NCDBS  Northern California Dodge Brothers and Sisters is a group of people who love and own vintage Dodge Brothers and Graham Brothers vehicles. Our group is located in Northern California. We promote Dodge Brothers vehicles and Grahman Brothers trucks in our everday life. THE EVENT The 27th Gatsby Summer Afternoon at the Dunsmuir-Hellman Estate in Oakland, California was held on September 11, 2011; sponsored by the Art Deco Society of California. This event provides a return to a time when the Roaring 20's flourished. This is mostly due to the excellent oversight of the Art Deco Society of California. Additionally, at this event every guest is requested to wear era appropriate garb. For the Gentlemen, this means wearing your favorite summer suit or blazer, topped with a straw boater or Panama hat. For the Ladies, this means elegant garden party, light summer colors, straight-cut 20's or curvy 30's day wear in light linen or chiffon (but no formal beaded evening wear, and no feather boas, please). Remember, this is an afternoon event and participants are expected to provide their own picnics (petite or grand). There is no food vendors on the grounds, so be prepared! Oh, there were prizes awarded for Best Auto - Best Costumes, for Ladies and Gents and Children, Best Picnic, Petite to Grand - Best Charleston - Best Hat. THE VENUE The Gatsby Summer Afternoon is held at the Dunsmuir-Hellman Historic Estate in Oakland, California. The Mansion itself has been restored and is a sight to see when you travel here. There is a winding road about 0.5 miles long meandering through the grounds as it leads to the grounds proper. Once you pass through the gates and over the small bridge, you have entered another environment altogether. A vast lawn is open for picnics, tents, cars, the dance floor and the risers for the band. An elegant setting for an elegant afternoon. The band stand sits about in the middle of the grounds with a very large parquet dance floor adjacent to the band stand. A row of tables with white umbrellas surround the band stand area ready for picnics grand. Beyond the tents, antique automobiles of every make and model surround the tables to mingle with the patrons. The surrounding grass area is estimated to be about 6 football fields large. A grand place for the Gatsby Summer Afternoon. This is the Dunsmuir-Hellman Mansion. All activities emanate from this beautiful residence. THE ACTIVITIES During the festivities there were many entertainment venues to appreciate. Don Neely's Royal Society Jazz Orchestra played the entire afternoon.This orchestra played for your listening and dancing enjoyment. Then the Great Gatsby Bathing Beauty Revue with the DECOBELLES was featured. The Decobelles performed an intricate tap dance routine. Here are about one half of the Decobelles riding to their performance. There was also the vocal artistry of Ann Gibson and Pianist Federick Hodges took the stand taking over for the Royal Society Jazz Orchestra. The lawn area was full original Art Deco Era Autos on Display. Almost every Marque was available for viewing. House tours of the Dunsmuir House were given between 2PM and 3PM. Meanwhile, on the lawn in front of the Dunsmuir Mansion complimentary lessons in Croquet were given by the San Francisco Croquet club. To be a little redundant, there were prizes given for the Best Auto, Best Costume for Ladies, Gents and Children, Best Picnic - Petite to Grand, the best Charleston and Best Hat. Alas, for the best Auto this observer has seen the award trending towards the flashiest paint job (perception of "Best") rather than the most original classic car on the grounds. But again, the Best Auto award is always in the eyes of the judges so it is an honest opinion of what constitutes "best" for the afternoon. NCDBS PARTICIPATION Although the Northern California Dodge Brothers and Sisters were small in number, those present represented the NCDBS with bravado and class. The NCDBS is well known at this event. From early in the morning when Donn Marinovich and Sherrin Grout begin "parking" the cars as they arrive until late in the afternoon when all the NCDBS on hand "police" up the area. The people who attend this event on a regular basis always come by to say hello and to admire the old and new displays that the NCDBS are showing. Overall, the NCDBS is part of the working group and part of the attendee's and have ample time to observe all those who come out. This year it was obvious that the number of vehicles was much reduced from earlier years. Rumors of conflicts with other car shows, 9/11 observations and even the heavy shower the area received at about12:00 noon could have kept some people away from the event. The Sonora Screenside Gene and Vicki Stadelhofer drove this 1926 Victory 6 to the event from Alamo.. Roger and Lynne Gong have converted their 1925 Screenside into a Laundry Truck. Lynne Gong and Vicki Stadelhofer (two retired Decobelles) discuss the events and iPhones. Sherrin Grout in front of her picnic with Donn Marinovich left and the back of Gene Stadelhofer. Gene Stadelhofer and Donn Marinovich discussing the food and the event. PARTING WAYS WITH GATSBY AFTERNOON 2011 In a way, this event is an anomaly. In essence, the entire event officially lasts from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on this Sunday afternoon. The two screensides are trailered more that 3 hours to arrive at the scene, officially spend 5 hours at the event and then trailer the trucks back some 3 hours after the show. On average, the NCDBS spends 15 hours of road time for 5 hours of show time. Well worth the effort! The only ROI is the exposure for the NCDBS which is richly rewarded by recognition by the ADSC. It is a good cause and worth the time, cost and effort!

Northern California Dodge Brothers and Sisters is a group of vintage auto owners who love their Grahman Brothers trucks and Dodge Brothers cars.…