SUMMER MEETING SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2003 Wilbraham & Monson Academy in Wilbraham, MA With Barbeque Picnic Highlights by Dick Trepp
Jeff Wood's superb alarm clock collection. Other very interesting show-and-tell alarm clocks were also on display.	Jeff Wood (right) with assistance from Burt Kassap demonstrating danger of the old luminous dials.

Spot Light on Alarm Clocks

Chapter 8 returned on August 24th to Wilbraham & Monson Academy in Wilbraham, MA. for the annual picnic. Unlike last year when a summer heat record was broken, this year 125 members and guests enjoyed a delightful sunny 76-degree day. The tailgate mart, with about 40 cars participating was set-up in a shaded area this year.

About an hour before the picnic lunch, a show and tell followed by an informal talk was conducted, centered about a very unique display of alarm clocks.

During show and tell Tom Grimshaw told us about a fantastic alarm clock with a fully working Ferris Wheel mounted on top of the case. (Photo by Ken Clapp)

With the publication of Gary Biolchini's collectors' guide to Westclox just days before this meeting, Chapter member Jeff Wood prepared an all-Westclox exhibit of over 40 clocks. This well tagged display traced the evolution of alarm clock styling and design from the company's earliest products of over 100 years ago thru the latter part of the 20th century.

Included was a complete collection of Big and Baby Bens styles 1 through 8, and numerous Art-Deco models including all 6 variations of the Dura-cased clock using the Baby Ben movement. Also displayed were several bell-top alarms and some interesting examples in cast iron cases.

Following an outstanding barbecue prepared by the Academy, Jeff conducted several small group tours of the tower clock. Jeff restored this clock for the Academy in 1993.

All in all, a busy and delightful day with many activities.

- Dick Trepp 

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SUMMER MEETING, 9:00 A.M. SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2003
Wilbraham & Monson Academy in Wilbraham, MA

SET YOUR ALARM CLOCKS FOR THE CHAPTER 8 WILBRAHAM PICNIC

TAILGATE MART
(Indoor space in case of rain)(Shaded areas in case of high heat)
A SUPERB ALARM CLOCK DISPLAY
BARBEQUE PICNIC - 10 HOROLOGICAL DOOR PRIZES - TOWER CLOCK TOUR
INFORMAL FUN SHOW AND TELL

We have checked with 7 weather forecasters who tell us no record high heat this year! BUT JUST IN CASE -- we have made provisions this year to have shade tree areas available - or indoor facilities for inclement weather. If you are bringing items to sell, please bring along a plastic tarp or an old blanket to display your items. Also any small tables you might wish to use.

Because the barbeque is catered by the Academy, we are asking for a registration to be mailed in as we normally do for meetings.

The Theme for this Meeting is a Show and Tell of Unique, Unusual Antique and/or Contemporary Alarm Clocks and Watches.

To go along with this theme, we are having a special exhibit tracing the development and design of the American mechanical alarm clock during a period of approximately 150 years prior to the quartz revolution. The clocks will have cards pointing out the significant features. Jeff Wood, who owns the majority of these clocks, will give a brief narrative of key items of interest

If you possess or own any alarm clocks or watches, you are encouraged to bring them to this meeting.

You will have an opportunity to display and discuss your items, and perhaps relate an interesting anecdote concerning them. (We will provide identification tags and full security at the indoor display tables, prior to and during the scheduled presentation.)

In addition to the morning "Show & Tell" the afternoon is highlighted by a visit to the Wilbraham and Monson School Tower Clock (for those who are interested). Jeff Wood, who lives in Wilbraham, restored this clock in 1993. The clock is a Howard, Model 31, originally installed in 1871. If you wish to see the clock, please bring a pair of rubber soled shoes, as there is some ladder climbing involved.

Cost: $12.00/Per Member; $15 Walk-In; Children 13 Years and under are Free. Mail registration to Wm. Jenczyk, 95 Rindge Ave, Cambridge, MA. 02140 (wcj1amj@aol.com) Make checks payable to "New England Chapter #8"

The planned program is as follows:

9:00 a.m. TAILGATE MART AM (Indoors in Case of Rain)

11:00 a.m. SHOW & TELL and SPECIAL EXHIBIT (At the Campus Center)

12:15 p.m. HOROLOGICAL DOOR PRIZES (For 10 Registered Attendees)

12:30 p.m. BARBEQUE PICNIC LUNCH 1:30 p.m. CLOCK TOWER TOUR

DIRECTIONS TO REACH THE ACADEMY

From the North:
Route I-91 South to Mass Turnpike East. Mass Turnpike to Ludlow Exit 7.Turn right onto Route 21. At first set of lights, turn right onto Chapin St. Continue straight for about 3 miles through next set of lights and until the road ends. Turn right onto Miller St and go over a bridge. At the stop sign, turn right onto Route 20. Go under the railroad overpass and pass two gas stations and the Wilbraham Fire Dept on the right. Diagonally opposite the fire station is Main St. Turn left onto Main St, to straight through the stop sign and follow 2 miles to campus.

From the South:
Route I-91 North from New Haven-Hartford to Exit 2, Forest Park/Route 83, which is the first exit after crossing into Mass from CT. Turn left at the first set of lights and at the next set of lights turn right onto Sumner Avenue. Continue on that same road (name changes from Sumner Ave to Allen St to Bicentennial Highway) for about 5 miles until you come to the end of the road. Turn left at the lights onto Cooley St (changes to Parker St) and continue until you reach the first major four-way intersection. Fleet Bank and a Pride gas station on the right corners) Turn right onto Wilbraham Rd for about 3 miles (changes to Springfield St upon entering Wilbraham). Continue straight through the next set of lights, crossing Stony Hill Rd. Pass the Wilbraham Town Hall on the right and, shortly thereafter, bear left onto Faculty St at the fork. The campus is a short distance beyond on your right.

From the East:
Mass Turnpike West to Palmer Exit 8. Turn right. At the second set of lights, turn right onto Route 20 West. Continue on Route 20 for about 4.5 miles. You will pass a river on your right and then go under a railroad overpass. You will then pass two gas stations and the Wilbraham Fire Department. Diagonally opposite the fire station is Main St. Turn left onto Main St, to straight through the stop sign and follow 2 miles to campus.

From the West:
Follow North directions from the Mass Turnpike north.

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Chapter Contacts:
If you any of you have a question or wish to contact someone in the chapter, get in touch with any of these four and they will get your message to the right person if they cannot help you.