C L U T C H C H A T T E R REPORT
RIDEAU VALLEY REGION
HISTORICAL AUTOMOBILE SOCIETY OF CANADA January 2009
Happy New Year 2009 to All!!
Last Meeting
On Sunday, November 16th, fifteen members of the region gathered at the home of Jim and Ann Hall for the election of officers who will manage the region in 2009. As in past years, Marilyn Henderson called for candidates to stand for executive positions for 2009, and chaired the election portion of the meeting. Following much pleading and cajoling and arm twisting, a slate of officers was assembled and is included below.
Blair Prior handed out the 2009 membership renewal forms to those present. He reported that the bank balance was $1056.68, not including Bruce Pettinger’s claim for postage costs nor the money received for the renewal of dues. Given that our treasury has grown, it was wondered how the money might be used to the benefit of our members, rather than let it sit idle. A motion was tabled and seconded, to the effect that $10.00 be paid out to each member attending our upcoming Christmas dinner to help cover the cost of the meal. All were in agreement.
A suggestion was made to the effect that it might be of interest if National would let the regions know how our money is being spent. It was also noted that Fred Elliot would like to have a copy of the CCR sent to him each month and this will be done.
It was learned that Kirkland Lake member, Rheal Larose, has moved from that region to Navan, in the Ottawa area and hopefully will join the Rideau Valley region. (Note: Rheal has been in contact with us since this meeting and a copy of the October Clutch Chatter has been forwarded to him along with a note to welcome him and Helene to the region).
A letter from the Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind was read, thanking us for our donation of $50.00, following our tour there in October.
Regarding the Christmas Party, all members present were asked to make their menu choice of Turkey or Prime Rib of Beef with all the trimmings. The telephone committee will be in touch with the remainder. Marilyn Henderson made her usual collection for the “Birthday Fund”, which is used for the purchase of a Christmas gift for a needy family. Bruce Pettinger won the 50/50 draw.
Following adjournment of the meeting we enjoyed yet another delicious potluck dinner. Many thanks and much appreciation goes to Jim and Ann Hall for their kind hospitality and for the use of their home for our meeting as well as to all those who brought the delicious goodies.
Christmas Party
Our annual Christmas Party, hosted by Gary and Muriel Donnelly, was held on Saturday, December 13th, at the Rideau Family Restaurant, near Kemptville. Some 29 members and friends gathered for Christmas cheer, fellowship and a sit-down Christmas Dinner of either Turkey or Prime Rib of Beef with all the trimmings. Gary and Muriel distributed tickets to all and drew numbers for door prizes, which were won by Bonnie Hall, Ann Hall, Liz Robinson, Laura Prior, Pauline Coupe, Hillary Faris, Robert coupe, Sr., Robert Coupe, Jr., Neil Tompkins, Blair Prior, Bruce Pettinger and Dale Faris. The tickets were to be kept for use later on.
The suggestion was made that, rather than using the birthday money for a needy family as in the past, it be used to purchase a get-well gift for Bill Birrell, who is recovering from a serious accident sustained while at Normoska. All were in agreement with this suggestion. Bruce Pettinger has visited Bill since and reports that he very much appreciated our thoughts and kindness.
The usual auction was held with Blair Prior acting as auctioneer this year. Blair did a splendid job, raising a total of $246.75 for our regional treasury – good going Blair! Blair also distributed the 2009 membership cards and gave each member a $10.00 bill from our treasury towards the cost of dinner. Gary and Muriel then oversaw the exchange of gifts, using the tickets previously distributed. Each member called chose the appropriate gift, marked for a man or a woman.
By this time, we were indeed hungry and settled down to enjoy our dinner. With dinner over, we exchanged Christmas greetings, handshakes and hugs and left for home in lightly falling snow, just enough to put us all the more in the mood for Christmas. Many thanks to Gary and Muriel for arranging this splendid afternoon and evening event.
Your Executive For 2009
The following is the slate of officers for the Rideau Valley region for the year 2009:
President: Bill Henderson;
Vice President: Ted Fiander;
Treasurer/Membership/Custodian: Blair Prior;
Secretary: Ernie MacKenzie;
Activities and Public Relations: Hilary Faris;
Safety and Technical Director: Neil Tompkins;
Regional Reporter: Ted Fiander;
Web Site Reporter: Ted Fiander.
Regional Representative: To be decided prior to each meeting;
Editor of Clutch Chatter Report: Bruce Pettinger;
Photographer: Dale Faris;
Librarian/Historian: Jim Hall;
Telephone Committee: Pauline McMillan and Bonnie Hall.
Our sincere thanks to Marilyn Henderson for again chairing the election portion of the meeting and for looking after the selection/nomination of candidates. Many thanks also to all who have agreed to hold office for 2009. Without you, the Region could not function. Please support your Executive by volunteering to host a tour, by submitting articles for Clutch Chatter Report and the National Web Site and especially by turning out to events.
Activities – Rideau Valley:
January 18th, 2009: Planning Meeting and potluck supper at the home of Dale and Hilary Faris. See Next Meeting below for details.
Activities – National:
January 10th, 2009: National Executive Meeting in Tri-Lakes Region.
February 6th, 7th & 8th: National Convention and Annual General Meeting at Guelph, hosted by Central Region – See Klaxon for details.
Adjusting Your Vehicle’s Mirrors
Most of us tend to adjust our side mirrors such that we can just see the left or right side of the car from the driver’s seat. This can be somewhat hazardous as demonstrated by the surprise appearance of a car beside us as we attempt to change lanes, largely due to blind spots created by positioning the mirrors too close to the vehicle. An ex-military driver offers the following tips to minimize blind spots when adjusting your mirrors. Try them – they work.
While parked, rest your head against the driver’s side window, then adjust the side mirror so that you can just see the left side of your car.
For the right side mirror, lean toward the centre of the car until you are behind the rear view mirror mount. Now adjust the right side mirror so that you can just see the side of the car.
Now, sitting in the normal driving position, you will not see the sides of your car but you will see cars on either side, in your rear view mirror.
Passing vehicles will now be in your side mirrors before they disappear from your rear view mirror and, most importantly, will be in your peripheral vision before they leave the side mirrors.
You should also train your eyes to shift from the rear view mirror to the side mirrors. You will now see the approaching car disappear from the rear view mirror, at the same time appear in the side mirror and then in your peripheral vision. You should not forget to do head checks as well, especially when making a lane change.
A thought to remember when following a large truck or semi – if you can’t see his side mirrors, he can’t see you!! Drive safely. The life you save just might be mine!!
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Rideau Valley Region will be our annual Activities Planning Meeting, on Sunday, January 18th, at the home of Dale and Hilary Faris, 26 Tennyson Street, Nepean, Ontario, starting at 14:00 hrs. This will be the meeting at which we lay out our activities for the year 2009. Come, bring your ideas and volunteer to host an event. As is the custom, the meeting will be followed by a potluck supper.
Bruce Pettinger, Editor, Phone: (613) 234-4266
R. E. (Ted) Fiander, Regional Reporter, Phone: (613) 226-5308 :
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