2021 Triangle Chapter Activities and Pictures

Holiday Party December 5, 2021

    We had a successful Holiday party after having cancelled this event last year due to Covid safety measures. At roll call it was determined we had 34 attending our annual Christmas Party.  Many thanks to Bob Safrit for hosting the event in the very seasonally decorated Stag Club.  Jean Soehnlein and the committee organized the event and planned hors d'oeuvres and before dinner drinks during the social hour. They also ordered a great meal catered from Piper’s Tavern on Falls of Neuse.  The choices on the buffet were Chicken Cordon Bleu and Salmon, potatoes, and green beans. There were choices of five different cakes for dessert. Riley Reiner served as the rescue squad to recover guests who were lost and obtain tea refills.  After dinner Kimberly Hess made a presentation on her quilting hobby.  Kimberly does gift quilts, competitive quilting, and consignment quilting. She presented many pieces she had completed to demonstrate color combinations and design. Kimberly has a talent for fabric color selection and coordination. Every year we participate in a game called “Dirty Santa”.  Each couple brings a wrapped gift that has a value of at least $10 and must be edible!  We have automobile trivia questions which are answered and discussed as names are drawn, gifts selected, gifts unwrapped, or gifts stolen. Each member is called upon to answer a trivia question and then go to the gift table to pick one of the wrapped gifts and unwrap it at their table for all to see.  The next member can then either steal a gift or go to the table and choose a new gift. This year the vote was only two steals. For many years we have had a “Pink Elephant” disguised as a gift.  The member who discovers they are the recipient of the Pink Elephant has the duty to return it next year, wrapped in a mysterious way again.  In addition, those attending bring an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots!  The toys will be taken to the Marines Toys for Tots drive in Wake Forest.

   
   


Chick Fil-A Display November 12, 2021

Thanks to Jack Agayoff  for organizing the Triangle Chapter Cruise-in at the Chick Fil-A on Capital Boulevard. This is the 15th time we have had this event. Last year’s event was cancelled due to the Covid epidemic shutdown.  This year the display had sunshine but cool weather.  Jack indicated there were 16 vehicles including 9 Triangle cars and 7 nonmember cars.  The Chick Fil-A had been torn down and rebuilt over the past spring. Changes included more lanes for customer drive-thru and the restaurant was closed for inside seating due to Covid precautions. Drive-thru is now 100% of their business, so they requested the club cars use parking further away to facilitate the drive thru traffic.  Gauging by the waiting line of cars waiting to order they are doing a good business. The oldest vehicle displayed was Jim Gill’s 1925 Model T truck. We understand Jim practiced unloading and reloading the Model T on the way to the show. The longest vehicle of the day was Keith Wasserman’s 1960 Oldsmobile.  The benefits of the day were sunshine, good conversation, and Chick Fil-A provided a coupon for a sandwich this year.  Check out Les Tryon’s pictures below.


Verena Car Display June 19, 2021

Dean and Les Tryon organized and hosted a car display a the Verena Senior Living Apartments.  The display included 18 vehicles for the apartment residents to look at and enjoy.  There were even some Model T rides for the resident’s enjoyment.  The display of vehicles included a range of vehicles from a 1916 Model T to a new rear engine Corvette.  Members of the Triangle Chapter included, Les and Dean Tryon, Marv Gage, George Ashley, Riley Reiner, and Denny Oestreich.  The Verena staff provided lunch, drinks, and deserts for the participants.  There was also a tour of this new facility.  Many thanks to the Verena staff for hosting and the chef for the great lunch.


 Triangle Chapter at the San-Lee Show June 5, 2021
Seven Triangle Chapter members attended the San-Lee Chapter Show in Sanford, NC. This was a big show with over 100 entries.  The show was a both an AACA and and open show.  The show was held in downtown Sanford.  The show was split between the parking lot and the closed down street in from of the town hall. The weather was hot as it is most years in Sanford.

Triangle members participating in the show were:  Floyd and Peggy Barnes, Mike Hess, Henry Burgwyn, Dan Fuccella, John Gilliam, Tom Pruett, and Denny Oestreich.

