Eighty-two current & former Salt Creekers came together to celebrate the anniversary of Salt Creek’s 50th year on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at the Marriott Suites, Downers Grove. The hospitality room was filled to capacity with former & current members before we adjourned to the ballroom where the room was buzzing with conversation and renewing of old friendships throughout the evening. Tom Schultz (L), the longest continuing member since 1970, was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Linda Strain was the 50th chairman and the second longest continuous member since 1974 when she & Bob joined along with sons Jamie & Jason (C, R) who have been Salt Creekers almost all their lives.

Salt Creek started as the Four Cylinder Club of America in April 1958 when the first President of Salt Creek, Richard Wegforth, put an ad in the newspaper asking that anyone interested in forming a sports car club to meet at his house (actually his parents). Little did those early members know that the club would endure for 50 years with the odometer still running. This early group decided to sever ties with Four Cylinder Club because it was based in California and too far away to take advantage of national events and formed Salt Creek Sports Car Club in October 1959.

Attending the dinner were two of the original Four Cylinder members—Ken & Arline Chrt & Barbara Bonow Deer. We also had several other earlier members present including Ed & Emma Roelofs along with son Jeff.

Each shared their memories of the early days of Salt Creek along with a few stories about each other. Steve Steyers, composer of the club song, led the group in a rousing rendition of “Working Together” sung to the tune of Puff the Magic Dragon. Steve joined Salt Creek in 1963.

Our current President, Laura Simpson, spoke about her experiences with Salt Creek and also introduced 16 past presidents who were present. Bob Humphrey Jr , our current Events Director, told about the events that we have today. Bob (L) is the holder of the Member of the Year trophy for 2008. This trophy has been in the club for 50 years and is passed on each year to the member who earns the highest points for attending and participating in club activities. This is a very visible piece of our club history.

We had many door prizes to give away throughout the evening including some that the club purchased and some donated by Tire Rack and five book certificates redeemable from Burt Levy, a former Salt Creek member, who has written several fiction books based on racing. Everyone attending received a name tag with their member # attached to a lanyard donated by Tire Rack, a 50th anniversary mug and a 50th Memory Book that included all of the responses received from former and current members. Throughout the evening there was a continuous slide show of various events from the early days to the present. There were several tables of memorabilia brought by former members to display including dash placques, a racing helmet & gloves, “Officials” shirts, trophies and many pictures. In the club archives were all of the newsletters of “Salt Creek Speaks” from Four Cylinder Club to the present and several scrapbooks from the 60’s to 80’s.

Certainly we can take a line from the club song that best describes Salt Creek: While other car clubs come and go, Our end we do not hear. And when another year has past Salt Creek will still be here.

One last thing—Is there any Old Business? Of course, the answer was always Dennis Daley (C) who then asked—where’s my 10, 15 or 20 year pin? Dennis waited a long time, but Tom Schultz finally came through with his pin and presented it to him at the dinner. Tom custom made this “pin” with a large Salt Creek logo and years of service bars attached. Salt Creek’s common interest is the car, but the heart of the club is the people and friendships.

Here’s to many more anniversaries of Salt Creek Sports Car Club.

Linda Strain