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January 28 2012 - Copacabana Fund Raiser Display - Ken and Barbara Talley's 1955 Buick and Bob Stein's 1951 Studebaker made an appearance in 'Old Havana' - also known as the Chesapeake Conference Center.  The cars were part of the decor for Chesapeake Regional Health Foundation's black-tie fund-raising event for Chesapeake General Hospital. 

 
January 28 2012 - Keystone Tractor Works Run - Our first car-related event for the year provided a lot of surprises, all good ones.  The first came in the form of weather - nobody expected 60 degrees and sunny at the end of January!   At least three of the participants took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather by dropping tops on their convertibles. (Literally for Jim Villers - he left his Mercedes' hard top at his son's house on the way!).  The good weather also encouraged strong participation for a January event - 23 people and 13 cars, and not a single example of modern iron to be seen!  We gathered at Greenbrier Mall and actually rolled out right on time (another surprise), following I-64 to US 460.  We made a pit stop at the Hardee's in Waverly, and then continued on to our lunch stop - the Sagebrush Steak House and Saloon in Petersburg.  Veteran Jeff Locke took the lead after the provided directions turned out to be confusing, getting MOST of the party to the restaurant in short order.  A few folks got turned about on the way, but everyone ended up at Sagebrush eventually.  After an excellent lunch, we made a very short and simple 1-mile journey to the Keystone Tractor Works museum, where we got yet another pleasant surprise.  Both museum owner Keith Jones and curator Alan 'Bones' Stone were on hand to greet the group and provide personal tours of the collections.  Note the plural - collections.  In addition to an amazing display of more than 100 antique tractors that was worth the drive on its own, there was another huge room full of antique fire engines, tractor trailer rigs, and other commercial vehicles, as well as a small display of antique vehicles just off the main lobby.  There was something for just about every taste:  an Indian Motorcycle Company tractor, a 1923 Model T Ford fire truck, an AACA Grand National MG TD, working juke boxes, steam tractors, gas pumps, and more.  Afterwards, some folks headed straight home while others took advantage of a  good antique shop just outside of Peterburg.  Tour participants included Kenny and Charlene Roach in their 1937 Pontiac, Ken and Barbara Tally in their 1940 Buick, Bob Stein in his 1948 MG TC, Bruce Sedel in his 1949 Packard, Jere Avenson and guest Leon Lane in the Avenson's 1954 Packard, Rad and Marge Tillett in their 1958 Oldsmobile, Christian Aicher and guest Claus Herz in Christian's 1958 Cadillac,  Jeff Locke in his 1963 Corvair, Neil Sugermeyer borrowing wife Marty's 1965 Rambler, Jim Villers and Sam Kern in Jim's 1967 Mercedes 230SL, Skip Patnode in his 1967 Alpha Romeo, Viator Trudeau in his 1968 Eldorado, Terry and Susan Bond in their 1974 MGB-GT, and Tony and Leslie Scarpelli in their 1983 Mercedes 230 SL.  Carol Wilcox joined the group for lunch.
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January 14, 2012 - TRAACA Awards and Installation Banquet - Cypress Point Country Club played host to TRAACA again, this time for our Annual Awards and Installation banquet.   Seventy-six people showed up to honor individuals who have excelled either in the hobby or in service to the club itself, and also to witness the installation of a new club officer and two new board members.  The Installation Ceremony was presided over by Terry Bond, who retires from the AACA National Board next month.  

2012 TRAACA Award Winners
  • CENTURY PARTICIPATION: Bob Roughton
  • HOLMES – OVERLAND AWARD: Sam Kern
  • DINNER MEETING AWARD: Richard & Holly Chipchak
  • RESTORATION AWARD (Multiple):
    • Ken & Barbara Talley – 1929 Buick
    • Mark & Sue Strang – 1953 MG TD
    • Bob & JoAnn Green - 1961 Nash Metropolitan
    • Jim and Betty Villers – 1965 Porsche
  • MUDFLAP AWARD: Thomas Wedeking
  • BARTLETT BOWL: Jeff Locke
  • MERRITT HORNE PARTICIPATION: Terry and Sue Bond
  • SPARKPLUG AWARD: Sam Kern

  • IVIE LISTER AWARD: • Susan Bond – 1974 MGB-GT
  • LALIQUE AWARD: • Sandy Hall
  • BEAULIEU CUP: • Jeff Locke – 1977 Demm Smiley
  • 25-YEAR NAMETAGS (1986):
    • Jimmy Flanders
    • Sam & Karyl Kern
    • John & Vicky Peters
    • Robert & Lori Powell

 
January 5, 2012 - Car of the Century Display - Although it isn't technically a TRAACA event, seven of the 11 vehicles chosen for the 'Car of the Century' display at the 100th Annual Hampton Roads International Car Show belonged to members!  We all showed up Thursday, some with trailers in tow, and others driving the vehicles themselves.  The display was featured in the lobby of the Convention Center, and was the first thing visitor's saw.   Club participants included Riley Best's 1903 Cadillac, Terry and Susan Bond's 1914 Model T Ford, Marty Weber's 1933 Packard, Bob Stein's 1949 MG TC, Bob and Dot Parrish's 1957 Corvette, Wes and Nancy Neal's 1962 Jeep, and James and Dawn Tait's 1981 DeLorean.  The Car of the Year was decided by popular vote, and though the count was close, Marty Weber's Packard won the grand prize of $1500!

 
December 3, 2011 - TRAACA HOLIDAY PARTY - With Thanksgiving just a week behind us and next months activity-packed Awards and Installation Banquet ahead,  we decided to make our annual Holiday Party a time for members to do what they do best - eat and socialize!  Held at the Cypress Point Country Club in Virginia Beach, this year's event was out first in this facility and certainly won't be the last.  Great food and service combined great holiday decorations and plenty of room to make it a really enjoyable evening for all. 

