January of '08, a new year is upon us.  Our monthly meeting was cancelled due to inclement weather (snow).  I contacted our Director, Bob Losco, and had informed him, if we are going to have a show, we should reschedule our meeting.  He agreed.  After all the contacts were made, it came to be.

We had our meeting to discuss the upcoming show, which was to be held in May.  Not really enough time to prepare, but I was extremely confident of  our Region, to pull off a show in 3 months.

There were only a few meetings with the Royal Cadillac-Hummer management. But with the committee that I had, they were very successful meetings.

A lot of venues were contacted as the show season approached.  I know for a fact, every old car enthusiast, including myself, had a bad case of cabin fever and were itching to get their cars out for an early exercise for the season ahead.

Fast forward to May, the early part of the week was beautiful, but the latter part, was kinda, well, WET!  The club and myself were getting kind of nervous.  But as they say "the show must go on".

Go on it did, some clouds and wet roads greeted every car owner that morning.  As the day went on, the Sun Gods showed up.  It was a BEAUTIFUL day, and the cars started rolling in. A wonderful time was had by all who attended. Good food, music and cars made the whole day come together.

Can't wait till next year, it will be bigger and better!

I would at this time to extend a multitude of thanks for all the volunteers that helped out that day.  No names are mentioned, but you know who you are.

I would like to say this, OUR thanks goes to Royal Cadillac-Hummer for supplying their establishment to help our Region have such a wonderful day.

With Sincerest Regards,

Joe Manna

Your 2008 Show Chairman

May 10, 2008.  The day before Mother's Day doesn't start off as the optimum date for a car show.  But a closer inspection of established old car events in the New Jersey area shows a crowded calendar with many difficult choices.  In the end a decision was made to hope for the best.

 

In the end, things worked out pretty well, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.  After last year's pioneering effort with Joe Mitolo and Royal Cadillac-Hummer, both our club and the dealer seemed happy with the result.  Royal Cadillac sold some cars.  The RRR gained quite a few new friends and began to convert these new friends to valuable members.  Joe Mitolo queried if we could put on a show to host his spring selling season.  Our members have a tendency to hibernate in cold workshops during the winter.  We have  proclivity to act as automotive hunter-gatherers in the spring.  This gives us no prep time to put together an event of this magnitude.

 

Then along came the new kid on the block.  Joe Manna, in the short time that he has been a RRR member, he has done an incredible job of showing us his mettle.  When Bob Losco asked Joe Manna for help with Royal '08,  Joe Manna merely gave a cool nod.  Bob Losco knew that the situation was well in hand.

 

Many meetings and many decisions ensued.  Jumping into the committee with both feet were Jay Raskin, Bob Losco and Darren Muso.  Pat Caruso, already stretched thin by other activities showed his worth by being exactly where he was needed whenever a need arose.   Waiting in the wings, back-up was served by Chris Pozarycki and a host of regular volunteers. 

 

All the tea in China...   All the preparation  in the world can't intimidate Mother Nature.  When Joe Mitolo guaranteed no rain, the naysayers at the weather bureau tended to differ.  Early risers were greeted to copious puddles on secondary roads.  By 8 am most major highways were dry.  This was not the case at the well worn parking lot of Royal Cadillac-Hummer.  Committee heads braced for the worst.  The worst didn't happen.  Antique vehicle owners are a very adaptable breed of human being.  They can find enough dry ground to alight the largest vehicles Detroit produced, even when dry ground doesn't seem to exist.  Not only did well over 100 seasoned enthusiasts find dry purchase for their landyachts(?), they did so without a whimper.  Friday's drenching rain accomplished its goals:  it clean the air of pollen and made the antiques (and customs) (and hot rods) more resplendent on the freshly washed parking lot.  The copious cloud cover diminished only the effect of the sun's harmful UV radiation.  How's that for a silver lining?

 

All the numbers have yet to be finalized.  Ralph Messina's accounting team did a wonderful job of totaling ballots, enabling a speedy awards presentation.  The management of Royal Cadillac-Hummer were presented with a signed print of the limited edition CLC commemorative poster.  

 

There are a few facts about Royal '08 that are irrefutable.  Joe Manna instilled a spirit of cooperation in all who participated in this event.  Joe's spirit and determination never showed anything but a positive attitude.  As much as Joe Mitolo was tongue-in-cheek about guaranteeing the weather, Joe Manna was right on the money in presenting an indefatigable motivation that he was able to communicate to all the workers and participants. 

 

The Raritan River Region continues to be proud of all its members.  Royal '08 gave us a unique perspective of exposure to the old car hobby.  Joe Manna helped us fjord many bridges to appreciate a new perspective.