Monthly Crusin
Cruisin’ at the speed of fun
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Mass Cruisers Auto Club November 2020
FUN TIMES AT THE ZEITERION DRIVE-IN page 4
FREDRICKSON FARMS CRUISE—IN page 7
A SATURDAY LAFERRIERE CUSTOM CARS TOUR & VERDE WINERY CRUISE
“MASKED CRUISERS” SOCIAL DISTANCING MONTHLY MEETING
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ALSO INSIDE: PRESIDENT’S MUSINGS MONTHLY SHOWS & EVENTS NEW: COVID-19 PROJECTS We’re on the Web
Celebrating 29 Years of Cruisin’ Volume 29 Issue 11
www.masscruisers.com And Facebook
Cruisin’ at the speed of fun
Monthly Crusin Contact us by snail mail: P.O. Box 217, Wrentham, MA 02093 Or by email: HO350@comcast.net
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www.masscruisers.com
Monthly meetings in the Bass Pro Shops Conservation Room are being held in November and December under COVID-19 Phase 3 protocols and limiting live attendance to just 15 members. Business meetings were held previously on line using ZOOM meetings or held on an emergency basis as needed. With all of our 2020 cruise and car show events being cancelled, Club member cruises to alternate sites were held when possible DIRECTORY
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PRESIDENTIAL MUSING
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COVID-19 MUSING
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FUN TIMES AT THE ZEITERION DRIVE-IN
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“MASKED CRUISERS” MONTHLY MEETING
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LAFERRIER CLASSIC CARS
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VERDE VINEYARDS PICNIC CRUISE
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EVENTS PAGE
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“WE GOT YOUR SIX” RALLY
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SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
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COVID-19 PROJECTS STEVE FERNALD
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WANTED 2021 OFFICERS
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Club Officers President: Larry Nyborn Vice President: Open Secretary: Lesley Corda-Majeski Asst. Secretary: Open Treasurer: Kevin Rushlow Asst. Treasurer: Rich Armando At Large Board Member: Steve Huntington
Special Assignments Webmaster: Steve Vining Managing Editor: John Buchanan Newsletter Editor: Open Digital Graphics Editor: Open Facebook: Patrick Touhey New Members: Lou Valentine
Sgts. at Arms: Rick Lawlor John Sturniolo Charity Coordinator: Open Food Pantry: Steve Fernald Bob Okerholm
By-Laws: Wayne Lestan MAAC Rep: John Buchanan Cruise Nights: Steve Huntington Sponsors: John Buchanan Fred Tierney Club Events: Rich Armando Photographer: Steve Vining,
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Presidential Musings By Larry Nyborn
The 5 P’s If you are involved in the auto hobby, you are acquainted with the following: pride, performance, patience, persistence, & most of all, passion. Should the day ever come when you no longer care about these, then you will no longer own the car(s). Let’s take them one at a time….. Pride: It doesn’t matter whether you have a barn-find, work-in-progress or a finished product; you take pride in your ride. You tell everyone you meet about all of the details. You share your excitement with others. Even if your ride is so not-main-stream and it’s not of interest to most people; it doesn’t matter because it’s your baby! Performance: When you think of performance, most people tend to think about high horsepower. While that may sometimes be the case, it certainly isn’t always. “Performance” in all cases means the car runs so well it lives up to its full capabilities. Patience: Well, impatience leads to disaster when you rush a restoration. You haven’t taken the necessary time plan and enjoy the restoration work. Of course, time and money ultimately dictate every project. Persistence: Sometimes, it seems like you are never done. Always something to tweak. You never quit until you solve each particular problem and when you finally do…what a great feeling! Passion: The whole car hobby involves a huge spectrum of vehicles: antique, original, restored, classic, resto mod, hot rods, many truck classes, tuners, etc. Passion is the force that ties it all together. Regardless of the number of types of vehicles you own, the excitement of the drives, cruises, clubs and flea markets never fades. Keep the ride alive…keep on cruisin!