 

Triangle at the NC Region Spring Meet New Bern May 8, 2021

The First Capital Chapter hosted a terrific Spring meet for the NC Region in New Bern, NC on May 8, 2021. There were 75 NC region vehicles registered and judged at the meet.  This was the first car show in 14 month due to the Covid restrictions. The weather was warm with sunshine all day. The venue was downtown in New Bern.  The city of New Bern closed two major downtown streets where the show vehicles were parked. A large crowd was able to walk up and down the street enjoying the cars and talking to the owners. Several fine local restaurants were open with seating inside and on the streets for dining.

There were 75 vehicles entered with six Triangle members entering the show. All Triangle members received awards for their effort. Showing their vehicles were:
Brian Wingler     1988 Ford Ranger Pickup             HPOF       Repeat HPOF
Chet Butcher      1950 Ford Tudor Sedan                26C          Repeat RedBird
Denny Oestreich 1957 Chevrolet Sport Coupe        32             Repeat RedBird
Henry Burgwyn   1957 Chevrolet 2 Dr. Conv.          32             Repeat RedBird 
Robert Simpson  1969 Chevrolet Coupe                 34G           Repeat RedBird
Dan Fuccella       1950 Willys Jeep Station Wagon DPC          Repeat DPC

At the NC Region Spring and Fall Meets there are special awards given out. Dan Fuccella was awarded the Charles Wells Award for the best Post DPC vehicle, his1950 Willys Jeep Station Wagon.  The award is recognized on a trophy kept at the NC Transportation Museum. Congratulations, Dan.

Other Triangle members who attended and enjoyed the show were:  Mike Hess, Merry Oestreich, Tracy Reardon, Fred Harley, Jim Aldrich, Jim Gill, Riley Reiner, and Ron Sieber.  Below are some pictures from the show featuring Triangle members. 
To see more articles and pictures see the stories on the NC Region Web Site. (Click Here)


The Oaks at Whitaker Glenn Car Display April 17, 2021 

The Triangle Chapter provided a car display at the Oaks at Whitaker Glen-Mayview on April 17, 2021. Eighteen vehicles were on display for the residents and staff to view. The event was organized and arranged by John DiPietro and the Oaks staff. The venue was an excellent display area with nicely separated parking areas, Comfortable shade, and lunch including barbeque, fish sandwiches and drinks. Members displaying cars included Marv Gage, Gray and Kristin Speight, John Dipietro, Dave Norris, Andrea Irby, Jack Agayoff, Dean Tryon, Chet Butcher, Jim Schreiber, Denny Oestreich, Zoe Carmichael, Riley Reiner, George Ashley, Dudley Morrison, and Jim Gill.  There were also two guest vehicles whose owners showed interest in joining the Triangle Chapter.

The activities of the day included the residents viewing the vehicles and reminiscing about the cars they or their parents owned. There were pictures taken and many questions answered. Many residents were interested in George and Riley’s model Ts. There were questions about colors interiors and mileage to be answered.




Southeastern Nationals, Concord NC  April 9-10

AACA members from many states were excited to attend the first National show of 2021 and Registered over 200 vehicles for judging. Eleven Triangle members attended the AACA Southeastern National at the Concord, NC Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center on April 9- 10. The weather included a brief rain in the morning during the CJEs and again at the end of the show, but held clear during the judging. Glenn Andrews entered his 1938 Chevrolet Pickup and was awarded a Preservation award. Dan Fuccella entered the Driver Participation Class and Brian Wingler each entered the HPOF Class.

Other Triangle members attending for Judges Training and Judging were Jim and Becky Aldrich, Jack Agayoff, Zoe Carmicheal, Mike Hess, Riley Reiner, and Denny Oestreich. Most members stayed at the Embassy Suites and enjoyed the hospitality and visiting with other AACA members and AACA Officials from around the country. The Judges training was held in the Embassy Suites Convention Center where each person had a socially distanced separate table spaced about 8 feet apart. Dean Cain and Chuck Crane gave the judges training presentations. 

There were over 225 registered entries, with184 shown on the judging results. 98 vehicles were from NC. Empty spots included those perhaps concerned about Covid and those concerned about rain. There were vehicles from many parts of Eastern United States including three from Texas and only one from Pennsylvania. The entries included 145 Judged Vehicles, 23 HPOF, and 16 Driver Participation vehicles. This was the first National show of the year with many anxious owners wanted to get their vehicles out for judging. There were some vehicles I had seen before and newly restored vehicles with immaculate paint and detailed finishes to admire. Many thanks to the Hornets Nest Region for organizing the venue and facilitating the event.