this diversity.

Other things changed too. The club has evolved from the men-only meetings, of the early days, to a membership based on about forty couples today. It's interesting to note that in the fiftieth year, the club has its first female president, in long-standing member, Delores Lemkay and the Treasurer is Wendy TerMarsch, daughter of the late Calvin TerMarsch, a Model ‘A’ collector of note who had been ACCP treasurer for many years. The TerMarsch 1931 Ford Model AA Shell fuel truck is a fine mascot for the Pembroke club.

Recently the by-laws were changed to recognize, as honourary members, those who have been in the club over ten years upon reaching the age of 80. There are four or five couples in this new category, which also signals that the club might share the same demographic as other institutions, recognizing the need to attract new, younger members to keep the club vibrant. That said, it's ironic that, as the club has grown and members come and go, one common thread remains.

Of the fifty or more vintage vehicles owned by ACCP members, there are still about a dozen Model ‘A’ Ford cars and two AA trucks in the club – four being brought back to the area just in the last couple of years. In this vein, the Antique Car Club of Pembroke continues to honour its Ford Model ‘A’ heritage.

President's Page August 2013 ~ our 50th year

Andrea and Nathan Dougherty at their wedding at The Sands on Golden Lake, July 20, 2013


To all members and friends, we’re now half-way into the summer touring season, it reminds us of how fast the year is slipping by. Some members are caught up vacationing and others are busy stay-cationing it seems. With daughter number one, Andrea being married this past weekend, Dave and I are having some difficulty adjusting to routine being only partly busy, it seems. We’re delighted that the erratic, stormy weather spared us on Saturday with great lakeside weather at Golden Lake for the ceremony on the beach at The Sands and Sunday for the after-wedding at our cottage. It seems that the Lemkay ~ Dougherty ancestors made sure that we were blessed all weekend. Gail Gavan and her band friends kept the dance floor packed starting with the bride stepping high in gum rubbers and wedding gown, followed by all the wedding party.

On a sad note, long-time and one of our honourary members, Ernest Murdoch passed away in Renfrew in June. Ernie was an avid vintage vehicle collector, known best for the brass Model T truck, Jags and latterly the Mini.

It was great see 34 members out at our July meeting and nice to see former member Richard Clayton there as well. On-that-note, we welcome two new members this month Larry & Margaret Smith. It’s always a pleasure having new faces and more variety with antique vehicles join in with our ACCP family.

This month, we 'tip our hats' to member Don Stresman, a charter member and who is our longest standing member of the club going back to the 1963 establishment of the Model A Ford Club of Pembroke, forerunner of ACCP. Timely too is the fact that Don is celebrating his 80th birthday this month. Happy Birthday Don from all of us!

Our thanks to Shannon & Tom Dunfield for sponsoring this month’s cover page. We also thank them for opening their home to members and guests this July 27th weekend to celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary to enjoy a gourmet BBQ relaxing to the 60s genre music performed by Simon Clarke.

The Quill & Quail newsletter of the Model A Owners of Canada published an ACCP 50th anniversary story and a cover picture of Dan & Pam Hewitt with their roadster that was submitted by Dave. With MAOC permission, we include that article in this month’s Flying Quail. Enjoy.

Take note that our August 7th meeting will be held on the lawn at the Pembroke Marina off of Lake Street. Please bring your lawn chair and auction items. As you know, the auction proceeds help us cover costs associated in printing and distributing the Flying Quail. It goes without saying that the auction sale always evokes many chuckles and keeps the dust off some of our respective treasures.

August 7th Meeting at 7pm, at the waterfront. Rain Date is the same, but at the Farmer’s Market pavilion. Delores

President's Page July 2013 ~ Our 50th Year

To all ACCP members and friends:


Upon your reading this, Summer will have officially arrived, hopefully with corresponding weather. However, judging by the lush foliage of our forests and the robust farm crops all around us, clearly our weather is in contrast to last year. The corn should be as high as an elephant’s eye.

Our June meeting brought out the old cars and a new addition in Lapierre’s 1935 Buick. It graces the cover this month - what a handsome car! Dean, Anita & Lucas have moved on up from Model As, as you will read elsewhere in these pages. We’re most pleased that you’re touring with us once again.

On a very sad note, we have lost our good friend Don Page. We all were saddened to hear that Don succumbed to a heart attack on June 13th while preparing for the special Champlain 400 celebrations that weekend. To celebrate Don’s life and all that he has shared with us, and in the spirit of his gentlemanly, giving way, we were able to take up the gracious invitation by Sue and their family to join them and others at Bristol Landing on June 21 to reminisce and honour a member who has shared with us his sense of community, his unflagging good humour, and who has entertained us with his wonderful musical talent. This celebration has allowed us to recognize and express our respect for our good friend. In keeping with his nature and the strength of the Page family, Sue has offered Don’s “last journal entry – June 13” and photo that graces a page elsewhere in this issue. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Sue, Heather, Jennifer, Steven & Christopher.

