Midwest Club members enjoyed our annual birthday party, where we not only celebrated all of our birthdays but also were able to attend a party where we weren’t asked to bring a potluck dish! But of course, we had members who, in their extremely “Midwest Nice” way, brought a dish to compliment our Sloppy Joe and pasta salad menu. Karen DeFontes arrived early to help with sign-in duties and brought a vegetable dish to help round out our menu. Speaking of arriving early, as usual, Terry DeBate was the first smiling face to show up. We appreciated how she cheerfully jumped in to help set out the tablecloths and place settings
Brenda Czech, had eagerly volunteered to make the Sloppy Joes and let slip that she loves to cook and would be happy to help anytime. I’m not certain she realized what a wonderful bit of knowledge she bestowed on me! Brenda and Dave are snowbirds so we won’t be able to call on her for every party, but I might plan our party dates around their schedule. Brenda insisted on bringing an additional dish which was good since all the food was consumed. Brenda and her good friend, Brenda Fryers, sang Happy Birthday to us all, before cutting and serving the cake. Not only did the Czechs bring food they cleaned up after as the rest of us were lingering over our cake and coffee! How can we get Brenda and Dave to stay at Kings Ridge all year long?
The least discussed but probably most important reason for our January get-together is to collect the annual dues. Our bylaws state we must use all of our collected dues each year but may carry over the balance for use in January. I congratulated our Treasurer, Pam Alvord, when she reported after all expenses were paid we ended the year with a balance of $3.50!
Thank goodness we didn’t buy that extra bag of chips!
Thanks to every member who visited Pam or Winnie Metz to pay their 2025 dues! The half hour or so when they are collecting dues is very stressful but these ladies cheerfully handled their mission. Pam’s term as Treasurer of the club has long expired, going back many years as I’m the third club president she has worked with. After my begging and pleading Pam agreed to stay on through 2025. Looking to the future, if you think being club treasurer next term might be a way to use your talents to assist the club please let one of us know and we’ll discuss the job’s duties with you.
Mike’s presentation of members’ childhood photos was much fun, laughing at ourselves and trying to figure out which club member the photo belonged to. We learned more about each member when they shared details about themselves. If you’d like to review the photos, they are all available in the photo gallery below along with a second gallery of candid photos from our event. One interesting fact about the photos was not just how good-looking we all were but how many of us are not from the Midwest but grew up in other parts of the U.S., and even other countries! And here we all are enjoying each other’s company, at Kings Ridge in Clermont, Florida! As if it was meant to be.
We look forward to seeing all of you at our next get-together. Mark your calendars for “A Valentine’s Celebration of Connections” to be held on Tuesday, February 11, at 11:30 am in the Aberdeen room. We’ll be returning to our usual “Pot Luck” style.
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