COVID-19 Musing By John Buchanan EDITORIAL
October wraps up the last of what will undoubtedly be called “YEAR of COVID-19” cruising nightmare. It also brings me to a dilemma of finding newsworthy winter club activities and area auto events to report on because our focus typically shifts to indoor venues. The way a second surge of infections appears to have started, CAUTION will prevail until there is a proven vaccine widely available. In an effort to provide interesting stories each month, I sent out a request to our clubmembers for projects they were able to work on during the spring COVID-19 quarantine period that would be of interest to us. So, to kick off this series on Page 10, you will see Steve Fernald’s truck vinyl-wrap project. You’ve probably seen the finished result at several of the summer cruise events. I've also collected several other member COVID-19 projects that will appear in subsequent cold weather editions of the newsletter. If, after reading some of our member projects you have one of your own you can share along with pictures, let me know so I can add them to my COVID-19 PROJECTS queue.
Cruisin’ at the speed of fun LIGHTS, CAMERA, INFLATE THE SCREEN
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By Diane Thornton
Glenn Brayman floated an idea that club members might have a fun drive-in experience being offered by the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center in New Bedford, MA. He emailed a link to the movie in question: American Graffiti (1973) – the American Film Institute’s Top 100 Films Of All Time! How could I not take a look! Time was tight, though. The movie was being shown that coming Saturday. An email with final details was quickly sent to the Mass Cruisers’ membership! Glenn provided me with an introduction to Penny Pimentel, Marketing Director of the Zeiterion Performing Arts Group, and soon after that she sent offers for discount dining to share with our group. Food and a car movie that could be enjoyed with our rides – how spot-on for appealing to our crowd! For me, to have a chance to get down by the New Bedford water front made it even better. The whole night was practically perfect (except for one fleeting inquiry from an observant New Bedford cruiser –police cruiser, that is). Some of us went down to New Bedford early to soak in the super warm, summer-like weather and sightseeing. We met the sightseers at the Whale’s Tail Clam Bar restaurant parking lot, got our take-out seafood (at a discount), then cruised over to the Seastreak Ferry “Whale’s Tooth” Parking Lot where the drive-in was taking place. There was already a group of classic cars ready to watch from the front rows, so our merry band followed suit. All lined up in the front rows, the classic cars added to the fun of this experience. Our group of six cars was allowed to park together – one parking space apart from each other. We sat on our lawn chairs to the left of our vehicle, or listened from inside our car when tuned to their station. The weather was perfect for sitting outside – and the loud speakers in use were fine and dandy for us to hear without the car radio. Our visit was not exactly as we might remember drive-ins back in the day. Sadly, no buttery popcorn or refreshment stand, but Glenn brought lots of popcorn! No crackly sounding speaker rolled up on the window (to forget as you drove away). No smoking. Masks were mandatory if you left your assigned space. There were no mosquitos, so no need for those mosquito coils! And, yes folks, the movie screen was an inflatable 40 ft. by 20 ft. screen – much like a “bouncy house” you can rent for kid’s parties. When the lights went down and the movie started we were transported back to the end of summer in 1960 something… I was parked one space away from a similar yellow hot rod similar to John Milner’s deuce coupe featured in the movie. I captured a pic of the movie rod on screen and the very real rod next to me. How cool was that? Thanks to Glenn and Jeanine Brayman, Matt Seaman and Theresa Knapp, Mark and Holly Lite, John Ricker, Frank and Neringa Bryant, and Dave for cruising to the drive-in with me! John Ricker Holly & Mark Lite
Glenn & Jeanine Brayman Frank & Neringa Bryant
Matt Sean=man & Theresa Knapp
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“MASKED CRUISERS” MONTHLY MEETING By Diane Thornton (acting secretary)
