PRESIDENT’S CORNER: December 12, 2016

Winter Scene As promised, I’ll lighten up in this edition as we sink ever closer to the winter solstice on December 21. At least it now really feels like winter. Who among us would not be familiar with this great poem of winter?

Stopping by Woods On a Snowy Evening, by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it's queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there's some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Fee Structure: Your Board did meet, discuss and pass the new fee structure that I discussed last week. Very briefly, if the membership accepts this change, here’s how it will work: 1) You pay a $30 annual membership fee; 2) you pay $30 for each term you wish to participate in with classes or Special Interest Groups…think of a “term” as the 3 month periods of winter, spring, summer or fall; 3) you only pay for those terms in which you plan to take classes or participate in things like Film Forum, Knit & Purlers, Writing Retreat or Yoga, et al. We will call a special membership meeting in March to vote on this proposal so the changes can be effective with Summer, 2017. For more information, please try to attend the second Town Hall Meeting on January 11 at 1 PM!

The Night is Freezing Fast by A. E. Housman

The night is freezing fast,

            To-morrow comes December;

                        And winterfalls of old

Are with me from the past;

            And chiefly I remember

                        How Dick would hate the cold.

Fall, winter, fall; for he,

            Prompt hand and headpiece clever,

                        Has woven a winter robe,

And made of earth and sea

            His overcoat for ever;

                        And wears the turning globe.

Holiday Bazaar: Well over a hundred turned out for our Holiday event, to listen to music, circulate among the many tables of craft items for sale or show and nibble the goodies. I heard quite a few expressions of approval for what might become an annual tradition. There was definitely a holiday spirit in the air, so thanks, one and all!

Winter Term: Begins on January 23, so I hope those of you that did come to the Bazaar studied the new Winter catalog, chose your classes and put in your registrations. There’s still plenty of time and those catalogs will be coming along via mail soon and is already on our web site. It’s really easy to register via the website. If you haven’t reviewed the excellent improvements to the website, go spend some time there…you’ll be glad you did.

I think that covers the ground for this issue. Now get out there and do some retail therapy!

Jim Held, President