Hail from

the Chief

By Lynn McKinlay

We missed the Thursday evening meeting and we're minding our business about four days later when the phone rang. It was Trish. We visited for a few minutes and she stated: "You do not know do you?" My reply was, know what? She gave us the news. I called Kelly for conformation. Ouch! Thank you. I am happy with the secretary also. We will work well together.

Thank you also for such a great Vice President. He is on top of everything. The Sweet Heart Brunch is at North's on February 11th at 10 A.M. I understand that is where the group wanted to eat this month. Val has made the arrangements and we will see you there.

Farrell is looking at possibly three different weekend junkets this year. I do not know what else he has in mind but I am sure it will be great.

We used to have a short run after the weekday visit at Scotties. I have had people suggest we do that again. That would be great! Someone mentioned a spontaneous day run or part of a day run some place on regular bases. I personally enjoyed the part of a day run we had after eating at the Relay Station. It was fun being out with good company moving our Corvettes down the road.

I will call an executive board meeting after the Sweet Heart Brunch. We will pick the brains of past presidents and board members to put together the best possible year we can. If you have something you would like the club to do, we are as close as the phone (524-2932) or e-mail. Our new address is mcklb@if.rmci.net. If you have a vent or activity in mind, let's see about getting it on the calendar.

If you have a logo for the Wild West Vette Fest bring it with you February 11th. I would like to see a logo picked at that time in order to give the committee plenty of time to get their job done.

Rick Stiles, in conjunction with Taylor's Chevrolet, and Val are planning a 10 A.M. to noon session on cleaning and care of our noble road machines. Look to hear more on this subject. I understand that a company representative will be on hand to show us the ropes.

Who has the phone tree?

I want to make this year as fun and eventful as possible. With your help we can do it. I am looking forward to serving you to this end.

March meeting agenda to include:

Sponsors, Ideas for increased attendance at Wild West Vette Fest.

Big Vette Show

Advertised as the largest indoor Corvette-only show on the Gulf Coast, Vettes by the Shore 2001 will happen June 15,16, and 17 at Biloxi, Mississippi.

The show is presented by Corvette clubs from Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. There is a swap meet, car corral, charity auction, and party.

Contacts:

Deanna Suber (e-mail

Deannasuber@aol.com) or by phone at 228-868-6437 or Mark Riddle (e-mail

MRiddle703@aol.com) or phone 228-875-0286.

Corvette Camaraderie

By Ben Sanchez

Corvette camaraderie knows no geographical boundaries. At least that's what it has been for Steve Richason and me.

I met Steve in Naples, Italy in 1996. Neither of us had any idea of our common interest in Corvettes, but it didn't take long once we got talking about our hobbies. I had just put the '68 into storage and Steve had previously owned an '84. Steve and I had numerous conversations about Corvettes over the next few years until he left in 1999. On the other hand, Claudia and I stayed for another year. It was during this time that many changes took place. Steve ordered and took delivery of a 2000 pewter metallic coupe and I had found my dream car, a '62. I also sold the '68 and was looking for a late model C4.

As fate would have it, Claudia and I moved California to within 200 miles of Steve and his wife Joyce. Further, I had the good fortune to locate a C4 locally.

Recently, we were able to meet up with Richason's for a day of Corvette cruising in San Francisco. The day was typical for late fall, cool and foggy, but even that kind of weather can't dampen the Corvette spirit.

Ted and Mary Lee Hill

By Trish Bargman

Ted and Mary Lee Hill have been in the club for four years. Originally from Utah they

have been in the Rexburg area for 40 years. Mary Lee is a real estate broker and has her own real estate agency in Rexburg -- the Real Estate Office. She has been in the real estate business for 24 years, selling at least two members of the club their homes. Ted was in construction for 40 years owning his own company for most of the time building custom homes. Now he also is in the real estate business with Mary Lee. They have three children and eight grandchildren.

Their Corvette is Mary Lee's car. She has wanted a 'sports car' since she was in high school and saw her girlfriend's father's T-bird. Since she and Ted wanted to be able to drive their 'sports car' on trips and since the cost of T-birds is out of sight, they choose a 1995 Corvette. When they went looking for their Corvette they asked some friends for some advice. The main advice they got was "don't buy one from one of those corner car lots!" Well you guessed it. That is exactly where they found it!

When their kids saw their new pride and joy they said "oh my hell what are you thinking!" That's where their license plate came from. The state would not let them have "OH MY HELL" so they decided on "OH MY HILL" Not bad for second choice.


Ladies Lunch

By Trish Bargman

We had a ladies lunch on January 19. We have had several ladies lunches in the past, but this was really well attended.

We met at Garcia's at 1 P.M. When the restaurant was contacted they asked, "How many can we except?" Well that is hard to say, we could have any where between 5 and 20. They were really nice and said they would set up for 10 and we could add tables if necessary. Several people brought their daughters and we even had one stray son. All together there were 27.

We ate, visited, and got to know some new members a little better. We will have more ladies lunches in the future and hopefully we can have as good a turnout next time too.

We have no set dates for our lunches, but we will let you know when the mood strikes again.



