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1 !"#$%&'(!&#)(*&+,'-+ ).(!/0+10 Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska!"#$%&"#'(!")%* Volume 53, Number 4 MARGARET A. HEAVEN August 2, 1943 March 23, 2013 Margaret A. Heaven, 69, died peacefully of cancer at Mat-Su Regional Hospital on March 23, Margaret was born August 2, 1943 to Hugh and Leona Johnson in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. In 1949 she moved to Palmer, Alaska with her parents and two siblings. Her father worked for the Alaska Agricultural Department in Palmer. He authored a book, "Matanuska Valley Memoirs" about Matanuska area colonists and the agricultural program in the Matanuska Valley. In 1955 her family moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts and then to Arlington, Virginia. She attended schools in Palmer, Alaska, Arlington, Virginia and Colorado State College in Greeley, Colorado where she became a teacher. She taught in Tucumcari, New Mexico briefly, then moved to Wasilla, Alaska, where she taught health and physical education for several years. In Wasilla, she met her husband, LeRoi Heaven. They were married Dec 21, 1968 and settled in the home he built (which he later smilingly referred to as his "wife trap") off Fairview Loop. LeRoi and Margaret greatly loved the Valley. LeRoi was active in many local activities including the Wasilla Historical Society, the museum, the library, and the Historical Preservation Commission. He also ran the Wasilla Farmer's Market. Both he and Margaret had a great desire to preserve the historical and agricultural heritage of the Valley. In 1976 their son, Troy Bradley Heaven, was born. Margaret helped LeRoi in his Amway business and was a homemaker while Troy was growing up. Later she worked as a computer technician for three years, and for many years as a computer teacher in the Wasilla elementary schools. In the summers, she worked at the Mat-Su Visitor Center. Margaret and LeRoi enjoyed 42 years of a very happy marriage, sharing their time, their energy, their giving spirits, their love and joy with countless people. They offered their beautiful 40-acre parcel of farmland (on which they grew potatoes and hay) for numerous activities, including school outings, picnics, and hayrides. In 2008, Margaret and LeRoi achieved a dream when their hayfield was preserved in the Alaska Farmland Trust so that it would always remain farmland. LeRoi and Margaret were chosen as the 2008 Grand Marshalls for the Wasilla July 4th parade, to honor them for their community work. In 2009 the Alaska State Legislature presented them with a certificate "Honoring Le- Roi and Margaret Heaven...for their numerous contributions to, and hard work on behalf of their community." Margaret and LeRoi loved to gather friends together for special occasions, and their hospitality, generosity, loving and giving natures are wellknown throughout the Valley. They touched countless lives, and had a huge number of friends over many years. Many who met them only once said they were touched in a way that remained with them. After LeRoi's death in September 2010, Margaret was an inspiration as she stepped into Valley endeavors, including taking over LeRoi's role as manager of the Wasilla Farmer's Market, continuing to be a board member of the Friends of Wasilla Public Library and allowing numerous groups to use the hay field for many events. Margaret was also an inspiration as she went through her very difficult six months' illness with amazing grace, April 3, 2013 T.Cresap Margaret Heaven displays her gift and her trademark smile at the 2011 AAMA Christmas party in Peters Creek. patience, peace, and love, and with concern only for others rather than herself. Before her death she enjoyed a very special six weeks at home with her family and was visited by countless friends. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh and Leona Johnson, her husband LeRoi Heaven and her brother Everett Johnson. Margaret is survived by her son, Troy Heaven of Wasilla, her foster daughter Deborah Harrison of Wasilla, and her sister Barbara Johnson of Anchorage. A celebration of life for her friends is planned for this summer. April Meeting Our business meeting will convene at 7:30 p.m. April 10 at Robbie and Marianne Robinson s clubhouse. Refreshments: Mark Graber and Lee Truesdell. Many thanks to Donn Reese and Pam and Milt Tanora for the delicious St. Patty s Day goodies at our last meeting.

