Carving a two-lane groove through verdant New England forests and farmland, Elaine and I had a morning’s worth of country miles under our belt. Having departed the Ira Allen House B&B in Sunderland Vt. and with Vermont now rapidly fading in the rear view mirror, a sharp left bend in the road revealed a sight that sent my foot off the gas. I found us fast approaching the tail of an post-war teal blue Studebaker pickup. Standing tall, proud and slow on its skinny bias-ply tires, it provided a window to yesterday on a timeless country road. Being in no particular hurry, I locked on to its 35 mph cruising speed and enjoyed the view. In a decision that would prove to significantly upgrade our planned day’s experience, I followed the truck as it exited the back road for a rural rest stop.

I was about to learn how to correctly pronounce Schaghticoke(?).

Classic Trucks Loaded with Memories

By the time I had pulled over and exited Elaine’s Honda Ridgeline, the man who I would later come to know as Don Dorr had the Studebaker’s hood up and his head buried in the engine bay. “It’s running hot,” said Don sensing my presence. “I think it’s a loose fan belt. You got a pry bar of sorts in your truck?” Don asked. Sadly, I had to say “No.” Though with the Ridgeline being Elaine’s truck, I did have a yoga mat at the ready if needed. Luckily Don carried a pocket full of wrenches and quickly tightened down the belt.

With the Studebaker returned to proper functionality, I took the opportunity to find out about the man. A spritely 88-years old, Don explained that he had been collecting trucks and cars for over 65 years. He recalled his first truck being a 1935 Ford pickup.

Since then entries into his collection have ranged up to B61 and B53 Mack road tractors both of which he restored. In the case of the teal blue Studebaker, he has had it for the last 15 of those 65 years. “Why a Studebaker?” I ask. Don says, “I used to sell Studebakers in the 1960s until they went out of business. I bought this one for old time’s sake and I just like them.” When it comes to the cars Don has collected his tastes  run to the eclectic and clearly not main stream. In reflecting on cars he recalls owning Don says, “A couple of Nashs, four or five Crosleys and a Kaiser-Darrin come to mind.” As the morning sun edges higher in the sky, it’s time for both of us to get back on the road. Shaking hands, I ask his destination. Don responds saying, “The big Uncle Sam Chapter of the ATCA (Antique Truck Club of America) Show at the Schaghticoke (shag-ag-it-e co-kee – don’t think so), New York Fair Grounds. Intrigued, this information reprograms our itinerary. I love trucks, especially old trucks. Macks, Brockways, Whites, Autocars, Internationals, Corbitts, I love them all. I hustle back to the road first to get in front of rather than behind Don’s poky pickup. I am pumped for this country truck show.

I love serendipity. Snaking along back roads to Schaghticoke (sugar-hite-cookie?), Elaine sights a rural farmers market. We stop. Its early. The antique trucks will be in no hurry to leave the Schaghticoke (chuga-ticky?)  Fair grounds . Elaine mentions our truck show destination to a woman vendor. She energetically responds saying, “My girlfriend Tami runs that show.” Can’t make this up. We are on our way.

Rural New York State sits replete with destinations usually associated with the phrase “You can’t get there from here.” This most often translates into patchwork journeys packed with “Go a mile and take a turn” connections. The journey to Schaghticoke (Shaga-hata-coke?) served as the perfect poster child for such back road ramblings.

Not being in a hurry serves well as grease smoothing road trips that could otherwise be described as a grind. Finally the sprawling fair grounds come into view. Home to Stock Car Football Demo Derbies, Farm Tractor Pulls, Lucky E Rodeo and Monster truck events, I have a good feeling as I pull in and pay my four dollar entry fee. I am not disappointed either by the Uncle Sam Truck Show or the gracious and accommodating people involved.

Passing through the fair ground’s entrance gate we had the good fortune to meet the aforementioned Tami, the President of the Uncle Sam chapter of the ATCA. Against a broad vista of mostly pristine and often glistening Class 8 road tractors (Those comprising the pulling component of a semi) I sat down to ask the smiling affable Tami Elise Winch How a nice girl like her got in a place like this? It quickly became evident her answer would be “Just lucky, I guess.”

Energetic and engaging, Tami enjoys twin passions with one being fine art oil painting. Her award winning work employing a photo-realistic style with a wildlife theme has hung in galleries across New York state. Tami’s other passion, proudly on display here in Schaghticoke (shag-cookie?), resides in the promotion and preservation of vintage trucks in general and Brockway trucks, a product of Cortland, NY, in particular. Tami explains her affinity for big truck saying, “As a child my folks owned a truck stop. Big rigs and truckers comprised a large part of my early life experience. Those formative early years hold many good memories.” For good measure Tami’s trucking experience in her adult years has benefitted from her relationship with Andrew Hill, her husband of 16 years. Andrew’s truck passion clearly evidences itself in his role as the National Historian and Archivist for all things Brockway truck. Inspired by his uncle’s fleet of Brockways, Andrew, 54-years old, started researching and archiving Brockway history and reference materials at the age of 10. He has never stopped.

Tami’s and Andrew’s passion for Brockway trucks manifests itself in a collection of five Brockways two very clean restorations ,a 558 and a 776 presented very well at the show.

