GEAR GRINDER S GAZETTE www.shenandoahvalley-aths.org November-December 2017\ It s a New Record 320 This year s 13 th Annual Tri-State Antique Truck Show once again proved to be one of the must attend shows. The Stonewall Ruritan / Frederick County Fair Grounds north of Winchester, Va. on Route 11 was covered with trucks of all makes and models in their original condition to totally restored to exceptional quality. With the total number of registered trucks totaling 320 the bar was set higher once again to top. The large crowd of spectators spent the weekend admiring the wide variety of trucks of all years and makes. The large crowd also dipped into their pockets to help make this year's 50/50 the largest ever. Friday s 50/50 was in the amount of $422.00 going to Jack Boglitsch, Sr. (Mr. Boglitsch donated part of his winnings back to the show) Saturdays 50/50 was $1,035.00 to the winner which was won by Bob Clements. The large 50/50 s certainly added to the total amount to make larger donations back to the charities of the show committee s choice(s). This weather was exceptional and I m sure helped to add to the success of this growing show. The show committee will met on November 11 th, 2017 at the Stonewall Ruritan building to recap the show. The decisions were made where the proceeds will be donated and start the preparation for next years show. After all of the expenses were paid donations totaling $8,800 were made to the Food Banks in the areas of the four supporting ATHS chapters of the show. Also receiving donations were The Henry Evans Home for Children, the Clearbrook Fire Department, and the ATHS Schroyer Memorial Scholarship Fund.
GEAR GRINDERS GAZETTE This is the official bi-monthly publication of the Shenandoah Valley Chapter of the American Truck Historical Society. 2017 Executive Board President: Scott Shifflett 2740 Old Furnace Road Harrisonburg, Va. 22802 (540) 478-4389 Greasemonkeyb61@gmail.com Vice-President: Don Callender 150 Walk Up Lane Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (540) 434-1466 Secretary: Michele Van Pelt 4692 Scholars Rd. Mt. Crawford, VA 22841 (540) 434-7359 Mdvanpelt@aol.com Treasurer: Glenn Martin 107 Hickory Lane Bridgewater, Va. 22812 (540) 292-1058 oldtrux4me@gmail.com Editor: Jeff Godlove 3023 Oranda Road Strasburg, Va. 22657 (540) 325-9092 jgodlove@shentel.net ******************** The Shenandoah Valley Chapter of the American Truck Historical Society usually meets the fourth Monday of the odd-numbered months, except during May when it meets on the third Monday and July when a picnic is scheduled. Time and location of meetings are announced in the Gear Grinders Gazette. ********************* The opinions expressed by the authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this Chapter or ATHS. Permission is granted to other ATHS organizations to reproduce materials contained herein (except copyrighted materials) if printed credit is given to the Gear Grinders Gazette. Next Meeting Our next meeting will be held at 7pm on November 27 th, 2017 at the Golden Corral in Harrisonburg, Va. Meal at 6:30pm. Concerns Our thoughts and prayers are with Brian & KayAnn Hanson wishing Brian a speedy recovery from his recent illness. Coming Events January 21 st, 2018 1 p.m. The Winter Festivus held at the Alexander Brothers Shop in Keymar, Md. May 31 st June 2 nd, 2018 ATHS National Truck Show and Convention www.aths,org Held at the Kentucky Horse Park www.kyhorsepark.com Lexington, Kentucky Sept 27 th 29th, 2018 14 th Annual Tri- State Truck Show. Held at the Stonewall Ruritan / Frederick Co. Fairgrounds. Winchester, VA 1917 FWD restored and owned by Tim Hoover of Saltsburg, Pennsylvania. Page 2
ATHS Shenandoah Valley Chapter Minutes from meeting held on September 23 rd, 2017 We had a wonderful turn-out for our 13th Annual Tri-State Show in Winchester, Virginia on September 21-23, 2017. Many thanks to all those who helped make this a great show!! We set a new record of 320 registered vehicles this year. On Saturday evening, we once again had a terrific meal put together by our chapter President, Scott Shifflett and his crew. On Saturday, a mock presentation was given to anyone who wanted to attend to help iron out any bugs before the final presentation is given during the National's board meeting in November. Bob Neil of McDowell, Virginia was presented with a 50 year driving award as was "Smilin' Jack Akers of Dublin, Virginia. Two get well cards were passed around for anyone and everyone to sign for an ailing Brian Hanson who was in the hospital and couldn't make it to this year's show. We missed you Brian!! His brother offered to deliver them personally on Sunday to Brian. The Friday 50/50 was won by Jack Boglitsch, Sr., in the amount of $422.00 each to him and the Tri-State. He donated some of the winnings back. Saturday's 50/50 was in the amount of $1,035.00 each to the winner and the Tri-State. It was won by Bob Clemments. Our next local chapter meeting will be at Golden Corral in Harrisonburg at 6:30 on November 27, 2017. Everyone is welcome to attend either or both meetings. Michele Van Pelt Secretary Chapter newsletter editor, Jeff Godlove's granddaughter, Sydnee, learning how to drive a "stick shift" thanks to a very patient Kevin Shifflett. 2021 ATHS National Truck Show and Convention. Page 3
