2016 Christmas Party

Little Rhody's Christmas Party was held on December 3rd.  We met at Richard's Pub for the second year, and had 42 members and guests in attendance.  We were able to enjoy appetizers and then a beautiful buffet in the Pub's renovated function room.  John Mennucci was our musical coordinator/DJ.  The new officers were introduced, and Dottie Cece and Susan Mosca volunteered to jointly fill the unfilled position of Hospitality Chairperson.  Moe and Jan Rousseau were selected for the Carole Hathaway Burns award, and Bob and Evie Osborne received the Herbert R. Allen award. Santa Clause made his annual visit  just after dinner. 

The long awaited drawing for Al Silvia's mystery gift took place at the same time as Santa's arrival, making for a little confusion as everyone applauded for Ken Trudel - the winner!  The mystery gift was a Model-Leg Lamp - amazing us all and causing chuckles all around.  Also included in the gift were a $100 gift certificate to the Lobster Pot restaurant and a bottle of champagne.  A large assortment of toys were donated by the members for the "Toys for Tots" program and we filled up Richard Mowry's vehicle for the trip to the donation center.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

arrival at the renovated function hall

 

The Andres and the Pagliarinis

 

Dale, Al, Ray, Ruth, Macie ad Sean

 

Macie, cutting up

 

Dawn, our fearless leader

 

Santa visiting with us

 

Ken wins the Model-Leg

 

2016 Donation to Toys for Tots

November 13th 2016 Meeting

During the last meeting before the Christmas Party, and according to the club "tradition", our generous club members brought lots of food to donate to the needy.  Richard and Joan Mowry took charge of distribution through the churches in Smithfield.  Moe and Jan Rousseau had arranged for a brown bag auction - always a good time!  Sparky was our lively auctioneer putting us through our paces and earning the club some money.  We finalized The Christmas Party plans, started collecting dues, and got the next to the last chance to buy raffle tickets for Al Silvia's mystery prize, voted for award winners, and posted the slate of officers for 2017.

We also were able to order tee shirts, jackets,  etc. through our new "clothing and accessories" coordinators, John and Barbara Budziak!

Last minute rush for raffle tickets

Sparky as our special auctioneer

2016 Veteran's Day Parade in Wickford

Several Club members with their cars ventured out to participate in the parade.  Fortunately, the Hussey Bridge, which had been closed, re-opened just in time for the parade!  The weather was good, and the turnout of parade watchers was great.  Richard Preliasco led the Little Rhody Group this year. As has become a tradition, we toured the Rhode Island Veteran's Cemetery after the parade.   We were able to have lunch afterwards at the Homestead restaurant - always a nice place to relax and enjoy each other's company.

 

Crossing the Hussey Bridge

Taking pictures on the run....

Richard led the way!



At the RI Veteran's Cemetery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 6th - The Annual Chicken Run

On this cool, cloudy, and breezy day,  we had changed the clocks to standard time, and arrived on time at Apple Valley Mall at about 10 am.  Ken Trudel took  the lead on a really nice fall tour through rural Northern RI to Wright's Chicken Farm.  He was assisted by John Mennucci and Richard Ventrone in keeping the group together - Walkie -Talkie high tech, no less!  Check out the neat guidebook Ken handed out to the drivers! We filled two tables at the farm for their traditional chicken dinner.  Afterwards we were able to view the cars from all over Massachusetts, Little Rhody and beyond after dinner and visit with friends old and new from the other clubs. 

 

The Guidebook

Pat and Charlie, the family et al

The Moscas and Dennis et al

Meeting up with old friends

What was left

The long view down two long tables

One of the amazing cars on view

A car of interest - a lot of interest!

One cute add on, betty the maul

A Fall Tour to Mystic, Connecticut

On October 23rd, a group of Little Rhody Model A'ers went on a little trip to Mystic.  Bob Osborne led the group from RI Route 3 through Hopkinton City and into Connecticut.    We got to see a lot of colorful fall foliage and rode along past rural pastures and farmland in both RI and CT.  Debbie Barnes had mentioned how nice the ride would be going into Mystic along the River Road, so she and Jeff Barnes met us in North Stonington and led the group the rest of the way.  We appreciated the old homes and the vintage feel of the neighborhoods on both sides of the river as we went through Mystic and by Mystic Seaport.  Our destination was the Olde Mistick Village, where we decided to get a bite at the Steak Loft, and then did a little shopping.  It was a really nice ride and a nice memory.

Lining up on the far side of the river

Looking at the "Morgan" in dry dock

Admiring the view on the near side of the river

Deciding on an Eatery

Debbie and Evie at the Village

Sandy and The Bear at The Toy Soldier shop

Bob and Evie at the Map

Columbus Day Parade 2016

It was a small but happy contingent from Little Rhody Model A Club who drove in the Columbus Day Parade in Newport.  Al and Sandy Bowder hosted a "coffee and" at their house on Jamestown.  We met Moe and Janice Rousseau at the Casino Parking lot.  Al noticed a problem with his car - found out it was missing a plug wire, and amazed us all with a correction in his bag of tricks (see photo).  After the "repair", we were up and running.  this year we were sandwiched between two bands - it was nice to hear music and the beat of the drums!  After the parade, we all went to TICKETS, a restaurant across from our old favorite the Atlantic Beach Club, now defunct.  Lunch was great, served promptly and hot, a nice day!

AT Our October Meeting 10/16/16 --The Fabulous Model A Pumpkin Lesson

We all noticed last year about this time the beautiful pumpkin Sheryl Faria carved for Al Silvia.  She graciously accepted the invitation from Moe and Janice Rousseau to do a demonstration of how she did it this October.  Sheryl brought three pumpkins in various stages of carving along with picture/patterns for whomever wanted them to use at home.  She showed us how to make our own special pumpkins, step by step using tools available from many area stores (and her husband's collection from home) The lesson made us feel that we could be the makers of fascinating pumpkins on our own.  Thank you, Sheryl ....!!