March 2, 2011Volume 51, Number 3

A n t i q u e A u t o M u s h e r s o f A l a s k a

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Our regular business meeting for March will take place at Robbie and Marianne Robinson’s clubhouse at 7:30 p.m. March 9.

Refreshments for the March Meeting will be provided by Scott Hulse and Laura Reese.

Many thanks to Sara Stoops and Gwyn Wiedmer for the refreshments at the February meeting.

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Wind Chills Rondy Celebrants

In spite of the cold, Shelby and Jenna Fredenhagen, daughters of Jim and Victoria Fre-denhagen, managed pretty smiles while carrying the AAMA banner in the Fur Rendez-vous Grand Parade. Ubiquitous winds, a little stronger than usual, drove the chill factor down, making participation in outside events like this a little more difficult than usual.

Photo: Mike Wiedmer

This year marked the 76th annual Fur Rendezvous. The long-standing traditional celebration began when area trappers gathered in Anchorage to sell their winter’s catch.

The Rondy, as it is now known, includes many activities, from the Running of the Reindeer to the Multi-Tribal Gathering, dances, Frostbite Footrace, Grand Parade, Carnival Rides and the World Sled Dog Cham-pionships.

Over the years, the Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska have become a part of the tradition by participating in the Grand Parade and by presenting a car show.

This year, our entry in the parade was organized by Robbie Robinson and included six club cars: 1926 Model T Coupe, Al Bramstedt Jr.; 1956 Ford Thunderbird, Dick Henningsen; 1958

Rolls Royce Silver Cloud, Scott Hulse; 1960 Imperial, Donn Reese; 1964 Jeep pickup, Brian Anderson and a 1968 Volvo Sports Coupe, Art and Tam Isham. In addition to these entries, some AAMA drivers carried honored dignitaries. Tim Godrey drove his 1956 Pontiac Chieftain Sedan with Fairbanks King and Queen Regents, George and Bobbi Lounsbury. Jim Fredenhagen carried Palmer King and Queen Re-gents, Ken Pyz and Dee Brown in his 1929 Model A. Jim’s wife, Victoria Fredenhagen, chauffeured Seward King and Queen Regents Jerry Rowe and Lory Leary in a 1954 Ford Cus-tomline. Gwyn Wiedmer treated Homer King Regent, Bill (Eagle Bill) Evans to a ride in her 1956 Ford T-Bird. Kurt Rein conveyed military vet-erans in his 1926 Packard.

The AAMA car show was gra-

ciously hosted by Cal Worthington Ford dealership on the Seward High-way. Donn Reese and Robbie Robinson teamed up to organize the show. It in-cluded: 1926 Model T, Al Bramstedt Jr.; 1956 Thunderbird, Dick Hen-ningsen; 1956 Thunderbird, Gwyn Wiedmer; 1958 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud, Scott Hulse; 1960 Imperial, Donn Reese; 1964 Jeep pickup, Brian Anderson; 1968 Volvo P-1800S Coupe, Art and Tam Isham; 1925 Model T, Tom and Marcy Cresap; 1922 Model T pickup, Ted and Colleen Kimzey; 1929 Model A, Jim Fredenhagen and 1926 Packard, Kurt Rein.

Receptionists at the hospitality ta-ble included Cresaps, Sara Stoops, Jim Fredenhagen, Dick Henningsen, Pam and Milt Tanora, Kurt Rein, Donn Reese, Ron Watts, Ted and Colleen Kimzey, Janice Halland Gwyn and Mike Wiedmer.

Thanks to all the participants of the parade and show for venturing out on a rather forbidding day. Also thanks to the show hosts, especially Robbie and Donn, who were at the show for the entire time greeting visitors.

We would also like to thank the Cal Worthington Ford Dealership for hosting our show this year.

2011 OfficersPresident: Donn Reese 245-7203

Vice President: Scott Hulse 349-8106

Secretary: Laura Reese 563-2914

Treasurer: Howard Hansen 345-1268

Sergeant at Arms: Fred Scharper

Members at LargeDiane Allen 345-6355

Tom Cresap 694-7510

Tam Isham 688-3671

Past Presidents (10 years)Donn Reese (2009, 2010)

Jeff Hassler/Donn Reese (2008)

Jim Fredenhagen (2006-2007)

Fred Schurman (2005)

Diane Allen (2004)

Fred Schurman (2001-2003)

Peg Stout (2000)

Tinkering Times StaffEditor: Tom Cresap

Proofing: Marcy CresapPlease send correspondence,

articles or ads to:Tinkering Times

Tom Cresap, EditorP.O. Box 770703

Eagle River AK 99577or e-mail:

tmcresap@mtaonline.net

The Tinkering Times is published monthly by Alaska’s premier classic and antique automobile club, Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska, P.O. Box 232086, Anchorage AK 99523-2086.

