Argonaut A’s Chapter, Model A Ford Club of America

Jan 2012 The Good Old A's Days

2012-01-30T20:39:00.001-08:00

The Argonaut A's installed 2012 Officers at the January meeting... with laughs and fun... followed by a local tour for a lively indoor fun game of products and times of "Good Old A's Days". We also tried to figure out what is that metal machine.. a hole puncher??? no, it's a automatic paper fastener... without staples! We played with era items, including munching on several... as well as It's-It ice cream!!

Dec 2011 Christmas Party

2011-12-04T21:10:00.000-08:00

In December the Argonaut A's held an old fashioned Christmas party with a yankee trade... items are wrapped in newspaper .... and in a spirit of joy... dinner is on the club.. a members only event. We had a wonderful donation of '29 and '30 chauffeur pins. The highlight was the battle for the Baileys and the another saga of the "naughty or nice" cups! more photos on gallery for Dec

Nov 2011 Pine Grove Volcano Tour

2011-12-04T20:49:00.000-08:00

November 19, 2011 the Argonaut A's elected officers for 2012 to be installed in January. Following the meeting a scenic drive was taken in the chilly day... for ICE CREAM... upcountry to Pine Grove... and we loved it! We drove via the Indian Grinding Rock in Volcano and took the scenic country drive under orange, yellow and red leaves... but the highlight was Munerlyn's Ice Creamery ... :)

Oct 2011 Alpaca Ranch Tour

2011-10-13T09:18:00.000-07:00

Oct 15, 2011 the Argonaut A's meeting was followed by a tour to Retiredice Alpaca Ranch. It was a mystery as to where we were going... scenic drive to Somerset... beautiful animals, very interesting and fun time at the gift shop too! More photos at gallery

September 2011 Mystery Tour to Gymkhana in Vintage Dress

2011-09-17T08:38:00.001-07:00

The Argonaut A's Ford Model A Club met for lunch at Colina de Oro in Plymouth Saturday, September 17 . Following the meeting the group had a mystery tour to watch the professional California cowboy range riders mounted shooting association gymkhana in Howard Park. It was truly exciting! Both cowboys and cowgirls shot balloons while racing the clock mounted on horses. They were fast!! We all dressed in vintage clothing and cheered them on. What an exciting day was had by all.

August 2011 Tour to Demo Member Machinery

2011-08-20T10:17:00.000-07:00

The Argonaut A's Ford Model A Club met for lunch at Colina de Oro in Plymouth Saturday, August 20. Following the meeting the group tour to a private home to view machinery for designing and making quilts.

July 2011 Tour to Lake Tabeaud

2011-07-16T08:12:00.000-07:00

The Argonaut A's Ford Model A Club met for lunch at Colina de Oro in Plymouth Saturday, July 16. Following the meeting the group went on a tour to Lake Tabeaud and then Munerylyn's Ice Cream in Pine Grove. link to more photos in photo gallery

June 2011 Tour to Volcano and Poker Run

2011-06-14T19:33:00.000-07:00

The Argonaut A's Ford Model A Club toured to the little town of Volcano following our club meeting. We had quite a history lesson along the way, stopping at many historic sites (and a flea market!). We had a poker run along the way. What fun!

May 2011 Amador Flower Farm and Mt Aukum

2011-05-14T08:58:00.000-07:00

The Argonaut A's toured the Amador Flower Farm following our monthly meeting, and went on to Mt Aukum for a wonderful dessert at D'Agostino's delectable bakery. On the way there were adventures... fuel... water... typical Model A .... oh yes and we all loved the puppy dog!

April 2011 Tour Local Ranch in Sheldon

2011-04-04T20:03:00.000-07:00

The Argonaut A's Ford Model A Club met for lunch at Colina de Oro in Plymouth. Following the meeting the group visited a local ranch and viewed antique equipment and cars. Go to photo gallery

March 2011 Tour Historic Mine Sites

2011-03-20T09:03:00.000-07:00

Our Sargent at Arms was installed at the March meeting followed by a tour to six historic mine sites in Amador County.

Feb 2011 California State Museum

2011-02-14T21:22:00.000-08:00

Feb 2011 the Argonaut A's met at Colina de Oro. Tour to be rescheduled modern irons to the California State Museum. One of the artifacts at the museum... is the "Auto Kamp Kook Kit" With the mass produced and affordable Ford Motor Company’s Model T and Model A, Americans experienced a freedom to travel like never before. In the early 1920s, people started getting in their cars and out of the cities. People wanted to take off to explore the great United States and especially the golden West. This was before the establishment of motels along the roads, so people had to camp when they wanted to stop for the night. The invention of the Auto Kamp Kook Kit allowed travelers an easy way to cook their meals at their campsite. The stove started out with a single burner, and was advertised as allowing you to “cook anything you wanted!” The stove ran on the same type of gas that cars used, making it very convenient for car travelers. The stove has a gas canister that can be filled by siphoning and transferring gas from a car’s gas tank. Later models had two burners, legs that increased the height to make cooking easier, and windshields to protect the fl ame from burning out while cooking. Many travelers coming to California used these stoves – whether visiting for vacation and sunshine or moving to California for more opportunities.

