President’s Message – July 2021

Don’t look now, but 2021 is half over!  Summertime is in full swing, and thankfully we are slowly returning to normal with visits to friends and family and everyday activities.  For another rude awakening, you only have 177 shopping days until Christmas!  When compared to 2020, this year’s July 4^th celebrations will almost certainly be viewed with more appreciation and gratitude than last year’s.  As we all know, one of the aspects of living in this beautiful area is the fact that we must deal with the possibility of severe weather.  We are in the midst of hurricane season.  And although the peak usually arrives between September and October, these storms can approach at any time.  Now is the time to begin preparations for potential storm threats.  This means assembling hurricane preparedness kits, developing evacuation strategies, plans and routes.  Those of us in the Southport-Oak Island area learned from hurricane Isaias in August 2020 that a category 1 storm can inflict significant damage and disruption.  So don’t be afraid but be prepared.  There are numerous resources available from local TV stations on what a hurricane emergency preparedness kit and plan should contain.  Check these out and prepare now.

All of us are anxious and thankful that we can once again move about and make socialization a part of day-to-day living. A top priority for all of us is to reconnect with loved ones, family, and friends after a year of shutdown and for some, isolation.  While reconnecting with family and friends is an understandable priority, it is also a great time to begin our Cape Fear Miata Club’s return to social activities.  Some members are looking at potential events, but we need other members to step up and identify and host CFMC outings.  Just getting together for fun, friendship and good times is the point of our Club’s activities.   A picnic in a local park, gathering for a group meal at a restaurant or a simple day ride would be great.  So put on your thinking hats and contact activities chair Tom Pane (toe45@aol.com) and share your ideas.  Despite the pandemic, our Club has not only maintained our membership totals, but has actually added members this past year.  Now is a great time for our new members to find out what the CFMC is about and how much fun we have.  So, let’s get some events on our remaining 2021 calendar, lower those tops, and take our Miatas for a ride.

Of course, the highlight of July will be the celebration of the birthday of America. July 4^th is the day we celebrate to give thanks and gratitude for our Nation’s founding and the privilege of being an American.  This “American privilege” is something we all share.  The United States of America, while not perfect, is blessed to be earth’s best bastion of hope, opportunity, and freedom for all.  These blessings have not come without a price.  We should never forget those whose service and sacrifice have made these things possible for all of us.  The privilege of being an American comes with responsibilities.  It is our responsibility and duty to fight, defend and protect our freedoms for future generations.  Our American freedoms are under attack from enemies within and outside of our country.  We owe it to generations of the past, present, and future to speak with a united American voice to preserve, protect and defend the greatest nation on earth. I suggest that everyone take some time this month to do a google search and read the Declaration of Independence signed July 4, 1776, which marked the birth of our nation and set forth our “unalienable rights” to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and the Bill of Rights signed March 4, 1789, which includes Amendments 1-10 of the Constitution of the United States signed September 17, 1787 outlining our style of government and defining rights that are protected from intrusion by government.  These documents, prepared by our founding fathers and written in understandable language, outline the vision that defines the United States.   July 4^th is a great time to share these documents with your children and grandchildren as well.   Happy Birthday USA!  I wish everyone has a safe and happy July 4^th and I hope to see you on a Miata trip real soon.  Happy driving.

Zoom-Zoom!

Ron Carmichael