Alfantics November 2004 Stories

A Jolly Nice Picnic at Pearmund

        The Club’s annual picnic was held October 17 at Pearmund Vineyard. Having been tornadoed-out on the first attempt in September, the organizers were rewarded with a glorious fall day this time around.
        Denny and Tricia Broud took charge of setup and purchasing the core items for the event, and many members brought tasty and varied culinary contributions. Chris Pearmund, the vineyard owner, most generously invited us to use his property gratis. Most attendees took advantage of the opportunity to taste the vineyard’s excellent wines, and several Alfas were seen riding low on their springs because of the freshly purchased cases of wine in their trunks.
        The Brouds donated several nice raffle items, the best being a barbecue set from their non-Alfa car dealer. Brewster Thackeray pitched in a few items of vintage Alfa literature he picked up at the Rockville Car Show.
        A fine group of Alfisti enjoyed the chance to gather in the countryside on such a fine day. A wide variety of cars attended as well, with two 1960s cars, a Giulia Spider and a 1969 1750; a couple of GTVs and GTV6s; several Milanos and 164s; and some newer Spiders.
VINEYARD TOUR
Fourteen early risers joined a vineyard tour organized by Sherry and Brewster Thackeray. Meeting at Pearmund at 9:30, they headed out on scenic country roads to the large Oasis Winery, the much smaller Gray Ghost Winery, and back. The attendees pronounced both of these vineyards among the best in the region.
      The roads, through some historic areas of Virginia made famous by Mosby’s Raiders (for whom Gray Ghost is named), were thoroughly enjoyable for the diverse Alfas on the tour. And diverse they were indeed: No duplicates. The locals were treated to the exhaust notes of a mid-1960s  Giulia Spider, 1969 1750 Spider, 1973 GTV, 1986 GTV6, 1986 Spider, and 1991 164L.
        The Vineyard Backroads Ramblers arrived back at Pearmund just after 1 pm. to join their fellow Alfisti assembled at the Vineyard.

Rockville Car Show

by Brewster Thackeray
Ever since I joined the Capital
        Chapter, I have heard about the fabulous Rockville Car Show. Unfortunately, it has always fallen on a weekend when I have college alumni board meetings in New York. But providence smiled on me this year, when not only was that meeting rescheduled, but for the first time in a decade I own a car over Rockville’s minimum of 25 years old!               
        The weather prediction for Saturday the 16th was iffy at best, but it looked like rain would hold until after the show ended at 4. I wasn’t the only person to show up, confidently, with my top doffed. By the time I arrived at 10:30, in fact, the rolling fields were quite full of cars. I headed in to find my parking spot among the other Alfa Romeos.
        I looked for them far and wide. There were about 12 Fiats, including an Abarth race car. There was a Lancia sedan. My friends Ed and Kathy Payne were debuting their yellow 1979 Ferrari 308. But it dawned on me that Bella Teodora was to be the only Alfa in this year’s show.
        That fact was a shame, and I hope that next year more folks from our club will take part. Show attendees had a lot of interest in the international cars, and I think any pre-1980 Alfa would have been surrounded by admirers and curious folks. I ran into Denny Broud at the show; he shared the excellent suggestion that the Club should next year offer to pay the $10 registration fee for the first five eligible owners who volunteer their cars. That way at least Alfa would not go unrepresented.
        The show is well worth attending if you have any interest in cars whatsoever. There were some car show staples: 1950s Cadillacs, Thuderbirds, and Model As, plus an impressive array of Packards. There were a lot of older cars, going back to the Brass Era, and some very rare ones, like a 1954 Kaiser Darrin convertible, a Thunderbird alternative with doors sliding into its front fenders. Fewer than 500 were made. There was a good smattering of BMWs, Mercedes SLs, VW Bugs and buses, and a rare Czech Skoda cabriolet.
        Vendors sold everything car related that you could ever desire. I bought a group of 1:18 VW models (no Alfas were offered) and a pile of 1970s Alfa literature.
        The weather turned out to be a bit rockier than anticipated. It started to drizzle before noon. I had left an old Brownie Camera and some 1961 Road & Track and Saturday Evening Post magazines on the seat for nostalgia’s sake, so I rushed to salvage these. Ed Payne helped me get the top up as the rain became steadier.
        A quarter of the cars left as the rain intensified. Other owners erected tarps or raised tops. Our patience was rewarded, as the rain stopped within an hour and the sun broke through. I really felt for the poor vendors, who had had to put away all their wares, then had to dry the tables and put them back out for a much diminished crowd. I ran into Les Smith during my second round of the vendor booths.
        The afternoon was lovely until about 3:45. I was chatting with Brian Epstein from our Chapter when the rain came back. This time it was even harder so we all took off.
        Bella Teodora has a rain curse. She survived her inaugural run to Appomattox on the Spring Backroads Ramble only because our hosts at Spring Grove Farm loaned me their barn, and on the way back, I was able to take shelter on the crush pad at Pearmund Vineyards. Heading to the swap meet at Stahlman’s in York, Pa., it drizzled incessantly. These were both before I had a functioning top at all. On the way to New Hampshire for the AROC convention, Sherry and I were caught in a horrific deluge that lasted all through New Jersey, and the concours at that show was rained out. Now Rockville. Will organizers start to fear the curse of Bella T?
                Rather than take a risk, Sherry and I drove Marlena the 164 to the wine tour and picnic the day after Rockville, while Bella bonded with the dehumidifier in her garage. 

