January 2022 President’s Message

Happy 2022! Can it really be the start of a new year already? I’m not sure I’ve finished with the last one yet! My mother always warned me that time would speed up the older I got. Like so many bits of wisdom she imparted, she was right!

With the New Year comes the opportunity to refresh our minds and reflect on our choices. We take vows to improve, to achieve, and set new goals or, in my case, sometimes just reiterate the goals from the previous year’s list. I hope one item on your list of goals this year is to make an effort to take an active role in TFOG!

Our Holiday Tour of Homes fundraiser was a resounding success! The sumptuous reception, hosted at the home of Marianne and Mark Mahaffeywas well attended. It’s never too late to donate; Charlene Miller is still accepting contributions. The results of the fundraiser will be announced at our January meeting. Congratulations go to Emily Gillespie and the entire committee on a job well done.

Another marvelous Kringle Mingle holiday celebration at the Bayfront Towers was arranged by Missy Sparks and Susan Sullivan. Michelle Rego, Music Director at St. Mary’s, delighted us with a medley of seasonal songs. Charlene and George were right there helping with background music and beverages. It was a cheerful way to herald in the holiday. Many thanks to those who contributed to its success!

Now, it’s time to turn our focus to our next fundraiser, It’s Not Your Mother’s Tea Party! at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club on Wednesday, February 23, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tea fare, entertainment, and informal modeling from 4 area clothing establishments await you. Invitations will be in the mail soon. and join us for an interesting T-Party!

This month’s meeting will be held at The Hangar with speaker Hal Hultman, Professor Emeritus, Eckerd College, whom many of you may know through the OLLI programs. Hal will talk about “Ancestry – the Violin”. Please make your reservations on our website at fogsp.org or mail your $21 check to Cathy deHaan, 7391 Islamorada Circle, Seminole, FL. 33777. Deadline for reservations is January 13.

And, one last item: Please consider becoming a member of the Board. Positions are open. As Quincy Jones said: share a little what you’re good at doing. Get involved!

Susanna Bellafante