We Still Need a
Clubhouse!
by Tom Lesko
AONE President
Some time ago, I wrote about an idea I had about a clubhouse for the Alfa Owners of New England. I am still very interested in this idea for lots of reasons: club identity and unity; a centralized location for all of our club-owned property; a regular meeting place; and just because I think it would be a great, fun thing to have. I’ve heard of hotrod clubs that have clubhouses—perhaps some of you know of these, or even belong to one. Anyone know of an Alfa chapter that has a clubhouse that could be our precedent-setting example? I belong to two Rod-and-Gun clubs that have clubhouses; one of them has about the same membership as AONE. It is a great place—has a meeting area, a place for a TV to show videos, a kitchen area, and the activity areas are all outside.
One of the problems our club may have is that our members live in a wide geographical area. Some central location, probably off the Route 128 beltway, would be easiest for all to reach and would, as I mentioned earlier, give a sense of identity and unity to our club. Now don’t get me wrong—I think that we now have a vibrant, well-identified club comprised of loyal, knowledgeable, Alfa-loving members. I just think that a centralized location, a "place", would be such a great thing to have!
What I am thinking about is a small building, a part of a building, or even a room of someone’s building that could be used exclusively for the Alfa Owners of New England. There must be someone out there who has or knows of such a place. Perhaps that "odd-duck" place that has zoning difficulties and can’t be developed in this burgeoning real estate market. Or perhaps a benevolent club member who would donate funds to construct a new place (I will volunteer my architectural services for free!)
Our regular meetings and some events could take place there; Directors meetings and special meetings or casual get-togethers could take place there; members could go there on weekends to just hang out with each other—fun, enjoyment, and camaraderie would take place there—and these would all be good things, don’t you think?
Many of you have been to the Josiah Smith Tavern in Weston for our winter meetings, most recently the excellent event we had there this past winter. If you can imagine a place like that, with a large meeting room filled with Alfa signs and banners, and a kitchen/kitchenette area. Maybe we could make some seating out of the trunks of no-longer-usable Alfas, like the ’57 Chevy ones you see in the mall specialty stores.
Anyway, I think that this would be a great thing, and hope that some of you share my enthusiasm for this idea. In recent email correspondence, Fred DiMatteo mentioned that he’d had a similar idea, so this is not a new thing—unless we can actually do it—that would be a new, great thing! Any thoughts? I’d love to hear them! Do you have a place? Know of a place? Ready to make a donation? Give me a shout at 781-749-9132 or an email.
I’ll meet you at the clubhouse!!! One of these days...