Tami’s path to the chapter’s presidency really qualifies more as a rescue mission than a coronation. Tami says, “The Uncle Sam Club chapter of the ATCA had been together for 22 years. Andrew had started the chapter in 2002. Unfortunately, the Covid years took a toll on public participation opportunities. Tami says, “It hurt our organization badly.” By 2023 the truck club stood on the brink of folding. Those who had been in charge were aging out of their leadership roles. Tami says, “With Covid and all, you could not blame them.” Timing however is everything. Tami says, ”I had been very active in the Uncle Sam Chapter for quite a while but had taken a few years off. Suddenly faced with the thought of this wonderful organization simply fading away pained me.” Tami decided to fan the embers of commitment that she believed remained. Member response proved her right. Members in rightly recognizing the good thing they had, voted Tami in as president of the Uncle Sam Chapter. Out of curiosity I asked  how did the chapter name “the Uncle Sam Chapter” come about? I expected a simple answer, I got an American history lesson. Uncle Sam, yes, that Uncle Sam really existed  and he grew up in nearby Troy, New York.

Now, boys and girls put on your history hats and prepare to return to the early years of the 19^th century and the War of 1812 fought with the British. During that time, Troy native son, the genial Samuel Wilson operated a local meat packing business. It employed many of his nephews and supplied provisions to the United States Army. With meat for American troops in short supply Samuel Wilson packed meat into barrels to be shipped to soldiers preparing for battle with the British troops stationed in Canada. As meat rations were a rare treat, soldiers receiving these most welcome supplies wanted to know who should be thanked. The answer came, “Uncle Sam.” As the barrels of meat had “US” stamped on them, it did not take long for soldiers to joke that the stamped US and Uncle Sam represented one in the same. And so Uncle Sam entered American lore. As long departed radio personality Paul Harvey used to say, “Now you know the rest of the story.” And now we will return to present day events in Schaghticoke (chauta-cookie?).

One of Tami’s first actions called for bringing the Uncle Sam Truck Show to Schaghticoke Fair Grounds. I asked her if she chose the sight because of its ease of pronunciation. Tami, with the feigned countenance of a frustrated teacher addressing a slow student,  says, “It’s pronounced Sha-Tuh-Kuk.” And with laughter in her eyes Tami adds, “It’s easy for folks raised around here.” Ouch! I deserved that.

Tami’s decision to move the Uncle Sam Chapter Show to Schaghticoke hit it out of the park. With 150 registered entries and additional same day show-ups, the 2024 show exceeded all expectations and surpassed any event turnout in the history of the club. Uncle Sam would be pleased. Well prepared by Tami to enjoy the show, I commenced to immerse myself in a bounty of primarily Class 8 truck motor muscle.

A glistening ruby in the stark sunlight of the clear summer afternoon, a brilliant red 1951 A-51 Mack tandem axle tractor pulling a stainless steel tanker drew me like a moth to a glowing porch bulb. Its brightwork displayed like polished silver in a red jeweler’s case. Simply stunning. Even more astounding, this immaculate muscular gem shining in an upstate New York regional truck show came from North Haledon, NJ. I could not wait to talk to the owner. Sadly, I could not find him. So, Ken Brower wherever you are, You have a great truck. Moving on, I encountered a sight that delivered a double shot of happiness inducing Dopamine.

Moving down the row a beautifully restored 1949 “LJ” Mack tandem axle tractor dominated my field of vision. To my further delight off in the distance sat Don Dorr’s 1947 Studebaker. No longer overheating, the teal blue pickup had made it to the show. Don saw me and gave a thumbs up.

Returning my attention to the handsome 1949 Mack, I had the pleasure of meeting its owner and restorer Tony Papa. A lifelong truck guy, Tony has been collecting trucks since he got out of high school in the 1980s. Tanned and fit, Tony explained that he had first set eyes on this Mack as it moldered in a neighbor’s nearby field. Only a true car, motorcycle or truck guy can understand the use of “Love at first sight” when referring to a vehicle. For Tony, this Mack pressed all the right buttons. A long running tale of unrequited love, the truck sat loved but unmoved for decades as Tony waited. With his, now, grown children in their pre-teen years the chance arrived. The owner stipulated if Tony could get that tired only Mack running, the owner would sell it to him. Tony did not hesitate. Surprise, he got it running. Shortly thereafter, In 2005, Tony flat-bedded it to his farm. There he rolled it into his 30 ft. by 100 ft. workshop garage and set it on jack stands. There it would reside in various states of condition for years as Tony embarked on a full body-off, chassis-up restoration.

Me, as a car guy who can pretty much physically move most parts associated with a car, I have always wondered how guys restored big Class 8 trucks containing a wealth of parts that could pin you to the mat like a 500-pound sumo wrestler. Tony, who looks like a wrestler, explained saying, “I’ve got a big gantry on wheels. I have two 5-ton chain falls suspended from the gantry.” He rigged up a system using four by fours that went through the cab doors. Rugs provided cushioning for protection. Tony Says, “With everything in position I just lifted the cab right off the frame. I’ve got transmission jacks to drop the transmission. Using the gantry I pulled the motor as well as the rears.”

Before saying good-bye to Tony and ending my time in Schaghticoke, I asked for one of his best memories associated with his Mack. Tony says, “It’s part of the memories with my kids. They helped me pull things apart.” He continued saying, “I told them you can’t hurt it. Just start unscrewing things. We had a lot of fun doing that back when they were young.”

I have read that the difference between pleasure and joy can be found in the fact joy that involves not only pleasure but the sharing of pleasure with other people in a way that produces happy memories. Clearly, for Tony, his Mack truck brings him joy.

Travel notes:

Ira Allen Inn, – Rustic, Historic, Next to Battenkill River, a premier trout stream in VT. nice location, great hospitality.

Look for the 2025 Uncle Sam Chapter Truck Show at Schaghticoke Fair Grounds next summer located a pleasant 40-minute drive from the Saratoga Springs Car Museum .