 
November 12, 2011 - Wienie Roast - We old car folks are all kids at heart.  Want proof?  All you have to do is pull out hot dogs and marshmallows for an old-fashioned wienie roast and you'll get the biggest turnout of any event all year!  And that's exactly what happened when Terry and Susan Bond hosted an old fashioned Bonfire and Wienie Roast at their home in Chesapeake.  Typical attendance for a weekend event is about 40 - however, the promise of beautiful weather helped swell attendance to over 90!  Thanks to a request for RSVPs, Susan had enough warning to arrange parking in the large lot of a generous neighbor across the street.  A good thing, because cars started showing up before the start time of 11 AM, and the lot filled up pretty quick!  The club provided hot dogs and buns, drinks, ice, and the makings for s'mores.  That was just the start - Attendees brought enough side dishes, desserts, and condiments to cover four six-foot tables!  It was a very low-key day.  You could sit and socialize with friends, look at some of the great old cars parked out front, or better yet, take a tour of Terry's amazing recreation of a 1920's Auto Parts store.  The planned bonfire was set up, but windy conditions made it a bit too risky to light, so those wanting s'mores cooked marshmallows over a gas grille instead.  That made a very satisfactory substitute, with kids and adults alike warming, browning, or burning their marshmallows.  All-in-all it was a terrific way to enjoy old cars, great friends and good food.
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November 4-5, 2011 - Virginia International Raceway! - On November 4th  Richard and Sandy Hall, Jack and Linda Pavlidis, Neil and Marty Sugermeyer, and Terry and Sue Bond traveled across the state for the Heacock Classic Gold Cup Historic Races & Antique Car Show at the Virginia International Raceway near South Boston, VA.  The show was co-sponsored by the Old Dominion Meet Association, and entrants had the options of driving around the track.  Sandy reported that she and Richard were up to 60 as they ran the parade lap.  See the complete story in the November/December 2011 issue of the Mud Flap!  (Photos by Marty Sugermeyer)
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October 29-30, 2011 - TRAACA Fall Tour! - A little bad weather...  OK, a lot of bad weather...  was not enough to deter the stalwart participants of the 2011 TRAACA Fall Tour, put together by Jeff and Pat Locke.  There was more modern iron than vintage tin, but Jere and Carol Avenson provided enough class for all with their 1954 Packard.  Skip Patnode had the next oldest car, his red 1967 Alfa Romeo Duetto.  Bob Stein drove his 1976 Dodge Aspen wagon, and the Jeff and Pat Locke rolled up in their 1985 Cadillac. Not quite scraping in under the antique wire were John and Lynn Heimerl in their 1987 Corvette.  Folks in modern cars included Terry and Sue Bond, Bill Coburn, Tim and Veronda Russell, Gerald and MaryLou Olson, and Ron and Sally Hartman.  Gathering at the Greenbrier Sears parking lot, the group set off for Petersburg, Virginia early Saturday morning in a light drizzle that swapped back and forth with rain most of the trip.  There was only one convenience stop on the way in Waverly, where we grabbed snacks and coffee.  Then it was on to our first stop - the Petersburg Visitor's Center.  The Center was a bank in the 1800s, and has a combination of original and period fixtures and furniture.  From the Visitor's Center, the group took a short walking tour to the Petersburg Siege Museum.  This facility commemorates the hardships faced by citizens during a 10-month siege by Union forces.  TRAACA was privileged to have Ms. Dawn Holmes, Petersburg's Visitors Services Supervisor, take personal charge of our weekend activities, and she was a welcome site both days.  After lunch at a great Deli, we rolled out to Centre Hill Mansion.  This stately home has been restored to what it looked like just before the start of the Civil War, and provide insight into the lives of the very wealthy.  Petersburg was a business and industrial hub prior to 1861, and the second city in the word after London to have its own Gas Works.  From Centre Hill Mansion, the tour continued to the church where General Robert E. Lee worshipped, and then headed to Comfort Inn and Suites to check into our rooms.  We gathered in the lobby at 6:30 and rolled back into Petersburg for a gourmet dinner at The Bistro, a small but elegant restaurant that lowered its standards to let a group of rabid car junkies in.  The skies had finally started clearing by the time we got back to the hotel for the evening.  Sunday morning kicked off with an excellent breakfast car at the hotel, and clear sunny skies for our trip to Pamplin Historical Park the Museum of the Civil War Soldier.  This amazing facility provides an in-depth look at the lives of everyday soldiers - both Confederate and Union.  The daily routines, hardships, and horrors faced by these men and boys is almost impossible to comprehend.  The Museum has a number of displays, including a farmhouse used by Confederate officers, parts of the original Confederate earthworks (forts), and recreations of campsites.  We were treated to an excellent presentation by a volunteer enactor who not only explained camp life, but also demonstrated what was involved in loading and firing a Civil War rifle.  After going through a step-by-step explanation, he proceeded to load and fire the weapon in 17 seconds  (Click here to see a video)!   After the Museum, we hopped back in the cars and returned to Petersburg for lunch at King's Bar-B-Que, a local institution and fantastic place to eat.  From King's the group went to the Petersburg Battlefield to see the Crater.  The Union dug a tunnel under the Confederate fortifications and planted enough explosives to blow a 175 foot long, 50 foot wide, and 30 foot deep trench - the Crater.  We left the battlefield for Blanford Church, abandoned long before the Civil War started, and later converted into a Memorial that features incredible stained glass window by Tiffany honoring each state's slain soldiers.  Although the tour officially ended at the church, Ms. Holmes took a group over to see Memorial Hill.  This 14-acre cemetery next to the Blanford Church was established as the resting place for thousands of unidentified soldiers.  After that, everyone headed for home on their own.  It was a great tour that crammed an amazing amount of learning and fun into two days!