Jan 2011 Glassworks

2011-01-15T08:57:00.001-08:00

In January officers were installed at the monthly meeting, followed by a tour by Argonaut A's to the Chaos Glassworks in Sutter Creek.

Dec 2010 Under the Town of Sutter Creek

2011-01-15T08:44:00.001-08:00

Our Annual Christmas Party was at JD's under the town of Sutter Creek. The food and camaraderie were simply wonderful! Santa's mail box was used to select names for the Yankee Trade of gifts wrapped anonymously in newspaper. Laughter and joy abounded!

Nov 2010 Whitney Museum Tour Amador City

2011-01-15T08:28:00.000-08:00

Nov 2010 The Argonaut A's had a funfilled tour of the Whitney Museum in Amador City. Our tour had a game for members to locate hidden by reading information on the walls of the museum... ending with a prize! Afterwards we crossed the street for pie and ICE CREAM at Buffalo Chips Ice Cream!

Oct 2010 Mystery Tour - Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-17T16:44:00.000-07:00

Argonaut A's October mystery tour wound through pumpkin patch farms and to a Harvest Festival. A raffle was held on the pumpkin patch theme. A small group visited one of our members Model A garage and wound up at the ice cream parlor. The club was very appreciative of the Argonaut Mine tour by Herb Dick in September.

Sept 2010 Argonaut Mine

2010-09-22T21:42:00.000-07:00

Sept 2010 two new members joined the club. After our meeting we went to the Argonaut Mine with a legendary collector of the mine memorabilia. Together with the caretaker of the mine Herb took us on a tour of the headframe and grounds, sharing interesting stories. We were also regaled by a story from one of the Argonaut A's who had actually gone down into the mine with his father when he was young. His uncle had been a supervisor of the Argonaut mine before it closed in WWII when gold mines nationwide closed. If you want to read information on the disaster of the mine and town in 1922 , read the book "47 Down". (more photos at Sept photo gallery)

August 2010 Monteverde General Museum Store

2010-09-09T21:22:00.000-07:00

The Argonaut A's toured the Sutter Creek Monteverde General Museum Store in August, followed by a drive for yogurt and ice cream. The general store has an incredible amount of history and interesting memorabilia. The tour guide was related to one of the Monteverde's. It opened in 1898 and closed in 1971. See photo gallery.

July 2010 Amanda Blake Wildlife Refuge Tour

2010-08-15T18:32:00.000-07:00

In July 2010 The Argonaut A's met for lunch and toured Amanda Blake's memorial museum and wildlife refuge at Rancho Seco. It provides a sanctuary for animals who were rescued from canned hunting ranches or victims of the captive wildlife industry. The museum set in a small log cabin that replicates the Gunsmoke era, presents memorabilia from Amanda's life and historical photographs from her journeys to Africa. She lived her last two years at PAWS (Performing Animal Welfare Society) and had a lifelong commitment to the conservation of wild places, this sanctuary was dedicated by PAWS in her name.

June 2010 BBQ - Celebrate Amador County

2010-08-15T18:24:00.000-07:00

June 2010 the Argonaut A's held a BBQ at one of the members homes. We were fortunate to have a speaker who talked about the Civil War and Amador County. He reenacted the Amador Mountaineers Company C and was dressed in Officer Civil War Uniform. We celebrated the 156th birthday of Amador County.

May 2010 Amador Flower Farm and Fun

2010-05-11T19:38:00.001-07:00

The Argonaut A's had fun at the monthly meeting, what fun sharing vintage clothing! Thanks to our hosts from the April meeting who shared clothes and also donated Karmere wine to go to Vancouver. Afterwards we all toured to Shenandoah Valley and the Amador Flower Farm through sprinkles of rain... and some of us even ended up .. yes of course... for ice cream! See more at photos gallery for May 2010.

April 2010 Tour Historic Sites in Fiddletown

2010-03-31T21:22:00.000-07:00

The Argonaut A's Toured Fiddletown Historic Sites including the Chew Kee store, Fiddletown cemetery, General Store, gambling hall, wagon works, schoolhouse, forge, and Post office lobby with it's many historic photos. Afterwards all of us, including our two new members (who had family in the Fiddletown and the cemetery!) all went to the Shenendoah valley for refreshments. What a great view at the Karmere winery! Thanks to our wonderful tour hosts!!! see April photo gallery

Mar 2010 Members Tour

2010-03-19T19:42:00.001-07:00

Two new members receive their name badges. Following our meeting, the Argonaut A's toured a one of a kind private gold mining collection.

Feb 2010 Mystery Tour - St Sava

2010-02-17T18:42:00.000-08:00

to The Argonaut A's mystery tour led by our youngest member was wonderful! Members had seven tips to follow through Amador County. Our tour ended at the historic St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Jackson.

