President's Report - Summer 2007
Well! So much for my promise to get a Winter 2006 and Spring 2007 Report out! I apologize to no end for failing to do so and thank all of you for your generous patience.
While I’ve been way behind the curve in my duties, I’m proud to say that the rest of PCANFR has not! There’s indeed quite a bit of ground to cover since my last report so let’s get started.
Our annual Holiday Party was held in early December of 2006 and we had a fantastic group of attendees. The event was held at the beautiful Bay Point Resort Marriot in Panama City Beach, FL. and, as always, the venue and fare were superb! We had such a large supply of door-prize items that most folks left with two or MORE! I know that Mindy and I were VERY pleased with our take!
We did take care of some official business at the party and part of that was the announcement of 2007’s Elected and Appointed Officials. It gives me great pleasure to introduce PCANFR’s Officials for this year:
2007 Board of Directors (Elected)
Jeff Bartlett, Alan Berg, Danny Fuchs, Steve LaRosa, Jim Magill, Charles Stratton, Barry A. Waters and Mindy Waters.
2007 Officers (Appointed by the Board of Directors)
Barry A. Waters – President, Alan Berg – Vice President, Mindy Waters – Secretary, Don Boggs – Treasurer, Jeff Bartlett - Membership Chair, Jim Magill – Activities/Driving Event Chair, Steve Roberts – Safety Chair, Alan Berg – Newsletter Editor and Ian Anderson – Webmaster.
Please join me in welcoming these folks to their respective positions for 2007 and don’t hesitate to contact them when the need arises. They truly want to assist you in making the most out of your PCANFR experience!
The planning for this year’s party will begin shortly and while the venue is not yet known, the event will take place in Tallahassee in the early part of December 2007. Watch the Newsletter and Website for details!
As many of you may know, PCANFR and our sister Space Coast Region were tapped by PCA National to assist in bringing PCA’s Escape 2007 about. While MUCH time and planning effort was expended by this committee we were ‘derailed’, as it were, by the announcement that Brian Redman’s and PCNA’s Rennsport Reunion III would be held at the same location (Daytona) just a few weeks after the date we had targeted for Escape.
Our final analysis concluded that, due to its popularity, Rennsport Reunion III would drastically impact our projected attendance figures in a negative fashion. The final decision was to fold on Escape and switch our efforts to assisting Mr. Redman and PCNA in anyway we could. Many of us on the committee had attended previous ‘Reunions’ and were very much aware of the ‘competition’ it presented.
It was an easy decision from a practical standpoint but somewhat difficult emotionally. This committee really looked forward to presenting Escape 2007 for PCA but it just wasn’t in the cards. With that in mind, we ALL hope to see you at Rennsport Reunion III! If you’ve been to one, you know why it’s so popular. If not, then ask someone who has. It is simply the most fascinating assemblage of Historic Porsches anywhere, anytime, anyplace – it truly is a must-go!
On the up-beat side of PCANFR’s endeavors you may have noticed a re-vamped PCANFR Newsletter, the venerable ‘Der Porsche Brief’, that has emerged due to the efforts of Alan Berg. He’s done an exceptional job in a very short time so expect things to only get better as Alan learns the ropes of his new position. Just don’t ride him too much on the ‘Deer Porsche Brief’ incident, and know that he’s found the ‘off’ checkbox for automatic spelling correction in his editing package!
Also keep in mind that the Newsletter is very dependant on submissions from those of us with a writing slant. Got a Porsche tech-tip, or write-up on a recent Porsche oriented experience? Then by all means share it with the rest of us! I can guarantee that Alan is looking forward to your submissions.
Staying with the subject of our region’s communications with its members, good fortune dropped another VERY Shiny present in our laps this year in the form of Mr. Ian Anderson. Ian is a recent member with impressive IT/Web experience, so, can you guess where Ian has already placed a TON of effort?
YES! - Finally, we really do have a new website on the IMMEDIATE horizon. I don’t know how many times we’ve agreed to wash & wax Ian’s Boxster (it can’t be enough!) but it’ll be worth it (Alan is due 6 a year for the 997 Cab and that’s a steal!).
While the previous website is still being served, it is out of date in several areas. As it will only be around for a few more weeks, it can still be used for contact information but little else. Ian has a beta site in place and running w/PCA that impresses me to no end every time I check it. As with the Newsletter, look for things to only get better here!
Once the new website comes online you’ll see it. There’s no change in the URL which will remain nfl.pca.org. If you check the site periodically over the next few weeks you will receive a shock when the new one appears!
In short, while it may have seemed that PCANFR has been very much asleep since December of last year, it was really only me! PCANFR has indeed been moving forward and that brings us to yet another item of note – a new Tallahassee meeting place!
While we have kept the standard ‘3rd Wednesday of every month @ 6:30PM’ schedule, we’ve moved to Gill’s Tavern at 2545 North Monroe Street. This is the old Tallahassee Steak & Ale location for those who may remember it. Gill’s has provided us with a VERY nice ‘back room’ setting coupled with tremendous service so do come on down!
I also need to mention our PCANFR folks in the Destin area as they have not only been active but are planning a bigger and better (how could that be?!?) Exotic Car Show at the Destin Commons Mall for later in 2007.
If you’ve had a chance to meet these folks then you know how deeply their enthusiasm for all things Porsche runs! We’ll be highlighting these folks and their exemplary work for charity in an upcoming Newsletter article so stay tuned for news from the western part of PCANFR!
Truth be told, we’re anticipating a stellar 2007 for PCANFR. From increased Porsche Dealer involvement in our activities to exciting outings (karting track time anyone?) we’re looking at several prospects to help you enjoy your ‘Porsche Experience’ with PCANFR!
Our first one up is Tom and Evelyn Vlasak’s Seafood Extravaganza in Ochlockonee Bay on Saturday, the 19th of May. See details in the Newsletter for additional information on this always enjoyable (and tasty!) affair. Make your plans now!
Best Regards!
Barry A. Waters
2007 President – PCA’s North Florida Region (PCANFR)