Benvenuti amici!
The coming of the New Year is about more than celebrating the twelve months ahead. It is also about reflecting upon the twelve months we are leaving behind. Twenty thirteen has left us, the missus & I and the rest of the CC5C, plenty on which to reflect.
26 June 2013; We launched the CC5C blog one year, one month and one week after I met my first FIAT (500 Pop). With a humble short history, we introduced the new 500 and explained the intent behind/foundation beneath the Cream City Cinquecento Club/Città Crema Cinquecento Club.
4 July 2013; We officially introduced the Città Crema Cinquecento Club on the recognized birthday of FIAT S.p.A. and the famed FIAT 500, the cultural icon for which our club is named. But the Italian automaker and its popular little buggy are not the only reason for the selection of this date. We seek to honor the philosophy behind their success.
Included in the introduction was the official announcement of the CC5C ID as well as our first vinyl window cling. It was designed, drawn and financed by Amado Rodriguez Jr a/k/a Amacento (yours truly). We are proud of the logo ~ as we have received lots of positive feedback regarding the final product.
31 August 2013; We hosted the first ever CC5C gathering/Guidare e Gelato at our LS (local studio). The group was smart looking & large. In fact, the group was more than three times the size I believed we would see. Much of the credit for the initial turnout is due to the support of the missus as well as the efforts of Brandon & Luke, the sales team at our LS, for helping me get word out concerning the event. It is impossible to properly thank Milica, Brandon, Luke and the people taking time out of their lives to share their experiences and smiles with us.
The occasion was underscored with the presence of a representative of Midwest FIAT Corporate. Troy was very kind to attend the event… and play photographer for the day.
30 September 2013; We hosted our first 'Crociera/Cruise'. 'Crociera' is differentiated from 'Guidare', because it is considered an unofficial meet. In addition, ideally, a 'Crociera' happens within Cream City. It is meant to be an opportunity to take in/celebrate the neighborhoods of Milwaukee.
September also marked the month we began to see support for the CC5C via blog visits and representation from other parts of the country ~ by way of sporting the CC5C vinyl cling/badge on non-Cream City 'centos.
Ann Marie Kozich Swenson & Mark Friedel/Jenn Boelter (Madison WI), Bob Moon (California), John Koch (Seattle), Edwin Barron (Virginia) & Brian Heath (Florida), Colin Brown (Minnesota), Damon Oriente (Canada), John Ackenhusen (Michigan) and James Wilson (North Carolina) were among the very first long distance supporters of the FIAT life enthusiasts Society. We are grateful for their commitment to the cause and we appreciate the growth in interest we continue to see around the country as well as the world.
With the prodding of the missus and Brandon Drew, we also launched the CC5C Facebook page. I was skeptical, at first, but have been proven wrong by 79 'Likes' since the 27 September 2013 launch! Finally, September is also the month during which the CC5C grille badge was announced. Oooh… Fancy.
26 October 2013; We hosted our second Guidare e Gelato. This time we took a scenic route to a restaurant outside the city limits. Before the cruise, we met in the conference room of our LS and I officially presented the first ever studio-sponsored Italian language CC5C vinyl window cling/badge.
I will never forget the looks on the faces of various attendees when the soiree came to an end. Likewise, I will never forget Mike Bradley being so kind as to bestow me with the honor of affixing the CC5C vinyl window cling/badge on his brand new grigio Abarth!
As if all this excitement was not enough, October 2013 further marked the inclusion of more non-local stories and photo shoots on our blog. We began to seek the accounts of others and their FIAT life experiences. The results proved to be well worth the effort required. Since October, the blog readership has exploded. We are truly humbled by the success of this simple proposal.
16 November 2013; We hosted an impromptu gathering to welcome Mario & Stacy Fiorentino and their grigio Abarth to the 'famiglia'. During this small get-together, we informally introduced the new club 'Famiglia' & 'Contatto' cards. These cards were designed to remind us of our group and help us spread the CC5C love. We drove to La Coppa Gelateria, our newest sponsor, and enjoyed some of the tasty cold stuff on the menu.
December 2013 was comparatively quiet, with our efforts turning towards further blurring geographical borders. I, personally, began reaching out to and writing about aftermarket support of the FIAT 500 & 500L. This focus, of course, is a carry over from what began in September/October. I look forward to more time focused on the broader FIAT life enthusiasts community.
