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!

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.