NEWSLETTER - OCTOBER 2004

Gartside’s Restaurant and Lounge is located on Route 20 in the heart of Roxana. Their dinner menu includes everything from sandwiches to full dinners and the food is really good. It’s a favorite to the locals. Their phone number is 302-436-1599. See you there!

We’re always looking for new meeting locations. The restaurant must have a separate room suitable for about 30 people and be willing to give us individual checks.

Club Sponsor

Remember to take your

TESTIMONIAL TO FIRST STATE CHEVY-OLDS – Your editor is now the proud owner of a 2005 Chevy Equinox – Chevy’s new model for 2005! To me it’s like a combination of a wagon & SUV packed into a nice handling vehicle that is smaller than a Trail Blazer but not as small as a Ford Escape. Our club sponsor presented an offer we could not refuse…once again demonstrating their support to our club and its members! Thanks Lee, Chuck, and our Rep Steve!

Many happy returns to Bruce Bent, Archie Berberian, Lynne Buckwalter, Linda Casto, and Sandra Schatz. Hope it’s your best year ever!

A hearty welcome to Charles and Beverly Pepper who are full-time residents at 24545 E. Trap Pond Road, Georgetown, DE 19947. When you see a 2004 Yellow convertible cruising down the road give a wave because it’s probably going to be them.

We also extend a hearty welcome to Lawrence & Lana Wesley, Sr. who are full-time residents at 18 Autumnwood Way, Lewes, DE 19958-9460. They sport around town in a 1987 Dark Red 2 –Door Hatchback so give them a wave too.

Congrats to Joe Abbatiello who won $24.00! It was good you were able to make the meeting Joe…we’ve been missing you! NO…we did not bribe him to attend the meeting!

It was good that Pina Abbatiello came to the meeting with husband Joe because she got to win the folding chair donated by Delaware National Bank. Really….we did not bribe them to come!

Our 2^nd door prize of spices was donated by Janet Lewis. Otts Bortle was the winner…a little something to spice up his life……yee haa!

Club Officers

President………….… Joe Worts (302-947-4596)

Treasurer…..…….…. Lynne Buckwalter (302-645-4719) (E-mail - Lbuck34@juno.com)

Newsletter Editor…….Dianne Shaw (302-541-4891) (E-mail – zinykake@aol.com)

2005 Silver Coupe – Magnetic ride, Chromed wheels, Glass top, Automatic transmission – This C6 is still in the factory but will arrive in Georgetown in time for you to open your wallet!!!!!!

Door Prize Donations needed: The Club likes to award a Door Prize at each meeting. Most often we have depended on the generosity of our members to donate suitable items. Winners have received such items as wine, car-cleaning supplies, bird feeders, garden stepping stones, six-pack of beer and similar things. If you want to donate a Door Prize please give it to Carolyn Brinker or any member in her absence.

Thursday – November 4^th - Return Day Parade – Miss Teenage Delaware – Don Magee and Bill Shaw have graciously volunteered to drive their Corvettes in the parade and carry the winners. WOW …what eye candy that will be…sort of that is…beautiful Corvettes…beautiful girls…cheering crowds…two older gray headed men…it doesn’t get any better that that! Thanks guys for giving your time to support our Georgetown friends.

Saturday, November 6^th – Beachcombers Club Cruise to St. Michael’s Maryland The members will meet at Pickles Restaurant In Georgetown (Route 113) at 10:00 a.m. and cruise to St. Michael’s for lunch and whatever. Maybe the town will be decorated for Christmas! Call Carolyn at 302-436-2487 or email her at jtbfish@aol.com if you are interested in attending.

Monday, November 22^nd – 8-11 p.m. - Christmas Tree Decorating Party at Grotto’s - A detailed report will be given by Carolyn Brinker at the November 4^th meeting. Please come and sign up for this fun and charitable event. Funds raised by our tree will be donated to the Breast Cancer Society.

Friday, December 10, 2004 – Beachcombers Corvette Club Annual Holiday Party – This year’s celebration of the holiday season will held at The Lighthouse Restaurant In Lewes, Delaware. More specific details will be provided at the November meeting so come and get the details in person and reserve you seats. For further details call Carolyn Brinker at 302-436-2487.