St. Sava was consecrated in 1894 and is the first Serbian Orthodox Church on the North American Continent. It was Founded by (Saint) Archimandrite Sebastian Dabovich. St. Sebastians' Relics are laid to rest inside the Church.

When the Church was consecrated it received gifts from Bishop Nikolai from the Russian Orthodox Church in Alaska who presided over the service. Most fascinating of the gifts is the crystal chandelier. It is very fragile and was brought in by covered wagon completely intact. The bell in the tower which rings clear to this day was another.

President Slavkos' (Sam's) father was a hard rock miner in the local gold mines and his family were pioneers of the church. The Serbians established a cemetery here in 1894. After the 1922 Argonaut mine disaster 11 of its 47 victims were buried there. We were truly fortunate to hear about St Sava's by the Deacon. It took the iconographer Miloje Milinkovic from 1995 to 2008 to complete the amazing frescoes at St Sava's. More photos in photo gallery for Feb mystery tour.

Jan 2010 Tour Automatic Musical Instruments

2010-01-07T21:06:00.000-08:00

In January, the Argonaut A's 2010 Officers were installed. Members and guests were invited to tour a private collection of automatic musical instruments.

Dec 2009 Argonaut A Christmas Party

2010-01-07T20:51:00.000-08:00

We enjoyed our traditional annual party and Yankee trade. This year a couple new members joined in the fun.

Dec 2009 Elephant and Tiger Wildlife Sanctuary Open House

2009-12-13T21:41:00.000-08:00

The Argonaut A's attended the Elephant and Tiger wildlife sanctuary open house of the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) in San Andreas. We awaited a year to attend, and it was worth the wait. The elephants and tigers came in closer due to the weather. The only one who can go near the elephants is Pat, who is feeding them. The photo is in the African Elephant barn. Can you see the elephant under the tree outside? The tigers were rescued and together eat 200 pounds of meat a day.

Honoring Ken Handy

2009-11-27T09:35:00.000-08:00

The Argonaut A's will miss Ken Handy who passed away November 23, 2009. He had a quick wit and a good sense of humor. Ken and Pat were married 60 years. While Ken loved to collect many treasures over the years, his real collection that he leaves behind is his large family and true friends.

Nov 2009 Scenic Tour of Amador Bed and Breakfast

2009-11-05T19:08:00.000-08:00

Following the Nov 21 Argonaut A 11 am lunch meeting at Colina de Oro in Plymouth, there was a scenic tour of Amador County Bed and Breakfast Inn's. A new member received her badge at the meeting.We stopped at the Amador Harvest Inn in Shenandoah Valley in Plymouth for a photo in the brisk air by the beautiful shimmering lake. The inn is owned by the Deavers who also operate the vineyard and the Amador Flower Farm. Our route then took us to the Imperial Hotel where visitors and guests sip tea or wine outside on the balcony overlooking Amador City. Driving towards Stringbean Alley on Highway 49 we went to Sutter Creek and the beautiful Bed and Breakfast Inns. First we saw the English country Grey Gables Inn, then the large brick ivy covered Hanford House Inn, around the bend was the beautiful Foxes Inn with it's well manicured lawn in the heart of the town, and next to it the sprawling new england style Sutter Creek Inn. Just down the road and around the corner we found the Eureka Street Inn with it's craftsman style near Knights Foundry. Our tour took us to Jackson Gate Road and the Gate House Inn with the beautiful historic mansion inn and summer cottage. While we didn't drive out to Volcano's St George Hotel today, we have driven by the historic country inn on previous tours. Of course we ended up getting ice cream! More photos at photo gallery for november

Oct 2009 Tour California Automobile Museum

2009-10-18T21:34:00.000-07:00

Following the October meeting, the Argonaut A's went by modern iron to the California Automobile Museum in Sacramento. Formerly the Towe Ford Museum, the California Automobile Museum is now operated by the Contemporary Historical Vehicle Association (CHVA).

Sept 2009 Backroad Tour to Old Gold Mines

2009-09-09T19:54:00.000-07:00

Following the Argonaut A's meeting in Plymouth we had a funfilled and educational tour via Model A and modern iron to Amador County's prominent old gold mines and tailings of the past along the backroads. Participants received a map at the start, and one of twelve informational mining cards at each stop. The tour took us past several of the remains of mines once active in the county. We saw cement and stone foundations, metal debris, headframes, powder houses, and tailing piles. In addition we saw what was left of once active communities, such as New Chicago, New Philadelphia as well as many of the gold rush buildings of Drytown, Amador City, Sutter Creek, and Jackson. Our tour went by the remains of the Plymouth Consolidated Mine, the headframe of the Fremont- Gover mines, the ore frame and open shaft of the Treasure Mine connected to Bunker Hill Mine, the Kennedy Tailing Wheels, Keystone Mine - headframe, stamp mill, foundations and buildings, South Spring Hill foundations on string bean alley, surface workings of the Mahoney mine and the Wildman Mines powder house and Emerson Shaft rock foundations. The tour stopped at the Central Eureka mines which were the longest working mines in the county. The Kennedy and Argonaut Mines are the two most famous mines in the area and also the deepest. Headframes, stamp mills, buildings and tailing wheels remain. The Zeile Mine powder house remains. We ended our drive with cold ice cream. More photos on sept 2009 photo gallery.

