From The President January 2014

The calendar has turned… Welcome to 2014 ARPCAers! This is the time of year to reflect on the past year’s events and plan for new and interesting events for the coming year. Many of our P-Cars are nestled in for a warm winter’s nap, but that doesn’t mean there is nothing to do! The coming year will offer new events, new people and new fun. I have to tell you that my first year as the ARPCA President was highly satisfying. I’ve met so many new members and we as a group have come to new heights as a club. As always, it wouldn’t work without the dedication of those who plan, execute and participate in our events. So again, my thanks.

December was a fun month. First we had our Holiday Cocktail party at the Double Wide Grill in Mars, PA. Automotive theme with an ARPCA twist was on the menu that evening. Thanks to Steve Zumoff, the DW Grill’s owner and fellow car enthusiast. And thanks to his staff who were terrific [although rumor has it that they over-served on the wine…]. We had great food and drink. We also had a new kind of charity auction… Attendees brought their NOS [new old stock] and NSNS [not so new stock] Porsche and Porsche Club memorabilia. There was wall art, clothing [with various iterations of our club logo], car models, a Porsche Teddy Bear, repair manuals and dash plaques from the last 25 years of the PVGP. As my 7-year-old daughter demonstrates frequently, other people’s stuff is far more interesting than your own. We should do this again… And we raised $1500+ for the UPMC toy drive. If you have a charity you’d like supported, just let us know at a business meeting.

People who braved the weather were also able to enjoy a superb year-in-review presentation. Thanks to all contributors and Rob Hoffman for putting that together. In the 20 years I’ve been a member, I’ve never seen such a wonderful production [by any region]. Such a cool way to review a special year. If you haven’t see it, go to our web site and check it out. Also a BIG thanks to Rob and Missy for running our club’s Goodie Store. That is a major effort and I know from other region’s that we have one of the best. Our monthly meeting was held at the Zielinski manor, which is simply a holiday pictorial out of Architectural Digest. Bill and Sandy are consummate hosts and we thank them for their hospitality. Again, we saw new members at this meeting. I know I sound like a broken record, but please come out to our business meeting to see what goes on. ALL are welcome. And ALL ideas are welcome. The January meeting will be held at the Sewickley Car Store [Thanks K.C.!] in the BMW building’s upstairs conference room. The date is January 16th at 7:30p.

January is a great month. As mentioned, we have our business meeting on the 16th. On the 18th, there is a special Porsche Club Zone 4 [our zone] viewing of Porsche’s latest offerings at the Detroit Auto Show. Then at month’s end, an ever growing contingent of Allegheny Region folks are heading down to Daytona for the 24 Hour Race. This year’s race will be the first of the unified sports car series now called the Tudor United Sports Car Championship. If you’re going to that event, please email me [pres@arpca.com] as I’m compiling email addresses and mobile phone numbers.

February will be exciting as well. The club business meeting will occur on the 13th. Our Mid-Winter party will happen on the 22nd. And I’m sure that some other impromptu events will happen… They always do… Just check the web site and look for email blasts [if you’re not receiving the email blasts, pls shoot me your email address. It will ONLY be utilized for these e-blasts]. March will bring the return of Formula 1 racing with the first race of the year in Australia on March 16th. I’m betting there will be a gathering somewhere to catch the first race… Stay tuned…

With that my friends, I wish you a new year of excellence, both personal and professional. I am proud to be a part of such a great group. The cars bring us together, but the people are what keep us coming back. See you at the next event.

NEW GERMAN WORD
“Excellence” translates as ” Vortrefflichkeit “