2012 LVMOC Board - LVMOC.net

Home of the Lehigh Valley Miata Owners Club

2012 Club Board members and Officers

Alan Kalish – Governor

From the beginning, I was fascinated with the technology and design of cars. I was two and a half during the summer of 1959 when my grandfather drove my family from New Jersey to Los Angeles in just 62 hours, in his immense Chrysler with the big tail fins. My mom tells me that, when I wasn’t playing with my Matchbox cars on the rear shelf, I would call out the brand names of every car I saw. I guess that I was blessed with very patient parents, or I wouldn’t be here today.

Moving beyond the Jurassic era, I acquired my 1991 Miata in 2006, while living in Austin, Texas. The car was a total basket case, with body and engine in severe trouble. I was fortunate to find the local Tejas Miata Club, and the members helped me bring the car back to life, and they provided me with a community of friendly people and fun events. In 2007, I moved back to the northeast, where I was immediately welcomed into the LVMOC. My first club event was a roll bar install tech day at Lou’s house, and there I knew that I had found my new community of friends.

Thank you,

Alan

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Walter Cramer – Secretary

My name is Walter Cramer and my wife and I have called the Lower Nazareth area of the Lehigh Valley home since 1973. We are high school sweethearts, born and raised in the coal region area of Carbondale, PA.

I am a veteran having served in the US Air Force right out of high school – ‘64 to ‘68. My duty at that time was a helicopter mechanic. I’ve got to tell you, they were four great years of duty. A side benefit of that experience were chopper rides – what a blast!

In 2007 I retired after thirty five years of teaching Industrial Arts at a local Middle School - specifically, in the Graphics Arts area of printing, photography, and drafting. In ’73 my printing students were hand setting type from the California Job Case. By the time of my retirement, computers had my students working in the printing medium with Desktop Publishing. The wet darkroom was transferred to digital photography and Digital Imaging Editing. Board Drafting, of course, is now CAD. What transformation over time!

And here I am a member of the LVMOC as of August 2010. Many of you know the purchase of my ’91 BRG (Special Edition #2230) was purely accidental. In retirement, my wife and I wanted to drive across Pennsylvania via route 6 – but I only wanted to do it in a “two seater”.

Although I enjoyed three years of driving my Miata, joining the LVMOC has taken my driving experiences to new heights. When I get out on those club rides in the middle of a string of varied colored Miatas – WOW!!!, how fun is that!!!

I owe this club much in allowing me to enjoy my Miata even more than I had previously. It is with these thoughts in mind that I choose to give “something back” and serve as Secretary of our club.

Thank you,

Walter

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Ralph Fenner – Treasurer

Born, raised and still living in Bethlehem. I’ve always been interested in anything with an engine in it. Currently licensed in PA to drive anything with wheels on it (motorcycle to tractor trailer). I was crazy for muscle cars while in high school, owning a 66 Corvair Corsa and later a 67 Ford Fairlane GT convertible. I started noticing while fun in a straight line, muscle cars didn’t do too well around corners. I started becoming interested in sports cars and bought a new 73 MGB. It was fun in the corners and straights!!

After about 6 years, I needed something more practical and sold the MG. I can now skip ahead to 1990 when Mazda introduced the Miata. That’s when I made up my mind I was going to buy one, “One of these days.” A little over 2 years ago I was informed I had cancer and I may not have a lot of “those days” left. Around the same time, a friend was selling a ‘94 Miata. I bought it, joined the LVMOC and been having a great time driving with friends ever since.

In the spring of 2011, I traded the ‘94 for the 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata I currently own. The cancer is gone, along with a kidney. I learned the lesson that life’s too short, don’t put things off.

My work experience: I’m a Bethlehem Steel pensioner (Beam Yard), currently working for a women’s charity in Quakertown, PA.

Thank you,

Ralph

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Eric Derr - Vice President

I have been a member of LVMOC since its inception in 2002. I have served you as President and Vice President for most of this club's existence. With the help of my wife, Michelle, I have donated these years of love and hours of service to create rides, host events, raise money, install rollbars, and ensure the safety of our members on the drives we adore so much. In 2008

LVMOC has seen a terrific display of members stepping up to the plate to help when asked and where needed. From new drives to the incredible sense of comradery at the meetings and this past Drive to Survive.

I had an opportunity to meet many new members and speak with those of you who have been my friends for years. It is my honor to serve you again. Our club is growing. Our club is strong. Our club will get stronger.

LVMOC is YOURS.

I am here to serve you.

Eric

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Iva Ferris - President

I became involved with LVMOC at the first Car-B-Q and have been a member since. You might have joined me on the Eastern Wine Trail and you’ve probably seen me at our former President’s elbow, making sure he remembers everything on the agenda at membership meetings!

While I was not a founding member of LVMOC, I have been a member from the very first membership meeting of the club. I’ve been honored to be your club secretary for five years and look forward to serving LVMOC in the future.

My normal job is as an estate paralegal with Harry Newman, a local attorney. I am married, am owned by three cats, have been a Christkindlmarkt volunteer since 1995 and a Musikfest volunteer since 1994.

Thank you,

Iva

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Becky Fenner - Membership Director

Becky lives with her husband and LVMOC treasurer in Bethlehem.