By Deb Donovan
Photos by John Rowntree, Dan Donovan, Frank LaSala, and Deb
HURRICANE IAN LURKED MENACINGLY in the distant south, reaching its tentacles toward New England.
Wait, strike that. Ian was our 2022 hurricane for the Wachusett Run; this year it was Hurricane Lee!
Well, regardless, once AGAIN, we managed to spite the hurricane gods and pull off an almost completely dry Wachusett Region Road Tour. This year, the drivers and their fearless companions met at the base of the Wachusett Mountain Ski Area. Some even arrived “sans top”, including John Feng in his 1954 XK120 Jaguar and George Chris in his 1971 Spider. Our group had come from various parts of New England, each having experienced everything from dry roads to heavy downpours. But all were greeted at the mountain with a bit of wind and, thankfully, no rain.
As we collected our group and turned up the hill toward Princeton center, a few drops of rain fell, but within minutes we were again rain-free for the rest of the tour! This was fortunate, as John was topless for the day, come what may. We are glad that the weather forecasters for Central Mass came through for us!
We took several new roads from Princeton center through Rutland farms, the forests of Oakham, the rolling hills and twisty farm roads of New Braintree, and reaching our break stop of Hardwick Winery. The 5000-square-foot timber barn serves as a welcome center for the winery, where they serve a few dozen award-winning fruit wines and host community events, including nearly daily live music. But today the barn doors were thrown wide open to accommodate a dozen sports cars driving right through the building! It is such a unique experience and treat for our drive.
Rested, we reassembled for the final leg of our southward ramble. The sun had finally completely broken through, and many more tops were dropped as we headed off. The second half of the journey brought us through the various Brookfields and eventually to Sturbridge. Our new lunch spot, Mamma Italia Restorante had the intimacy of a chef-owned/operated restaurant, but easily managed to get us all happily fed with delicious Italian food quickly. We will definitely be back! And the photo of our 1970s-era Alfas in front of the restaurant with owner Marco Baldieri will soon adorn the restaurant wall. (Be sure to look for it if you stop in).
All in all, a great day with great friends, great cars over great roads and finishing with great food. Living la vita dolce!
Wachusett Tour Participants
Deb and Dan Donovan - 1988 Spider
Scott Weiner - 1982 Spider
John & Roberta Rowntree - 1987 Spider
Meg Anderson and Peter Walker - 1977 Spider
John & Lauren DeWaele - 1972 GTV
Beverley Fisher and Eva Gallupe - 1973 Giulia Super
Frank LaSala - 2018 Giulia
Tom Brooks - 1986 Spider
Mike Hollinger - 1967 GTV
Steve and Nancy Perry - 1969 GTV
George Chris - 1971 Spider
John Feng - 1954 XK120 Jaguar
A few photos of the Alfas and Alfisti gathered at the base of Mount Wachusett
A few photos of the Alfas and Alfisti gathered at the base of Mount Wachusett
A few photos of the Alfas and Alfisti gathered at the base of Mount Wachusett
A few photos of the Alfas and Alfisti gathered at the base of Mount Wachusett
A few photos of the Alfas and Alfisti gathered at the base of Mount Wachusett
A few photos of the Alfas and Alfisti gathered at the base of Mount Wachusett
Mike Hollinger's 1967 GTV
Steve and Nancy Perry's 1969 GTV
The white Spiders of Tom Brooks and Peter Walker / Meg Anderson
Peter Walker and John Feng chatting behind the Perrys' GTV
John Feng's lovely XK120
The XK120 being inspected by Tom Brooks
Our drivers' meetings are always rather jovial
Our drivers' meetings are always rather jovial
Our drivers' meetings are always rather jovial
Our drivers' meetings are always rather jovial
Avid fisherman Dan Donovan telling us about the one that got away
The obligatory covered bridge along the route
Bev Fisher checking to see what she left behind
Our midpoint destination — the Hardwick Winery
The Donovans' Spider leads the way through the winery's barn ...
... and out the other side
Frank LaSala in his 2018 Giulia
Tom Brooks in his 1986 Spider
The DeWaeles in their 1972 GTV
John Feng on his 1954 XK120
The Rowntrees in their 1987 Spider
Scott Weiner in his 1982 Spider
Mike Hollinger in his 1967 GTV
Meg Anderson and Peter Walker in their 1977 Spider
Steve and Nancy Perry in their 1969 GTV
Beverley Fisher and Eva Gallupe in their 1973 Giulia Super
Our cars parked at the winery
Our cars parked at the winery
Our cars parked at the winery
Our cars parked at the winery
More shots of our cars on the winery grounds
More shots of our cars on the winery grounds
Arriving at Mamma Italia Restorante
In the parking lot at Mamma Italia Restorante
In the parking lot at Mamma Italia Restorante
In the parking lot at Mamma Italia Restorante
In the parking lot at Mamma Italia Restorante
In the parking lot at Mamma Italia Restorante
In the parking lot at Mamma Italia Restorante
In the parking lot at Mamma Italia Restorante
In the parking lot at Mamma Italia Restorante
In the parking lot at Mamma Italia Restorante
Restorante owner Marco Baldieri in front of the establishment