This November I celebrated Thanksgiving not once, not twice, but THREE times! My son and I went out of town early in the week and had the best smoked turkey I have ever eaten. Back in town for Thanksgiving on Thursday, we had pulled pork and BBQ ribs. Yes…pork. While smoked turkey and pork are extremely untraditional, it seems like more and more people are moving away from traditional turkey and eating ham, pork and steak. However, these are still served with the traditional sides such as dressing, cranberry sauce & green bean casserole. How important is tradition? Do we always need to stick to tradition? Or is it ok to keep some tradition alive while trying new things? In other words, is change good or bad? Depending on who you ask, you may get both answers!
Personally, I think change is necessary and is a good thing. You will notice some changes in the Chapter in the coming months. We must try new luncheon locations, new programs & new initiatives. While we will stick to tradition in some areas, change is necessary in others. Be sure to check the newsletter and website for some exciting changes!
As you prepare for the holiday season this month, remember that there are others out there that are less fortunate. This year, we will continue our tradition of collecting gift cards at the December luncheon to distribute to our Community Service Partners. Your contributions are used to support their programs, buy food and supplies, pay utility bills, provide transportation, etc. This year we are making it easier to contribute, especially if you can’t make it to the December lunch program. See the new link on our website to make a donation via PayPal. Thanks to this new change, we hope to have record contributions this year!
Finally, as you celebrate the holidays, keep in mind what this time of year is really about. It’s not about the PlayStation 4 or the brand new train set. It’s about who these gifts are for….family. I also consider IFMA my family. Whether you know it or not, each of you has a special place in my heart and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you and your support. I hope each and every one of you has a very special holiday season!
As always, I am here to serve you and your Chapter. I welcome your comments, feedback and suggestions. Have a fantastic December and Happy Holidays!
