On a balmy and beautiful weekend in March, Desert Star members and friends saddled up and rode to the grounds of Kim and David Cesal’s 87-years-old ranch-styled home at the Phoenix Country Club, where this year’s picnic and games were held.
Upon arrival attendees were received at the carriage house where they were graciously greeted by Katherine Coult (club officer) and enchanted by a true replica (No. 15) of the celebrated 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen, a special exhibit provided by our fine friends at the Martin Automotive Museum & Events Center (located at 4320 W. Thunderbird Rd., Glendale, AZ 85306, open to the public- 9am-5pm- six days a week Tuesdays thru Sundays).
Starting at high noon, festivities on the garden grounds involved fun, food and friends. Picnic-goers enjoyed a delicate Mexican spread, plenty of sunshine with available patio shade, gentle breezes, and vivacious mingling and conversations.
The festivities featured three contests pitting Benz-lovers’ brawns and brains. Marianne Hutchinson (long-time member) corralled the door-prize. Ed Crawford (member and former Havasupai rallye-master extraordinaire) showed-off his finely tuned accuracy and finesse on the putting course- grabbing the “Potsdamer Putz Prize”. Mark Ichiyama (first gentleman) snatched the “Daimler Benz Trivia Time” prize from the grasps of other extremely worthy rivals. Arguably, the highlight of the afternoon games featured a showdown between Carey Hobson (member, a.k.a. the Silver Arrow) and Ron Borino (member and MBCA regional director)- on the cornhole pitch. In a breathtaking tie-breaker match, Hobson-streaked past Borino carrying away the “Köln Cornhole Prize”.
March birthdays were recognized, and special Pieces-blessings were given to Vanessa Ertelt- (newest friend and member of the Desert Stars), Debbie Ichiyama (club president) and Melanie Searle (a member who -along with her late beloved spouse- Robert St. John, has collected countless Arabian horses and vintage Mercedes-Benzes- including a certain 300SC- one that was a former People’s Choice winner). Picnic attendees were treated to cake for dessert.
Special recognition and appreciation go to Mike Welton (MBCA, Chaparral club president), who rode in from Tucson lending support to our event and fostering stronger sibling-club relations. Shout-outs to our newest Desert Stars, including Donna Brown, Nataly Cardona, David and Vanessa Ertelt, and Kris Sranford and Keviv George for their participation and support.
Later that afternoon, the winds picked up and dark clouds settled back in. The picnic and games concluded. One by one, Desert Stars hit the dusty streets and trails. Should the ‘stars’ align again next winter, the Desert Stars’ Picnic and Games may, very well, shine forth once more.