by Allan Frickey

Our Porsche club’s Charter Dinner was held at Bend Golf and Country Club on the evening of April 13th. This was the thirteen-year “birthday celebration” of the club. Five of the original members, Linda and Bill Bein, Fred and Jeanine Faria and Evi Shaw were present. These charter members had a picture taken with an enlarged copy of the club’s charter.

Sixty-three members attended this year and twenty-seven Porsches were displayed in spotless condition (except for a turbo with bird poo on the passenger side front fender). And thanks to Carrera Motors for displaying a Cayman S and a Boxter S.

Two things were especially unique this year: the incredible detail that created the dining room ambiance and a stuffed animal donation that replaced the traditional silent auction.

In many of the past years, members brought items for a silent auction to benefit non-profit organizations in our community. This year members were encouraged to bring stuffed animals to be donated to Bend Police Department. Fifty-five soft and adorable animals were collected at our dinner. The police department gives these stuffed friends to kids experiencing traumatic situations.

And then there was the attention given to the evening by the organizers of the event, Helen Riser and Evelyn Chernoff. For a week, Bob Shaw had predicted rain all day for the 13th. But thanks to our banquet organizers’ special relationship with the weather gods, the precipitation was zero. That made the evening very pleasant for those of us with open cars.

The dining room was presented especially well. We have always had wonderful dining room settings in the past but Evelyn and Helen converted a “Chamber of Commerce lunch room” into an elegant venue. The chairs were dressed in black jackets with hand-tied bows, complimented by stuffed animal centerpieces on mirrors. The meal choices were prepared with expertise. The pianist played the right music at the right volume. And, each member had a small box of Frango chocolates as a part of their place setting.

Thanks to the Helen and Evelyn team! You made our thirteenth Charter Dinner celebration a party to remember!

(I’m sure I didn’t note all the special details that made this evening a success . . . but then, I’m a
guy.)