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| Pete Olson |
Happy New Year! We all have a lot of wonderful memories as we look back over 2013. We also have much to be thankful for as we enjoy our Porsche’s, allowing us to enjoy life with friends old & new.
2014 will be another exciting year as we look forward to the monthly Arrive & Drives, numerous social events, week-end adventures, track days and tech sessions. We just keep on making memories!
A special thanks to Tim Hagner who served as our President for the past 3 years. Also, thank you to all of our Board Members for your dedication and leadership over the past year. And, thank you to all who stepped up to plan and coordinate all of our successful High Desert Region Porsche Club events. The teamwork, fun and enjoyment along the way are extraordinary!
We should be proud of High Desert Region Porsche Clubs giving back to the community in 2013, as is the creed of the Porsche Club of America. Our generosity provided for 20 local teens to take a “skid school class”, making them more skilled and safer drivers. We also provided scholarship funds for COCC Automotive students. Stuffed animals were donated to the Bend Police Department for their use in situations with traumatized children. We also donated the receipts from our June “show & shine” to the Bend Historical Society. Well done!
Some Board Members updates for this year: Hack Heyward replaces Mike Sampson as Vice President. Mike will continue on as Board Member at Large, replacing Gale McConnell, and will also take over the Goodie Store from Sue Hagner. Mark McConnell replaces me as Membership Chairman.
The driving activity has slowed for the winter, with many of our Porsches carefully tucked away in their garages. However, with the roads currently cleared of the dreaded cinders, there has been ample opportunity to head out for an invigorating drive. I know I have done so on several occasions, and have spotted several other Porsches on the road as well!
Our members also enjoy a wide variety of winter activities: skiing, snow shoeing, hiking, bike riding and even golf & pickleball. Others head off to warmer places such as Hawaii, Tahiti, Palm Desert, Mexico and Arizona. What a great life!
Let’s take a look at 2014. Our website calendar of events for the year is in the process of being updated. Once complete, you will find that our usual events are there. Plus we have added several new adventures, which you don’t want to miss. They are the “Unplugged” Tour, Dam Tour, Baker City Tour, Fall Tour (to be announced), and Crater Lake/Train Mountain Tour.
If you have additional ideas or would like to be a part of planning and coordinating our activities, let me know at visach9@gmail.com and I will get you in touch with the appropriate person(s). Jim Lewis is our events coordinator. From my past experience, I can say it is great fun to be involved in planning and coordinating an event.
Some 2014 National Events:
The PCA Parade is a full week event being held in Monterey, California (June 15th– 21st). You don’t’ want to miss it. If you have ever been to a Porsche Parade, you know what I am talking about! If you never have, this is the year! On line registration will be open sometime in March, I’ll keep you posted. Once registration is open, it will fill up fast since there are lots of Porsches on the West Coast.
Another great event to consider is the Monterey Auto Week (Aug 11th – 17th). This weekend includes Pebble Beach Concours, Laguna Seca Historic races, other concours, car auctions. National PCA is holding an event called “Werks Reunion” on the 15th at Rancho Canada Golf Club. They anticipate 500 + Porsches to be on display. The whole area is alive with activity. The adrenalin rush of this beautiful area will enliven you senses!
Then in November, there is the Porsche Escape which is being held at the Disney World Complex in Orlando, Florida. This is a three day activity, the dates have not yet been announced, and however I will keep you informed. What an opportunity to escape our chilly November weather!
And one last bit of late breaking news… Tim Hagner has been selected to be the new Zone 6 PCA Rep. Zone 6 includes the Porsche Clubs in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Montana, part of Wyoming and the three Western Canada Provinces. Tim will be coordinating with these clubs and National PCA. Congratulations Tim!
Take a look at your 2014 calendars and start planning for an exciting year! With that, I wish you all a “Happy New Year” and all the “Very Best” in 2014!
Pete Olson