8th Annual Lobsters at Spruce Head
A little after 2PM, 13 vehicles with 22 folks inside, made the 7ish mile trck from OHTM down Rt 73, onto Clarks Island Road and in no time arrived at the LaBay home, and what a home!! As in the many years past that this fabulous event has been hosted at this location, this one was no exception. To a person in our chapter that attended, we are certainly grateful to Naomi & Duncan for their hospitality !!!
OHTM Foreign Auto Rendezvous 2023
Saturday September 30, like nost of the New England Fall mornings was cool and a bit damp, as this great event is very close to but not on the ocean. At 10 AM the gates officially opened and as usual our Volvo group was a dozen strong and growing. As the day progressed the sun broke through. By noon, when our chapter meeting took place, we had 23 vehicles within the confines of our reserved parking area. For an unknown reason I have no pictures of this years meeting, which had a surprise announcement Exploring the chances of holding a national event in Maine !!
Larz Anderson Museum
Swedish Car Day
Saturday August 27th
The Maine Chapter was represented by 3 members and their vrhicles. The weather was "perfect" with a great turnout. This was the second year of this event running under a new administration, its a work in progress and should get the bugs ironed out as it goes. Yes all our vehicles just happend to be shades of yellow
Cole Transportation Museum
July 22, 2023
Bangor, Me
Sometime around 8:45 the 17 folks in 9 Volvos that had assembled in the Augusta - Riverdie Street, Irving Station decided it was time to head North. We followed Rt 202 into Bangor and onto Perry Road and eventually into the Parking Lot of the Cole Transportation Museum. We spent the next few hours marveling at all the displays and exhibits located there. Some of our folks had to leave after the museum, those left made a short journey across town to a well known Truck Stop and Restaurant to have lunch. As mentioned this trip was well worth the time and efforts as we all enjoyed this museum and to a person voted put this event on our "return" calendar.
6th Annual Volvos by the Sea in Scarborough
Sunday June 4, 2023
Sunday was a rainy, windy and too darn cold day for June! More mysteriously lots of folks all driving some more unique than others, Volvos, appeared on a street in the Blue Point segment of Scarborough. Our 6th Annual gathering and cookout at our VP's home was certainly alive & well inside. We enjoyed the Mack families tasty grill & culinary potentials, not forgetting the many salads, casseroles and desserts that were offered up by the members, attending this as always delightful event!!
Maine Classic Car Museum
Saturday May 6, 2023
10 folks attended our Museum Tour on Rt.1 in Arundel. The variety of vehicles was interesting and entertaining as among the American and European models was a P1800S. This Volvo created a thought-provoking discussion among the "more mature" and Volvofiles in our group, leaving all of us with more questions than answers........ After the tour, seven of the group went to lunch at the Run of the Mill Restaurant on Saco Island between Biddeford and Saco and we all had an enjoyable meals. Before we left we took a few moments to appreciate the wildly rushing waters of the Saco River as it ran into the ocean. As the channel carrying it, happened to be behind our vehicles in the lower restaurant parking lot. It was a reminder of what two weeks of rain in late Spring can create!! (Thanks to memeber Kelsey W for the pics)
3rd Annual Holiday Brunch
Sunday December 4th was fair and sunny winter day, as our "luck" for these gatherings has been gratifying. Speaking of gratifying the 18 folks who attended and the variety of home prepared foods were much much too moorish Reflections of this years events along with a special thanks to one of our favored repair facility owners made this a memorable day. We owe everyone who contributed along with our host and his family huge thanks! Hard to believe that yet another year has come to an end..... We are already looking forward to next year!!
7th Annual Foliage Tour Oct 1st 2022
Around 9:30 was a cloudy, overcast, coolish morning on Rt 41 in Mt.Vernon. Some 14 Folks in 9 vehicles have gathered to make what turned into a sunny mild day one of the most enjoyable Fall Foliage Tours! The tour ran from the Farmington Area up Rt 27 through Kingfield to Eustis and down Rt. 16 to Strong, taking the access road up Quill Hill (2890 Feet) !! Everybody certainly seemed to enjoy our "picnic" and much more so the 360 degree view on the top. Regrouping after "dining" we followed Rt. 16 to Rangeley, then south down Rt. 4 to Phillips stopping to ride the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Narrow Gauge Railroad on its last ride of the day at 3PM. The " Little Train That Could" came with the engineer being our tour guide and honestly it was quite interesting and a big part of the history to the surrounding area. All in all everyone enjoyed the day, unfortunately our last journey for the season... We're beginning to plan and taking suggestions for next year!! Thanks to everyone in making this year a success !!
