Classic Memories
(Part two)--Page # 1
By Gary Porter

February 28, 1982 must have been a very nice day. Wayne Conrod brought his larkspur blue '57 convertible to the meeting that day. Anyone who knows Wayne, knows that he would only drive his car when the roads are clean and dry. As we started our second year, our membership dropped to 29. It is interesting to note that we had originally set the dues for the club at $10.00 per year plus $1.00 per meeting for a total of $22.00 per year. This was calculated from the time a member joined. The complexity of this system was about to become evident as renewals were starting and as not everyone attended every meeting.

Club jackets were still not received. After 16 weeks of waiting for jackets from the first supplier, we got our money back and ordered jackets from Team Tailor.

Highlights of the winter and spring of 1982 include a lengthy debate on whether to be a 100 per cent affiliated chapter of Classic Chevy Club International. This was resolved in the affirmative. We also started to lobby the province to issue personalized license plates. A bowling night was held with the Corvette Club, with our club taking the win. The club jackets arrived in May. We then produced club t-shirts. Does any one remember the light blue shirts with the dark blue trim? Does anyone still have one of these that fits? The jackets and t-shirts can be seen on the next page.

Members also attended cars shows in Kentville and Sydney. I remember the Sydney show well. It was early May and the weather was very nice. Wayne and Sharon Conrod in their '57, Skip Collier in his '55 and Hazel and I in our '55 drove to Sydney. As the Trans Canada highway in Cape Breton was closed due to road damage from a storm earlier in the week, we had to take a detour involving two ferries. An interesting trip! Bob Reid and Gerry Russell also attended. Wayne and Bob took home trophies. The rest of us just had a good time.

Each meeting we had new members join the club. By the beginning of the summer we had 36 members. The suggestion to host an event of our own was made. It would be a couple of years before that would materialize.

Summer activities started with participation in the Bonney Lea Farm Show and Shine. Most will probably remember that this show and shine dates back to 1976 and was the first show and shine in the area and perhaps the Maritimes. We had a club meeting and family picnic in June at Chris Chisolm's in Chester. That too, was a wonderful day that I remember well. Thirteen Classic Chevys were present along with a good turnout of members, wives, girlfriends, children and guests.

The July newsletter took on a new look. A cover was added along with the presidents message. We also incorporated a theme to each issue. If the cover featured a '57, we would include primarily information relating to '57's in that issue. A club banner was purchased. We proudly displayed it at the many events where we participated as a group.

Here is the club banner on display at the P.E.I Street Rod Association show and shine. From left to right are Gary Porter's '55, Wayne Conrod's '57 and Mike Medicraft's '55.

Speaking of the P.E.I Street Rod Association show and shine, it is one of those events during the summer of 1982 that stands out as a highlight in our club's history. Sixteen club members attended, which was enough to take the club participation award. Members means memberships, not people. Counting wives, husbands, children, etc. we were probably about 40 people. We won some of the contests and some members collected awards. I'll let Bob explain the award he received that weekend. For me, the best part of the weekend was waiting for the ferry home. Don't get me wrong, the rest of the weekend was great (except for the mosquitos). However, quite a few of us arrived at the terminal at the same time. We had an informal party in the staging area complete with a barbeque on the side of the road. The three hour wait went by quickly and part of me was disappointed to see the ferry finally arrive.

The wait for the ferry". Here are some of us with things we won during the weekend. Standing, from left to right are Brent Henderson, Gary Porter, Wayne Conrod, Gary Wright and Bob Reid. Kneeling are Skip Collier and Gerry Russell.