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A HISTORY OF THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION 1959-2007
While we have heard that some members think the Mid-Atlantic Region (MAR) is too social, we feel that it has been one of the most consistently active Regions for all 48 years of its existence. Not only can we boast of being one of the earliest Regions formed, but we have had a constant number of well attended activities for most if not all of those years. Let’s look at some of the past, and you may see where we acquired our reputation for being such a social group. You may recognize some of the names.
In May of 1959, BILL CALDWELL called an organizational meeting in Cheesequake Park, N.J. A handful of enthusiasts were there to lay the foundation of what has become one of the best-known Regions of LCOC. In that same year, the FIRST ANNUAL REGIONAL MEET was held at the Oak 'n Spruce in South Lee, Mass. There were approximately 39 members present at that time.
The first Annual SPRING Meet was held at the Princeton Inn in March of 1960. The first official officers were installed with Bill Caldwell becoming the Director. The first national LCOC Meet attended as a group was at Williamsburg, Va., in September that same year. The Region finished out its first full year by establishing the annual Fall Halloween weekender. This was back at the Oak 'n Spruce, South Lee, Mass. And set the Region on its way for many, many social weekenders to follow.
In 1961, the Annual Spring Dinner was held at the Princeton Inn in March. At that time, Herman Rogg was elected the new Director. George Tissen arrived on the scene and enthusiastically took over the newsletter. Again, the MAR had a good group showing at the LCOC National Meet in Hershey, PA. The Fall Weekender was a well planned, relaxing social event in late October. This was at Brookdale-on-the-Lake in Scott Run, Pa.
In 1962, the Spring Banquet was moved to the Log Cabin Inn, North Brunswick, N.J. Herman Rogg was again elected Director. In May of that same year, members were involved in a contest to officially name the Region's newsletter. Ben Hochberg won with the "Continental Observer". In August of '62, the Region became an active club participating in the New Hope car show with 17 Mark I's and 7 Mark II's on display (this remained an active Regional weekender until the formation of the Philadelphia Region which took over the event). Again, many Regional members attended the National LCOC Meet that year in Asheville, N.C.
It was a "banner" year for LCOC in 1963 with FOMOCO celebrating the 100th anniversary of H. Ford's birth and the 16th anniversary of the founding of FOMOCO, to say nothing of the lOth anniversary of LCOC. The MAR Spring banquet was held once again at the Log Cabin Inn, N.J. in March. Al Holmes was elected Director of the Region. The National Meet this year was held in Dearborn, Michigan in conjunction with the activities from FOMOCO including a television broadcast. What great exposure for LCOC and the members’ cars. The Fall weekender was planned for October back at Brookdale-on- the-Lake in Pennsylvania.
In March of 1964, Libby Coughlin and Judy Bailey volunteered to take over the Observer. The Spring Banquet was held in April at the Carriage House in North Brunswick, N.J. AI Holmes was reelected as Director. Our Regional founder, Bill Caldwell became President of LCOC that year. It's no wonder that the National Meet that year was in Cooperstown, N.Y. This was the first showing for Bill Coughlin's yellow LC cabriolet and a newcomer Gene Beardslee. The Fall social weekender was back at Scot Run, Pa. where the Meet planners and other Regional members had a relaxing weekend.
More changes in 1965, and more familiar names appear. The Spring banquet was once again at the Princeton Inn in March. AI Holmes was elected again as the Director of the Region, with some new faces on the Board of Managers Chuck Hannah, Ed Pease and Paul Wilson. It was really this year that Ed Pease initiated the FIRST weekender at his home in Kingston, R.I. with a cookout of steaks and all the trimmings. The National LCOC Meet that year was at Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. with quite a few MAR members making the long trek. Again in October, the Fall weekender was held at Brookdale-on- the-Lake, Pa that had proven to be a truly relaxing social weekend for members. This year also marked the first Holiday Party at the private home of Ben Hochberg with about 50 members in attendance.
