First and foremost, we extend heartfelt sympathy to our friend Udeme Ukutt, a loyal TOCNYS supporter who was unfortunately not able to attend this event due to a death in his family.
The Niagara Frontier section has been holding monthly meetups (and a few Zoom calls, during the peak of COVID) since the spring of 2019 and is proud to say we crossed the hundred member mark locally! It shows no signs of slowing and we like that.
We are also happy that this month’s meetup was championed by Ludicrous Member Kenny Martin, a local aficionado of fine jazz, fast bikes and cars, plus local cuisine. Anderson’s Frozen Custard on 160-dB Sheridan Drive in Tonawanda became the epicenter of area Tesla fans from 2 p.m. until well after 4.
Out of 29 signups, at least 31 attended (!) including spouses, kids and future owners (ideally those last two are redundant).
This stat did not even account for all of the on-site interest. We welcomed solo patrons, families and other interested folks—including a pair in electric wheelchairs, one quipping that the cars on hand probably weren’t fast enough—to check out the array of mainly Model 3s in front of the place. One made it in from as far away as Holley, NY.
A Model Y frunk scholar. Photo by Bob Seemueller
As for other Teslas, no less than three Model Ys made the scene. That’s got to be a new record at any Buffalo-area parking lot outside of Giga NY! We even had a snazzy Model S for good measure. Special thanks go out to the owners: Plaid Member
Dr. Ronald Alberico, Member Adam Weiss and Tony Pariso, and to Finger Lakes Member Tony Brigandi, respectively.
Ludicrous Member Kenny Martin shows a motorcyclist friend a Model Y. Photo by author
By the time we greeted WNY Drive Electric supporters Abdur-Rahman Morgan and Bob Seemueller, not just one Italian-Ice-toting patron put aside brain freeze for two seconds to comment on needing a bigger venue . . . proof positive that our section is on its way up.
On top of that all, the gathering attracted other owners who were passing by on Sheridan.
One couple with a Model 3 Performance was delighted to gain answers to a few questions they had. [N.B., the wife apparently ended up the sole female owner making it to the event—we’re confident that more and more @TOCNYSDivas will attend down the road.] For them, running into our troupe was one of those serendipitous, freak moments that makes you do a double-take.
Another owner behind the wheel also did a double-take after seeing our Teslas en masse, frunks up, right there on his route. He was glad to pick up some pointers and even got a chance to talk with a few of us about a pressing development in his family life—truly elevating ‘club’ to ‘community.’
Our VIP Model Y overflow section. . . . Photo by Bob Seemueller
Looking ahead, Plaid Member Anthony Bartolotta suggested a potential route for next month’s encore of this summer’s group drive meeting format. We can’t promise fall foliage will be at its peak, but please reserve the second Saturday of October for a chance to join in on another exhaust-free convoy to a scenic spot in WNY.
It should go without saying that monthly meeting venues and virtual meeting topics are always fair game to suggest. Please reach out with any ideas that you think will keep our section engaged and on the way to attracting its next hundred members. Remember, second Saturday, every month.
By Niagara Frontier Regional Organizer John P. Weiksnar