We don’t get to drive much for fun in Kentucky November to February: too cold, wet and dreary. We make up for it when the weather turns and May was a typical example.

We started the month with the 4^th Annual Wine and Steak tasting at the home of Joe and Jane Galownia. 60 members came with two bottles of wine: one to share and one to auction off to members at the event end. As usual, Joe and Jane were delightful hosts. Members were greeted with a terrific spread of charcuterie and a selection of cheeses (including member Kenny Mattingly Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese) followed by a dinner of grilled steaks, oven roast potatoes and salad. Desert was a selection of fine cakes and pies (gotta love that coconut cream cake!).

The monthly membership meeting was held at Mango’s Mexican Restaurant. Our membership attendance numbers keep climbing to such an extent it’s getting harder and harder to find someplace to accommodate all of us. I guess we should be happy we’re so successful! Nothing succeeds like success.

The next weekend, Region leadership Jason Miller (President), Robert Klein (VP), Anthony Minstein (Membership Chair) and Jim Doll and Gene Hoffman (Board Members) drove up to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for the Northern New Jersey Region experienced driver weekend. It’s always nice to see how other regions run their DEs and a great time was had by all, in spite of the low temps and damp track.

The same weekend, another group made the 100 mile trip South to member Ken Mattingly Kenny’s Farm to tour the new automated barns (robot milking stations for the cows!) and of course, to buy some of Kenny’s locally famous cheese. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate for the drive; rain, slick roads and cold temps tried to damp the enthusiasm, unsuccessfully. 11 cars and 20 members braved the elements returning with lots of fresh cheese (Kenny always brings a good assortment of cheeses for tasting at our own track event).

To round the month off, we had a Memorial Day weekend drive through the Ohio River valley out to Georgetown, KY to visit Babe’s BBQ. TH Morris, our Activity Chair led 16 cars (on Memorial Day weekend!) us on a long drive across the twisty county roads along the many streams and rivers. A favorite was the path following the Kentucky River curving past the river locks and dams outside of Lockport, KY then crossing Appalachian the foothill ridges normal to this part of the state. Babe’s is an off-the-trail family dining spot on the list of Kentucky 10 best off-the-beaten-path restaurants and the service and home cooking demonstrated why. Everything from the warm greeting, to the great service and food impressed our group of travelers.

I’m not sure what we liked more: the drive? Or, the BBQ? Typical KY staples like pork, brisket, chicken, and Kentucky specialty sides including corn pudding and fried okra (yee haw!) plus traditional side dishes like cole slaw, beans and corn bread (and did I mention the toasted coconut pie?). The ride ended at Babe’s with many members opting the more direct freeway route home.