The Prez Box

by Ron Bone

 

The Idaho Falls Police Department recently awarded our club a Certificate of Appreciation “For outstanding support and service to the Idaho Falls/Bonneville County D.A.R.E. Program.”  These certificates are not awarded lightly; no one could fault us for being proud.  I’d like to extend a warm “Thank You” to all who have participated in driving the D.A.R.E. kids to school.  And I would especially like to recognize Randy Wagner, who has made it happen.  Great job, everyone! 

 

I DARE say that anyone who has had these D.A.R.E. kids in their Corvette will tell you that they’ve had just as much fun as the kids.  The kids are all so different.  Some evoke fond memories when they gush about how they want a Corvette of their own someday.  Others are so tight-lipped that you would think that their jaws were wired shut.  And

you can’t wait for some to be gone, such as the one who talked about keying the cars.  But make no mistake – most of them realize that we’re saluting their achievements, not our cars, and they do appreciate it.  See the “Thank You” notes elsewhere in this newsletter for the proof. 

 

This will not be news to those of you who are trying desperately to catch your breath: the busy time of the summer is upon us.  Just a glance at the calendar of coming events yields a plethora of activities to become involved in.  Prominent events during the next two months include Valley Corvette’s Vette Fest, Taylor Chevrolet’s Annual Car Show and Cruise, and our own Wild West Vette Fest.  For those of you who can find the time, these will be great opportunities to renew old friendships and to make new ones, as well as to chat about performance parts with like-minded gear heads.  Enjoy! 

 

 

July Birthdays

Bruce Barton                          13

Mickey Petersen                   18

Bonnie Fikstad                       22

Bud Elliott                              25

 

 

Call for the Oregon Coast Trip

by Ron Bone

 

If you plan to join our road trip to Seattle and down the Oregon Coast in September, we need to know.  The response will determine how we plan motel accommodations.  Please let us know by July 21, 2004, either at the July monthly meeting, at 522-5838, or at rbone@srv.net. 

 

 

A Note of Thanks to the Club

 

The following card was sent to the club by one of the families who we helped during the Christmas 2003 season:

 

“Thank you just doesn’t seem enough to express my gratitude for your kindness and generosity. 

 

“This holiday season looked very gloomy for us and because of your gift I have learned some valuable lessons that will be far-reaching and were life-changing.  May you be blessed for your love and unselfishness.  You made a gloomy situation a Merry Christmas for my family.

 

(Signed) Clark, Ammie & Taneissa

 

 

DARE Students Thankful for

‘Awesome’ Corvette Rides

 

The DARE students at Theresa Bunker Elementary School rode to school in Corvettes on Wednesday morning, June 2, 2003.  Some prepared hand-made Thank You cards for their drivers.  Do you think this event doesn’t have an impact?  Read on!

 

To Wendy Farmer:  “You’re the best.  I want to get a car like yours.  So I will never do drugs because I want to have a car like yours.  I want to be like you because you’re Awesome!”  Keltsey Brown.

 

To Carol Merrell:  “Thank you very much for the Corvette ride.  It was awesome!  I am glad I got to ride in your car.  Thanx a bunch for doing this for us.”  Your Friend, Leesa.

 

To Roger Brown:  “Dear Corvette Club, thank you so much for letting us ride in your nice Corvettes.  It was so cool to go through our school and having all the kids screaming and hollering.  It was so cool how you let me ride in it with the top off.  I hope you make lots of other kids happy.”  Clark. 

 

To Richard Morris: “Thank you soo much for driving me in your cool Corvette, even tho it was the oldest it was the coolest.  No seat belt, no problem.  Thank you, thank you.”  Jaymie Oswald.

 

To Julie Thompson:  “Thank you so much for doing the Corvette run.  I loved it.  It was the best ride to school of all time.  I loved it.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  I had a lot of fun.  I had even hoped to have a red Corvette convertible.”  Dexter Blakely. 

 

To Tommy Taylor:  “Dear Corvette Club, Thank you so much for your time.  It was awesome riding in your car.  It was one of the best times I’ve ever had.  Again, thank you so much.”  Sincerely, Brock Andersen. 

 

And now, for the editor’s personal favorite, to Betty McKinlay:  “Dear Corvette Club, thank you for the awesome ride.  I haven’t rode in a Corvette.  Thank you for giving me the oppertunity.  Even though we didn’t talk much, it was still nice to talk to you.  You have an awesome Corvette.  Thank you again for the awesome ride.”  From Mart Meyer.

 

 

2004 Coming Events Calendar

by Ron Bone

 

July 14: Monthly CSEI Meeting at The Relay Station, 593 N 2600 E, St. Anthony, 7:00 P.M.  The Relay Station is about a mile north of the main St. Anthony exit, on the east side of highway U.S. 20. 

 

July 15:  Thursday evening drive-in at the Rexburg Sonic Drive-In, 7:00 P.M.  Continue on the third Thursday of each month throughout the summer. 

