Vettes for Vets
On May 2 the Star city and Lafayette Corvette Clubs held their 4th Annual Vettes for Vets visitation to the Indiana Veterans Home in West Lafayette. This popular event had 19 Corvettes from Corvette Indy heading up to the Tippecanoe Amphitheater for the day's staging. The group there included Greg & Donna and Ross seeing them off then heading to Paradise Cafe also friend of the club John G, who had just picked up a custom Corvette the night before from sponsor Pensek (check out the IL plated Vette below. The Eighteen Corvettes headed North from Marsh on Michigan Road, intending to pick up Jim & Pam K at the IN 47 intersection. Bill called to confirm that they were on there way, but when the caravan went by that intersection they were no where to be seen. Bill again called Jim and Jim said not to worry that they were at the end of the group. It wasn't until Franklin that it was discovered that Jim & Pam had jumped on to the Circle City caravan which had then gone up IN 39 while the Corvette Indy group stuck to US 421. in Franklin Jim saw what had happened and then joined the correct club for the rest of the trip. Pam had wondered why there was only 8 in the original group they joined.
Once at the staging area and parked several headed off to the restrooms while others inspected the assembled Corvettes. A nice addition this year was hot dogs, water, and chips being served by the Star City members, a really nice way to spend the 'staging' time. Several, including Jim N, said it was the best hot dog they had ever had! After a drivers meeting the group was lined up and headed to the Veterans home, less than a mile away. After slowly climbing the hilly drive the 115 Corvettes were tightly parked and on display for the residents. Many members did a tour of the assembled cars while others took chairs and made use of the shade trees due to the mid 70 degree day. There were many residents that also made their way around the circle or sat in the pavilion enjoying the beautiful day and the colorful Corvettes. Also during this time cash donations were collected along with the items that some clubs had brought for the residents to make good use of.
Around 2:30 several members said that their hot dog was not holding and wanted to head to the Route 66 Diner where we had reservations. This had Jim S leading us out, using the shorter back way. Unfortunately he missed a critical turn, and more than half the group followed him, while the last six in the line used the shorter route beating the leader by multiple minutes. Everyone finally made it and headed inside for a great, if not high calorie, lunch and for some desert. As the group headed out to the cars, the number of RED C7's in the group finally bit several of the wives as some stood impatiently by what they thought were theirs waiting to get in. After some confusion, and the usual comments, all of the husbands left with the correct wife.
Once at the staging area and parked several headed off to the restrooms while others inspected the assembled Corvettes. A nice addition this year was hot dogs, water, and chips being served by the Star City members, a really nice way to spend the 'staging' time. Several, including Jim N, said it was the best hot dog they had ever had! After a drivers meeting the group was lined up and headed to the Veterans home, less than a mile away. After slowly climbing the hilly drive the 115 Corvettes were tightly parked and on display for the residents. Many members did a tour of the assembled cars while others took chairs and made use of the shade trees due to the mid 70 degree day. There were many residents that also made their way around the circle or sat in the pavilion enjoying the beautiful day and the colorful Corvettes. Also during this time cash donations were collected along with the items that some clubs had brought for the residents to make good use of.
Around 2:30 several members said that their hot dog was not holding and wanted to head to the Route 66 Diner where we had reservations. This had Jim S leading us out, using the shorter back way. Unfortunately he missed a critical turn, and more than half the group followed him, while the last six in the line used the shorter route beating the leader by multiple minutes. Everyone finally made it and headed inside for a great, if not high calorie, lunch and for some desert. As the group headed out to the cars, the number of RED C7's in the group finally bit several of the wives as some stood impatiently by what they thought were theirs waiting to get in. After some confusion, and the usual comments, all of the husbands left with the correct wife.
