Hi Vista Friends,
We are proud to announce the start of a new eating group called “Fine Dining”. There is a detailed article about the new venture a little further on in this newsletter. (page 6) Possibly on a quarterly basis we will eat at an upscale restaurant (with prices to match) somewhere in northern San Diego county. This dining experience may be a lunch, brunch or dinner depending on the hostess’s preference. Spouses and significant others are welcome to join us. Our aim is to have an exceptional meal with exceptional service and ambiance and enjoy it with our Vista Friends.
On a very different note, We need to share with you what a difficult process it was recently as we struggled to establish a 2017/2018 operating budget. It is no surprise that, for a variety of reasons, our membership continues to decline which means, in turn, our operating revenue is diminished. We have had to make a couple of very, very difficult decisions just to make ends meet in the coming year.
We are taking just under $1,000 from our checking account and applying it to the operating budget. Wehave never had to do this before and it diminishes our liquidity cushion, but the unacceptable alternative was to reduce some of the things we enjoy most in our group.
Secondly, we will be charging a separate annual fee to those who receive the newsletter by mail. We understand that some of you do not own a computer while others of you do not wish to print out the newsletter using your own paper and ink. The painful reality is that Vista Friends can no long afford to carry this cost for these members. We know some of you are thinking you dues must cover this cost, but the sad fact is that none of this cost is covered by dues and members who receive the newsletter electronically are actually carrying the paper newsletter cost which benefits only about 15% of our membership. Annually the cost for each member receiving a paper copy of the newsletter is $33. The board and the budget committee have tried to look at this from many different ways but it always boiled down to making this difficult decision. At the August coffee the board will welcome your input and then at the August board meeting a decision will be made concerning the specifics of this new assessment.
We wish we had better financial news but the plain fact is without making these hard choices the ongoing viability of Vista Friends and Newcomers is at stake.
With kindest regards, Janet & Trudy
President’s Message
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Hi Vista Friends,
We are proud to announce the start of a new eating group called “Fine Dining”. There is a detailed article about the new venture a little further on in this newsletter. (page 6) Possibly on a quarterly basis we will eat at an upscale restaurant (with prices to match) somewhere in northern San Diego county. This dining experience may be a lunch, brunch or dinner depending on the hostess’s preference. Spouses and significant others are welcome to join us. Our aim is to have an exceptional meal with exceptional service and ambiance and enjoy it with our Vista Friends.
On a very different note, We need to share with you what a difficult process it was recently as we struggled to establish a 2017/2018 operating budget. It is no surprise that, for a variety of reasons, our membership continues to decline which means, in turn, our operating revenue is diminished. We have had to make a couple of very, very difficult decisions just to make ends meet in the coming year.
We are taking just under $1,000 from our checking account and applying it to the operating budget. We have never had to do this before and it diminishes our liquidity cushion, but the unacceptable alternative was to reduce some of the things we enjoy most in our group.
Secondly, we will be charging a separate annual fee to those who receive the newsletter by mail. We understand that some of you do not own a computer while others of you do not wish to print out the newsletter using your own paper and ink. The painful reality is that Vista Friends can no long afford to carry this cost for these members. We know some of you are thinking your dues must cover this cost, but the sad fact is that none of this cost is covered by dues and members who receive the newsletter electronically are actually carrying the paper newsletter cost which benefits only about 15% of our membership. Annually the cost for each member receiving a paper copy of the newsletter is $33. The board and the budget committee have tried to look at this from many different ways but it always boiled down to making this difficult decision. At the August coffee the board will welcome your input and then at the August board meeting a decision will be made concerning the specifics of this new assessment.
We wish we had better financial news but the plain fact is without making these hard choices the ongoing viability of Vista Friends and Newcomers is at stake.
With kindest regards, Janet & Trudy
Presidents’ Letter
We are looking forward to a fun-filled, exciting year, filled with new experiences for all. But in order for this to happen, we need your contribution of time, volunteering, friendship and participation in our varied activities.
If you have not paid your dues yet, please do so. We need your dues no later than July 15, as we will be finalizing the VFN roster shortly after that date.
If there is a event or happening you would like to see us attend please let us know. If there is a new group or experience you think our members would like please let us know about it.
In Friendship, Janet & Trudy
President’s Letter
June is transition month. Be sure to attend the installation luncheon at the Hunter restaurant. We will order off the menu so we don’t have to pay early and can choose what we want. We do need reservations, however. It would be great to have our newer members join us for this occasion. The luncheon will be held on our regular Coffee day, June 8th.
Contact Trudy Snell 760-758-4120, or Juanita Savage 760-746-9115 to reserve your spot
Vacations are being planned by our members. We have a lot of adventurers. Most of our activities continue through the summer.