 
October 23, 2011 - Bay Lake Display - Beautiful weather brought out nearly a dozen cars for the TRAACA car display at Bay Lake Retirement Community.   Residents were treated to a wide variety of great cars, and members had a chance to socialize and enjoy the day.  Mickey McChesney brought out his 1965 Chevrolet SS convertible, Dan Ciccone and Tyler Gimbert showed up in Dan's 1986 Alfa Romeo, James and Dawn Tait (and Layla, the wonder-dog) brought their 1981 DeLorean, Don Hobbs drove his 1940 Ford DeLuxe, Sam Kern had his 1925 Franklin, Bob Stein brought his 1948 MG TC, Jim Villers drove his 1965 Porsche 356, Jere and Carol Avenson had their 1941 Packard 110, Howard and Suzanne Horton brought their 1948 Dodge DeLuxe, and Wes Neal drove his 1949 Jeepster.  Also stopping by to visit were Bob and Linda Pellerin, Norman and Sandy Pellerin, and Vito and Nina Serrone.
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October 15, 2011 - 38th ANNUAL MEET - The show field at the Military Aviation Museum in Pungo was already bustling when the sun rose - the first cars were parked, guides in yellow vests were directing traffic, and vendors were setting up for what was one of the biggest TRAACA Annual Meets ever!   Having had to postpone the meet more than a month due to an unwelcome guest named Irene, we were very happy to have near-perfect weather this go round.  A steady stream of original antique and modified vehicles made their way in all the way up to, and even a little past the 11 AM cutoff, all greeted by the costumed welcoming crew of Linda and Bob Pellerin, Tony Scarpelli, and Ken and Barbara Talley.  Participating vehicles ranged from a 1909 International Harvester all the way up to a brand new 2011 Chevy Camaro.  Luckily, Meet Chariman Sam Kern, and an amazing crew of volunteers were ready for them.  Neil Sugermeyer and Jim Villers did a terrific job of laying out two separate show fields that could also accommodate a large number of day-of-show participants, while Reed Matson took care of coordinating flea market and car corral spaces.  The daunting task of registration was managed by Jere Avenson, Richard and Sandy Hall, and John and and Marie Gancel with assistance from a number of folks such as Laura Horne Jordan, Toni McChesney, and Shiela Gurnee (who later proved her worth as a tent stake!)  We also enjoyed terrific music thanks to John and Lynn Heimerl and Tom Norris who made announcements throughout the day.  This year's meet honored the 100th Anniversary of Chevrolet, and Bob Parrish put together a central display of representative Chevys that included a restored 1947 Fire Truck chassis, a 1916 Chevrolet touring car, and even a 1979 Chevette!  Songstress Jeanie Downing graced the field with a flawless 'God Bless America, aided in a salute to the colors by local Cub Scout Pack 541.  Then Chief Judge Terry Bond and his crews got to work, splitting into teams to evaluate the hundreds of participant vehicles.  Alan and Laurel Swenson and Dawn and James Tait walked the field to drum up sales for 50/50 tickets, with Toni McChesney handling sales at the registration area.  The awards ceremony kicked off just after 3 pm, with Best of Show going to Reggie and Cindi Nash who brought their magnificent 1940 Nash  convertible all the way from Richmond.  (Full results will be made available as the become available).  A big THANK YOU to all the folks who helped make the 38th Annual Meet a great success. 

 
October 14, 2011 - IT'S A BOW TIE PARTY!! - Since this year is the 100th Anniversary of Chevrolet (the Bow-Tie car), Tidewater Region decided to celebrate with a Bow Tie Party for our annual Friday Night Social.  There was,of course, a Bow Tie Party, a dart throwing competition with a Ford emblem as the target, entertainment imported all the way from Florida, and a grand musical revue.  We started with a terrific Italian dinner catered by Reginello's.  Of course, whenever you have a big event, you can count on a couple of clowns to try crashing the gate.  However, in this instance the clowns were official - members John and Vicky Peters came all the way from The Villages in Florida to provide us with a couple of comedy sketches.  This was followed by a chance to throw barbs at Ford - in the form of steel-tipped darts.  A number of folks came close, especially Chevy advocate Mickey McChesney.  However, Mickey's aim was slightly off, probably due to the Ford in his garage, and vitory went to 'Eagle Eye' Tyler Gimbert.  He got first pick of prizes, selecting a cherry 1957 Chevy convertible (Oh, did I mention we had some fabulous prizes?)  Next came the Bow Tie contest, which provided some stiff competition.  Al and Georgiann McVickers were the obvious winners, not only having matching handmade bowties, but working head and taillights!  The final award for the night went to John and Vicky Peters for 'Longest Distance'.   Next on the agenda was a Chevrolet Trivia quiz that dug deep to challenge even our Chevy experts.   Then came the grand finale - Linda Pellerin pulled together 'volunteers' to create  the 'Not Ready for Prime Time' singers.  After a practice round, the impromptu chorus provided a stirring rendition of 'See the USA in Your Chevrolet' that will not be soon forgotten.  No matter how hard we try.  Finally, it was time to cut the cakes, have dessert, clean up, and go home to get ready for the 38th Annual Meet!

