hey came out of the woodwork in droves for the AONE Post-Summer/Pre-Winter Tech Session/Swap Meet held at Glynn Motorsports on November 15th! It was a beautiful, crystal-clear day, although the temps were only in the 40s. But over 35 Alfas showed up, and more than 60 people! That’s just about double last year’s record-breaking turnout! In addition to the assortment of usual faces, there were a lot of faces from the past, plus quite a number of new ones—we signed up at least three new members!

The day started early for the AONE Board of Directors, who held a pre-event meeting in the Glynn Motorsports Conference Center (a.k.a. the lunchroom). The main topic of discussion was, of course, our hosting of the 2004 AROC National Convention next summer (see this month's Convention Update). Also, plans were set in motion for our annual Winter Party, which will be held … sometime this winter. Details forthcoming.

Around 10am, Alfisti began pouring in and were greeted by coffee, muffins, and bagels fetched for the occasion by Peter Walker. It quickly became clear that this gathering was going to be something special, with the parking lot jammed and people having to park along the access road (usually the area to which Lesser Cars are relegated for these events).

The day proceeded with the usual ogling of cars, gathering together in chat groups, swapping of parts, and general commingling of Alfisti. At 11:30 or so, the group gathered in a large circle at the center of the shop, and our host Paul Glynn began an extensive question-and-answer period. Myriad topics were covered with varying levels of technicality. It was a session that proved to be both very informative and entertaining. Thanks, Paul!

Toward the end of the Q&A, Paul introduced us to his friend and mentor Oskar Feldmann. Paul has known Oskar since back in the early '60s when he bought his first Giulietta. Oski is an Alfa mechanic extraordinaire, having served his apprenticeship in Switzerland. He then brought his knowledge to the U.S. and trained many mechanics who have helped to keep New England Alfas on the road. He was the service manager at Gaston Andrey and hired Paul to work there several years after they met. This began a relationship that has lasted for decades, working both at Gaston Andrey and on race teams. Their love for Alfas is a tie that binds. In recent years, Oski has spent the season with successful race teams in Europe. Welcome back, Oski!

Next on the agenda was … lunch! And what a lunch! Niki Mouhtouris, the young woman who (with a little assistance from Michael Wrigley) catered last year’s tech session, really outdid herself this time. We’re talking tablecloth, chafing dishes, lasagna, meatballs, salads, and breads, all followed by chocolate-covered strawberries. It was quite an extravagant spread! We had told her to expect maybe 30 people, and fortunately she made way too much food, so there was just about enough for everybody in attendance. Thanks, Niki! By the way, Niki is now the full-time Glynn Motorsports office manager, so when you call up and hear a cheery, feminine voice on the other end of the line (as opposed to the cheery, masculine ones you may be accustomed to), that’s her! (We’re not sure whether there’s any truth to the rumor that, when she took the job, she changed the pronunciation of her last name to "Motors". We’re pretty sure, though, that her middle name is not Lauda.)