2024 Chapter President: Steve Halstensgaard
Club News for July-August 2024
The 412 Lakes Chapter’s summer activities began with a breakfast meeting on May 27th, followed by our participation in the Detroit Lakes Memorial Day Parade. We had 23 members attending the breakfast and 11 automobiles participating in the parade.
We had our first tour of the summer on June 10th when Don Hlubek and Linda Romaine led us around several lakes and along wooded backroads. We stopped for dinner at a popular lakes-area pub before returning home. This summer we plan to have tours with a stop for dinner the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month. We will combine our monthly Chapter meeting with the tour on the 4th Monday.
On June 12th, the Detroit Lakes Chamber of Commerce sponsored their first Cruise DL Night of the summer, which usually attracts 250-300 cars that are on display along the city beach. Our Chapter will assist with staffing the entrance and exit gates. Last year, we set up a membership recruitment table at the Cruise Nights and we plan to do so again this year in at least June and July. We are using membership materials offered by the AACA at no cost to us and think we acquired two new members at the June Cruise Night. We have had a decrease in Chapter membership over the past year, primarily due to health issues and some members relocating. We feel that it is important to try to recruit new members and think these Cruise Nights are an excellent opportunity to connect with people who are interested in collector cars and who may be interested in membership.
In what will be one of the highlights of our Chapter activities this summer, the 412 Lakes Chapter hosted the Minnesota Region Judging Meet on June 15th. Fifteen cars were on display in all the classes with about 25 members attending the event. Please see the accompanying article in this issue of the Northern Lights for further details about the day.
On July 8th, our 2nd Annual Ecumen car show is planned for the residents of Ecumen Detroit Lakes, a local care center. Cathy Halstensgaard is organizing and coordinating the event with the care center. This is an opportunity for the residents of the care center to view and discuss with Chapter members and other residents their recollections and experiences with these automobiles from a bygone era
The Becker County Fair will be held in Detroit Lakes from August 7-10th and the 412 Lakes Chapter will again be providing an antique auto display. Mel Boomgaarden will be coordinating the event with help from other Chapter members to provide security staffing. Also, throughout the late summer and early fall, there will be several community celebrations that include a car show in which many of our members will participate.
The most significant news from 412 Lakes Chapter is the death of our friend and long-time chapter member, Charles “Gundy” Gunderson. Gundy died on June 22, 2024 at age 78 after battling Parkinson’s disease for the past several years. Gundy and Ruth earned their 25 year membership pin from the Minnesota Region last year. Gundy was active in our Chapter and was our treasurer for many years. Many of you likely remember Gundy driving one of his Chevrolet Corvairs. We extend our condolences to Ruth and all of Gundy’s wonderful family. Gundy’s obituary can be found at the funeral home website at daviddonehower.com