President Bob Dunlap and Otto

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Great Year

Fellow Porsche Enthusiasts,

We’ve completed a great year of fun, friendship and fabulous cars.  A quick check of the January Porsche Panorama, page 60, shows a glimpse of our 2005 accomplishments.  Russ Duclos accompanied Pam and me at the annual Foster Children’s Christmas Party at the Redding Veteran’s Hall.  The Porsche Club booth was welcomed back for a second year, and encouraged to return again to provide entertainment and gifts for our community’s grateful children.

We finished our year with a wonderful Christmas dinner perfectly orchestrated (as usual) by Russ Duclos.  Russ chose The Experience, on South Market Street, Redding for our annual get-together.  Russ cleverly arranged for Shasta Region to be the only customer for the evening.  Owner and head chef, Paul Trout and his lovely wife, Robin, prepared a sumptuous meal of Steak Dianne and Swordfish, along with interesting and informative dialogue regarding the history of the restaurant and his fascinating background.  25 Porschefiles attended the evening’s festivities.  They included Bev Houser, Mike and Sharon Smith, Will and Kathy Thompson, Larry and Doreen Waugh, Duane and Beth Spencer, Russ and Ruth Duclos, Harvey and Sue Weidman, Phred and Susan Degner, Rob and Ladora Burnett, Jerry and Ellie Nystrom, Art and Denise Smithson, Joe Goggin and Karen Christopherson. 

A unique game of “re-appropriate the prize” was played and provided everyone with a memento of the evening.  The “big” prize, a 911 car cover, was graciously donated by one of our members, and was eventually claimed by Rob and Ladora. 

Our 2006 slate of officers was announced and dutifully posed for the traditional “photo op” after our meal.  In one of my weaker moments, I accepted nomination for a three-peat as President; Duane Spencer, competing for the most years as an officer, was elected Vice President; Kathy Thompson, not to be outdone by Duane, consented to stay on as Secretary; Pam Dunlap accepted the reigns of the checkbook to become our Treasurer; Sharon Smith has become our “most valuable player” and will stay on as Newsletter Editor; Jerry Nystrom will continue to keep us on track as our Tourmeister, and Rob Burnett will keep us connected to ether land as our Webmeister.   

“Enthusiast of the Year” honors unanimously were bestowed to Russ Duclos.  Russ’ enthusiasm and “can-do” attitude in 2005 were a “driving force” behind many of our successes.  He attended all of our dinner meetings, arranged our overnighter tour to Trinidad, led our convoy to Escape and chased Yellow Bird around the hills of the wine country.  He played with the kids at the Foster Children’s Christmas Party, and coordinated our annual Christmas party.  Russ did all this while skillfully conducting our region’s financial matters as Treasurer.  On several occasions Russ has responded to my plea for help, and I always told him, “I owe you big-time for this.”  Being the humble person he is, he has always responded, “I’ll send you the bill!”  I guess that’s what made him our treasurer for all these years.