The Rearview Mirror
David Forbes, UCR Fun Run Chair
As the UCR Fun Run year draws to a close, we wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to all our hosts and participants. We hosted 12 Fun Runs, and shared some wonderful experiences with close to 400 participants for 2013.
Our year opened with an SUV Fun Run in February, hosted by Steve Revoy and Jill Clements-Baartman, and of course being the month of Valentine’s Day, the location was Niagara on The Lake for a wonderful paring of wines and chocolate! Steve and Jill also hosted a March Fun Run to the sugar shack at Bruce’s Mill Conservation area in Whitchurch-Stouffville region, focused on family fun.
In May Hazel de Burgh and Dwight Dyson hosted the Beaver Valley Fun Run, along some of the most beautiful parts of the Bruce Trail, and visits to some galleries and boutiques in Thornbury, with a final destination at the Blue Mountain Resort. Drivers and navigators enjoyed the challenge in the quest for local knowledge, and of course the prize at end which is always a lot of fun.
In May, we were fortunate again to have a wonderful Fun Run hosted by Peter Oaks in the Kawartha areas of Eastern Ontario. Good company over wine and cheese and lovely scenery through Stony Lake and Rice Lake regions. This was Peter’s first time as a host, and we certainly hope it will not be his last.
We had the pleasure of two Fun Runs in the month of June. The first was hosted by Chris and Chantelle Leavens of Porsche London, with a starting point at their Orillia Volkswagen dealership, then a fantastic tour of the Southern part of beautiful Muskoka, with a stop at the historic Big Chute Marine Railway, and a delicious lunch in Port Severn. Our second treat for the month was hosted by Vaughn Warrington, and the best poker hand wins of course! This was the third annual Bear Manor poker run, through the fantastic Niagara Escarpment, visiting a winery in Grimsby, and lunch at Vaughn’s home.
In July Hazel de Burgh, Martin Tekela, Don Lewtas and Barbara Mitton hosted the fabulous Collingwood Fun Run. Participants enjoyed some of the most spectacular views along winding roads with charming vistas. An Art theme this year was of particular interest to the group, with stops at some famous little galleries and of course the most challenging of knowledge games for drivers and navigators; topping this off with prizes, wine and dessert at Don and Barbara’s home, made for an outstanding experience for everyone who attended.
Photo by Hazel de Burgh
September was a real treat as the Targa Muskoka, back by popular demand was hosted by our President Walter Murray and his wife Sheila Harwood. Our UCR Rally master was Sajjad Butt, whose expertise in making sure the route is as much fun as it is a challenge, was very much appreciated. The open bar on Friday night at Patterson Kaye Resort and Spa was hosted by Anne and my-self. Saturday evening dinner, complete with champagne reception and brunch on Sunday were prepared especially for our Porsche group by the chef at Patterson Kaye.
Finally, Anne and I hosted two Fun Runs in Muskoka, one in the spring, with our regular route through the beautiful Muskoka countryside, reception, and dinner at Wabora the Japanese Fusion restaurant in Bracebridge. A special thanks to Walter and Sheila for co-hosting both our Spring and Fall Run with us this year at their gorgeous farm! We had a record number of cars at our Fall Fun Run, with 40 cars. Participants could select from three different but equally beautiful routes, which made the day very enjoyable, and we hope memorable for our participants.
We look forward to UCR Fun Run 2014, and invite you all to host, and/or participate in all our Fun Run events. We could not have enjoyed as successful a season of Fun Runs as we did without your dedication and participation. Thanks as always.
David
