5th Annual Visit to Golisano Children’s Hospital, on August 20, 2017
Thanks to Jeanette Malfitano for photos
SCC Sponsored Kennel at SPCA
The Weekend of October 7-8, 2017
by Rick Rinefierd
Every year the Syracuse Corvette Club’s annual Fall Foliage Cruise has been one of the more popular events of the driving season. This year was no exception although the weather caused spirits to be somewhat “dampened" at the last minute as they were at many of our events this year.
This season’s event calendar saw a change in venue necessitated by the closing of the well-known Buffalo Head Restaurant in Forrestport. A club destination every fall for many years it was definitely disappointing for members to hear we could not go there. Selecting another location made consulting the statewide foliage report necessary because of this years unusual climate throughout the summer and fall. The normally brilliant colors are not yet prevalent in many areas this year.
So the highest authorities available were consulted and Boondocks’ Restaurant in Lyons Falls was chosen as the new destination for the 2017 Fall Foliage Cruise.
Saturday morning, October 7, saw 20 members with 6 Corvettes and 5 daily drivers meet at the Y-Hill Station just north of Sylvan Beach. Was it raining?
A little. Were the roads wet? Of course. It was still a great day for a cruise over the Tug Hill Plateau and down into the Black River Valley. If you stayed home to keep your car clean you missed a great ride with good friends, some good color and nice scenery. Something to look back on this January when looking out the window at white flakes blowing into drifts. Remember when you promised yourself you were going to drive that Corvette more before winter and not miss out on chances to make great memories?
Boondocks turned out to be a cool place with good food and great decor. How about a little stream trickling through the inside of the restaurant under a huge tree decorated with lights? Neat idea that works out well. The staff was great and very attentive. We were all pleasantly surprised and happy with this new cruise destination.
After lunch we found sunshine and mild temps had returned. So the 6 Corvettes left in the group of cruisers stopped at the near-by Tug Hill Winery which turned out to be another good place for a cruise stop. Spectacular view from the deck with wine tasting— perfect! After that it was back over the hill and between the windmills of Maple Ridge, another amazing sight.
The day that started a little on the dreary side ended just about perfectly for a cruise any where, any time.The following day, Sunday, was the second annual Exotic Car Club Brunch hosted by Lyndé and Howard LaFever at the Hampton Inn in Cazenovia. This beer and cider tasting event was again catered by the Linclaen House in Caz and is a first-class affair. Hard cider tasting from Critz Farms was available along with deserts from the Ladies of The Deli On The Green. At the omelet station the chef was very accommodating and was another high point in a room full of high points.
The persistent rain showers again kept many Corvettes home but the hospitality of the LaFevers attracted 33 club members, 10 Corvettes, and many other guests. After sampling all the delicious choices available those that wished to went on a foliage cruise led by Howard. The ride featured an Erie Canal feeder reservoir theme winding through the country side south of Cazenovia and back into Morrisville to end the day’s festivities.
Many thanks to Lyndé and Howard for again hosting this event and inviting the members of the Syracuse Corvette Club to “cross over” and be part of the Exotic Car Club - Adirondack Champlain Region. Many thanks also to the staff of the Hampton and the Linclaen House for their efforts on our behalf. Job well done.
Sunday, October 1 • Annual Cruise to Otisco Fire Department Pancake Breakfast
Photos Courtesy of Al Kalfass
“This year’s 40th Anniversary choice for ‘BEST GM CAR' goes to #140, Marc Osmun for his 1959 Corvette”!
Sunday, September 17, Jordan Fall Festival
One of the joys of living in Central New York is the selection of small town fairs and festivals that are sprinkled throughout the summer months. The 71st Annual Jordan Fall Festival held on the weekend of September 16th is one such wonderful family event.
The local residents volunteer their time and talents to continuously build this event bigger and better each year. Food court, craft displays, amusement rides and various other events including a large car show top the list of fun for everyone. There were rumors of over 600 cars registered, which made for full day of gazing, chatting and just relaxing.
Several SCC members were on hand this beautiful sunny day to enjoy the camaraderie. Some just stopped in, while others stayed for a few hours or even all day. Member Marc Osmun took one of the top honors with his beautiful ‘59 convertible. Well deserved, Marc!
Monday, August 28, 2017
The Annual New York State Fair Parade
Thanks to John Pouliot for once again organizing this event. The club was represented by 14 corvettes, 23 members and 6 guests.
Photos by member Dave Hintz
Sunday August 13, 2017 was a beautiful CNY summer day and an SCC event took place that we thought, after last year, might never happen again.
