Join or don't join

 I never really understood why people would say the never will join ALPCA. I' not saying ALPCA members are better butr realize belonging to a club does have ups AND downs. I joined ALPCA in 1994 and nave a very modest collection I also have travelled around the country and made friends. ALPCA has also has a entire different side to it. I have made friends that go beyond license plates. My membership has given me the opportunity to expand my writing portfolio, no only with article in the magazine, but other publications.


Folks who have met me in person know I have a disability. I have struggled to travel to meets, even my own, but with the help of fellow members, I have attended 14 conventions, been to dozens of meets and even help co-found the ALPCA Garden State Region. I also have written a handful of articles Not bad for someone who doesn't drive, can't use pen and has a hard time speaking. I am not here to sway people into joining. ALPCA is NOT for everyone. However I am here to say ALPCA, and its members, have real meaning in my life..

Next month I will celebrate my 39th year as a member. At time I have had issues with the club. At times members have had issues with me. However I can tell you one thing, my life has definitely been for\ the better surrounding myself around such a n amazing group of people.
Justin Mattes, 6748 since 1994

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Trip to CT-- Branchville School visit Part III

People tell me not to dwell or harp so three entries about the visit to the Branchville Elementary School might be pushing it. However the closer I get to going up there, the more I have the urge to write about it! Call it a way of comprehending what is going to happen. I have told everyone I know about this trip which makes it seem like I am going up there for more than a day. Although the is the same reaction when I went do to Washington DC on my own, to visit Jane in Tennessee or even the license plate convention in Alabama two years ago. These kids are definitely going to bring back to a time with mixed feelings. I mean the kids I'll be speaking to are same age when things starting getting real tough. It was the perfect storm back then. My body was getting worse, and the more I tried to hide it, the more evident it became. I never wrote this before but since I could remember I) was made to wear a helmet while walking around the halls. I fought this hard and finally in fourth g
More Posts to Mattes's Madness

Mom Poem

Image
Allow me to share a few thoughts about a special lady named Mary She was well known for remaining calm even when things got scary Being the oldest of five children she was like a mom before becoming a wife While she was peaceful, she fought hard when needed to make things right When Peter walked into the Howard Johhsons he knew he met his match Mom was so creative she made our Halloween coustumes from scratch A glass of wine in her hand sitting with her honey admiring their yard An amazing woman who knew raising three boys was a joy and at times hard Her heart was so big, during her life she had three dogs Tyson, Rufus and Goober Mom's laugh was so unique and easily triggered by the most minor blooper She was the happiest woman when she became grandmom to Zander and Quinn Grandmom was their loudest cheerleader when they scored a goal for the win Known for thinking outside the box, more like cutting it with a sharp knife This is how Mom known as Mary to others, lived every day of he
More Posts to Mattes's Madness

Trip to CT-- Branchville School visit Part I

This should be a very interesting post because originally I was going to write about my trip to Connecticut after it happened but since my writing is part of my presentation, I was asked by the people who invited me to write something of a preview prior to going up there so I could show the kids some of my writing. It all started with an e-mail from Tim Stentiford, a license plate collector friend and editor of the famed PLATES Magazine explaining how Kurt, his son, was having what they call a "Diversity Day" at his school. Kurt suggested I come up to speak and when Tim presented this idea to the rest of the planning committee, they loved it. Talk about your ego booster, this is right up my alley. I have spoken about myself at various venues before, even on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC My mom kept saying I had to prepare but I didn't know how. I have been bouncing a few ideas off my mom and am getting my thoughts together. I decided instead of typing them just in W
More Posts to Mattes's Madness