L O O K I N G B A C K
Year End Report
by Rick Rinefierd
Time, it’s said, passes too quickly, even seems to accelerate as the years fly by, certainly goes faster than anyone wants it to. 2017 has been no exception. Already the month of December has raced around again and as we all know the holiday season is upon us.
The annual Syracuse Corvette Club holiday party took place on Saturday, December 2— again at the Hilton Garden Inn. For the second straight year the lovely Eva and her exceptional staff saw to it that we had a beautifully decorated room and a delicious buffet dinner.
Marty Walters again did a terrific job co-ordinating EVERYTHING.
That includes again making all the award plaques (which were based on a Fred Shattell photo) and making all the table centerpieces. Very well done!
Well known Marty Santy was again our DJ spinning tunes mixed again by Mike Ramont. Very cool. Thanks to Marty and Mike.
Bill and Barb Goode set up the hospitality suite as they did last year with help from President Jim and Governor Sandra. Muchos Gracias! Bill and Barb’s daughter Ali again volunteered her services as bartender. Excellent!
Again this year we had one Corvette in the parking lot, the same one as last year, Jim and Jennifer Pipines Z06 Callaway. No snow tires needed yet………
Because I have used the word “again” so many times it would seem to indicate we have hit on a formula to have a great holiday party. It’s a combination of not only the location and the organizer's imagination, but also everyone who could attend and did. We hope everyone had a good time. The club holiday party should always be the wrap-up on another banner year full of fun Corvette related activities with the great members of the SCC.
After a nice dinner and dessert the award plaques for member participation points were handed out.
1st place in the women’s division resulted in a tie this year so 2 first place plaques were awarded. To Elaine Boull and Sandie DeIulio. Congratulations, ladies!
1st place in the men’s went to Ray Vivlemore, 2nd to Dick Walters. Congrats to you guys, too!
This year we had many "Honorable Mentions” to note those members having accumulated 200 or more points.
Ladies— Barb Goode, Rosemary Busco, Barb Smith, Sharon Sattler, and Kathy Rinefierd.
Men— Jim Weaver, Dave Reeves, John Busco, Larry Sattler, Mark DeIulio, and Dave Boull.
We also gave out heartfelt thank-you plaques to Howard and Lyndé LaFever, Jim and Sue Kimmel, and Dave and Kathy Felton, for all they did this past year holding events open to all club members. And to Sharon Sattler and Jane Ramont for all the personal items they hand-made for donations which have reflected on the SCC.
Chief Gene Conway accepted on behalf of the Onondaga County Sheriffs for the help they gave us at Vettes For Pets.
Ray Vivlemore accepted on behalf of Oswego Industries, Bill Goode for LeMoyne College Family Day, and Sean for the Hilton Garden Inn.
If we had a “long distance” award it would have gone to members Wendel and Marie Charlton for making the trip up from the Bronx to attend.
We will also acknowledge in a similar fashion all our sponsors and social meeting destinations during the next few weeks.
We were sorry to have 6 people “call in sick” for the party at the last minute. We were disappointed they couldn’t come, fill those seats with their names on them, and enjoy the festivities. That also pointed out what other “season” is upon us. We missed you and hope you all are on the road to recovery.
This year we had 58 scheduled dates for events of one form or another. That includes business meetings, social meetings, shows, and out-of-town events. This was actually down a few from last year’s 63 but who’s counting? Oh…I am. Lol.
Many thanks also to the Vettes At The Beach Co-chairmen Jon Smith and Jim Bandoblu, vendor co-ordinator Bill Goode, Barb Smith and all the committee members and day workers for their usual herculean effort at putting on this annual show. They definitely helped the SCC's big summer show produce another highly successful November give-a-way.
And yes, we do many of the same events year after year but we are always looking for different destinations and possibilities to add to the mix. Tweak and re-tune. That’s how a good place like Boondock’s restaurant for the Fall Foliage Cruise was found. The biggest variable affecting the fun-o-meter week to week is the weather. This past year bad weather was certainly an issue many times but when it mattered most, like with VAB, the sun was out and the year turned out to be a huge success from not only a charity point of view, but also a sponsor point of view.
Really, when it comes right down to it, it’s all in how many different ways we can find to enjoy the “comradery of fellows”. The fellowship that can grow from Corvette ownership. Any Corvette from a 1953 C1 to whatever the future may bring.
If I have missed or forgotten anyone or anything it was certainly unintentional. Thanks to all you members of the SCC for another great year!
SAVE THE WAVE !
SCC Donates Gifts, Gift Cards & Cash to Vera house.
Thanks to John and Julie Pouliot for chairing this important annual community service in the name of the Syracuse Corvette Club. A special thanks to our members, as well, for their outstanding generosity!