Saturday, October 4, 2020 brought the Mass Cruisers’ membership to the Wrentham Developmental Center fields for a huge, big sky, wonderful day filled with camaraderie, Club announcements and laughs. A light lunch was offered and abundant sunshine fed members’ spirits and vitamin D requirements. The overriding concern of the meeting was that all attendees should feel safe and comfortable in their space marked by the trunk of their car. Cars were parked 10 feet apart and members set their lawn chairs at the rear of their car with beverages to supplement the sandwich selection and chips provided. Membership committee members, Nick Mullen and Matt Seaman had arrived early in the day to mark out the parking spots in a large circle. Some comments were overheard that our gathering looked like an actual car show! The event really did feel like a page out of the “good ol’ days” with cars in attendance from so many eras. Mass Cruisers have not had this opportunity all year to come together and enjoy our rides and our club! Presentations were delivered from the 10 x 10 pop up tent in the center of the ring of cars. Enhanced by loudspeakers, members listened to Lou Valentine, Larry Nyborn and Steve Huntington. Considering the almost universal opinion that 2020 has been “the year that wasn’t”, Club members heard quite a bit of good news. • Nina Wirta joined our Club receiving her yellow t-shirt and many greetings from members in attendance. • Steve H. reported Patriot Place looks forward to working with the Mass Cruisers in 2021 for an even bigger and better Cruise Night events. • If you think of 2020 as a flat tire, then the decision of the BOD to roll current members’ dues over to 2021 might be considered the inflation nozzle. Clapping from club members erupted at the announcement! • Last year’s Cruise Night sponsors all rolled their sponsorships towards 2021! THANKS LARRY • New member candidates recommended by an active club member who joins Mass Cruisers will receive a 50% discount in their dues for the first year. Every member was invited to throw their hats into the ring for our Club Election in December! Members can contact any of the current Board of Directors to let them know of their desire to campaign! Every current BOD position ends at the end of this year. Expect to hear who is on the ballot in the November newsletter! President Larry Nyborn said it well at the end of his meeting: “Let’s hope we can all forget the year 2020!”. We really do have a lot to look forward to in 2021!
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Laferriere Classic Cars & Verde Vineyard Cruise By John Buchanan
2020 really put a dent in our club’s early season car cruise events so, following attendance at Tom Laferriere’s September 20 Classic Cars & Coffee event, I knew an October Saturday morning tour to see the magnificent cars that Tom tends to at his business in Greenville, RI, coupled with an afternoon wine tasting cruise to the Verde Vineyards in nearby Johnston and burgers & root beer floats at the classic A & W Root Beer car hop around the corner on US Rte. 44 would be hard for our club members to resist. Fortunately sorely needed overnight and early morning rain ended Tom Laferriere describes each the Duesenberg features
before hitting the road at 10 AM to what turned out to be a perfect fall cruise. Tom and his wife were gracious hosts showing the awesome classic collection of 1930’s vintage Duesenberg's, Packards, Cadillacs as well as earlier racers that Tom has a passion for. Following the tour we headed over to the Verde Vineyards for an early afternoon of wine tasting as well as the classic car hop service at one of the few remaining A & W Root Beer stands where, in addition to bringing home 2020 Cruisin’ A & W collector mugs, we also sampled a couple of bottles of Verde Surveyor (red) & Bianco d’Amelia provided by the Bryant's and Steve Huntington while lounging in the ample expanse of the vineyard at a picnic table in the afternoon sunshine. CRUIZN doesn’t get much better than this.
Frank & Neringa Bryant led the wine tasting experience at Verde Vineyards
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Fredrickson Farms Sunday Fall Cruise-In By John Buchanan
The annual Waters Farm Festival weekend car show that our club attended last year was cancelled so event D.J. Bruce Palmer, dealing with yet another open cancelled Sunday show date, collaborated with his Wednesday Cruise Night hosts at Fredrickson Farms in Scituate, R.I. to hold a Sunday October 18 Fredrickson Wind-Down event. Word spread pretty quickly via Bruce’s website www.cruisinbruce.com and Steve Huntington sent out an invite to our clubmembers to meet at the Wrentham American Legion Parking Lot on Rte. 1A at 10 AM to cruise over the back roads of Sheldonville and Cumberland to the North Scituate intersections of Rtes. RI101 & 102 off U.S. Rte. 6 where Fredrickson Farms is located. The regular show car DJ Bruce Palmer took time out to mug it up with Amy, Ann & Bbarbara parking areas were pretty much filled at the 11 AM start time when we got there, so we opted to park in the overflow grass field adjacent to the entrance road. Not a bad location really
with the food take-out window and picnic tables set high above the entrance road overlooking our parked cars while we could eyeball the incoming cars while safe-distance socializing. The downside was all of Bruce’s music, announcements and most of the parked show cars Club members parked off-grid so to speak with others following suit were on the opposite side of the store. All-in-all it was a great day. The weather was perfect for CRUIZN, the destination at Frederickson Farms was perfect, the deli style sandwiches were great and the cars that showed up were absolutely awesome. Thanks Bruce for keeping the season ALIVE!
