|
|
| |
Antique Automobile Club of America
(AACA)
by Bradley R. Teets
Peace River Region...
Mission & Membership Information
| Our mission is to foster
fellowship, activities, and idea sharing
opportunities for classic and antique car
enthusiasts. It is not necessary to own a
collector car to be a member. Local |
|
Earl
Vedders Ford |
dues (calendar
year) are $15 for a single or joint (as
defined by national AACA) membership. |
|
It is necessary to belong to National AACA
to become a member of a local AACA chapter
or region. National AACA dues are $30
annually (also on a calendar year basis).
The club’s members bring a wide variety of
automotive interests, knowledge and talents
to share with each other. The club holds
regular monthly meetings on the first
Thursday of each month (except July, August,
and legal holidays) at Edison Community
College. Members receive monthly
newsletters (called “Oily Rag”) containing
local car show information and club member
news.
Activities
During the year, Peace River AACA members
partake in various meetings and outings.
Leisure activities include “time out” events
such as picnics, progressive dinners, visits
to nursinghomes, road rallies, ice cream
socials and dining out. Often club members
will drive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
their favorite classic or antique cars to
the events in caravan style. Quite a site
on the highway when a line of rare
automobiles are seen driving on the
highway. Highlights of the year include the
Gilchrist Park show, usually held on an
entire weekend in April in conjunction with
Punta Gorda’s Block Party and a one-day
Veteran’s Day celebration at Fisherman’s
Village in November. Cars come from around
the state for the Gilchrist Park show
featuring entertainment, door prizes,
drawings, great food and tons of great cars
/ trucks.
|
|
Ruth and Henry Wagley's
1956 Thunderbird 2 |
Lenny Tambasco's
Packard |
Ron and Julie's
1966 Oldsmobile 5 |
History
Peace River Region
of AACA is one of the oldest auto clubs in our
area. It has been active in helping the community
for many years. Highlights include sponsoring the
pier and sound system at Gilchrist Park in Punta
Gorda. In years gone by, Peace River Region held
its car shows inside the Charlotte County Memorial
Auditorium. Later, the shows moved to Laishley and
Gilchrist Parks. In addition to the local annual
shows, every few years, members of Peace River
Region sponsor a national AACA show. Such events
were held in Punta Gorda in 1995 (in Laishley Park)
and 2000 (Edison Community College). Another annual
Southeast Region AACA show is tentatively scheduled
for February 2006. Join the club now to share in
the fun and activities for this feature event. A
national show typically brings 300+ cars from all
over the country for judging and entertainment.
Cars registered for national AACA events are some of
the best-restored or maintained cars you will find
in one place.
Peace River has
also given money as scholarship incentives to worthy
students who have an interest in an automotive
technical career.
Information and Contacts
Join us for fun
and activities. For more information on Peace River
Region Chapter of AACA, contact one of the following
officers:
Local
region’s website location:
www.peaceriveraaca.org
National AACA website location:
www.aaca.org
|
|
Attention Punta Gorda Clubs....
Do you want Punta Gorda Life to feature your club in
upcoming editions? If so,
send us your story and
include some photographs if possible.
|
|
|
"If you are really living... you are enjoying the Punta Gorda
Life"
|
Milton Siepman
(President)