May 2010 Newsletter

“It’s A Wrap!

That’s what a director says when a scene has been captured on film. With this issue of The Wright Word “it’s a wrap” for the 2009-2010 OSC year. What a good year this has been! I am constantly amazed at how much goes on behind the scenes and just how much time, energy and dedication is devoted to our organization by its members. Please join me as I say thank you, and recognize just a few of those deserving members.

  • Rebecca Ingebo comes to mind as she offered her talents in establishing three new activities for our Club: Country Western Dance, Fitness Group and Memoir Writing which became Wright Writers.
  • Katy Howard led a team of volunteers to help decorate the Wright-Patterson Club for the holidays, upholding a long-held tradition between the Wright-Patterson Club and the WPOSC – that’s setup and take down!
  • Karen Donahue headed up the Airmen’s Cookie Drive. Our airmen had boxes of cookies delivered for the holidays and expressed thanks for the loving hands that baked thousands of cookies. How “sweet” is that?
  • How can I begin to thank Laurie Carl for all the time and love she has devoted to The Wright Word? It is a yearlong, ongoing effort because as soon as an issue arrives in the mail she is at the computer creating the next issue. Please remember to personally thank Laurie for her dedication.
  • Think about the team of proofreaders: Kathy Cohrs, Dale Johnsen, Nydia Ramos, Rita Ryer and Julie Zalewski. Month after month these ladies spend countless hours reviewing The Wright Word in order to bring you a newsletter to be proud of, and in my humble opinion, one of the best in the nation.
  • “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” Jo Tarka and Lucinda Rogers (Circulation) did a splendid job working with the postal service to ensure that your copy of the newsletter was in your mail box with plenty of time to participate in our monthly activities.
  • Inma Kusnierek led the International Spouses’ Group in presenting one of the best International Fairs to date for the greater Wright-Patt community. Our international spouses add so many enriching moments to our lives. Gracias. Arigato. Grazie. Danke. Muito Obrigado. Cok tesekkur ederim. Thank you!
  • Amy Jo Jones (Mah Jongg Book Sales) takes the orders and ships our Mah Jongg rule books all over the world, bringing to our coffers thousands of dollars a year. Phyllis Lafky and Phyllis Artz (Thrift Shop) and volunteers too numerous to list, added the funds to support so many local charities in their time of need.
  • Jim Vernon (Scholarships) led the effort to award thousands of dollars in college scholarships to qualified graduating seniors.
  • Paula Cardenas has done a fabulous job planning programs and making luncheon arrangements for the greater membership. It’s been a real treat each month to enter the ballroom and view Paula’s gorgeous table settings! The door prizes are always special too – that girl knows how to shop! ‘
  • Jenny Terrill (Reservations) organized our monthly program reservations and as an added bonus, Rita Ryer created the theme coordinated place cards each month. Deborah Samic and Kathleen Lach welcomed our newcomers and kept our nametags organized at every function.
  • I do hope that at some point during the year each of you have been thanked for your contribution. I am so appreciative of everyone who involves themselves with the OSC, and more times than not, without being asked. Special thanks are certainly in order for the guidance of our dedicated advisors: Jacki Hoffman, Don Gabreski, May Beth Owen, Lisa Spacy, Pamela Lanni, and Craig Wolfenbarger.

April 2010 Newsletter

April 2010 Newsletter

“Cuad Mile Failte!” – Translation: A Hundred Thousand Welcomes!

American by choice, Irish by the grace of God. Yes, my wife Linda is a daughter of Ireland (born and raised) and proud of her heritage and roots. I would be remiss if I did not wish you all a Happy St. Patrick’s Day. (St. Patrick being the patron saint of Ireland.) I’ve also heard it said that on March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day that there are just two kinds of people in the world – Irish and those that “wanna” be.

Paula Cardenas (our Programs Chair) did an outstanding job in January incorporating a winter theme into super prizes and table decorations. We were pleased to welcome new mom and our Programs CoChair, Julia Orschell back to our activities. Thank you both for leading us in a fun morning of Bunco .

As a point of interest we have three general membership meetings remaining in this OSC year. March’s program is A Thrift Shop Fashion Show with the theme of “Springtime in Paris” along with a silent auction. A Base Thrift Shop fashion show is always an anticipated event and a good time to see just what the shop has to offer. Candidates for the WPOSC Executive Committee will be introduced to the membership at this luncheon.

Coming up on Tuesday, April 13th, will be an evening event featuring BLingo which it’s a combination of BLING and BINGO. This is just a fun way of letting you know that the Bingo prizes will sparkle and shine. Hence, BLingo! May’s luncheon will be “All About Cruising” and the induction of our newly elected officers. Do mark these dates on your calendars so that you won’t miss a single one.

Congratulations and a huge thank you to our Volunteers of the Quarter. On Monday, February 1st our OSC volunteers were recognized for the many hours they devote to volunteering at Wright-Patterson through organizations such as our own. Take some time and review the many positions that serve the Board of Governors. If there is one that you might consider lending your leadership and talents to, please let us know.

With that said, I would like to close with this Irish blessing:

Wishing you a rainbow for sunlight after the showers,
Miles and miles of Irish smiles for golden happy hours.
Shamrocks at your door way for luck and laughter too,
A host of friends that never ends each day your whole life through.