Valley Vettes Corvette Club
The purpose of this social club is to promote the fellowship of Corvette enthusiasts.
Past Events 2023
May 7 Spring Kick Off Cruise
The day started out sunny and mild as 15 cars left Darboy Plaza for a slower shorter cruise this time. We worked our way thru Menasha and Neenah and ended up at Bago Bar and Grill on Cty A south of Neenah. Katy the owner and host put together a broasted chicken dinner and pizza buffet for our group. After dinner we headed South on A into Oshkosh and stopped at Leons for ice cream. A little bit of light rain fell while there, but we were treated to a nice rainbow overhead. Thanks to all who made the ride with me.
Host: Phil
March 19 Coffee & Corvettes
Sixteen members gathered at Shellattes in Neenah for coffee and conversation.
March 26 Krazy Bowling
Menbers lucked out, no snow flurries. We had twelve members at Sabre lanes, with 9 members bowling. The ladies drew the names for partners and lanes. We played a regular bowling game, Scotch Doubles, and Krazy Bowling with plungers, oven mitts, granny style and left/right. Made it fun and interesting to watch.
The winners were: Regular Bowling winners were Herb G. for the men and Violet G. for the women. Scotch Doubles winners were Diane B. and Herb G. and Krazy Bowling winners were Gary K. and Penny M. Gifts were given out to the first place winners. Diane B. donated a beautiful Spring Wreath for the door prize. Jim and Penny M. won it.
A thank you to Lin Fleischman for helping verify totals and winners.
Next we all met at the Stonetoad for supper. They were very busy and full in the bar area, so we were placed in the meeting room due to Val S. stepping up (since they arrived first) and asking for the meeting room. Nice and quiet there. Good conversation and a variety of food had by all.
Thank you for all who attended.
Hosts: Gary & Lyn Kaphingst
March 22 Corvettes & Coffee
Fourteen members strong at Corvettes and Coffee at Wildfire Coffee house in
Kimberly. Great conversation, good food and coffee. The monthly coffees have been successful and will continue through the year with a host.
Host: Sue Krenz.
February 22 Corvettes and Coffee
At 9:00am, members arrived at the “il Bar Coffeehouse & Bistro” located in the Birch Street Center,
100 S. Birch Street, Kimberly, WI.
It was not a nice day. Lots of snow and more falling, but we had 13 hardy members attend for coffee and fellowship. It was a good time to talk and learn about each other likes, hobbies, and favorite places to go. As usual, girls sat in one room and the guys got the room with the fireplace. It is hard to talk guys over girls, so we segregate. Several had the Coffee Flights. They were delicious. Others had rolls or breakfast food. A very nice place to go and relax with friends.
Hosts: Lyn & Gary Kaphingst
Past Events 2023
May 1 Coffee & Corvettes
Despite the snow we were blessed with on May 1st, “Corvettes and Coffee” Event at Biggby Coffee was a great success, (without the Corvettes of course). 19 people attended and enjoyed various coffees and other drinks, sampled some Espresso Truffles and French Mint Meltaways from Wilmar Chocolates, and lots of conversation! With the unexpected business, at Biggby Coffee that day, we actually had some of the guys standing, because of lack of seating(SORRY!). We started gathering at 8:45 and the last people left just before noon. Thanks everyone who joined in!
Host: Susan Meyer
March 19 Coffee & Corvettes
Sixteen members gathered at Shellattes in Neenah for coffee and conversation.
March 26 Krazy Bowling
Menbers lucked out, no snow flurries. We had twelve members at Sabre lanes, with 9 members bowling. The ladies drew the names for partners and lanes. We played a regular bowling game, Scotch Doubles, and Krazy Bowling with plungers, oven mitts, granny style and left/right. Made it fun and interesting to watch.
