Volume 19, Issue 11

President’s Corner

Christmas Greetings

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving and survived being taken out by the the better half for a day of bargain hunting. I found a way out on the way over to the mall by telling the wife; "here is my life's savings have fun". I will probably regret that for a long time. Then go find a Sears store and check out all the tools that you would love to have in your workshop, I assure you, you won't be alone. After spending an hour or two there go back down into the mall, which is like trying to get into traffic during the rush hour on the Parkway in Pittsburgh. Your next stop is to the book store to check out the Aviation books and Magazines. If you remember when you were learning to fly, we were always taught to stay with your airplane to better your chances of being found. If you try venture out to find your better half, the chances will be next to zero so the next best option is to go find a nice coffee shop and drink about six cups of coffee, enjoy the sights and odds are within a couple of hours they will come across you and they will demand to know where you have been. (with 6 cups of coffee who needs a pilots license - Ed)

Christmas is not far off, it is the most fun and rewarding time of the year. It is a time when families get together, a time for sharing and giving. A time when we can throw all our diets out the window, because everyone we visit will have tons of Christmas cookies to get rid of. There is always the New Year to get restarted.
I hope all our members have a great Christmas with their families and Santa Claus brings everyone that special gift. From my family to yours "Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year"

Dave, Nancy and Kristin

The Upcoming New Year
This past year had mixed reviews, we tried to make the Chapter meetings as interesting as possible, some things worked out some didn't. I would like to thank Rick Ramsey for always coming up with a plan "B". This past year has been a bit of a blur for me, I am sorry to admit I haven't been able to give the 110% the Chapter deserved. My thanks to the officers, trustees and devoted members who stepped in and gave their best.
We were hoping to have the new Chapter building under roof by now, unfortunately the bids coming in for the pillar bases and the concrete floor were a little more than we expected. We could have poured the floor ourselves, but the frost wall and pillar bases is a whole different ball game as they have to be right on the money with the measurements for the beams. Tom Cucarese has been working very hard trying to get the lowest bid possible. He been in contact with more contractors than I care to know.
Time is on our side, we have the complete building including the hanger door on site, we will continue to bring in the extra funds through the Chapter's recycling project to help boost the project. I would like to thank everyone in the Chapter who continue to bring out the papers and alum. cans. Right now I am cleaning out the Chapter building once a week. On the average bringing in over $25.00 or better a week. So keep it coming.
One thing that concerns me is that the meeting attendance and special event attendance has been dropping off over the past year. I hope like me that it has been just a busy year for every one. Maybe we are not getting the word out as well as we should. I would like to hear any suggestions you might have.
Most of you who have computers now get the chapter newsletters online. Don Green has been the web master, designing and maintaining it for us. Not only are members able to read the newsletter online, we have joined the ranks of many other fellow Chapters on the Web. The electronic newsletter has saved the Chapter a great deal in printing and mailing costs, which will rise again next year, it also gives us instant access to past newsletters and web links. Some of us can't get to sit down in front of a computer and check our e-mails as much as we like, so if you prefer an old fashion newsletter, e-mail Don and let him know and he will make the switch over.

Next Meeting: December 3, 2004 Christmas Banquet, Naples 6 PM

Next Meeting: December 3, 2004
Christmas Banquet, Naples 6 PM