Minutes of the March 2002 Meeting

by Ron Bone

 

Many of the Corvettes of Southeast Idaho shook off their winter hibernations and emerged from their garages on April 12, 2002.  A breezy chill in the evening air, however, kept tops firmly in place.  Nevertheless, it was a welcome sign that Vette Season had finally arrived as they converged on Melina’s Restaurant in Rexburg for the April club meeting.  Lesser cars were held at bay as the Corvettes of many of the 37 members in attendance huddled around the restaurant. 

 

Vice President Bill Waters called the meeting to order at 7:50 P.M., turning the floor over to Linda Moore for an update on Vette Fest 2002.  Linda noted that preparations are going very well and that the show is on track.  A show committee meeting was held after the regular club meeting. 

 

Trish Bargman was up next.  She recapped the day trip to the alligator farm near Buhl on April 5.  Yes, we’re talking real alligators here -- and not just little snappers, either.  Some 38 Corvettes showed up from our club and the clubs in Twin Falls and Boise.  The entourage was treated to an unexpected bonus when someone showed up to look at the cars and brought his camel along.  Now really, folks, I’m sure that Trish is not just making this stuff up! 

 

Trish also suggested that we should have several short, one-day trips to get out and enjoy our cars and meet people.  One suggestion was to start with breakfast at the Hot Rodders Café, then take off for someplace.  Who knows?  Maybe someone with an ostrich will show up.  Stranger things have happened.  Anyway, Pam Valentine suggested a dinner trip to Heidi’s German restaurant in Howe.  Bill Waters suggested a trip to Virginia City, Montana.  Thor Miller suggested a loop by Palisades Reservoir to Jackson Hole, possibly for those who do not go on the club trip to Coulee Dam.  Trish requested that anyone with other ideas for fun, short trips contact her.  Details for these trips will be distributed to club members by e-mail, the newsletter, or by our very own group of dedicated telemarketers consisting of Trish, Darleen Davidson, Amy Forman, Wanda Pincock, and Pam Valentine. 

 

Farrell Davidson started his session with his customary joke, to the delight of all within earshot.  He reminded everyone of the upcoming dinner trip to Angler’s Lodge on April 25.  They’ll be opening just for us.  Meet at Taylor Chevrolet at 6:00 P.M. for the caravan to Island Park.  Next on the radar screen is the trip to Thanksgiving Point on May 4.  This is an overnighter, so everyone who is going needs to make their motel reservations before April 20.  Finally, the four-day trip to Coulee Dam will depart from the old Ernst parking lot on June 7 at 8:00 A.M.  Again, motel reservations should be made now, since the motel crucial to this trip will hold our block of rooms only until May 9. 

 

Janet Miller reminded everyone of the Boise Vette Fest July 26 – 28.  It’s a great show.  Plus, Janet is going to help you get there by making it cheaper to go.  She’s arranged to set aside a block of rooms at the WestCoast ParkCenter Suites for $59 + tax a night, compared to $81-$101 a night at the host hotel.  These rooms have all the amenities, including two doubles or a king bed, continental breakfast, pool, fitness center, and a hose for washing your car if you’d rather get in shape that way.  They’ll even rope off an area if everyone wants to park together.  They’re at 424 East Parkcenter Blvd in Boise and will hold the rooms until June 25.  Call 1-800-342-1044 and ask for “Corvette Show”, booking #2165, to reserve a room. 

 

Janet also reminded us of the 8^th Annual Corvette, Classic, Hot Rod & Antique Car Show and Cruise on August 17 at Taylor Chevrolet in Rexburg.  Free registration starts at 9:00 A.M., which includes lunch, games, and activities throughout the day, and a parade down Main Street at 3:00 P.M.  More information:  visit www.taylorchev.com, e-mail Janet@taylorchev.com, or call her at 1-800-769-5604.  Thanks to the nice folks at Taylor Chevrolet for hosting this event!

 

El Presidente Randy Wagner took the floor to discuss resuming our biweekly evening get-togethers during the summer.  In response to several complaints, we’ve decided to stop competing with the flies for the tables at our previous meeting place.  We’ll move to the Sonic drive-in at 2785 E. 17^th in Ammon until the Sonic opens in Rexburg, at which time we’ll start to alternate between the two drive-ins.  Get-togethers will be on first and third Thursdays, starting 6:30 – 7:00 P.M., beginning May 2.  Plans are to have a cruise afterward, so be thinking of some routes we can take.  Come on out and strut your stuff. 

 

Randy brought up the club’s successful participation in the Idaho Falls D.A.R.E. ‘Dress for Success’ program last fall.  Kids who had completed the program were picked up at their homes, taken to breakfast, and then taken to school in a Corvette.  It was a very positive thing for the kids and for the club.  Randy plans to repeat the performance this year, hopefully expanding it to include other cities that have a D.A.R.E. program. 

 

A decision was made to hold the annual cleanup of our adopted section of I-15 near the lavas on April 28.  It should still be cool enough, and the grass short enough, to make the job manageable.  We’ll meet first for breakfast at the Hot Rodders Café, 475 Northgate Mile, in Idaho Falls.  Trish will set the time after talking with the café and then let everyone know. 

 

Debbie and Rich Morris are planning a trip to the Little Bighorn Battlefield (a.k.a. Custer’s Last Stand) and the Lewis and Clark Caverns June 23-25.  Anyone who would like to go is welcome and should contact her. 

 

The next monthly club meeting will be at the Trails Inn Restaurant, 213 Main, in Ashton on May 23 at 7:00 P.M. 

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M.

Name Tag? If you have not yet received your name tag, please contact Debbie Morris, 524-3087, or dmorris@cpapdk.com .