DVSF - The times, they are a changin'

[Double Venom]

DVSF-The times, they are a changin’.

I post this with great resolve, mixed with sorrow and anticipation.
The wonderful ‘Fling’ as I knew it has come to an end. In four short years it grew from 70 plus Cobras to over 300. I thank each and every one of you for that. ‘WE’ reached the world with what ‘we’ did. ‘We’ had a blast, we raised some hell and in the meantime ‘We’ helped countless kids and young adults inflicted with Cystic Fibrosis.

Hundreds if not thousands of new friendships were made. New Cobra Clubs have sprung up all over the country; a new and I sincerely hope an everlasting love of these cars has evolved for everyone. Petty bickering between ‘makes’ has not been buried but with everyone’s help it is certainly not as prevalent as it once was. I can only hope that our Cobra community will continue to grow on the foundation that ‘we’ have built over the last four years.

The ‘DV’ family did not come about this decision lightly or easily, but we have decided it is time for us to step aside. After the sniper incident of last year, the underlying, and absolutely incredulous accusations made by a few, and of course the first and foremost problems with Miss. DV’s, Wendy’s, health and the unknowing road we have to travel over the next few months has simply forced us to go another direction. I hope all of you realize that my family has been honored by ALL of you. It has been a privilege and an honor that has not been taken lightly and certainly will never be forgotten.

Do not despair, for those that ‘do’ know me, know that I would not, could not just walk away saying “that’s all folks! I have been in touch with a few of the ardent ‘Flingers’, settling on one in particular who has come forth, as he did last year to continue on with the DVSF. May I once again introduce “Jack May and Lake Snakes Cobra Club”? Everybody knows Jack as “Hot Fingers’. Now if you don’t know, Jack got that name by a PG-rated background, Jack is a Firefighter, not by some XXX rated skeleton in the closet. Then again maybe…

Jack-Hotfingers will be posting right after this thread with new hotels, and many, many options for you guys to choose from for the events. The dates will stay the same, but obviously the location will change to Cleveland. I have given Jack and the Lake Snakes Cobra Club full control of the Fling, from events to actually changing the name if they so choose. Personally, I only see good things happening for the Fling. If at all possible I will be there. In closing I ask that all continue to support the Fling, as you have in the past, and continue to keep this the best Cobra event ever.

Thank you for four of the best years of my life!

Ed ‘DV’ Combs and family- Wendy, Randy, and of course the lady that made it all possible, Diane

[Dwight]

THANKS ED

[casaleenie]

Ed,

thanks for everything....

[turnpike boy]

DV, words alone cannot express the gratitude for all your, and yours, works. The Combs family is truly wonderful people. And we will continue to pray for Wendy's full return to the fold till....well, forever. We will miss London, and the lunacy so awesomely exhibited there . Damn.

Thanks, Ed - Di - Wendy - Randy. The sun can not, and will never, set on what you have all achieved.

Onward. Hotfingrs, we're good for ya. Clue us in and we'll make you proud. I think .

[Hotfingrs]

First I'd like to say a heartfelt Thank You to Ed and his family, for everything that they have done the last 4 years, to make this event what it is today.

The players might have changed, but the objective is still the same, make this the event that everybody wants.

As our tribute to Ed for his starting and hosting this event, the name will remain the same. It will be known as the DV Spring Fling.

The dates for this years Fling will remain the same June 24-26. I know that many of you arrive on the Thursday before, but the official dates are as stated.

In the next couple of days, hotel information will be posted. All hotels are within a 1/2 mile of I-90 and the Ohio Turnpike exit.

I know after last years Fling a number were dissatisfied with the agenda and a number of other things. We have a tenative agenda planned, but nothing is written in stone. That is why for the next few weeks I am asking all to post in this column, what they would like to see changed, or added, to make the Fling more to their liking. We will do the best, to try and accomodate, in any way we can, but much like last year, we are working on a short amount of time.

This year will be a learning experience and rebirth of the Fling, but with a full year to plan the next one, things can only get better.

Cystic Fibrosis will not be the charity of choice. We will be open to suggestions, as to where people would like to see the money that is left over, or raised as it may be, go. The primary reason this event was started was not to raise money for a charity, and I think that it's time to get back to that premise. It got to the point were people were thinking, we have to raise more than last year, and how can we raise more next year. Hopefully we don't get stuck there again, even though raising money for charity isn't bad, that's not what this event is about.

This year, unless by some stroke of luck a completed car falls in my lap, there will not be a car raffled off. I think one of the short comings of this event has been, not enough lead time to raffle a car off properly, and truely raise the money that should be raised by the cars that we have given away. I would say 6 months minimum lead time with the proper advertising should be a step in the right direction for a car.