 
October 6-8, 2011 - HERSHEY! - Some of the best weather ever to grace the fields of Hershey brought droves of auto hobbyists to the 2011 car swap meet and show, including a goodly number of TRAACA folks.  If you were wandering the vendor spaces, you could have found items for sale by Neil and Marty Sugermeyer, Dan Ciccone and Tyler Gimbert, Riley Best, Terry and Sue Bond, and Kathy Kellam, as well as a Chrysler for sale by Gordon Garnette.  Sue Bond and Bob Stein both had vehicles on the show field for preservations, while Ken and Barbara Talley had their 1929 Buick out for its Senior award.  Judges for the show included Sandy Hall, Bob Parrish, Mickey McChesney, Dan Ciccone, Bob Stein, Terry and Sue Bond, Bob Roughton, Kathy Kellam, Jim Woodall, and Tom Cox.  Also wandering the show field and vendor spaces were Reed Matson, Richard Hall, Tammy Cox, Mark and Sue Strang, Ron Pack, Wes and Nancy Neil, Becky Woodall, Sam Kern, and Bob Powell. 
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October 1, 2011 - Neptune Festival Parade - The 38th Annual Neptune Festival Grand Parade was one of the largest on record, with more than 100 units rolling, marching, and walking down Atlantic Avenue with high school bands, cheer and dance teams and other local performance groups, and of course, great antique vehicles from TRAACA!  Jere Avenson, Parade Chairman, drove his bikini blue 1954 Packard Patrician. Viator and Janet Trudeau drove their 1968 Cadillac Eldorado and two of our newest members, James and Dawn Tait came in their 1981 DeLorean. They gathered at Beach Pub for breakfast before the parade and then drove to the assigned staging area. The Cape Henry Model A Club was right across the street from our group and of course several members are also members of Tidewater. Becky and James Woodall, David Curl, and Bob Ward came in their Model A’s. It was a perfect day for a parade. The weather stayed in the low 60s with plenty of sunshine. The crowd was gathering by 10 AM to be ready for the 11 step off of the parade. (Photos and story by Marty Sugermeyer)

 
October 1, 2011 - CBN 50th Anniversary Car Display - Tidewater Region provided an excellent turnout for CBN's 50th Anniversary Celebration, with a range of cars covering the 1920s to the 1970s.  The first day of October proved to be a marked change in weather, with temperatures dropping almost 20 degrees for the the first cool days of autumn.  Pez Bob raised a few eyebrows when he rolled in on a flat right front tire, and then turned out not to have the tools needed to change it!  Dewey Milligan came to the rescue, providing both the rubber mallet and air compressor needed to get the trusty TC roadworthy again.  The group gathered chairs to socialize, with some either walking or taking trams over to the main area of the celebration.   Although it was cloudy at times, the weather stayed nice for the duration of the car display.  maybe we should have hung around, because it poured rain for the main event later a few hours later!  Participants included Sam Kern in his 1925 Franklin, Ken Talley in his 1929 Buick, Dick Pensyl in his 1929 Chevrolet, Larry Cutright in his 1933 Ford 3-iwindow coupe, Bob Stein in his 1949 MG TC, Don and Julie Hobbs in their 1950 Ford club coupe, Dewey and Maxine (briefly) Milligan in their 1953 Ford, Frank Lagana in his 1954 Chevrolet, Bob Roughton in his 1956 Pontiac convertible,  Wes Neal in his 1962 Jeep station wagon, Mickey and Toni McChesney in their 1965 Chevrolet SS convertible, Joe Geib in his 1966 Avanti II, and George and Sheila Gurnee in their 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible. 
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September 18, 2011 - Classics on the James Show (New Kent) - More than 230 imported cars showed up at the new Kent Winery for the 2nd annual Classics on the Green show, and TRAACA had a good showing.  Bob and Linda Pellerin brought their 1973 Volvo B1800ES wagon, Dan Ciccone showed his1986 Alfa Romeo, Bob Stein drove up with his 1948 MG TC, Skip Patnode drove his 1967 Alfa Romeo,  Mark Strang showed his 1952 MG TD, and Boyd Swartz brought his 1964 Volvo 122S.   Paul and Dana Cho and  Bob and Lori Powell were also on hand to admire the show cars.  Thee vent was held on an adjacent driving range, with cars arranged on the field by marque.  A hot air balloon was set up, but couldn't fly because of strong winds that eventually blew it over while Pres Bob Stein was in the basket!.  There were no hard feelings, however, especially after Bob's 1948 TC was awarded First Place in the Vintage MG class.  The Classics on the Green show is a great event for anyone who likes imported vehicles - this year's selection ranged from brass-era French racers to classic Rolls Royce limousines, to the latest Alfa Romeo.  Austin Healys were the featured marque, with special guest David Healy, son of the founder.  long-time TRAACA friends Reggie and Cindy Nash were on hand with both of their Nash Healys in a special display.
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September 10, 2011 - First Annual Manifold Picnic - Yogi Bear would have burned his paws on these 'pic-a-nic' baskets - TRAACA's first annual manifold picnic had food cooking under hoods (and bonnets) instead of easily-nabbed straw containers.  Our picnickers met at the Greenbrier Sears parking lot and rolled out following the impeccable printed directions of Prez Bob to wind their way around the back way to the Farm Fresh shopping center at Centerville Turnpike and Mount Pleasant Road.  There was some grumbling that the directions were in fact, QUITE peccable, but the group made it that far without issue.  More TRAACA picnickers were waiting to join the party there, and after stocking up on drinks, ice, and Subway sandwiches, the group rolled on.  Directions continued to get more and more peccable, until Richard and Sandy Hall took pity on a tour leader befuddled by a vandal-twisted street sign and assumed leadership in their 1952 MG TD.   The picnickers drove the rest of the way to Northwest River Park with no further ado (or confusion), ending up at Shelter 4.  This area has a special place in the hearts of old-time TRAACA members, as it is the site of the all-male 'wedding' of Bob Pellerin and Ken Talley many years ago.  After unpacking and setting up, the manifold cooking contest began.  Not all of the picnickers tried manifold cooking - as noted before, more than a few opted to bring fast food.  New member James Tait chose not to cook anything in his 1981 DeLorean (the timer was broken) and waited for wife Dawn and 'best dog' Layla to arrive with charcoal for on-site cooking.  Prez Bob tried to get sneaky by wrapping his Subway sandwich in silver foil and keeping it hot in the engine bay of his 1976 Aspen wagon, but the wrapper gave it away. However, there were plenty of folks who went the extra step to cook their meals with car power.  Winners received certificates and their choice of prizes.  Best Overall Award went to Linda and Bob Pellerin, who not only cooked an entire meal of shrimp, scallops, and potatoes in the engine bay of their 1986 Buick wagon, but also had full regalia for elegant eating.  Best Entree was awarded to Sue and Terry Bond, whose 1974 MGB-GT cooked up shrimp.  Most Original honors went to Barbara and Ken Talley, who cooked up a casserole via 1940 Buick power and had a toolbox picnic basket and tool-based cutlery.  Marty and Neil Sugermeyer nabbed Best Dessert with cookies baked up on their 'sweet' 1965 Rambler.  Perhaps a bit unfairly, Dick and Holly Chipchak ended up with Most Unidentifiable for their 1972 Olds Cutlass-cooked grilled cheese sandwich.  Other TRAACA folks who came out for the event included Dan Ciccone in his newly-acquired red 1986 Alfa Romeo and Tim and Rhonda Russell in their 1969 Chevelle, with non-members Chip, Linda, and Ben Woolford as Bob Stein's guests.  All-in-all it was a great day and a fun time .  Northwest River park is a beautiful location with excellent facilities, and we could not have asked for better weather.  Many thanks to those who took part!
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August 19, 2011 - Khedive Temple Annual Show (Chesapeake) - Region members were out in force for the Khedive Autos 20th Annual Fun-n-Shine Car Show, ranging from Riley Best's AACA Senior 1903 Cadillac to the first outing for Bob and Jo Ann Green's 1961 AMC Metropolitan. Don and Julie Hobbs were doing their usual fantastic job of spreading the word about our Annual Meet, passing out registration forms to everyone there. Other TRAACA folks on hand included Christian and Danae Aicher, Jere and Carol Avenson, Keith Colonna, John and Marie Gancel, Sam Kern, Frank Lagana, Jeff Locke, Tim Maguire, Reed Matson, Mickey and Toni McChesney, Al and Georgiann McVicker, Charlie Nissen, Bob and Jane Ward, Jody Dudley, Mark Gresalfi, Matt Gresalfi, and Tom Wedeking.