October Meeting Minutes

 
By Bob Kleinfeld, Secretary
With the usual 20-25 stalwarts
                present, Vice President Sherry Thackeray called the Capital Chapter’s October 4th meeting to order at Ristorante Vicino in Silver Spring.
        Sherry first informed us that President John Kay was well and was traveling in the United Kingdom, undoubtedly brushing up on British witticisms to spring on us at the November meeting. He was surely enjoying the sight of all those Alfas we can’t buy here dashing about the UK.
        Following introductions, Sherry related that the Pearmund Vineyards venue planned for the picnic had suffered serious damage in the September 18th fringe of the hurricane that so badly ravaged the South. The picnic was rescheduled for October 17.
        Before the meeting, Sherry had routed around a catalog from the recent Radnor Hunt Concours in Pennsylvania on the weekend of September 10th through 12th. Our own Harlan Hadley judged in the concours and advises that next year’s event will focus on Ferraris; this year’s focus was on Bugattis. Making next year’s concours a club event is under consideration.
        Sherry encouraged owners to celebrate the Jubilee year of the Giulietta by uncovering their precious older Alfas and showing them at the Rockville Car Show on Oct. 16. 
        On Sunday, November 7th, the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Ferrari Club, in concert with the Alfa Romeo Club, is running its Southern Maryland Fall Foliage Rally and Luncheon (see Page 5). Beginning with a continental breakfast at the home of hosts Mark, Jean, and Ryan Blace on the shore of the Patuxent River, the tour will run for about 2 ½ hours through scenic back roads and will end at the Old Field Inn in Prince Frederick. Previous Fall Foliage Rallies have been well populated with interesting cars such as gull-wing Mercedes and, naturally, numerous Ferraris as well as an Alfa cadre. Those who have been in past years say it is outstanding value.
        Sherry issued a plea for a place where the chapter can hold its annual Christmas party. The Morrison home is no longer available to us and Bill Burrows’ Baltimore Studio is a bit expensive ($800) for the likes of frugal Alfisti. Ideas? Time is short!
        The long sought Treasurer’s report is finally in the works. Sherry discussed some of the steps taken to date, with the bottom line being that we have a volunteer accountant (Dana Kern) working on the books and have a balance of about $1,200. That will be depleted somewhat because Brewster Thackeray is owed about $450 for expenses attendant to the last two newsletters but, of course, we receive dues split money from AROC, which should help to replenish the club treasury.
        Dana is preparing letters to some advertisers to recover some advertising revenues for which invoices were never sent. We’re also planning a campaign to solicit advertising from non-automotive businesses related to things Italian, such as restaurants. Dana is also working on a chapter budget based on the last five years of expenses and income.
        Continuing on the subject of our treasury, Denny Broud briefly recapped a special executive committee meeting held at the Thackerays’ home to discuss the treasury situation, and to evolve a plan to prevent a recurrence. We learned there that former Treasurer Gene Kessler may be owed as much as $3,400, which makes our $1,200 balance look a bit less impressive. Adding to this problem, Denny – as Social Coordinator — needs a budget for the holiday party!
        Sherry described how previous parties have been funded. Various members have contributed dishes while Precision Import Service has covered the cost of alcoholic beverages.
        Wrapping up the treasury discussion, Sherry noted that Dana would be at the picnic to answer questions on the subject that weren’t dealt with here.
        Arising from the foregoing conversations about how the treasury situation became the quagmire it is, Jonathan Beltz suggested that job descriptions for the various chapter officers should be in place so that obligations such as invoicing aren’t overlooked. Jonathan volunteered to write the job descriptions, and Sherry will search for the chapter charter, which may already contain some of the needed job descriptions.
        With a reminder that the next meeting will be held on November 1st at Chiapparelli’s in Baltimore, Sherry adjourned the meeting.
November Meeting:
Monday, Nov. 1
Chiapparelli’s
Baltimore, MD
If something goes well once, what can
        you do? Repeat it!
        We held our August meeting at Chiapperelli’s Restaurant in Baltimore, Md.’s Little Italy. The restaurant was extraordinarily accommodating, putting us in a lovely upstairs private room with an amazing view: out the window to the street where they set aside parking in their private zone for about six Alfas! It was great fun to watch passers-by check out this most Italian of makes in Little Italy.
        Arrive early if you want to get some of that rock star parking. On a Monday night it won’t be hard to find street parking if you arrive later.
        The  directions are on the back cover. Look forward to a particularly fun meeting, where we will share tales from the past month’s events.
        Brewster Thackeray will share 1970s Alfa Romeo literature and discuss Alfa’s marketing efforts in that decade.
Seeking New Alfantics Editor
Dear Fellow Capital Alfisti:
        I have greatly enjoyed editing your newsletter since February 2001, and serving the membership of this fine club. It’s a highly rewarding (though time-consuming) position.
        I start a new job at AARP next month and don’t anticipate having the time to do justice to this effort to the level I have to date. I have been putting in about 12 hours a month, not a huge amount, but just time I no longer have.
        There is potential for this newsletter to do much more--to feature original articles and serve the club more impressively. I am sure there is someone in our membership who will see this as an exciting challenge and opportunity.
        Please contact me or Club President John Kay to discuss this. I can fill you in on the rigors of the position. And the FUN of it!
        I would like to find a replacement as soon as possible, and I pledge to work with that person to teach them the ropes and share my files and knowledge. Executive Editor Bob Kleinfeld has volunteered to continue taking care of language editing even after he moves to Colorado next year, so we’re covered for at least that much.
        I look forward to working with the Club in myriad ways in the years ahead.
--Brewster Thackeray

