SNR

Jacob & Stacy Caldwell and Curtis Fong anticipate the start of the Planning Party. (Photo by C Kugler)No brakes will be applied for SNR members as we race into 2010. Forty five Porsche enthusiasts came together to eat, drink, and plan a year filled with non stop events. Some old favorites will return and a number of new events have been added to this year’s calendar. By the time you read this the always popular Cioppino feed will have already settled in your stomach and you should be ready for a bit of the Irish in March.

Bob & Kathy McLaughlin, Sue Kemper and Cam Warren look ready to present event ideas at the Planning Party. (Photo by C Kugler)With spring arriving we will be ready to dust off our cars from their winter slumber with a Tech Session followed by the “Dust Off Tour” in April. Gilbert Dayao of Gilson Autobody will host a tech session on suspension systems. Afterwards Curtis Fong will lead the drive tour while Dan Aynesworth will have a special tour stop planned for us. Brian Lowder and Leslie Castle of Reno Rennsport have agreed to sponsor a Porsche swap meet at their shop in May, so start looking around your garage for things to swap or sell. In May and July we have two different weekend tours hosted by Sue Kemper and Cam Warren: one at a local Sierra Nevada Dude Ranch and the other a scenic trip to the California North Coast.

Cindy Wyett & Judy Costin enjoy their dinner but stop to flash those pretty smiles. (Photo C Kugler)“It’s not just the cars, it’s the people” has become the catch phrase for the Sierra Nevada Region. On November 6th fifty-one SNR members gathered at LaVecchia Ristorante to celebrate those that helped make the 2009 year a success. The Volunteer Appreciation Dinner brought out old and new members for an evening of Porsche camaraderie, delicious food and a wonderful presentation of club events from 2009.

Kathy & Bob McLaughlin before dinner at La Vecchia. (Photo C Kugler)Before the retrospective began, President Ken Hollman thanked the event hosts for their efforts and support on behalf of the club and presented each with a small token of appreciation. Craig Kugler put together the 135 picture slide show, which featured key images from all our events. As the pictures flashed onto the screen you could hear laughter and voices acknowledging an event they had attended or hosted. Craig identified each event and the event host(s) and pointed out interesting tidbits about some of the pictures.

The Planning Party for 2010 is already on the calendar (January 22) and now all we need are a few good men and women to step up and volunteer to host club events. Hosting an event for the first time can be a little intimidating, but we are a very easy going group and will be happy with just about anything that involves cars, people and food. Any extra twists you might add are frosting on the cake.

What exactly is involved with putting an event together? For those of you that have never had the courage to host an event, but think it could be fun, the first thing you need to know is we are all eager and glad to help! That being said there are some simple guidelines involved that will make an event run smoothly without a lot of hair pulling!

1. Let people know! Have the “who, what, when and where” for your event placed on both the web site and in the newsletter at least two months before your event. Make sure to have your contact info, an RSVP date and a “no refunds after date” if appropriate.

2. If you are doing dinner at a restaurant it is strongly suggested that you have a set price for the meal. Make sure tip/tax is included along with any extras the restaurant is providing. It is best to get something in writing so all the costs are clear to all parties.

Rich Chew arrives for check-in with his ‘89 Speedster. (Photo by C Kugler)Everyone always talks about the weather but no one does anything about it. For this year’s Gilson’s Charity Show & Shine, weather was certainly on everyone’s mind as the unseasonable cool and damp weather of early June refused to cooperate. Not to be thwarted by Mother Nature, the members of the Northern Nevada chapters of the Porsche, BMW, Audi and Mini clubs brought out their cars and opened their hearts (and wallets) to help the North Valleys Athletic Association raise money to support teens who play sports.

Betty & Ken Hollman lead the scheduling of events at the Planning Party with intent members looking on - Photo by C. KuglerSierra Nevada Region members had to speak up to be heard at the 2009 Planning Party at BJ’s Restaurant. And speak up they did, with the results yielding a year filled with a wide variety of activities to suit all tastes. Thirty-six members attended the festivities and both new and old members came forth and volunteered to host events. New members Guy & Donna Archambault enthusiastically took on the job of hosting the St. Patrick’s Day Party. Mary Zanella came prepared to plan a driving tour out to the colorful town of Winnemucca for a “Drive and Mine” tour.

New and old SNR members mingle and enjoy breakfast at the Gold n' Silver Inn - Photo by J. RiandaIt was a clear, cool Sunday morning as several marauding Porsches began to enter the parking lot of the old Gold N’ Silver Inn in Reno. A shiny, silver 996 was the first to arrive followed by Cayennes, Boxsters and 911s. Drivers and their passengers entered the building and turned left past the video poker machines, drawn to our meeting room by the alluring aroma of fresh brewed coffee (the signs helped as well). The newest members of the Sierra Nevada Region began to assemble for a free breakfast and introduction to the club.