2025 National Convention
CAROC hosted the 2025 AROC National Convention and we had a blast. Here’s some images to give you a little taste of the action.
First Annual CAROC Dennis Sbertoli Memorial Picnic and Concours Recap
The Chicago chapter has held a summer picnic for as long as any of us can remember. For nearly two decades it has been hosted at Barbara Key Park in Lake-in-the-Hills, a charming rural park boasting its own lake and a natural fen. The quiet, intimate location works perfectly for a club event, allowing us to reserve a shelter next to the small parking lot where we set up the now traditional “row of Alfas”.
This year’s event felt a little bit different, as we elected to rename it in honor of our past president and co-chair of the 2025 convention, Dennis Sbertoli, who sadly passed away last year after a short illness. We were delighted to have Dennis’s family in attendance to celebrate his legacy.
Lunch was catered by a local favorite restaurateur, with popular Italian staples such as sliced beef, sausage and sweet peppers, and mostaccioli on the menu. Apparently someone forgot to order up good weather, however, as the skies opened just as most folks were arriving. Even so, several brave souls defied the rain in their Spiders!
The rain was heavy but short lived, and the sun soon reappeared to dry out both picnickers and their cars. There followed a ritual toweling off of glass, chrome and painted steel until our rolling Italian sculptures shone once again.
We were pleased to welcome some new members this year, including Daniel Bujas who brought his beautiful red 4C, and Paul Becker with his similarly vibrant red Stelvio. A Misano Blue Giulia completed the ‘new’ Alfa contingent, while the vintage class included Spiders from three different series, a GTV6, and a Giulia Ti owned by Becky Corzilius.
All were equally stunning, making the task of selecting the ‘People’s Choice’ award a real headache. Becky’s Ti ultimately took the prize, although in truth any of these gorgeous Alfas would have been a deserving winner.
Fall Drive to Woodstock
What connects Orson Welles, Geraldine Page, Bill Murray, Dick Tracy creator Chester Gould, Dizzy Gillespie, Punxsutawney Phil, and Steve Goodman? They all have ties to Woodstock or its Opera House—the destination of the Chicago Alfa Romeo Owners Club’s fall drive.
We left picturesque Geneva, home of the annual Geneva Concours—the largest concours in Illinois—and followed backroads west through small towns to Dixon. Although Dixon has only about 15,000 residents, it is historically significant as the site of President Ronald Reagan’s boyhood home. After touring the house, we drove north along the Rock River and stopped at Castle Rock Scenic Overlook. The view was worth climbing all 150 stairs. Who says northern Illinois is “Flatland”?
After passing Rockford, we drove by the sprawling Stellantis Belvidere Assembly Plant, which produced the Alfa Giulietta-based Dodge Dart from 2012 to 2016. We then arrived in Woodstock. Its quaint town square was a filming location for Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. Two years after the film’s 1993 release, the town began holding an annual Groundhog Day celebration with its own weather-prognosticating rodent, Woodstock Willie.
Built in 1889, the Woodstock Opera House is one of the country’s oldest continuously operating theaters. It also served as City Hall, public library, fire station, and police station. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, its stage has hosted Welles, Page, Gillespie, Goodman, and dozens of other performers. While she wasn’t present during our tour, we heard much about the resident ghost, Elvira.
After driving 150 miles, touring two buildings, and taking a short hike, we had earned dinner at The Squire on the Square – the best spot in town. The restaurant is in the historic Old McHenry County Courthouse, built in 1857. There was also an Oktoberfest celebration going on in the Square.
Many drivers traveled alone, so we tried to stay within sight of one another. The route was complex and reading directions or maps while driving solo in an open car is not recommended. Still, every driver, navigator, and car performed flawlessly. I’m sure we all slept well that night.
– Greg Korak 10/26
2026 Swapmeet
We finally got to clean out the deepest darkest corners of those RARE pieces that have been sitting around for ever. Dave Brohan at The Giulietta Studio hosted a garage sale for the Alfa Romeo Owners Club. There was everything from car parts to signage, flags, banners, books and toys. If it was Alfa related, it was there. Lunch was even catered, because you need your nourishment to shop properly. The weather was beautiful and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I even managed to make a few dollars that I’ll be able to spend on other parts.