The event was the annual summer picnic at the home of members Pat and Al Kalfass on the south shore of Oneida Lake.
A more picturesque setting would be hard to find. For those who’ve never been there the view of the lake is spectacular and even that adjective doesn’t do justice to the panorama available from their deck. That deck was slightly crowded with the 64 club members and 7 guests that brought out coolers and chairs after dropping off dishes to pass inside.
Son “Puddy” volunteered his services, as he has done every year, as grill master. Thank you again, sir, from all of us in attendance— club members and guests— for your efforts on our behalf.
A large variety of excellent dishes were on the table along with the usual delicious desserts. I could be wrong but it seemed many of those delectable dessert items disappeared first, diets be damned. It was not a day to be concerned about counting calories.
As usually happens at one of these well-received events the time passed all too quickly. The 36 Corvettes parked out back began to disappear one by one as the sun sank lower over the west end of the lake ending a perfect day.
Many, many heartfelt thanks from everyone to our most gracious and generous hosts Al and Patty for again opening their home to the Syracuse Corvette Club and providing us with a place to enjoy the “camradery of fellows”. If and when they do move south we shall certainly miss them immensely. The club summer calendar just won’t be the same without this event.
SAVE THE WAVE !
Photos submitted by Fred Shattell
With approximately an equal number of Porsches competing to help level the playing field, the competition was intense and thrilling. Everyone had a great time running the track. In spite of the “trash talk” - kidding and teasing all day, the Corvettes “held their ground” - literally - (see photo of Porsche on 3 wheels).
Getting together with the Porsche Club is great fun - a super bunch of people who love their cars. However, the end results are proof that when well represented, the Corvettes will take home the trophy every time! - all 3 places, in fact! (Correction: final official tabulation of results: Corvettes captured 1st and 2nd Place, while 3rd Place was won by a Porsche.)
Enjoy the following photo journal, compliments of Fred Shattell. It tells the story best.
Pictured is 1st Place Karl Jacob (middle), 2nd Place John Breazzano (right) and 3rd Place Hal DeFrees (left). Photo by Dick Walters
August 13
SCC vs Porsche Club Challenge
A beautiful, mid-70 degree, yet partially overcast day at LaFayette Motorsports Park (formerly Cherry Valley Kart) made for perfect race conditions. SCC members Dick Walters, Ray Vivlemore, John Breazzano, Karl Jacob and Hal DeFrees competed on behalf of the Syracuse Corvette Club in the Porsche Club challenge. Ron Naistadt and Fred Shattell came to spectate and photograph this event making a total of 7 members in attendance. 2 guest corvettes, Jack Stevens’s 1986 dark red metallic vette and Chuck Dominick’s red C5-ZO6 joined the competition. (Apologies if we missed anyone from the club who may have stopped in).
Saturday August 12, 2017 was another day full of Syracuse Corvette Club activities.
Starting at 9:00 am ( or earlier if you wanted a prime spot ) Corvettes began gathering at the East Syracuse Chevrolet annual show open to all Corvettes and also classics, muscle cars and street rods. This show is put on every year by one of our main sponsors and is always a highlight of the summer driving season.
This year’s weather was great and that was reflected by a large turnout of members and guests. Our totals were 52 member's Corvettes and 9 guest Corvettes accompanied by 65 members and 19 guests. There were many other nice rides there and I know their attendance was much appreciated by all who took the time to stroll up and down the line.
Hot dogs and coneys were on the grill and are a perfect lunch out in the open air on such a nice day. They always seem to taste great outside at a cool car show.
Many thanks to Gino, Mikey Z. and the gals doing the door prize drawings (and all the other details). There is a lot of work going on behind the scene to put on an event like this one. Thanks to everyone at East Syracuse Chevy for their support and providing us a place to gather and show off our “stuff”. Good food, good weather, good music and good people always make a great combination and practically guarantees a good time for all. The SCC certainly had all that this day, for sure.
After the East Syracuse Chevy show concluded 17 club members in 11 Corvettes cruised over to
The Crossings Nursing Home in Minoa.
This has become another yearly event on our summer calendar. It was originally started by club member Mary Ann Bodley when her father was living there. Something out of the ordinary for the patients to get outside and see first hand. It certainly is stimulating for many of these senior citizens to get a close look at cars that look like they are going fast while sitting still. Being out in the fresh air and sunlight seems to agree with them also.