In March of 1966, Ed Pease was elected as Director of the Region at the Spring Banquet Princeton, N.J. The cookout in R.I saw its second year with more members attending. The National LCOC Meet in Lancaster brought out many MAR members who brought home the "hardware". The Fall Weekender was taken to Sturbridge Village in Mass. this year to move the events around the Region's geographic area.
In 1967 the MAR membership took a substantial jump as the Region had proven itself with many consistent fun activities. Ed Pease was reelected as Director at the Spring Banquet at the Princeton Inn once again. The National LCOC Meet this year was in Granville, Ohio and Gene Beardslee had earned himself a name for showing outstanding cars. The October Fall Weekender turned into a Dutch Country Tour in Pennsylvania to give the cars one last airing before winter. New name on the scene, John MacAdams joined Libby Coughlin as Editors of the Continental Observer.
In 1968, the Princeton Inn was once again the site of the Spring Banquet where Ed Pease was reelected as Director. Ed Herr and John MacAdams became the new members of the Board of Managers. The National LCOC Meet was in Harrisburg, Pa this year with Zimmerman's Auto Museum/Hotel being the site. Tom Lerch finally got his 1940 LC Coupe out of mothballs and parked in front of the entrance to prove he really did have a car.
In 1969, Ed Pease was elected once again as Director. The summer cookout continued in R.I. but accompanied by a visit to an Antique Car Show at the shore. Many members supported the National LCOC Meet in Kentucky, which was quite a ride for most. The Fall Weekender in October moved to Split Rock Lodge back in the Poconos.
In 1970, Gene Beardslee became the Director of the Region at the Spring 'Dust-off Meet in Suffern, New York's Motel-on-the-Mountain. This year also saw the beginning of the Rhinebeck car show but without a special Lincoln class. The cookout continued in R.I. in July. The MAR hosted the National LCOC Meet this year in September at Mt Snow, Vermont. This proved to be a large meet with over 70 cars attending. It was a first time showing for new member Brad Luse with his Mark II. What a beautiful setting; Phil Calder's 1942s by the lake and the mountains in the background. This basically took the place of the MAR Fall Weekender. The year ended with a beautiful Holiday a member Mickey Allen's Showboat Restaurant near New York City.
In 1971, Gene Beardslee remained as Director of the Region with Suffern's Motel-on-the-Mountain for the Spring Dust-off. The Rhinebeck Car show now had a special class for Lincolns followed by a cookout back at Brad's in Hyde Park. This was Cal and Nancy Beauregard's intro to the MAR. This is the same year Brad became editor of the Continental Observer. The Big news this year was another National LCOC Meet in Dearborn but in August. Another familiar name came on the scene during the "RALLY" from Toledo to Dearborn; Ed Spagnolo and his Mark II. Chad Coombs helped Chuck Hannah with judging and awards for what turned out to be one of the best Nationals ever! This year's Holiday party was at Mickey Allen's home on Long Island. All provided by our gracious host.
In 1972, with Gene Beardslee still the Director, Chuck Hannah and numerous others became involved in the filming of “THE GODFATHER”' (look at the film again, ever wonder why so many Lincolns?). Suffern remained the site of the Spring Dust-off but the larger showing of MAR member's cars was at Rhinebeck. By now, the Pease's summer cookout had added a New England Lobster dinner to the regulars and had become more popular than ever. By this time, it was common to find over 100 members attending and many with their cars. Miki was also playing a major role in the club. Members finished the year with a 'memorable' National LCOC Meet in Bethesda, Md. Bob and Millie Auletta showed up at the meets with a beautiful 1948 LC Coupe.
In 1973, Brad Luse was elected Director of the MAR with the Spring Dust-off remaining at Motel-on- the-Mountain in Suffern. Rhinebeck was becoming a regular event with more and more members attending. That same year, many MAR members attended the National LCOC Meet in Angola, In., including one regional member with a 'borrowed' power booster unit for his Mark II and one with a FORD and his dog Teddy.
