10 minute read
EXECUTIVE COMMENT
Past President, Garth Webber Atkins
Ihope that VIR members have fared reasonably well through the havoc wrought by Nature over the last few weeks, and that any damage suffered is minor or repairable. I imagine that we have all been touched in some way, whether it was a wet basement, a long wait on the Malahat, long lineups for gas, or putting off trips to save gas. As with the pandemic, we continue to learn about the ripple effects of interrupted industry or transportation. Although my family experienced a flooded basement, we recognize that were spared worse, as we still have somewhere to live, and that many do not. We will be thinking of them through the days and months ahead. As the gentlemen collecting donations put it in “A Christmas Carol”, “…it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt…”. In the spirit of easing that Want, I am proud that Vancouver Island Region is joining forces with the European Car Club this year to raise funds and donations of toys for Santas Anonymous. This organization helps families with children in need of food, Christmas gifts, and other supports. I myself look forward to attending, spending some time in person with members of both clubs, and helping out this worthy cause. Many of us will honour or celebrate this special time of year in ways that were different than what we intended, whether due to health regulations, travel restrictions, fuel shortages, or homes that no longer lend themselves to the gathering of friends and family. My wish for all of you is that you find peace and joy in some way, and ideally in many ways this festive season. I suspect that, for some, one of those ways might involve a little drive in a Porsche on a nice day! Best of the season to you, Garth
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Porscher Editor, Steve Fairbrother
This is the season for goodwill and many of you know that I also put in a fair number of volunteer hours behind the scenes on the computer system at CFAX Santas Anonymous. Santas is a great charity that doesn’t just provide food and gift hampers for families in need at this time of the year, but they provide monetary support all year round for groups that do great things for many sorts of organisations around the Greater Victoria area.
So I was wholeheartedly behind our new South-Island Director’s idea of a holiday dinner in conjunction with the European Cars & Coffee group he organises with any donations from attendees going to Santas Anonymous. So although you can drop new toys off at SA’s temporary storefront at Broadmead, donating money goes WAY further for them as they have the better buying power from stores like Toys-R-Us and Canadian Tire etc.
So please consider coming to the Holiday Dinner soon as it is held on Sunday December 5th at Uplands Golf Course, register via our MSR page msreg.com/2021-Holiday-Dinner
If you can’t make the dinner, you can still donate to Santas and get a taxable receipt here Donate to Santas with tax receipt.
For article or photo submissions, anyone can contact me at my Club email of newsletter@virpca.org
Steve
PCA Zone 6 Representative Mark Prusynski
Zone 6 Update
This will be my last newsletter contribution as Zone 6 Rep, after being asked, or possibly shamed, into writing articles by Peg Ryan of the Oregon Region. Zone Reps are limited to two terms of two years each. The last four years have been fantastic. Frankly, all the great events that PCA puts on are just a convenient excuse to engage with all the wonderful PCA members. Many years ago I got slammed for posting online that I had 50,000 friends in PCA. It was true then and now I have over 100,000. It’s also true that I haven’t met some of them yet, but I have time to fix that. The Zone Rep “job” in PCA is truly the best job in PCA. One of the “perks” of the Zone Rep job was the ability to combine region visits with family visits.
In the past month, Linda and I were able to attend annual meetings of the Olympic Peninsula and High Desert Regions. They are two of our smaller regions, but both are doing well and are to be congratulated for continuing to keep the members engaged during the difficult times of the last couple years. The trip also allowed us to spend some time with family in Seattle and Portland. It is great to see that that all of our regions continue to increase membership. Retaining members is a sign of the hard work by all our volunteers.
When I started back in 2018, we signed up for what is now called “Escape to Sun Peaks”, but couldn’t get across the border because we forgot our passports! We have already signed up for the next one in late July, 2022. We will bring passports and whatever else is required to get there. We finally have another Treffen coming to the Northwest, specifically to the Sunriver Resort just south of Bend, Oregon. September 14-18, 2022 is your chance to attend a national event close by. I am confident that it will sell out fast, possibly in minutes, so keep watching the PCA website for details.
I don’t know who will succeed me yet, although the Executive Committee is close to a decision. I do know that the choice is a difficult one because both candidates will be an excellent Zone Rep. When I took over the job from Tim Hagner, he told me that every region in the Zone was in great shape. I was welcomed by everyone in all ten regions. Tim was correct. You folks are great. Happy holidays. I’ll see you next year in my unofficial capacity.
Mark
Membership Chair, Kathleen Short
Membership Report November 1st, 2021 V
ancouver Island Region has 612 members. We have 373 primary members and 239 affiliate or family members. PCA has 93,451 primary members, 49,831 affiliate members and 21 life members for a total of 143,303 members. New Members — Welcome!
