Happy New Year to All!
I hope everyone is doing well and had a wonderful Christmas! The weather has been a lot cooler; just right for the Holiday Season. Susan and I took a quick trip to Bee Branch, Arkansas to visit our son Johnny and his wife Maggie. It was Susan’s first time at their home, and she thoroughly enjoyed it. We have another granddaughter on the way—Nellie is due in March! I guess there will be another road trip in the near future to see our little cutie pie!
The December Club gathering was at the “Gasparilla Cars in the Park” car show. We set up my tent along the lakeside; OCF members parked their Oldsmobiles in 2 rows in front of it. Everything was great and very convenient. Although it was a little windy and chilly, we had a good time visiting with each other and checking out all the other cars. Club member Pete Castellano also brought his tent so we pulled them together; this made a good gathering place for our Club meeting.
We started off with introductions to make everyone feel welcome. Pete’s grandson came with him and there were a few members we haven’t seen for a while. Afterwards, we had the election of OCF officers…. I can’t understand why there wasn’t a list of candidates just waiting for the opportunity to occupy these amazing positions! (just buttering you up for next year). Well, last years’ slate is this year’s slate with a few modifications. Karen Stutzman is our new club Secretary; thank you Karen for stepping up! Paul Berman is the new Club Representative—replacing Pat Higgins. Thanks Paul! I’m happy to announce Kerri Berman is remaining as Club Treasurer and Pat Whissel is still Vice President. Yep…. You’re stuck with me as your President for a fourth year. I am grateful for my fellow officers; we all do our best to keep the Club active and search for interesting events for us to attend.
As the meeting continued we discussed future events including the Oldsmar Days Show and Parade, the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch Spring Open House, another OCF picnic and members only show at the park in Tavares and the BOPC. If you have any ideas for 2025 Club gatherings, I’d like to hear them. A couple of years ago, we took the trip to St. Augustine for a museum show and a long weekend, what do you think about doing something similar this year? Maybe at a different location? Maybe at the same place? Let us know. Pat will continue to call the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch and the Oldsmar Chamber of Commerce to pin them down about dates for their 2025 events.
The new calendars are in! As usual David Allen has done an amazing job putting them together! Thanks David, I’m sure everyone is looking forward to seeing them. Just a friendly reminder, if you haven’t renewed your club membership, now’s the time to do it. We look forward to seeing everyone throughout the year. This year I’d like to focus on growing our membership. The more, the merrier as the saying goes.
I wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year!
That’s all I have for now. Remember to keep those Rockets fired up and rolling!
John