"Can you believe that it is 2012? Where did that year go? Well, the last two or three months of it were happily spent out in the shop making a bunch of toys for our Christmas toy project. Everyone has their thing that really revs their engine. The toy project is mine. Working side by side with many others who help with this is just a wonderful thing. And to stand in the shop and stare at the hundreds and hundreds of toys all done and ready to go out the door after all the planning and hard work is an amazingly fulfilling sensation.
We had a terrific group of elves this year that spent significant amounts of time working on the toys. But it didn’t feel like a job, it felt good. Well, it was a little bit scary when we hadn’t painted a single cradle, it was raining and we only had three days left before distribution! However, we made it. It is a little hard to say for sure how many of our members support this event by actually making the toys. I am fairly confident that it is at least 50 though and that is nearly 50% of our members, which is by far the best supported program that we do. Thank you so much for all that you have done – this is a very good thing.
The Banquet is coming up! Be sure to take part in this celebration. It will be on March 17th in Tulare at 5:30. Invitations will soon go out. We are looking for folks to donate items for the associated raffle as well as items just to display so that the many guests will be able to experience first hand how talented you all are.
The 2012 Education Program is also in development and should be rolled out in January. What I have seen about it so far is very exciting. Louis Volpp and his committee comrades are doing a great job with the club’s primary initiative. You can all look forward to the new class offerings and I trust that the participation level from all of you will match the effort that goes into preparing for these classes by the committee and the instructors.
A committee has been set up to look into having a juried show. So what does that mean? Good question! The committee will need your help as it endeavors to figure out what you, the membership, wants to do and will support. That’s right, it is up to all of you. So figure out what you want to do and tell the committee your desires. At the moment, that committee consists of Ben Douglas, Leroy Ediger and Joe Weigandt. They do need more help so if you have an interest, jump on board.
Work smart out there in your shops and remember to keep safety your number one priority."
Sincerely,
David Dunlap
President