Aug 2009 Tour Farm to Flight Museum

2009-08-24T22:28:00.000-07:00

The August 2009 Argonaut A's meeting celebrated with the addition of two new members. Afterwards we drove to the private "Farm to Flight Museum" with planes from WWI and vintage cars and toys. It was a delightful tour by a family with immense dedication over the years.

July 2009 Tour Preston Castle

2009-07-17T22:12:00.001-07:00

July 18, 2009 the Argonaut A's toured from Jackson to Ione for a tour of the historical Preston Castle. Afterwards we continued to Colina de Oro for our meeting in Plymouth. The castle took us back in time to the early 1900's.

June 2009 BBQ

2009-07-17T22:01:00.000-07:00

Our June meeting was a lovely evening BBQ at the home of one of our members. Our junior member read a paper she had written on the Argonaut Mine and the Miners Graves, which we had toured last time.

May 2009 Tour Miners Graves of the Argonaut Mine Disaster

2009-06-20T15:13:00.000-07:00

In May 2009, the Argonaut A's held our meeting in Plymouth. Afterwards we traveled the backroads of Amador county, going over hill and dale next to stonewalls built during the era of the gold rush. We drove our Model A through little running creeks through the mother lode towns of Sutter Creek to Jackson to the mother lode town of Jackson, California to tour three cemetery graves of the 47 miners of the Argonaut Mine disaster. The miner grave cemetery tours were facilitated by Amador County Historical Society Officers. They shared with us stories of the 47 miners of our namesake, the Argonaut Mine graves at the Catholic cemetery, the Protestant cemetary and St Sava's. They showed us the plaque that will be put on the vista point below the Argonaut Mine headframe on Hwy 88 overlooking Jackson.

April 2009 Scenic Tour of Gold Country

2009-05-15T21:31:00.000-07:00

April 2009, the Argonaut A's toured the scenic gold country backroads, starting from our meeting, going over hill and dale, with Model A's and modern iron going through creeks and through the countryside... spotting beautiful wildflowers, scenery, even scottish highland cattle, many old barns and ending .. of course with ice cream!

March 2009 Tour to Daffodil Hill

2009-04-17T21:22:00.000-07:00

March 2009, one of the Argonaut A's won a poster in the raffle after the 50/50 fundraiser. Following our meeting we toured from Plymouth a scenic route up and down, all around through hill and dale and into a creek up to Daffodil Hill with beautiful flowers.

Feb 2009 Tour Amador Scenic Wine Route

2009-02-24T21:25:00.000-08:00

Our new member received her badge at the Argonaut A meeting at Colina de Oro. We listened to a vintage Model A alarm clock wake us all up with it's LOUD ahooga and then "good morning!"... and our fundraiser 50 50 raffle followed by a raffle of pottery on the wine theme... and off we went touring the wine country... stopping at the Story Winery to see the beautiful Consumnes Canyon views, then to Vino Noceto with the Doggie Diner outside the barn wine tasting.. and our last wine stop at Brays Winery with the Red Brazen Hussy Wine... until we toured through Sutter Creek and it's beads, masks and music for Mardi Gras... we waved our hats and flounced our 'Our new member received her badge at the Argonaut A meeting at Colina de Oro. We listened to a vintage Model A alarm clock wake us all up with it's LOUD ahooga and then "good morning!"... and our fundraiser 50 50 raffle followed by a raffle of pottery on the wine theme... and off we went touring the wine country... stopping at the Story Winery to see the beautiful Consumnes Canyon views, then to Vino Noceto with the Doggie Diner outside the barn wine tasting.. and our last wine stop at Brays Winery with the Red Brazen Hussy Wine... until we toured through Sutter Creek and it's beads, masks and music for Mardi Gras... we waved our hats and flounced our '29 feathers out the window! on our way to ice cream (of course!) See more photos below and in photo gallery.

Jan 2009 Highway 49 Whistle Stop Tour

2009-02-08T23:50:00.000-08:00

In January we added a new member... during the depression, she came to California with her family of 13 in two cars from Iowa. We installed officers this month. The President appointed our youngest member as Sergeant at Arms who did a great job with raffles .... Our tour was the Highway 49 Whistle Stop Tour. We drew cards to see who would lead... and luck of the draw... each time ... was the same leader!!! At each stop, we got out and blew our whistles! Second to last stop was at Kit Carson to visit an injured member... then final stop.... you guessed it for... ICE CREAM!! more photos at gallery

Dec 2008 Christmas Party Yankee Trade

2009-02-08T23:09:00.000-08:00

The Argonaut A's held our 2008 Christmas party with a delightful delicious dinner and fun festivities at Strings restaurant. Everyone raved about the food and service. We had a great Yankee Trade! The elves were split up, and we all fought over a set of "Naughty or Nice" mugs!

