Copyright © 1999

Porsche Club of America Around The Cones December, 1999 Steve Ross SLR944@aol.com

Well here we are at the final column of my term, 24 months of thinking what to write about and fill up that familiar space Dave saves for me in each issue of the Nor'easter. Well to start this column, let's look at the final events of the year, and some new and upcoming ones for 2000. First our annual dinner looks again to be a sellout at the Dedham Polo and Racquet Club, thanks to Drew Ley and Carol Searle for the excellent job they have done for 6 years now at three different country clubs throughout the area.
 
This year's track events hosted the most people ever for the region, and helped the region's finances greatly. We will be able to fund some exciting purchases to keep improving our events. You'll see more news on that front next year. In January to be exact, we will be participating in the World of Wheels, a very large and showy traveling custom car exhibition which tours the US. The stop in Boston will be on the second weekend of the month at the Bayside Expo Center. Thanks to Peter Duffy for volunteering to chair this event, stop by and say hello.
 
Now for the thank you's for a job well done. First to departing board members in no particular order. Barbara Noonan has really done a superb job in her capacities as Admin and Activities VP', two of the hardest jobs on the board (I know from experience). Barbara produced some great meetings during her two years at the Admin job. She then stepped right into activities and managed that area during a transition period of autocross and concours chairmen. I might add that all this was done in her usually calm cool manner, while always being open to suggestions from other board members and the membership in general.
 
Next up is our former president Kim Saal. During his 2 year tenure as past president /parliamentarian Kim kept the board going in the Bylaw prescribed direction while adding his experience to many issues which came up. In addition he jumped right in to assist the concours people to assure the successful presentation of the club in the publics eye.
 
Paul Dudley who seems to like to buy cars I am associated with, spent 4 years on the board. His latest position is the membership person. That job at times seems to eat up free time in great quantities. Now with marriage on the horizon he will be taking a well-deserved rest.
 
Michelle Wang has spent many an evening trying make some sense of our ramblings at board meeting, enough to put in words for the newsletter, but just think we almost always end the meetings at Porsche model time (i.e. 9:11 PM)
 
The remaining board members also should be recognized. Bruce Corwin, who will probably inherit this job, has really livened up the board meetings, and his column's dry humor have been a real hit for Nor'Easter readers. He is another individual who has worked tirelessly at the Admin VP job and come up with some really unique and well attended events. The cruise night is one such example. Look for him to introduce his new board in the near future.
 
Bill Brinkman, a relative newcomer, is completing his first year as treasurer in good shape. He has not ruffled the IRS's feathers, and has thus decided that a second term would be appropriate. His assistance at the autocrosses has been invaluable as would be expected.
 
Finally Dave Weber has provided his usual all encompassing assistance. He turns out a "best in the country" newsletter month after month, while finding time to orchestrate not only our autocrosses but the Zone 1 event too. Plus he also puts in time at control at the our driver's ed events. That's just for us, he also has a national position, Parade Advisor until this year when he took over the Newsletter chairmanship. Fortunately for us his position on the board as newsletter editor has no term limits (unlike all the other offices) so we cannot only have the great Noreaster, but his helpful input and suggestions on the board.
 
Non board people who should be thanked are Eric Kessel who has co-chaired the Autocross committee through its largest participation season in history and also chaired the '98 Concours. Bill Seymour, who co-chaired with Eric and wrote those great stories about the events. Rob Stoesser, who took over track chairmanship this year and has made the already those great events even better. Also in track category, Mark Keefe has toiled endless hours making sure the registration for these massive events is right. And finally Russ Merriam has almost single handily run 11 Rambles on some of the most interesting roads in New England. The Ramble event has grown to be the single largest gathering the Northeast Region hosts outside the '91 Parade.
 
There are many others who have contributed in a significant way to the Region, but I wanted to thank those who seemed to me to have gone out of their way to help us make this Region what it is. Finally I want to thank Linda for all the support she has given me in both participating at many of the events and hosting board meetings at home.
See you at the annual dinner