Foreign Auto Festival at "OHTM" Sept 17th 2022
The morning of September 17th started out with sunshine and seasonal temps 50's which wasn't all that bad, as it just kept getting warmer and nicer. By the time the gates opened at 10AM the place was hopping, we had something like a dozen vehicles in line and more showing up every few minutes... Keep in mind the Downest Land Rover Club and the MidMaine Sports Car Club were also there, by 11:30 our car count was 26 vehicles! Again thanks go out to chapter members from New Hampshire, but....we were the biggest club in attendance!! As I've mentioned before this event and what follows it in the afternoon at Spruce Head just keeps getting bigger and better!! A big THANK YOU to all our folks who make this happen!!
Our Chapter Meeting at FAF 2022
Our monthly meeting was held in the Board Room of the Owls Head Transportation Museum, with a head count of 29 members thats a 60% of our known membership. This whole day and all it encompasses just keeps getting better !!
7th Annual Lobsters at Spruce Head
The weather couldn't have been much if any nicer around 3PM at the home of Duncan & Naomi LaBay on Spruce Head!! The 25+ folks who attended as always were very happy with everything - food, our hosts hospitality and everyone there being in the Volvo comradere camp!! The few pictures of this years gathering along with any from the previous years "feed" will tell the tell the rest of the story!!
Aug 13, 2022 Maine Red Hot Dog Festival - Dexter, Me.
Saturday August 13 was yet another beautiful beginning from our VP Ron Lockwoods driveway. Dexter was approximately 65 + or - miles north and this event in particular would be a"bite more tasty" to some..... We arrived just before noon and the place was thriving as it was lunch time!! The theme of this event was Red Hot Dogs and we all sampled between 1 and three of these glorious weiners, with a variety of toppings. You have to be from Maine to have an appreciation of those "Red Snappers" which didn't end because of the red coloring agent used to make them unique to the rest of the world! We all explored the museums, displays and stoppped for a few minutes to listen to the serveral bands that were playing all around the down town. Around 2:30 we all gathered at our parking area, said our goodbyes and headed towards home. I'm dumb founded we didn't get a picture of the reason for being there those DELICIOUS RED HOT DOGS!
July 23, 2022 Cars & Coffee - Import Showcase Seal Cove Auto Museum - Seal Cove, Me.
Saturday July 23th around 8:30am was a brite sunny day in the parking lot behind the "Rusty Lantern" in Augusta. Seven Volvos have congregated there with 13 folks intent on attending the Import Showcase event in Seal Cove. We've been there before and have learned how to maneuver most all of the "less traveled routes to and onto the quiet side of Mount Desert Isle. We arrived 10:30ish to a bustling museum parking area, lots of folks and cars to which our group fit right in. We all made new connections and were told the Museum folks really appreciated our chapters attendance, of course it helped have a couple vehicles from the NH Chapter all ready there! Our return trip took a detour through Tremont up 102A to the town of Seawall, stopping at Charlotte's Legenday Lobster Pound and we weren't disappointed! It was a great day a bit humid away from the coast, but in Maine we only get so many "summah"days!!
June 19, 2022 Father's Day Cruise-In New Gloucester, Me.
AC Wheeler, one of our longest term "senior" members, is also actively involved in another car club. He inquired if we could muster a group from our chapter to attend an event benefiting a couple charities: Safe Voices and the Maine Veterans Home in South Paris. Shortly before 10am on Father's Day, five of our members met and after many cheery "Good Mornings", we drove across some pretty country side to the event. We were able to park as a group thanks to AC saving us some prime parking spots. This was cruise-in which has no trophies just door prizes. Be sure and ask our VP, Ron Lockwood, about this event next time you see him. He got quite a surprise at the finale of the event!!
