Attention Members!!
Mark your calendars for our Annual Members meeting being held at the Danti Club in West Springfield Ma on Sunday February 26th starting at noon.
We will be having a catered hot lunch.
Due to the high cost of everything, we are asking that you RSVP by Saturday February 18th to neantiqueracers@gmail.com so that we can ensure we have enough for everyone, but not too much that it ends up getting wasted. We will also be asking for a minimum $10.00 per person donation to help defer the costs of the meal, and there will be a cash bar available.
We hope to see a strong count of members, it has been a while! The Board of Directors had their meeting this past Sunday, January 29th, and have a lot to report out.
So again, please RSVP by Saturday February 18th to neantiqueracers@gmail.com if you are able to attend.
NEAR Meeting
2020 Annual Meeting Report-Part 1
The Annual Member’s Meeting held on Sunday, Feb. 9th, 2020 was a well attended event. A great showing of members from all corners of New England were on hand to usher in a new season. Spirits were high as we got down to the business of the 2019 season ending awards, HOF Truck Committee news, 2020 schedule, Officer Elections, and Special Awards.
Members were greeted at the door and memberships were available from Steve Masse and Valarie and Steve Tucker. Paul Masse had his modified model collection on hand, and he also helped Ric Mariscal man the NEAR t -shirt table. Ric and Pete Newsham teamed up to run the merchandise/memorabilia raffle that raised a little over $200 for the club. The man behind the camera that you never see is NEAR member Brad Cowan, thanks to him for all of our photos.
After a delicious luncheon served by Jim and the Thompson Staff, the business side of the meeting began. Current Board officers Rich Goucher,President, Skip Matczak,Vice President, Rob Quinn, Recording Secretary, Paul Masse, Bruce Nichols,and Dick Berggren were elected by popular vote. These officers ran un-opposed. Our open chair for Treasurer/Membership was nominated from the floor, as was another Board member. Elected by the membership by popular vote was April May Preston for Treasurer and Oscar Hancock for Board Member. Many thanks to these two for stepping up and helping our club!!
After being elected as a new Board Member Oscar Hancock, along with Rob Quinn, introduced their vision for the HOF Truck. They proposed that NEAR should authorize a new Hall of Fame Truck Committee. This group will take over fundraising, upkeep, everyday operations and responsibility for events. The truck will remain owned by NEAR and used for NEAR activities. The group displayed a new layout for the graphics on the truck that was very impressive! They also have a great many sponsors lined up to share the costs involved. A motion was made, seconded, and approved to establish the Hall of Fame Truck Committee. All sponsor, donor, gift monies and expenses will be run through the NEAR Treasurer’s office for proper book keeping and reporting. Fantastic job, guys!

2020 Annual Meeting Announcement: Confirmed for Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020
Important Notice to NEAR Members:
The Annual meeting initially planned for Sunday, Jan.12,2020 has been postponed. The recent loss of our beloved Treasurer, Newsletter, and Membership Chairman Val LeSieur has presented issues that cannot be resolved quickly. We are working to solve these issues and put new people in place.
Update Monday, 1/6/2020
The Annual Meeting re-schedule date is confirmed for Sunday, Feb. 9,2020, at the Thompson, Ct. Speedway Clubhouse. 11:00 a.m. arrival/social hour, 12:00 lunch for 2020 paid members. Membership forms will be available/ accepted at the door, $25.00. All others $10.00 charge.
There will be Elections of Officers at the meeting per By Laws changes from last year. I will be running once again for President, and the rest of our officers, as well. Officers will be elected by a simple majority of votes by those present at the meeting.
Anyone interested in filling a position on the Board of Directors or Advisors, contact Rich at (860)209-7343 or rgoucher@comcast.net. Please do so by Friday, Jan. 31st, 2020 to allow time to put your name on the ballot for the meeting. Thank you.
NEAR Newsletter Online!
We had a great meeting this week at Thompson Speedway Club House, and the food was excellent!!
Several really good discussions and ideas came out of the meeting; and one of them was to add the “NEAR Newsletter” to the website…which has been done.
