President’s Message – September 2020
I hope this finds everyone safe and healthy. August was ushered in by a surprisingly severe Hurricane Isaias. I hope that everyone survived the storm and that any damage you suffered was minimal. Here in our portion of Brunswick County, damage was particularly extensive on the western portions of Oak Island predominately due to a very large storm surge. The Town of Southport suffered significant damage as well. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those who were impacted by Isaias as well as Hurricane Laura. We are just now approaching the peak of hurricane season, so please stay prepared and keep those hurricane kits stocked and handy.
September brings us to the waning days of summer with only 121 shopping days until Christmas! Very little has been normal in our lives since mid-March, meaning that the spring and summer of 2020 essentially have passed almost unnoticed. Except for a fun mid-summer day trip hosted by Paul and Rebecca Reinmann, we have not had a face-to-face CFMC event since our Tech Day on March 14. We have continued club communication through the publication of the Ragtop Tales and through “virtual” Bitty and Beaus events using the Zoom app, our website, and the Club’s Facebook page. The next Bitty and Beaus “virtual” gathering will be on September 12. As I’ve stated before, in order to maintain interest and viability of our Club, it is important that we maintain connection, communication, and where possible and comfortable to members, events and activities. In light of the continuing concerns about Covid-19, achieving this will be a challenge. Undoubtedly, we will face much uncertainty in the coming months due to the virus and governmental restrictions, causing our club to continue to consider events on a case-by-case basis. One CFMC event that is in jeopardy is our holiday party and annual business meeting which we normally have in January. This event requires planning of the venue months in advance. Since we don’t know what the Covid-19 situation or restrictions might be like in January, we can’t make plans for the party yet. I will be discussing options with the CFMC board regarding this event and will seek member input based upon the Board’s recommendations. Until then, please send our Activities Director, Tom Pane (toe45@aol.com), your thoughts for any type of club event that you think might be safely planned in light of the current situation.
As a kid I remember watching the Superman TV show in the 1950’s. The show always ended with Superman standing in front of the American flag and a voice saying that the “Man of Steel” was fighting for “Truth, Justice, and the American way.” This month brings us the 19th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York, Washington D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We all vividly remember where we were on that day. The 9/11 attacks sought to destroy truth, justice, and the American way of life. And just like the American heroes that fought on and since that day to keep us free, safe, and healthy, we still have American heroes facing another enemy, the Covid-19 pandemic. Be sure to remember and thank all those heroes and their families who have and continue to fight for our freedoms, health, and the American way. And we as Americans can help by pulling together and uniting to fight and defeat the pandemic, just like we did after 9/11. The United States of America isn’t perfect, but it is still the greatest nation on earth and will always be worth fighting for. Social distancing is great in the Miata! Stay safe and healthy and I hope to see you all soon.
Zoom-Zoom!