 
August 12-13, 2011 - AACA Southeastern Fall Meet (Bristol, TN) - More than 360 vehicles made the trek to Bristol TN and the Southeaster Fall Meet hosted by the Appalachian Region, with a respectable showing of TRAACA members and cars.  Most could be found at the Bristol Cruise In on Friday night, a weekly event that swelled to more than 750 vehicles with the influx of cars from the AACA show.  Although most of our region's members were there supporting the show as judges and showing vehicles for repeat awards, several went to Bristol seeking and receiving new  ones. Riley Best's beautiful 1903 Cadillac earned its AACA Senior award.  Ken and Barbara Talley drove their 1929 Buick on the track and to the Cruise IN, and then rode on to a First Junior.  Tom and Tammy Cox won a Senior award for their Datsun 280-ZX.  And new members Mark and Susan Strang received an AACA Senior award for their 1953 MG TD (Maggie).

 
August 6, 2011 - Virginia Beach Farmer's Market Show 'n Shine - Cloudy skies and a few showers early in the evening discouraged a lot of folks from the VB Farmer's Market, which usually has a good crowd every Saturday evening for their Cruise-In.  However, some TRAACA folks refused to let a few drops of rain discourage them, and they were rewarded with a pleasant evening of clearing skies, a cool breeze, and great company.  After shopping at the produce stands (one complete with a goat demanding attention), some folks gathered to chat outside while others went to the excellent restaurant that is part of the VB Farmer's Market for dinner.  TRAACA folks on hand included Frank Lagana with his 1954 Chevrolet, Mickey and Toni McChesney in their 1968 Oldsmobile, John and Marie Gancel in their 1968 Chevrolet, Al and Georganne McVickers with their 1957 Chevrolet,  Joe and Jack Burroughs in their 1938 Buick, Christian and Danae Aicher in their 1958 Buick Riviera, Pete and Claire Catanese,  and Bob Stein in his 1976 Dodge.

 
July 16, 2011 - TRAACA Judging School - With our annual meet coming up next month, it was time to get some judges trained up.   Dan Ciccone provided the place and Bob Roughton provided the expertise for our Judging School.  More than 20 members and guests took part in the activity, which covered the basics of AACA class judging.  The school was a great introduction for those unfamiliar with judging, and provided a refresher for members who have judging experience.  It was also an excellent overview of standards for those who want to know how to prepare a car for class judging.  Attendees got new AACA Judging Guideline booklets and then free pizza and sodas. 

 
June 25, 2011 - TRAACA Ice Cream Run - Eighteen cars with enthusiastic ice cream aficionados met Saturday June 25th at 2PM to start a short tour planned through some of the older gracious residential sections of Norfolk. A warm, but not stifling afternoon made the thought of an ice cream cone or food at the famous Doumar’s drive-in a pleasant finale to the gentle run of about 8 miles. Many of the well kept homes we passed looked to have been built well before WW 2, and for our car oriented group, lacked only one very desirable thing – adequate garage space for more than the family sedan or van. We did spin through the driveway of The Hermitage but didn’t stop and continued on towards Doumar’s, also making a pass by the Harrison Opera House and the Chrysler Museum. Arriving at our destination, we went on inside after watching Thad Doumar making cones outside on the oldest cone making machine in existence. Once our appetites were satisfied, participants gradually departed for home after plenty of time for socializing. Attending were Bill Coburn, ’85 Camaro, Dewey and Maxine Milligan with Wade and Peggy Ewell in Dewey’s ’53 Ford, Bob and Jane Ward, ’57 T’Bird, Dick and Holly Chipchack, ’72 Olds, top down, Richard and Sandy Hall, ’51 MGTD, top down, Bob Stein, ‘49MGTC, top down, Jim Villers, ‘71 MGB, Bob and Dot Parrish, ‘78 Ford, Mickey and Toni McChesney, ’68 Olds, Keith Colonna, ’56 Continental, Dana Meadows, ’57 T’Bird, top down, Tim and Rhonda Russell, ’69 Chevy Chevelle, Jeff and Pat Locke, ’63 Chevy Corvair, top down, Bill Williams, ’85 Rolls Royce, and the oldest car on the tour, Neil Sugermeyer, ’32 Franklin, top down. Driving modern iron were Peter and Claire Catanese, Viator and Janet Trudeau, and Vito and Nina Serrone with their two grandchildren. This was a tour that didn’t require a great deal of time, and brought out a good number of cars and participants. We stayed off the high speed roads for a look at the local area, and similar events can be planned for the future. Our thanks to Jim Villers for planning an enjoyable afternoon.

