Pete Olson - High Desert PCA President
So…. Exactly what do you do when dealt four of a kind?
Four beautiful, warm & sunny April Saturdays that is! Well… you just take your Porsche and go out for some fun! And here is “quick look” at the fun April events….
Saturday April 2nd: Keeping an eye on the weather forecast, we concluded this would be a perfect day for an “impromptu” HDR Arrive & Drive (the first scheduled one was for May 7th). An e-mail blast went out on Thursday, Bob Stark (Driving Chairman) & Hack Heyward quickly developed the route plan. 30 Porsches (well rested from being sequestered for the winter) & their eager drivers showed up at our usual gathering location, and away we went. What a great early start for the driving season!

Gathered for the Driver’s Meeting – Ready to Drive!
Then, Saturday April 9th was the HDR Adopt-A-Road event. This is a community service which we provide in April & October of each year. John & Eleanor Donohue, once again, graciously hosted the event, luring us there with coffee & donuts! Read all about it in this month’s Downshift... A big “Thanks” to all who participated!

Yes Sir, Yes Sir, many bags full!
Moving right along, Saturday April 16th was the Diego’s Car Show in Redmond. Ever the fun event! This is the first spring opportunity to “wash you Porsche” and place it on display. No pressure of judging, just register, show up and have a great time. Once again this year the High Desert Region Porsche Club won the “trophy” for the car club with the largest participation (we trumped the Corvette Club!). Read all about it in this month’s Downshift… Thanks to Bob Townes for all of the HDR coordination, Alan Fuller for leading the “caravan” of Porsches from Bend, & to all who participated!
Jackson Lauray @ Diego's "Car" Show (hey, that’s not a car!)And then on Saturday April 23rd we had a “double” header!
First Event: At 9:00 in the morning we were treated to coffee & donuts (officially termed Cars & Coffee) at NW Wheels in Bend. Owner Dave Kelly showed us some of his secrets relative to how he skillfully restores a damaged wheel to like new condition… Then, immediately after the event he logged into National PCA website & became the newest HDR member, with his Porsche Cayman S!

Plenty of Porsches @ Cars & Coffee
Second Event: Then over at Porsche of Bend, there was the official unveiling of the 2017 911, complete with “finger” food & shimmering purple lighting! Jim & Becky Hoppe were there, being the “very first” to take delivery of a beautiful Graphite Blue Metallic 2017 911 4S Targa!

Jim Hoppe in his "brand new" 2017 911 4S Targa
So… as a final wrap up to the April 2016 Porsche activities, there was an impromptu request to display a few Porsches at the Sunday April 24th “Foodie Walk”. We had 4 Porsches on display, despite a bit of rain, ice pellets & wind. However, we weathered the storm, enjoying the food, drink & friendships!

Porsches on Display @ The Bend "Foodie Walk"
Not to forget… at our Monthly HDR Social (April 20th), we were pleased to present a $3600 check to Zak Boone (Executive Director of COCC Foundation) & Ken Mays (COCC Automotive Instructor) representing Central Oregon Community College. This funding goes to support 2016 COCC Automotive Scholarships. Thank You to all of our HDR members who helped make this donation possible!
A “quick note” regarding the May 18th Wednesday Evening Social… Instead of the usual raffle, we request you to bring a new (10 – 14 inch) stuffed animal, which will be donated to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Department (the Sheriffs provide them to traumatized children which they encounter during their daily activities) …. Happy shopping!
Wishing you “great success” as we look forward to making
“2016 Our Best Year Ever!”
Enjoy your Porsche & Porsche Friends Even More!
Pete