JanK

If you're interested, I've posted a few pictures from the Annual Meeting on the Wisconsin Region website. http://www.aaca.org/wisconsin/annual_meeting.htm Jan K. Wis Region

Wayne, after seeing Mike again at the annual meeting, it's clear that you need to change out the picture on your postings. He's gaining on you! We had a great time again this year also. On Friday and Saturday we had to practically pry Scott away from the Junior area. After seeing the activities he chose to do, I think he officially knows more about the innards of cars than I do! (But then, he didn't have to learn much to overtake me....) What also impressed me was how accessible all the directors were during the weekend. The kids had a chance to meet both the incoming and the outgoing presidents, as well as many others on the board. That goes a long way to making them feel like an important part of the group. It was nice to see some of the regulars again and to have a chance to put some names and faces together for those I had yet to meet. We missed you this year, Sal, but the babies needed you more. I'm so glad to hear that they're thriving. I'll post some pictures when I get a free moment. I'm still catching up from being gone. Jan K. Wis Region

For what it's worth, you don't have to purchase the Adobe software to create a .pdf file. Most good scanners have an option to save as a .pdf. The downside is that you must first print one copy of the newsletter in order to scan it. There are also free sites that offer .doc to .pdf conversions. I've used them for some smaller files. I thought it would work for the newsletter, but I used Publisher, and I found out that these sites won't convert .pub files to .pdf. Bob, how do you do the conversion to .pdf from Publisher? Jan K. Wis Region

Vern and I were also stunned to hear this news. It will cast a giant shadow over this year's events. Like the others, we will keep Kim and her son in our thoughts and prayers as they find their way through this difficult time. Jan K. Wis Region

FYI, the trailer that was recently donated to the library is being used to house the Overland when it's not being worked on. Pictures of the trailer are now on the library website. Quite impressive! Jan K.

I just added this vehicle to the Classifieds page of the Wisconsin Region website. Click on the link for more information. http://www.aaca.org/wisconsin/classifieds.htm Jan K. Wis Region Web Editor

Ernie Screen is heading up a restoration project on the library's 1925 Overland. He and his team are looking for volunteers and funding for the project. For more information, go to the library website: http://www.aaca.org/library and click on "Restoration Project." Otherwise, click here for a direct link to the page: http://www.aaca.org/library/restoration_project.htm We plan to add more details and pictures as the project moves ahead. Jan K.

I plan to be there, too, but I usually try to go to the Publications seminar. That isn't over until 12:45 on Friday. Jan K.

Our son Scott started asking about the Philadelphia trip last October. He really enjoys the annual meeting and was crushed when we told him we'd probably skip it this year. Then I got the letter about the National Award (service, I presume, since we don't have a car of the right caliber) and everything changed. We'll be flying in on Thursday and flying back Sunday. Scott's not moping anymore! And Vern's already talking about who he wants to meet up with in the hospitality room, among other places. Me, I'm just glad we're not driving out again! If you haven't been to an annual meeting in a while, you really need to check it out. One of the Wis Region members hadn't been to a meeting in twenty years and he couldn't believe the monumental changes. It's a great event put on by some very talented people and attended by a wonderful group of car enthusiasts. Besides, where else can you go to talk freely about cars without boring the pants off the other people? Jan K. Wis Region

Sal, I don't know how both Vern and I missed this post. Blame the holidays and too much work, I guess. First, congratulations to you and your wife on the birth of two wonderful sons. Your first child is gorgeous and I assume your wife contributed the same genes to these two. Second, I'll also keep your family in my thoughts and prayers. It's not easy having a premature child and you're dealing with it times two. Almost 10 years ago my sister gave birth to my niece 2-1/2 months early. Ashley weighed in at 2 lbs 6 oz and a mere 14 inches long. She was born at the end of April and came home on Father's Day. You'd never know she was a preemie by looking at her today; she's sharp as a whip, physically strong and annoying as heck. In other words, perfectly normal! I wish the same for you and your boys. I won't look for you in Philly this year; I'm assuming you'll have your hands full at home. Keep the faith! Jan K. Wis Region

