VETTE NEWS Volume 26, Issue 4 April 2007 President s Corner It has been a long cold winter for most of our Members, but April is finally here! That usually means we will have some warmer mild days, mixed in with some wet and cool days, which usually results in spring fever! So get ready to remove the covers off your Corvette, get out the garden hose, car wash soap & bucket. Because it s time to clean them up and get ready to CRUISE! A few of the April activities that members can sign up for, is the Watkins Glen Opening Day, which permits each Corvette to take 3 laps around the track, at a controlled speed. Another regular event is the WNY Maplefest Show in Franklinville, NY on April 29 th. A full list of the club recommended activities for 2007 will be published and ready for distribution before our April meeting. The Annual Officers Installation Dinner & Dance was a huge success and I cannot thank both Carol Kinney and Pamm Seifert enough for Co-Chairing this event. A special thanks to Bruce Mussehl for recommending the entertainment Duo, called the A&W Show. I hope everyone had a great time and enjoyed the evening. The planning and preparation for our GM Car Show at David Chevrolet, is in progress with great expectations to attract 150 cars or more! Show Co- Chairperson, Pete Ricigliano will be asking for your help on the various tasks that are needed for our show to be successful & FUN! The All Corvette Caravan event is also progressing, with the help of Co-Chairman Bruce Mussehl, and Mel Skeide, Bob Kazmarek, & Jim Gangloff. Continued on pg 2 What s Happening Web Site is now up and running, visit and take a look. VETTE NEWS is going all electronic and will be delivered only via email starting with the May issue. More info inside under Editor s Message. 2007 Calendar of Events and Cruise Nights has been compiled and listed in this month s issue and also on the Web site. New Members to vote in at this months meeting, Susan E. Krezmien, Marie E. Ulrich and Larry Ienco. Larry is a hold over from the last meeting Line Dancing! OFFICAL PUBLICATION OF www.corvettesofbuffalo.com CORVETTES of BUFFALO pg 1
Officers President Skip Polowy 716-741-7677 Vice President Pete Ricigliano 716-634-6101 Secretary Linda Bonus 716-695-7643 Treasurer Mel Skeide 716-876-1194 Board of Directors Diane Skeide 716-876-1194 Jim Bonus 716-695-7643 Jim Lawson 716-838-2920 Frank Pastore 716-694-9024 Reas Graber 716-634-4656 Committees Membership Marianne Pastore 716-694-9024 Newsletter Jim & Linda Bonus 716-695-7643 Phone Comm. Nancy Graber 716-634-4656 Sunshine Comm. Ruth Mussehl 716-685-3281 Webmaster Jim Bonus Meeting every second Saturday of the month at First Presbyterian Church 9875 Main St. Clarence, NY Meeting starts 7:00 p.m. Corvettes of Buffalo is open to all Corvette owners and enthusiasts over the age of 21 President s Corner Continued from pg1 Flyers will be available as soon as the details are confirmed for both of our events. We are looking for members to Chair an existing event or organize a new event during the 2007 season. You will notice on the 2007 COB Activities Calendar that some members have stepped up to Chair some of the events. We would like more members that are planning to attend some of the events to take an active role in coordinating or leading the group during an event. It could mean calling ahead for reservations, leading the group to the destination, or selecting a place to meet before driving to a Car Show or Cruise. If you see an event on the calendar that interests you, let us know and we will put your name down to help coordinate that event. We plan to have plenty of Corvette activities to choose from again this year. I hope you re looking forward to getting your Corvette on the road again.. and join us for some fun! Save the Wave! Skip Polowy Visit us at http://www.corvettesofbuffalo.com/ Send Articles To: Jim Bonus, 1012 Castlebar Drive North Tonawanda, NY 14120 E-Mail : jwbonus@adelphia.net CORVETTES of BUFFALO pg 2