Some of our members have recently returned from their Merrickville excursion and others attended the Antique Class Car & Truck Show in Petawawa. Odi’s Kingburger in Renfrew held its initial Saturday evening car show, Renfrew’s version of the Harvey’s nights.

It’s a challenge to write these columns in advance of events, so I will spell out the “upcoming” special anniversary service at Grace church on Green Lake Road in Rankin. A number of congregations, (mainly Lutheran) are marking their sesquicentennials around this period. This reflects upon a time during the 1850s when there was a major influx to the upper Ottawa Valley of the forebears of many of us who are of German descent. I am reminded of this church’s centennial celebration in 1963 (when I was very young) and also Centennial Year in 1967, when horse-drawn wagons and buggies were used to transport folks, all dressed up in 1860s attire. Those conveyances were still prevalent on most of the neighbouring farms at that time. So our participation with our 1930s through to 1970s vintage vehicles this year advances the technology while it follows in that rich tradition.

See you all and your auto's July 3rd at the dock on the waterfront at the Marina. Delores

President's Page June 2013 ~ Our 50th Year

To all members and friends:


Here we are well almost through the month of May with plenty of Spring blossoms and blooms. Our antiques have emerged from storage and have been shined up for the new season. And to kick off the driving months, Neil & Lori Videto won the old auto draw at last month’s meeting. We expect to see lots of the old vehicles out for our June meeting.

Our thanks to Kay and Kevin O'Gorman who have sponsored this month’s cover page with a picture taken a couple of years ago of Kay’s brother Terry Neville and his 1972 Buick. Terry had been on a few of our club tours back in the 1970s and more recently. He passed away this time last year.

Our club had a wonderful 'kick-off' tour to experience the Tackaberry Collection at Plum Hollow near Athens. There were fifty-two of us that boarded the bus and were greeted by George, Charlie & Donna, Kevin and grandson Thomas. Their collective knowledge about every facet of this overwhelming collection is outstanding, surpassed only by their genuine hospitality. Lori and I took a shine to the miniature Cadillac golf cart. George was playing with fire when he suggested that “if we could drive it all the way to Douglas, we could have it”. Given the bus trouble on the return trip, the little Caddy might have been a viable option. Our thanks go out to the Tackaberry family and organizer Dan Hewitt.

Our tour to the Juby residence near Castleford on a slightly drizzly Sunday, May 19th was another wonderful event. Dub and Frankie, gracious hosts that they are, outdid themselves again with a special buffet, coffee and cake to allow us to share in the celebration of Dub’s 80th birthday. Frankie’s selection of fun food was all made from scratch – the recipe for the 'Rosemary Swiss Shortbread Bites' is included elsewhere in this issue. The gardens were blooming and their 1957 Studebaker Silver Hawk was out on display, setting the stage for members to stroll around the grounds. For the final touch, a delicious carrot-pineapple birthday cake with cream icing was duly labelled with wooden name tags for Dub’s and (to my surprise) my birthday. We extend our thanks to them once again for their hospitality.

Our next event is to Grace Lutheran Church on Green Lake Road in Rankin for 10:00 a.m on June 23rd. This congregation is 150 years old and this special service and old car tour and luncheon have been planned to commemorate that milestone. Parishioners, many of them seniors, are looking forward to the opportunity for a short tour in our cars. Pastor Roger Steinke is guest preacher for that morning and there will be some special music as well.

We welcome our new members, Margaret and Howard Moore to the ACCP and send best wishes to our honourary member Ryan Parcher who celebrates his 40th birthday on June 14th.

One late news flash - The Heritage Manor hosted their 1st Entertainment Awards Ceremony on the (rainy) evening of May 22nd, Congratulations to The Antique Car Tunes on receiving a “Good Old Fashioned Entertainers Award” recognizing their contribution to the residents over the past years.

See you all and your autos June 5th at 7pm at Champlain Trail Museum. Ahooga! Delores

President's Page May 2013 ~ Our 50th Year

Happy Spring to all members and friends:

I trust that everyone had a nice Easter with family and friends, although it being early on the calendar has resulted in it being followed by significant snow.

It was great to see all of you at our April meeting at Joey's. I take it that you‘re anxious to get some miles on the old wheels, and speaking of which, we begin our “driving months” with this meeting. That comes with the draw for $20.00 at each meeting to reward someone for arriving in the vintage vehicle.

