GCR Holiday Party

Margaritaville Style

Article by Mark Johnson, Photos by Ian Gerada

As folks say, “’Tis the season!” Holiday celebrations abound in December each year and the Gold Coast Region Porsche Club of America members contributed greatly to the joy and frivolity of the season.

On a beautiful Saturday evening in early December, GCR gathered at the Margaritaville Beach Resort in Hollywood for an exceptional night of Porsche camaraderie, outstanding food and libations, and a bit of dancing – including the limbo and a conga line dance. Without a doubt, if you weren’t there, you missed one GREAT PARTY!

Margaritaville Resort, being Jimmy Buffett-themed of course, allowed all attendees to truly relax in beach style: that is, NO coats or ties. With Island Chic as the dress theme, casual beachy type wear was de rigueur with the minor requirement of no flip-flops or shorts; it was an evening dinner party after all. While we didn’t play in the sand, we did have a great amount of play with quite a few surprises and an exceptional bonus or several of them along the way. We gathered on the 9th floor of the resort, which allowed a great view of the Atlantic Ocean, the moon rising, and the Hollywood Boardwalk Beach parade going on below. As a bonus, we were treated to an open bar with everyone’s favorite adult beverages; top-shelf liquor, wine, and beer. Club attendees consumed a cocktail, glass of chablis or merlot while we enjoyed multiple conversations with fellow members about the past year, and the coming year. While hydrating and conversing, resort attendants brought seemingly endless hot, delicious hors d’ oeuvres to the members, delicious in every bite.

Dinner followed the cocktail hour. We entered the room to be treated to festive tables adorned with centerpieces of Bird of Paradise, Ginger, and palm frond greenery. Cynthia Fluhart’s design skill and passion came through exceptionally well as she designed and arranged the centerpieces as well as the table layouts. Each table of eight was full of Porsche peeps and a special guest ready to enjoy an exceptional dinner of lobster tail and beef, preceded by a delicious salad, and followed by a stunning chocolate desert and mini rum cake. Those not in attendance missed a great dinner as well!

As the dining proceeded, President Peter Olliviere presented the Officers and Board of Directors for 2023 and offered a short review of the past year’s successes. Throughout the dinner soft music played and a photo show, curated by Mr. Ian Gerada, played on a large screen at the front of the room. Ian was also the unofficial photographer for the event, and he took some really great pics, several of which are already posted at the GCR group page on Facebook. Thanks, Ian.

President Peter’s presentation included special gifts/awards to the outgoing board members who contributed to the Club’s success these past two years. The gift selected by Peter symbolized teamwork and dedication to Club success as offered by each board member. Additionally, he announced winners of the three annual awards for club participation, which are GCR

Family of the year Dottie and Steve Kidd Enthusiast of the year Christy Spangler Rookie of the year Mark Johnson

Family of the Year, GCR Enthusiast of the Year, and GCR Rookie of the Year.

Family of the Year was awarded

to Dottie and Steve Kidd. This announcement was not a surprise to anybody. The Kidds give their time and effort freely and continuously for the benefit of GCR and our membership. They jump in and help, not only with their passions (Autocross and Juniors) but with anything that needs to be done with any job in the club.

Enthusiast of the Year awarded to

Christy Spangler. As anyone within the club would attest, Christy is/ was everywhere with Porsche events and activities. As a Board member, Social Committee Chair, Kassette contributor, and overall person with a Porsche Passion, Christy was an exceptional choice. As the club came out of hibernation from the challenges we faced these past two years, she has been simply everywhere with her great smile, making things happen. Enthusiastically!!!

Rookie of the Year awarded to Mark

Johnson. If you’d ask Mark, it was a curious choice as to how an old guy could be a rookie! Nonetheless, it seems that after joining PCA three short years ago he has found an untapped happiness for all things Porsche. From writing for the Kassette, to managing a rebirth of the Club DE program, and now to a Board member for ’23-24, he won’t be considered a rookie any longer. Perhaps the best “award” of the evening wasn’t an award at all, but a substantial presentation. We mentioned a special guest. In attendance for the Gold Coast Holiday Party was Ms. Kim Carbo. Kim is the Director of Community Development for the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation. Kim was introduced by Pres. Peter O and was then presented a BIG CHECK in the amount of $15,000.00 for the Foundation. The $15,000 given to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital came from proceeds raised at the GCR Golf Tournament earlier this year and from the Escape to the Cape in August. GCR, giving back!

Once dinner, dessert, awards, and presentations were completed it was time to dance! As another unexpected treat, the dancing began with a Hawaiian show offered by two lovely young gals from the Hypnotic Dance Studio. In great Hawaiian style, these ladies showed the assembled guests how to really shake it. We saw several traditional dances (no fire twirling; the resort wouldn’t allow it inside . . .

We’ll leave the rest to the imagination, but there were photos taken by many during the evening. Of course, it would have been impossible to dance without music. Our DJ Adam of Original FX DJs played an incredible string of great music that got well over half of the attendees on the floor. While this was a holiday celebration, the music rivaled the best any big party family wedding had to offer. “We are Fam-A-Lee, I got all my Porsche Peeps with me . . . .” Kudos to the organizing committee. The team who put together this incredible evening were Noemi Sanchez, Holiday Party Chair,, along with Cynthia Fluhart, Jay Klein, Christy Spangler, Peter Olliviere, and Nestor Sanchez. Additional assistance was provided by Ian Gerada, Carolyn Ditrichs, and Dottie Kidd.

Without a doubt, it was an exceptional evening, and perhaps the best Holiday Party in recent club history. Everyone in attendance received a great parting gift, a stemless wineglass with the GCR PCA 60th Anniversary logo etched on the glass. Included with the wineglass was a window sticker for your Porsche featuring the anniversary logo and several Holiday (Hershey’s) Kisses!

Those in attendance will attest that if you were not there, you missed a great time! Season’s Greetings!