From the Driver’s Seat – July2018
July 2018 President’s Message:
Thinking back on the events of this month, I realize how often we all take life and our everyday actions for granted. You wake up each day thinking about the events ahead, what to wear, or did you forget to do some task from the day before. That’s just the way life is, and this month was no different, except how reality reminded me that the routine is anything but.
The month started out with our monthly meeting as usual. Ron’s Secretary’s report was a rehash of our club’s past month events, Elke’s Treasurer’s report told us that we are able to keep operating, and there was even a presentation of a trophy for 1st Place for our club’s participation in the Santa Clarita 4th of July Parade. A routine meeting for sure, except for the trophy.
Next, 40 club members attended our monthly “Taste-of-the-Town”, this time at the Cheesecake Factory at the mall on a warm (cooled down to 90 degrees) evening on the patio for some fun time, good food, conversation, and a family atmosphere. Getting 40 people together to eat – Routine; getting 40 people to meet on a patio in 90 degree heat – Unbelievable.
With the weather changing from days of record setting 107-110 degree temperatures, to a bone chilling 90 degrees, a group of 24 Corvette owners braved the elements and drove to the Flight 126 Restaurant in Santa Paula for breakfast, to watch airplanes come and go while their bodies got refueled for the drive ahead. After breakfast Mike McCloskey led the precession to the Four Points Sheraton in Ventura where we took in the sights of the Solid Axle Corvette Club (SACC) National Convention. SACC is made up of ONLY C1 Corvettes, and as old as those C1s are, they still run with the “Big Dogs” of today. Well, maybe not run, but more like mosey, and just like some of us, they get where they’re going eventually. What a great sight to see the old first-generation Corvettes, which are driven by mostly older owners. There was one young kid driving a C1. He just turned 45 a day or two before.
So after looking back on the events, where does “the routine is anything but” come into the picture? It hit home when I attended the “Celebration of Life” for Frank Kopecky and saw the outpouring of care and support for Gail by the members of this club who were able to attend. The passing of Frank was not routine, the care and support of Gail by our members is.
When a member of our club experiences car troubles, no matter where they are, that’s routine, but when other members drop what they are doing to come to their aid, that’s not routine. I have seen this happen on many occasions over my years with the club, myself included, and those actions reaffirm my pride of being part of a great group of people. Yes, it’s a family, and like any family there are ups and downs. Like any family, our Corvette family celebrates the ups with vigor, but when the downs hit, we are there for each other unconditionally without hesitation, or expectation. Our members support the community in which we live, as well as outside of local area. When the devastating fires hit the Santa Clarita area, our club members not only helped each other, but did what we could to help those impacted in the fire area. When Texas was ravaged by rain, and flooding, our club members pulled together, and in less than 24 hours and a truck load of food, clothing, and supplies loaded and ready to be delivered. Giving back is what we do best, and in times of peril, loss, and grief, our members are there willingly, and unselfishly.
Actions like these exemplify the quality of people that make up our club, and I’m proud of each member, and thank you for making this club what it is today.
Dwight