On November 2 nd 4 th the ATHS fall board meeting was held in Lexington Kentucky at the Sheraton Four Points. The planning by Scott Shifflett and the members of the ATHS Shenandoah Valley Chapter along with the Rockingham County Fairground and the Rockingham County Economic Director a presentation was given to the board for the Shenandoah Valley Chapter along with the help of the Mason Dixon, Baltimore - Washington and Susquehanna ATHS Chapters to host the 2021 show and convention at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds in Harrisonburg, Va. The presentation given by Rockingham County Fairgrounds General Manager Pam Edwards and George Anas, the Rockingham County Economic Director along with Scott Shifflett included a power point slide show along with a aerial video taken by a drone provided very good insight to the layout of the fairgrounds and what plans are being put into place to hold the show if approved by the ATHS board. The presentation was very informative and all questions the board members had were answered. The board made a motion to consider the Rockingham County Fairground for the 2021 ATHS National Truck Show and Convention. Along with Shenandoah Valley Chapter member Jim Moore (RVP Virginia/West Virginia) and Chapter President Scott Shifflett, the meeting was attended by chapter members Glenn Martin, Jeff Godlove, Jeanette Godlove and Suzanne Shifflett. The following article appeared in Harrisonburg, Va. / Rockingham County, VA newspaper The Daily - News Record Area Makes Pitch For Truck Event By NOLAN STOUT Daily News-Record Nov 8, 2017 HARRISONBURG Rockingham County and a local group say the Valley is the perfect place for an international trucking organization to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Last weekend, members of the Shenandoah Valley chapter of the American Truck Historical Society were joined by George Anas, the county s economic development director, and Pam Edwards, general manager of the Rockingham County Fairgrounds, in making their case to the organization s board of directors in Lexington, Ky., to host its annual national conference in 2021. The Kansas City, Mo., organization was formed in 1971 to preserve the history of trucks, the trucking industry, and its pioneers, according to its website. The local chapter hosts an annual antique truck and tractor show in Bridgewater and sponsors the Tri-State Antique Show each year in Winchester. No formal announcement of the 2021 conference site has been made, but Edwards and Scott Shifflett, president of the local chapter, said the decision is only waiting on a contract with the fairgrounds. The annual convention includes a show with modern and vintage trucks, including pickups, tractor-trailers and firetrucks. It also includes vendors selling new and used truck parts, a flea market for antique parts and a banquet. The event, typically scheduled in the spring or early summer, has been held throughout the country but never in Virginia, Shifflett said. Shifflett said the Shenandoah Valley chapter, which has about 80 members, assisted with the 2015 convention in York, Pa. If the convention comes to Rockingham County, he said, chapters from Page 4
Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and other parts of Virginia would help out. Shifflett said bus tours will be lined up to take people to area attractions during the event. The national board selects the destinations from a list proposed by the local chapter, Shifflett said. He proposed Luray Caverns, Endless Caverns, New Market Battlefield, Natural Bridge, the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, Monticello and the Keystone Antique Truck and Tractor Museum near Richmond. According to the truck society s website, the convention brings more than 1,000 vehicles. Shifflett estimated between 1,000 and 1,300 trucks would come to the area and the convention could draw 15,000 to 20,000 people over three days. It would have a regional economic impact, Anas said. That s dollars spent on hotel rooms, restaurants and businesses while they re here. Shifflett said the groups that typically sell food during the Rockingham County Fair have agreed to man their stations for the event. We ll help out other civil organizations, Shifflett said. That s one of the things that I really pushed. Shifflett said the local chapter submitted the only bid to host the 2021 convention. It s pretty much a go, he said. Anas and Edwards said the weekend s pitch focused on accessibility and location. They said the area is easy to reach off Interstate 81 via Interstate 64 or 66 and it is centrally located on the East Coast. There s also access to Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport. The area kind of sells itself, Edwards said. American Truck Historical Society 2018 National Truck Show and Convention being held in Lexington, KY. Make plans NOW to attend. Several members of our Shenandoah Valley ATHS Chapter are planning on making the trip to Kentucky in May 2018. Reservations for the camping and motels are already being booked. Check the ATHS website www.aths.org for the most up to the moment information for lodging, registration, the show and convention. Page 5