NOVEMBER 10, 2024 BROWN BAG AUCTION & FOOD DONATIONS

 Our November meeting has several traditions that have developed over the years.  Members bring non-perishable food items that are distributed to food banks.  This year contributions go to The West Warwick Assistance Agency. We are also pleased to announce the nominees for officers and standing committee chairpersons.  There are few changes this year, but one big one in that the long time Editor and Publisher of our Newsletter, Quail Tales, have sadly resigned.  A new method of creating the newsletter will be investigated by Dean Travis.  We also have our annual Brown Bag Auction.  This year our Auctioneer was Ken Trudel.  It was, as always, a lively event with proceeds going to the club treasury.  Excellent Refreshments were provided by Debbie Barnes and Dean Antipas.

Brown Bag Auction Items

Food Pantry Donations

Attendees

Ken Wields the Gavel

Ken has a "Live One"

Lining up for Food

Kabitzing

Michael, Dennis and Dean

Awaiting the Bidder Results

Michael shows off his new Model A Parts

Tom Ready to Open His Bags

Post Auction Visiting

 

NOVEMBER 9, 2024 FALL TOUR

 

Russell Dean arranged a tour for the members of our club and some Model T aficionados to a former members farm in Northern Rhode Island.  The weather was terrific, and attendance was as well!  The farm is owned and maintained by a family enchanted by antique automotive, marine, toy, and sundry mechanical equipment.  The restorations done on antique cars were deemed perfection!  One Model T we had seen them driving around for years that looked like a “rust bucket” had gotten a superb, noteworthy restoration!  The restoration work is done by our friend on site and the history of each is lovingly documented with photos and essays.   Lots of trophies earned!  Amazing! We toured the outbuildings and their “museum” type collections.  Some of the group also got a tour of their “antique” cranberry bog.  What a nice day!

The Line up

Members view the "Museum"

The Toys, Notice the Trophies!

Love that Model T

All around and Through the T

More t

Love those details

Antique Marine Engine Exposition Piece

How to document your work

NOVEMBER 3, 2024 THE CHICKEN RUN

 

The Chicken Run, an event for Model A’ers and other antique car enthusiasts took place at the Wright’s Farm in Burrillville on a bright sunny perfect fall day!  Little Rhody members arrived in a variety of their own vehicles including a stellar Corvette and a beautiful Woody.  The food was good, as usual – that signature family style Chicken dinner with ice cream for dessert.  Attendees included members of New England Region Model a Clubs, Model T clubs, and others.  As always, in addition to the food, the draw was connecting with all the other antique car fans.

The Line up

Getting in on the action

Old Friends and the BIG Event

Sitting on the right side

Our VP and Spouse

The far side

Enjoying the conversaton

Getting organized

Remembering Janice Rousseau

 

Janice Rousseau passed away on October 17, 2024.  The Rousseaus rolled into a meeting of Little Rhody several years ago.  Moe, disabled by polio, was adept in maneuvering around in his super wheelchair, Janice always by his side.  They bought a Shay Model A and Moe did many adaptations to the vehicle so it was perfectly handicapped accessible. Jan and Moe were married almost 60 years. They blended in so well with the group!  They both came to so many events and were mainstays in the Archie Project of 2014.  Although Jan was generally a quiet soul, she joined the “Caterwaulers” in a meeting program – singers and ad libbers who entertained us once a while back.  The Rousseaus worked together as Program Committee Chairs for a couple years and Jan once obtained several vintage hats for a club fundraiser auction. She was a frequent refreshment provider and put together baskets from Little Rhody to the New England Meets.  She and Moe enjoyed their road trip to see the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan.  Their daughter did a presentation for the club about organ donation after donating a lifesaving portion of her liver to a relative. Due to health issues, both Moe and Janice had to give up driving for the last year or so.  We have missed them both at meetings and club events and now sympathize with Moe and the Rousseau family at Jan’s passing.

Jan, a Classic

Jan cutting up at Swamp Yankee Days

Showing off her paper airplane skills

 

Charlene, Moe and Jan at the Organ Donation Program

 

Showing off her Headpiece at the New England Meet in North Conway

 October 20, 2024  Meeting

A lovely fall day for a ride to the meeting for an October potluck!  Attendance was great!  Discussions included the New England Meet highlights and 2025 plans.  Nominations for officers and Directors were proposed. Russell Dean announced the possible tour to the Volatile residence to round out the 2024 season.  Many signed up.  The November 3 Annual Chicken Run plans were locked in.  The potluck dinner was amazing, as usual!   Lots of good food, and our Hospitality Hostess Marie Penta also brought a special basket for a raffle!  We took some time remembering Janice Rousseau who passed away this past week.

Getting ready for the meeting

Discussing events

Lovely Basket donated by Marie Penta for Raffle

Sparky out selling tickets

Sparky getting ready for the drawing

And the winner is....

The winningest member

Marie getting the potluck organized

Chowing Down!

JULY 14, 2024 ANNUAL PICNIC

 

We got together for our annual Picnic at our usual meeting place.  This event was a potluck without formal lists and sign-ups AND it ended up being really nice!  John Mennucci purchased the hot dogs and hamburgers, buns and enlisted grillers to help with the cooking. Our favorite grill masters – John, Dean, Dennis, and Tim got to work outside.  The rest of us organized the food tables and got ready or the grilled masterpieces. YUM!  The side dishes ranged from salads, Marguerite’s famous deviled eggs, pulled pork, beans…and the list goes on.  And then, Oh MY!  Desserts galore!  A nice get together.  Dean Travis had encouraged folks to drive their Model A’s and made a film documenting how nice they looked. Check out this link!  https://youtu.be/l8Ai31Wc2PQ

Gathering Together

Lining up for food

Enjoying the feast

the Grill Masters

Friendly exchanges

Sparky and Ken tend to business

What a nice day for a picnic!