2 2 Tinkering Times April 3, 2013 Running Board Reflections S.Hulse Almost 18 years ago, May 20, 1995, a much younger Mike Wiedmer helped cleanup on the grounds of the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry in Wasilla. This event will be coming up again next month. My friend Kim s birthday is April 23, and our mutual friend Nancy s birthday follows on April 28. Both have moved away now, but I find myself thinking of them often each April. Traditionally we celebrated both birthdays with a dinner at one of Anchorage s finer restaurants. Through the years, this dinner was always special, because of the fine food and wonderful conversation, and because it annually marked the season s first outing of our 1949 Ford convertible with the top down of course! In my mind, I link Kim and Nancy with the year s first dry and clean roads and the spring sun warm on my cheek. And this is what I enjoy about our hobby not just the challenge of crafting a beautiful assembly of metal, cloth, and rubber from what had been a pile of rust, or coaxing the maximum horsepower and smoothness from 80-year-old cast iron, but the way our vintage vehicles enrich our lives and add spice to our hours and days. While our hobby and club bring contentment and joy, they do bring sadness, as with the passing of Margaret Heaven on March 23. Margaret and LeRoi were among my favorite people. I never saw them in a bad mood and more than most they enjoyed life and each other. With the passing years, I try harder and harder to follow their example. Now that the snow is melting fast off the eaves and bare pavement is peaking through the ice, our first drives are not far off. Our first scheduled event, the MATI clean-up, is coming up soon, and will be rapidly followed by an onslaught of activities so now is the time to finish rebuilding that carburetor and polishing those hubcaps. Until next time, have a great April, and find joy in your lives and those around you, the way Margaret and LeRoi taught us. Mike AAMA 2013 Shake Down Cruise to Homer!Reserve rooms at Ocean Shores, , for May Mention the Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska for a discount. Sunday, May 19 Car Show, 10 am-3 pm, at Wells Fargo parking lot next to Safeway. After car show, tour up to Nikolaevsk Village for photos, then to Anchor Lodge for dinner. Monday, May am,!parade to!the Spit and tour of new Coast Guard ship, lunch, then!optional tour East End Road! Dinner will be!later at!roadhouse Restaraunt on East End Rd. Tuesday, May 21 Depart for Anch. Seldovia Tour For those interested in a tour to Seldovia, it is somewhat limited. Options are Mako's water taxi (price?) Smokey Bay Air, or Homer Air taxi ($120 round trip) Jim Fredenhagen, takecare@alaska.com Officers President: Mike Wiedmer Vice President: Brian Anderson Secretary: Pam Tanora Treasurer: Donn Reese Sergeant at Arms: Sara Stoops Members at Large Ken Stout Tom Cresap Tam Isham Past Presidents (10 years) Howard Hansen (2012) Donn Reese ( ) Jeff Hassler/Donn Reese (2008) Jim Fredenhagen ( ) Fred Schurman (2005) Diane Allen (2004) Fred Schurman ( ) Tinkering Times Staff Editor: Tom Cresap Proofing, scheduling and keeping the old man in line: Marcy Cresap Send correspondence to: Tinkering Times Tom Cresap, Editor P.O. Box Eagle River AK or 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 , Anchorage AK 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.

