June 16, 2008

Man it's almost hard to believe you turn around and this year is half gone. As for the August meeting, it is coming upon us quickly. Please call now to reserve your room in Charlotte. The direct phone number is 704-357-1414, or you may call 1-800-HOTELS1 but you'll get someone in Timbuktu Iowa. It's best to call the hotel direct. The cut off date is July 8th . The room cost is $94.00. Remember you can cancel easier than trying to get the room at a later date. We blocked off 75 rooms on Friday August 8th and 30 on Saturday August 9th. Most of you might not know how (or care)the hotels charge us for rooms. Well, I'm telling you anyway. They charge upwards $5,000.00 or more but we get discounts for the amount of sleeping rooms that you pay for. The more rooms that that are picked up on these weekends the less the Association pays for the classrooms. Over 90% , and we pay about $1,900.00 for the classrooms.

Still keep Ralph Pendolino and Don Autry in your thoughts and prayers. By now most of you have heard that Roger Bergstrom from Kaba has passed away. Please keep the family in your prayers.

A special thanks to Jeanette, Adrian, Laura, Dewey and all that helped for making the cookout a good time to congregate and fellowship. Those who didn't go to this supper missed some real good food. Word has it that Don is doing better and is getting stronger.
Don is currently in Room 7824 at Duke University Medical Center. Sondra and Don send a big thank you to the members of this association.

Wayne has told me of a few classes and sounds like they will be interesting. We might have a problem getting some of the manufacturers to send their people to teach because of the gas prices. So bare with us as we try to get classes and instructors.

Start thinking of someone for office, since November is election month again. Check back at a later date for the members that are eligible.

Have a good summer and we'll see y'all in Charlotte.

Reid Skinner

Presidents E-mail :  1nccodeman@carolina.rr.com