The winners were: Regular Bowling winners were Herb G. for the men and Violet G. for the women. Scotch Doubles winners were Diane B. and Herb G. and Krazy Bowling winners were Gary K. and Penny M. Gifts were given out to the first place winners. Diane B. donated a beautiful Spring Wreath for the door prize. Jim and Penny M. won it.
A thank you to Lin Fleischman for helping verify totals and winners.
Next we all met at the Stonetoad for supper. They were very busy and full in the bar area, so we were placed in the meeting room due to Val S. stepping up (since they arrived first) and asking for the meeting room. Nice and quiet there. Good conversation and a variety of food had by all.
Thank you for all who attended.
Hosts: Gary & Lyn Kaphingst
March 22 Corvettes & Coffee
Fourteen members strong at Corvettes and Coffee at Wildfire Coffee house in
Kimberly. Great conversation, good food and coffee. The monthly coffees have been successful and will continue through the year with a host.
Host: Sue Krenz.
February 22 Corvettes and Coffee
At 9:00am, members arrived at the “il Bar Coffeehouse & Bistro” located in the Birch Street Center,
100 S. Birch Street, Kimberly, WI.
It was not a nice day. Lots of snow and more falling, but we had 13 hardy members attend for coffee and fellowship. It was a good time to talk and learn about each other likes, hobbies, and favorite places to go. As usual, girls sat in one room and the guys got the room with the fireplace. It is hard to talk guys over girls, so we segregate. Several had the Coffee Flights. They were delicious. Others had rolls or breakfast food. A very nice place to go and relax with friends.
Hosts: Lyn & Gary Kaphingst
February 14 Valentine's Day Dinner
Our first Valentine’s Day dinner was at George’s Steak House. Everyone met at George’s around 5:00 o’clock. Sure glad that Cliff made reservations, as we found out it was reservations only. The food and drinks were excellent. Service outstanding. All the ladies got a red rose before the meal. We had 18 members attending. A big thanks to all who came out that night.
A big thanks for Cliff Baker for getting George’s Steak House as a sponsor for our club. Such a great place to have a dinner. Since Cliff could not be there to meet the members, he asked Gary to help him out.
Thanks everyone.
Hosts: Cliff Baker and Gary Kaphingst
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February 10 Spina Bifida Fundraiser & Dance
Twelve club members attended the Spina Bifida benefit dance & raffle, at the Grand Meridian in Appleton. Our group scored a lot of prizes during the evening with Jim & Penny Much winning a $250 grand prize, Marty Garofalo winning the Matt LaFleur autographed NFL football donated by Bergstrom Automotive, Terry Lee winning a game set, Gary Kaphingst winning a bird feeder/food, and Lynn Kaphingst winning a nice gift bag. Bergstrom also donated a framed & autographed Randal Cobb #18 Green Bay Packer jersey which was won by a very excited packer fan. These Packer items netted $228, to Spina Bifida, in the "bucket" raffles. This benefit event was very well attended by the community and was a great fundraiser for the local Spina Bifida charity again this year.
Hosts: Herb Grube, Dick & Carol Rank
January 18 Corvettes and Coffee
This event has turned out to be a popular Winter event.
We meet at Shellattes in Neenah with 17 members present. The owner of a 1962 Corvette stopped by to check us out.
We had large private room and offered to share it with others so they had a place to sit but they found it a bit noisy with all the chatter and did not stay long.
Host: Sue Krenz
Past Events 2022
December 10 Christmas Party
After the social hour, we enjoyed a great meal followed by the awards. There was a tie for “Member of the Year” going jointly to Marty & TerryLee Garofalo and Gary & Lyn Kaphingst. The evening entertainment was a fun trivia game with some hard Corvette trivia. The “Stringrays” team won 1st prize. The “Champions” team won 2nd prize. The 50/50 drawing was won by Marty Garofalo, who chose to donate his winnings to Saint Joseph’s Food Pantry and with the Clubs half, the check totaled $455.00. Numerous door prizes were given away. The top 5 door prizes were won by Diane Blessing, John Wagner, Gary Allen, Ilene Carew, and Colleen Meulemans.
