Historical Summary
On September 25, 1966 an application was filed with the AACA National Headquarters, requesting a charter for the Dixie Region. On October 15, 1966 the AACA Board of Directors approved the application and the charter was granted. The leadership at that time was as follows:
Joseph R Hamilton Director
James D. Marlar Assistant Director
William Gains Secretary
Joseph T. George Treasurer
By Laws
Club records from 1966 to 1970 are missing. However, a document dated July 23, 1971 suggests that the Dixie Region had not perfected its Charter by adopting By Laws. On July 23, 1971 the following persons were elected to positions of leadership in the Dixie Region:
Director William (Bill) Kinzalow
Assistant Director Fred Headrick
Secretary William Gains
Treasurer Art Bolton
Board of Directors James (Jimmy) Jones
James Davis
Dan Hartzog
On July 23, 1971, the club listed 28 members in “good standing”. At a special meeting on October 15, 1971, By Laws were presented by the Board and accepted by unanimous vote of the members in attendance.
The first official monthly meeting of the Dixie Region was a Membership Tea on December 12, 1971 at the Roebuck Recreation Center in the East lake area of Birmingham. Region officers and Directors were presented to the membership, and 26 new members were welcomed.
Throughout its history, the members of the Dixie Region have consistently been interested in two things: touring and eating. Club meetings generally take place at the dinner hour and usually consist of short business sessions following the meal. Tours have always been popular with the membership, and in the mid 1970’s, the Dixie Region hosted a number of invitational meets, including a National Meet in 1974 and again in 1983.
Over the years, communications have varied from memos distributed by Officers to exceptional newsletters. The Region’s newsletter, the EXHAUST WHISTLE, has been edited by many members and has received many awards for the quality of the newsletter.
In 1989 and 1990, John Myer served two terms as President to the Dixie Region and actively recruited new members for a Region that had grown some what laconic. From approximate 15 active members to over 72 persons in 1994. In 1996 the membership stood at 100.
Great Southern Region name change 2023
Dixie Region Past Presidents
1966 Joseph R. Hamilton 1970 Edward C. Todd 1972 Bill Kinzalow 1973 Fred Headrick 1974 James South 1975 J. O. Rains 1976 Bill Gaines 1977 Ken Cochrane 1978 Arthur Bolton |
1979 James South 1980 John Gerwin 1981 Ernest W. Gauld 1982 Ernest W. Gauld 1983 Ernest W. Gauld 1984 Imogene T. Davis 1985 Paul T. Huck 1986 Michael Jones 1987 Michael Jones 1988 Ernest W. Gould |
1989 John P. Myer 1990 John P. Myer 1991 Thomas Kimbrough 1992 Gene Wilkinson 1993 Leo Hyche 1994 Nancy S. Myer 1995 Robert Hinds 1996 Jan Hyche 2023 Vicki Bolton |
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