HAVE A CUP OF JOE WITH JOE – Start Your Engines! Let’s Celebrate 50 Years Of The Corvette Club Of Windsor
There is no better way to start this story off than with a reference to the 1983 song by Prince . . . “Little Red Corvette,
Baby, you’re much too fast (Yes you are), Little Red Corvette, You need a love that’s gonna last.”
In 1974, a few Windsor area Corvette car owners came together to start the Corvette Club of Windsor (CCOW).
This year, the Corvette Club of Windsor is celebrating its 50th anniversary, with 112 members. From the original 28 founding members, three currently remain in the club — Rick Farrow, Les Tetler and Richard Neal.
The club’s mission is to “further the awareness of and enjoy our collective association with North America’s only true sports car.”
Rick Farrow is a local business owner and is not only a founding member, but also a sponsor of the club.
He explains his reason for being a CCOW member in these words: “Why am I involved? I remember in ’74 noticing this bright yellow ’73 Corvette every day I went to work. Then I saw it go up for sale and decided to buy it. That was the start of a long love affair with Corvettes. Over the past 50 years, I have owned several. I have many fond memories enjoying them with family, friends, and have met many fellow owners who have become great friends to this very day.”
Farrow cites service to the community as another reason for his involvement.
“Our members are doing great community work, through the club, to support the Windsor Regional Hospital Paediatric Oncology Unit — and other charities in the past — that makes it all worthwhile,” he expresses.
Cristina Naccarato, Executive Director of the Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation states: “Windsor Regional Hospital is tremendously grateful to the CCOW that has raised over $106,000 towards paediatric oncology over the years. This support has made a monumental difference in the program allowing us to buy critical equipment such as IV pumps for chemotherapy administration, and softer items to ease stress, such as toys and activities for the children before and after their treatment.”
In 2023, club members — along with their sponsors and private donors — donated a record $26,000 to them.
The club hosts many cruises throughout the summer and has travelled to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky (near the GM Assembly Plant where Corvettes are manufactured), a wine tour in the Niagara region, and fun times along Route 66, just to name a few.
Many day trips are always on tap throughout Ontario and Michigan. However, the club’s main event is the annual Corvette Waterfront Show held each year in June.
Lynda Reaume is the Show Coordinator and informs Biz X on the event details by indicating: “This year the show takes place on Sunday, June 9 with registration at 8 a.m. and concludes with awards and presentations at 3 p.m.”
She also gives the City of Windsor a huge shout out for allowing the show to take place at the beautiful Dieppe Gardens Park (78 Riverside Drive West).
This event is always welcomed by downtown businesses and residents in the city core, along with support from business owners and organizations located all over the region.
Just a few of the show’s major loyal sponsors include: Farrow, RestorFX, Corvette Depot, Evola Builders, Ground Effects, Gold Star Jewelers, DR Performance Products, Rob’s Pharmacy LaSalle, Bin There Dump That, and Wolfhead Distillery.
And of course the local tourism industry benefits each time an event or festival takes place in Windsor Essex!
Out of town participants have rooms booked at the Four Points by Sheraton (downtown Windsor) and on Dougall Avenue at the Comfort Inn, and Stonecroft Inn.
The show has grown significantly since its start in 2000.
“About 200 cars from all over Ontario, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and North Carolina, and as far away as Florida, and Moncton, New Brunswick, come to enjoy it,” Reaume points out. “To celebrate our 50th anniversary, out-of-towners will be treated to a History/Mystery Cruise on June 8, starting at 9 a.m. They will cruise throughout Essex County, eat lunch and have various stops along the way with special guest speakers. They reconvene at 7 p.m. at The Bistro At The River (78 Riverside Drive West) for a well-deserved dinner.”