Nov 2008 Calaveras Museum San Andreas Red Barn

2008-12-05T20:34:00.000-08:00

In November we traveled to the Calaveras County Museum and the San Andreas Red Barn Museum. The downtown Calaveras museum complex, which houses many of the exhibits and collections, is located in the old government center with the Courthouse, Jail Yard, and Hall of Records of San Andreas. Two infamous names from the Gold Rush often tied to San Andreas, are Black Bart and Joaquin Murieta. His trial was held in the court room in San Andreas. The jail where he was held still stands and is a part of the Calaveras County Historical Museum Complex.

Oct 2008 Chaw'se Grinding Rock Tour

2008-12-05T20:21:00.001-08:00

What a beautiful day and crisp tour! The Argonaut A's drove the backroads from Fiddletown, going by Daffodil Hill and down Rams Grade... passing brave cyclists (our brakes smelled like rubber on those very very steep roads) all the way down to Volcano for a walk and then touring round the bend to the Chaw'se Grinding Rock State Park and Museum. The park preserves a great outcropping of marbleized limestone with some 1,185 mortar holes -- the largest collection of bedrock mortars in North America.

Sept 2008 Ione Sutter Creek

2008-12-05T20:10:00.000-08:00

In September the Argonaut A's took a quick tour from Plymouth along the backroads of Ione Sutter Creek.

August 2008 Tour Mineral Mining Museum

2008-10-11T20:53:00.000-07:00

The Argonaut A's were invited to a private collector mineral mining museum. We were impressed that there were quite a few artifacts from the Argonaut mine, our namesake. The entire collection was amazing. It was the farthest our members had toured... and it took all day.

July 2008 BBQ

2008-08-03T10:08:00.000-07:00

In July the Argonaut A's celebrated summer with a wonderful BBQ at the home of one of our members. Everyone brought something to share and the host had a great BBQ tri-tip and wonderful pesto dish. It was a great way to relax by the waterfall koi pond. We held our meeting and ended with a slide show by one of the members of their Model A trip across 17 states.

June 2008 New Youth Member Tours FIddletown

2008-07-13T09:59:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Argonaut A's youngest new member, nine year old Caitlin Neuner! She had previously joined us in the parade earlier in the month. She toured in Grandpa's Model A to Fiddletown to the flea market and found the "Rock Hound Saloon" after a round of applause at the club meeting. What a large fiddle in Fiddletown! She is pictured with the former "younger" member.... smile....

June 2008 Italian Picnic Parade Sutter Creek

2008-06-12T18:22:00.000-07:00

The Argonaut A's theme of the "California or Bust!" was a great hit at the Italian Picnic Parade in Sutter Creek! We wore clothing in the era of the depression, with vehicles laden down with furniture, mattresses, children, people packed in the cars, sacks on the fenders, coffee, flour and beans... one of our members brought his mother who had actually travelled from Iowa to California during that time. She shared stories of how her father sold the farm, packed 13 people into two vehicles and pulled a trailer... and dad sold the trailer and it's goods for 35 dollars on the way. They had 16 flats in such a short period of time, and it took 13 days to get to southern California. What a journey! can you imagine? We enjoyed the parade and took first place!! Our two youngsters loved the ride in the rumble seat and in the back of the truck. We all enjoyed the picnic at the end of the parade and the kids the carnival. MANY MORE PARAD PHOTOS CLICK ON OUR ARGONAUT: PHOTO Gallery

May 2008 A Day at the Ranch

2008-06-12T17:01:00.000-07:00

In May, the Argonaut A's drove from Jackson in Amador County along the Pardee Dam for a Day at the Ranch at Hardy's Gold Country in Campo Seco. We met the Tokay A's who sponsored a BBQ and joined a car show. More photos at photo gallery for May post

April 2008 Tour for Humble Pie in Volcano

2008-05-11T10:55:00.000-07:00

The Argonaut A's held our monthly meeting in Plymouth with a lunch at Colina de Oro followed by tour through the backroads of Amador County. We started off with a pit stop in Plymouth around the town and then along highway 16, scenic highway 49 and behind the old sutter creek gold mine in back of the historic town of Sutter Creek. Our tour continued along the creek that flows from Sutter Creek to the town of Volcano. It was beautiful with all the wildflowers. We ended up in the small town of Volcano, which has fewer residents than caves. Our group shopped in the small stores and then stopped for "Humble Pie" ice cream and coffee. It was wonderful! A few played tic-tac-toe. One member was very creative and found new ways to make three in a row! what fun.... the country scenery was breathtaking and refreshing. What a wonderful relaxing day with friends in the spirit of the Model A.