Editor s Message COB Members VETTE NEWS and COB are keeping up with the times and stepping into the electronic age! April will be last time the newsletter will be printed and mailed to the membership. Due to the rising postal rates and the cost of printing, VETTE NEWS will be delivered to your door via email. You all should have received a copy of March and April s issue in your email box. I am sure you will agree that the electronic version is visually more appealing with pictures and text in color You will also find web links to our sponsors and events that we will be going to, embedded in the newsletter, so all you have to do is click and go see further information on the place or event. The added plus is the saving of our dues to be used for some other noble club purpose (FOOD!). As for the few members who do not have access to email or a computer they will receive a mailed copy of the newsletter. I will be sending the newsletter out at around the same dates as the printed version. I strongly suggest that you keep your email addresses current with the club and keep your inbox empty so the emails don t bounce back. If they do bounce back, I will attempt one more delivery a day or two later. After that you will have to contact me to resend the email. Additionally, the newsletter will be posted on the web site. You will have the option to save the newsletter or print it out. Past issues will also be archived on the web site. The Web Site is up and running! Please visit the site and look around and visit often. I would like to bring to your attention the scrolling posts on the Home page. Here you will fine current messages and information on the events and things happening with the club in the immediate future (say a two week window). These scrolling posts will have six entries with the most recent being the first and the remaining will continue to scroll down and on to the next page. This is one way to keep the membership up to speed about what s coming up. As we go forward there will be more things added to the site such as a Members Only page with a login password, and videos to go along with the still pictures. I am open to any suggestions for things you would like to see on the site. Jim Bonus Corvette History April 18, 1958: The Sting Ray makes its debut at the President's Cup Race at Maryland's Marlboro Raceway. The car is Bill Mitchell's personal vehicle for style testing of the Corvette. Richard Thompson races it to fourth place. The car was made from the last Corvette SS mule chassis, and given a new body by Bill Mitchell and Larry Shinoda. April 21, 1996: Zora Arkus-Duntov dies at age 86, in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. April 25, 1992: Chevrolet General Manager Jim Perkins announces at the Corvette Wind and Thunder meeting that there is a plan for a 1996 Corvette, but with no radical changes. April 28, 1995: The last ZR-1 Corvette rolls off the assembly line. During its six year lifetime, 6939 ZR-1 Corvettes were built. Chevrolet general manager Jim Perkins and Chief Corvette Engineer Dave McLellan deliver the car to the National Corvette Museum. April 30, 2000: Dave Hill, Chief Engineer of Corvette, unveils the 2001 Z06 model Corvette, with new 385 HP LS6 engine. April, 1965: The Mako Shark II (project XP-830), formerly called the Mako Shark, makes its debut appearance at the New York International Auto Show. The non-running full-size model cost nearly US$3 million to create. April, 1970: Chevrolet unveils the experimental midengined XP-895 Corvette at the New York Auto Show. The car is the restyled XP-882 prototype. Continued next column CORVETTES of BUFFALO pg 3
Our Newest Members I am a very newly retired Registered Nurse. I have 5 adult children, the youngest still in college and the second youngest has just completed his PHD at the University of Maryland and is interviewing for a position as a Professor. I lost my husband to cancer several years ago, but now have a wonderful man in my life, Bob Kaczmarek, who is a member of your club. Up to this point in my life, my total knowledge of cars is to have my oil changed every 3,000 miles. Bob, on the other hand, knows everything about cars he s a car nut and loves his Corvette. I want to broaden my horizons now that I have more time and this is something Bob and I can enjoy together. The meetings and road events which I have attended have been very enjoyable. The members have been very gracious and friendly. I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life and expanding my knowledge of Corvettes. Installation Dinner Wow! didn t every one have a good