3 April 3, 2013 Tinkering Times 3 One Man s Treasures Our ads are intended for members and others who wish to sell cars and related items. There is no charge, and the ad will run for three consecutive issues before being removed. To pull an ad, extend it or to place a new ad, contact Tom, Secured Enclosed Storage West Downtown Anchorage location 9 x18 x7-1/2 high space $125/month 2 or more spaces $100 each Hurry! Dave Syren, or Schedule of Events April 10 7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting (Refreshments: Mark Graber and Lee Truesdell) April 26 AAA Auto Competition and car show, UAA (Shawn Heusser ansph@uaa.alaska.eud) May 4 Spring Auto Parts Swap Meet 9 4, Northway Mall, 3101 Penland Parkway, Anchorage (Victor Knott, ) MSSRA event May 5 MATI clean up, 10 a.m. (Dennis and Diane Allen, ) May 8 Rolling Meeting (Brian Anderson) May 11 Adopt-A-Road 9:00 a.m. (Gwyn Wiedmer, ) May 12 Mother s Day Run (leader needed) May Shake Down Cruise to Homer (Jim Fredenhagen, ) June 12 Rolling Meeting (Donn Reese) June 12 Daybreak 1 2:30 p.m. (Diane and Dennis Allen, ) June 14, 15, 16 Joint Meet with VLNAAC (Scott and Linda Grundy, ) June 20 Serendipity (Diane and Dennis Allen, ) June 28-July 7 Long Distance to Atlin, Skagway, Haines (Tamea Isham, ) Wanted: Parts needed for 1948 F-2 truck: front bumper; 16" x 6" 8-lug rim, hubcaps. Contact Dennis Allen or allendd@alaska.net! (6) More Treasures For Sale: Model T chassis and extra parts; everything is there; crank turns engine; $1,000. Kurt, (6) For Sale: 1975 U-Haul Van; big box, good for storage or transportation; has car ramps, tie down D rings, man door and window. Runs good. $5,000. Kurt, (6) AAMA Long Distance Tour June 28 July 7, 2013 Featuring: Canada Day in Atlin, two-day stay in Skagway, July 4 th in Haines. Ten days, 1756 miles Tam Isham, For Sale: 1942 Ford; 1956 Chevrolet engine. Will run, but needs work on the ignition. Fred at Alaska Auto Center did work and can tell about it. $6,000. Located at 919 David Place. Call Dave Mense, (6) 2013 JOINT MEET IN HEALY Vernon L. Nash Antique Automobile Club to host The Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska June 14, 15 & 16 Lodging Friday and Saturday at the Denali Park Hotel BBQ Friday evening at the Otto Lake Pavilion Car Games on Saturday Morning Saturday Afternoon: A Private Tour of the Usibelli Coal Mining Operation! Awards Banquet at the Black Diamond Café, Saturday Evening Mark your calendar and reserve a room at the Denali Park Hotel NOW to secure your desired bed configuration; payment is not due until you check-in & you may cancel with a four-day notice! View the hotel website at or stay@denaliparkhotel.com; or phone: or For a 10% room rate discount, either book online or identify yourself as a member of the car group. Questions? Contact Scott or Linda Grundy for details at or grundy@mosquitonet.com.

4 4 Tinkering Times April 3, 2013 Velma Davidson: January 10, 1913 March 16, 2013 D.Allen Velma Davidson poses in Tom Cresap s Model T in July, 2000, at AAMA s Hope weekend. Her store can be seen in the background. Members at March Meeting Some fresh faces appeared at the March meeting. Among them were Christopher Harding and his son Braden. Not sure what Braden thought: probably, that he was surrounded by grand- and great grandparents. Nice to see him and his dad there. Maybe he will develop an interest in old cars. We were also pleased to receive new member, Jessica Cahill at our March meeting. Jessica owns a 1970 Chevelle Malibu, which she won last July 26 th in the annual car raffle conducted by the VLNAAC of Fairbanks. The September edition of Nash s News the Fairbanks club newsletter reported that because of a lost cell phone, Jessica could not be found when she won the car. Eventually, club sleuths, including Rochelle Larson, located the lucky winner, and club president, Scott Culbertson, was able to hand over the title. Jessica and spouse, Jim Baker, own a 1969 Cadillac, as well. Careful, looks like a collection is growing. But not to worry: AAMA is a very able support group for those afflicted by OCCS, old-car collection syndrome. Welcome aboard, all! (From the Anchorage News) Velma Davidson passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 16, She was born Velma Vivian Maze on January 10, 1913, near Uncas Oklahoma to Archie and Minnie Maze. She had 6 brothers and 5 sisters. Velma married James Daniel Franklin Davidson (Frank, the One Man Chamber of Commerce) on June 20, They had 7 children, Blanche Teutsch of Wasilla, Alaska; Joyce Dean of Redlands, California; Daniel Davidson of Cabazon, California; William and Robert Davidson of Hope, Alaska; D. Mae Binkley of Fairbanks, Alaska and Melodee Monson of Anchorage, Alaska. Velma and Frank lived in Oklahoma, Kansas, California, and moved to Hope, Alaska in Velma ran a café and bar, and later a liquor store and gas station in Hope until she was 95-hears old. The Antique Auto Mushers remember her from our annual visits to Hope during our Hope weekend tours. During parades and tours of the area, the AAMA group always made it a point to stop and visit at the little store just outside Porcupine (See p. 8, Velma Davidson)