June 5, 2022 The 5th Annual Volvos by the Sea in Scarborough
Our 5th Annual gathering at the Mack Home was nothing less than fantastic once again. At the risk of sounding like a record, the weather couldn't have been nicer, the food, salads and desserts were really great!! The 19 folks in attendance all enjoyed the day (to a person)!! This one of our host and his granddaughter is very special!!
More pictures of this wonderful day!!
Our 5th Annual Fall Foliage Tour
Sunday October 10, 2021
Around 9:15 in a well know seafood restaurant parking lot, in Woolwich, a group of 10 Volvos and 18 people had gathered. Their destination as it happened was the Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. A few of the group had been there and knew what to expect but for the rest of us the 300 gardens and 300+ acres of this magnificent vison of a few folks in 1991 was inspiring to say the least. The few pictures that are here are a tiny tiny fraction of what is there and for the majority of us the two hours (plus or minus) that we spent there only covered at most a third of it's offerings. Keep in mind this was the 10th day of October and it still was truly spectacular, can't begin to imagine how magnificent the mid-summer blooms (or Rt 1 traffic) would be! After the tour we dined at Robinson's Wharf in Southport, and were impressed as a damed good sized lobster boat maneuvered along side the wharf and deposited several large crates of lobsters on a large hand truck that was wheeled behind us down the wharf into the restaurant. Talk about fresh! After we dined roughly 50% of us went on a tour of Southport Island (bottom three pictures) by a member who lives in the immediate area. We stopped at the Newagen Seaside Inn and walked down to Cape Harbor where we could see Margaret Hamilton's - the "Wicked Witch" from The Wizard of Oz movie - (Red) home 900 feet acrost the harbor on Cape Island. Then we drove east to Dogfish Head Beach and got to see the Hendricks Head Lighthouse and Rachel Carson's home from this observation point. After all this it was time for us to call it a day and what a day even for us natives ayuh... Thanks to everyone who participated. It was a GREAT DAY!!
Around 9:15 in a well know seafood restaurant parking lot, in Woolwich, a group of 10 Volvos and 18 people had gathered. Their destination as it happened was the Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. A few of the group had been there and knew what to expect but for the rest of us the 300 gardens and 300+ acres of this magnificent vison of a few folks in 1991 was inspiring to say the least. The few pictures that are here are a tiny tiny fraction of what is there and for the majority of us the two hours (plus or minus) that we spent there only covered at most a third of it's offerings. Keep in mind this was the 10th day of October and it still was truly spectacular, can't begin to imagine how magnificent the mid-summer blooms (or Rt 1 traffic) would be! After the tour we dined at Robinson's Wharf in Southport, and were impressed as a damed good sized lobster boat maneuvered along side the wharf and deposited several large crates of lobsters on a large hand truck that was wheeled behind us down the wharf into the restaurant. Talk about fresh! After we dined roughly 50% of us went on a tour of Southport Island (bottom three pictures) by a member who lives in the immediate area. We stopped at the Newagen Seaside Inn and walked down to Cape Harbor where we could see Margaret Hamilton's - the "Wicked Witch" from The Wizard of Oz movie - (Red) home 900 feet acrost the harbor on Cape Island. Then we drove east to Dogfish Head Beach and got to see the Hendricks Head Lighthouse and Rachel Carson's home from this observation point. After all this it was time for us to call it a day and what a day even for us natives ayuh... Thanks to everyone who participated. It was a GREAT DAY!!
The 6th.. Annual Lobsters at Spruce Head
Before mid afternoon, the crowds at the Foreign Auto Festival were dwindling and a good part of that crowd, the VCOA group, were arriving just "down the road" in a beautiful location at Spruce Head. As usual, there were several newcomers to this years "Lobsters" event. These newcomers were most impressed and grateful to be there.