Hosted by Joyce Allen, Diane Blessing, Sue Krenz, and Susan Meyer.
November 22 Tin Car Cruise
We had a cold day for our cruise. We ended at The Rite Place in Green Bay, WI. There were a total of 5 cars. No snow while we were on the road. It was 23 degree’s out, but everyone was early. Something to do on a lazy Sunday for supper. The Rite Place had TV’s and a large bar area. They were full. We ate in the supper club area, which was quieter. We all had good food and a good time. In attendance were Dave Vander Zanden and Debbie, Jerry and Diane Blessing, Judy and Greg Tate, Marty and TerryLee Garofalo, and Gary and Lyn Kaphingst. Dave and Debbie where guessing that we were going to River Rail in Shiocton, Van Ables of Hollandtown, and several others as we drove by. Thanks to everyone who attended.
Hosts: Gary & Lyn Kaphingst
November 17 Corvette and Coffee
We had a great turn out at “il Bar Coffeehouse & Bistro located in Kimberly. In attendance were: Teresa & Jim Karls, Jerry & Diane Blessing, Joyce & Gary Allen, Judy & Greg Tate, Dean & Janet Kaul, Sue Krenz, Sue Meyer, Marty Garofalo, and Fred Roden. Have to try their Flights packages. Judy Tate had a pleasant surprise with her coffee flight. Besides having ice cream flavored the same as her coffee, she had tart and a mini pie to match each of the flavors. Sue Meyer had 3 different flavors of coffee in her flight package. Lot of great conversation. Plus, we had our own private room that we were not aware of until we arrived this morning.
Host: Gary and Lyn Kaphingst
September 10 Valley Vettes 39th Birthday Party
GREAT TIME,GREAT FOOD,GREAT MUSIC.
Thank You! to all 47 members who attended.
I am grateful for my team and all other helpful members as well.
Respectfully,
Sharon Ziegler
Birthday Party
We are celebrating 39 years for our Valley Vettes Club.
The event was held at the Town of Center Hall off of Highway 47 and PP.
This Birthday Party is a BIG THANK YOU to all our members who have helped to make this club what it is. Without you, there would be no club.
The food and desserts were paid for by the club. Members as usual brought their own drinks. There was some water and soda on hand.
Approximately 48 members attended. It was a cool, rainy day and we still had 6 members drive their corvettes and park in the reserved parking area.
Our members enjoyed the food was catered by Choice Catering in Neenah, Wisconsin. It was excellent. The club provided a strawberry shortcake from Manderfields. It was so delicious.
Music, a Corvette Car Race, and Marty put together a list of former officers and board members since the club started in 1983 and read each name from 1983 – 2022 provided by Garofalo’s. Contacted the catering company that provided the meal and history of the club from 1983-2022 with posters, pictures and albums provided by Kaphingst’s. Cake ordered by Sieg’s. Playing Corvette Bingo with hats as prizes, a Raffle drawing for gift boxes, and appetizers provided by Ziegler’s.
We hope everyone had a great time for a wonderful afternoon and evening event.
A BIG THANK YOU to all who helped with set-up and cleanup of the facility. Always appreciated.
Your Hosts: Marty & Terrylee Garofalo, Gary & Lyn Kaphingst, Gary & Val Sieg and Sharon and Greg Ziegler
September 30 Appleton East Homecoming Parade/Dinner
It begins in mid-August under hot summer sun. For some it lasts through the change of seasons as trees change color and eventually lose leaves. For a few it lasts until temperatures turn cold, and the first snows fill the air. High school football. Friday night lights. Fans cheering their favorite high school team as it competes against neighboring rivals. And so it goes with every high school team in Wisconsin. Homecoming with all its festivities is part of high school every high school experience.