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“WE GOT YOUR SIX” RALLY by John Buchanan Cars, trucks & motorcycles line Smith St. in Providence ready to parade 17 miles to the R.I. Veterans Home in Bristol, RI.
Rules of the cruise being explained
My ‘61 Chevy, Diane Thornton's ‘65 Mustang, Bruce Berry’s’34 Chevy line up in with the Bristol County Street Rod Club cars & trucks
The United Veterans Council of Rhode Island’s “WE GOT YOUR SIX” rally to show support for the Rhode Island Veterans Home residents and staff went off without a hitch Saturday October 24 at 9:45 AM. Dozens of cars, trucks & motorcycles were lined up in front of the Rhode Island DOT building across from the state capitol building on Smith St. (US Rte. 44). Mass Cruisers joined up to cruise to the former Benny’s parking lot on Metacom Ave. in Bristol, RI, 2 miles from the Vets Home, joining other groups waiting for the planned 11 AM drive through the home’s 110 acre site. The Warren and Bristol Police provided traffic control for the more that one hundred cars, trucks & bikes making up the tribute cruise. The cruise was led by parade Grand Marshals; former R.I. Attorney General Arlene Violet, Linda Peck (ITAM Veteran) and 12 year old Liliana who is collecting “birthday” goals for the Veterans at the home. Veteran’s Home resident “Jack” Choquette, who I’ve included updates for in the past two newsletters, greeted the parade as we made the turn onto the property. Despite providing the veterans a magnificent new 208 bed home, completed in 2017, there is still controversy surrounding the State attempting to increase Veteran maintenance fees from 80% to 100% “WE GOT YOUR SIX” is military jargon for we got your back. of their income to cover underfunded expenses.
Monthly Crusin
Cruisin’ at the speed of fun
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COVID-19 PROJECT: ALL WRAPPED UP By Steve Fernald
With time on my hands during the early COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, I had the opportunity to undertake some updates to my 1979 Chevrolet Stepside pickup truck. One big one was replacing the factory dual gas tanks with new ones and replacing the dashboard covering. But, these interior updates did nothing to make the truck stand out from the crowd with its repainted original Cordova Brown color. Back in 2017 we had a guest speaker Big Monkey Wraps out of Lynn demonstrate how vinyl wraps could be applied to a fender with nothing more than a razor, careful handling and possibly my wife’s hairdryer. I thought I’d give it a try by adding some 3M Matte Black Primer vinyl wrap accents on the hood and sides of the truck. It turned out to be a lot easier than I expected. I also added the vinyl wrap details in the door handles and Stepside steps. I think it does help make my truck stand out from the other Chevy pickups. What do you think?
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WANTED: 2021 CLUB OFFICERS Every November a slate of candidates for our club’s offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer are selected to be voted at our December monthly meeting. Per our charter these are not considered positions for life and, in the case of the President and Vice-President positions, they can only serve for two consecutive one year terms at a time. This provides an opportunity for clubmembers to step up to help shape and provide variety our club needs to evolve with the times. This also provides a depth of experienced leaders among our active club membership. The positions of Treasurer and Secretary, however, are treated differently with no fixed term limits. This provides the financial stability and consistent documenting club business that a 401 (c3) non-profit needs. Nominations will be needed for the Tuesday November 17 business meeting to be held in the Bass Pro Shops Conservation Room with voting for the nominated officers to be completed at the Tuesday December 15 business meeting. Both meetings will be held in the Bass Pro Shops Conservation Room. The COVID-19 restrictions on indoor gatherings make this a challenging process for us. The Bass Pro Shops has asked us to limit these onsite meetings to 15 people with social distancing and wearing of facial masks being required. Email Larry or call Nyborn if you have an interest in becoming a 2021 candidate for one of the Mass Cruisers Auto Club offices.
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P.O. Box 217 Wrentham, MA 02093
Monthly Crusin