President’s Letter – December, 2008

Greetings Fellow Skålleagues!

Our December meeting was held at Carmen's Rooftop Restaurant at the Boca Raton Bridge Hotel. Thanks go to the staff of Carmen's for making the evening a most enjoyable one. The cocktail hour, with open bar, was greatly enhanced by the great hors d'oeuvres including Salmon Cakes and Chicken Satay which the restaurant presented. There was more than enough to go around. Dance music was provided by Bob Voca on keyboard.

The opening toast was given by Art Stark.

With the club 56 members strong we acknowledged the presence of many guests, and prospective members. Included were the wives of, Paul Alterman (Sheila), Peter Berlin (Judy), Bernard Kainer (Nancy), Martin Baum (Ruth), Art Stark (Andrea), Mark Flager (Laura), Carlos Banks (Isabel), and Bernie Falkow (Marilyn). In addition Becky Reincke brought her husband (Dave). Dick Stafford brought Linda Fraser, Gail freedman was accompanied by Mike Kerry, Stefan Richter brought Peggy Stemper, Paul Cook was accompanied by June Leonard, and Wayne Lampert brought Ricardo Bustamante. The following propective members were present; Lucia Ganoza escorted by James Hansen, Robert Betencourt a guest of Bernie Falkow and Kristina Harmon. In addition Charles Verner and Karen August were guests of Wayne Lampert.

The silent auction was well received having been organized by James Hansen and Dick Stafford with contributions from Jawayne Keyser of Martinair, Fred Ghadimi & Tom Miller of the Palm Beach Airport Hilton, Pelican Bay Lucaya by Becky Reincke, eBoat Charters thanks to Serenna Hoermann, Divi Southwinds donated by Bonnie Hanley, The Westin Lucaya courtesy of Gail Gruenbaum, The Intercontinental San Juan by Lauretta De Meo, a Japanese Ship Sculpture donated by Art Stark, 4 - 1 hour golf lessons from our prospective member Robert Betancourt, a sumptuous large Cookie Gift Basket made by our own Bonnie Brown, a clock from our former member Bill Pullen, and many other hotel and restaurant gift certificates obtained for our auction by James Hansen and Dick Stafford. Thanks to everyone who donated and who participated in one of our most successful auctions to date.

The closing toast was given by one of our newer members, Martin Baum.

Those of you who have not logged on to our website recently, www.skal-ftlauderdale-palmbeaches.org, are encouraged to do so and to check out the pictures of this great December meeting. Additionally, any member wishing to have a link put on the website to their business can do so by sending a 'live link' to rwstaff@bellsouth.net.

Those members who have had a change in email address are requested to contact Paul Cook at travelizme@aol.com and inform him of those changes. In addition any other changes (address, phone, etc.) should be made on the NAASC website, www.naasc.com with a copy to Paul Cook.

All members are invited to visit the SKAL International website to check on future conferences at www.skal.org.

The locations for our upcoming meetings are as follows:

• January 20, 2009 - The Chef's Palette at the AI Culinary Institute, Ft. Lauderdale. Please be sure to register early to guarantee receiving the fantastic menu they have planned for us.
• February 17, 2009 will be held at the Marriott West Palm Beach - City Place.

Upcoming SKAL events are:
SIUSA and NAASC will hold their annual meeting in Anchorage, Alaska from May 7-10. Those wishing more information or to register can do so at www.skal.org and follow the links to congresses and then under area committee congresses N.A.A.S.C. in Anchorage.

My Best Wishes to each and every one of you for a HEALTHY AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON.

I look forward to seeing you all at the January Meeting.

SKAL

Wayne M Lampert
President