time! The Music was entertaining and the food was good. Susan E. Krezmien My ties to COB date back to the mid 1980s. At that time, Jan Harding, a former COB member introduced me to the organization. I actually assisted at the registration table for their 1985 car show at McKinley Mall. I still have my pink t-shirt from that event. Little did I know I would again become involved with COB some 20 years later. I am not a Corvette owner, but I am a high performance vehicle enthusiast. My family has owned a 1964 409 which was raced at Niagara as well as a 28 foot Switzer which raced and took first place in its class at a local APBA event Now I m in the passenger seat of the black 1984 Corvette owned by COB member, Jim Zelasko. While only a passenger, I ve enjoyed participating in various functions. To date, my favorite function is the 2006 ride from Summit Mall to Tonawanda via the Falls. I spent the day enjoying the scenery while Jim spent the day watching for brake lights on the car ahead of us! Marie E. Ulrich The place to be was here! It was so good they needed a map to get home! CORVETTES of BUFFALO pg 4
SHOW INFO At our March meeting, I gave a report to the membership about our July 22 nd car show. Our sponsor, David Chevrolet, likes the changes we are planning and has given us 50 free car washes and 12-$25.00 certificates plus $2,000, club sponsorship. Joe Smith liked that all the GM vehicles will give us more entries. Our show will start at 2:00 pm and run to 7:00 pm, which is a new twist, to give entries time to sleep in, go to church, and take their time to get to our show. Our goals for the show this year are: Keep it simple Make it fun for everyone! Make as much money as we can To put this show together, we will need membership volunteers for different committees. We will call them Team Leaders who will head up the following: These positions are currently filled Advertisement Get free TV, radio, newspaper, pennysaver, gusto, etc. ads Reas Graber Judging Set up spread sheet and ballots and judging forms. - Pat Artieri Chinese Auction Get members to make up baskets with a limit of 20 baskets Diane Skeide Volunteers are still needed for these positions: Sign up Table- Entry info Park cars Vendor set up- Food, arts & crafts, car parts Cooking - Grilling of hot dogs, hamburgers, sell pop etc. 50/50 Door prizes Trophy sponsors COB members have always put on a great show in the past, and I am sure this show will be one of our best and a lot of fun. Pete Ricigliano PARTS FOR SALE 1958-1962 windshield washer vacuum canister-brand new $80.00--corvette 1959-1962 shifter console plate & shifter boot-new $15.00 each corvette 1977 console side panels, vinyl covered (black)-new $50.00 corvette 1977 water temperature gauge-used $50.00 corvette 1973-1979 headlight & wiper vacuum hose deluxe kit- new $70.00 corvette 1956-1960 right hand door striker-new $65.00 corvette 1955-1957 Chevrolet passenger car rebuilt windshield wiper motor, rebuilt, never used $150.00 1958-1960 Rear Bumpers, no dents, nice condition, will most likely need to be rechromed-$375.00 for the pair 1963-1967 right hand convertible & hardtop latch n o s part #3825178-$60.00 1963-1967 left hand convertible & hardtop latch excellent condition part #3825177- $45.00 Contact Mel at (716) 876-1194 or email at mskeide58@verizon.net Thanks Mel APRIL COB BIRTHDAYS 9 Barb Hoffman 11 Jim Lawson 21 Reas Graber 22 Debbie Wroblewski 28 Dave Huber COB ANNIVERSARIES 11 Debbie & Dan Wroblewski 14 Marianne & Frank Pastore CORVETTES of BUFFALO pg 5
SHOWS AND EVENTS 2007 April 29 WNY Maplefest, Franklinville, NY (9 am- 3pm) see Mel Skeide April 29 Watkins Glen, Opening day, 3 laps for $20. see Jim Lawson http://www.theglen.com/ May 12 COB Club Meeting Clarence Church 7 pm May 13 Sonnenburg Gardens Mother s Day Cruise Wine Tasting & Dinner Canandaigua, NY All Mothers Admission only $1.00 - see Dan & Deb http://www.steamboatlandingonline.com/ http://www.sonnenberg.org/ May 27 Olcott Super Cruise ( 1pm 4 pm) May 28 Memorial Day Parade, Delaware Ave., Kenmore, NY see Mel Skeide June 1 Blessing of the Cars, Cardinal O Hara School, Ton. NY ( 5pm 9 pm) June 2 NCRS Corvette Show, Ken Barrett Chevy, Batavia, NY - see Mel Skeide June 3 Corvette Cruise, Stoney Creek, Port Dover Canada June 3 All Corvette Super