The new functionality to view the March/April 2019 NEAR Newsletter can now be viewed by clicking on the “NEAR Newsletter” link in the third gray box in the right-hand sidebar, then clicking on the “thumbnail” photo. The newsletter will open and can be viewed online or downloaded. This feature should be available on all future issues.
I would like to thank our Board Members, attending members, and this month’s guest Mark Hann for their input to help NEAR move forward on a positive track.
Also, my sincerest thanks and appreciation goes to Judy Poirier for coming back part time to assist with website technical issues. Judy also helps NEAR and this President with tutoring and advice, bringing me up to speed with the new format. Much appreciated!
NEAR ANNUAL MEMBER’S MEETING
2ND UPDATE-MEETING DATE CHANGED TO
SUNDAY, JANUARY 21st, 2018
DUE TO SCHEDULING CONFLICT AT TRACK
THOMPSON SPEEDWAY CLUBHOUSE
205 E THOMPSON RD. THOMPSON, CT.
DOORS AT 11 A.M. – MEMBER LUNCH AT NOON
FREE LUNCH FOR PAID MEMBERS – ALL OTHERS $10.00 CHARGE
AWARDS FOR TOP FOUR CARS/DRIVERS 2017
DISCUSSIONS FOR RUNNING/STILL SHOWS 2018 SEASON SUGGESTIONS, COMMITTEE FORMING AND ADDITIONS, COMPLAINTS
RACING ITEMS/MEMORABILIA RAFFLE
BRING ALONG ANY ITEMS YOU WISH TO CONTRIBUTE/DONATE TO RAFFLE
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE AND PROCESSED
YOUR INPUT IS WELCOMED AND APPRECIATED
Board Meeting Tuesday 11/22/17 at 7:15 P.M.
Hall of Fame Wrapup/Report
Planning for December Event
Planning for January Meeting
Triple-A-Restaurant
1209 Main St
East Hartford, CT.
NEAR Prize Drawing Results From Meeting 9/20/17
NEAR will be in contact with all winners to deliver their prizes. Thank all who participated in order to help our HOF Truck Fund!
Grand Prize of $1000 Phyllis Wolstenhulme
Second Prize of $250 Cheryl Reilly
Third Prize $125 John Rodolewicz
Fourth Prize 2 tickets 2017 HOF Banquet Norman Cyr
Fifth prize 2 tickets 2017 HOF Banquet Lou Kelley
Sixth Prize 2 tickets 2017 HOF banquet Barbara Teal
Seventh Prize 2 tickets 2017 HOF banquet Paul Jacques
Eight Prize 1 2017 HOF t shirt Sydney Sullivan
Ninth Prize 1 2017 HOF t shirt Bruce Mackinnon
Tenth Prize 1 2017 HOF T shirt Cliff Polacek
Eleventh Prize 1 2017 HOF T shirt Dave Beribeoulk
Twelve Prize 1 2017 HOF T shirt Marion Gararneau
Thirteenth Prize 1 2017 HOF T Shirt Bill Seward
Fourteenth Prize 1 2017 HOF T shirt Ted Palmer
Fifteenth Prize 1 2017 HOF T shirt Jojo Farone
Monthly Board Meeting Announcement
Board Meeting 8/15/17 at 7:15 P.M.
Triple-A-Restaurant
1209 Main St
East Hartford, CT.
Topics will include the results of the HOF Selections for 2017 Class and planning for the 2017 HOF Banquet, among others.
NEXT NEAR MONTHLY MEETING
THERE WILL NOT BE A MONTHLY DIRECTOR’S
MEETING IN MAY, DUE TO THE HOF SELECTION
COMMITTEE’S MEETING THE SAME DAY. (HELD AT
THE BOUCHARD MUSEUM IN FITCHBURG, MA.)
THE NEXT REGULAR DIRECTOR’S MEETING WILL
BE HELD ON : TUESDAY, JUNE 20TH, 2017 AT:
7:15 P.M.
TRIPLE -A – RESTAURANT
1209 MAIN ST.
WEST HARTFORD, CT.