I just read half the crap posted on this board criticizing the club and BOD who work thanklessly on our behalf and am amazed at the short sightedness of some people. The "club" is the "people". Yes, there are "cliques", many of them, as with any large group of people. I am proud to say that I try to be friends with all and I have yet to find one that treated me like an outsider. I felt welcomed from the first convention. There are friendships in this club that are many, many years in the making. I love and respect that, I am not offended by it.

I was going to miss the convention due to work obligations this year. I can't tell you how many email I received telling me that I'd be missed and the pictures and texts I received from my friends at the convention. I decided to fly in Friday afternoon to see and surprise my "friends". Yes, I missed most of the convention but it was well worth the trip to see the everyone even if only for a day or two!!! I didn't want to miss the Splashy awards and barely made it as my husband texted me, "run Forest run" as I was jogging through the airport to get to the Splash bar on time.

As far as Joe Pavlik goes, he has offended many members, especially the women in the club. Some who were very involved in the club and allowed him to interfere with that and are no longer involved. I refuse to allow him to ruin my good time so I just avoid him. The man is so crass that he doesn't even realize that he is offensive. No man should use the "c" word when speaking to a woman. If he is your friend, that's your business but don't think that anyone did him wrong, he did that all by himself. Enough said on this subject.

I am grateful to my friends, the volunteers and the BOD for keeping this club going despite the challenges they face. So from me, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! I appreciate the work you do and am proud to be a member of this club! See you next year!

Judy