Senior News July, 2002 Vol. 21. No.  7

 

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Vintage A's: Model A club members enjoy more than an era and a car

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Vintage A's
Model A club members enjoy more than an era and a car
by Jane Fraser

Humboldt A's members Clay Wohlwend of Fortuna, Jack Bull of Eureka, Herb Fraser of Arcata and John Walter of Eureka show off their Ford Model A automobiles at a recent breakfast at the Elks Club. Photo by Barbara Clark.

It's the time of year to polish and shine up ole Ms. Agnes, Betsy, Charlotte, Henrietta or Maude and get ready for events planned for 2002.

The Humboldt Bay A's, a chapter of the national Model A Ford Club of America, has been gathering in this area every Saturday since 1983 for breakfast or lunch. Four general meetings are held each year. We presently have 79 paid memberships with more than 125 people in the club. We come from all walks of life and our friendship has expanded to an extended family.

According to the bylaws of MAFCA, a member does not have to own a Model A to be in the group. The national organization only requires that members have an interest in vintage cars and a desire to be active in club activities.

Several talented members have restored Model A's from the ground up. Others have purchased cars completely restored, while some have cars in the restoration stage. Some members own vintage cars other than Model A's and participate in local club activities.

The summer months are busy times with tours, parades, car shows, swap meets and picnics planned for July through September. The group took a lunch tour to the Little Red School House in Orick and rode through Old Town in the parade which opened the Redwood Acres Fair in June. In one of our favorite celebrations, old cars will head to Ferndale July 4 to partake in festivities starting with a parade. July 6 is the date for the Iron Horse Car Show in McKinleyville. Also scheduled for July in Fortuna are the Rodeo Parade, Autorama and Swap Meet. A special day to teach some of the ladies old car driving techniques is planned in the future. Ferndale is having a big 150-year celebration in August where our cars will be seen.

Cruz'N Eureka Sept. 6-8 is the Ninth Annual Car Show. Do come out to see "The Cruz" through historic Old Town Eureka on Saturday evening, Sept. 7, with drivers ages 18 to 81 participating in this event. As my husband said last year, "I didn't think at 71 that I would be out 'cruz'n' at this age!" One "cruzer" in our club was 80!

Every Thursday, members gather at the Arctic Circle for coffee or ice cream, and the fellows discuss forthcoming swap meets, cars for sale or mechanical car problems. We have also given donations to charities, assisted with deliveries on Daffodil Days, and last year cleaned along the highway roadside.

In the past, members have traveled to swap meets in Oregon, have gone rafting on the Rogue River, and chartered three jet boats for rides up the Klamath River. We joined another Model A club from Oregon for an overnight stay at Ship-Ashore with entertainment provided by a talented member of our club. Recently, three Model A's staged a setting for a local TV commercial.

If you have an interest in vintage cars and want more information about our club, please contact Ken Johnson at 707-442-8701 or me at 707-822-4412. We welcome inquiries and new members. Membership is $15 per year.

Jane Fraser is vice president of the Humboldt Bay A's.