5 April 3, 2013 Tinkering Times 5 You Have to Hand It to Arthur by Rich Goldiing Many of you know Arthur, my 1928 Ford Model A. I have owned him for some twenty years now, and for just about that many years the two of us have driven in many a Musher s rolling meeting. What you probably don t know is that he was named after my father, Arthur. From the Editor If it is not obvious from this month s weather graph at the right, you can certainly tell by looking out the window that spring is creeping up slowly. It won t be long, and we will be able to dig out our treasures and give them some exercise. I am obviously somewhat weather conscious, and I have observed that you can t really begin to count on spring until April 15. Sometime after April 15, some years. I do, however, always hold out hope that by some quirk things will change and I will be out basking in bountiful and warm rays of the sun. I am sure that Lucile, my 1938 Chrysler, feels the same. I guess we need to do a sun dance. This issue should probably be printed on black paper, considering the number of obituaries. These are all folks who have touched our auto community in some immutable way, whether as a member, a friend, or a family member. We lost one of each. We will all remember Margaret for her friendly manner, Velma for always accepting us with warm hospitality at her service station in Hope and you might say that Adele was an extended family member through Rich, her stepson. We wish them a pleasant journey into the beyond. They certainly deserve it. Tom It was shortly after he passed away that I found and bought the car. It was love at first sight. I knew that a car as beautiful and full of character as this Model A required a proper name. So while I was driving him Tom and Marcy, Thank you fine folks for the very special card!!i especially enjoyed the puns. The therapists seem pleased with my progress.!surgery was a month ago.!cheated a bit by raising my hip and made a full revolution in reverse (easier for some reason) on the exercise bike last Thursday.!Scared the hell out of me as I expected severe pain that fortunately never materialized!!i intend to purchase a cane next Temperature Average Temperatures: March, Average Low home directly after the sale, I expressed the need for a name to my wife Linda, sitting next to me in the passenger seat. I told her I thought an alliterative name, (See p. 6, Arthur steps in ) Just a little note: Scott Grundy: The Man With a Bionic Leg week so I'll then walk and look like an old man! Mike Wiedmer and I have been communicating a bit and he suggested a three legged race might be appropriate at the joint meet.!since knee replacement surgery seems to be so popular at least six between our clubs), I'm thinking a "bionic" leg wrestling match! Whatever we do will be fun! Thank you once again, Scott Grundy Average High The above are average temperatures for the past 15 Marches in Eagle River, Alaska. I had no data for this month in The unscientific records do not reflect the extremes. Those extremes were on March 1, 2007 and on March 14,

6 6 Tinkering Times April 3, 2013 Arthur Steps in to Save The Day (Continued from p. 5) that is one that begins with an A, seemed appropriate. She looked at me, and without batting an eye immediately suggested the name: Arthur. It was perfect, I thought. My dad would have loved this car. I remember while growing up how he would always point out the old timers rolling down the streets. Although he never bought an antique automobile of his own, he made many scale models of older cars, as well as drawings and sketches of them. Dad was a commercial artist. He appreciated beauty, form and symmetry. I knew he would have loved this car. Its two toned green body, the twin side-mounted spares on the fenders. Its sleek mohair interior. The ahoogah horn. The name... his name... fit the car like a glove on a hand. I was positive he would have approved. I am sure it would have tickled his fancy to have a Model A as his namesake. There was just one problem... Adele. Adele is my stepmother in San Diego. She had been married