July 16th 2017 – The Mid-Summer Tour to the Rathskellar Restaurant

 

 

 

Bob and Evie Osborne planned an outing for willing participants to make the middle of the 2017 summer.  Thinking that the group would be similar in size to the Mystic trip, they were not concerned when the Rathskellar Restaurant people said they did not take reservations.  They had to make a second trip to talk to the folks at the Rathskellar and let them know the Little Rhody Model A club would be attacking them on Sunday, July 16^th at 1:00 PM with at least 25 people.  Lo and Behold, sign ups kept coming - topping out at 31 people!  The Manager said pleasantly that they would set up tables on the patio for the 25 folks we knew about at that point.  As it turned out, 27 people actually came on the tour.  As a result, we sort of had to have a second table set up – like a “kids” table.  Joan and Richard Mowry got to sit at that one.  As the meal went on, several others joined them there as they had a nice shady spot!  The weather was clear and summery – but you really noticed the heat if you got to sit on the west side of the tables!  One young waitress served all the folks at the large table, and did a fine job.  Onward and upward to the annual picnic next week!  A Nice Day…

 

 

 

1 A short stop at Wordan's Pond



2 Making our way into the Rathskellar

3 Reading the Menus

4 Checking out the menus again

 5 We all Got seated, sort of...

6 The "Kid's" Table

At the End of the Day....



June 11, 2017 - An Interesting Walk through History

Moe and Janice Rousseau arranged our program for June 11th meeting.    Al Pacheco came to show us his collection of antique guns and discuss the history of their manufacture and effects different types of guns had within the history of the United States of America.  Two particular focus points were on Harpers Ferry in West Virginia and Springfield Armory in Massachusetts.  Harpers Ferry is situated where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers meet and has historical significance related to the armory created in the time of George Washington prior to the Revolutionary War as well as being the site of a significant raid on the armory by the abolitionist  John Brown in 1859. This synopsis cannot begin to re-create his presentation.  Thanks to Al for his willingness to share his knowledge and guns with us!

Ken Trudel helps Al Pacheco Set Up

Questions and Answers

Just a few of the guns on display

2017 – May Meeting

We finally had a formal meeting after being unable to meet through the winter!  We did a lot of business and were pleased to have Moe and Jan Rousseau arrange a program for us!  Elizabeth Almeida, a certified handwriting analyst who once worked for the CIA, presented an interesting analysis of several notables.  She presented the handwriting examples of Ted Williams , Franklin Delano Roosevelt,  Eleanor Roosevelt  and others while explaining the principles of her craft.  She was able to weave in historical facts to support conclusions made through her analysis.  The refreshments and table decorations were provided by Sandra Bowder and Ruth Andre – a beautiful and tasty array!  John and Barbara Budziak were able to deliver our Little Rhody shirts at the meeting – they turned out great.  Susan Mosca, our Historian, brought two of the “old” albums from the archives for us to peruse.  She pointed out that Pat and Charlie Howard’s twin grandsons pictures were in one album, and that one of those “kids” just had his first child who is named Charles Henry Howard IV !  Amazing! 

Jan Rousseau and Elizabeth Almeida

Getting Ready for the meeting

Handwriting Analysis Presentation

Examples of Characteristics

Joan Mowry Appreciating the "old" albums

Our New T-Shirts - thanks to the Budziaks!

DUST OFF TOUR - 2017

 

The weather was superb for a dust off event!  Cool and breezy, just a little brisk at Sakonnet Point.  The spring greens and flowering plants surrounding all the old homes along the tour were so pretty!  We started with eleven antique cars, and a couple of members who went modern.

We got started at Island Park in Portsmouth at about 10:30 Am on Sunday, April 30^th.  The tour took us over the Sakonnet bridge and down Sakonnet Point Road to the point.  After a brief photo shoot at the point, we reversed directions and took the scenic route down to Little Compton Center.  John Mennucci, who is very versed in the local history, encouraged us to look through the Old Commons Cemetery next to the United Congregational church.  Little Compton was officially established in 1682 and there were some very old grave stones there with memorable verses along with a monument to Elizabeth Pabodie, the eldest daughter of John Alden and Priscilla Mullin of Mayflower fame.  We then traveled through the countryside to Tiverton.  An accident along route 138 caused us to detour into “uncharted” territory.  In spite of that, we all arrived on time at Family Ties Restaurant.  They seated us together in the back room, but allowed us to order “pay as you go” style, good food and service!  A nice start to the 2017 season!

 

Lining up at Island Park

Dale's Taxi

Ruth and Dawn

Domenic, Janice and Sue

Ken reading inscriptions at the Cemetery

John and Richard going back in time

The line up at Sakonnet Point

Looking across at the marina

Sandy and Al

Monument to the daughter of John Alden and Priscilla Mullin

The line up at the cemetery

At Family Ties Restaurant

Dawn presents Ruth with the Publiisher Award

At the end of a nice day!

 

View a neat video  on You Tube ...  Titled: 1917X...
 @     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmHoUKq0sC8      (can copy and paste into browser)

Uploaded to You Tube on Dec 19, 2008

1917 Model T driving around in several feet of snow. This Model T has an accessory Livingood four-wheel-drive attachment, otherwise it is stock. It is dressed up to look like a WWI vehicle.
Jesse Livingood is sometimes credited with inventing 4WD. His first patent was issued in 1912.
He started selling conversion units in 1914. There is no evidence that the US government used 4WD T's in WWI, that I can find.

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