Fantastic! 2025 marked the first year since the Covid pandemic of 2020 that CVR was fortunate enough to put together a full, 10-month schedule of monthly meetings for you! Let’s review our 2025 meetings:

We started the year where we have started the CVR Monthly meeting schedule for as long as I can remember, at The Trailer Depot in North Branford, with our annual pancake breakfast. Mike Duhamel and his team did their typical great job hosting, and the CVRers all enthusiastically showed up for this meeting to kick off the new year. They always bring their appetites and polished off those Chips pancakes while viewing the latest in trailers and accessories. A great way to start the year. Next up was February, where we found the CVRers assembling at a new host, Negative 109 in Milford, for a fascinating presentation on Dry Ice usage, which was tailored to Porsches. Mike Landino was our host, and since then, we have seen Mike a number of times at other CVR events. For March, we were at yet another new host, Castro Oasis in West Haven, where host Luis Castro invited us into his amazing shop and demoed the latest in paint protection technology and related services for the CVR attendees.

As we moved into April, the CVRers found themselves at long-time hosts Sloan Motor Cars/Fairfield County Motorsport. Brett’s annual Porsche market update is always a big draw with the CVR crowd, and Don and Danny are always there to talk service needs. May found us at a new host, RS Auto Detailing in Plainville. Host Rocco Santilli and his team were there to introduce the CVRers to the many services provided by his fine shop. June found the CVRers back at FCP Euro in Milford for the monthly meeting. Host Nathan Brown and his team provided the attendees with a fascinating presentation on brake bleeding, which had many CVRers bleeding the brakes on their own machines in the weeks following.

Summer arrived, and we visited long-time CVR host Porsche Fairfield to discuss the latest in Porsche sales as well as the big changes coming at the dealership as they plan their new location. August found us with a returning host, Black Horse Garage in Bridgeport. The CVRers assembled at their new brewery location and learned about all the offerings you find at BHG, from host Tom Truitt. For September, we found the CVR members at long-time host, Porsche Hartford, for a fascinating presentation on keeping rodents out of your collector vehicle during the off-season storage time. Host Matt Pikul and the Hartford team made sure the CVRers had a great time.

As fall showed up on the calendar, we wrapped up our monthly meeting schedule with a fantastic meeting at Porsche of Wallingford. Host Steve Gilligan, the Wallingford team, and CVR member Rob Keller put together a great presentation on milestone 911s, which everyone enjoyed.  What a great way to cap a full and satisfying monthly meeting schedule.  

2025 was indeed a great year. Attendance is still recovering from pre-Covid numbers, but those CVRers that attend very much enjoy the meetings. Remember, the primary goal of a monthly meeting is socialization, and the CVRers are always thrilled to see each other and catch up on the latest developments.

With 2025 complete, I’m going to remind you that we continue to need YOUR help.

First, a reminder to patronize our sponsors. They are very generous to host monthly meetings and sponsor many of the other CVR activities at their expense, so make sure you show them you appreciate that support by giving them your business, whether it is getting a service done or buying a new vehicle. I know I personally purchased a new Porsche from one of our hosts and used three of our hosts for service work in 2025.

Second, when doing business with a sponsor/host, be SURE to tell them you are a CVR member. When you patronize these CVR sponsors, you need to let them know that you saw that they sponsored an event or that you attended a meeting at their establishment. It lets them know that it was a good investment for their business, ensuring that they’ll be back in the future!   

Third, do you know of an automotive-related business that might want to host a monthly meeting? If so, let me know and maybe we can put something together that the membership would enjoy. Hosting a monthly meeting is a win for all. The CVR members get to see and hear about a new establishment while enjoying a meal and a presentation. The host gets to introduce their business and offerings to the CVR membership while getting some new customers.

Fourth, is there anyone out there who might be interested in joining the programs group as a coordinator? Do you enjoy public speaking? Don’t worry, you can start slowly, but eventually, we will have you managing and running a meeting in front of our membership. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please reach out to me. Volunteerism in CVR is always appreciated by the membership.

That’s it for 2025. On to 2026!

Jeff Coe, CVR Programs

Were you seen at a 2025 Monthly Meeting? Here are some highlights: