Combining Summer Fun With Corvettes And Good Causes

By Kendra Bobowick

“You want to hear a long story?” asked Candlewood Valley Corvette Club President Bob Burkardt. When he was home sick as a boy his aunt visited with a present — a 1953 plastic model Corvette. “She said, ‘You’ll own one, one day,’ and she was right!” He drove his red, 2008 model through along Church Hill Road Tuesday, and turned into the Burgerittoville parking lot. He slid it alongside other high-gloss models parked carefully in the partial gravel lot. Sunlight bounced off Corvettes’ chrome May 31 during the club’s regular Tuesday meet in Newtown.

As club members pulled into the lot around 6 pm, they soon told stories behind the gleaming red, yellow, black, or metallic blue cars. Joe and Sui Wodarski of New Milford joined the group two years ago.

“I didn’t have a Corvette when I joined,” Mr Wodarski said. “I thought if I joined it would help me [choose a car].” After receiving a few ideas from the group, he decided to buy a 2004 model.

One of the nearly 30-year-old club’s original members, Terry Lieberman had a 1972 Corvette when he joined. He has owned that car for 29 years, he said, but recently upgraded to a 2001 convertible.

Past president Gary Coviello stood admiring the row of American-made cars. He likes that they are “part history, part sports car.” Mr Burkardt noted, “They have been around since 1953.” Three hundred white Corvettes with red interior were produced that year.

Member Mike Barrett extended his hand toward the ground saying he has wanted a Corvette since he was “that big.” He said, “We all have to have a hobby — they’re fast, beautiful, and handle well.”

The men’s conversation meandered to car trivia: the car manufacturer did not come out with a 1983 model, Mr Burkardt said, which was ironic for five-year member Scott Bell. “I had always wanted one and I was going to buy one when I graduated college in 1983.” After college he said he waited, eventually bought a car and, “it turned into a disease.” He joined the club after seeing members in the Church Hill Road parking lot.

Newer member John Oliva joined seven months ago, “right after I bought this,” he said, walking toward his 1992 Corvette. “Once the kids were [married or on their own] I said, ‘Now it’s time.’”

Looking at the faces gathered Tuesday, Mr Burkardt said, “It’s a nice group of sociable people, and we try to help the community.”

Mike Kindel, who owns a 1995 black coupe, joined the club in 1998. After parking his car he joined the others, who soon crowded into Burgerittoville for supper.

Candlewood Valley Corvettes

The club started in 1979, and this September marks the club’s 30th Annual Benefit Corvette Show and Shine. The show will be in New Milford at Bennett Automotive Services, 295 Danbury Road on Sunday, September 11. Rain date is September 18.

Aside from enjoying their cars and participating in trips and monthly meets with guest speakers, the Corvette club is a charitable organization. Annual events have benefited Ann’s Place, a local cancer support center, disabled American Veterans, food banks, and more. Car show Chairman Mr Kindel said a host of charities benefit from the show’s proceeds each year.

“Most of the funds we make go to organizations in need,” said Mr Lieberman.

Registration for Corvettes, Camaros, hot rods and muscle cars is $20, with $5 fee for nonentry Corvettes and general admission. Children under 12 enter for free. A $15 preregistration for all entries is available. Mr Burkardt urges people to “take a kid and your dad to the car show,” to have three generations and keep the interest going, he said.

As for trips, the club is planning a visit to the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in Rhinebeck, N.Y.

“We go on rides, we brunch, go different places,” said Mr Burkardt.

Contact Mr Burkardt at 203-733-3959 for more information about the upcoming Rhinebeck trip and details for the annual car show.