Did You Know

By Egon

After reading with interest a rundown of those running for club office I thought I would like to add my 25 cents worth.

Did you know ---- The person responsible for getting you this newsletter every month does not even own a Corvette, at present? Now he has a nice snow machine, and a new Harley, but no Vette.

Did you know --- A nicer person you will never meet. Also one we have not seen at any of our events.

Did you know --- How much work in man-hours every month goes into putting together, then mailing out the newsletter?

Did you know --- We all owe him a big THANK YOU.

Did you know --- Who he is? Well it's Jim Thompson.

Jim, was an early member of the club, has owned several Corvettes -- ground up restoration on at least one.  Jim has his own business, NPS, in Idaho Falls. He and his wife live in Blackfoot.

Jim loves to play with the snow machine in the winter, and then when summer comes, the Harley and the open road call him.

So Jim, thank you from all of us, for a job well done.


Happy Birthday

Dale Larsen 4
Thor Miller 11
Ron Swanson 14
Mary Lee Hill 21
Jack Larsen 24

Author of 

"All Corvettes Are Red" Dies

Submitted by Frank Smith

James Schefter, a prolific space and automotive writer, died of complications associated with pulmonary fibrosis Sunday night. He was 60.

Schefter covered the end of NASA Gemini Missions for the Houston Chronicle in the early 1960s and wrote about the Apollo Space Missions for Time and Life magazines. He began writing for Popular Science magazine in the early 1970s and was a consulting editor for almost a decade. Schefter also wrote extensively about the automotive and computer industries as a freelance writer. He is the author of The Race: The Uncensored Story of How America Beat Russia To The Moon and All Corvettes Are Red: Inside the Rebirth Of An American Legend.

He also worked with Chris Kraft, flight director of the Apollo Mission, on Flight -- a book about the space missions -- that will be published in March 2001. Schefter is survived by three sons, Michael,William, and Andrew Schefter.

Richard

and Linda Moore

By Trish Bargman

The Co-Chairs for this year's Wild West Vette Fest 2001 are Richard and Linda Moore. The Moores bought their first Corvette in the spring of 1988, and they still have that 1985 coupe. A few years ago they repainted it black rose. There is a rumor going around that they will soon be getting a brand new Corvette, but there is also something about Linda needing to get a job first, or something like that.

Richard was born and raised in Colorado. A graduate of Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, he received his degree in engineering. He came to Idaho by way of Colorado, and then California. Rich is an advisory engineer and has been with the INEEL for 27 years. Richard likes to play golf, trap shoot, and travel.

Linda is a native of Idaho, but spent most of her growing up years in California, coming back to Idaho in 1958. Linda's interests include gardening, oil painting, crafts, and travel. Between the two of them they have nine kids and 21 grandchildren.

Joining the club in the spring of 1993, Linda has been a past president and treasurer. They have helped with the Wild West Vette Fest each year, including food, driving event, and registration committees. Last year's trip to Seattle was organized by Rich and Linda; they even managed to have a few days without rain on the trip.

Wild West Vette Fest 2001 is in good hands with Rich and Linda and Richard and Debbie Morris, but there are still several spots that they need help with for this year. They invite you to get involved and give them a call to see where you would be of the most help.

Richard and Debbie Morris 524-3087

Richard and Linda Moore 357-7573





January Meeting Minutes

By Bev Novak

The meeting was held at the Press Box on the 11th of January. We had 55 members show up. It was very good turnout.

Ballets were passed out. There were a few corrections. Jack and Susan Larsen could not run because they may retire and probably will be out of town a lot. Brian Forman was suggested as a candidate for President. Marvin Bennett said there was a leather jacket for sale for $300. If he could get that from the club he would run for president.

The following people were elected. Congratulations!

Debbie Morris - Treasure

Betty McKinlay - Secretary

Wayne Valentine - Vice President

Lynn McKinlay - President

Farrell Davidson - Spontaneous events (he wants ideas)

There will be no recounts because there were no chads, or even pregnant chads! Kelly said he enjoyed being president. He wanted to thank his officers: Brian Forman - Vice President, Bev Novak - Secretary, and Debbie Morris - Treasurer. He asked every one to give them a round of applause.

Kelly said he was glad Tom Wilson showed up, or he would have been president! The club has grown a lot in the last couple of years. Tom wanted to know if Lynn knew he was running!

Wayne took over the meeting, because Lynn was unable to attend. Farrell Davidson accepted the Activities position, but he would like suggestions.

Wayne Valentine thanked Marvin Bennett for getting the people, ballots, and the counting done for the election. He said he felt Lynn would make a great president.

The next meeting is our Sweet Heart Brunch on February 11 at 10 A.M. at Norths. I hope to see you there. Show logos are due at that meeting. Wayne wanted to thank the people contributing to/writing for the newsletter. They are doing a great job. Keep up the good work.

People suggested to Farrell that we have Saturday drives about once a month.

The Bennett's asked for a show of hands for the people going on the trip in October. Eleven members raised their hands. Please let Marvin and Mary Kay know if you want to go.

The Dues are due. The meeting was adjourned.