More April Photos in Gallery

Feb and Mar 2008

2008-04-18T17:19:00.000-07:00

In February 2008, the Argonauts A' s took a leisurely tour after our meeting through the town of Plymouth where everyone piled out to look at a vintage car for sale. Then the club went through old roads to antique shopping and the candy store in Jackson. Final stop was for ice cream... of course! We raffled off a beautiful print of a Model A donated by one of the club members.

In March we had a mystery tour, winding up at a private residence "the Last Chance Texaco Pump House". What a delight ... thanks so much to the owner who restores gas pumps.

01/2008 Amador City Miner's Pick Museum

2008-02-02T11:45:00.001-08:00

In January 2008, the Argonaut A's installed Officers and Board of Directors for the year at Colina de Oro. Recognition and kudos (kazoos) were given out with fun and laughter to members who had contributed in special ways in 2007. After lunch Argonaut A's and guests toured Amador City and the Miner's Pick Museum, followed by ice cream at the Buffalo Chip (of course! ) More photos in Photo Gallery

12/07 Yankee Trade

2007-12-24T14:10:00.000-08:00

Argonaut A's enjoy an old fashioned Yankee Trade Christmas in Amador County. The spirit of fun and friendship and exchanging stories of familes was held. Each person shared something special about the person next to them, we heard stories and joy and wonderful tales of friendship of our Argonaut A family.

11/07 Vintage Ford

2007-12-24T13:30:00.000-08:00

In November 2007, the Argonaut A's held a fun lunch meeting at Colina de Oro. Officers for next year were nominated. It was followed by a tour to Sacramento Vintage Ford in Rancho Cordova, California.

The following day, our club had a wonderful "This Lady Drives an A" workshop. It was a great seminar, driving experience and fun adventure! (We won't reprint their name without their permission!.. but great admiration and kudos go to the couple who dared take us ladies on!!)

10/07 Amador County Heritage Days

2007-10-20T17:34:00.000-07:00

The Argonaut A's delicious breakfast meeting at the Waffle Shop was casual. We also discussed the MAFCA youth raffle and one of our members won a bottle of bubbly (in the spirit of the AMICA bubbles last weekend at Sutter Creek) for the best "back up" plan for November's tour in light of cold weather which may cancel our outdoor BBQ on 11/17. (The prize went for going to Sacramento Vintage Ford after a lunch meeting in Plymouth) After breakfast at the Waffle Shop we drove over to the Amador County Heritage Days in Jackson. There was a '29 Fire Engine and lots of antique items for sale on historic Main Street. Everyone found something to like at Heritage Days, whether it was silverware, quilts, Kit Carson, antiques, kettle corn or chit chatting with friends.

Our next event will be a lesson Sunday, October 18th, on "The Lady Drives a Model A". More photos of Argonaut A's participation at the Amador County Heritage Day in Jackson are in the October Heritage Day Photo Gallery.

October Organ Rally in Sutter Creek

2007-10-20T16:27:00.000-07:00

The Argonaut A's joined in the festivities with the Sutter Creek Organ Rally by the Sierra Nevada chapter of Amica (Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors Association). The streets were alive with music. See more photos at the Argonaut A's October Photo Gallery.

Sept 2007

2007-09-16T15:44:00.000-07:00

Received news from our touring members, with a highlight of Mount Rushmore. Our meeting was held with our own highlight the return of our members to lunch at Colina de Oro for our September meeting. We rescheduled our Ladies driving lesson for Fall - or as we call it "know how to start and move the Model A in an emergency - and if needed be a backup" .... Some folks may be intimidated to take a driving lesson, but not a "know how to move the car out of the garage if I have to" lesson!

August 2007 Kennedy Gold Mine

2007-08-17T15:40:00.000-07:00

The Argonaut A's August 18th lunch meeting was held in Plymouth and followed by tour through little back roads of Amador County to the Kennedy Gold Mine in Jackson. Our club may not be large, but we certainly make up for it in the spirit of the Model A - we have lots of fun!! Food, cheer, laughter, driving towards vintage times .. waving to all... off we go ....

Members and guests then took a surface tour of the Kennedy gold mine, the headframe and a historic video of the miners working in 1914. The Kennedy Mine, is famous for being one of the deepest gold mines in the world (at 5912 feet). Prospected in 1860, reorganized in 1886 and continuously run until 1942, the Kennedy Gold Mine produced approximately $34,280,000 in gold . It is one of the tallest head frames in existence today.

See August Photo Gallery

July 2007 Surprise! Young at Heart...

2007-07-30T23:31:00.000-07:00

July 17, 2007 we met at Colina de Oro in Plymouth, followed by a tour through Amador County backroads to surprise our Treasurer on her big day ... journeying to our favorite spot at Baskin Robbins. Celebration Surprise...eat drink and be merry... travel via Model A to be young again at baskin robbins... balloon, present, song, cake with ice cream!

