X - Sacramento Valley Region - Porsche Club of America

CRAB...theBeginningBy Linda MitchellCRAB 30 Co-chairThe Legend of CRAB “0”As we approach the 30 th Anniversary ofCRAB, did you ever wonder how CRABactually began, and why was it named CRAB?Believe it or not, there probably are very fewpeople within the club that really knowthe origins of CRAB. But before I start, letme take a moment for a disclaimer. Timehas a way of slightly fogging and distortingthe memory. For purposes of this story, let’ssay my memory of what occurred is correct.With that thought in mind, let’s begin thestory.The CRAB Storyupon a time, many of the regionsOnce in California put on a “West CoastWeekender”. These events were particularlypopular during the years when the PorscheParade was held far from our GoldenState. One year in the mid- to late-1960’s, Sacramento Valley Region put on aWeekender. For some reason (no explanationwill be given here), the attendance was quitepoor. SVR was particularly miffed at the poorturnout from Golden Gate Region, which wasthe largest and most competitive region at thetime in Northern California. However, GGRfelt it was not their fault that the eventwas poorly attended, and the two regionsbecame estranged. This less thanideal relationship between the regions continuedfor several years.19713.The scene now shifts to 1971, when alongcame the HEROES of the story........Phillip(The Goose) Marks of SVR and me, LindaMitchell (then the VP of Golden GateRegion). At that time Phillip was Managerof the El Macero Country Club in Davis. AsVice President of GGR, I was in charge ofarranging their monthly dinner meetings, andfelt that “it was definitely time for the tworegions to bury the hatchet”. Phillip and Igot together early in 1971, and planned anevent to make that happen.Phillip, of course, was great at organizingdinner events, and came up with the idea of aCrab Feed for this joint event. At the timethe regions were rather formal at dinner meetings- many male SVR members wore redblazer jackets and GGR guys often wore goldblazers (the cool thing to wear at that time).As we definitely wanted people to mingle betweenthe regions, we arrived at the idea ofplacing gold and red napkins at alternate placesettings. These colors were used to identifywhere each region member was to sit. In thisway, everyone could make new friends withothers at their table. Each region publicizedthe joint Crab Feed in their newsletters andthe turnout was outstanding (recollectionswere of over 100 people).GGR toured up to Davis in several largegroups. At that time, people from the BayArea (myself included) didn’t know whereEl Macero was located. My directions said itwas only “a few miles” after passing Vacaville.These vague instructions proved a bit challengingto the GGR folks, but everyone finallyarrived safe and sound at the club. Asplanned, the regions mingled, and then satdown for a marvelous dinner, alternatingmember seating as requested. We couldn’tbelieve it worked so well! And the food,FANTASTIC! What a successful evening itwas. Friends, again at last.After all was said and done, SVR (theregion that loves Weekenders) said.....youknow this Crab thing is a really great idea.Let’s expand it and make it a week-end event,and we’ll call it “CRAB”. The “C” will be forthe Crab Feed, “R” for a Rally, “A” foran Auto-X, and “B” for Begegnen (I’ve beentold this is the German word for meeting).As the saying goes, “the rest is history”!Now you know the story of CRAB “0”…...............The Beginning.Chairpersons Dwight MitchellLinda MitchellCo-Chairs Cindi BreauxKern BreauxRegistration Rik LarsonSponsorship Bill KeeganHotel/Restaurant Kim NelsonDoor Prizes Tom SissonKatherine SheppardAwards Sue FlemingWelcome Party Ira McKeeCarol McKeeCindy BrandonKent BrandonKaren McGlumphyRich McGlumphyAutocross Kern BreauxFunkhana Cyndee PeartGreg PeartWalking Tour Tambra KroetzTom KroetzDriving Tour Judy HannaRich SwensonRallyeJ. ToneyConcours Dennis StettnerInaugural TargaNewfoundland Christmas &AnniversaryPartyBy Dennis StettnerSVR Vice PresidentThe CelebrationThe Sacramento Valley Region’s 40 thAnniversary Celebration and ChristmasParty, held December 14 th at the Towe AutoMuseum, attracted more than 160 membersand guests.The SettingAn unbelievably heavy rain and windstormhit Sacramento just as the party began. However,it seems that the winter weathermade the event even more festive onceinside the museum. Members were greetedby a choir singing Christmas Carols as theyregistered, picked up drink coupons andreceived a gift from Porsche CARS NORTHAMERICA, a Porsche Lapel pin. Uponentering the dining and stage area, they weregreeted by several Porsche banners, a giantPorsche Crest, 2 Porsches parked on the stageas well as 2 fully decorated and lit ChristmasTrees. The dining area and tables were festivelydecorated with greens, ribbons and candles.Garlands with lights surrounded the entire diningarea.Walking RallyThe event started at 4pm with a very cleverand entertaining Walking Rally written byHerb Hoover. A soon as the choir had finished;The River City high school Jazz band tookover. SVR members enjoyed the music asthey greeted friends and began the walkingrally. As you would expect from the SVRmembership, there were 16 perfect scores onthe Rally and many who scored very close toperfect as well. The ultimate winners cameclosest to guessing the total number ofgumballs that could be held in the antique GasPump gumball dispenser by the front entrance.Jim and Sheila McDade had a perfect scoreand also came within 50 gumballs of thecorrect answer!DinnerThe dinner was catered and guests lined upto make their choices from a nicely decoratedbuffet table adorned with a winter sled, greensand candles. The Towe Auto Museum’s GrandWurlitzer Organ was played by Dave Sauerwho performed many Christmas favoritesduring dinner. For desert, cakes decoratedfor the SVR 40 th Anniversary and Christmasparty were served following dinner.Shriners HospitalKatherine Curran (Public Relations Directorfor Shriners Hospital) and her husbandMichael were invited to the event to accept8 The Drifter