PRESIDENT'S LETTER FEBRUARY 2010

During the very cold and unusual weather for Florida it was actually quite refreshing to see a small amount of breath come out of our mouths when we walk early in the morning, or see the slight frost on the lawns.  It reminds us of how relative cold weather is, and how lucky we really are.  For we know that in just weeks the temperature will warm up and normal service will be resumed.  And so the women's club is offering many enjoyable events to take us into spring.

On January 17th a group of us travelled by bus to the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. A private dinner was set up for us in the theatre, and we were then treated to a fabulous performance of the Broadway revival of South Pacific. Great job Lila Cooper and Teresa Haddock for organizing this event for us!
January 27th was our second General Meeting of the year, and traditionally our annual Fashion Show and Luncheon. This luncheon was by far the best-attended of any in recent years with over 180 attendees.  It was held at the Polo Grill in Lakewood Ranch.  Fashions were provided by A Clothes Encounter on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch and many of the other merchants on Main Street participated in the event with gift certificates and other goodies.  Many of our Special Interests Groups were represented at our Special Interest Group Fair. These included the Photography group, the Gardeners, Gadabouts, Canasta, the Book group, Needlecrafters, and the Park Larks. The tables were beautifully presented and at all times there were many people looking and learning and signing up.

At this luncheon, I presented a check for $10,000 to Gigi Kelly (left), Director of Manatee Children's Services. These funds were raised from your generous support of our charity ball in December. She, and her two colleagues who were present at the luncheon, were quite overcome and so grateful. 

Thank you to everyone who donated to this very worthy cause. I also had the privilege of reading a letter that had been sent to me from MCS to thank us for the gifts we had sent for our Pick-a-Child project at Christmas.  There aren't many people who can claim they moved someone to tears because of their act of kindness; that they made a child so happy that they were speechless; that they did something so kind that dozens of children will forever have a fond Christmas memory.  No, not many people, except all of us.  I don't know whether one can define the joy of opening gifts on Christmas morning as a miracle, but when you consider that the children doing so suffered abuse and neglect, many with relatives struggling to make ends meet and some with no family at all, it is miraculous. We did indeed make a difference in their lives, and I thank all of you so much.

This month our Social Committee is planning a Wine Tasting at Michael's on East on February 19th and on March 7th we have our annual Baseball Game, which this year is between the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox.   Check the website for both of these events and be sure to download your reservation forms as soon as possible.

We are now looking ahead to next year and we need members who would be interested in serving on our Board of Directors.  This is a wonderful way to learn about the Women's Club and to be a real part of a vibrant organization.  Please contact Susie Melum if you would like to be a Board member.  We are also looking for suggestions for a charity to sponsor in the 2010-2011 club year.  Please let our Outreach Chair, Terry Needell, or me know of any organization you feel would be a worthy candidate.

I wish you all a good month.  Please join us for our activities.

Best wishes,