The AACA Melbourne FL National Meet

[Dynaflash8]

This is just a quick post to let everyone know that the Melbourne National Meet this past weekend was a splendid success. The weather was warm and sunny for the 347 cars that were registered. There were very few "no shows". The hotel was really quite good with the food and accomodations for the event. The food was even relatively reasonable in the hotel restaurant.

All in all the sponsoring Cape Canaveral Region did an outstanding job in every respect and should be congratulated.

If the rest of the events this coming year go as well as this one did, it will be a very successful year, and I'll be a very happy President.

And by the way, the Region arranged for four terrific seminars, one on upholstery with Lewis Jenkins, one of chrome plating with Space Coast Plating, one on wood graining and one on painting. I did not get to all four, but the wood graining seminar was put on by a company that operates out of Winter Haven, FL. I think they advertise extensively.

"Let's Grow AACA More in 2004"

Earl D. Beauchamp, Jr., President AACA

Earl ~ Thanks for the view from the top. Keep it up.

hvs

[RoadsterRich]

I know I appreciate Earl's comments, and I'm sure Art Griffin does. I expect Art will make an appearance here before too long and give his views and thanks as well. Art did a fantastic job organizing the meet. The region really came together to support the undertaking, being a member I saw tremendous amounts of work being accomplished by the membership in preperation for, during and after the meet. Our president Sherry Rogers, and our past president Dick Klenotich rallyed the membership behind Art to work towards an exciting and successful meet.

As to Earl, it was great chatting with him at the meet. From the folks I've talked to it seemed like he managed to be a little bit of everywhere over the course of the day. His active presence was well felt and filled with encouragement for all. I know I look forward to a fantastic year, filled with many successful shows and continued growth for the AACA.

Rich

[R W Burgess]

Good report Earl. In talking with Art Griffin in Philly, he seemed to have everything planned out to the "T". I'm looking forward to the other events planned for areas close to my home this year. Wayne

[Art Griffin]

On behalf of the Cape Canaveral Region, I want to thank everyone who came to the 2004 National Winter Meet in Melbourne this past weekend! We really enjoyed hosting this event, our 4th National Meet since we became a Region in 1984. And I thank our AACA President, Earl Beauchamp, Jr. for his kind remarks. We certainly enjoyed having Earl and First Lady Judy with us for this first meet of 2004!

You saw the post by Rich Lancaster, and he is an example of all our Region members who worked hard to make the Meet successful. Rich took charge of our Youth Activities and did a fantastic job with the kids. He even assembled and printed a special coloring book just for this Meet! He set up a tent with his 1930 Chrysler there for the kids to touch, sit in, crawl under, etc. I saw Doug Drake working with the kids, and about 17 youth earned chips in the new AACA youth chip program.

The public came out to see the beautiful cars and shop the vendors, too. I had estimated that we could expect 2000 spectators, but I think we probably had more than 5000....large parking lots nearby were filled to capacity. The concert by the Melbourne Municipal Band added an exciting touch to the event. And Advance Discount Auto Parts had their race car simulator there, with long lines to take a drive around the track. The Space Coast Region of AACA displayed the American LaFrance fire truck that they are restoring for the City of Titusville, Florida.

The weather was in the mid-80's, and I apologize for the heat! But most people from colder climates didn't seem to mind.

The Cape Canaveral Region thanks everyone who came to the National Winter Meet!

[Dynaflash8]

Art!! Apologize for the heat?!! Burr, we went to the Florida Region Meeting in Orlando last night and it was COLD, and it was chilly here in Sebring today, and again tonight. Bring on those 80-degree days Buddy!! And Sherry Rogers, oh wow, what a great speaker. In Orlando, a fellow told me I did well Saturday night and then added that the lady President was really terrific as a smooth speaker. I said, "better than me?" and he replied, "yep, better than you for sure." It was the "for sure" that caught my attention, haha. What a great lady Sherry Rogers is. By the way folks, for all the good news from the Meet, there is a note of sadness. Jim Orr, a well-known judge from New York who worked at this Meet, went to church afterward with his wife Nancy. While there in church Nancy suffered a terrible stroke and even with the best efforts of the hospital, still passed away. Our greatest sympathies go out to Jimmy and all of his family and friends.

[Art Griffin]

Yep, Sherry Rogers is our first lady president! It took 20 years as an AACA Region to have a lady elected. At her first meeting, the meeting agenda sheets were in pink! And she even had a lace tablecloth on the head table! Wow!

Seriously, as I said before, the Cape Canaveral Region is honored to have been the host for the 2004 National Winter Meet! And in 4 years we will be pleased to host the 2008 Grand National Meet! I believe that will be the first Grand National to be held in the state of Florida.

All of us in the Cape Canaveral Region were saddened with the passing of Nancy Orr, and I entered a post under Judges/Judging to give additional information.

Art Griffin
Meet Chairman, 2004 National Winter Meet
Cape Canaveral Region