Slipstream - March 2016

A History of Enthusiasm: Linda Bambina
By Wendy Shoffit
Photos by Linda Bambina and Wendy Shoffit
If you have ever had the pleasure of meeting
Linda Bambina, one of the first things you might
notice about her is the way she seems to sparkle. She
smiles through her eyes, conveying the joy in her heart.
She has an effervescent personality that matches. She
has been known by several names in the club since she
joined with her husband, Alan, in 1981. First Lady,
Madam Secretary, Tigger, Spark Plug, Watch/Worker
B*tch, and Slipstream Wrangler, but I’ll get to those.
Born and raised in West Texas, she had a fun-loving
mother who encouraged her creativity. She used that
upbringing and an incessant thirst for creativity to teach
for 39 years in the Carrollton/Farmers Branch School
District. From Special Education to Gifted and Talented
(a different kind of Special Ed) to Texas History
and finally the library, she used her amazing creative
talents to engage her students and keep them wanting
to learn. She herself never quit learning, completing
TWO Masters Degrees and multiple certifications during
her tenure. Although she was busy with her career,
she found a way to make time for the Porsche Club.
Within a year of joining, she was asked to be the Advertising
Chair by Region President Joan Gibbs, which
she did for several years before becoming the Autocross
Watch B*tch. While you might find that insulting,
she never did! Never one to rest on her laurels, she
moved on to be the Worker B*tch, helping organize
the autocross events. She not only worked the events,
but she was an active participant, driving the wheels off
of Alan’s 911, even though many women weren’t doing
that at the time. Don’t ask her HOW she got the fast
times she did. She couldn’t tell you -- for her it was just
a feeling. Talk about seat-of-the-pants racing! She has
plenty of trophies to prove that her method worked!
Over the years, she continued to serve the local region
(Secretary 1985, First Lady 1986-87, and co-VP with
Alan in 1991-92), she also found a love of the Porsche
Parade and wanted to help out there. Her first Parade
was in 1983, and just four short years later she served
as Registrar for the 1987 Parade, held in D/FW. It was
Mike Robbins, Linda, and Peter Porsche
at the Salt Lake City Parade
the first time
that computers
were really used
for that event.
Have her tell you
stories about her
computer tutor,
Charlie Davis
sometime!
Back then local regions even had to “bid” for the
chance to host a Parade. Linda again used her creative
background and love of photography to help Charlie
and Teri create fabulous presentations until D/FW
won the bid. That was no small feat, mind you -- they
were pitching a Parade headquartered at DFW Airport!
Her love of Parades continued through the years when
she was Art Show Chair at the 1997 San Antonio Parade
(finally involving the kids at Parade) and in 2004 in
Fort Worth as the “Entertainment”
Chair. Her
enthusiasm and love of
costuming has showed
up many times, dressing
like Dolly Parton, Dale
Evans, Miss Piggy, and
for her beloved “Costume
Concours.” All this
to make sure everyone is
having a good time. She
ropes in those around
her to have fun with her.
Linda and her Porsche
“vest” made from an upside
down pair of blue jeans
Linda as Miss Piggy
Hans-Peter Porsche can tell some tales of his Linda
encounters: dressing as Roy Rogers and, believe it or
not, going to Wet ‘N Wild and sliding down the infamous
waterslide named Der Stuka. I think Linda can
convince just about anyone to do just about anything.
Just ask Alan!
Over the years she has
helped put on many Round-
Up and getaway weekends,
and more for fun. While
she was co-VP, she was the
“Spark Plug” social chair,
arranging monthly dinners
complete with programs
that members would be interested
in. But that’s not
all she’s been involved with!
She has a heart of pure gold.
Although she took a severalyear
hiatus from volunteering
for everything to focus
a little more on her own
studies and work, in 2010
President Mike Brodigan
implored her for help with the Hope Shelter. The region
was in the middle of helping build them a new
facility, which needed her special talents. Not only
did we finally build a new house, a few years later they
needed a safe backyard playground for the kids. Enter
18 March