Columns Presidents Message

THE SEASON AHEAD

Dear Club Members, Sponsors, and Friends,

As daylight lengthens, Kousa Dogwoods blossom, and spring brings warmer weather, many of us are emerging from hibernation and, to some degree, from the constraints of the pandemic.  CVR leaders have been busy planning this year’s events, which were discussed in detail at the Annual Planning Meeting on January 10.  I am optimistic the club will return to normalcy this year.  Autocross, driver education, coffee runs, and concours will flourish again as they did last year, surmounting the impediments of unusual complications, social distancing, and face masks.  Exceptional efforts are being focused on the return of social activities that involve the gathering of large numbers of club members in closed spaces.  The pandemic has greatly impacted these activities during the last two years, presenting insurmountable obstacles that defied the best planning.  I describe their resurgence below.

Allen Fossbender, CVR President

MONTHLY MEETINGS; MEMBER SAMPLER

Jeff Coe
Jeff Coe
Frank Sena

Jeff Coe, vice president of programs, and Frank Sena, director of programs, have worked conscientiously since the beginning of the pandemic to sustain in-person Monthly Meetings.  However, the closing of venues by state mandate and the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention precluded large gatherings in closed spaces from March 2020 until recently.  With Frank’s assistance, Jeff hosted several virtual Monthly Meetings via Zoom during this time; two of which occurred last month.  New technology was purchased to enhance the audio and video quality of the virtual meetings.  Nevertheless, these meetings were always considered less desirable than in-person meetings.  For that reason, both Jeff and Frank devoted great effort throughout the winter to resurrect in-person Monthly Meetings in the beginning of this year.  In fact, an in-person Monthly Meeting was scheduled to take place in January at Trailer Depot in Northfield, but it was derailed by the emergence of the Omicron variant and CDC’s related recommendation against large-group gatherings.  CDC’s caution did not surprise me.  Around the time of its announcement, I learned of club members afflicted with COVID-19.

Jeff and Frank redoubled their efforts to find venues for in-person Monthly Meetings.  Understandably, managers at several longstanding venues were reluctant to make a commitment to large-group gatherings during February, March, and April.  Plans are being finalized, however, for an in-person Monthly Meeting in late spring.  

After a two-year hiatus, the Member Sampler returns this spring with the same verve that has distinguished it in the past.  It will take place on Saturday, April 9, at the Wyndham Hotel in Southbury, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. For the first time, the Sampler will be open not only to new members but also to any member who would like a refresher on club activities and events.  Lisa Parker will again be the host.  Porsche of Wallingford and Daniel Jacobs, LLC of the Hairy Dog Grrrage will continue their tradition of sponsoring the event.  Activity chairs will make presentations on a broad spectrum of topics: autocross, driver education, special events, programs, concours, Club Race, and Challenge.  The presentations will also include rallies,  coffee runs, CVR store, membership, and website. You may click HERE to register. 

Lisa Parker
Lisa Parker

CLUB RACE; SPECIAL EVENTS

Although the CVR Club Race took place last year, it did so without spectators because of pandemic restrictions.  Spectators will be permitted this year, which is great news for race aficionados.  The race will take place on Friday, April 22, and Saturday, April 23.  More than 100 racers will compete in four run groups, including a group comprised of vintage race cars.  Mark Lewis returns for his fourth year as race director.  His committee began complex and time-consuming preparations six months ago.   Members of the committee are experienced club leaders. Joe Kunecki will reprise his role as assistant race director, and Mike Hopkins, for a second year, will coordinate approximately 100 race volunteers. 

Mark Lewis
Joe Kunecki
Mike Hopkins

Mike Appel will, once again, lead the sponsorship team with his reliable partners, Frank Sena and Caroline Abba.  They began confirming longtime sponsors and soliciting new sponsors several weeks ago.  In addition to Club-Race responsibilities, Joe is the manager of the CVR Store; Mike A. is coordinator of advertisements for Challenge, Frank is director of programs, and Caroline is editor-in-chief of Challenge.

Mike Appel
Caroline Abba
Sue Young
Paul Roth: CVR Photo Club Chair

The other members of the committee are also leaders who make noteworthy contributions beyond the race weekend.  Lisa Parker, who is membership chair, national steward and former CVR president, is succeeding Debbie Cloud as race registrar and race vice treasurer.  In addition, she will serve as steward liaison.  Caroline and Alan Davis, chairs of special events, will manage communications and administrative services respectively.  Sue Young, former chair of community service, will be developing menus and coordinating the delivery of lunches.  Paul Roth, chair of the photo club, will be supervising photographic coverage and coordinating social-media postings. 

Shelley Krohnengold
Dave Vaccaro
Dave Vaccaro

Complementing the work of his fellow committee members, Shelley Krohnengold, executive vice president, is producing the race program and developing race-related graphics.  Bob Napoletano, a member of the nominating committee, is serving as medical safety liaison.  Special thanks to Dave Vaccaro, vice president of driver education; he is supervising the DE event on April 21, the day before the races.

Club members who are interested in volunteering at the Club Race may click HERE to register.

Bob Napoletano

Our special events were among the first casualties of the pandemic.  Although Caroline and Alan Davis, co-chairs of special events, devoted much time since the spring of 2020 in planning several special occasions for members’ entertainment, virtually all of them were negated.  Undaunted, they are devising the renewal of special events with a first-ever club gathering on Saturday, June 25 at Lyman Orchards in Middlefield.

Caroline & Alan Davis

All club members and their families are invited to gather from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in a beautiful tent rented for the occasion.  VIP parking will be reserved for members.  Specialty food will be available at the Lyman Orchard’s award-winning Apple Barrel Farm Store and from food trucks.  Rich Adua’s Early Bird Coffee Run on June 25 will culminate at the Lyman Orchard Event.  It will be wonderful to be together again.  

Rich Adua

I look forward to interacting with you are upcoming club events.  In the meantime, I extend best wishes to you for a beautiful spring.

Yours truly,

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