Beachcombers Corvette Club becomes a "Friend for Habitat"

The Virginia Peninsula Habitat for Humanity Chapter began a program targeting smaller social clubs in the area to participate in sponsoring a Habitat Home recently.  The program encourages social clubs to donate $1000 or more towards sponsoring a Habitat home.  Those clubs participating are considered "Friends for Habitat" and will be included in the sponsorship of an upcoming Habitat Home on the Peninsula.

One of the "Friend" clubs is the Beachcombers Corvette Club of Hampton Roads and they chose not just to donate but to have a Vettes for Habitat day where club members drive their Corvettes to a Habitat Home and get involved in the Habitat legacy of having volunteers actually work to build the houses.

Saturday May 15, 2010 eleven Beachcombers arrived at 2501 Oak Street in Newport News in eight corvettes to help build Habitat's 25^th Anniversary home for Glenda Knighton and her daughter Oleta.

Paul was the Habitat construction foreman on site for the day to lead the efforts and assure the "Vette Volunteers" were working safely.  Ms. Knighton was there putting in some of her 400+ hours of "sweat equity" into the house as well as Jo Phelps, the current Ms. Virginia in her sash and crown swinging a hammer.

Tony Watson, a Beachcomber member and Ferguson Enterprises representative on the local Habitat Board of Directors was excited to see the enthusiastic turnout and proud of the club both for its contribution and for the work accomplished Saturday.  "It's really special to see a home come together for a family like Glenda's and to see the Beachcombers willing to sweat along side her to make her dream of home ownership come true."

The Beachcombers rounded out the day with a cruise from Newport News to Yorktown, across the Colonial Parkway to the Jamestown Ferry, before winding up a GREAT day in Smithfield at a Beachcomber member's 19^th century restored farmhouse for refreshments and tales of the day!

Saturday's Work Crew:

Left to Right:  Rob Clyburn, Arthur Coppage, Jo Phelps, Glenda Knighton, George Smith, Lorraine Patterson, Tony Watson, Regina Kocher, Judy Teigler, Terrisa Lark, "Dutch" Van Sloten (second row). Gordon Patterson and Paul (Foreman) (not pictured)

This was our fourth year for our fall trip up into the Blue Ridge Mountains. This year we had Preston Powers, Heldur & Beth Liivaks, Larry & Sue Gilmer, Charles & Barbara Reid, Howard & Dee Hodges, Johnny & Pam Tripp, Karl Swygert & Alex, Floyd Koppenhaver & Emily, Harry & Carolyn Horchler, Joe & Marge Wryk, Josh Beauvis & Terrisa, Sam Martin, Jeff & Shelia, John & Fran Kummers, Richard & Sandra Gatling, John & Dianna Clyburn, Rob Clyburn & Connie, Jacob & Debbie Or-bech, and Mark Conrad join in on the cruise. After a quick stop at Hardee’s, we headed for Vettes on the Point at Smith Mountain Lake hosted by Virginia Corvette Club. Arriving at Smith Mountain Lake, we parked the Corvettes along the Lake’s edge, with a large number of Corvettes from other clubs from around the state on display around the point. A great time was had by all, and we enjoyed great weather and a beautiful view of the lake along the mountain range. We headed out around 5:00, and headed for the mountains, with a climb up and over to the other side of the Blue Ridge Mountains, along some much enjoyed mountain roads with all the right turns, and of course a beautiful view as we headed to the Natural Bridge hotel. After arriving at the Hotel, we enjoyed a great Roast Beef Buffet, that was much enjoyed, and for some, a few drinks at the bar to round up the evening. On Sunday after breakfast and enjoying the sites and store at the Natural Bridge, we headed back up the mountain for a cruise alone the Parkway, with clear skies, tops down and more wonderful roads to drive on. After a few pictures at a scenic stop, and a moment for regrouping everyone, we headed up the parkway, and turned off towards Wintergreen area to a Restaurant called Devils Backbone Brewery, for some food and a good time. We headed out towards Interstate 64, and as expected had a spirited ride home. With great people, great cars, beautiful weather, and some much enjoyed roads and scenery, made for a wonderful outing.

