President’s Letter – Lakeshore Corvette Club

President’s Letter February 2018

Diane Colvin — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 16:21:16 +0000

Thank you for those who could make it out to February’s meeting. For those who were not able to make it we had a cozy intimate setting. We had story time from Tom (reading the proposed changes to our by-laws), our own personal door man (thanks Ed), and a fun time had by all (well maybe most).
Thank you to Mike and Barb for running our 50/50 drawing. Congratulations to Mike and Barb for winning the 50/50 drawing. Hey, wait a minute… I think you should go for 3 in a row, I wonder if that would be some kind of club record.
We have one more indoor meeting in March, and then in April we get to do what we like best. Eat some more. Oh and drive/ride in our Corvette’s.
I did want to thank everyone for the laughter and support at our winter meetings, what a neat group of people.
I did want to thank the Board that continues to meet and give of their time and energy (and yes even cookies).

Thanks again Lakeshore Corvette Club for being such an amazing group of people.
Rob Dernberger

President

President’s Letter January 2018

Diane Colvin — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 18:28:25 +0000

What an Amazing Year!

First off a big thank you to the Outgoing LCC Board for all of your hard work and for being so kind to the new guy (me).

Next, thank you to all of you who made 2017 such a great year (well other then going blind in one eye). I so enjoyed our time together.

A big thank you to the people who ran and/or ran and won an election for the Board for 2018. What a big commitment you have made or were willing to make for our club.

I had a great time at our first meeting for 2018. For those of you that were not able to make it we had our annual Christmas auction. Brian was back to help (do to popular demand). Other than a couple of rogue bids made on others behaves I think the event was fair and definitely a big success. Money was made and fun was had.

I am excited to see what 2018 brings for us and our club.

Rob Dernberger

P.s. I did get my first piece of mail addressed to “Pirate” and it came from the Corvette Club.

President’s Letter December 2017

Diane Colvin — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 16:16:38 +0000

Well, this is it, my last message as President of the Lakeshore Corvette Club. 2017 was a busy but fun year. We began with a Saturday tour that began at Historic Charleton Park and ended at the Gilmore Museum. Throughout the year we participated in a few car shows, ices cream runs and our monthly dinner cruises. At each event or activity Amy and I tried to sit with a different couple or individual in order to get to know you all better. I hope that all of our new members and visitors felt welcome and included. It has been said many times that people join for the Corvettes and stayed for the people. I want to specifically thank all the 2017 LCC Board Members for their ideas, encouragement and help. I want to thank the club membership for the opportunity to serve as President and all of your wonderful support .

The annual LCC Christmas Party is coming up on Tuesday, January 9 at The Trestle Stop restaurant in Hamilton. This is the highlight of the year for me. Here is what you need to do; bring a few wrapped gifts to auction. The Items can be white elephant, re-gifted, family treasure, car related, or whatever you have. We auction them off for a few dollars, watch the winner open them and have great time. Don’t miss it!

President’s Letter November 2017

Diane Colvin — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 23:46:24 +0000

One of the advantages of being part of any group or organization for a long time is the different perspective that history gives you. Amy and I have been part of LCC since 2004. Since joining there have been members who have come and members who move on. It’s part of the natural ebb and flow of an organization. It’s true with churches, workplaces, and even your circle of friends. Life changes, people move away, get transferred, or just want something different than everyone else. Our Corvette club is no different. I was reminded of that at our last meeting when we learned that the members had sold their car. It is sad to see friends leave.

This year we also had many new members join. It’s fun to see new faces, new cars and to begin build new friendships. I hope all the new members feel welcomed and included. I also hope that ALL the members feel encouraged to get more involved, whether it is leading a monthly cruise, leading a weekend cruise, joining the board, or being president. As I look forward to next year, I have no doubt some of you will be getting new or different cars, we will take some amazing cruises and a great time will be had by all. History tells me it will be true.

Brian Martinie,
LCC President

President’s Letter October 2017

Diane Colvin — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 00:29:46 +0000

Why do you drive a Corvette? What is it about a Corvette that makes them so special? This year especially we have had a lot of club members buy new cars or new-to-you cars. It’s exciting to see so many different cars. For many people owning a Corvette is a goal. Once you reach that goal, then you begin to connect with other people who own Corvettes. Through those people you are introduced to a Corvette club and meet a bunch of fun and crazy people. Before you know it, the hook is set. You can’t imagine not having a Corvette and not hanging around these people. I enjoy being a member of the Lakeshore Corvette Club and I especially love driving around with all of you, and if there is ice cream involved once and a while, even better.

I want to thank all of you who agreed to be nominated for a board position and congratulations to our newest board members.

Toys for Tots: It’s a little early to begin thinking about Christmas but don’t forget to bring an un-wrapped toy or two to the next meeting.

