President’s Letter – December, 2005

By Dick Stafford

Greetings Fellow Skålleagues!

Our members and guests enjoyed a wonderful evening at the Bridge Resort on Tuesday night December 13th. Several attendees commented that it was the nicest holiday party in years. This was the third year that we have held our annual Christmas Dinner Dance at the Bridge Resort.

The evening started with an open bar and an assortment of hors d'oeuvres followed by an excellent dinner. We were entertained through out the evening by the Joe Spileto Trio featuring Ron Stevens on drums. Needless to say the dance floor was very active. It was good to see Scotty kicking up his heals after his knee replacement surgery this year.

The silent auction included some great items. Among them were a variety of hotel overnight accommodations and meal certificates, golf apparel, SKAL of the Palm Breaches golf shirts, a desk set, 2 crystal items, a wine gift basket, CD's, 3 hand puppets and several gift souvenirs from Princess Cruise Lines. Thanks very much to the members who donated these items for the auction and to Ron Stevens and Larry Magor for spearheading the effort to make the auction a success. Thanks also to Wayne Lampert for organizing and handling the auction display during the cocktail hour and dinner. Bidding was brisk and the club received over $900.00 from the auction.

Jan West called to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Jan underwent hip replacement surgery in October and is in the middle of the slow recovery process. He is now able to walk short distances with the aide of a cane and hopes to be able to join us at our meeting in February.

You will be receiving your statement for your 2006 dues during the last week of December. Please remember that payment is due no later than January 31st which is when the club must pay all of the SKAL dues and submit a final list of active and retired members for 2006. The new plans for payment of meeting charges in addition to the annual SKAL Dues are as follows:

Active members will have 2 options:

     A. Pay by January 31, 2006 $400.00 for all 10 dinner meetings including the formal Holiday Dinner Dance and Installation of Officers Dinner.

     B. Pay by January 31, 2006 $150.00 for 3 dinner meetings of their choice excluding the formal Holiday Dinner Dance. The member will then pay $50.00 for each additional meeting that they attend during the year at the time of the meeting.

Life members, in addition to their annual dues which are payable on or before January 31, 2006 will pay $50.00 for each dinner meeting attended during the year.

Visiting SKAL members will pay $50.00 for each dinner meeting attended.

Guests will pay $50.00 for each dinner meeting attended.

Each member that brings a guest as a potential member and pays for their first dinner meeting will be reimbursed the $50.00 for the first meeting when the guest officially becomes a member. If the guest paid for their first dinner meeting and becomes a member they will also be reimbursed the $50.00 from the first meeting at the time they pay their membership dues

Our locations for upcoming dinner meetings after the first of the year are:

January 17, 2006 - we will be at the Sheraton in Ft. Lauderdale

February 21, 2006 - we will be at the Marriott - City Place in West Palm Beach

March 21, 2006 - we will be at the Renaissance in Ft. Lauderdale

April 18, 2006 - we will be at the Marriott in Boca Raton

Don't forget to check the clubs website for additional club news and pictures from the holiday dinner dance. CLICK HERE

Have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season. Looking forward to seeing everyone in 2006.

Happy New Year!!

SKAL

Dick Stafford
President