This was especially the case with our neice and her husband (Volvo owners-visiting from Wisconsin), who we brought along at the behest of our wonderful hosts. That day was their 11th wedding anniversay which they topped off with an overnight stay at the Craignair Inn. The whole experience is something they will remember forever. As is also the norm everyone had more than enough to eat and a delightful time interacting with the other guests. THANK YOU AGAIN to our hosts Duncan & Naomi for opening up their home and for hosting this annual gathering. Attending the Foreign Auto Festival is an event our chapter always enjoys. 'Lobsters at Spruce Head" is the perfect bookend to a great day!!!
This was especially the case with our neice and her husband (Volvo owners-visiting from Wisconsin), who we brought along at the behest of our wonderful hosts. That day was their 11th wedding anniversay which they topped off with an overnight stay at the Craignair Inn. The whole experience is something they will remember forever. As is also the norm everyone had more than enough to eat and a delightful time interacting with the other guests. THANK YOU AGAIN to our hosts Duncan & Naomi for opening up their home and for hosting this annual gathering. Attending the Foreign Auto Festival is an event our chapter always enjoys. 'Lobsters at Spruce Head" is the perfect bookend to a great day!!!
Our Chapter Meeting
We have traditionally held our monthly chapter meeting for September in the OHTM Board Room. With due respect to the Museum and its staff and concerns about Covid in closed spaces, the chapter meeting this year was held outside. It was held in the "big" gazebo and fortunately or unfortunately there was only one picture....
Owls Head Transportation Museum Foreign Auto Festival 2021
The early morning fog and dampness was a familiar sight at this location. It's been the pattern for the past serveral years and eventually the sun came out. Albeit partially cloudy, vehicles began to arrive in larger numbers. British vehicles were this years marque, to which a large chapter of Land Rovers appeared along with a chapter of a Porsche group and a Sports Car Club from the Mid-Coast.
Our chapter along with help (yet again) from members in NH and NY showed up in very good numbers. We had several NICE 1800 E/ES models, classic(s) V90 & S90, a V-8 powered 940 wagon, not one but two Yellow T5-R's, a Platinum Wagon, a 142S and 145S and several nice 240 wagons - phew - and thats not even 50% of the Volvos in our reserved spots!! I think the points been made on our great turnout for yet another year and thanks again to all our members for their participation as it was certainly impressive!!
Our chapter along with help (yet again) from members in NH and NY showed up in very good numbers. We had several NICE 1800 E/ES models, classic(s) V90 & S90, a V-8 powered 940 wagon, not one but two Yellow T5-R's, a Platinum Wagon, a 142S and 145S and several nice 240 wagons - phew - and thats not even 50% of the Volvos in our reserved spots!! I think the points been made on our great turnout for yet another year and thanks again to all our members for their participation as it was certainly impressive!!
The Maine Mineral & Gem Museum Tour
August 28th
At 8:15 AM in the Auburn Mall parking lot, 8 vehicles and 15 members had assembled. Around 9AM (after the usual exchange of "stories") we departed, exiting out the rear of the parking lot onto Rt. 119. We followed it west toward Norway only briefly crossing Rt 26 and then north on Rt. 118 to Vernon Road arriving in Bethel just one block from the museum, in time for the 10am opening.
This museum wasn't just someones collection of rocks in a dusty old barn...... Oh Contraire... As the pictures indicate, short of the Smithsonian this was one of the most well organized, best representations of Maine minerals and gems - including one of the largest private meteorite collections in the world. At the end of the self guided tour everyone had the option to hold a Moon rock and or a Mars rock!! More importantly a mining site close by has produced the largest find of tormaline known to date, along with it's storied history of mining in Maine.
It was truly worthy of the 90 or so minutes that we all spent in awe of its interactive displays, videos and even NASA exhibits. Topping it all off, of course there was a museum store with some really unique and special items on sale.
About 12:30 we departed the museum and followed Rt 2 north towards Sunday River to our designated lunch spot just as our weather "luck" ran out. As it had begun to sprinkle and didn't let up but, none the less we either enjoyed some of the Smokin Good BBQ or some of the delicious entries from the Good Food Store . It was a great day and to a person we all want to revisit this true "Gem" again!!
