RRDC member John Gorsline and Amy Carnahan exchanged wedding vows in a gala ceremony in the principality of Monaco, Monte Carlo. On hand were several club members including Duncan Dayton, James King, and Judy Stropus - who provides us with a full report.

A WEDDING IN EZE
By Judy Stropus

The sun was several hours away from setting behind the mountains that soar above the principality of Monaco, Monte Carlo. And there we were, 60 strong, awaiting the arrival of RRDC member John Gorsline and Amy Carnahan, who would be married on this beautiful, warm and heavenly evening on the side of one of those mountains.

We were perched on barely a crevice clinging to the craggy stone from which the medieval Eze (pronounced EZZ) Village was carved out in the South of France, watching as Phil DeRea, the minister for the Indy Racing League, joined together in matrimony this fabulous pair, friends for many years who finally realized they were in love. And, yes, at 66, "insurance broker to the stars" John Gorsline finally found his soulmate in Amy and the two said their I dos in this verdant garden overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Above the garden, which curiously had a very large bronze horse sculpture with its rear quarters facing the ceremony, Minister DeRea humorously - and we hope legally and effectively - conducted the ceremonial rites which sealed the pair's fate. Perhaps it was just John's clever way of letting us know what he really thought of us, his loyal friends who made the journey from the United States, and from other parts of the world, to be there to honor and celebrate his and Amy's decision to merge.

This peaceful garden was just one asset that the Chateau de la Chevre d'Or (The Golden Goat) boasts in its promotional pamphlet. It is part of this fantastic and stunning village which was constructed on the top of and down the side of a mountain in the 1300s. The cobblestone streets, defying their ability to convey visitors, tourists and black-tie-attired wedding guests, were host to many a twisted ankle, skirt-tripping snags, and bumped heads on the low-hanging porticos. The evening was so glorious in so many ways there was little concern to one's life and limbs. Cobblestones be damned, John Gorsline was finally getting married!

Following the official union, the guests scrambled up the narrow steps, several levels above the garden, to the private reception held on the terrace of the Chateau, overlooking the sun-drenched cliffs below which displayed the organic fruits and vegetable the hotel harvested for the divine gourmet dinner that evening.

The bride and the author.

The wine, champagne and aperitifs flowed as guests mingled, still staggering from the realization that John Gorsline finally had married the love of his life, as we watched the sun glisten on the Mediterranean and the French Riviera as it made its way to America to set on those invitees who had not found the good sense to accept John's and Amy's invitation to attend this spectacular soiree. Did I mention that John Gorsline finally got married?

It was no surprise that most of the guests were from the Vintage and Historic racing A-list crowd, as the streets of Monaco would host the Grand Prix Monaco Historique that weekend. The list included the winningest driver at Monaco, Duncan Dayton, who won the event, with Renae Topp; Kim DeMarais, of the Kimberly-Clark family who has worked at Tiffany's and is now John's aid-de-camp; sports-car racer Paul Miller with his wife Andy; Tony Burgess and Josephine O'Brien; Howard and Barbara Cherry; James King (who took third in his division in the Monaco event) and Kim Coates; Christopher MacAllister with his son Alex; Michael and Joanne Fitzgerald; Doug Mockett and Rita Getzelman; and John and Mimi Delane.

And what is a good wedding without a wedding crasher or two? Two guests happily admitted that they had crashed, but with an invitation in hand, albeit last-minute.

The very dapper Duncan Dayton - a double-winner at the Monaco Historique races.

Most of the guests remained for the Historique held on the same course the Formula One race would run on two weeks later. While some competed, others capped off a joyous four-day wedding celebration with even more fine dining, champagne lunches and VIP viewing of the famous Monaco circuit, courtesy of our hosts and newlyweds.

It was a unique once-in-a-lifetime experience, one that will be etched forever in the memories of all who attended. We congratulate John and Amy and wish them a happy ever after.

Judy