December 17, 2003

 

President Leon graciously welcomed everyone to the last Club meeting of 2003 with a holiday gong of the sacred XC bell.  No doubt enticed by the prospect of the One Hundred Dollar holiday pot, there was a scramble for seats with an overflow crowd.  Bob McSweeney was honored to lead the Pledge for the last time in 2003 and Father Tim delivered still another sterling Blessing as only a man of the cloth could do.  Bucky Bamman was accompanied by his guest and law partner Patrick Giunta.

 Father Tim reminded us in his Invocation that we were celebrating the one hundred year anniversary of the first manned flight that very morning.  It was a special anniversary for all of mankind especially Exchangites.  Orville Wright and Jimmy Doolittle were both members of the Club and Amelia Earhart was bestowed an honorary membership after she became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.  The support of aviation was the first national project adopted by the Club and supported for many years before being replaced by the prevention of child abuse. 

 Prez Leon had to do his own reporting of the Board meeting due to the absence of Secretary Larry Crismond who was reported lame.  It was reported that the Board took a close look at the recent and successful annual 150 event to see if they could make it even better for next year.  If you missed the Board meeting but have some suggestions you would like to share, pass them on to either Leon, Larry or Larry (collectively known as the “three stooges”).  The Board is also considering a Spring golf tournament and another Great Invite Nite at Duran’s LHP home sometime in January 2004.

 Sunshine reports this week that Coach got a real bad cold and looks like Rudolph with his nose so bright.  Dr. HB has things under control so we expect a complete and total recovery.  Judy and Bill Sullivan are also reporting an addition to their family.  Youngest daughter Tracy delivered a healthy baby boy, Kyle Raymond Carlsen, last Saturday afternoon.  Kyle, his mother and father and grandparents are all doing well although grandmother has a last minute stocking to make and hang.  We’ve got anniversaries galore to celebrate this month.  Club members celebrating the anniversary of their membership included Paul Z (#22), Big Dog Keith Bowman (#9), Allan Burrows (#4) and the Dons Johnson and Parrish (#2).  The love birds celebrating their wedding anniversaries are Pike and Laurie Rowley, #29 on 12/20, Jerry and Mary Moore, #49 on 12/21, and Wild Willie and Sue Allison, #40 on Christmas day.  Congratulations to all and to all a good night. 

 The Christmas secret shaking man this year was Mike “the banking giant” Bonner who shook the always lucky Bob McSweeney.  It being the holiday season and a sharing time, there were three pots this week thanks to the hard work of Nick Likourgou who was on ticket duty.  Paul Z won an XC golf shirt, a nice stocking stuffer for the lovely Irene.  Don Parrish took home the regular pot of $36 and Hundred Ton escaped with the $100 Christmas pot after the Tom Hasis rule was invoked for his lack of a name tag on his person.   The rule was relaxed, however, when old HT pledged his winnings to Operation Brave Kids.  Thus the Hasis rule claims still another victim.

 You may recall that last year over the Christmas holidays while the Off the Cuff offices were closed, the dastardly John Ghee broke in and published an unauthorized edition defaming fellow members and generally lauding himself.  This act of selfishness ruined the holidays for most of the members and we have taken extraordinary security measures to insure that it will not be repeated this year.  This will be the last authorized edition of the Cuff for 2003.  Rest assured that during the next two weeks the Off the Cuff offices will be patrolled with armed guards with dogs.  Those who would try another such prank, and you know who you are, govern yourselves accordingly.

 We had a good 2003 as the premiere service club in North Broward.  We raised some serious money for charity, had a good time doing it and are experiencing positive growth with new and energetic members.  As we look forward to a new year, lets give thanks for the Blessings of the past and resolve to make 2004 even better.  Have a very merry Christmas / Hanukah (circle one or both) and a happy New Year.