Tag: Fathers

The Corvette Racer

We heard on the news today that 2023 is the 70th anniversary of the corvette.

It’s bittersweet because my father in law Paul Reinhart, who passed away in October of 2022, was one of the original corvette racers in California starting in the 50s.

That might be a little exaggeration but considering his track record and love for the corvette it’s not too far from the truth.

Paul racing his restored Z06 at Laguna Seca

Over the years he raced a 1957 corvette, the sixth 1963 Z06 off the line in St. Louis, a Genie MK 10B, back to his original Z06 that he found and restored, and then back to a 1957 he restored to resemble his original. He raced in vintage races until the age of 86. I will confirm all the dates and ages as I tell more about this incredible man and his racing.

After his death in California, we boxed up all his racing memorabilia and shipped it back to Connecticut and it’s now been sorted and filed until we decide what to do with it. I think his stories need to be told.

Just the corvette books!

He was nominated in 2013 to the Corvette Hall of Fame in Bowling Green Kentucky but unfortunately he didn’t get in. His 1957 restored car is there though on loan from the current owner and his

He married Mark’s mother in 1963, the years Mark turned five. I met him in 1987 when I moved out to California. He listened more than talked unless it was about racing! That’s how you could draw him out.

I’d like to share his story with you. I hope you come along for the ride!

2019 Twain Harte

Signs From My Father

Leaving me dimes and sending me cardinals

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Growing up my sisters and I heard about and saw pictures of our parents at the El Rancho Motel in Myrtle Beach South Carolina.  They went there on their honeymoon and went again with my dad’s sister Helen and her husband Ticker.  They loved it there, and we loved looking at the pictures over and over again.

It’s no longer there but a search on the internet had this to say: “The sprawling grounds included 75 air-conditioned rooms with over 250-person capacity, car shelters, outdoor grilles and room service, a meeting room, and an adjoining restaurant. The palms and pines-wooded lot also included an 18-hole putting green, shuffleboard, ping pong, and their distinctive illuminated swimming pool, measuring 90′ x 40′, with a small island in the middle with palm trees.”  From that description I know why they loved it – heck I would too!

Last year and a few week ago, my husband and I spent a week in Surfside Beach, South Carolina which is just one town south of Myrtle Beach.

My mind was on planning and packing all the week before we left and we were doing a lot of weather watching and worrying whether we’d have sun or a week of rain.  It was evident my father wanted me to know he was thinking about our trip too when I reached my hand up in the shower to get the soap – and put my hand on a dime!  In the shower!  Boy that was weird….

We broke the trip down there into two days this time so we wouldn’t be burnt out and  stopped in La Plata MD which is about halfway.  It was a Best Western and I have a membership card.  I stuck my hand in my pocketbook to get my card holder and came up with a dime STUCK to my card holder! IMG_3580

I said “Daddy you are tricky! I know you’re with us!”

Once we got there we spent a lot of time on the balcony of the condo where we were on the 3rd floor.  It was relaxing looking at the water or just listening to the sound while reading our books.  While sitting there one day I heard a very familiar bird sound…..IMG_2997

Sure enough – there’s a cardinal sitting  there saying hello.   He showed himself during the week and finally, on the last day of our visit while I was sitting on the couch, I looking up and he was was fluttering around at our balcony rail!  He sat for a second and then flew off.

I can hear my father saying “That was a good time Nanc – I’m glad you had fun”.