Cruise & Show, Toronto, Canada see Phil & Shirley June 8 Freewheelers Whistle Pig Super Cruise, Nia. Falls, NY (4 pm- 10pm) June 9 Eastern Hills Church Super Cruise, Griener Rd. Clarence, NY (11 am 3 pm) June 9 COB Club Meeting Clarence Church 7 pm June 10 Springville Field & Stream BBQ & Car Show 10 am -? see Bob Kazmarek June 14-17 Stowe Vermont Corvette Show see Phil & Shirley June 16-23 NCCC Convention, Nashville, TN. see Pete Ricigliano June 17 Miller Hose Father s Day Car Show, Rt.78 Newfane NY (9am 4 pm) June 20 Glen Campbell - All Corvette Cruise - (6pm-9pm) June 22 Wilson Super Cruise, Wilson NY (6pm 9 pm) see Frank Pastore June 30 Leisurewood Campgrounds Cruise, Akron NY (10 am 4 pm) July 1 Try Five Car Show- Clarence Pumpkin Farm Main St. - (8am- 5pm) July 6 Paddock Chevy Car Show - Kenmore NY (5pm - 9pm) July 8 Ole Sanborn Car Cruise, Sanborn NY (11 am 5 pm) July 8 Rod & Piston.com - Gratwick Riverside Park Super Cruise - (9am - 5pm)- see Craig Eckert July 7-8 Nemacolin Woodlands Resort Corvette Weekend in PA. - see Skip Polowy July 13 St. Vincent DePaul Church Corvette Cruise - Elma NY (5pm - 9pm) July 14 COB Club Meeting Clarence Church 7pm July 15 Geneseo Air Show/ Car Show, Geneseo NY ( 10am 4 pm) see Bruce Mussehl July 16 Alice s Super Cruise Sheridan Drive (5 pm 9 pm) July 18 Canal Fest Super Cruise - North Ton. (4pm - 9pm) see Frank Pastore July 20 Akron Air Park Cruise see Bruce Mussehl July 22 COB GM Super Show, David Chevrolet ( 2 pm 7 pm) July 25 Gillogly Chevy Super Cruise - West Seneca NY - (5pm - 9pm) July 28-29 Sylvan Beach All Corvette Show ( 8 am 5 pm) July 29 Dick Pendleton Car Show Grand Island, NY (10am -4pm) August 4 August 6 August 10 August 10 Rochester Corvette Car Show, Fairport NY (10am 4 pm) Taste of Clarence Cruise - Clarence Town Park (4pm - 9pm) Wendelville Fire Hall Cruise, Pendleton NY (4 pm- 8 pm) GM Powertrain, St. Catharines, Ont. CORVETTES of BUFFALO pg 6
August 12 COB Picnic & Club Meeting Clarence Town Park see Reas Graber August 17 Classic Cruise Annunciation Church, Elma, NY (6pm- 9pm) August 18 Akron Car & Craft Show (9am 4pm) August 19 COB Corvette Caravan to Colden Lakes Resort, ( 9am- 3pm) August 24-26 Corvettes at Carlisle - PA August 25 Evangola State Park Tomato Fest. Angola, NY (9am- 4pm) August 28 Victory Super Cruise, Transit Rd. Lockport (5pm- 9pm) September 2 Autum Sports Classic -Como Park Octagon Club- (9am - 4pm) September 3 Labor Day at Midway Park - Maple Springs NY on Chautauqua Lake (11am -4pm) September 6 Dunn Tire Super Cruise - West Seneca, NY (6pm 9pm) September 8 COB Club Meeting Clarence Church 7pm September 9 Sheridan Drive Nostalgia Cruise see Frank Pastore September 13-16 Newport RI COB Tour of Mansions, etc.. see Skip Polowy September 23 - Colden Arts & Crafts Car Show - Colden Fire Hall -(10am -5pm) September 29 Cruisin the Downs, Batavia NY (11 am- 4pm) September 29 Hilton Apple Festival, Hilton NY (10am- 5pm) October 7 October 13 October 14 Fall Foliage Cruise & Picnic Letchworth, State Park depart at 10am Galleria Mall COB Club Meeting Clarence Church 7pm Peek & Peek Car Show (1pm - 4pm) Available Cruise Nights for 2007 (Beginning Dates ) Sunday April 22 Cruise Night at Dunkin Donuts, Sheridan Drive, Ton. NY (5pm) Monday May 14 Lockport Cruise Nights Ida Fritz Park, Lockport (6pm - 9pm) May 21 Alice s Kitchen Cruise Night - Sheridan Drive, 3 rd Monday each month (5pm- 9pm) Tuesday May 1 Pautler s Cruise Night - Transit Road Lockport (6pm-10pm) May 15 Krusin w/ the Knights, 755 Erie Ave. N.Ton. (5:30pm-9pm) May 22 Uncle Joe s Cruise Night - Hamburg NY (6pm-9pm) Wed. May? K & S Cruise Night - Niagara St. Tonawanda - (6pm- 9pm) May 16 Academy Park Cataract Cruisers - Lewiston (5:30pm - 9pm) May 23 Anderson s Cruise Night - North Ton. (6pm - 9pm) May? Shred & Regan-Summit Park Mall (6 pm- 10pm) Thurs. May 10 Polish Falcons Cruise - Columbia Ave. Lancaster NY (6pm-9pm) May 17 Akron Cruise Night - (6pm - 9pm) June Angola Cruise Night Main St. Rt.5 (6 pm 9 pm) Friday Available for COB Special Cruise s Sat. May Cruise on the River 8163 Cummington Sq. Nia. Falls, Ont. (2pm-6pm) June 2 Olcott Beach Cruise Nights - (6pm - 9pm) CORVETTES of BUFFALO pg 7
P. O. Box 161 West Seneca, NY 14224 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED CORVETTES of BUFFALO pg 8