It doesn’t seem possible that the 2009-2010 Board year is almost completed. It has been an interesting year filled with many successes for the OCWS while encountering some very challenging issues involving the sale of the Fairgrounds. As I write this article, no definitive decision has been made concerning the sale. Hopefully, by the time of the Annual Business Meeting there will be more information available. I urge you to attend the Annual Business Meeting for a review of the past year and a summary of our financial situation. Volunteer Recognition Awards will be presented to our members and the candidates for the Board of Directors will be introduced. Following the meeting, a light dinner will be served. Send your reservation to the office by Wednesday, September 8th.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all of this year’s Board members who have worked so diligently to provide great events and to ensure the success of the OCWS. I especially want to thank the three Board members who will be leaving the Board this year as their terms conclude. They are Carolyn Schoff and Jim Beard who have served for the past six years and Richard Ward who has served for three years. They have been vital and important members of the Board of Directors and will be missed. There are three additional members who work diligently behind the scenes, make all of our jobs easier and keep the organization running smoothly. I think of them as the three “J’s.” First, is Janet Hammond, our Office Administrator. She keeps the office humming and works to make all the events of the OCWS successful. Second, is our Newsletter Editor and Accountant, John Goodnight, who also volunteers for many of our events. Finally, the third “J” is Judy Fox, our Website Administrator. Although she lives in Dallas, she works very hard to keep our website current and posting important information as it becomes available. Finally, the most significant group to thank is the membership of the OCWS. Your hours of cheerful volunteer service and efforts are the single most important reason for our success as an organization for almost 35 years.
Although we are approaching the conclusion of the 2009-2010 Board year, the coming months have a full calendar of events. Don’t miss the Champagne Brunch and Membership Barbecue both held in September. In October, look for the Chili Cook-Off and Zinfandel Mini-Tasting. There is also a trip in the works for the DePortola Wine Trail in Temecula and finishing off 2010, the Holiday Dinner Dance. I look forward to seeing you at these great events.