Member Peter Strathdee
Dana Borgfjord Affiliate / Co-Member Location / From Vehicle
Campbell River/ Pacific Northwest 1999 Boxster
Campbell River 1960 356 Jane Small Victoria Bruce Sherwood Madelynn Sherwood Victoria
Jennifer Ellis Nanaimo 2009 911 Carrera 4 Cab
Theodora Saddlemyer Steven Tuck
North Saanich 2012 Cayman Victoria 2005 Boxster
Garry Foster Mark Dalton Victoria Wild Rose 2007 Boxster 2005 911 Carrera S
If you do not have your partner/friend listed as an affiliate (18+ years old) on your membership, please contact PCA to add them, it’s free! You can do that via PCA admin at membership@pca.org or call them at 1-410-381-0911.
Renewals
16 Lapsed 0 Transfer out 0 PCA Juniors 35 (Register your new PCA Junior here)
25 years: Paul Rossmo (though first joined PCA in 1981) 15 years: Jack Beaton, Tyler Beaton, David Hoskins, Josephine Hoskins 5 years: Julie Bailey 1 year: Aurelie Stirling, Michael Junkin, Michelle Du Preez
Kathleen
Vice President, Steve Peers
I have been a member of the VIRPCA for the past 5 years when I joined the club after purchasing my 2008 911 Carrera S Cab as a retirement gift to myself following a 37 year career as Sales Executive in the Consumer Package Goods industry (Grocery). Originally from the West (Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver) it was time for my wife and I to say goodbye to Ontario and our small Equestrian horse farm and get back to the west to fulfill our dream to move to the Gulf Islands and purchased a property on little Mayne Island where we lived for the past 6 years. I have continued doing Business Advisory Consulting and Mentoring to the grocery industry in my 2nd half adventure (which helps pay for the oil changes and service schedule on the Porsche). Living on a small deserted island in the middle of the Pacific is highly rewarding watching orcas and ferries pass by your window, however not so conducive if you need to go anywhere in your Porsche! With the addition now of a small condo in Langford, it has now opened the door to participate in functions that otherwise were not logistically possible, hence my opportunity to be part of the Porsche Club in a much bigger way. Oh what a thrill it is to be able to shift out of second gear versus the small hilly roads on Mayne Island. The 25 Roads Challenge has been a life saver for me being isolated during COVID to be able to go in my safe car “bubble” and participate in the drives and stay out of harms way. Joining the Board is my way to give back to the Club in appreciation. I am excited to be joining the Board as Vice President and very much look forward to working with the Executive and all the members. My first project to get my feet wet is to Co -Chair the planned BlackRock 2022 event with Dan Bourlet. Hope to meet you soon. Good driving ! Steve
Treasurer, AJ Papp
Treasurer. Having joined PCA in 2000, after my purchase of a 993, I moved to the South Island in 2017 bringing along my 2008 Basalt Black 997 Turbo. Noting how active the VIR region was, I transferred my PCA membership to VIR shortly after the move. While not being very active in the club due to a severe golfing addiction, I noted that the Executive were wanting to fill the position of Treasurer and I offered my services. It is my pleasure to serve the club for the coming two years as your
I've been a German car lover since the test drive of my first one in university, a 'Plain-Jane' VW Golf Mk2., Upon managing to acquire my first Porsche in 2014, I joined the PCA right away and have enjoyed every minute of it. I've taken part in all manner of PCA events, including many tours, driver's education, rallies and even drove my 356C to Rennsport V in Monterey, and still have the lower back issues as a reminder! I retired a few years ago after a long career around Canada and North America with a large IT company. Since then, I've been able to dedicate more time to my passion for cars, and started an informal group of European Car enthusiasts that has blossomed to well over 400 members for monthly coffee gatherings in Oak Bay during warmer months. I currently enjoy my '64 356C and my '87 Carrera, and hope one day to take European delivery of a Cayenne Coupe or Macan. Ron
Mid Island Director, Detlef Ehrhardt
I studied IT-math in Munich, developed database systems for the European aircraft industry, the headquarters Pannavia / EVA, developer of the Tornado Eurofighter and representatives of the involved companies BAE / AIT / MBB and later CASA. After stressful years, I was able to immigrate to Canada, buy a resort in the Cariboo/BC - and set up a tourism company. Which I successfully managed for 15 years. After the sale my wife and I brought a house in Qualicum Beach and turned it to Charm of Qualicum B&B. After the death of my wife in March 2020 and 2½ years of agony in Germany, I returned to Canada, Nanoose Bay.
Secretary, Sam Auerbach
Hello and thank you for having me as part of the group. I was able to realize a 15 year goal and purchase my very first Porsche, a 1989 928 S4 Euro version. I love the car and am constantly impressed with its handling, performance and comfort. I’m not mechanical per se but like to learn new things and have already fixed a few minor things. I look forward to getting to know the car that much better. I live in the South Island Region and hope to see more of the community from other parts, especially if we continue the 25 roads or something like it. What a fabulous idea. My wife and I welcomed our first born Jacob in November 2020, and he’s been a joy. He’s already picking up my bad habits. I work as a Mortgage Specialist for RBC and have spent my entire career in banking. I’m looking forward to taking part in and helping to plan events and will see you around the bend. Sam