We have other events like this on our calendar and to spend what amounts to very little time and effort to bring some cheer into the lives of our senior citizens in this type of situation is a good thing.
Back on the road again,
SAVE THE WAVE!
Photos submitted by Bob Feak and Desi Ciocca
23 member Corvettes 35 members
10 guest Corvettes 20 guests
Car most likely to get pooped on by a bird #2 Larry & Sharon Sattler ~ 2016 Coupe
Car most likely to get a ticket #12 ~ Kevin & Donna Newman ~ 2016 Z-06 Coupe
Car you’d most like to inherit #15 ~ Tony & Kathy Baldino ~ 1959 Convertible
Car you wouldn’t want your ex to know about #26 ~ Bob Hooks ~ 1961 Convertible
Car most likely to get “the wave” • TIE • #11 ~ Tony Komuda ~ 1975 Pace Car
#25 ~ John & Susan Klein ~ 1964 Coupe
Car least likely to be driven in the rain #26 ~ Bob Hooks ~ 1961 Convertible
Best drive-in movie car #15 ~ Tony & Kathy Baldino ~ 1959 Convertible
Car most likely to get you a date #24 ~ Rick & Kathy Rinefierd - 2017 Grand Sport
Burdick Driver's Village Corvette Show • August 5
The somewhat nasty weather causing the cancellation of All Corvette Friday at Sweet Inspirations was gone by the following morning making way for a good turnout of Corvettes at the annual show hosted by one of our main club sponsors — Burdick Chevy at Driver’s Village.
Cooler temps and lower humidity made for a quite comfortable summer day. 66 Corvettes lined up, practically filling up the space available. Not included in that number were the dealer Corvettes for sale also on display.
Of the 66 Corvettes 55 were members rides and the final tally of people was 78 club members and 13 guests.
As the day warmed up we all went inside the air-conditioned GMC showroom to be treated to a delicious Limp Lizard lunch. As the tables filled with hungry diners and heaping plates a few of us noticed some dark clouds approaching. Rain began to fall out in the show area causing some cries of alarm and the dropping of forks to race out and put up the tops and windows left open by those optimists who chose not to heed the developing ominous skies.
It was just a quick shower so all was not lost but it was a portent of things to come. After thoroughly enjoying our lunch we all gathered back outside for the usual door prize drawings and trophy awards. Again the dark clouds began to threaten the festivities. Looming clouds larger and darker than the previous shower, Mother Nature gave us a break and waited to unleash a downpour until the last trophy was awarded. The show ended abruptly at that time with most everyone running for the shelter of their cars looking forward to another detailing session in the near future.
Many thanks from the SCC to Ryan and all the staff at Burdick Chevy for their efforts hosting their annual Corvette show and also for being one of our largest sponsors for yet another year. Thanks especially to Antonio and Mikela for doing such a great job with the show their first time out so-to-speak.This is one of the season's most anticipated Corvette events as the number of attendees confirms.
SAVE THE WAVE !
Click on photo to see current inventory
Photos submitted by Dick Walters
OSWEGO INDUSTRIES CRUISE August 4, 2017
After a poor weather forecast for Friday all week long, the sky broke up enough to give the Syracuse Corvette Club a nice day to cruise over to Oswego Industries and join the disabled workers at their picnic. Eight beautiful cars and twelve members took part in the festivities that included several classes of race cars, horses to ride and food. One member of the SCC was adventurous enough to try a ONE HORSEPOWER RIDE!
As was the case last year, the Vettes were a favorite attraction to many of the workers there and a good time was had by all. Thanks to all members who shared their cars with these people who struggle with life’s challenges. It was heartwarming to see the smiles you put on their faces!
On a side note, afterwards five cars with seven members cruised to the Eis Haus in Mexico for more food and comradery before the planned (but rained out) Sweet Inspirations ‘Corvette Friday’ cruise.
Ray Vivlemore
July 29 • VETTES NEAR THE BEACH • VAB WEEK-END
Every member of the Syracuse Corvette Club has reason to be happy with the results of the 2017 VAB weekend. The weather was damn near perfect both Saturday and Sunday and as nearly everyone will agree is the major factor affecting attendance on either day.
Saturday’s Vettes Near The Beach held at the Y-Hill Express just north of Sylvan Beach proper was a huge success for the second year. Many of our out-of town guests stopped by, glad for somewhere to cruise to and socialize with other Corvette owners. Many compliments were heard again on this location with its view of Oneida Lake. Coming from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Canada, and even Buffalo, Rochester, and Albany an over night stay is desired to be able to get their favorite spots early at VAB on Sunday. After traveling much of Saturday a place to relax and unwind a bit is most welcome. Certainly better than the usual hotel room.
