Back to the Bricks®
October 2021 Newsletter
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Words from the Chairman of the Board |
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Hey there car enthusiasts,
The leaves are changing and dropping, and we know that sadly that means our 2021 events have come to an end. But with the changing of the leaves, summer fading into the fall, comes wonderful news for all. Our first event is being planned and Chrome & Ice™ will take place in early February 2022. This will begin the fun with many opportunities that are available for you to enjoy, as a cruiser or a spectator in 2022. Despite all that was going on in the world, 2021 was a huge success. We are very fortunate to have had so many times to enjoy our cars this year, and we have already started planning some NEW things for next year.
In 2022, you will have 23 different days to enjoy a Back to the Bricks® experience. Our goal is that each experience is as unique as it can be. With all the events and workload, we must highlight that the heart of our organization is our volunteers. My ask to you is, if you haven’t already volunteered to help, or take part in the planning as a Committee Member you are missing a great time. So, think about it and let us know what you would like to do. We have a link on our website to sign up, but it’s also here for your consideration.
Reach out to me by phone or email as I would like to hear from you. See you all real soon!
Regards,
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Al Jones
Chairman of the Board
Back to the Bricks®
aljones@backtothebricks.org
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Vice Chairman of the Board is ready to kick off Chrome & Ice™ Planning!!!
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Hello everyone.
First, I would like to tell you how excited I am to be your new Vice Chairman of the Board. My first experience with Back to the Bricks® was on the Rolling Cruise in 2008 and I pleased to say I haven’t missed one since. I went on the MICHIANA Promo Tour in 2014 and knew then that I wanted to be more involved with cars, traveling and events. I joined the Main Events committee in July 2014 and have been working hard for you ever since.
I know you all have ideas to help us improve and move Back to the Bricks® forward and I cannot wait to hear them. But first, let me tell you about Chrome and Ice™ 2022.
Steve Hobson, past Chairman of the Board started Chrome and Ice™ in 2016 after we left a car show at Cobo Hall. The ideas were flowing, and he knew we could pull off a fun, safe, family winter indoor car show here in Genesee County. He has done a fantastic job over the last 6 years building this event to be the premier event it is. For the past four years I have worked alongside Steve as Vice Chairman of Chrome and Ice™. He asked me this last year if I would become the Chairman of Chrome and Ice™ 2022 and I happily accepted. I'm also excited to announce I will be working with longtime Main Events Committee Member of Back to the Bricks® and Volunteer Keith Damon, who will serve as Co-Chairman of Chrome and Ice™.
We’ve recently had our first planning meeting and we have some great ideas. NEW things we are trying to bring to the event that will be FUN for everyone. I can’t go into specific details just yet until we get some preliminary contracts signed, and contacts made, but I can tell you it’s shaping up to be a great show with something for everyone.
The dates for Chrome and Ice™ are February 11th, 12th, and 13th 2022. So, mark your calendars now and plan on joining us.
Registration is OPEN for Chrome & Ice™ see the box below for more details. Participants will be selected and notified of acceptance on an individual basis.
I am here if you need anything, have questions or comments.
Thanks again and I look forward to seeing you at Chrome & Ice™
Ralph Messer
Vice Chairman of the Board
Back to the Bricks®
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Want to Feature your Vehicle at Chrome & Ice™???
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Register NOW for your chance to feature your vehicle at the 2022 Chrome & Ice™ Show. February 11th - 13th.
This 3 day Indoor Car Show will have more entertainment and special surprises than ever before! All selected vehicles will be notified on an individual basis.
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What's new with our Executive Director |
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Hey everyone!
Sad to see the car season officially come to a close, but I will say the changing of the leaves and the cooler temps gets me really excited for smores, bon fires and hot chocolates with Peyton.
Back to the Bricks® works year around to bring you all the amazing events and we have plans to bring more in the future. Right now, you can find me working on sponsorships, event planning, volunteering in the community and helping our Chrome & Ice™ Team and Promo Tour Team get everything they need to put on these amazing events.
I recently was selected to serve on the Grand Blanc Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. I'm a big proponent for community and engagement, and believe being involved and helping to grow our communities is super important. We have a wonderful Board with like minded go-getters in our community, I am honored to serve with them all.
I know I am not allowed to talk much about the Promo Tour just yet, but I will say, I can't WAIT for Peyton and I to go on it!!! The Promo Tour is chaired by Pete Cimbala and Co-Chaired by David Stilber. The entire committee has done an excellent job working on the tour, the experiences you will have and the planning of hotel arrangements. There's more to do, and soon information will be on the website and a special email will go out asking for your submissions to have your vehicles be highlighted. So exciting.
Chrome & Ice™ is going to be fantastic, with all new featured cars, entertainment and fun. Our committee has been selected and they will be meeting soon to kick off the official planning of it all.
So much goes into our events, and I can't thank our volunteers enough. We are always looking for help, so if you are interested, think about signing up for our Friends of Back to the Bricks® program. It gives you an opportunity to serve and be active within our organization. Oh... and have a TON of fun behind the scenes with all of us.
Have a safe and Happy Halloween!!!
See you all soon.
Amber Taylor
Executive Director
Back to the Bricks®
Direct: 810-877-8383
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Lightweight Long Sleeve Hooded |
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Al’s Garage
Vol. #2, Issue #10
We now find ourselves in the middle of October and for most of us, the car shows, cruise-in nights and tours have come to end. We might be able to squeeze in a fall color tour or two, but that activity will be weather dependent. So where do we go from here?
I, like most of you, start thinking about winter projects which includes not only our car projects but indoor home projects. The challenge us guys have is finding an equitable balance between the garage and house projects and keeping the fairer sex happy. Thinking of that, us guys are wanting to buy auto parts or even another car to restore and that might be like trying to navigate thru mine fields. Anyway, after a full year of not being able to attend any car shows, 2021 did offer us a good variety of car related activities to enjoy and to renew old acquaintances.
One of my fall projects is restoring an old gas pump. The pump restoration offers sometime in the garage to work on, and it is small enough that I don’t have to purchase new specialized tools. Additionally, there are numerous gas pump restorations suppliers available. Like the collector car hobby, gas station memorabilia such as gas pumps, signage, air meters, oil cans, and anything gas station and related advertising material, the prices have skyrocketed. I have witnessed neon signs selling for over $50,000. But with that said, it is not unusual to see neon signs selling in the $5,000 to $10,000 range. Obviously, condition and rarity come into play and like the collector car market, condition drives the pricing. Rarity, on the other hand, can affect car prices but not so with gas station or automobilia advertising.
History has taught us that in the United States there were over 3,000 automobile companies that came into existence and most failed in their first year of business. A large number of these companies only produced a few cars mostly due to the fact they were undercapitalized from the start. Most of these companies produced a handful of cars, and they were exceedingly rare. No doubt about it. In this case, rarity does not make them necessarily valuable. However, in some cases rarity can affect the price. Case in point, Duesenbergs are rare and valuable.
So, if you are a collector of gas station memorabilia, rarity and condition has a tremendous impact on the prices. Whether it is an oil can or a large neon sign, be prepared to dig deep into your pocket if you want the best for your man cave. On the other hand, you can always put it on your Christmas wish list and give it to your wife and see what happens!
Keep on roll’
Al Hatch
Founder of Back to the Bricks®
Chairman Emeritus
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