You will likely be reading this before a lot of us, and lots of guests, will be climbing on the big bus on April 28^th for the visit to the Tackaberry Collection. This kick-off tour for our anniversary year has been nicely managed by Dan Hewitt – so hat’s off to Dan and Pam for all the calls, emails and logistics! Thanks also to Dave for recruiting a contingent from the Renfrew area and treasurer Wendy, helping to keep tabs on the finances.

Remember to pack a box lunch and snacks to get through the afternoon. Plans are to stop for coffee on the way down and at PJ Restaurant around suppertime in Arnprior on our return trip. The restaurant has a large dining room to accommodate a bus load and a very nice menu. There should be lots of photo opportunities on this tour!

Our May meeting will return to the Champlain Trail Museum. We should see quite a few of the old vehicles out for this one. Remember to stow some

unneeded treasures in the trunk for our auction.

For those of you that are planning to attend the tour to Grace Lutheran Church off Green Lake Road on June 23^rd, please let me know in the next few weeks. This will assist our ladies in planning and preparing a nice luncheon for all of us. We have a guest pastor on that day, Pastor Randy Steinke, a dynamic speaker and some of the members will wear old-time garb to add to the reflection of 150 years at this church. Parishioners are excited that we will offer a short excursion on (paved) Reiche Road and returning for lunch. (Like PJ’s – very nice menu!)

Welcome home to the Correia family. They had been at their winter home in Costa Rica while the rest of us were keeping the home fires burning in the Valley. Carol and I chatted over in Shawville a few weeks ago and she mentioned how Mario was in Ogensburg NY, picking some parts for their collection.

Next on the calendar will be our “Tour to Boston” - to Dub and Frankie Juby's on Sunday, May 19^th on Lochwinnoch Road for Boston Clam Chowder. Be sure to circle that on your calendar. Some of the Model A clan from Renfrew are planning to join in on the tour. It’s Dub’s special birthday.

Secretary Dave has been asked to submit a story on the club’s 50 years to the Quill & Quail of the Model A Owners of Canada club. Our Model A genesis, to some degree, remains as the signature of our club, so it will be nicely featured for other enthusiasts across the province and beyond.

I look forward to seeing you Wednesday May 1^st at Champlain Trail Museum for our May Day Meeting. Bring your spouse, your old car and your smiles.

Delores

President's Page April 2013 ~ Our 50th Year

Mack Cab-Over-Engine - Tackaberry Collection

Happy Easter to all members and friends. As many of you will know, the second annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Douglas was outstanding along with wearing of the green elsewhere in the Valley. Kevin O’Gorman was joined by his brothers on the colourful O’Gorman Float, one of 80 or so entries and Kaye was wearin' the green too. The Irish have a wonderful way to bring winter to an end (despite its last gasp with the recent snowfall).

With April, the Spring Equinox and an early Easter celebration, it can’t be long before we’re on the road again with our old vehicles. Actually our ’31 Model A was out on the warm March 3rd Sunday for a short drive past the Fourth Chute. It nicely started right up after hibernation.

To kick off our first tour of our Anniversary Year, the Tour to Athens to experience the Tackaberry Collection is coming up on Sunday April 28th. Organizer Dan Hewitt has reserved a comfortable highway coach from Thom Transport. Please note that the deadline to reserve and pay for your $35.00 seat is by the April meeting. You can help Dan with this project by reserving ahead of time if you can. The best way to expedite this early, which will be helpful to understand numbers, is to drop into see Wendy at TerMarsch Fuels to put cash (preferably) into an envelope with your name, telephone number and pick-up location – Pembroke, Cobden or Renfrew (Jim Rolfe-style).

On our April 3rd meeting night Wendy and Dan will be able to give us the final count of ACCP members joining the bus tour, after which time, any available seats will be allotted to other car enthusiasts.

And just three weeks following, on the 19th of May (the Sunday of the long weekend) we take the “Tour to Boston” for Boston Clam Chowder at Juby’s on Lochwinnoch Road overlooking the Ottawa River. It’s a special birthday for Dub, so we’re expecting a good turnout. Frankie’s famous chowder will be served up with flair, you have to know!

Our calendar of events for the Anniversary Year has filled up nicely. With basic venues determined, details can now be addressed going forward. We know that everybody has other summer-time activities and priorities, but please be sure to reserve what time you can to participate during our driving months.

I look forward to seeing you at the meeting at Joey’s Restaurant, and let me suggest that as you get into your spring cleaning, you set aside some of those trinkets and treasures that could be brought in for the auction sale. The auction not only raises some cash (and gets some of the moths out of some pockets), proceeds have always gone to a good cause… this year, to the colour cover of your newsletter, The Flying Quail. While April isn’t officially our first driving month, I’ll bet that there are a few of the antiques out, weather permitting.

Delores