to my father for twenty-five years when dad passed. She and I had never really seen eye to eye very much during that quarter of a century. As a matter of fact, we really didn t get along at all. Stepmother syndrome, I suppose both of us vying for dad s love, affection and attention. Adele was a very opinionated, strong-minded traditionalist. Old school, no nonsense, straight laced type of woman. She loved my father, and he her of that I have no doubt. We had reconciled our relationship while dad was dying. The both of us put aside our differences. Although we never really discussed why, I knew that both of us were motivated by a mutual respect for the man she called husband and I called father. Now I was worried. I was afraid that naming an inanimate object so soon after my father s death might seem trivial or even disrespectful to her. I must admit I sweated this one for several weeks before I finally gathered up enough courage to admit to her that I had given a name to the car she knew I had bought. I called her up one Sunday afternoon, as was my custom. We talked about things: the kids, how work was going, how I was enjoying the antique T.Cresap As long as we are being nostalgic, how about this? In this almost 19-years old photo, Rich Golding and his son Lucas pose with the famous Arthur during the 1994 Jay Ofsthun Show and Shine. An entire story staring Arthur has unfolded since then. car she knew I had bought. Eventually the talk turned to the topic of my dad. It always did sooner or later. I felt the proper time had arrived. It was now or never. I swallowed hard and told her. She stopped talking. This is what, in literature, could be referred to as a pregnant pause. I thought she was going to scream at me. It seemed like minutes before she responded, but when she did her voice had changed. It was the first time I honestly remembered hearing her speak in that tone of voice to me. It was direct and the cadence demonstrated a certain and genuine emotion that I had never experienced from her before. It was love. The love of a parent to a child. An expression of understanding and approval. He would have liked that, she whispered. It was a rare moment I have not, and never shall, forget. As odd as it may sound, I believe we finally bonded in that brief moment... over the naming of an antique car. Years later she came to Alaska on a summer vacation. I took her for a ride in Arthur. She seemed to truly enjoy it, though I could sense at times that she was holding back tears. Thereafter just about every Sunday phone call to southern California included news of her grandchildren, work and Arthur. Our lives had changed. Civility had been replaced with true respect and affection. Adele died a few weeks ago. The call with the news from California was sudden and unexpected. Although I knew she was getting on in years, and her health had been slipping - it still stung. Much more than I ever expected it would or imagined it could. As the saying goes, they don t make them like that anymore. She was one of a kind, old school, a true broad, a real dame. She is survived by her son and grandson in San Diego, as well as me, her stepson, my wife Linda, her three Alaskan grandchildren and a 1928 Ford Model A named Arthur.

7 April 3, 2013 Tinkering Times 7 Back to the Furture: Why the DeLorean? One of my favorite movie series of all time was Back to the Future, featuring Michael J. Fox. A recent article, Back to the Future:!Why the Delorean? by Matthew Hocker sheds some background light on the making of the flick. A précis of the article, which appeared in Speedster on the AACA website follows. Tom If you read the March/April issue of Antique Automobile, you may have noticed the AACA Library's column detailing John DeLorean's attempt to make it on his own with the DMC-12 sports car.! Amidst economic woe and scandal, the DeLorean Motor Company folded in 1982, taking with it the DMC-12...or so it seemed.! In 1985, a time-traveling epic took the world by storm, and the film's signature DMC- 12 time machine revitalized the car's image in American popular culture.! Still, the question remains; out of all the possibilities why was the De- Lorean chosen to be the time machine in Back to the Future (BTTF)? Before its onscreen appearance, the time machine went through several revisions.! In fact, the original contraption was more akin to a giant refrigerator.! Later, it was decided a car made for a far more interesting plot device, as it could be driven between different locations. As for why the DMC-12 was selected over any other car, it all boiled down to the ultra-modern gull wing doors.! In an