Perspective from the Field
October 21, 2009
On Saturday October 17th, the date of the 17th Annual Klingberg Antique Auto Show, it was a cold but a beautiful morning in our big field that should be filled with antique automobiles. It was a sad morning because we have heard from many, many people disappointed over the cancellation of the show due to the ominous predictions of a two punch nor’easter coming up the east coast. The forecasters were 60% -70% sure, so on Thursday morning I was forced cancelled it.
I have been moved by countless people who expressed the same disappointment my staff and I felt, as we realized there would be no show this fall. Every caller told us how important and meaningful it is to them. One man wrote an email telling me he brings his 85 year old mother in his 1965 Corvair because she enjoys our show so much. Many friends have been struggling with us with as to how we could still have the show or to better insure that it happens despite the weather. We appreciate all the suggestions and the creative ideas. Know that we struggle with this literally day and night.
I am thankful to many people, particularly at a time like this, who have worked hard toward a goal and now will not be able to see the fruits of their labor;
*the Development Staff have given time and energy way beyond expectations;
*Klingberg staff in general who bear with us as we commandeer time and space;
*Volunteer organizers from businesses and the community who gather teams to come and setup and run the show year after year;
*The army of volunteers who cleared their schedules to be here working at the show;
*Antique auto owners who have worked preparing their cars and went to the great effort to transport some of the oldest antiques a long distance to make our show unique among shows;
*Spectators who gather groups of people to come and enjoy the day and at the same time help troubled kids and families;
*And most importantly, our sponsors, we are so thankful for your generosity and your investment in our programs for troubled children and families even as the show is cancelled.
The show has been reschuled for June 19th, 2010, Father’s Day weekend and will be better than ever!
Mark H. johnson
It is Monday morning before theKlingberg Auto Show and the preparations begin to ready our hilltop campus. We have 15 Connecticut-made Automobiles scheduled to come. I had two interesting communications from collectors in the past 24 hours that I want to share with you. Roberto Rodriques, Executive Director of the Seal Cove Automobile Museum in Maine, sent an email announcing that their 1909 Corbin, made in New Britain, has been successfully started after years of sitting idle. He sent this photograph of Cordell Snow and Richard Fox congratulating each other after the successful start. This Corbin will be displayed with the other five remaining Corbins.
Ride an early 1900’s bicycle, win a potato sack race, walk on stilts, meet a racecar driver, take in the hilltop views, have a slice of homemade apple pie, choose your favorite penny candy, browse our Antique Shoppe, sample Vermont cheeses, shop for unique jewelry…read about Colonel Pope, tune a vintage radio, vote for a winning show car.
