Contributed by Kevin Bennett
Debbie and I had come up from Fresno, the day before this event, and, because we were staying with the Highleys, we arrived hours earlier than the official start time because Emilie, as usual, was involved in various aspects of bringing off this gala event. Kris and Tony Vanacore were there when we arrived, having already accomplished most of the set-up. Another extremely early arrival, whom we enthusiastically greeted, was former VP Jackie Mitchell, who had traveled down from Brentwood, to rub elbows with the LPR hoi polloi. Kris was buzzing about, checking details and organizing up a storm when she approached Debbie and me, proposing the need for judges of the Christmas sweaters. Deb & I were happy to agree.
The troops started arriving and we all started the old rituals, Covid be damned… hugs, kisses, shaking hands. Of course, there were some masks, causing some consternation on my end. I exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes, wondering who I was talking to, before realizing it was Cindy Pitner. Granted, with my memory, I can have that happen anytime, but the mask made it even harder. Jackie Mitchell was accompanied by her friend, Connie, with whom, as the party got rolling, I had a long conversation. She moved here from Montana and said that she sold 400+ acres of farm/ranch land to roll over into an income property (just a house) here In California, and she had to come up with more cash to make the purchase… such is the real estate market in the Bay Area vs. the real world.
The Big Guns walked in, creating an immediate buzz… June & Ken Iles and Esper Kershaw. As founders of this club, no one has more experience with LPR festivities, and here they were, almost 52 years later, still ready to party down. Later in the evening, in fact, the three were honored with a presentation of engraved medals in the shape of stars, which in the universe of PCA, they most certainly are.
President Peter Ridgway handled the MC duties and he deserves recognition. Keeping LPR activities organized is like herding cats. After each table was sent through the buffet line, Kris revealed how the door prize drawing would work. Each table had a little bucket for tickets, and a ticket would be drawn for each table, each winner allowed to pick a prize. After each table had their bite at the apple, the drawing was held, just for the auto crossers, for one of four free passes for an AX. Doug Ambrisco was the first winner. The second ticket drawn?… Dana Ambrisco! Steve Graham and Dana Drysdale were the recipients of the final two passes.
Champagne, donated by Emilie & Bill Highley, was brought out for every table. It was intended for a toast to the Big Guns during the presentation of their medals, and of course, one table was busily toasting themselves before the bottles’ purpose was stipulated. With the toast out of the way, Peter invited Past-President Ed Tefankjian and Dave Dunwoodie to hand out the AX awards. Ed took the mic and did and excellent job of introducing the awards and the winners. He cunningly included BG Ken Iles, lauding him for his participation in the creation of LPR’s AX program as well as his likely participation in the invention of the automobile.
The Fresno judges were called forward to award prizes for two categories of Xmas sweater… Most Festive and Ugliest. The former was awarded to Karen Tefankjian who was sporting a complete Santa’s elf ensemble. Simultaneously sexy and festive! The judges thanked Drew Powers for wearing a Xmas sweater with a video tape complaint theme making it an easy choice of the latter category.
Peter next made the following presentations:
Highleys and Bennetts received the GTG award for the 4th of July party
Vanacores received the Tour award for the End to End Tour
Hugh & Nancy Calvin were selected for the Newcomers Award
Dave Dunwoodie received the Male Enthusiast Award and the Harry Reed Memorial Award for Outstanding Worker of the Year [Ed.]
Kris Vanacore received:
Female Enthusiast Award
Worker of the Year
President’s Award
Appreciation of all those present
Following the presentation, Peter recognized the door prize contributions of the many sponsors of this event, including: Fremont Porsche, Stevens Creek Porsche, Don Wise Autowerks, Wardell Auto Interiors, and Elephant Racing. He then, brilliantly, elected to just point out people to come up and chose a door prize, creating a rather exciting “Choose me!” atmosphere.
The official functions over, the affair devolved to a simple social, with dancing and chatting and good cheer all around. I had a long and interesting conversation with the Newcomer, Hugh Calvin. Serendipitous, because I did not seek him out. He told me he is most interested in tours, one of my favorite activities and I look forward to both resuming tours and seeing him again.
The fete began to break up, with some exiting carrying their newly acquired table center-pieces, designed and constructed by Emilie Highley and ownership of which was determined by sitting in the lucky chair at that table.
An observation from a 30-year LPR member: A bottle of white wine and of red wine was given to each table at the dinner’s inception. When leaving, I was surprised to see that the majority of tables were being vacated with half full bottles of wine, something that would never have happened not many years ago. How attitudes and member’s proclivities have changed!
Many thanks and congratulations to Kris Vanacore and her minions in once again executing an extravagant affair that struck all the right notes.