interview with Empire Magazine, Director Robert Zemeckis remarked:! We decided to use a De- Lorean automobile because of this joke we had in the movie.! When the time machine arrives in the past, the people in the farmhouse think it's an alien spaceship. While gull wing doors were nothing new in 1955 (the Mercedes-Benz 300SL debuted in 1952), they were far from the norm.! Likewise, the sharp angles of the DMC-12 were a radical departure from the curves and fins of the 50s, making for a convincingly hilarious scene.!! At the March 13 th meeting, Sergeant-at-Arms, Sara had the evening s guest, Braden pull the winning ticket for split-the-pot, the winner was Mark Graber who won $40. Coincidentally, Mark Graber and Lee Truesdell will provide refreshments for April. May 5 is the cleanup at the Museum of Alaska Transportation & Industry in Wasilla beginning at 10: a.m. The museum will provide food for the cleanup crew. Rolling Meetings: We need tour coordinators for July, August and September. There are no specific rules for rolling meetings, just drive from the Clubhouse to someplace to eat. Vice President Brian reported on the J. C. Taylor insurance. It is a general liability policy for the board and for club activities. We are to carry insurance on our personal vehicles. Car Shows require that we carry liability insurance in order for the club to use their facilities. Diane reported that we pay $300 to rent the Methodist Retreat House for the Hope weekend event, in which the club has participated for over 20 years. The club voted to reimburse Saturday, March 9 th AAMA Board met at Ken and Peg Stout s home. Among other things, we discussed increasing membership, revisiting old events such as the AAA Auto Competition at UAA and setting up a membership drive table at the MSSRA Swap Meet. Tom Cresap agreed to check on the last two, with an eye to the first. He subsequently found that the AAA Board Meeting Onscreen, the finished product mesmerized audiences worldwide and became one of the most beloved automotive "actors" of all time. From the Secretary: ʻAbridgedʼ March Minutes her for the $300 payment she made for this year s event. She reported that there are bunks and bathrooms for our use in the house. Saturday night is the potluck, and Sunday morning Dennis makes pancakes. We still need a host for our July Adopt-A-Road cleanup. We meet at Carr s on Muldoon. The host is to set the exact date, get the bags and vests from the muni and provide the tailgate snacks juice and coffee. Mother s Day Cruise is separate from the Shakedown Cruise. There was not a volunteer to host the Mother s Day Cruise. Diane reported that June 12 is a visit to Daybreak adult care center to provide rides for the clients. June 20 we will meet at Serendipity center for the same. Both events run from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Robbie provided a bit of blarney in anticipation of St. Patrick s Day. He shared the story of the three-leaf clover, and the original meaning of each petal. He reported he has kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland three times. We enjoyed Robbie s wrap up of the meeting, and again we thank him for the use of the clubhouse. competition would be Friday, April 26 th from 9:00 to 4:00 contact Shawn Heusser, ansph@uaa.alaska.eud and the Swap Meet will take place May 4 th at the Northway Mall from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We pay a $15.00 fee and are allotted a car and trailer space contact, Victor Knott, This would be a good location to set up a membership table.

8 AAMA P.O. Box Anchorage AK !"#$%&'(!&#)(*&+,'-+ 8 Tinkering Times April 3, 2013 Velma Davidson (Continued from p. 4) Campground. Velma is survived by all her children mentioned above, as well as sonin-law, Chris Dean, daughters-in-law, Connie Wood Frankie Davidson and Shelly Davidson. She is also survived by two of her sisters, Irma Jean Parks and Bett Hinton; grandchildren Gwendolynne Brosh, Elizabeth Rose, Wendee Gilchrist, Clayton Davidsopn, Scott Binkley, Emilee Monson, Daniel Monson, Erik Davidson, Dean Davidson and 10 great grandchildren. Services were held on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at Kehl s Legacy Funeral Home in Anchorage. Velma will be buried in Hope, Alaska next to Frank. Donations can be made in Velma s memory to Providence Hospice. BIRTHDAYS Brian Leinon 4 th Marcy Cresap 7 th Darrell Krolick 7 th Kathy Centoni 12 th Diane Allen 14 th Lee Truesdell 22 nd Richard Combs 25 th Marion Benham 27 th April ANIVERSARIES Carolyn & Jack Rathert 3rd Jessica & James Cahill 6 th Peg & Ken Stout 18 th Doris & Ken Holland 22 nd ).(!/0+10