| The 2007 Sugar Bush Party by Bernardo Pisarzewski Organizing an outing to a "cabane à sucre" is not necessarily the most difficult task for our activities director. However, when Bernard Bellavance has to pick a date, he is confronted with several dilemmas: how late will spring arrive? …will there be snow? …will it rain? …will it be muddy? The main problem is wondering if Mother Nature will co-operate in such a manner as to permit us to drive our vintage cars to the event, and will climate make it such that the cabane is operational. This year's outing to the Sugar Shack at the Handfield Inn was a tossed salad of sorts: with spring reluctantly under way, some snow on the grounds, roads relatively clear of salt and gravel, and a sprinkle of rain/snow. So it was that approximately a dozen members braved these elements, and put their cars to the task. The balance of those in attendance opted for more modern conventional modes of transport. As for myself, there was no question that my Ferrari was not to get any down time on the road; certainly not while it was nursing a malfunctioning ignition system. Desperate times call for desperate measures…so my trusty Plymouth Neon was put into service. That said…this year's outing (as usual) was a smashing success; with roughly 80+ people participating. As one can figure out from the menu and from the photographs, for that one day, people were not concerned with sugar levels, weight issues, or blood pressure. As with most outings, one car always steals the show, and this year, the spotlight was given to a mint condition Alpine 110. One would think the owner foolhardy for having braved the elements and grimy roads to exhibit his prized steed. However, theses cars were designed to endure rally racing on some of the most brutal roads of Europe. Like our motto says: rain or shine… À l'an prochain. |