 
June 25, 2011 - Smithfield Olden Days - Several TRAACA members took part in the Smithfield Olden Days Festival, held June 25th in downtown Smithfield. The entire main street of Smithfield is closed off for street vendors, music, art displays, and a really nice multi-make car antique car show. The local chapter of the Studebaker Driver’s Club also makes Olden Days their annual meet site, which drew Tidewater Region Studebaker lovers John and Lynn Heimerl in their 1957 Studebaker Silver Hawk and Bob Stein in his 1951 Studebaker Land Cruiser. Also on hand was new member Ron Pack and his 1946 Chrysler convertible, as well as Don and Julie Hobbs who came out for a look.
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June 18, 2011- Tour to the Richmond Region Show and Swap Meet - Only a few intrepid souls braved mid-June heat and traffic to join the tour up to the Richmond Region's annual show and swap meet at the Richmond International raceway, but Tidewater made a good overall showing.  It was an all-convertible start, with Bob Stein's 1948 MG TC, Neil Sugermeyer's 1966 Rambler, and George and Sheila Gurnee 1971 Olds Cutlass rolling out from Greenbrier Mall at 8:10.  Stephen Spence joined the group in his 2007 Mustang just before we turned into the Rest Area on I-64.  The Gurnee's Cutlass had gas pooled on the manifold, which was traced to s stripped fuel filter cover on the carburetor.  Thanks to some Teflon tape provided by a kind-hearted bystander and Bob Stein's toolkit, the leak was fixed and the group continued on.  Heavy traffic and the unexpected repair session combined to make the trek last 3 hours, and we arrived a little after the cutoff time of 11 AM.  However, the Richmond Region folks had been informed of the terrible traffic conditions, and welcomed us into the show.  Sam Kern already had his 1925 Franklin on the field, having trailered it up early, and Jeff Locke had come up in his 1985 Cadillac.   Don and Bonita Whitlow had a just-completed 1964 Falcon Sprint (as of the day before) that has been a restoration project with their grandkids for the past four years!  Last to arrive was Bruce Sedel in his powerhouse 1962 Ford Galaxie.  More TRAACA folks were out in the swap meet, including Reed Matson, Dan Ciccone, Tyler Gimbert, Frank Lagana, and Bob Powell.  Tom and Tammy Cox and Paul Cho were also on hand. The day was very hot and clear despite predictions of scattered thunderstorms, but Richmond folks did their best to help out with a 'cool' steel drum band playing all day, and a Model A water truck that made the rounds of the show field and the swap meet.  Sam Kern, Jeff Locke, and Bob Stein all received Second Place trophies in their classes.  There were some great cars, and the Richmond Region really appreciated TRAACA's show of support.  Hopefully we will see more of them at our annual meet in August!

 
May 21, 2011- Maury High School's 100th Birthday Party!- Norfolk City Public Schools celebrated the 100th Anniversary of Maury High Schools and the TRAACA with help from the Cape Henry Model A Club showed up with some of their Cars. We were a big hit.  Participants in the antique car display included Scott Davies with Bob and Dot Parrish '58 Corvette, Sam Kern and his 1925 Franklin, Wes Neal with his '49 Jeepster and '62 Jeep Wagon, Don and Julie Hobbs and their 1940 Ford, Dewey and Maxine Milligan with their 1953 Ford, Jimmy Milligan and his Model A, Jere Avenson with his 1954 Packard, David Curl and his 1931 Model A, Ivan and Marjorie Joslin (all the way from Florida!), Frank Lagana and his '54 Chevrolet, and Richard Eberle in his 1930 Model A (Story and photos by Wes Neal)

 
May 6-7, 2011- 58th Old Dominion Meet Association Show- Tidewater Region had a great turnout for the ODMA meet in Lynchburg, with nearly 20 vehicles and a bunch of judges.  However, Roanoke Valley Region had the advantage of being just an hour away, and turned out in force to snag the ODMA Trophy for 2011.   The ODMA meet was hosted by Lynchburg Region, whose President is none other than our own Kathy Kellam.  Great weather and some truly unique cars made for a terrific event.  Several members were showing vehicles for the first time at ODMA and took home First Place awards, including Ken Talley's incredible 1929 Buick, Bob and Linda Pellerin's 19378 Standard, Bill Wilcox's 1941 Lincoln Continental, Frank Lagana's 1946 Motorette, Bob Stein's 1949 MG TC, Mark Strang's dazzling 1953 MG TD, and Jim Villers' beautiful 1965 Porsche.  Repeat awards went to Sam Kern, Richard and Sandy Hall, Terry and Sue Bond, Jeff Locke, Bob and Sylvia Roughton, Kathy Kellam, Tony Scarpelli, and Neil and Marty Sugermeyer.

