December - Chev-El

The Chev-El Times
Volume 25 Issue 12
A publication of the New England Chevelle and El Camino Association
Dec. 2015
4 State Street
Shrewsbury MA 01545
WWW.CHEV-EL.COM
Prez’s Notes
This year is coming to a close and will soon be history. The start of a new year is just around the corner, hopefully a
good year for the club and everyone. From the Club’s view point 2012 has been exciting and enjoyable. We
planned a lot of activities and most were attended, some with a few and others with a lot. Our current membership
is at 34 with at least one member in nine different states. We correspond to other Chevelle and El Camino Clubs
and their members throughout the United States and I look forward to prosperity and growth.
In case you forgot the good times that were had at different events that some members attended the following list
may jog the memory and bring a about a smile or two as you think back on them.
February
May
June
July
August
September
September
October
Got snowed out from going to Wright’s Chicken Farm……….RI
Our 25th Annual Ice Breaker ( The 1,2,3 Ice Breaker with 3 stops)
Marlboro Street Show
Cars of Summer at Green Hill Parlk in Worcester MA
Our 10th Anniversary Northeast Chevelle & El Camino Regional in Boxborough MA
Adirondack Nationals ………Lake George NY
Shrewsbury Parade
Fall Cruise to Quabbin Reservoir MA
All of the times were great and if you were there you know what I am talking about and if not, then plan to make it
to some of them in 2016.It’s always good to see as many members as possible . A lot of thought and planning goes
into making for enjoyable events and get togethers. Let’s keep in touch with one another and enjoy.
The "toys" are most likely put away for the winter, which officially starts 12/22, but as soon as winter starts, the
days get longer and "CRUISIN" will be here before we know it. ( 3/20/16….1st day of Spring)
During the holiday season, I hope that everyone enjoys the festivities and celebrations, but PLEASE don’t drink
and drive, really be the life of the party by being a designated driver.Enjoy, have a GR 8 Day and “be kinder
than necessary-everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle”.
Your Prez
Jim Goodwin
1
ROUND, ROUND, I GET AROUND
Remember those lines from the Beach Boys classic tune? Well then, you may recall getting around by
Santa Claus on the 24th. As analyzed by students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. They
calculated what the ole boy would have to do to make his rounds. He would have to fly at 650 miles per
second (a "tad" over the standard 65 M.P.H.) or 3,000 times the speed of sound to visit all the homes on
his list. Excluding non-Christians he would have to hit 91.8 million homes or 15 per cent of all the homes
in the world, 822.6 households per second. Figuring a load weight of 321,000 tons, Santa would need
214,000 reindeer to pull the sleigh (or many, many big blocks). The sleigh, reindeer, and presents would
weigh four times as much as the Q.E. ll.Once a year
is certainly enough for that trip and
with lots of help.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Congratulations to the following members that
December marks an anniversary date for them
joining the club.
Ray Lavigne ……….E. Brookfield MA 1990
Tom Lynch…………Spencer MA 1998
Rick Lilly ……………Warwick RI 2009
Ask Santa For Two Must HaveTools
WD-40 and duct tape.If doesn’t move
and shouldmuse the WD-40.If it
shouldn’t move and it does, use the duct
tape.
Upcoming Events
December 7 – Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
December 6th. Chanukkah begins
December 22nd.Winter begins
December 24th Christmas Eve
December 25th Christmas Day
December 31st New Year’s Eve
December 31st (Deadline for membership renewals.)
th
Rick and Debbie Smith …..Sutton MA 2010
AlanElphick ………………Concord NH 2012
Everett Marabian………….Narrangsett RI 2012
How many gifts in the 12 Days of Christmas?
NEW MEMBER
Jim Dozois N. Providence RI W/ ’69 Chevelle SS
DUES

Last call
Day 1 - receive 1 gift
Day 2 - receives 3 additional gifts, now 4 gifts
Day 3 - receives 6 additional gifts,now 10l gifts
Day 4 - receives 10 additional gifts, now 20 gifts
Day 5 - receives 15 additional gifts, now 35 gifts
Day 6 - receives 21 additional gifts,now 56 gifts
Day 7 - receives 28 additional gifts, now 84 gifts
Day 8 - receives 36 additional gifts,now120 gifts
Day 9 - receives 45 additional gifts now 165 gifts
Day 10 - receives 55 additional gifts, now 220 gifts
Day 11 - receives 66 additional gifts, now 286 gifts
Day 12 - receives 78 additional gifts, now 364 gifts .
2
Special Version of Twas The Night
Before Christmas
owed their lives to these men, who were willing to
fight.
Soon around the Nation, the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright
Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,
because of Marines like this one lying here.
I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.
“Merry Christmas, My Friend”
by LCpl James M Schmidt, USMC
He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice
Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more.
My life is my God, my country, my Corps."
I had come down the chimney, with presents to give
And to see just who in this home did live
With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
I watched him for hours, so silent and still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.
With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.
For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen.
This was the home of a U.S. Marine.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with
pride,
and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps
deep inside.
I'd heard stories about them; I had to see more,
so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.
He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean
and pure,
said "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day, all secure."
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and
goodnight.
His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.
I soon understood, this was more than a man.
God Bless the USA and our men and
women in the armed forces protecting
our liberty and freedom.
For I realized the families that I saw that night,
3
Christmas Funnies
(Quote for the month: “Anyone who believes that men are the equal of women has never seen a
man trying to wrap a Christmas present”)
4
As 2015 comes to a close, I would like to send out a special greeting to folks that I have met through the club, the
Regionals newsletters, shared ideas with, and who have been supportive to the club. They are on our mailing list.
Some since we started, others added. The letters and news that comes in from other clubs is very interesting.
Contact me if you would like to see them. Season’s Greetings and special thanks to:
The men and women of our armed forces who protect our Nation and freedom
The Hardins,Brent,Traci,Zach,Cass.Don,Rosie,Granmaw and members of Wichita Area Chevelle Owners-Wichita
Kansas. They are OZsome folks for sure.
Ken Santoro, and all the fine folks at Ground Up. CT
Paul Wolfer and his Dad from Simonize and CT
Bob Terry CT
Team Chevelle
Can Am Chevelle Club
Dave Hambleton NY
Steve Demers NH
John Pigaga and Friday Night Cruisin Auburn MA
Travis Green VT
Rose Delvecchio NY
Frank Aldritch NY
Chris Corwell CT
Tom Rightler and the Maryland Chevelle Club
Phil,Norma and Ginny Hanson- FL
Bob and Karen Charron MA
Ed and Kim Fischer CT
Mark and Andrea Waters MD
The Murphys “Shangra-La” CT
Ed and Carol Vadenais MA
Tom Cambria and El Camino Central MA
John Harris El Camino Central
Pat and Rome DesRosiers. MA
Jim and Joyce McGuinness MA
The Holiday Inn Boxborough MA
Members & their families of The New England Chevelle & El Camino Assoc.MA.NH,AZ,FL,PA,CT,RI,VA
Till Next Time !
Jim G.
5