With the new locale for the Fling, certainly events will chance, but some of the old ones will remain, hopefully with a new twist.

Again, other than hotel information, take a couple of weeks to voice opinions, under this thread, as to what you want from the Fling. A new website will have to be designed, along with planning the Fling, so please be patient. I will also be the website designer, as if there isn't enough to do already.

Hopefully I haven't left out any important points, let's get this ball rolling and see everyone at the Fling in June.

[red]

Ed
Thanks for starting this get together, thanks for inviting us to your home town, thanks for arranging all the fun, thanks to your family for giving us all these wonderful friendships and warm memories. You and your family have made the whole Cobra family PROUD. We understand, and we wish you and your family nothing but the best. Thanks so much for everything.

Hotfingers
What ever you come up with, we'll be there. Whatever help you need, let us know. Thanks for taking on this great event. As far as a charity, how about the American Cancer Society, for Wendy.

[Woodz428]

Business has kept me from attending Spring Flings...so far. Best to you Ed and especially Wendy, Family IS the most important and you need to be there for your's at this time. It is always tough when you're hit that close to home.

[MidOHasp]

Ed,

Thanks for an event that has changed my family, and that 2.5 years ago was basically the reason my dad & I joined this Cobra family.

Jack,

If the entire flats district isn't defunct by June, I'd think a trip down that way would be great fun. I don't know what all of your connections are in the area, but I can think of several dozen things that would be great in this area.

Feel free to enlist my help with anything if you are so inclined. If not, I pretty well understand.

[CobraDan]

Ed,
My wife and I had a great time at all four Double Venom Spring Flings and wish you and your family well and can’t thank you enough. By June hoping everything is back to normal I hope you and your family can join everyone in Cleveland for the fifth year in a row at DVSFV.
Jack, if you need a hand I will try and help you in any way I can before the June Spring Fling 2005.
Dan & Jean

[Jamo]

Ed

You know how I feel from my comments elsewhere.


Hotlips...keep calm.

[Hotfingrs]

ttt

[crillyiv]

Ed,
I had a great time at III and will put the key fob you gave me on my next car. My best wishes to you and yours.

take care




Jack,
You ol' sweet talkin' devil you. You sure have a way with words. Best of luck.

[mrmustang]

Ed,

Best wishes to you and your family.


Sincerely,

Bill, Debbie, & Josh S

[klayfish]

Ed,
A heart felt thank you from my family. We have a memory that will last a life time, literally... Our thoughts are with you and your family.

[GOCATS]

Ed:

Thanks for giving me some of the best times I've ever had. I truly hope that you will be able to come to an event as a spectator and enjoy those wonderful friendships. I wish you and your family all the best but I hope this is not a goodbye to the cobra event that YOU gave life to.

J.A. Koontz

[rdorman]

Take care of Wendy and that family of yours! Thanks for four fun filled years.
Rick

[Tom Wells]

Ed and family,

More thanks than we can express for your past accomplishments.

Kay & I wish Wendy the best possible result - please keep us posted!

And let us know if there is anything we might do - you know a week in Florida just might do her some good

Kay & Tom

[Mike Braatz]

Ed;
Thanks for doing what most would have walked away from -- years of hard, hard work. You deserve a trophy -- a pat on the back and a big thank you from everyone who ever attended a fling.

Jack -- It's a new chapter in the book -- I will do whatever's necessary to help. Hopefully, we can discuss more at the OCC party.

Mike

[BLACKJACK]

HEY DV - - -

YOU DA MAN. - - - - - - -

YOU CREATED SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL FOR ALL OF US. YOU CREATED A FAMILY AND YOUR TIME EFFORTS AND FRIENDSHIP WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

I WISH THE VERY, VERY BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR WONDERFUL FAMILY.

JACK - - THANKS FOR TAKING UP THE REIGNS. THANKS ALSO FOR KEEPING THE NAME "DV SPRING FLING".

I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING A GREAT TIME - AS USUAL - WITH GREAT FRIENDS.

IT'LL NEVER BE QUITE THE SAME - BUT - THAT'S EVOLUTION. I'M SURE IT WILL BE A GREAT EVENT.

Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY.

BLACKJACK

[BT SNAKE]

Ed,
The best for you and your family. You guys have done a super job with the Fling. I have enjoyed all of the Flings and looked forward to everyone of them. I can't believe it's changed this way but all good thing do come to an end. I do feel bad for London, Ohio as they sure loved having us there. Those Fireman and Police officers really looked forward to the Fling, not to mention all those hometown folks. That small town effect will be lost. I will miss the downtown atmoshere of London and the friendliest folks around. I always stayed at the knights Inn and cancelled my room today.
I wish Jack all the success in the world and I hope that the new Fling will grow and serve the Cobra families well.

Hersh