 
April 15-17, 2011- TRAACA Spring Tour- The 2011 Spring Tour rolled South this year with a flexible schedule spread over three days that allowed participants to travel Friday-Sunday, Friday-Saturday, or Saturday-Sunday and still have plenty to see and do.  Set up by Dick Chipchak, with assistance from Bill Wilcox and Richard Hall, the Spring Tour explored historic towns of Edenton, Plymouth, and Elizabeth City in North Carolina.  The tour began on Friday, leaving just before 9 am for the run to the Edenton Visitor Center for a rest stop and a short film on the area.  Then the group parked cars along a waterfront park for an informal display and enjoyed a 2-hour walking tour of 4 historic sites.  An afternoon break at the Edenton Coffee House and Used Book Store, provided the kick-off for exploration of downtown shops and sites on your own.  After dinner at the 509 Bistro, it was off to Plymouth and the Holiday Inn Express for the night.  On Saturday morning, the 'two-day' tour group left at 8 am (denied early departure by the President's forgotten wallet) and rolled for Plymouth to meet up with the rest of the tour at the Waterfront Civil War Museum.  The museum houses an excellent display of cannonballs, firearms, and other Civil war items with emphasis on the 1864 Battle of Plymouth and the Confederate Ironclad Albemarle.  We were provided with an excellent presentation on people involved in the battle, and gained an unusual insight into aspects of the war that usually escape history books. Then it was off to 'Wine on the Roanoke' for a terrific catered lunch and wine tasting that featured some unusual  varieties.  After lunch, we had a guided tour of some of the historic homes, including one which still has the bullet holes peppering the upstairs bedroom window where a Confederate sniper had targeted Union soldiers.  Then it was back to the hotel to check in for the Saturday group, and then relax until dinner.  Dick organized rides so that a minimum of cars had to make the ten-mile drive to Roper, NC and Mackey's Crab Bar and Grille.  By this time, light sprinkles announced the arrival of a storm front that was threatening damaging wind, rain, and large hail.  A couple of members moved their cars to a nearby bank drive-through, and for a while it looked like we might get up-close-and-personal with serious weather as tornados and high winds struck the surrounding area.  However, the storm passed with little more than a lightshow and light rain, and Sunday morning dawned bright and beautiful.  The tour left Plymouth and rolled through country scenery to Elizabeth City, where Dick had arranged for the Museum of the Albemarle to be opened for a private tour.  The featured lobby display was appropriate - a 1957 Chevrolet that was there to represent the History of Moonshine display.  Lunch at the City Wine Cellar Restaurant followed, with the rest of the day on your own to explore or head home.  It was a fun time for all, and a great job by Dick Chipchack!

 
April 7-9, 2011- Charlotte Auto Fair - Mostly sunny skies and warm temperatures made for one of the nicest Charlotte Auto Fairs in recent history, if also more than a few literal 'red necks'.  There were some familiar faces and also some familiar wrecks...  uh..  cars for sale in the swap meet, and plenty of auto paraphernalia to go around.  Tidewater was out in force for the Southeastern Spring Meet, with TRAACA members Bob Roughton, Terry and Sue Bond, Jeff Locke, Tony Scarpelli, Richard and Sandy Hall, Jim Elliott, Dick McIninch, and Bob Stein showing vehicles.  TRAACA judges included Dan Ciccone, Tom Cox, Kathy Kellam, Bob Parrish, Neil Sugermeyer, Bob Roughton, Terry and Sue Bond, Jeff Locke, Tony Scarpelli, Sandy Hall, and Bob Stein.  Other members attending included Frank Lagana, Tyler Gimbert, Bennie Howard, and Vito Serrone.  There were an unusual number of no-shows for the meet, especially given the nice weather.  It did get cloudy and spit a couple of drops later in the afternoon, but actual rain held off until well after the show was over.

 
April 2, 2011- Virginia Chevy Lovers Spring Dust-Off - More than a dozen TRAACA members made their way to the VCL car show - not surprising, since so many of our members (Bob and Dot Parrish, Mickey and Toni McChesney, John and Marie Gancel) were working the show. TRAACA participants included Barbara Talley and daughter Linda with the Ford-based Good Humor Ice Cream Truck out for its first show under new management, Dana Meadow's 1937 Chrysler Imperial, Tom Wedeking and his 1941 Dodge pickup, Gordon Garnette with a 1966 Chevrolet Caprice, Alan Ives and his 1970 Chevy Nova Yenko coupe, Jeff Locke's 1985 Cadillac, Time Maguire with a 1966 International Carryall, Al McVicker's 1957 Chevrolet wagon and Skip Patnude's 1967 Alfa Romeo Duetto Spyder.  Bob Stein took home the Best Import trophy for his 1949 MG.  More than 120 vehicles took part in the open show, which raised funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  Other entrants included a fully restored 1971 Cadillac Ambulance (it won Best GM Vehicle) and a really sharp 1956 Oldsmobile convertible.  One vehicle in the parking lot got a lot of attention as well - a pile of parts loosely resembling a 1950-ish GMC pickup that literally sat on the ground when it turned off.   The weather didn't quite cooperate, with promised clear skies spitting a few times in the afternoon, but the worst of it held off until about a minute after the awards had been handed out.  Thanks to the TRAACA members who supported this event.

 
April 2, 2011- Deep Creek Baseball Association Parade - Six TRAACA vehicles rolled out Saturday to take part in the annual Deep Creek Baseball Association Season Kickoff Parade.  Starting out just after 9 am, the parade rolled around the track at the Deep Creek Middle School, with antique cars and little league teams alternating.  Dave Curl led the parade off in his 1931 Model A sport coupe, followed by James Woodall in the 1929 Ford panel delivery and Viator Trudeau's 1968 Cadillac Eldorado (dubbed a 'sweet ride' by the kids).  Dick Eberle was next in line, driving his 1930 Model A Ford ahead of Bob Stein's 1951 Studebaker Land Cruiser.  The Studebaker got a bit cranky after the parade, refusing to start.  Initial diagnosis was being out of gas, but it was later discovered that the electric fuel pump had hung up and kicked back in when the gas tank was thumped to check the level.  The parade was a quick and easy way to support the local community and also expose kids to our restored vehicles, and it was great to have so many members participate. 

