-Greetings from Huckleberry Hill-
You are invited to enjoy the Porsche Monterey event (August 18, 2023) to browse and appreciate the Porsche experience. It’s a wonderful opportunity, from 7am-3pm at Monterey Pines Golf Course. Our family business (Chef Ruby will be in attendance) will be featured on Friday showcasing Sicilian -American culinary delights. Find more information regarding our offerings here:
Hope to see you around town!
Thinking back to my youth, I fondly recall my dad (Archie Stewart) sharing his ‘golden day’ memories of the Pebble Beach Road Races. The annual event was sponsored by the Sports Car Club of America. The race featured the world’s fastest cars.
I can imagine my dad, then a teenager at Pacific Grove High School, embracing the excitement of fast cars. During his youth, locals came out along the Del Monte Forest raceway route and cheered for contestants.
Imagine the excitement as annual car races (1950-56) allowed for the world’s fastest racing vehicles to use the roads of Del Monte Forest as a raceway. As a matter of fact, the first Pebble Beach Road Race (1950) partnered for the inaugural Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. At that time, it was an opportunity to show off the innovations of new racing cars. This long standing history makes the current Concours d’Elegance a significant community tradition.
My father embraced all of the adrenaline sparked thrills associated with the culture of fast cars. As a result of the Pebble Beach Road Races, my father became a life-long enthusiast. When he graduated from Pacific Grove High School, as a star baseball pitcher (my father was recruited to the Pittsburgh Pirates) he used that signing bonus to purchase a newly manufactured vehicle. He wanted something unique. His choice was an Austin Healy. My dad continued to signify important moments of his life with fast cars. When he married the love of his life, Catherine Cardinalli, he bought her a 1965 baby blue mustang. When his oldest daughter turned sixteen, the special gift was a 1969 Camaro Z28. As a matter of fact, I still have that car securely stored in my Huckleberry Hill garage.
My father also was an early supporter of Carroll Shelby. (Even before Shelby’s famous 1959 win at Le Mans and notable design of Shelby mustangs.) As a result, I spent a lot of time at the Shelby factory. Carroll Shelby has a historical connection to the original Pebble Beach Road Races. This year for car week, our family is supporting Shelby American.
In 1956 Shelby won the final and last Pebble Beach Road Race.
In 1957, after a tragic race fatality, the Laguna Seca track opened to provide a safer raceway, forever connecting the historic Pebble Beach races with the Laguna Seca Raceway.
We want to give another ‘shout out’ to the Christian focused car business. Last year, at the 2022 Concours d’Elegance Village we met Al and Janie DiMauro, artists and owners of Automotive Fine Art. They had some very fine art in honor of Shelby. They traveled from Arizona to display and sell their hand painted wall art. My favorite is the setting of the Bixby Bridge! Their art can be found at: By Grace Through Faith.
Even though the final Pebble Beach races have long ended, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is thriving. Currently, Pebble Beach Concours d’elegance supports The Pebble Beach Company Foundation. This direct financial connection of scholarship programs as well as our region’s youth focused educational programs is crucially needed. Keeping this in mind assists us locals in being considerate of the additional visitors (and valuable cars) that visit our area each August.
Last year, I sure enjoyed spending time with my Godson Ashton, this year he was busy at the auctions supporting charity events also. I’m so proud that he helped with his fellow classmates ‘behind the scenes’ this year.
Another amazing moment from last year was the 50th anniversary celebration of the Lamborghini Countach! This event sure made my Italian heart sing with joy. We enjoyed listing to legendary chief test driver for Lamborghini, Valentino Balboni (click on MOTORTREND for Balboni interview). It’s a nice break to sit a glass of wine and enjoy the high quality forum. Best of all, my Godson Ashton and I got to have a ‘one on one’ chat with Valentino and pray for his safe travels and driving. There is a famous 60 Minute Episode, now considered a classic. It set the tone for future high quality automobile documentaries. The original vintage episode can be found here: Lamborghini Documentary.
The week-long events of ‘Car Week’ ends with a fantastic Sunday finale at the Pebble Beach Lodge.
AND THE PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS d’ELEGANCE WINNER IS…
(STAY TUNED- TO BE POSTED ONCE ANNOUNCED…)
Do you have Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, stories or memories? If so, please share. I just love to celebrate the wonderful moments made in our beautiful Del Monte Forest. I can be reached at huckleberryhilladventure@gmail.com.
Huckleberry Hugs Maxine (A.K.A. “Molly”) XO
CHEERS to Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
-Mocktail d’Elegance-
This refreshing end of summer mocktail is perfect for a day of driving, just pack in a thermos and place festive glasses, snacks and a blanket in your picnic basket. Enjoy a scenic drive and appreciate the freedom of vehicle transportation.
This mocktail has a hint of ginger, a pink hue from cranberry and an up-note offered by fresh lemon. I love it and I think that you will too.
Ingredients:
Ginger beer or ginger ale. For a light no sugar option I enjoy Hansen’s Sugar Free ginger ale.
Unsweetened all natural cranberry juice.
Fresh lemon, for juice and garnish. If you have access to a lemon tree use the fresh leaves or blossoms for garnish.
Pretty Glass
Ice Cubes
Directions:
Fill the glass with ice. Fill half of the glass with ginger ale. Top the glass off with cranberry juice and add a generous squeeze from half a fresh lemon. Garnish with a slice of lemon or lemon leaves. Sip and enjoy!