More July photos at gallery...

Summer 2007

2007-06-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

In the last year the members of our small club have endured a lot of hardship and yet we continue to meet and support one another each month. Our members have lost a spouse (Richard Hackett Board Member), a brother Glenn Fiedler, (Argonaut A's Chapter member) a father "Scotty", a grandson Dusty, and Ken's brother. Two members, the Moore's, left due to serious health concerns and sold their Model A, Abigail. On a positive note, both our serious stroke victims, Bob and Ken have returned home and are on the road to recovery.

In May at a celebration of Richard's life held on his birthday the Argonaut A's donating a brick in his name to the American Legion as he was a Veteran of the war. We are proud of our family in the military - a grandaughter, a grandson and 3 nephews - navy, marine and army and we pray for their safety.

In April and May the Argonaut A's met at Mel and Faye's Diner in Jackson for lunch. At the May meeting we toured up to Pine Grove to an antique yard sale and visited with one of our returning members who had come home from the hospital.

In June the Argonaut A's donated raffle items to the Northern Central Region Group (NCRG) Round-up held in Sacramento, hosted by the Capital A's . Murphy's law being what it's been we broke down on the way and the items arrived at the last minute... the Argonaut hat and "Brayzin Hussy Red" wine of Shenadoah Valley from Amador County we discovered on one of our tours were presented to the oldest member at the Awards banquet.

More at Photo Gallery.... 45th NCRG Roundup

Richard... Peace be with you.. April 3, 2007

2007-04-04T12:56:00.000-07:00

Our heart goes out to Richard's family. He loved his wife Jacqueline deeply, their four sons, friends, his cats and Model A "Fred". He had a wonderful sense of humor and will be greatly missed by all...

03/07 St Patrick Mystery Tour

2007-04-04T12:38:00.000-07:00

March 17, 2007. The Argonaut A's met at Colina De Oro in Plymouth for St Patrick's Day with raffles and fun by all.

The group travelled from Plymouth through Drytown, Amador City and across the new bypass around Sutter Creek to Baskin Robbins with a pot of gold at the end of the mystery tour.

A couple weeks later, another of our members had a stroke. We keep Ken and his family in our prayers.

02/7 Tour Sutter Creek

2007-03-10T22:03:00.000-08:00

In February we met at Colina de Oro in Plymouth followed by a tour of Sutter Creek in preparation for the AAUW April tour. Photos were taken by our Club Historian who has since been hospitalized. We keep Bob in our prayers for a speedy recovery.

01/07 Tour Mechanical Pieces of Americana

2007-02-08T20:09:00.000-08:00

January 2007 saw the installation of the Argonaut A's Officers and Board of Directors, followed by a tour to Sutter Creek to view mechanical pieces of Americana by members of the Sierra Nevada chapter of Amica (Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors Association). What a wonderful music array of Rags, Blues and Foxtrots played by rare player pianos, a roll operated organ, coin operated nickelodeons and orchestrions, and beautiful antique gramaphones. It was a real treat to see and hear these automatic musical instruments.

More at Photo Gallery

12/06 Christmas Party

2006-12-17T15:56:00.000-08:00

A Spirit of fun and laughter was held with an old fashioned Yankee trade Christmas Party gift exchange. All items were wrapped in newspaper anonymously and ranged from feeler gauges and continuity tester for Model A, gourmet coffee, Jim Beam BBQ all the way to (who would have thought?!) Baskin Robbin ice cream gift certificates! We voted in 2007 Officers and Board of Directors ... to be installed January...

11/06 Kennedy Tailing Wheels, Dalton Road and Mels

2006-11-21T12:20:00.000-08:00

November 18th the Argonaut A's toured to view the monstrous fifty-eight foot diameter Kennedy Tailing Wheels which are a one-of-a-kind creation. Although not built during the Gold Rush, these huge wooden wheels were a direct result of a Gold Rush event and are probably the most remembered artifacts of any visit to Jackson today. Afterwards we drove the beautiful fall drive along China graveyard Road to see the new Dalton Road of the Jackson Rancheria and along Highway 88 to Mel's for ice cream. See November Photo Gallery

10/06 - Winery Tour

2006-11-11T22:55:00.000-08:00

In October, the Argonaut A's took a tour to wineries in the Shenandoah Valley. We visited the Sobon Estate Winery, Charles Spinetta Winery and the Bray Winery. Several of us even made it to our ice cream social at Baskin Robbins in Martell. See Winery Photo Gallery

Tribute to Glen Fiedler .. Oct 2006

2006-10-15T20:51:00.000-07:00

Glen built the Huxter Wagon that will continue to tour in the Argonaut A's. We will miss him. May peace be with you as you join the angels...