Again this year we had Marty Santy and his sound system keeping us in music. Thanks to our sponsor East Syracuse Chevy for kicking in for the tunes as they did last year.
Y-Hill had a food and drink cart making the rounds along with the full menu, and ice cream, available inside. Bob lowered his premium gas price 10 cents a gallon again this year for us and quite a few Corvettes had their tanks filled on the spot.
We had so many Corvettes coming and going it was hard to keep an accurate count. As best as we could figure we had 45 club members, 26 members cars and 39 guest cars for a total of 65 Corvettes. Thanks to everyone who found the time to stop in.
Clubs represented Saturday:
Capital District Corvette Club
Mohawk Valley Corvette Club
Vettes R Us (Florida)
Rochester Corvette Club
Found Caravan Corvette Club
Corvettes of Buffalo
Free State Corvette Club
Many thanks to Bob and his staff at Y-Hill Express for doing an outstanding job on our behalf this year. Hope we can do it again next year! SAVE THE WAVE !
Rick Rinefierd
Busy Week-end!!!
REYMORE CHEVROLET ANNUAL CORVETTE SHOW
A busy summer weekend kicked-off Saturday morning July 15 with the annual Corvette show at Reymore Chevrolet in Central Square. Guess what? It was raining. No surprise this year. But as the old saying goes “every cloud has a silver lining” and as the morning progressed into afternoon the dismal and dreary sky turned sunnier and we ended up with 21 Corvettes, 28 members and 1 guest. Thanks to all those members for making the effort even though it resulted in a little extra “detailing”. Many thanks to all the folks at Reymore for being a club sponsor again this year and especially Reymore’s Bill Bertram for manning the grill.
Photo Credits: Jaclyn Patterson and Al Kalfass
EXOTIC CAR CLUB "HOEDOWN WITH HORSEPOWER"
Without much of a break between events many of us left Reymore Chevrolet and headed to the next destination of the day— The "Hoedown With Horsepower” in Peterboro. Hosted by club members Lyndé and Howard LaFever this 2nd annual get together of the Adirondack Champlain Region chapter of the Exotic Car Club was another huge success. Bigger and better than ever are terms that can be applied here with no exaggeration. The great time had by the 52 SCC members and 5 guests along with all the other car lovers in attendance was not unexpected, but welcome just the same. The popularity of this event is definitely on the rise judging by the expanded tenting and number of set tables inside and out. Food and drinks were excellent, as usual. I hope, for those who tried to stay on the Bull, your bruises are healing nicely.Our gracious hosts are already planning next year’s party which promises to be, yes, bigger and better! There are a number of people in our club that put forth huge efforts to provide us with the ways and means of enjoying ourselves and the company of fellow club members above and beyond the usual shine/ show and cruise for lunch, dinner or ice cream. The LaFevers are in this top category. This is one of those yearly events to which the SCC is invited that everyone should make a special effort to attend. We are so appreciative of the amount of work it took to put on this event and very thankful to Howard and Lyndé for including the SCC.
Photo Credits: Jaclyn Patterson and Al Kalfass
Photo Credits: Brad Oastler
Sunday July 16 WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR A PICNIC
and luckily that was the date of the 2nd annual Syracuse Corvette Club picnic at the Elks Club in Camillus. We had 70 members, 6 guests and 38 Corvettes come out on a lovely afternoon for a cookout by the Elks volunteers. The level of conversation, laughter, and general noise during the afternoon showed, as someone remarked later, that everyone must have been having fun. I agree because the day seemed to fly by and that’s usually a sign of a good time.
Corvettes arrived one after the other which is always a beautiful sight. The bar was opened and the food was served including delicious cookies and cupcakes for dessert. We drew a 50/50 and also for door prizes and all of a sudden the day was coming to a close. I felt like we had just gotten there and here we were cleaning up to leave. Thanks to Jim Roe for putting us in touch with the Elks Club and thanks to the good folks at the Elks for all the cooking and bar tending again this year. Many thanks to Webmaster Marty Walters for all the work she put into organizing this event. Thanks to Dick Walters for his help decorating, Mike Ramont for supplying the music and Sandie DeIulio for bringing the cupcakes and cookies. And thanks to our members and guests that made it such fun day all around!!
Save The Wave!
