We are halfway through what might be the winter of our discontent for some, given the weather and the political climate. No matter what, we can weather whatever storms come our way because we have each other for support, interesting diversions and good old-fashioned common sense. Our collective experience tells us that whatever it is we are going through—just hang on, things will change, just like our New England weather. Winter can be a depressing time with limited sunshine, short days and longer nights, particularly if you are alone. But you don’t have to be alone or a little down. You have friends and contacts to lift the mood. Take out our membership roster and call a few folks, make some plans for lunch or dinner, go see a movie or just get together for a cup of coffee. Spring is just around the corner and we will all be able to get back out & about.
Speaking of just around the corner, we have elections coming up in April and we need you to step up to the plate to replace outgoing board members. There are currently five board seats expiring with three of those board members running again. We are also in need of a newsletter editor. John’s last edition will be in April. My position as president expires in April, and although my seat has another year to go as a board member, after much thought, I will be resigning.
I have too many upcoming projects and limited time to give to a board position. These projects have come about through my networking with other organizations as a board member. This has been very rewarding. So there is plenty of opportunity for your hands on involvement to steer the club into new adventures. Just because three board members will throw their hats back into the ring does not mean they cannot be challenged. Step up and shake things up! We need new ideas and fresh energy. Over the past two years, I have heard ideas and complaints from some of you. Now is the time to put some of those ideas in motion and give solutions to some of those complaints. I have heard that being a board member is not a good experience and that board meetings are contentious. That is far from the truth. The board has been running smoothly with nothing but cooperation and good fellowship. This is your club. You only get back out of it as much as you put into it.
Speaking of upcoming changes, we are moving forward with a new web service provider. In the very near future you will be given the new web address and the webpage itself will be revamped. Please stay tuned. For approximately seven years, Charlie Briggs and Steve Lord have been our webpage gurus, and have provided us with those services. Steve also traveled into the office to send out the Prologue e-mail blast on a monthly basis in a very timely manner. We thank both of them very much for all that they have done for us.
We have a few things coming up that can all look forward to. There is the Hasty Pudding Theatricals on March 2nd. The cutoff date is February 10th, so you need to get your tear sheet in to us now. Tony is cooking up another after-meeting meal in honor of St. Patrick’s Day on March 18th. As for this month, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will be joining us to talk about your sexual health—I told them that all of you were active—so lie if you aren’t! They are also going to be painting one of your faces. Who wants to volunteer? And we have dining out at Club Café on February 28th.
I am heading off to Florida for these next few months to honor my contractual obligations at the Florida Renaissance Festival, leaving you in the very capable hands of your Vice President, Harry Fullerton. I will let you know what the Fort Lauderdale chapter is up to in my next column and give you an update on our snowbird members down there. Oh, and Happy Valentine’s Day! Hug a Prime Timer if you haven’t already hugged one yet today.