Many members know that when I am not playing “Who’s on First with the Board of Directors,” I sometimes make my living in the flooring business. The flooring industry’s major exhibition is in Las Vegas in late January, and the weather is usually perfect for golf. In my younger days, I loved to play the game. So, in conjunction with going to the carpet show, I would also enjoy a few rounds of golf in Vegas. I didn’t have anyone to play the great game with, so I asked around and, since I thought I was the second coming of Arnold Palmer, I wanted someone to challenge my talents. (So, no hackers.) Just about everyone I spoke with recommended a local man named Jerry Stephen. I called Jerry up and asked him to play. He agreed, but told me he could be a half an hour late. The next day, he showed up on time and was playing with left-handed clubs. Sure enough, he beat me, so I asked for a rematch the next day. He agreed, but again said he could be a half an hour late. This time, he came on time but was playing with right-handed clubs. I thought for sure I would win since he was playing opposite handed, but he beat me even worse this time. I was really miffed, so I asked Jerry to give me one more chance. He said okay but might be a half an hour late. So I said, “Wait a second. The first day you played left-handed, today you played right-handed, and both days you said you might be a half an hour late. What gives?” Jerry replied, “Well, when I get up in the morning, if my wife is lying on her left side, I play with my left-handed clubs. If she’s lying on her right side, I play with my right-handed clubs. And if she’s lying on her back, I’ll be a half an hour late.”
So, when it’s time to pay your 2025 Columbian Home dues, remember the deadline is midnight on December 31, 2024. Don’t be like Jerry and be a half an hour late.
Our fabulous, one-of-a-kind Turkey Raffle was a great sensation. We netted around $7800.00 – it was our most successful raffle to date. I would like to thank Carol and Erma for their generous prize donations and all the members who helped during the event: Jim Gallagher, Diane-Weber Gallagher and her sister Julia, Sandy Biery, Dan Driscoll, Mike Keenan, Erma and Bill Dantonio, Steve Selvaggio, and Joe Brogan. I’d also like to thank Dianne Mascari (I think I’ve met her) for wrapping nearly 80 prizes and orchestrating the whole event. I couldn’t have done the raffle without her. Again, thank you to everyone who pitched in to help! The Ladies’ jacket with mink collar was our most expensive prize (with a retail of over $2000) and was won by a lucky lady who paid only $1 for her ticket. (No, it was not my mother. She’s dead and only comes alive in November to vote.) Thank you to everyone who attended and participated. Mark your calendars for April 12 so you can come to our once-in-a-lifetime Ham Raffle!
The Christmas decorations are all up because Christmas comes early at the beautiful Columbian Home. Saturday, December 14 is the official Christmas Dinner Dance, featuring Kristen Morgenstern as our entertainer. She’s terrific, so put on your dancing shoes and make your reservations now.
What are you doing New Years’ Eve? Why not spend it at the beautiful Columbian Home? Special dinner options of Prime Rib, Mahi Mahi with mango sauce, and chicken piccata await you there. You can dance to the music of Kato and have marvelous time. Just like last year, there will be a $10.00 cover charge whether you join us for dinner or just drinks or both. Make your reservations early. Don’t be a half an hour late or you might not get a table.
Remember a loved one with a permanent leaf on the Columbian Home Family Tree. Ask a bartender for information.
Have a Blessed Christmas and New Year. As always, I will keep you in my prayers.
All the best,
Joe
Joe Mascari, President