Dues are due. Remember to get yours in by the end of June. This would really help our new treasurer and membership chair..
Put on your Thinking Cap. Think of a place to go for lunch or Lets eat out dinner. Sign up when the new board asks for suggestions Special events will need sign ups, too. If you have been to a place or event we would enjoy attending. Sometimes we might enjoy going back somewhere we have been in the past. We enjoyed viewing the results of our talented members at last coffee. Practice and patience and persistence are used.
Juanita
May President’s Message
Those of us who went on our special event to the Dr. Bronner’s Soap Factory can now wash our dog, our kitchen, our windows, or our body. They gave us samples of several products so now we can wash most anything. We had a really good tour and very interesting. Does anyone in the group know of other tours of businesses such as the fire department, the sheriff station, or manufacturing of a product? This could be an idea for coming special events.
We learned at our last coffee what we can and cannot take on an airplane. TSA keeps changing the rules. We learned what’s up to date.
Get your calendar out and keep track of our activities. This will be a fun, busy time for us, with the installation luncheon at the Hunter. The new board will be making changes to our business as usual.
We are sorry to be saying adios to our former president, Karen Taylor,who sold her house and closed escrow so quickly. She is moving to northern California to be closer to family. We will miss her.
Juanita
April 2017 President’s Message
I am writing this for Juanita as she is ill. We wish her a speedy recovery. Hope you will glean much information at our April program about TSA and their rules and regulations.
We will also be voting on the new slate of officers at the April coffee. If you would like to hold a chair ship or continue in your current position, please let the newly elected officers know.
We have many fun activities in which all may participate. Happy Hours in March was attended by 16 members and 2 spouses. All had a good time. The tour of Doctor Bronner’s Soap Factory, on April 19, promises to be informative and fun. Please sign up with Wilma.
The Holiday Luncheon committee is already hard at work on plans for the party. So start saving your money for the Holiday Party.
Juanita (by Trudy)
March 2017 President’s Message
Our entertainment at our February
Coffee was expected to be a few members of the Sunset Strummers
and their ukuleles. We chatted. as strummer after strummer after strummer set up their chairs. They were so enthusiastic and were having so much fun it was so infectious to all of us.
Our new member, Rita Sweeting, led us in singing Happy Birthday for our 27th birthday celebration. What a voice she has! We were amazed at her breath control on that last note. We had a beautiful birthday cake. A few pieces were left for the residents of Arcadia Place.
Bring your friends to coffee. We have some informative programs coming up. Don’t forget brunch bunch will meet at Pegahs in San Marcos in March. See the information inside.
See you in March,
Juanita
February President’s Message
Thanks to Trudy Snell for leading the business meeting at the coffee in January. I had a broken tooth that needed pulling. All’s well now. I had the list of ladies who supplied goodies (December Birthdays) with me at the dentist. Soooo, thanks to Mary Held, Anne Johnston, Sandy Stevens, and Doris Teich for supplying refreshments last month.
The nominating committee is working now. If you would like to help in the working of our group as a board member or chairman of a committee give a shout out, or a whisper to Trudy, our nominating committee chairperson.We need participation to keep our group going.
Let’s all stay healthy during this cold,, wet month. It didn’t take long for us to get tired of Southern California’ s winter weather did it.? We are so spoiled and lucky to live here. See you soon.
Juanita
December 2016 President’s Message
The big DECEMBER JANUARY newsletter is here. We have to figure out how to keep it for 2 months.
So…..
We can make extra copies and put them in several rooms. or
We can leave it on the computer and not erase it for 2 months. or
We can enter all activities on. a calendar that we carry with us. Good luck.
DON’T FORGET the HOLIDAY Luncheon on our regular Coffee day
Have a merry, merry Holiday and a happy happy new year.
Hope to see you at our events, Juanita
November 2016 President’s Message
We received a THANK You card from the residents of ARCADIA PLACE for the BINGO party we gave them. I will bring it to the next coffee. Those who participated enjoyed our efforts.
Welcome to our new member who have already joined in our extra activities. More information inside.
The Holiday Luncheon is coming up as fast as the rest of the year has already disappeared. It will be at the beautiful Vista Valley County Club on our regular meeting day. Hopefully we will get some cooler weather to make us more festive.
Marilyn Frietag will be having Game Day at her home every month. Find some time to play a game with friends.
We have a special event train trip to San Juan Capistrano at the end of the month. This is always an adventure. You can go by car if you wish. Lunch will be at a nearby restaurant. This should be fun.
Hope to see you at our events, Juanita