09/06 - Little Amador RR in Amador City

2006-09-30T23:08:00.000-07:00

Rumble! One of our members created "Amelia" (how cute!) for another couple's coupe "Abigail", where she rides in their rumble seat... several of us now have "pouty doll passengers". ... Rosie, Lela and Charlie the Mechanic! all in fun! Actually the first time Rosie was in the back, her "mom" almost had a fit, when "dad" forgot to seat belt her in. What if she had flown out... folks would think they were running over a kid! Why we could get a ticket she said. Get a grip, said dad... Rosie's a pouty doll! we can't get a ticket! Ever since then, however, she's been belted in (smile). Amelia, made her first tour to the Little Amador Railroad in Amador City in September.

Little Amador RR in Amador City In September, after our meeting we toured by Model A to Amador City to view the "Little Amador RailRoad" miniature outdoor Model Trains. The Little Amador Railroad scale model railroad winds past actual mining equipment from the California gold rush. We had a nice surprise when we were also given a private tour of the "train room" where the trains are built. A little city was in the room. Outside the trains were running on the tracks, and a steam train was going. We stayed quite awhile, it was so interesting watching them go... the trains have been going for the last eleven years on weekends.

Amador City Museum and Buffalo Chips Ice Cream After our tour, we shopped in the train depot then crossed the street to tour the Amador City Museum, then had ice cream (of course) at Buffalo Chips and saw a few antique shops. We recommend doing it again next year for those who couldn't make it... What a full day!

08/06 - Tuneup Seminar

2006-09-29T21:02:00.000-07:00

The Seminar in August was held in Sutter Creek in the incredible "Barn" of one of our members. It was a great hands on session to go thru the Model A and tweak the various systems that will help it run better. It was a very enlightening session, with instruction on

Points
Distributor gap
Timing
Spark plugs
Compression
Carburetor
Coil voltage and polarity
Generator (alternator) output

See Argonaut A's Photo Gallery

08/06 - Amador County Museum

2006-09-27T19:13:00.000-07:00

August 2006 - Working Model of the Kennedy Mine at the Amador County Museum Our August meeting was held at Denny's followed by tour to Amador County Museum for a special demonstration of working model of the Kennedy mine.

07/06 - Sutter Creek Underground Gold Mine

2006-09-26T02:22:00.000-07:00

Underground Gold Mine Tour - July 2006 The underground gold mine tour was fun! Along the way three of the cars had trouble, but we took care of it by helping one another out. This provided additional push for holding a car workshop in August! After the mine tour event we took a jaunt in our Model A's to Baskin Robbins.

2006 - Past events

2006-09-26T01:29:00.000-07:00

Sierra House in Pine Grove, March 2006 Every month, more guests are invited. New members join after participating in two meetings, paying annual dues and initation fee. We now have club shirts, hats and sweatshirts with our logo.

Colina de Oro in Plymouth, February 2006 Airport Appreciation Day in Martell, June 2006 The club is invited to attend airport appreciation day. Several members participate.

05/06 - Amador Flower Farm

2006-09-25T23:51:00.000-07:00

May 2006 - Mystery Tour to Amador Flower Farm We had fun on the mystery tour winding through the little historic towns from Jackson to the Amador Flower Farm. Along the way we had mysteries to solve until we arrived at the Flower Farm in the Shenandoah Valley. Along the way we went through Martell, Sutter Creek, Amador City, Drytown, Plymouth, and skirted by Fiddletown. It was 16 miles each way.

01/06 - Rides and Rods in Ione

2006-09-25T23:09:00.000-07:00

December 2005 The Argonaut A's Chapter, Model A Ford Club of America (MAFCA) was chartered in December 2005 with a meeting in Jackson at Perko's.

January 2006 - Installation of Officers Clube members enjoy local tours, sharing information and the spirit of the Model A. The first officers were installed at Rides and Rods in Ione, California in January. Members toured from Jackson to Ione. We were surprised with fun and laughter as we kicked off the club. Badges went from paper to real in moments. The restaurant posted our cars on their website.

06/06 - 125th Italian Picnic Parade

2006-09-22T00:05:00.000-07:00

June 2006- Italian Picnic Parade - The Argonaut A's won 1st place for historical vehicles in the Sutter Creek 125th Italian Picnic Parade. Our theme was Vote for Herbert Hoover, A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage! Gas 15 cents a gallon... and the crowd roared!!!

See Argonaut A's Photo Gallery

06/06 - Argonaut Gold Mine

2006-09-21T23:18:00.000-07:00

June 2006 - Argonaut Gold Mine

The Argonaut A's held a BBQ at our namesake - the Argonaut gold mine in Jackson, California. The food was great, with tri-tips and potluck items galore. What a perfect setting for the vintage cars!

County Historian, Larry Cenetto spoke to us about the history of the gold mines in the county in the 1900's and the disaster that occured at the Argonaut mine. We held a raffle and Larry donated a copy of the History of Amador County.

Artist Loretta Armstrong unveiled the new Argonaut A logo which includes the Argonaut gold mine head frame and the Argonaut Charter cars.

See more at Argonaut A's photo gallery