Ok, I know you're not going to believe this, but we're going to start work on  the 2024 picnic.   I can hear you now, "don't you people ever give it a rest"?   Nope, ... we don't.   And hey, what's with the "you people"?   That's a little snarky, ... after all, ... we're your people.  So, ...

We got your drift ...

will be reviewing your ideas

at our Sept 26th Meeting

Of course you're welcome to come to the lunch meeting if you like.   We're dining at Lombardi's Italian, on the Everett waterfront at 12:15.   You'll need to email me, ... dlexj@comcast.net, ... your lunch selection by September 20th.   Here's the link to the lunch menu.   I have to admit, these lunch meetings aren't all business, ... sometime we  fool around. 

https://www.lombardisitalian.com/

One of our agenda items will be to review the picnic, and discuss ideas from you and the committee on what we can do to improve.  We may start the conversation about possible themes for next year.  Of course you can send in your ideas.

Treasury Report:   Jeanne will let us know how we stand financially, ... many thanks to those of you who sent donations to us

Security Report:  Betty will provide a security report.   Nothing ever happens, and we really don't need a security person, but Betty likes to give a report anyway, so we just humor her.   In fact, during the picnic, I think I heard Kevin tell her he saw about 12 people in hooded sweatshirts in the woods to the west.   She was excited about that, ... but eventually lost their trail.  I heard she's asking for a tracker dog next year.

In addition to your great ideas, especially our little cub reporter, we received some questionable thoughts that we are duty bound to review, regarding games / contests.

Steve Pearse - " I think, in addition to the costume contest, we should have a mullet contest.   We have a whole year to work on, and plan our hairstyle."  I don't know what happens to you all over on that island, but I'm getting a little worried about you, Steve.  I'm afraid this would leave Steve Favorite out, until at least 2027, that is, if he started growing hair today.

Diane Riffle - "What about a musical contest?  Contestants could sign, play an instrument, or ( gasp ) dance."  I put the gasp in there, ... that wasn't Diane.  I do remember that originally the Western Roundup picnic was going to include "line dancing" taught by Cec Ferrill, but we didn't have enough room on our waiver form to cover us from the potential mishaps.

Gary & Debra DeBardi - "how about a Rubiks Cube Challenge".   Well, DeBardi's, I don't think we have enough picnic time for that.

Sheila Page - " I suggested this before, but a 17th Century European Monarchy costume contest would provide lots of possibilities.   Think of the pomp and circumstance."  Oh, Sheila, ... I'm afraid the costume expense would be very extravagant, plus we'd need to be much better in our manners, and I don't think we have enough room around the picnic tables for the dresses.  Sheila you should come one year and get a feel for  the atmosphere.  I don't think we're monarchy enough.

Pat McCune - "Ok, this wouldn't be a contest, but I  could organize a quilting event."  Oh, Pat, I dunno.  Here's a true story about Pat, so I'm reluctant to let her do this to all of us.  Did I say this is a true story, ... it is.  Steve Favorite found out that Pat does quilts, ... not just everyday quilts, but ones with wildlife, and lots of other stuff, ... really cool stuff.  So, Steve calls her to see if she can make a custom size one to fit his camper.  He wants a moose or a salmon on  it, which is neat, ... great for a camper.  He and Pat talk about it, so I'm thinking eventually Pat will find time to sell him a quilt.   I thought to myself... I'm glad I told Steve about Pat's hobby, ... it's cool, two classmates getting together over one's hobby.  I didn't realize what Pat was going to do to Steve.  I called up Steve one Saturday morning to see what he was doing.  He was watching a quilting show on TV.   Did you hear me, he was watching a quilting show on tv.  Anyway, he said he found the show in an ad in a quilting magazine.   A quilting magazine, ... I fell on floor.   MMy mPat, what have you done to my friend.  So, at the next picnic, don't sit next to Pat for too long.