I'm not surprised to hear the names of those newsletter editors who have received letters so far. All of them do a great job! Congratulations to all of you for your hard work, as well as your dedication to AACA and your individual regions. Jan K. Wis Region

If anyone is interested in taking a look at the new Wisconsin Region AACA Company Store, click on this link: http://www.aaca.org/wisconsin/club_merchandise.htm Jan K. Wis Region

Okay, Judy, enlighten someone who celebrated a bit too much yesterday. You said you got the letter from Sherm Carey; is that newsletter or web? Jan K. Wis Region

Well, Judy, at least we know where our snow went! It's almost 50F here today and it's been raining the past few days. Go figure! Jan K. Wis Region

I wish I had been able to come to last year's luncheon. We got so wrapped up in the stuff for the CHIPS program, that I never made it down. But I agree with the philosophy of meeting on site, if it gives us more time to mingle. Jan K. Wis Region

Well, if you're serious about seeing if you can get an order together, I'll give you some size preferences. If we're talking sweatshirts, then Vern and I would both take larges. If you're talking buttondown (men's) shirts, then we'd take a large and a medium. If a lady's buttondown is available, then I'd have to move up to a large. By the way, the Wisconsin Region has set up a company store with the local EmbroidMe franchise. Our members can order online, via phone or fax, and in person. All we had to do was pay for digitizing our logo, select the items we want to offer for sale (and in what colors), and then tell our members. Our minimum order is one (1)! And the prices are really reasonable, considering we added a small donation to the club onto all of the individual items. I'll be adding a link to our website (http://www.aaca.org/wisconsin) before the end of the year. Feel free to take a look. One of your regions (or National) may be interested in a similar arrangement. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. Jan K. Wis Region

Well, I must confess I did get a letter last week. I've won something but they don't tell me what it is, only that I need to come to Philly in February to pick it up! That figures, we weren't planning on coming out this year because of our work schedules and then the "powers that be" have to give us a an offer we just can't refuse. No promises, but I think we might be seeing you in Philly after all. Is St. George's back in business again? Jan K. Wis Region

Vern and I picked up shirts a couple of years ago, but I sure wish it was available in something other than a t-shirt. If I was wearing mine today, it would be hidden under layers of clothes given today's temperature! Any chance the powers that be might offer an alternaative for the editors in a button down shirt of some kind? Pretty please? Jan K. Wis Region

I'm using FrontPage 98. I started making changes as soon as Peter gave me my new password, and everything appeared to go right. Still, I think it's time to upgrade. Jan K. Wis Region

Whatever you do, make it a convertible. I love my Rambler American, but I think my husband loves it more (if time behind the wheel counts for anything). The car of my heart would be a Metropolitan, although the occasional sassy MG or Triumph has caught my eye. Too bad I'm a miswired lefty who can't abide a manual transmission. Sigh.... I hate to say it, but taste in cars (as in engagement rings) varies greatly. You might be wise to see if your wife has any preferences before committing to a car. Jan K. Wis Region

I have an older version as well, yet I've been able to update both the Wis Region website and the Library website. Jan K. Wis Region

Oh, and Mike, if you decide to use a picture with your name, make sure to leave your dad out of it! Glad to see you're posting. Maybe YOU'LL bring a little maturity to the discussion. (And for the record, Fran said "more mature" not "mature.") Jan K. Wis Region

Judy is being her usual modest self. Not only does she do her region newsletter, but she also does the region website AND the Junior AACA website. She is a resource beyond compare to both editors and web editors. I know I've called on her many times, and she's always been most generous with her help. And, Roger, thanks for the info on the PDF Producer software. I'll see if I can hunt down some more information on it. If it's as good as you claim, it would come in handy for use with AACA stuff and for some things I want to do for my own company. Jan K. Wis Region

Finally got ours yesterday. Now we know what everyone is talking about! And Vern can stop pacing rings around the mailbox. Jan K. Wis Region

Roger, your comment about creating .pdf files caught my attention. What do you use to convert your Publisher documents to .pdf? All of the free converters I've found online will convert files created in almost every other Microsoft software EXCEPT Publisher. I'm not ready to hand over the money for a full package of Adobe Acrobat yet, and I'm hoping you have something else that does the trick. Jan K. Wis Region