by Rusty Duncan, Peachtree President
Spring Has Sprung
There are certain moments every year that remind us why we love this club, and for me, this past weekend was one of them.
Spring is finally here. The weather is changing, the roads are calling, and our Mercedes-Benz cars are ready to be enjoyed again. I know that became very real for me when I unpacked my 2007 CLK 63 Cabriolet and took my first top-down drive of the year. That first drive with the top down always feels like the true beginning of the season. After a winter of waiting, it is a wonderful feeling to be back out on the road.
Our mountain drive to Wolf Mountain Vineyard this weekend was a terrific way to kick off spring. We had 43 participants, and it was one of those days that reminded me just how much this chapter has to offer. Yes, the roads were great. Yes, the destination was beautiful. But what stood out to me most was the people.
We had several people with us who had never attended one of our events before, and it was a pleasure to see how much they enjoyed the day. In fact, some of them joined the club because of the experience. That says a lot. I also overheard a couple of people who had just met making plans to get together again outside of the club, and I found myself smiling when I heard that. That is exactly what this chapter is about. Over the years, I have made some very good friends through club activities, and it was meaningful to see those same connections beginning for others.
Another thing I noticed on Saturday was how much knowledge we have in this chapter. Throughout the day, people were asking questions about their cars, sharing advice, and helping each other. We have a tremendous amount of experience in this group, and one of the best parts of being in a club like this is that people are so willing to share what they know. Whether someone is new to the marque or has owned Mercedes-Benz cars for decades, there is always something to learn and someone willing to help.
Our drive began at DC Motorwerks, and I want to thank them for their support. We are fortunate to have sponsors who are not just supporters of the chapter, but who have also become genuine friends. Many of them join us on our drives and outings, and that adds something special to these events.
I am also excited to share a bit of news about Christy Spooner at RBM of Alpharetta. Christy is expanding RBM’s community outreach and philanthropic efforts, and she has invited MBCA Peachtree to be a part of that work. We are very excited about the opportunity. I think it will give us a chance to make our monthly Stars & Coffee gatherings even more meaningful to the community around us. There may also be opportunities for our members to participate directly in some of those projects, so stay tuned for more details as they develop.
Now that spring has sprung, it is time to wash off the pollen, get the cars cleaned up, and get ready for some wonderful adventures together. We have a great calendar ahead of us, with events that should appeal to all kinds of interests — from a tour of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, to the Southeastern Railway Museum, to mountain drives, Birmingham events, Barber Motorsports, and our annual Driving Academy.
Please keep an eye on our email announcements and sign up early when events open. We have wonderful events coming up, and I hope to see you there.