 

July 15:  Late registration begins for Wild West Vette Fest 2004. 

 

July 15:  Last day to register for Vettes on the Rockies and for Black Vette Meet. 

 

July 17:  Fairwinds Retirement Center Grand Opening.  Car show, free lunch, and trophies.  Contact Michael Mow at 542-6200 if you can attend. 

 

July 22-24: Vette Fest 2004 at Boise, ID.  Hosted by Valley Corvettes.  On-line registration and a brochure of scheduled activities with a printable registration form are available at http://www.valleycorvettes.com/index.htm, or copies are available from Ron Bone.  Registration $115 single or $175 couple.  Vette Fest Coordinator: Larry Hollinger at 208-377‑0476.  Headquarters hotel is the Doubletree Inn Riverside, 1‑800‑222‑TREE, $85-$105 per night.  Sam and Janet Miller have arranged rooms for a better rate at the Red Lion Park Center.  Phone 342-1044, booking number 3307, to reserve your room. 

 

July 29-August 1: 31st Annual Vettes on the Rockies in Summit County, CO (Breckenridge).  Hosted by Looking Glass Corvette Assn, Lakewood, CO.  Autocross, Funkana, Dinner/Dance, Show and Shine.  Details at www.lgcacorvette.org or Teri Lugger at 303-680-4025.  $160 couple or $125 single before July 15, 2004.  Dinner/dance $40 each, pontoon boat trip on Lake Dillon $20 each, other options.  Lodging at Beaver Run Resort from $94 to $179, 1-800-525-2253. 

 

July 31:  12th Annual Glass on Grass in Spokane, WA.  Hosted by Spokane Corvette Club.  $15 registration.  Music, prizes, dash plaques, car photo, cruise, BBQ.  More info 509-992-8142. 

 

August 1:  Late registration starts for Seattle in September 2004.  No guarantee on shirt availability for registrations after this date. 

 

August 5:  Thursday evening drive-in at the Ammon Sonic Drive-In, 7:00 P.M.  Continue on the first Thursday of each month throughout the summer. 

 

August 14:  Chubbuck Days 2004.  Parade at 10:00 A.M., festival at Cotant Park following the parade.  Contact Kathy Severe at 243-9349 if you can participate. 

 

August 14:  Black Vette Meet in Reno, NV.  You must have a black Corvette!  BBQ, shirt, plaque included.  Registration $60 before 7/15/04.  Information:  Rocky at 530-308-1447.  Application:  Bill Martin at 523-1267. 

 

August 19:  Thursday evening drive-in at the Rexburg Sonic Drive-In, 7:00 P.M.  Continue on the third Thursday of each month throughout the summer. 

 

August 21: Taylor Chevrolet 10th Annual Corvette, Classic, Hot Rod & Antique Car Show & Cruise.  No entry fee event hosted by Taylor Chevrolet, Rexburg, ID.  Product demonstrations, games & activities, lunch, photos, grenade-an-engine raffle.  Registration starts at 9:00 A.M., cruise at 3:00 P.M.  More info: 356-6600 or 1-800-769-5604; David Taylor, Rod Laird, Wayne Valentine, or Justin Alexander.  Or e-mail david@taylorchev.com, wayne@taylorchev.com, or rod@taylorchev.com. 

 

August 27-29: Wild West Vette Fest 2004 at West Yellowstone, MT.  Hosted by Corvettes of Southeast Idaho.  On-line registration at www.srv.net/~csei.  Registration $90 couple, $75 single before July 15, 2004; $110 couple, $95 single after.  Headquarters hotel is the West Yellowstone Conference Center Holiday Inn, 1‑800‑646‑7353.  $94 per night.  Show Chairs: Bruce and Connie Barton at lt5vett@yahoo.com.  Co-Chairs: Bill and Dana Madsen at pirate@srv.net. 

 

September 10-12: Seattle in September 2004.  Hosted by Corvette Marque Club Seattle.  Headquarters hotel is the Embassy Suites Hotel, at Lynwood, WA; 1‑800‑628‑0611.  Registration forms on-line at www.CorvetteMarqueClub.com.  Information: Dick or Lolly D’Alessandro at Dick@CorvetteMarqueClub.com. 

 

September 12-18: Corvettes of Southeast Idaho Road Trip Along the Oregon Coast.  Itinerary: See Ron Bone.  Motels: In the August newsletter. 

 

September 11:  Lewistown (Montana) Chokecherry Festival.  For Corvettes: competitive driving event, unjudged show.  Other events: chokecherry run/walk, pit-spitting contest, Old Time Fiddlers and Bluegrass Festival.  Motel information and event flier: see Ron Bone.  More information or to tell them you’re interested: Gene Meier at 406-538-5555 or gmeier@tein.net. 

 

December 17:  Christmas Party at the Teton Grille, 7:00 P.M.