Beachcombers Corvette Club Meetings for January 6^th, February 3^rd, and March 3^rd – Join your other club members at Jake’s Seafood and Steak Restaurant on Route 1 in Rehoboth Beach. Socializing and dinner at 6:00 p.m. followed by the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Club Shirts & Jackets – Nice quality shirts for men and women. See or call Bill Shaw (302-541-4891). The man’s shirt is red and the women’s is navy blue.

The club is considering placing an order for long sleeve shirts that will be useful during our colder months at the beach! Are you interested? Come to the meeting or call Bill!

Beachcombers Corvette Club 2004 Car Show – Another successful event !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our club stands proud again in 2004 after our successful car show. We made about $248.00 on the food concession and $292.68 on the show after all expenses and the $500 contribution to Compassionate Care Hospice. Job well done!

Corvette Museum at full throttle – expansion is planned at 10-year mark…Our members, Rick Berry and Ed Marcelle, bring us updated info out of Bowling Green…The museum celebrated its 10^th Anniversary in September amid plansfor an expansion that would double its size. They both tell us the museum, located on Interstate 65, is venturning out on the $6 million project which would expand the museum’s size to 120,000 square feet. Rick and Ed recounted that the days of declining memberships now seem to be a thing of the past. An early decline in memberships from 5,000 to 1,620 has since leaped to new heights as the rolls now boast 21,000 members who spend freely at the museum gift shop which has seen sales in upward of $4 million. With its debts now behind them they have not needed a subsidy for the past 3 years and Rick says that most of the museum’s support now comes from “grass-roots Corvette enthusiasts” like the member sitting next to you. Ed explained that in addition to showing itself as a museum it also hosts about 10 major events a year. Ed and Rick both agree…a trip to Bowling Green is not complete without a tour of the museum…you’ll be amazed!!!!

The 2005 Corvette – Bring it on……………the world of Corvettes as I knew it didn’t expand much beyond the red convertible in our garage and the fervent waves of the hand as drivers pass on the roadways of America! As a matter of fact…I never knew the Corvette was the center of attention at events in Europe. Do I live the life of a cloistered nun…one might think I do. It’s not ignorance…it’s just living in the state of the uninformed!

Five or six meetings into my first year in Beachcombers found me hearing words like C4 and C5 and I simply nodded and smiled…all the while wondering what you people were talking about. I heard about overheating engines…poor draft…tech problems…tech seminars…gearboxes…engines on racks…yada yada yada. I truly wondered “what am I doing here?”. I accepted the fact that I had to become more informed.

Last weekend I visited First State Chevrolet for a sit-down with Chuck Ricker and 6 cups of coffee later I have a full grasp of the subject of Corvettes…one that even the most informed of you will envy…thank’s to Chuck!

Visualizing the Corvettes of my past leads me to the impression that the sixth-generation Corvette…C6 as I now call it and understand why I do…is FRESH and SHAPELY…with a definite refinement in its smooth new coupe as well as in the convertibles. Beneath those fine lines is an equally smooth updated engine. Its delicate contours bring the body in by 5 inches in length and a mere inch in width as compared to the C5 (yes sir)….a longer wheel base….STIFFER chassis!!!! I am immediately attracted to the dramatic fenders as they flare atop the larger 18 inch wheels but what truly makes my heart race are those exposed head lights…I’ve been so missing them since they left in 1962. The face of the new Vette takes my breath away!

Chucks patience with me that afternoon gave me a complete grasp of the importance of the extensive engineering and design work that went into the new Vette from exterior to interior. The refinement added to the C6 has been accomplished without sacrificing any of the legendary performance the plastic sports car is famous for. I feel a rush as the vision of displacing an even 6.0 liter with an LS2 V8 and sending 400 horsepower to the rear wheels through a 4-speek automatic transmission or optional 6-speed Tremec manual gearbox. I feel so safe knowing the brakes have also been upgraded and there are 3 suspension packages to choose from…making my ride that of comfortable cruiser or race-track ready.