Opinions expressed by authors who contribute to Tinkering Times are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska.

2 Tinkering Times March 2, 2011

Running Board Reflections

www.antiqueautomushersak.org

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Photo: Donn Reese

Another Fur Rendezvous is be-

hind us (for the club that is). Rondy is

one event that Auto Mushers members

have participated in even before there

was an official club. This year we had

to contend with tight car show space

and last minute crazy weather. How-

ever, we had an excellent turnout for

the parade and once we all set up at

the car show there was a nice steady

crowd of visitors.

I heard we passed out a few mem-

bership forms. Maybe we will see

some new faces at upcoming meet-

ings. We also gave away nearly all the

magazines members had donated - and

there were a lot this time. Let's hope

it helps inspire the next generation of

custodians for our cars.

I especially want to thank Robbie

for organizing not only our own club

portion at the parade but also those

driving Pioneers of Alaska dignitaries.

He shuttled back and forth between

the two groups a few times, making

sure everyone was where they were

supposed to be - all in bitterly cold

wind. Thanks also to Tom and Marcy

for stepping in at the last minute to fill

in for Howard when he couldn't make

it early Saturday morning. Finally,

thanks go to everyone who brought

cars and volunteered at the club table.

The March club meeting is com-

ing up, and we will begin discussing

the summer schedule. I hope to have

a calendar roughed out by then for us

to work with. See you all at the

March meeting.

-Donn Reese

President Donn drives his 1960 Imperial in the 2011 Anchorage Fur Rendezvous Grand Parade. The cold wind apparently didn’t scare the crowd away, and the streets were in good shape.

Chuck Crane, Vice President Publica-

tions for AACA, recently notified us that

Donn Reese and Tom Cresap each re-

ceived awards for club website and news-

letter, respectively.

Each year, these awards are presented

to regional publications for supporting the

antique auto hobby in a positive way and

publishing regularly. We are honored.

AAMA Publications

Honored by

AACA

Contact Dave Chiotti,707-539-6073

! March 9–7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting (Refreshments: Scott Hulse and

Laura Reese)

! April 13–7:30 p.m Regular Meeting (Refreshments: Fredenhagens and

Kimzeys)

! May 11–6:30 p.m. Rolling Meeting

! May–Adopt-A-Road (Chairman needed)

! June 8–6:30 p.m. Rolling Meeting

! June 17, 18–AAMA/VLNAAC Joint Meet

! July–Adopt-A-Road (Chairman needed)

! July 4–Fourth of July Parades, Anchorage, Chugiak, Palmer

! July 7-11–Long Distance Tour (McCarthy-Kennicott)

! July 13–6:30 p.m. Rolling Meeting

! July 16, 17–Hope Weekend

! August 10–6:30 p.m. Rolling Meeting

! September–Adopt-A-Road (Chairman needed)

! September 14–6:30 p.m. Rolling Meeting

! October 12–7:30 Regular Meeting (Nominations)

! November 9–7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting (Elections)

! December–Christmas Party

Schedule of Events

Tinkering TimesMarch 2, 2011 3

One Man’s Treasures

Have you seen this car, Watson?

1959 Cadillac, 4-door hardtop, pink

with a white top. Came from Fair-

banks and sold to a teacher in the

1980s. Believed to be on the Hillside;

would appreciate information on cur-

rent location. Photo is not the car, but

similar. Richard & Melody

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For Sale: Ford script wrenches;

early clamshell trouble light, hooks

up to headlight socket; Rick Her-

ron, 240-1979,

rickhand1@gmail.com

For Sale: Several older 6-cylinder

Chevrolet engines; pickup bed

trailer; Chevy 4x4; straight-8

Chrysler engine. James Garrigues,

336-1821

by Marion BenhamRuth Hill, one of the original

Vernon L. Nash Antique Auto Club members, passed away at the Maui, Hawaii Medical Cen-

ter after collapsing at her Condo

in Maui. Ruth was 91.Ruth and her husband, Clain,

joined the Fairbanks Car Club in 1979. She served as the club Treasurer for more than 16

years, and she and Clain partici-pated in all the joint meets with

AAMA in the early years espe-cially at Mt. McKinley Park and Gakona Lodge.