On the last Friday evening in September, our Valley Vette Corvette Club took
part in the Appleton East Homecoming Parade. Eighteen Corvettes provided
rides for eighteen seniors, members of the East Homecoming Court. The
Patriot Band led the way, setting a spirited tone. Fans, friends, and families
lined the streets, cheering and waving as the parade marched by them.
Terrific atmosphere. Many great lifetime memories were made. Afterward
our drivers gathered at Draft Gastropub. We shared stories of the event and
our high school passenger. Good stories, good smiles, good laughs. It was a
great time, a great event.Until next year, when we do it all again.
Hosts Judy and Greg Tate
August 14 Dinner Cruise
It was a cool cloudy morning, but no rain! Thirteen vettes left the Days Inn in Kaukauna and headed North on Hwy 41. Worked our way around Green Bay and then turned East on Hwy 54 then worked our way over to Algoma for a pit stop. We left Algoma and headed North along the lake shore and enjoyed some nice views of Lake Michigan. We cruised into Sturgeon Bay and ended up at Sonny's Italian Kitchen & Pizzeria located next to the old steel bridge near downtown. We enjoyed a pizza, chicken, fettuccine, salad and bread sticks. It was a fun day! Thanks for making the ride with me!
Host: Phil
July 20 All Member Luncheon
Fourteen members who enjoyed the great food and each others company and expressed that they would like to do another all member lunch and return to the Fremont Hotel for the great food with generous portions and very reasonable prices.
July 17 Valley Vettes Lunch/Ice Cream Cruise
The weather for the cruise was beautiful, sunny skies and temps in the low 80’s. The original cruise route was not so great. A last minute drive of the route revealed the other popular opinion of the summer season in Wisconsin – ROAD CONSTRUCTION season! The first road to exit the valley area had been torn up. The last part of the route to our destination revealed 7 miles of ‘LOOSE GRAVEL’. Obviously the bane of corvettes everywhere. Some fancy footwork avoided the construction and still provided a fantastic drive through the Wisconsin countryside. The trip showcased the beautiful green fields and interesting country structures.
Nine cars and sixteen club members traveled north and west for one and a half hours (65 miles) to Amherst where lunch and dessert were had. Our first stop was at the local Subway to pick up sandwiches to take to the Central Waters Brewing Co. for lunch. This is a popular micro-brewery in Amherst where many specialty beverages are available, especially beer! Conversation and fellowship were also served with lunch. After lunch we traveled the short distance to King Cone for dessert. The big problem here was which of the unbelievable ice cream treats to select. That’s the kind of problem I’ll gladly accept! The afternoon ended with full bellies, smiles, and warm friendship for the journey home.
Thanks to the folks that joined in the cruise!
Your hosts:
Debby & Skip Loofboro
Janine & Kevin ‘Jack’ Schrimshaw
July 10 Wolf River Lodge Car Show
We met at the Shell Gas Station on Hwy 96 and CB. We left for our drive with the sun shining that day and with 12 corvettes and gained 1 corvette along the way. It was a relaxing drive to Hahn-a-Lula Resort.
Upon arriving, Ron Seibel had his corvette within a roped off area for us to put our corvettes. Another 6 corvettes showed up a bit later. We had a total of 20 corvettes with 38 members attending. There was enjoyable conversation among members.
The American Legion had the food stand and refreshments set up at Wolf River Lodge for all. Some members ate there and others ate at Hahn-a-Lula Resort.
We walked and viewed the cars at Hahn-a-Lula Resort parking lot where classic cars were parked. There were many collector cars, trucks and corvettes for viewing.
Later in the afternoon, we had a band and music. Jerry Blessing and Phil Gross won gift certificates from the judges.
It was a very relaxing day for all. There was good conversation, good food, sun shining and fellowship with car enthusiasts.
Gary Kaphingst
June 26 Timber Rattlers Game
18 members of the Valley Vettes 10 cars. Each of us received a Bobblehead of Corbin Burnes. It was a great time.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to all.
Respectfully,
Sharon k Ziegler