Hail from the Chief

By Trish Bargman

First of all I want to thank Brian, Bev, Tommy, and Connie, our officers of last year. Now I need to thank Brian and Connie for staying in office, Brian in a different capacity, Vice President, and Connie staying in as Treasurer. Doug Evancic put his hand up and said he would, so we gave him the job of secretary. We will have a good year.

As I write this I can see the sunshine outside, then when I look closer I also see some lingering spots of snow, frozen puddles that will turn to mud as the day goes on, and of course the cold wind. So I guess sunshine does not always equal Corvette days, but maybe we are making progress. Dick did get the ‘64 out of it’s house (while the ground was frozen) and put it in the main shop so he could start on the ‘to do’ list. Something to keep in mind this year, daylight saving time starts March 11. Does that mean the Corvette year starts earlier?? I hope so. I really have cabin fever this year.

Okay, now to some things that I forgot to mention in the last newsletter, and at the Sweetheart Brunch. As many of you noticed there were three young people sitting in a booth, who were they? They have been a mainstay of our shopping for families every year since we started. I meant to acknowledge their contribution and introduce them to the folks that had not met them. So Justin, Ashley, and Trenna, I thank you, and the club thanks you. This year they stayed at Brian and Bev’s and wrapped presents while the rest of us went to our Christmas party. It was good to see Sam and Janet Miller at the brunch. We had not seen them for almost two years; welcome back. Betty McKinley came and brought three grandkids; Lynn and son were off at a shooting competition. Val and Lucy Ball and Dennis and Bonnie Fikstad also came and joined again after missing a year. It was great turnout and so great to see so many there.

I didn’t give a report on our Families for Christmas so here it is: we took care of 10 needy families and 15 seniors this year. We also donated $750 to both the Rexburg and Idaho Falls ‘Shop With A Cop’ programs. Overall we spent $6,000 of our show money on Christmas for needy families. We can be very proud of that.

That leads us to the Wild West Vette Fest in West Yellowstone this coming summer. Some thoughts and comments for this coming year are going back to our roots – a more laid back simpler show this year. Without the “the show” we cannot continue to do our ‘Families at Christmas’ program. So get in touch with Tim Hobley, 681-9133, BearMtnCont@aol.com or Bill and Dana Madsen, 523-2552, pirate@srv.net -- they need help. Also be thinking about being cochair and then being the chair for Wild West Vette Fest 2009; it’s just around the corner you know.

We still have Corvette license plate money to give out; I think it is about $9,200. Brian and Bev said they will complete the paper work needed for that. Thanks. We will let everyone know when the checks are ready for delivery. Everyone is invited to go along for the presentations.

We still need an activity director, or even one for each month. That just means that you think of and organize a drive at least once during the month. It can be an evening or day drive, maybe even an overnighter. We will keep the same calling tree people in place unless someone wants a change. If you want to help or cannot do it this year let me know.

Jim Thompson has agreed to do the newsletter again for us. We appreciate the time and hard work he takes to get this newsletter out for us every month. I have also talked to Frank Smith and he will send articles in once in awhile. It is nice to have a GM insider to give us late breaking news. Anyone wishing to contribute to the newsletter can send articles to

npsjlt@msn.com

Our next meeting is at the 5 & Diner at 7:00 pm, Thursday, March 8^th. See you there.

Save the Wave!

Black Hills Trip Hotel Information

Here is all the hotel information on the trip to the Black Hills. When we get there, there are so many things to do and see -- caves, train rides, gold mines, monuments, and great Corvette roads everywhere. The first and last days are travel days. We will stop and look at anything we find of interest along the way. The good thing is we have many hours of daylight at that time of year, so we can take more time and still be able to see things.

We will see the Devils Tower on the morning of our second day, then on into Deadwood to poke around the cemetery, have a good dinner buffet at a casino, and take one of the many scenic roads into Rapid City. The next 2 ½ days you are free to explore the area. There isn’t a road from Rapid City into the Black Hill that is a bad one to take. Dick and I will probably spend Saturday the 9th going to the Badlands and the southern part of the Black Hills, seeing everything we can in that day. Anyone is welcome to come along, or do your own thing. We will have lots of information on things to do and I encourage you to do your own research. Bring your ideas to us. I do have some maps that I can give out to the people that are signed up to go. Let me know and I will get them to you.

Buffalo, WY June 7

Comfort Inn

307-684-9564

2 queen $84, 1 King $95

Cont. Breakfast

Mention Corvettes of Southeast Idaho

Confirm by May 8th

Rapid City, SD June 8-9-10

Comfort Inn & Suites

605-718-444

2 queens $81

Cont. Breakfast

Mention Corvettes of Southeast Idaho

Confirm by May 8^th

Casper, WY June 11

Super 8

307-237-8100

2 queens $75

Cont. Breakfast

Mention Corvettes of Southeast Idaho

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

March

Mary Kay Bennett 5

Mike Pincock 9

Peggy Bone 12

Ken Olsen 14

Bick Bargman 16

Ren Bishop 16

Beth Campbell 25

Judy Hobbs 26

Dennis Fikstad 28

Pat Staffon 29

Calendar Of Upcoming  2007 Events

*  March 11 -------- Daylight saving time begins

*  MARCH 20 ------ FIRST DAY OF SPRING

*   May 18, 19, & 20 --------- Cruz into Summer 2007, Kelowna Corvette Club, Kelowna, British Columbia

*   May 25 - 28, 2007 ------------  Big Sky 2007 "Corvettes are Forever", Hellgate Corvette  Club, Missoula, Mt.


See Doug Evancic for entry forms for the above.