24 December 2013; The missus & I headed to our LS, for the last time, with the legendary La Fee Verte. The decision was difficult, but I had my mind on the purchase of an A500 (Abarth 500) since seeing the studio demo the day I drove home in our Pretty Green Pop. An aggressive (personal) payment schedule and a great deal at the right time made it much easier to make a move.
This brings us to 25 January 2014…
The time is approaching for 'The First Cruise of the New Year'. How does zipping around town in a FIAT and tasty pizza read to you? Why stop there? We can top it off with one of the best groups of life-loving people you will ever likely encounter. Life & Love ~ We believe those are areas in which the CC5C shines. Come shine with us...
Ciao!
@
26 June 2013; We launched the CC5C blog one year, one month and one week after I met my first FIAT (500 Pop). With a humble short history, we introduced the new 500 and explained the intent behind/foundation beneath the Cream City Cinquecento Club/Città Crema Cinquecento Club.
4 July 2013; We officially introduced the Città Crema Cinquecento Club on the recognized birthday of FIAT S.p.A. and the famed FIAT 500, the cultural icon for which our club is named. But the Italian automaker and its popular little buggy are not the only reason for the selection of this date. We seek to honor the philosophy behind their success.
Included in the introduction was the official announcement of the CC5C ID as well as our first vinyl window cling. It was designed, drawn and financed by Amado Rodriguez Jr a/k/a Amacento (yours truly). We are proud of the logo ~ as we have received lots of positive feedback regarding the final product.
31 August 2013; We hosted the first ever CC5C gathering/Guidare e Gelato at our LS (local studio). The group was smart looking & large. In fact, the group was more than three times the size I believed we would see. Much of the credit for the initial turnout is due to the support of the missus as well as the efforts of Brandon & Luke, the sales team at our LS, for helping me get word out concerning the event. It is impossible to properly thank Milica, Brandon, Luke and the people taking time out of their lives to share their experiences and smiles with us.
The occasion was underscored with the presence of a representative of Midwest FIAT Corporate. Troy was very kind to attend the event… and play photographer for the day.
30 September 2013; We hosted our first 'Crociera/Cruise'. 'Crociera' is differentiated from 'Guidare', because it is considered an unofficial meet. In addition, ideally, a 'Crociera' happens within Cream City. It is meant to be an opportunity to take in/celebrate the neighborhoods of Milwaukee.
Ann Marie Kozich Swenson & Mark Friedel/Jenn Boelter (Madison WI), Bob Moon (California), John Koch (Seattle), Edwin Barron (Virginia) & Brian Heath (Florida), Colin Brown (Minnesota), Damon Oriente (Canada), John Ackenhusen (Michigan) and James Wilson (North Carolina) were among the very first long distance supporters of the FIAT life enthusiasts Society. We are grateful for their commitment to the cause and we appreciate the growth in interest we continue to see around the country as well as the world.
With the prodding of the missus and Brandon Drew, we also launched the CC5C Facebook page. I was skeptical, at first, but have been proven wrong by 79 'Likes' since the 27 September 2013 launch! Finally, September is also the month during which the CC5C grille badge was announced. Oooh… Fancy.
I will never forget the looks on the faces of various attendees when the soiree came to an end. Likewise, I will never forget Mike Bradley being so kind as to bestow me with the honor of affixing the CC5C vinyl window cling/badge on his brand new grigio Abarth!
16 November 2013; We hosted an impromptu gathering to welcome Mario & Stacy Fiorentino and their grigio Abarth to the 'famiglia'. During this small get-together, we informally introduced the new club 'Famiglia' & 'Contatto' cards. These cards were designed to remind us of our group and help us spread the CC5C love. We drove to La Coppa Gelateria, our newest sponsor, and enjoyed some of the tasty cold stuff on the menu.
24 December 2013; The missus & I headed to our LS, for the last time, with the legendary La Fee Verte. The decision was difficult, but I had my mind on the purchase of an A500 (Abarth 500) since seeing the studio demo the day I drove home in our Pretty Green Pop. An aggressive (personal) payment schedule and a great deal at the right time made it much easier to make a move.
This brings us to 25 January 2014…
Vivere.Amare.Guidare.
Ciao!
@