This museum wasn't just someones collection of rocks in a dusty old barn...... Oh Contraire... As the pictures indicate, short of the Smithsonian this was one of the most well organized, best representations of Maine minerals and gems - including one of the largest private meteorite collections in the world. At the end of the self guided tour everyone had the option to hold a Moon rock and or a Mars rock!! More importantly a mining site close by has produced the largest find of tormaline known to date, along with it's storied history of mining in Maine.
It was truly worthy of the 90 or so minutes that we all spent in awe of its interactive displays, videos and even NASA exhibits. Topping it all off, of course there was a museum store with some really unique and special items on sale.
About 12:30 we departed the museum and followed Rt 2 north towards Sunday River to our designated lunch spot just as our weather "luck" ran out. As it had begun to sprinkle and didn't let up but, none the less we either enjoyed some of the Smokin Good BBQ or some of the delicious entries from the Good Food Store . It was a great day and to a person we all want to revisit this true "Gem" again!!
(2021) "Volvos by the Sea" IV in Scarborough
Our 4th Annual Volvos by the Sea event was held on Saturday July 10th and was in an overused word Fabulous!! We had a great group of people, fantastic hosts, food, cars...I think you get the idea. A chapter meeting was held after we dined. Everyone certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves and had great time, sharing stories and camaraderie and did I mention the Lobster Rolls, Burgers and Hot Dogs, Salads and Devine Desserts ?
(2020) Our 4th Annual Foliage Tour
Sunday October 4th started out partly sunny and with a few exceptions stayed that way, with the sun losing out more in the morning and winning more in the afternoon. Everything considered it was pretty good day for a our tour and only the second gathering of the year as " Covid" had curtailed or postponed almost everything. As the 14 folks in 7 vehicles arrived, our 9AM departure came and went, seems everyone was catching up.....
Our VP led the group from his home in Mt. Vernon through Farmington and up Rt 4 to the Smalls Falls Rest Area. This location is yet another of Maine's picturesque natural wonders just off Rt 4 near Rangeley.
From there we traveled into Rangeley Village and up Rt 16 towards Eustis with one stop along the way at another Maine gem know as Quill Hill. If you've never been there put it on your "to do" list!! The well maintained dirt road up to the 2890 ' peak is impressive and once at the summit the 360 degree panoramic view will truly impress!!
Leaving Quill we followed 16 into Eusits and took Rt 27 south to Kingfield for our last stop at the Stanley Museum. This place was absolutely amazing, even with the Covid-19 precautions. Our guide was an extremely informative and a Stanley Steamer owner. This very nice lady knew just about anything and everything concerning the Stanley Brothers. I would also highly recommend the museum as another overlooked gem, it's located at 40 School St in Kingfield.
As we all gathered for one last group pic in the Museum parking lot, it was sad thinking this possibly would be our last get together for the year. A video has been sent out to all our members!!
Our VP led the group from his home in Mt. Vernon through Farmington and up Rt 4 to the Smalls Falls Rest Area. This location is yet another of Maine's picturesque natural wonders just off Rt 4 near Rangeley.
From there we traveled into Rangeley Village and up Rt 16 towards Eustis with one stop along the way at another Maine gem know as Quill Hill. If you've never been there put it on your "to do" list!! The well maintained dirt road up to the 2890 ' peak is impressive and once at the summit the 360 degree panoramic view will truly impress!!
Leaving Quill we followed 16 into Eusits and took Rt 27 south to Kingfield for our last stop at the Stanley Museum. This place was absolutely amazing, even with the Covid-19 precautions. Our guide was an extremely informative and a Stanley Steamer owner. This very nice lady knew just about anything and everything concerning the Stanley Brothers. I would also highly recommend the museum as another overlooked gem, it's located at 40 School St in Kingfield.
As we all gathered for one last group pic in the Museum parking lot, it was sad thinking this possibly would be our last get together for the year. A video has been sent out to all our members!!
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Welcome to our Volvo Site.
We are a group of "Volvo" aficionados living in Maine! Our Chapter is an official Chapter of the Volvo Club of America. Always looking to expand our membership.... "Vintage" Volvo owners or newer, all are welcome! Our Itinerary: Rides, Tours, Shows, Tech Sessions, Member Visits, Car Events & More Click on the P1800 photo below to learn more about our next "Event" 
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