 
March 26, 2011- TRAACA SQUARE CAR TOUR - Despite brisk temperatures, cloudy skies, and a chance of rain, we had a tremendous turnout for the 2011 Square Car Tour.  A total of 30 cars and 60 people participated, with 28 vintage/antiques and two in modern iron.  The event, put together by Ken Tally and Richard Hall, is designed to provide a touring opportunity for older cars, and we had a good selection of late 1920s and early 1930s vehicles leading the way, with 1930s and early 1940s in the middle.  We started off at Ken's house, enjoying a selection of fresh donuts, coffee, and other beverages as we socialized for about an hour.  Then Richard and Ken rounded us all up and we were off.  The 55-mile tour wound through rural areas of Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, with a halfway-point rest stop at Munden Point Park.  From there we rolled through more country lanes, eventually making our way to Angie's Restaurant in Great Bridge for lunch.  Everyone had a great time, and as Richard said:  "We can't control the weather, but we can control the fun!"

 
March 5, 2011 - The TRAACA Annual Swap Meet, held at the Hickory Ruritan Club in Chesapeake, is the first big antique car event of the year, and the 2011 version was our biggest and best ever!  A sunny morning enticed vendors and buyers alike out for what turned into a completely sold-out swap meet inside and out.  We had a great showing of region members to help out, and thanks to the efforts of Neil Sugermeyer, Terry Bond, Sam Kern, Richard Hall, Dick Chipchak, Reed Matson, and a host of others, everything went smoothly despite the huge crowds.  Pres Emeritus Linda Pellerin set up another bake sale which provided a real boost to profits and waistlines alike.  Some folks just came to browse, others, like Jim Cason, jus barely got the car doors shut on their purchases.  It was a great event and a great day for sellers and buyers alike, and we're already trying to figure out how to handle more folks next year!

 
February 26, 2011 - Twenty-one folks gathered at Greenbrier Mall on Saturday morning for a casual trek to the Williamsburg Antique Mall.  Tour 'leader' Bob Stein passed out instructions to all, with raffle tickets going to each antique vehicle.  The oldest vehicle, Dana Meadow's 1949 Packard woody wagon, also received an extra ticket.  Leaving the Sears parking Lot, the group rolled down I-64 and I-664 to the Cracker Barrel off Jefferson Ave in Newport News.  despite the usual crowds, the restaurant was able to provide seating for most of the group and had us served in short order.  A drawing was held in the parking lot, with Dana winning the tour prize - a 29-piece roadside tool kit.  Then it was on to the Mall, following Route 60 for a leisurely roll to Lightfoot.  Frank Lagana's trusty 1950 Chevrolet had a brief hiccup with the shift linkage that was quickly sorted out, the only mechanical issue on the jaunt.   The group arrived at the Antique Mall to find members Dick and Elaine Tarr already browsing the more than 300 stalls.  Participants were free to roam at their discretion, with some planning to head home directly while others set eyes on the nearby Williamsburg Pottery.  All in all, it was a nice way to shake the dust off some of our old cars and enjoy the company of some of our favorite people!

 
February 10-12, 2011 - AACA National Membership Meeting (Philadelphia) - Philly 2011 started off with an ominous reminder of last year.  Those of us who left on Thursday morning walked out to about 4 inches of snow (Around here that's  enough to close schools).  However, the roads were clear once we got past the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, and nearly 30 TRAACA members ended up at the Sheraton City Center Hotel in Philadelphia to help Terry and Sue Bond celebrate and close out Terry's presidency.  Known last year as the 'Pumpkin Patch,' our group donned red 'Spirit of Tidewater' sweatshirts this year to become the 'Strawberry Patch.'  The change of color did nothing to sedate the rowdy TRAACA bunch, and we gave Terry and Sue our enthusiastic and noisy support wherever appropriate - and maybe a few times when it wasn't.  The Philly group started off with our traditional trip to the Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant minus normal ringleaders Bob and Linda Pellerin, whose flight was delayed by mechanical difficulties.   Instead, we were joined by Bob and Pam Bond (no relation) of Pennsylvania, who are also soon to be members of TRAACA.  The PA Bonds have a beautiful MG TC and the right attitude to be TRAACA members.  (Take that as a compliment, Pam and Bob).  Official AACA activities began Friday with a terrific presentation by Sue Bond at her First Lady's Breakfast.  Sue provided a look at what she and Terry did over the past year, covering every major AACA event, show, and tour with more than 150 days away from home.  Then it was off to seminars that provided information on automotive history, maintenance, and other aspects of our hobby.  TRAACA provided four of the seminars, with Jeff and Pat Locke, Neil Sugermeyer, and Bob Stein assuming moderator duties.  This year's AACA National Membership Meeting was packed, and most of the seminars were standing room only.  At the Friday night President's Dinner, TRAACA President Bob Stein presented the AACA Museum with our $1,000 donation, one of the larger contributions made by any AACA chapter or region and also extended an invitation to our 38th Annual Meet at the Virginia Beach Airport on August 27th.  There were more seminars Saturday, and then the big Membership Meeting where Terry officially turned over his gavel to incoming 2011 AACA National President Joseph Gagliano.  The Strawberry Patch was easy to spot, taking up a large section of the center seats.  TRAACA members traded sweatshirts for cummerbunds and high heels (not at the same time) for Saturday night's Awards Banquet.  The high point was Riley Best's National Award for his beautifully restored 1903 Cadillac, which he showed for the first time at Hershey last year.  Neil and Marty Sugermeyer received the 13th Master Editor's Award for our Mudflap newsletter, and Bob Stein received the 10th Master Webmaster award for the TRAACA web site.  The weekend was great fun for everyone who attended, and we were all glad not to need our snow shovels this year.