Preston Powers

Upcoming NCCC/Local Events

This page will be used to post upcoming National and Eastern Region National Council of Corvette Clubs (NCCC) sanctioned and non-sanctioned events which BCC members may be interested in attending or participating in.  There is normally one or more events being held every weekend throughout the year, so check back often as new events will be posted as the information is received.  The events will be listed in date of event order.  Events added since last update will be listed as (NEW ADDITION).  Also, for events which are more local you can check out these two websites:

Car Club Council of Hampton Roads:  www.carclubcouncil.info/cal.html

Virginia Peninsula Car Club Council:  www.vpccc.org/usview.php

NCCC Events:

18 Sep - Fun Show - Hosted by York County Corvette Club

Being held at Northeastern High School/Middle School Complex, Manchester, PA.  The Bobcat Foundation Fun Show Car Show & Exhibition Corvette Auto Cross.  Participant voting, dash plaques, goody bags for 1st 50 entrants.  Door prizes, 50/50 drawings, food, Road Rally Fundraiser.  Awards given to all classes.  Benefits York County Children's Advocacy, Bobcat Foundation, Chip Miller Charitable Foundation, and YCCC.  More information and directions at www.ernccc.org/flyers/2010/ER-108-082.pdf

18 Sep - Funkhana - Hosted by G-Burg Vettes

Being held at Criswell Chevrolet.  More information and directions at www.ernccc.org/flyers/2010/ER-190-083.pdf 

03 Oct - Concourse (Fun Show) - Hosted by Lancaster County Corvette Club

Being held at Long's Park, Lancaster, PA. American Legends. Rain or Shine Event.  Door Prizes, Music, Cash Prize Drawing, Auction, 1st, 2nd, 3rd place tophies iin 12 classes.  Within walking distance to the 175 stores and restaurants at Park City Mall.   More information and directions at www.wrnccc.org/flyers/2010/ER-266-094.pdf. 

10 Oct - Fiberglass & Steel 2010 Show - Hosted by Allentown Area Corvette Club @ Sands Casino

Being held at the Sands Casino, Bethlehem, PA.  Proceeds benefit the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council.  More information and directions at www.ernccc.org/flyers/2010/ER-118-090.pdf.  

16 Oct - Triple Rallye - Skilled Gimmick, Poker & Scrabble - Hosted by Free State Corvette Club

Being held at Hugh T Cooper Inlet Parking Lot, Ocean City. MD.  Part of the 24th "Live Lived as Played" Ocean City event weekend.  Limited to the first 150 Corvettes.  More information and directions at www.ernccc.org/flyers/2010/ER-038-110.pdf

Charlie's Most Excellent Tuning Adventure

I got a $125 tune and a "free" T shirt from Vette Doctors.

The tuner said to really punch it when I got out on the street. Well, when I did, it took off like a bat out of hell and immediately my cooler in the trunk turned over emptying ice, water and drinks into the trunk. Then I looked at the speedometer, I was going 120 mph in about 100 feet!!  What happens next is factual: the little people who stand on your shoulders and tell you what to do immediately kicked in. The halo guy said, "you know that's impossible, stop this car and clean up that mess in your trunk"  The pitchfork guy said "holy crap, 120 mph, forget about the trunk and keep your foot on it", so I did. Next time I looked at the speedometer, I was going past 180 mph in about 500 feet!!!!!

The little red nav arrow was going all over the place, there were no roads where it showed our position, the screen was blinking on and off. The pitchfork guy was jumping up and down on my shoulder screaming "hot dam, coming up on 200 mph, we're going to be in Vette magazine".

The halo guy (or maybe it was Patty, I'm not sure now) went over and kicked the pitchfork guy off my shoulder and said "That cannot be true, pull over right now and clean up the trunk." So I did.

Turns out the tuner had the wrong gear ratio, but it was fun while it lasted.

Charlie Brown