JERSEY LATE GREATS, INC
PO BOX 1294 Highstown N.J.08520
Chevrolets 1958 to 1972 Chevrolets
January 2026
President Message
This will be my final President’s Message. I feel relieved and also grateful to have had the opportunity to be of service to the club. I have been a member since the early 80’s, right after the first Mt. Laurel convention. I have learned a lot about our cars, junkyards, conventions and how clubs successfully operate. I have also made some long-term friends and made a lot of stories! I feel confident that the new Board will carry us on into the future having good times and making memories. We’ve all heard the expression “The cars brought us together but the people keep bringing us back.”
The December meeting and Holiday Party was a success. We were finally able to update the club By-Laws thanks to the participation of many members. I want to say a special thank you to our secretary, Cynthia Philibosian for working tirelessly to hammer out the final language of the By-Laws. I think even Verne would be proud. From there it was party time with lots of good food and the annualLeft/Right gift exchange game. Thank you, Lydia, Dawn Dennery and Cynthia coordinated everything and our members came through with some tasty dishes.
Tom Merring has set up the schedule for the 2026 meeting schedule. There will be a few variations to meeting on the first Sunday but no big deal. Please refer the schedule published elsewhere in this newsletter. Thank you, Tom.
Tom Freund will be our new President in 2026. Tom was invited to bring his/Verne Frantz’ 1962 409 Impala SS convertible to the MCACN (MUSCLE CAR AND CORVETTE NATIONALS) in Chicago where it received well deserved recognition. Good job Tom. I’m looking forward to the new year with Tom at the wheel.
Take it easy,
Mike
February 2026
President Message
Greetings Jersey Late Great Members! I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone, as it is an absolute honor having been elected this year’s President. I assure you all that in my role here, I will do my absolute best in representing the club with the same professionalism as our previous esteemed Presidents.
Our January meeting was productive, as we discussed some upcoming events. It was agreed we would visit the AACA (Antique Automobile Club of America) in Hershey PA sometime in mid-March and Mike Berry will look into reserving a block of rooms at Springhill Suites directly across the street. This trip planned for either March 12th or 21st. Please reach out to Mike if interested so we can start to get any idea of how many people would be interested. I hear it is a great Museum and I encourage everyone to join us.
Some other upcoming events include our annual Spring Club picnic at Washington Lake Park. The Humphreys will put in for May 16th and 21st and will see what date works best. It was suggested that we attend one of the Somerville Friday night Cruises together as a Club with our Banner and Flyers. Emil will find out if we can reserve a spot in front of Somerset County Courthouse.
Additionally, as you most know I have purchased a Nostalgic 63 Impala 409 Drag car and will be racing at The Island Dragway in Great Meadows NJ at their OL Daze Drags. I will let you know dates as soon as the schedule becomes available. There are also other trips/events we are taking into consideration, and the club is open to any/all suggestions.
As a reminder, there are still a lot of parts available at both Janet Frantz and Jim Krous residences. It would be an excellent idea to continue helping the families by purchasing and clearing out parts. You can contact us accordingly to make arrangements for time and access.
All in All- let us all have another great year. Again, we are always open to suggestions on anything to improve or grow our Club or to just have fun.
Sincerely,
Tom Freund
March 2026
President Message
Greetings Jersey Late Great Members. With February behind us and hopefully the snow and harsh temperatures behind us as well. We can focus on Spring with warmer weather and getting our cars ready for the upcoming season. We are planning a fun filled season starting with our Field Trip scheduled for March 14th to attend the AACA Museum in Hershey, PA. Please refer to page four of this newsletter for all the details on this event. We hope many club members can join us as I hear it is a fantastic museum with much to see and share in the camaraderie with fellow club members.
In May we have our annual Spring Club Picinic at Washington Lake Park in Sewell, NJ. We have not yet confirmed a date, but will shortly. There is always great food, fun and friendship. I encourage all of you to join.
Some other upcoming events we are working on include a Nostalgia Drag Race Day at Island Dragway on June 28th, and The Somerville Friday Night Classic Car Cruise Night for Mid- July. We will keep everyone updated as these Events get locked in.
In the meantime, let us get those Late Great Chevy Cars Ready, say some prayers for early Spring and warmer weather. Looking forward to cruising and spending time together.
- Sincerely,
Tom Freund
April 2026
President Massage
Greetings Jersey Late Great Members. In last month’s President Message, I commented on the snow and harsh weather being hopefully behind us and directly after that newsletter came out, we had another storm. Now, with it officially being Spring, let’s hope for good weather moving forward.
We had our trip to the AACA Museum in Hershey, PA which was a huge success. Nearly 20 members and guests attended for a fun filled, interesting experience. Don Bock, who is a member of the AACA, has a friend that works at the Museum and was able to give us a guided tour, getting us special access to additional buildings not open to the public which was an added bonus. Thank you, Don and Mike Berry, for organizing that, and to all of our members who attended and contributed. We were also able to use a banquet room to hold our monthly meeting. At the meeting Mike Berry was presented an Appreciation Award for his service under his 2025 Presidency.
Dawn Dennery has been working on club hats and static cling window logos. At the meeting she brought some samples that looked great and we be taking orders for such. Information will be found within newsletter.
There has been a conflict with the dates of our Spring picnic at Washington Lake Park. The Humphreys’ received a phone call that they had other booking for all of the May dates we requested. That being said, we are now scheduled for Saturday June 6th so mark your calendars. I encourage all club members to attend and bring your Late Great Chevys. There will be food and fellowship. Contact Maureen Humphreys if you can contribute bringing a potluck dish or any necessities.
April’s meeting will be on the 26th at Switlik Park, as the facility was not available on the first Sunday. This will put May’s scheduled meeting only a week away. I am considering having May’s meeting on the 17th at my place in Flemington. My right-hand man Tom Merring will be away that weekend so I may need some assistance in preparing for this. Would like to discuss.
I pulled Vernes black convertible out this weekend and will be getting it ready for the season. I plan on bringing it out for some club events. Looking forward to a great season. Ron McDermott has been working fiercely on his newly acquired ‘62 convertible that I am anxious to see as well. Hope everyone else is getting their rides ready.
Will see you soon. Sincerely,
Tom Freund
May 2026
President Message
Message will be added in May 2026
June 2026
President Massage
Message will be added in June 2026
July 2026
President Message
Message will be added in July 2026
August 2026
President Message
Message will be added in August 2026
September 2026
President Message
Message will be added in September 2026
October 2026
President Message
Message will be added in October 2026
November 2026
President Message
Message will be added in November 2026
December 2026
President Massage
Message will be added in December 2026