50th Anniversary Picnic
Saturday June 18, 2005
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The idea of recreating the mid summer picnic enjoyed by our newly chartered AACA region in 1955 seemed like a nice way to help celebrate the Club's 50th Anniversary. After months of planning, the picnic became a reality on June 18th, when 89 members and guests arrived at Gladys and Sterling Walsh's home for a day of camaraderie, old car talk, looking at the 34 antiques that members drove, viewing the Walsh's car collection and old-time machine shop, and enjoying lots of excellent catered food. And, we were blessed by weather that can be truly called one of the top ten days of the year - mid 70s, mostly sunny with a few puffy clouds, and low humidity.
When everyone was seated in the rear shop, Earl Beauchamp, AACA immediate past president and current national director, commented on the legacy of Chesapeake Region as a key AACA region, one that has produced three AACA Presidents - J. Leonard Rhinehart, 1962; Howard V. Scotland, 1988 & '89; and himself, last year; plus two AACA Library Board past presidents - Arthur Rutledge and John N. Packard. Then Art Rutledge gave the blessing and we all started to fill our plates from the buffet of country fried chicken and pulled pork, plus all the side dishes. Afterward, everyone enjoyed looking at the parked cars, viewing the Walsh's displays, and just visiting.
Many thanks to members who helped in the planning and on the day of picnic - John Packard for suggesting this event, Gladys and Sterling Walsh for graciously making their home and grounds available, Vicky and Gary Wilmer for managing the picnic, Mary and Ed Allen, Ginny and Paul Habicht, Harry Wilhelm and Jerry Gordon; plus Tom Kenney and Bruce Knott, who helped with parking.
Participating in the 50'h Anniversary Picnic were: Mary & Ed Allen, '57 Chevrolet; Judy & Earl Beauchamp; Carolyn & Dave Benson, '57 Thunderbird; Barbara Gosnell & Tom Black, '67 Plymouth; Marilyn & Bill Bowers; Susan & Larry Butcher, '38 Lincoln; Pat & Ed Butler, '32 Buick; Ferd Driver, '50 DeSoto; Franklin Gage, '78 Ford; Helen & Jerry Gordon, '61 Cadillac; Ginny & Paul Habicht, '59 Cadillac; Betty & Ed Hainke, '33 Plymouth; Gwen & Glen Hartong, '52 Hudson; Mary Lou & Bob Johannessen, '63 Studebaker Avanti; Anne & Tom Kenney, '55 DeSoto; Bruce Knott, '63 Ford; Lois & John Krupinsky, '55 Ford; Mildred & Al Lawson, '57 Chevrolet; Nancy & Robert Lynch, '70 Cadillac; Terry & Dan Materazzi, '56 Corvette; Bonnie & Louis Mielke; Janis & Dorothy Miller; Josie & Bill O'Donnell, '36 Ford; Eleanor & John Packard; Boots & Art Petrucci, '64 Corvair; Don Rhine, '40 Buick; June & Art Rutledge, '32 DeSoto; Ted Schneider; Rose & Paul Smith, '46 Chevrolet; Florann & Joe Sordillo, '50 Ford; Ruth & Jim Synodinos, '32 Buick; Carol & Richard Trimble; Katherine Miller, Mae & Bernard Uhler, '67 Cadillac; Ruth & Ray Vanderlinde; Kay & Henry VerValen, '60 Jaguar; Gladys & Sterling Walsh, Larry Wagoner & John Watkins, '65 Buick Riviera; Allen & Fred Weinstein, '41 Hupmobile; Evelyn & Pat Wenderoth, '28 Studebaker; Margaret & Francis Werneth; Mary & Harry Wilhelm, '68 Ford; Jean & Bob Wilhelm, '72 Buick; Vicky, Andrew, Todd & Gary Wilmer '62 Corvette; Tom Young, '80 Plymouth; Louise & Doc Zimmerman; and Ellen & David Kelley.
Car Photo Gallery
Here's a sampling of the vintage cars that members brought to the event. They just kept on coming until the Walsh's driveway was full! Eighty-nine members participated.
Gary Wilmer's '62 Corvette marked the place.
Left to right: Butler '32 Buick, Hartong '54 Hudson, Black '67 Plymouth, Uhler '67 Cadillac, Allen '57 Chevrolet
L to R: Butcher '38Lincoln, Wenderoth '28 Studebaker, Smith '46 Chevrolet, '70 Chevelle, Krupinsky '55 Ford
L to R: Synodinos '32 Buick, Habicht '59 Cadillac, Watkins '65 Buick, Rutledge '32 DeSoto, Petrucci '64 Corvair, Wilhelm '68 Ford, Knott '63 Ford, Kenney '55 DeSoto, Sordillo '50 Ford
Sterling's Model T Caliphone entertained with music all day.