Minutes of the August 2003  Meeting

by Barbara Bell

 

Corvettes of Southeast Idaho met on September 17 at Wingers. There were 29 in attendance.

 

Wayne Valentine thanked all who helped with the Vette Fest. He reported that we have about $5800 in the bank. The raffles brought in just over $2000 and the Poker Run $250. The shirts did not pay for themselves; however, we had $1000 worth of bags from that fund for registration.

 

A big thank you went out to Wayne and Pam Valentine for all their hard work.

 

We will go back to West Yellowstone next year, with Bruce and Connie Barton as

Chairpersons. The convention center has worked out some of the problems from this year, and the fly fishing people have chosen another weekend. So plan on the same weekend next year in West.

 

There are some local door prizes drawn and given to those who attended the Vette Fest from our club, including Sizzler and Albertson certificates and a wheel alignment and oil change.

 

The trip to Cody was made; there was a little snow over Bear Tooth Pass. It was a great drive.

 

New members Dennis and Mickey Peterson were welcomed. They have a ’73.

 

Some dates for the Christmas Party were discussed. Bill will see about reserving either the 5th or the 12th at JJ Norths.

 

Tommy asked about using the money we have earned for the Christmas for Families. We will set that time and more details will be discussed at the next meeting. The wearing of nametags was mentioned. The new members will be receiving their nametags soon, according to Trish.

 

If anyone has anything belonging to the club kicking around their house, please bring it or get it to Bill or any other officers so that it can be used or at least accounted for.

 

The next meeting was set at Me ‘N Stan’s in Rexburg on Wednesday, October 15 at 7 p.m.  The meeting adjourned at 8:30.

 

DID YOU KNOW

by Egon

 

Another year of vetting is almost over, time to think storage of "your toy". A few things that you may want to consider for storage:

 

1. Leave the doors in the first latch condition. This gives the rubber a chance to "relax". They are still closed enough so little critters won't come in and spend the winter.

 

2. Find a good rubber lube, and coat the rubber gaskets to stop them from going kaput. I priced top & side seal rubber parts for Connie's 86, $1200.00.  Pays to take care of the rubber. I use silicone. Side benefit, stop's squeaks.

 

3. Wash "your toy" and apply a coat of wax.  Do it now, you won't have to do it in the spring.

 

4. Remove the "stuff" you placed inside, including the left over "junk food crumbs".  This invites visitors you don't want.  Left in, car will stink next spring.

 

5. If you are going to use the car from time to time all winter, run the engine enough to get the water out of the mufflers. If you are not (that's me) run it enough before storage to make sure all water is "cooked" out of the mufflers. They are not cheep to replace.

 

6. I change the oil & filter before storage, then I'm ready to go in the spring, and the crappy old oil is removed.

 

7. I keep a logbook of everything I do to the car and when. Added to the log is the ending mileage at storage time. It's interesting to check next fall and see "how far did I drive "my toy" in the year.

 

Ok have a good winter someplace where it's warm

 

Egon

 

 

October Birthdays

 

Rich Lyons 2
Wanda Pincock 3
Wendy Farmer 6
Norm Free 6
Wanda Hughes 12
Barbara Bell 13
Jeff Staffon 22
ReaAnn Denny 25
Lynn Davis 30

The Snows of Bear Tooth

by Ron Bone

 

First it was open.  Then it was closed by blowing and drifting snow.  Then it was open again.  No one knew when we left on Friday morning September 12th if our trip to Cody and Red Lodge would include Bear Tooth Pass.  But the weather forecast was promising and everyone was upbeat.  So off we went. 

 

Seven Corvettes had settled into formation by the time we left Rexburg.  Not a bad start.  Contrary to our expectations, though, we found a crowd waiting to enter Yellowstone Park and it took a bit to collect all the cars again.  Later, as we pulled over to photograph a string of buffalo slowly plodding alongside the Firehole River, a huge bull took a shine to the Barton’s ZR-1.  He towered over the car as he spiraled in for a closer look.  Bruce decided that he had enough photos of this particular specimen and drove a short distance away.  The bull persisted.  He wasn’t interested in any other Corvette; he liked that red ZR-1.  Now, you don’t get compliments like that every day. 

 

 

 

After lunch at Old Faithful, where we happened upon a contingent of Corvettes from Ohio, we exited the Park at the East Entrance.  While stopped at the Pahaska Tepee for a shop and pit stop, Connie Barton gamely hopped aboard the plastic bear for a photo opportunity.  We made it into Cody, Wyoming in time to see the daily gunfight at the historic Irma Hotel, followed by a nice dinner inside. 

 

Saturday morning was free time, with some taking in the sights at Trail Town, a collection of authentic frontier buildings located on the original town site of Cody.  Others concentrated on the Wild West Show & Shine car show, where there was even a Porvette (a Porsche with a Corvette engine).  We left town in the afternoon, minus the Bartons but plus the Valentines and the Moores, and headed for Red Lodge, Montana.  Bear Tooth Pass was closed after a storm the previous night.  That also caused us to miss the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway. 

 

After arriving at Red Lodge, we lined our cars up at the local Chevrolet dealer for snapshots.  Then we went for a driving tour of the town, which turned out to be mostly a bust because we couldn’t find the points of interest.  We abandoned that idea and stopped at an art show, where Bud and Bette Elliot, obviously in their element, struck up a conversation with the artist on display.  Tommy Taylor discovered a painting that bore a remarkable resemblance to him.  Never one to miss an opportunity, Wayne Valentine told the ladies at the show that Tommy was the descendant of the cowboy in the painting and was a famous cowboy in his own right.  Wayne knew that he had a live one when they asked what kind of horses Tommy rode.  He explained that Tommy rode world-famous Shetland ponies from Rigby, Idaho.  Seeing Tommy’s height, the ladies were flabbergasted.  Having set the stage, Wayne ushered in Tommy,

who stepped up to the plate and regaled the ladies of the Carbon County Art Guild for some time with tales of his exploits on the ponies. 

 

Some unique stores awaited us in the downtown area of Red Lodge.  Fred and Wanda Hughes and Gene and Wendy Farmer discovered the Bone Daddy Cycle Shop, which specializes in some unusual apparel.  We also discovered a real old-time candy store with creaky wood floors, a cow bell on the door, high stamped steel ceilings, and glass candy cases.  Every sort of candy imaginable.   

 

Bear Tooth Pass was open on Sunday morning and Debbie Morris was wearing her “I told you so” look.  After a delicious breakfast we departed for the pass.  It was windy and cool at Vista Point, but the scenery was beautiful and the cars drew a lot of attention.  We hit a patch of soft snow at the top, but everyone made it through.  It’s easy to see why this pass closes so suddenly.  You wouldn’t want to be on the pass when it’s icy. 

 

We re-entered Yellowstone Park at the Northeast Entrance and had lunch at Mammoth Hot Springs.  Parking was at a premium but it was perfect hiking weather.  A few split off at Norris to head for home, while the rest headed for the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.  It was, well, just beautiful and a perfect day for viewing it.  We arrived home late Sunday evening, glad we made the trip and glad we got to go over Bear Tooth Pass after all. 

 

 

(The following was taken from the February 2001 newsletter)

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.  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.