Highlights of the Valentine Luncheon & Meeting, February 11, 2009

Betsy S. called the meeting to order at Uncle Yu’s restaurant in Lafayette with thanks to Linda S. and Carol B. for arranging the meeting with attention to valentine favors and decorations.

Announcements were made by Betsy regarding the Clipped Wings blog on line by Pamela B.  Log on at www. clippedwingsoak.com.

Our members at the Special Olympics in Boise this week are Pamela B., Barbara S., & Candi S.

V. P. Marty P. reported that we have 59 current members. 

Treasurer Barbara D. gave the treasurer’s report, and the budget was approved by a show of hands.  A motion was made and seconded that we give $1000 to Las Trampas for the Hat and not more than $250 for the basket, which will be raffled off.

Our chapter has invited the national officers of Clipped Wings to the Hat and so far Pam Z. has accepted.  We are given 5 tickets to the Hat and it was moved by Marty and seconded by Trudy E. that we give the tickets to the national officers.

Jackie presented the bow ties and scarves to be worn at the Hat event.  The club will pay $5 for the bow ties for the bartenders, and each member will buy her own scarf for $5.50. (Send your check payable to CW to OAK Treasurer).

Other announcements:  Barbara D. read a thank-you note for the contribution made to Marty P. grandchild who had a trail ride to raise money for CFC.

Food tasting for the Hat event is Friday, Feb. 19 at the Lafayette Park Hotel.

Carol B. thanked Linda S. for the valentine goodies and reported that Linda is doing ok after her foot surgery.

All news for Skywritings are due to Vija L. tomorrow, Friday Feb 12.

Envelope stuffing for the Hat event is at Las Trampas on Mar 11 from 9 to 3. Please sign up

Also, please sign up for the ESL show which will be held on March 5.  If you have any questions, please contact Karen T.

Carol B. reminded us of the Irish Coffee meeting next month (March) and that we need a home for the April meeting.

Doris P. is a former member in an assisted living home near us and would like visitors.

Carol B. suggested a May outing at the Sattui winery.  It’s $25 for a tour and wine tasting.

Carolyn A. reminded all that The Day At The Races is May 17 and would like those interested to sign up—cost is $32 per person and includes parking, Turf Club and lunch buffet.  It’s a Sunday

Ways & Means chair, Trudy E., and helper, Jackie C., held the drawing of a lovely red handbag and heart necklace. Ruth Ann S. was the lucky lady today.

Meeting adjourned to a great Chinese lunch. 

Respectfully submitted Carolyn A.

Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho -  2009

OAK members Candi S, Barbara S. and Pamela B. volunteered to attend the World games this last week.  Volunteer options at the games were minimal which is always disappointing.  But somehow we always manage to keep busy and enjoy the festivities of this wonderful event - which was the largest winter sporting event ever!

We did make it to the Ice World to watch speed skating & some award ceremonies. With us were Sue D./PHX her room mate Pat G./SJC and Lavon C/DTW. We met a sweet little athlete from Russia - she proudly displayed her medals for our photograph!

Friday was the Family Reception - we expected 1400 - though we probably greeted under a 1000.  Tim Shriver was there and in his opening statement mentioned Clipped Wings and our loyalty through the many years - very nice comments. The families were treated to lovely buffet dinner and given the opportunity to visit with other parents, SO officials and CW members.

Our National President made some brief comments which included thanking the CW SO Committee for all their hard work and then drew the winning raffle ticket which was won by a SEA parent - the prize was UA business class tickets for two. 

By 7:00 P.M. the families and CW volunteers boarded buses for the Closing Ceremonies. The atmosphere in the arena was joyous with dancing athletes and some tired volunteers!  The announcement of the next SO World Summer games in Athens Greece brought sheer excitement!!

The Boise people were all very gracious to us; we had great hotel accommodations (sans a bar!), a delicious breakfast came with our room and there were plenty of nice restaurants to venture out to after our volunteer jobs were complete.  But best of all was the opportunity to see other CW members from every part of the country.  

It was a great time to reconnect with old friends such as former OAK member Judy S and Suzanne F./STL.  We spent time rehashing our adventure in Japan with Cricket/ ORD, we talked about Austria with Gwen/ PDX, and had the opportunity to better acquaint ourselves to MAR Co -President Diane B (& Lorraine U.) - just to name a few!

There are more stories to tell but this should suffice - it was indeed our pleasure to join the other 60+ CW's in Boise to watch the 2400 SO athletes  "compete in an atmosphere of acceptance diversity, and joy!" 

From Lavon C./DTW

Lavon C. said...

Okay, I finally found how to post a comment. I hope other chapters will follow in your footsteps. I am trying to ressurect our "Prop Wash" newsletter, and hope to be able to post it in the near future. Detroit Chapter just had a meeting on Friday at one of our newer member's home, Carolyn G. She stepped up to the plate as our Editor this year, and is doing a great job. One of our members, Patty T. has been in the hospital for a few weeks, and hopefully will be out soon. Our President, Roni L. was telling us tales about when she roomed with you (Pamela) at a convention many years ago. We are all surviving one of the coldest winters we have had in a few years. We have a foot or more of snow that just sits there, defying the sun god to melt it. As long as it is this cold though, we get more sunshine -- go figure. It is better than those warmer (40 degree) days that produce grey clouds. Send some of your sunshine our way with much, much warmer days, and I will see you in Boise in about 10 days. Best wishes to all, Lavon, DTW