Past Events

CarClub events are one thing: Fun. Below are just a few of the events we've hosted in the past year. We hope you'll join us for a future event!

CarClub Members Raise Money for Leukemia
 

On February 12th, 2000 members of the St. Paul Saturn CarClub went to the Mall of America to help out the Leukemia Association.  Our members raised over $1,000 in pledges for this worthwhile cause. Each member who participated collected pledges from friends and family to walk around all four levels of the Mall of America.  The total distance walked was 3 miles.

Special thanks go to our top fundraiser, Brenda, as she went above and beyond to collect for this cause.  As a school teacher, she collected donations from students, fellow teachers, in addition to matching a portion of the pledges.  Thanks Brenda for helping your Saturn CarClub make a significant contribution to our community.

St. Paul Saturn CarClub turns 5 years old

January 2000 marked the fourth birthday of the St. Paul Saturn CarClub.  Can you believe it?

Formed with the support and leadership of Saturn Team Members, Lisa Waddell and Tony Smebak, the club started with meetings at the Mounds View Saturn store.  Events that proved to be the most memorable for the first years of the club included the scenic trips to Red Wing in the spring and Taylors Falls in the fall!

The club’s growth stated in 1997 when Kevin Hannegan and Richard Herod III assumed the responsibility of the club as Champions.  Prize drawings at the Zoo Night helped the club attract new members.  The promise of a trip to the Saturn plant in 1998 also fueled great interest.

1998 was a phenomenal year for the club.  Kevin Hannegan assumed the responsibilities as President of the club after he left the company in 1997.  Chris Johnson, WBL Sales, stepped up to help the club as a Champion.  His knowledge of Tennessee helped make the trip to Spring Hill in May possible. Over 25 CarClub members traveled in a caravan of Saturns to visit the plant.

Zoo night 1998 was a success when the club sponsored a “drive to the zoo” at the Inver Grove Heights store.  The event offered animal crackers to Saturn owners as they gathered to drive their Saturn in a caravan to the Minnesota Zoo.  Over 150 Saturn owners participated in this event.  Can you imagine how long the line of Saturns was?  This was definitely a sight to see.

Throughout 1998 the club would continue to baffle those on the road.  People would often wonder “is this another Saturn commercial waiting to happen?”  Rows of Saturns at the Vali Hi Drive-in made many smile (including those who owned Neons).

At the end of 1998, over 90 members were on the membership roster of the St. Paul Saturn CarClub.  1999 was another year to remember.  With the Saturn Homecoming last July, many more memories were created.  If you know any Saturn owners who are enthusiastic about their car and their experience, encourage them to join the fun.

CarClub trip to Spring Hill, TN

July 28, 1999 marked an interesting beginning for the St. Paul Saturn CarClub, the beginning of a trip to Spring Hill, TN for Homecoming 1999. Over 50 Saturn owners met at Inver Grove Heights to begin their journey to the two-day festival in Tennessee.

A pre-caravan breakfast was provided by Saturn Corporation. At the breakfast, Minnesota Special Olympics athletes were honored for their recent competitions. Another highlight of the morning included the amount of money the CarClub raised to donate to the Special Olympics. Raising over $1600, the clubs' funds were matched by the Twin Cities' Saturn Retailers. This means over $3200 will be given to the local Special Olympics Chapter to help fund their efforts.

Driving in a caravan of Saturns, the club faced a few traffic jams, along with amazed looks of drivers of passing cars. When you think about it, it is kind of strange why 50+ Saturn owners would drive to Tennessee, but there really isn't an ex plantation, it just happens.

Stopping at Saturn of Rockford, IL and Saturn of Merrilville, IA, the club was fed (for free) by those Saturn facilities. Picking up extra Saturn owners along the way, the caravan ended up with hundreds of Saturns upon arrival in Spring Hill, TN.

Besides enjoying the musical talents of Hootie and the Blowfish, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, attendees toured the Saturn plant and enjoyed the carnival!

It was amazing how all Saturn owners share an instant connection. You would find Saturn owners stopping to help other Saturn owners change a flat tire. Can you imagine someone with a Hyundai doing that?

CarClub Treks to Duluth, MN

The trip to Duluth began at Saturn of St. Paul - White Bear Lake early on Saturday morning. Shortly after leaving we decided to make a stop at Toby's in Hinckley for a short rest and breakfast. Now rested we were ready to make the trek to Duluth.

When we arrived there was some confusion where the hotel lot entrance was so we took a tour around the block before finding our way in. After everyone checked in, there was time to waste before our first planned event. So a group of us decided to take a very short tour of downtown Duluth that included a view of Lake Superior, and shopping.

The first scheduled event was Grand Slam were fun was had by all. The favorite events included Bumper Kars and Laser Tag (There may have been cheating during Laser Tag by the CarClub president, Brenda ). Dinner at Grandma's was next on the agenda, we took this time to recap on the events of the day and get to know our fellow Carclub members.

Sunday morning began with a relaxing breakfast, compliments of the Radisson Hotel. The first event of the day was two-hour tour of the Glensheen Mansion. It was a place fit for a King and Queen, yet they allowed the Carclub to tour! Can you believe that? \par \par We then enjoyed lunch at the Lakeview Castle which included a breath-taking view of the lake and fine dining. After lunch some decided to head home while others were off for some more sight see and, of course, more shopping.

We ended the trip by stopping at Thompson Hill to enjoy the magnificent view of Duluth and the Lake Superior.

I would like to take this time give a big thank you to all of those who were involved, you made this a very memorable trip; thanks for the memories.

Written By Julie Heimel

Saturn CarClub Vice President

The Second Annual Taylors Falls trip was a success!

In September 1998, Saturn CarClubbers met at the White Bear Lake Saturn store and drove, in caravan, to Taylors Falls. The weather was great, the food was good, and the company was awesome! Our waitress at the “Drive-in Restaurant”, Ann, was a Saturn owner too.

After the club finished their meal, they split up into teams for a mini-golf tournament. The Saturn Sinkers won!

The CarClub finished the day with a scenic drive from Taylors Falls to Stillwater. On the way Richard, our CarClub Champion, pulled over to allow following CarClub members to catch up. To his surprise, he locked his keys in his Saturn, while it was running on the side of the road. Whoops! Richard is grateful for ordering the power sunroof!

Saturn CarClub Members Strike it Rich

On February 23, 1999 Saturn CarClub members went to Grand Casino Hinckley. 20 people showed up and drove in caravan (not the dodge) from Saturn of St. Paul-White Bear to Grand Casino-Hinckley. Of course, some members left richer than others. After the entertainment filled afternoon, some members went to Toby's for dinner (they have an excellent bakery). It was a great time and we had lots of fun!

Created and maintained by Richard R. Herod III