Photo Credits: Fred Shattell
July 4th Picnic at Jim & Sue Kimmel's by Rick Rinefierd
If you had an Independence Day, beautiful summer day, lakeside party to go to you couldn’t find a more perfect spot than the property of club members Jim and Sue Kimmel. Again this year they opened their beautiful home and extended a most gracious welcome to the members of the Syracuse Corvette Club. A more picturesque location would be hard to find.
There was ample room for the 38 Corvettes plus all the friends and family vehicles. Jim and Sue are very experienced on the entertainment front with loads of good food and drink available for conspicuous consumption. The 68 club members, our 4 guests and all the other guests didn’t wait long to dig in. If you didn’t get enough to eat it’s your own damn fault. And there were 2 cakes this year!
Inside there were also 2 hot, er, I mean cute, ah, I mean nice young lady mixologists behind the bar to take care of the shaken and stirred for those seeking air-conditioned comfort.
Those of us young enough, or at least young at heart enough, to take part in the physical challenge of the volley ball tournament and other outdoor games gave it the old college try in spite of the heat. One our players got bumped pretty hard, was back playing in no time but all our efforts came to naught. I’m betting our whole team could feel some aches and pains the next morning. I know I did.
The SCC team needs a little more practice and maybe we’ll take home one of those trophies next year. Sue’s Team Kimmel finished in second place— by one point — in the hard fought championship volleyball game. Disappointing for the home team to say the least.
What ever the score this day was a home run for everyone. Many thanks for extreme effort put forth by Jim and Sue on the SCC’s and everyone’s behalf showing once again, they are, indeed, worthy of the title— Champions!
Photos courtesy of members Al Kalfass and Jim Kimmel
Veterans Fundraisers by Rick Rinefierd
The Syracuse Corvette Club is always glad for a chance to honor our nation's veterans and help out with some fund raising for their benefit. So far this year we have had 2 chances to do just that.
On July 1, 2017 we had a scheduled event at Clear Path For Veterans on Salt Springs Road in Fayetteville. This Corvette show— the Third Annual “Vettes for Vets” was advertised as a rain or shine event and, yes, it rained. Again. Big-time. Par for the course this year when it comes to not only Corvette shows but all our local car shows in general.
The Broome County Corvette Club has joined us in support of this event in the past and this year was no exception. They cruised up here in the pouring rain with 12 Corvettes to meet us at Fayetteville Town Center where we waited with just 3 Corvettes. We were embarrassed by the weak response from our club although as the morning progressed the SCC did end up having 8 total Corvettes in attendance. A few of our members that sent in checks for the day didn’t even bother to show up in a daily driver for whatever reason. Thanks anyway for the donations. We had a very nice lunch indoors, the rain stopped, photos were taken, awards were presented, and we managed to get 900.00 into Clear Path’s hands at the end of the day. Kudos to all Corvette owners and members in attendance and especially to BC Corvettes for making the long drive on a stormy day.
Clear Path for Veterans "Vettes for Vets" event. Submitted by member Dick Walters
Just over a week later the SCC had a chance to reciprocate and attend the BC Corvettes “Vettes For Vets” show at Tioga Downs down in Nicholls, NY. This event was the 4th annual held to benefit the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group.
The weather could not have been better, it was a close to perfect day. Sun and clouds, low 70’s with a nice breeze. The nice weather brought out 17 SCC Corvettes for the cruise down to the show. After a scenic ride we arrived right on time, signed in, and set up 4 canopies for shade along with all our chairs. Each car received a 5.00 voucher for the casino which many of us promptly dropped into the slot machines never to be seen again. Lunch coupons were redeemed inside and most of us had a nice meal in air-conditioned comfort. The day passed quickly and soon it was time for awards and door prizes. Members of the SCC won a few door prizes, but the highlight for us was the award of the participation trophy to one of our members and the people’s choice trophy for second place (by one vote!) to another of our members! (cheers and applause here)
Then it was time to fold everything up and load the cars for the trip North. Of course, a stop for ice cream was necessary, as it usually is. A nice little ice cream shop in Owego was on our radar having been spotted earlier in the day.
Many thanks to the great people of the Broome County Corvette Club for putting on a great event for a great cause again this year. Did I say we had a great time? We, of the Syracuse Corvette Club, were very glad to help raise another 1350.00 to aid our veterans.
Save The Wave!
BC Corvettes "Vettes for Vets" event at Tioga Downs. Photos above submitted by member Brad Oastler
BC Corvettes "Vettes for Vets" event at Tioga Downs. Photos above submitted by member Deb Weaver