Greetings!
As the year 2021 draws to a close I want to take this opportunity to make one last appeal to enlist your support for the Green Mountain Region’s Fundraiser on behalf of the Vermont Food Bank. With positive feedback from our members, your GMR Board feels the Vermont Food Bank is a great way for us to give back to our communities.
You may recall that the Food Bank was our charitable beneficiary in 2020 as well. Last year, thanks to 27 member contributions, the GMR match and a subsidy from national PCA, we were able to raise over $6,600 for the Food Bank! As of December 21, 2021 we have raised $5,563 in total through 19 member contributions, GMR and the national PCA contribution.
Did you know that food banks are able to purchase more food per dollar than the average consumer? In fact, with $5,000 from GMR the Vermont Foodbank estimates that it can purchase and distribute 10,020 pounds of food, including fresh produce. That translates to 8,350 meals for Vermonters struggling with hunger.
Please help to provide food to Vermonters facing hunger by making a donation to the Vermont Foodbank at the following page:
Thanks so much for your support! And please consider sending the above link to any friends you think might be interested in helping.
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2021 GMR Activity Recap
The 2021 events included several driving tours, a BBQ as well as our New Member Meeting. Typically, the summer tours are the most popular events among the members and this year was no different.
In May, Carl Wulfestieg put together a great a double gap“kick-off tour” culminating with a group lunch at Café Provence in Brandon. It was a great ride and good fun to socialize again.
In June, we held our new member meeting in South Burlington for the first time in 2 years with a capacity crowd.
The North East Kingdom was the focus of our July tour. Brad Kennison put together a memorable drive on some great roads with stunning views ending with lunch at the Burke Mountain Resort.
Also in July, Dave Steinman and Arlene Diesenhouse hosted a capacity crowd for GMR Potluck BBQ and tours of Dave’s “barn museum” treasures. Unfortunately, shortly after the event Dave passed away. He was a good friend to the GMR and will be missed by all. Rest in peace Dave.
In August, Bob Rubin put together a wonderful weekend program based at the Sawmill Farm Road Estate in West Dover. The weekend kicked off with a welcome reception under perfect summer skies with some very talented and enjoyable entertainment. On Saturday, over 30 Porsches took to the byways of southern Vermont and northern Massachusetts.
September took us across Lake Champlain where Stu Friedman organized his 4th GMR tour through Adirondack State Park. Rumor has it that may turn into a weekend event in 2022.
The club held its 2021 Annual Meeting in October at the Sugarbush Resort in Warren. The meeting and lunch were preceded by two tours: one from the Burlington area led by Lou Krieg and Ann Pettyjohn and the other from Chester led by Dave Whittall.
Unfortunately, November brought forth increasing Covid numbers in Vermont and the Board opted to cancel the 2021 Holiday party in an abundance of caution. Hopefully, we will be able to gather again soon in 2022.
Looking Ahead
The Board is looking forward to planning a full agenda of events for GMR members in 2022. Of course, the calendar will include several tours, our Annual Meeting and officer election and possibly some new types of events. The latter might include a GMR golf outing, regional coffee gatherings hosted by Board members or a tech session or two. If you have event suggestions or would like to host a GMR event please let the Board know at gmrpca@gmail.com.
The Green Mountain Region is a volunteer driven organization whose success and membership value is predicated on help from everyone, no matter the quantity.
Best wishes for a Happy New Year and stay safe.
“It’s not just the cars, it’s the people”
Alessandro (Al) Iuppa
President