Do you get lost and hate to ask for directions? (Hummmmmmm…who does that sound like?) Well…never be lost again as the new C6 comes equipped with a DVD based navigation and dual mode head-up display.

My afternoon with Chuck was supurlative and his patience with me….extreme…he won a place in heaven. Bottom line……….the new Vette is SPECTACULAR…any way you look at it…even if you know nothing other than people who drive Vettes wave to each other.

   Vice President Dale the meeting to order at 7.35.

30 members were present: Joe & Pina Abbatiello, Bruce & Margaret Bent, Richard & Linda Berry, Peter & Marion Bon, James and Carolyn Brinker    Rose Leister, Richard & Kathy Miller Ray & Marie Myers Lewis & Janet    Smith, Bill Vernon, Donna Dunning, Gloria Ellis & TR, Otts & Pat Bortle,    Don and Connie Magee, Bill   Shaw,   Dale Buckwalter, Edward & Tanya    Marcelle, Joseph Worts

The Vice President Dale welcomed everyone.

The Vice President then asked for the Secretary’s report. Donna asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes as stated in the newsletter, Marie motioned to accept, and Connie seconded. It was unanimously approved with the one correction.

Dale read the treasure report Bill Shaw motion to accept and Don.seconded it. It was unanimously approved

The Vice President Dale read the two new applications for new members Charles & Beverly Pepper and Lawrence& Lana Westley. Motion to accept them as new members Rick Berry motioned to accept and Bill Vernon seconded. It was unanimously approved.

Dale Welcomed our guest Leon Reed and Gloria and TR’s Son. Dale asked about any new business, and Marie stated we need to talk about the Christmas Party. Carol Brinker stated she has made calls and will
discuss with the club during her report.

Members asked Dale what we made on the car show, and per his figures about   $248.00 on the food and $292.68 on the show this is after the donation. Dale stated that Joe is looking for a club member to use their
car in the Sea Witch parade in Rehoboth on 10-30-4 if interested please contact him.

Marie also asked about the trim a tree at Grotto’s, and Carol was unaware of this event this is her first year. Marie explained to the club we need to pick a charity for our donation. Don stated we need to get the application in as soon as possible. Carol will call and get the application and find out when it will be held. The club voted on the Breast Cancer for the charity and to do the event for the Grotto’s tree-trimming. Motion made by Rick and Kathy Seconded it unanimously approved.   Donna asked who has the decorations, and the Magee’s stated
they have the decorations. Donna also stated Grottos provided us with great food for the event .

Carol has been looking into some possible act ivies for our club, and wanted to talk about a possible trip to Saint Michael’s on 11-6-4 we could meet at Pickles restaurant in Georgetown about 10.00 am club voted to have this event. You can call Carol at 302-436-2487 or email her at jtbfish@aol.com if you are interested in attending.

Carol also has been making calls to two restaurants for dates and prices for our Christmas party Lighthouse in Lewis and Harpoon Hannah’s, the lub decided on Lighthouse, we had such a good time last year. Marie
also stated the Lighthouse paid ½ of the cost of the DJ. The motion we to have the party 12-10-4 Donna motion to accept and Connie seconded it was unanimously approved.

Marie asked if the new letter could go our earlier or an email sent to members about our meeting locations. Donna stated is also put in the Wave. Don stated we use to vote for a location for 3 months at a time to give members an idea of where we would be. The club voted to stay at Gardside for November, and December, and to meet at Jake’s Sea Food in Rehoboth for January, February and March.

T. R. told the club how grateful he was for our prayers and support through his recovery period. We were all very happy to see him!

The meeting was adjourned at 8.05

The Door Prize folding chair   donated by Dale and Lynne Buckwalter and won by Pina Abbatiello
The second door prize spices donated by Janet Lewis and won by Otts
The winner of the 50/50 was Joe Abbatiello for $42.00

Respectifully submitted,
Donna Dunning, Secretary

October 2004

Club Sponsor

Remember to take your

Club Officers

President………….… Joe Worts (302-947-4596)