1 Northlander October 2010 - North Country Region

Ivy Leonard
I am flabbergasted that my two
year tenure has almost come to an
end. I just don’t know where the
time has gone...
September already… can you believe
it The air is beginning to feel like fall
and signs of that cooler time of year are
creeping up on us. Seems as if I was just
jotting down my article for the opening
events for the spring. As you read this
article it will already be October. How
can this be
Four years ago, shortly after joining PCA
and North Country Region, I ran for vice
president hoping that I could contribute in
some small way to the success and growth
of our region. Two years later I succeeded
Miriam as president and agreed (if
elected!) to serve two years. Amazingly,
those two years have passed and with
your vote of approval Jay Gratton will
succeed me in that position.
I have certainly enjoyed my terms as
vice president and president on the NCR
Board. This wonderful group of board
members and committee chairpersons
has become close friends. Without this
dedicated and hard working group of
teammates my terms of service would
have been more of a struggle. It has been
an amazing team, and I am certain that
sense of teamwork will continue under
Jay’s leadership. I intend to remain an
active part of the Board in the capacity
of “past president,“ and will with Jay
and the rest of the NCR Board and chair
members.
It has been fun and rewarding, but has
also been a challenging time to serve as
your President. The weak economy has
had an impact on members’ discretionary
spending, and we have tried to maintain
an active and varied calendar of events
with sensitivity to closely watched
personal budgets. Unfortunately, even
membership renewals have suffered
somewhat, and we have ranged from a
high of just over 500 members a couple
of years ago to a dip down around 475,
although we are now on a slow but steady
climb back.
But despite the economy we have again
this year made substantial donations to
our primary charities: Make–A-Wish and
the Food Bank. Much of the credit for
our consistent support of these worthy
causes is the result of the hard work and
dedicated effort of Charity Chair Paul
Tallo. Paul has been a tremendous asset
to the NCR Board and a great friend of
mine, providing support in tough times
and in happy times. Thank you Paul for
everything you have done for NCR and
for me.
I am flabbergasted that my two year
tenure has almost come to an end. I just
don’t know where the time has gone! I
guess all the fun with my NCR friends has
made the years just fly right by. Special
times remembered from Board meetings,
social events, DE, tech, rally, and even on
the rare occasions I had the car actually
run and made an AX event. Great times at
Amelia Island with Hank and dear friends
Miriam Dunster and David Churcher.
Wonderful times, great stories, and the
occasional glass of wine with special
friends. Think about joining us next year
at Amelia Island.
As this year comes to an end it will
bring new and exciting things for NCR.
I know Jay will be spectacular for NCR
in a leadership role, ably assisted by
Matt Romanowski in the vice president’s
position. I will work diligently to help
out as needed in the capacity of past
president.
So, as I close out my term I implore you, as
I have done many times, to keep looking
at that calendar to see what event looks
right for you. Find an event, come on out
and join in the fun with old friends, and
meet some new ones in the process. And
please encourage other Porsche owners
who have not joined with us to sign on.
Membership does have its privileges!
Thanks again to our Board and Chair
members. See you all soon at the next
event!
6 Northlander October 2010