British Car Club of Northeast Pennsylvania
BRITISH CAR CLUB of NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA • Serving enthusiasts in the Greater Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area
September 29-October 2, 2010
2010 NAMGAR IN THE POCONOS
Fall Regional GT of North American MGA Register
PRE-REGISTRATION ONLY $25
WHEN POSTMARKED BY AUGUST 21, 2010
DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM HERE.
Fill it out on your computer, then print it and mail it in with your registration fee.
By Bill Shamonsky
It was bound to happen. After the great success of NAMGAR in the Poconos 2009, Carol and I felt it would be just a matter of time before we were approached to see if BCCNEPA would be interested in hosting another Fall Regional. That happened in February, and NAMGAR in the Poconos 2010 has been in the works ever since.
Read report, see photos, from 2009 event
At this time, we are pleased to announce that NAMGAR in the Poconos 2010 will be taking place September 29 through October 2, 2010. As in 2009, we will be headquartered at the historic Inn at Pocono Manor in Pocono Manor, Pa. Built by the Quakers in the early years of the 20th Century, the historically significant inn boasts more than 500 rooms. This is not your modern cookie-cutter inn or hotel, but a charming, turn-of-the-last century inn where no two rooms are designed or furnished exactly the same.
The room rates this year are $142 a night, a modest $3 a night increase over last year's rate. Based on last year's attendance, a block of 25 rooms has been reserved for the event. More rooms may be added, based on necessity and availability.
As last year, the rate includes breakfast for two daily. Also, as last year, if you choose to come a few days earlier or stay a few days later, the same room rate applies. And remember, there is on-site trailer parking available.
Reservations can be made by contacting the Inn at 1-800-233-8150 and mentioning NAMGAR.
The format for the event will be much the same as it was in 2009. (Hey, why argue with success?)
• WEDNESDAY, 9/29
Registration will be from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Inn lobby, with and a "Meet and Greet" from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Inn's Fireside Lodge. Hot and cold hor d'oevres and a cash bar will be available.
• THURSDAY, 9/30
The day will begin with a Classic British Car Cruise into Jim Thorpe, Pa., formerly known as Mauch Chunk. Jim Thorpe is a small picturesque Pennsylvania town with a fascinating history. Established in a wilderness on the banks of the Lehigh River in 1818, Mauch Chunk became a bustling coal transportation center, tourist mecca, and the esteemed seat of Carbon County by the middle of the 19th Century. Mauch Chunk was founded as a company town and went through a boom period as the importance of anthracite coal became central to the American Industrial Revolution and the American way of life.
During the early 19th Century the town boasted as home to 21 millionaires who build their Victorian mansions around town. We are planning to tour one of these mansions, the Asa Packer Mansion, one of eight buildings in Jim Thorpe that are on the National Register of Historical Places. We'll also stroll the streets of the town, visiting many shops, and stop for a light lunch before heading back to the Inn.
Back at the Inn that evening, join us for our own "La Festa Italiana," an Italian buffet featuring tortellini, grilled chicken and broccoli scampi, roast porketta, meatballs and sausage marinara, and Italian pastries and cookies.
• FRIDAY, 10/1
Friday is "on your own" day again . . . well, almost. This worked out very well last year. No pressure to go and do anything, if you don't want to. You can just hang out at the Inn, if that's your thing, or play a round of golf or maybe go and be pampered at the Inn's Laurel Spa. The Inn at Pocono Manor is a 3,000-acre playground, and there is always something interesting to do. Please visit the the Inn at Pocono Manor website to see all of the activities available.
Last year, two of the favorite things to do on Friday were going antiquing at Pocono Peddler's Village and the (in)famous canoe trip on the Delaware River. Just to note here: The stretch of river you will be canoeing on, if you elect to do so this year, is in the middle of a 35-mile section recently recognized to be the most pristine waters of the entire Delaware River.
Remember when I said Friday was almost all on your own? There is something scheduled for Friday for those interested, a matinee movie presentation at 11 a.m. at the Casino Theatre Entertainment Center in nearby Mount Pocono. The Casino Theatre is owned by British car owners Don and Karen Struckle, who are eager to host a bunch of MGAs and other British cars in their parking lot. The theater features two first-run movies and event attendees will have their choice to attend either one of them, included in the registration fee. The Casino also features has a restaurant and ice cream parlor. Their Village Malt Shoppe is a blast from the past, decorated with 1950s nostalgia and serving old-fashioned ice cream parlor treats, like phosphates, ice cream sodas, egg creams, malts and two dozen kinds of sundaes in traditional glass dishes and is done up as an old time ice cream parlor. You will be able to order lunch before the start of the movie and it will be ready to be served at the movie's conclusion. A movie, good food, and great ice cream? Sounds like a plan.
If you're feeling lucky, another consideration for Friday, or any time, is the Mount Airy Casino and Resort located just three miles from the Inn. This summer, Mount Airy will begin featuring table games along with slot machines and other electronic games.
There's a lot to see and do in the Poconos. Brochures will be included in all registration packets.
• SATURDAY, 10/2
It's another road trip, this time to the Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary in White Mills, Pa. Located at the Sanctuary is the Dorflinger Glass Museum. The museum's collection reflects the broad range of glass produced by Christian Dorflinger's companies from 1852 to 1921, along with pieces from the Dorflinger family's personal collection. For more than half a century the Dorflinger Glass Works produced exquisite cut lead crystal that graced many of America's finest tables, including those of several White House administrations. Printed guides to the exhibit give detailed information about many items and discuss the history of the company allowing visitors to take a self-guided tour at their own pace.
While there, you'll have a chance to visit the Dorflinger Glass Museum Gift Shop. The gft shop specializes in wares made from glass. From a variety selection of glass jewelry to handcrafted ornaments to a huge selection of paperweights, the shop has something for every taste and every budget. Also for the more adventurous ones in the group there are several miles of well-maintained walking trails through the wildlife sanctuary. Autumn is a beautiful time of year in the northeast to be out enjoying nature.
And finally, the closing event for Pocono 2010 will be the Saturday evening banquet, served buffet style, featuring beef, chicken, and fish entrees.
SUNDAY MORNING, 10/3
As always, it's breakfast and good-byes.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: and we'll add you to our email list so we can keep you updated on plans.
DIRECTIONS
From New York City and Points East: Interstate 80 West from the George Washington Bridge to I-380 North. At first exit (Pocono Exit 3), turn right and follow signs to Pocono Manor.From Philadelphia and Points South: Interstate 95 North to the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-476). North on turnpike to Pocono Exit 95 to Interstate 80 East to Interstate 380 North. At the first exit (Pocono Exit 3), East on Route 940 and follow signs to Pocono Manor.
From Points West: Pennsylvania Turnpike to Harrisburg, Interstate 81 North to Interstate 80 East to Interstate 380 North. At the first exit (Pocono Exit 3), east on Route 940 and follow signs to Pocono Manor.
From Points North: Interstate 81 South to Interstate 380 South to Pocono Exit 3. East on Route 940, follow the signs to Pocono Manor.
From Points Northeast: Interstate 84 West to Interstate 380 South to Pocono Exit 3. East on Route 940 and follow signs to Pocono Manor.