Upcoming Events

Il Calendario

NOVEMBER DINNER MEETING
Monday, October 4
Chiapparelli’s, Baltimore
Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Meeting starts at 8 but many will arrive earlier. We’ll be upstairs in a private room.
Chiapparelli’s, 237 S. High St.,
Baltimore, Md. 410/837-0309.
Directions:
95 from Washington, D.C.:
Follow signs to Downtown via 395 North. Turn right onto Pratt Street, right on S. Exeter Street (immediately after S. High). Go two blocks to Fawn Street. Turn right on Fawn, right on S. High Street. Located on the corner of Fawn and S. High.
95 from the North:
Take the Eastern Avenue exit (before the tunnel). Go towards Highland Town and the City (approximately five miles). Turn right onto S. High Street. Located on the corner of Fawn and S. High.
FERRARI CLUB TOUR OF THE EASTERN SHORE; ALFAS
HEARTILY INVITED!
Sunday, November 7.
Contact Mark Blace, 410/414-3996, or blacefamily@chesapeake.net.  $40 per person should be sent in to arrive by Nov. 3. A great chance to join our high-horsepower cousins on some stunning roads!
CHAPTER HOLIDAY PARTY
December, date TBD
Location TBD
Do you have a great suggestion for a location? Ideally, it should be someplace central, so members coming from Northern Virginia, Baltimore, Washington, and throughout our region can attend. Good parking is key. The space should accommodate a friendly crew of 40+ Alfisti. So if you or anyone you know has a suitable chateau... please contact Sherry at 703/807-0798 or TwoThacks@aol.com. Thanks!
Looking for a chateau;
21 rooms but one will do
Looking for a chateau
21 rooms but one will do
I don’t want to buy it;
I just want to rent it for an hour or two
--The Grateful Dead, singing about our club’s holiday party.

CAPITAL CHAPTER
AROC OFFICERS

President: John Kay
7309 Delfield Street
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
301/652-6287
john.a.kay@verizon.net

Vice President: Sherry Thackeray
2117 North Dinwiddie St.
Arlington, VA 22207
703/807-0798
sherrylmcc@aol.com

Secretary: Bob Kleinfeld
1682 Cedar Hollow Way
Reston, VA 20194-1727
AlfaBob@comcast.net
703/437-0899

Treasurer: Eugene Kessler

Acting Treasurer: Dana Kern

Librarian: Jack Chesley
1707 Crestwood Drive
Alexandria, VA 22302
703/931-5090
jack@jchesley.com

Social Coordinator:
Denny Broud, DennisBroud@aol.com

Technical Assistance:
Les Smith, 540/347-1305

Newsletter Editor:Brewster Thackeray
2117 North Dinwiddie St.
Arlington, VA 22207
703/807-0798
brewthack@aol.com

Executive Editor:  Bob Kleinfeld
 

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Alfantics is the official publication of the Capital Chapter of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club (AROC). Local membership and a subscription to this newsletter is included in the annual AROC membership fee of $60. (details at www.aroc-usa.org).