June 15, 2024 Dust Off Tour

 

We finally got to do a Dust Off Tour!  Russell and Marilyn Dean led a big group of Model A’sters from the club and were joined by a Model T club member to  tour of the northern Rhode Island country roads.  The Meet and greet landed us at the junction of Old Plainfield Pike and route 102.  From there we toured through those beautiful country roads with lots of spring greenery to an antique farm in Foster, RI.  Owned by Bruce Campbell for the past 48 years, this farm was built in 1884.  The grounds were beautiful, and just mowed and prepped for our visit! The 140 year old barn is a massive 80 x 60 square foot, three story building.  Inside we saw some fascinating items including on the ground floor a huge rock puller wagon used to move rocks out of the way to create roads leading to the farm.  The barn also housed three large indoor silos and mechanisms for transporting grain/corn into them from outside.  On the second floor there was a huge space that has been used for community meetings/celebrations, with a wall of lights, a huge Moose to kiss if you so desired, and hanging lanterns to make you stare upwards into the loft space.  After this, we headed through more countryside roads and stopped for Lunch at Frederickson Farms restaurants where we could choose from several menus and eat in or outside on this really nice day.  (photos by Bob Osborne and Ken Trudel)

Meet and greet

getting ready!

The Massive Rock Puller wagon

The Rock Puller, another view

Parking at the Campbell Farm

Our Tour Group

Ahhh, the Rhino

The View From the Barn

one of many photos by Ken Trudel at the Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge

Russell Dean Giving Bruce Campbell an Thank You Gift

An "old" car brought back to life by a new member

The Restaurant

The Restaurant Decor

Long View of The Campbell Farm

The Out House, At the Farm

Faux Moose Kissing

Decor At the Barn Up Stairs

Want to Kiss a Moose?

MAY 19, 2024 MEETING

We were again unable to go on our scheduled Dust Off Tour in April due to inclement weather!   But, we had good attendance today!  We acknowledged the very generous contributions made in memory of Pat Howard.  The club voted to donate a Plaque to the Model A Ford Foundation in Pat's honor.  We also voted to contribute to the Model A Youth Restoration.  Mark Marcello, a new member presented information and showed original certificates regarding the purchase of Model A Ford Coupe by a family member 5 generations ago.  Imagine!  He and his dad now own this vehicle that was purchased for $165 as a used car in 1937.  The warranty on the car at that time in was for 2 days!  Al and Sandy Bowder were again awarded a certificate for excellence in editing and publishing the Quail Tales.  Dean and Dennis presented a video and led a discussion of "What to Do When My Model A Won't Start".  Russell Dean proposed two different tours to do this summer, including one to a very unique farm in Foster, RI.

Al and Sandy Bowder receive their Certificate

The guys love to talk!

John B inspects old Restorer magazines

Members compare notes

Mark Marcello presents his families 5 generation coupe documents

March 19, 2024

Lawrence Beauchaine

It is with great sadness that I share the notification of the passing of Larry Beauchaine.  Larry was a good friend and an active participant in Little Rhody events until a few years back.  I personally have quite a few stories of things Larry and I did together - particularly with working on his "30 Coupe.  It is great clubs like ours that allow us to gain good, lasting friends along the way.  Larry was truly a good friend to all that knew him.  Thanks, Larry, for all the memories my friend.  Until we meet again.  From Dean Travis.

MARCH 10, 2024 MEETING

 

We had great attendance at this meeting!  We shared stories about Pat Howard and her long term association with this Little Rhody Club. Vice President Russell Dean is planning the Dust Off Tour to take place in April. He also had handouts available for making donations to the new construction happening at the Henry Ford Museum. Stellar refreshments were provided by Marie Penta and Kimberly Henion along with festive St. Patrick’s Day decorations.  The program provided by Dean Travis and Dennis Allsop for this meeting addressed adjustments to the ammeter to prevent fires in our Model A Cars.

PAT HOWARD

 

Patricia Ann Howard, age 85, passed away Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at Robert's Health Center, North Kingstown. We can't think of many people in the history of this organization who put more effort and enthusiasm into our beloved club than Pat Howard over the years.  She always served in some capacity.  Always stepped up. She loved our club to the end.  The final statement in the obituary online from the funeral home says it all.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Little Rhody Model A Club!  God bless you Pat Howard and till we meet again!

(kindly written by Dean Travis, March 2024)

February 11, 2024 MEETING

 

 

It was Super Bowl Sunday and we were happy to have our meeting at 2 PM!  Marie brought out Valentine’s Day decorations with her refreshments for this meeting – her usual finesse!  Yearly summation was presented by the secretary John Mennucci and the Treasurer Evie Osborne.  Possible plans for the Spring dust Off Tour and requests for possible destinations for other activities were brought up by Russell Dean our new Vice President.  Preliminary information about the fall New England Meet was also presented by Russell Dean.  Josh Gilman reported on the progress of digitizing historic documents and photos.  Dennis Allsop and Dean Travis did a presentation on brake adjustments using an array of parts and a video to supplement the talk.  They got several people out of their seats to ask questions and discuss brakes as they looked at the parts Dennis brought to display.

Dennis discusses brake adjustment

Dennis with presentation show and tells

Dean Travis goes over presentation particulars

More demonstration and discussion

Marie finesses Valentine's Day themed refreshments

 

Little Rhody Meeting January 14, 2024

This was a well-attended meeting to welcome in the New Year!  Heavy rain storms and the I-195 bridge closure only kept a few folks from coming.  The business meeting was short and we welcomed in two new members!  Refreshments were luscious, and we were busy collecting dues and 50-50 ticket sales were brisk!  Dean and Dennis did a “high-Tech” presentation about Lubricating your Model A Car on a regular basis – tips and tricks were part of the discussion that followed.

Dawn and John

Jeff, Dean and Dennis

Going High Tech