It feels like home already.
I’m talking about our new Clubhouse in European Village.
It has been just over five weeks since our Opening Day celebration and already we’ve put our new facility to great use. Little more than 48 hours after Opening Day, we had Sip, Sip Hooray, a fun wine tasting and quiz.
Robin Whitcher hosted our Fleet Captain’s meeting at the Clubhouse. There have been two game days with Scrabble and Mahjong players so far. Members met at the Clubhouse for cocktails before our July Tuesday Night on the Town at La Piazza and gathered again afterward for coffee and conversation.
The entries in our Photo Contest were displayed at the Clubhouse during a special event to select and announce the winners. And the Shipmates had a “sandwich share” meeting at the facility.
A “Mimosa Sunday” Meet and Greet for new and prospective members was held just yesterday at the Clubhouse. Over the course of the month, members have just dropped in for a game of bridge, a visit with friends or a chance to give the facility a once over.
Yes, it feels like home already.
Thank you to members who have planned events for our opening month. Each one has been outstanding.
And a HUGE thank you to new members Carol and Manny Grau. They stepped up to be Clubhouse Managers shortly after joining. And just days after taking the reins, they quickly and efficiently dealt with a water issue.
So, after a month, here are how some of the things are shaking out for the new Clubhouse:
- If you would like to reserve the room, please sign up on the website. Here’s the link. This is only necessary for things like the Wine Tasting or the Meet & Greet. Any member can drop by for a European Village visit without signing up. It’s your Clubhouse. Enjoy it.
- A 55-inch TV has been purchased and will be installed shortly. We will also have Wi-fi and some sort of sports package.
- So far, the Honor Bar is working. For now, you may avail yourself of selections of adult beverages. This is booze left over from the Commodore’s Ball. Please leave an appropriate donation in the cup on the counter. Let’s see if this is self-sustaining. If so, the stock will be replenished. Wine may be added to the Honor Bar and/or members may be able to leave bottles of wine at the club. These are issues the Board of Governors will take up at their next meeting.
- So far, the recycling program is not working. People are leaving items to be recycled (occasionally unrinsed) but no one is recycling them. So, if you would like to recycle, please take bottles, cans, etc. home to be recycled.
- Storage space in the Clubhouse is limited. The Storage room is already full. And the décor has been meticulously planned. So please don’t bring anything to stay at the club without first checking with one of the Clubhouse managers (Carol or Manny Grau) or a member of the Design Team (Ruthanne Ferreira or Kathy Kurdock).
- Several members have still not picked up their keys to the inner and outer doors of the Clubhouse. Manny will have the keys available at General Membership Meetings. If you would like to make arrangements to pick up your key at another time, contact Manny .
- The Clubhouse gives us the opportunity to have General Membership Meetings at a time that may be more convenient for many members. Watch your email for a survey on meeting times and place.
- Mimosa Sundays will be held once a month. Officially, these gatherings will be a chance to stop by and have a mimosa or coffee and a light snack and chat with the Commodore and other members about anything on your mind. Unofficially, one word: Mimosas!
Thanks for taking the time to read this far.
See you at the house.
Donella Crawford
Commodore