Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a joyous beginning to 2022. As we begin our 29th year of the CFMC, we continue to deal with what seems to be the never-ending threat of our old nemesis, Covid 19 and the repercussions associated with it. The pandemic seems to have defined our lives for the past two years. I think we are all ready to put Covid and its impacts in the rear-view mirror. As has been our position since the beginning of the pandemic, the safety, comfort, and health of our members come first. As a reminder and has been mentioned in the past two Ragtop Tales, 2022 CFMC dues are payable by December 31, 2021, in order to participate in 2022 activities. So, get those payments to Mary Sue Wahl if you haven’t already done so.
As we begin a new year, it is time to focus on what we want to accomplish in the CFMC, knowing that the potential for changes could occur. In spite of the unknowns, I am hopeful that we can still identify priorities and activities for our club for the coming year. This includes planning and scheduling events that can occur or be modified to comply with any restrictions that may be in place due to Covid and future variants. I encourage our members to participate in activities when you’re comfortable and volunteer to host events and activities this year. As I’ve stated in the past, events are the lifeblood of our club and highlight the hallmarks of the CFMC: fun, friendship, and fellowship.
We are still on track for our Holiday party and annual business meeting on Sunday January 9, 2022, at the Circa 1922 restaurant in Wilmington. I want to thank Leon and Beth Rooks for once again hosting and arranging our Holiday Party and annual business meeting as they have willingly done for the past few years. I encourage all members to take any necessary precautions you deem appropriate in order to attend. The major order of business at our meeting will be the election of Secretary and committee chairs for Activities and Facebook page coordinator. The 2022 nominating committee will introduce the candidates, and the members will vote at the meeting. I want to thank those who have stepped forward as candidates as well as express my heartfelt appreciation to Kevin and Deb Perham whose terms as Secretary and Facebook coordinator are expiring and to Tom Pane, Activities chair, who is stepping down after many years of service to the club as a previous officer and numerous committee chair positions. Kevin, Deb and Tom’s years of commitment, dedication, and service to the CFMC have kept our club viable, active, and successful. We also thank those officers who have agreed to extend their expired terms to continue to serve and support the CFMC. I encourage all club members to consider service to the CFMC as activities hosts, officers, or committee chairs and members. Your willingness to serve is vital to the club’s success. Since this meeting will be our club’s first in two years, in addition to officer reports, I want to give club members the opportunity to share their thoughts on priorities, direction, and events for our club. So, I encourage all members to come prepared to share your thoughts, opinions, and ideas with your fellow club members. As we embark on a new year, let’s optimistically prepare for an active 2022 for the CFMC. Modifications can be made as needed to protect or enhance members’ safety. Judy and I wish our members and their families a year of joy, happiness, and good health. I hope to see all of you on January 9. Zoom-Zoom!
Ron Carmichael