In 1974, Brad Luse was reelected as the Director of the Region. New active members on the scene included Bob Prins and Bob Boos. The calendar was pretty much a given by now with the 4 seasonal meets and the Rhinebeck Show being constants. Bill Coughlin encouraged Brad to attend as many National Board Meetings as the MAR's official representative. Bill also introduced the idea of expanding the scope of LCOC to at least include the 60s four door convertibles, then later the sedans. The MAR hosted the Eastern National Meet in 1975 at BUCK IDLL FALLS in northeastern Pennsylvania. The top raffle prize this year was a repainted (pretty nice) 1966 Lincoln sedan. Herb and Bobbie Eimers did a lot of work for the meet. Tom and Anne Nale became very active in the Region when he took over as the treasurer as well as our official National Meet Chairperson. This was also about the time the first MAR LCOC-LZOC Winter Swap Meet started thanks to Bob Prins and Bob Boos. Brad Luse remained the Director of the MAR until 1979 when the ENM was back at BUCK IDLL FALLS and again hosted by the MAR. During the 70s years, the MAR also persuaded the National to hold a board meeting at one of its seasonal functions, the Fall Halloween Party in Connecticut (what costumes we had that year). This was the beginning of the National Board Meetings that take place at the National Meets. (We felt that the members would like to meet those who run the club.) This tradition has continued on to present day. This was also the decade that Bob Petrucelli took over our decal sales and added numerous new ones to the list. This was also the decade when names like Bob and Anne O'Hara, and George Caswell entered the picture. Brad Luse was elected as a National Director and Bob Prins ended the 1979 year as MAR Director.
In 1980, Bob Prins continued as Director of the Region and the 4 scheduled weekenders continued plus the Rhinebeck Show. Our Spring "Dust-off' meet was held in the Hudson Valley with the Aerodrome and a Hudson River cruise as the highlights. Miki and Ed's Bar-B-Q was more popular than ever attracting a crowd of 125 with 30 cars on the lawn. Bob Prins remained Director for the next 2 years and the Region hosted the ENM in Hershey, Pa for 1982.
In 1983, Miki Pease took over as the Director of the MAR. The membership had grown to over 250 during the last decade and was remaining fairly constant. New projects and decals gave us a stable treasury and allowed for more fun weekenders. This was also the decade the MAR went "L-P Limousine" crazy. We had 5 L-P Limousines for the Rhinebeck show in 1986. One official said they "didn't know if it was a funeral or the Mafia coming." Miki Pease remained Director until 1989. Patrick Kiltie and Jim and Betty Fritts joined the happy MAR group about this time.
Rhinebeck grew to 4 classes for Lincolns and one of our most popular weekenders, as many as 85 members returned to Brad and Mikes for the cookout after the show. Miki Pease was elected as a National Director (becoming the 1st woman to serve on the board). It was also during the 80s that Bob Anderson (National Director) suggested the 10 year old ruling (as the RR and Mercedes Clubs). This was done in an attempt to save some of these more complicated Lincolns and hopefully attract a younger group of members.
In 1990, Mike Simco was elected Director of the MAR. This was also the year that Brad Luse was elected President of the LCOC. Mike continued on with the Directorship of MAR until his passing in 2005. Brad only lasted 5 years as National President. The MAR hosted the ENM at Shawnee on the Delaware and Steve Hastings became our official designer for meet badges. The MAR hosted the 1994 ENM at Plymouth Meeting near Philadelphia, Pa. It was a surprisingly great turnout for such a congested area. The MAR also played host to the ENM in Ellenville, N.Y. in 1999 and again in 2004. Nick DeSpirito stepped up to fill in as Director following Mike’s passing and John Horoschak took over Nick’s duties as editor of the Continental Observer. Miki Pease and Brad Luse are still elected National Directors as well as MAR Managers at Large. They are all proud to be representatives of the MID-ATLANTIC REGION OF THE LINCOLN AND CONTINENTAL OWNER'S CLUB!!
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