Ruth was a friend to every-one in the Club and will be

greatly missed by all that knew her, especially the older mem-bership.

The photo taken by Bill Chace is of Ruth & Clain Hill

with their 1928 Hupmobile. They drove it until 1999 when Clain became ill and sold it. It is

now on display at the Fountain-head Museum in Fairbanks.

Ruth Hill

Sep 12, 1919-

Feb 19, 2011

Photo: Bill Chace

Ruth and Clain pose with their 1928 Hupmobile. AAMA members will remem-ber the Hills from our meets at Denali and, later, Gakona.

4 Tinkering Times March 2, 2011

Howard Hansen is always

around to help at our events, but he

came up missing at this-year’s

Rondy. Turns out he had a good

reason.

As we all know, Howard–who

is almost eighty now–is an avid

hockey player. He plays on a regu-

lar basis, and during a game last

Friday, just before set-up for the

Rondy car show, he managed to

break his ankle in two places.

He was scheduled for surgery

Don!t Tell Howard to Break a Leg!to install a pin on March 1st, and he

has been told that recovery should

take about six weeks. That means

that by April 12th he should be able

to resume his daily four-mile

walks; and, let’s see, will hockey

season be over by then?

Anyway, we sincerely wish

Howard a speedy recovery…both

for him and for Barb.

Clockwise from above: 1925 Model T with side curtains up, Cresaps; Al Bramstedt discusses his 1926 Model T with guests; 1929 Model A, Fredenhagens; 1958 Rolls Royce, Hulses.

2011 AAMA Fur Rendezvous

Car Show

Photo: Tom Cresap

Photo: Tom Cresap

Photo: Tom Cresap

Photo: Tom Cresap

5Tinkering TimesMarch 2, 2011

We recently completed the redes-

igning and digitizing of our logo. The

process was necessary to prepare for

upcoming jackets, decals and signs.

The job is done now, and the

graphic artist said she would trade her

work for repairs on her Delorian. Her

job on the logo is done, so now it is

our turn to step up to the plate and fix

her car.

Let’s get this going at the March

meeting. We need to fix the car or pay

the lady for her expert work. She did a

great job.

As we approach our club’s 50th

anniversary, history is on our minds.

We are making a concerted effort to

gather pertinent data from the early

days, especially newsletters or other

records of the sixties and early seven-

ties. These documents would be

sorted, put in order, labeled and put

into PDF format for placement on the

website.

We are fortunate that our presi-

dent, Donn, and Secretary, Laura, are

interested and willing to gather the

information; and we have a new loca-

tion in the clubhouse at Robbie’s to

file all the stuff.

Bottom line is: if you have infor-

mation about those early years of the

club, please pass them on to Laura or

Donn. If you want, they will see that

you get the originals back after they

have been copied.

Fifty years–can you imagine?

TidbitsPaying

for the Logo

Gathering History

Top: 1968 Volvo 1600S, Art and Tam Isham; 1956 Thunderbird, Gwyn Wiedmer; 1964 Jeep Pickup, Brian Anderson. Middle left, 1956 Thunderbird, Barb and Dick Hen-ningsen; right, 1922 Model T, Ted and Colleen Kimzey; lower left, 1926 Packard, Kurt Rein.

Worthington Ford Saturday

night

Photo: Donn Reese

Photo: Donn Reese

Photo: Tom Cresap

Photo: Tom Cresap

Photo: Tom Cresap

6 Tinkering Times March 2, 2011

Birthdays

Greg Lear–3rd

Roy Foster–13th

Sheryl Hulse–14th

Vickie McCubban–22nd

Ted Kimzey-23rd

Loran Benham–28th

Joyce Chace–28th

Barbara Henningsen–30th

Ron Watts–30th

Mike Wiedmer–31st

Anniversary

Bill and Donna

Waldron–15th

March

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AAMA

P.O. Box 232086

Anchorage AK 99523-2086

Photo: Tom Cresap

Robbie Robinson and Ty

Anaya demonstrate a pos-

ture characteristic of old

car show enthusiasts. “The end”