Club Minutes for September 17, 2024

The meeting was called to order at 7:04 PM by our President, Rick Richardson. 

Rick led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rick asked if we had any new members or guest. We had new members, Steve and Brenda Allen, who have a 2012 Corvette. Guests were Todd Smith, who has a 1966 convertible and, a 2006 Corvette, Kirk and Allison Demendoza, they have a 1981 Corvette.

Corvette Trivia:

1. Did the illuminated visor vanity mirror become available in 1979, Yes or No? Doug Brown gave the right answer after someone said No! A good process of elimination!

2. What was the first year the base price went over $15,000.00? 1980, 1981 or 1983. The answer was given by Chuck Kepler.

3. A genuine teakwood steering wheel was an option on 1965 Corvettes. T or F? Congratulations Bob Vehmeier.

Treasurer’s Report: Anita read the treasurer’s report. Bob Olszewski made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report as written and, Kay Weaver seconded the motion.   All were in favor.  

Anita announced the club had a very generous donation, $1,000.00, made by one of our members, Barbara Tootle. Thank you, Barbara!

Minutes:  Rick announced the minutes have been posted on the website and have been emailed to all of the members who have provided email addresses. Mike Maiorana made the motion to waive the reading of the minutes and to accept the minutes as written. Bob Vehmeier seconded the motion. All were in Favor of accepting the minutes as written and posted.  

Rick introduced Nancy Gibbons of Cornerstone Hospice. He had Joe Kauk come up so they could present Nancy with a check, the donation of $1,000.00 from Vann Gannaway and A Touch of Glass. Nancy gave the club a little background about the corporation and informed the club they are the largest Hospice in the nation. 

NCM Update:   Rich Gander was not present. 

Member Update Coordinator:  Roseanna sent Bob Weis (Skulls) a ‘Get Well’ card June 22nd. In July she sent ‘Get Well’ cards to Wanda Richardson (Rick’s mother), Susan Ricci, Cheryl Clark and Richard Bonnell. In August Cheryl Clark, Susan Ricci, Ray Nault, Jerry Axtell, and Gary Calkins received ‘Get Well’ cards. She sent ‘Get Well’ cards in September to John McMahon, Diana Rinehart and Cindy Vehmeier. 

Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to all who celebrated one the last part of September, the month of October and the first part of November. 

Facebook:  Roseanna expressed her gratitude to Chuck Kepler and Kay Weaver for all the car show photos and to anyone else who has submitted photos.   

The club received two ‘Thank You’ cards. Rick asked Charlene to read the cards from Glenn Ricci on behalf of Susan and, from the Morris family.  

Old Business:

American Muscle-Website Logo. Still working on it. 

National Corvette Museum – Rick stated that if you visit the museum and want to check on the club membership status, you must state ‘A Touch of Glass’. There is another club by the name of ‘Touch of Glass.’

Rick had been trying to get the information about the turmoil at the NCM. There has been a big turnover of staff members at the NCM, some who have been with them for years and, have established a rapport with members. 

Rick read a letter from the Ambassador of the Lone Star Corvette Club of Texas to the National Corvette Museum Board of Directors. Rick had spoken with Deborah Murphy, NCM Board member for our area, asked her to come to our November meeting. 

New Business: 

By-Law Revision – Annual Dues & Namer Badges; The board has discussed and suggested increasing the membership dues from $35.00 annually to $50.00. The club doesn’t have any fund raisers to generate money for the club. The club has insurance, membership dues, business expenses, rent, spring picnic etc. that keep increasing. The proposal will be presented and voted on at the November meeting. If the members agree, the by-laws will have to be amended to reflect the change in the membership dues. 

Brief History on the A Touch of Glass Club: Bob Vehmeier one of the founders of the club stood before the members telling them the birth of our club and its transformation. The club was started by Bob Vehmeier, Chuck Cook and Donna Korb.

Future Events – Rides, Dinners etc. – Trip to Bowling Green?  Terry and Kay Weaver have provided the club with many adventures with ride and dine cruises and lately some ‘flash mob’ events. Thank you, Terry and Kay!

Past Event Reports:

Highway 441 Monthly Cruise In- August – 4 cars, September – No show/cancelled. 

Sonic Cruise-In- July – 2 cars. August – 4 cars. 

Bee’s RV Resort- August—No Show/rain. September – 9 cars.    

Leesburg Cruise- In- August – 3 cars. Chuck Kepler & Rick Richardson won $20.00, Door Prize won by Chuck Cook. September – 2 cars.

Eustis Cruise In – July – 4 cars. August – 9 cars.  

Gator Harley- August – 9 cars.

Drive and Dine- The Cove – 14 cars. Airport Restaurant & Gin Mill – 8 cars.

Flash Mob @ Coney Island Hot Dog – 6 cars. Jeremiah’s – 1 car. 

Ongoing Monthly Events:

Bee’s RV Resort Car Show- 1st. Saturday of the month – 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. 

Highway 441 Monthly Cruise-In- 1st Wednesday of the month-5:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Leesburg Cruise-In- 2nd. Saturday of the month 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. 

Sonic Cruise-In-3rd Saturday of the month 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 (May be changed to breakfast at Hwy. 441 Diner).

Eustis Cruise-In – 4th Saturday of the month-2:00 to 5:00 p.m. (suggest you arrive between 12:30/1:00 in order to park together) 

Gator Harley Davidson- 5th Saturday of the month 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Upcoming Activities:

Corvettes Coast to Coast – October 13, 2024, will be held at Bunnell. Rick will send out the registration.

2024 CCMC 40th Anniversary All Corvette Show- November 9, 2024, 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.-Ocala, FL. The C-4 will have special parking. 

Field of Dreams Car Show- November 23 & 24, 2024. The 8th Annual Brooksville, FL for the Shriners Hospital. $15.00 registration.

Club Anniversary Dinner- September 29, 2024, 1:00 p.m. at Takis.

Harvest Fest – Open Door Baptist Church – November 9, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

13th. Annual Village Vettes Toys-For-Tots Car Show- George Nahas October 5, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

3rd. Annual Past & Present Car Show – October 5, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Saints & Sinners Octoberfest Car Show – Gloria Dei Lutheran Church – November 2, 2024, 

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Drive & Dine – September 19, 2024, Beef O’Brady's, Palatka 11:45 from Grove Square, Eustis.

The Grove at Clermont Car Show – September 28, 2024 – 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Open Discussion

Rick informed the members there will be a Village Honor Flight October 2, 2024. The club has been invited to join the Village Corvette Club to escort the buses from Walmart to Lady Lake American Legion. 

Terry invited the club to attend the November 2nd. Parachute jumpers at Lake Eustis from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There will be 200 paratroopers participating.

Time for 50/50. Winning ticket held by Chuck Cook.

Next Meeting:

Planning Meeting will be on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Vann Gannaway.

General Meeting will be on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at the Tavares Community Church Activity Center in Tavares at 7:00 p.m.

Adjourned – Motion to adjourn at 8:27 by Chuck K. and seconded by Doug B. All members in favor.

Respectfully Submitted by:

Charlene Minger

Secretary of Club