Save the wave,

Brian Martinie

President’s Letter September 2017

Diane Colvin — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 23:51:44 +0000

It is LCC board member election season again. Every year club members are given an opportunity to help out and serve in a board position. If you conducted a quick survey of those who are currently serving or have served in the past, you will find that each one of them enjoyed their position and learned a lot about the club. Would they want to do it forever? No. But for a time, absolutely. As of this writing, we still need a volunteer or a nomination for the office of Membership Director. Here is your chance to be a part of the inner workings of the club and to have a good time.

Save the wave,

Brian Martinie
LCC President.

President’s Letter August 2017

Diane Colvin — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 22:55:16 +0000

A few years ago, Amy and I attended the Iola Car Show in Iola, Wisconsin. I was in the middle of a 1929 Ford Model A restoration and Iola has a couple thousand swap meet vendors. After scouring the venue for parts for a couple days, it was time to check out the car show. One of the most unique displays was an area designated as “Cars from the Movies and TV”. They displayed the Kenworth semi-tractor from the TV show BJ and the Bear and a brown Mercury from Hawaii 5-0. I distinctly remember seeing about a dozen cars from the John Dillinger movie and a couple other period films. Once that Model A restoration was complete, that car and I had the opportunity to also be part of a movie. The film was called Return to the Hiding Place and was a period piece about the Dutch resistance during WWII. I had to travel to downtown Manistee for the day of filming. My role was to accidently drive into or hit a German soldier who was chasing a resistance leader across the street. The German soldier then would pound on the hood of my car and yell something, really loud, in German. I nailed that scene on the third take, it was awesome! That entire day of filming is probably on some cutting room floor somewhere, because it never made the final film. It never even made the deleted scenes. But what it did do is make me much more aware of the vehicles used in TV and films, especially 60’s and 70’s TV shows like Route 66 and Adam 12.

If you would like to borrow a copy of the film, let me know. It is quite intense.

Save the Wave,

Brian Martinie

President’s Letter July 2017

Diane Colvin — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 22:35:24 +0000

This month I want to talk about car shows. Mid-summer is certainly a great time to find a local show, they are everywhere. The best way to find out about upcoming car shows is to attend a car show. By the end of the show your car’s interior will be filled with various show flyers. It makes good sense, why not market directly to the participants of other car shows. There are two reasons I like to attend car shows, first is to see something new, unique or rare. The other is to see car owners I have met before and only see at car shows. You get a chance to catch up with them, see what new projects they are working on and hear about any adventures they’ve had with their car.

Being in a car club gives you the same opportunities. Most of us didn’t know many other people in the club when we joined. We all come from different places, backgrounds, careers, but we come together with a common bond, our cars. I especially enjoy that part of being in the Lakeshore Corvette Club, great people and great cars. Maybe that’s why you never see a Volvo club!

Save the Wave,

Brian Martinie

President’s Letter June 2017

Diane Colvin — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 16:20:57 +0000

Summer is here! I hope you are all taking the opportunity to get out on the road in your Corvette. Amy and I just returned from a “bucket list” trip. For years we have been participating in the St Ignace Car Show. It’s the last weekend in June and is usually between 800 and 1000 cars downtown St Ignace. But the week before is a lesser known car show called Antiques on the Bay. It is a much smaller show for cars 1991 and older. Well, this was the year we participated in both and it was worth it because we won a top 20 award. What’s on your summer of 2017 bucket list?

One other item I wanted to mention, 2017 is the 20^th anniversary of the Lakeshore Corvette Club. I have invited Dr. Patrick to join us at an upcoming meeting to share a little history about how and why the club got started. I will let you know once a firm date is set. At the July 11 picnic we will have cake and ice cream to celebrate. Don’t forget to RSVP to Barb and Ed if you plan to be there.

Save the Wave,

Brian Martinie

President’s Newsletter May 2017

Diane Colvin — Wed, 24 May 2017 20:28:54 +0000

Recently I was scanning E Bay and came across a 1976 JC Whitney catalog. It was “buy it now” at $3 with $3 in shipping, so I bought it. In 1976, the JC Whitney catalog was my window into the world of auto repair and customization. It was a big part of my automotive history. When I discovered a car I was interested in purchasing, I would research the catalog to see what repair parts were available. That search always led to accessories as well. I was looking for something to make the car stand out. Then there were the wish list items. And believe me, the number of items in the catalog that were one-of- a-kind were many. It was car guy heaven.

I remember one of my very first purchases from around 1978 was a digital tachometer. It was small and had a red LED readout. It was so futuristic and cool. It was also hard to read and had a huge delay, but none of my friends had one. Later I ordered a small toolbox with various tools to help expand my limited supply of tools. I don’t believe I have any of those original tools left in my collection. But I know I still have the hip roofed box, it’s under the workbench full of nuts and bolts. Over the years, the JC Whitney catalog has changed from hand drawn illustrations to color photos and from obscure items to the mundane. The store has also moved from midtown Chicago to along I-80.

Today I get catalogs from Ecklers, Mid America, and Corvette America. I still look through them to see what’s new or unique, something to make my car stand out from all the others. I can’t help myself, It’s part of my DNA.

Save the Wave,
Brian Martinie
LCC President