President’s Corner December 2015

Fellow Skalleagues,

2015 has been a fantastic year of spectacular events, topped off with our Holiday Party December 14^th at the T Pepin Hospitality Centre with our generous host Andy Brouillard. Thank you Andy for the open bar, decorations, entertainment, scrumptious dinner and even Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus! Special thanks as well for Steven Rodriguez and Sarah Bertran for putting the evening together with over 30 silent auction items and well over 100 bottles of wine for the “wine pull” which were beautifully presented. I hope everyone agrees that this is a fun and successful way to boost our club’s travel budget. Between the “pull” and the auction we grossed $5,640.00!  Thanks to everyone who participated and donated!

SPECIAL REQUEST:  Please send in your 2016 SKAL DUES as soon as possible if you have not already done so. Contact me or Steven if you have any questions or changes before the year end.

Past President Dan Peretz led the opening Skal toast after which introductions were made. I was happy to announce our January 11, 2016 dinner will be at the Salt Rock Grill at Indian Shores. That is the night of the National Championship game so we will wrap it up quickly for those who do not want to miss it.  I announced the wonderful travel opportunities coming up with the Skal International World Congress which will be in Monaco in 2016 and India in 2017!  I encourage everyone to take a look at our Young Skal page on our website.  We recognized our Young Skal member, Masterson Dempsey, who was recently elected “King of St. Leo University”.  Please be thinking of a Young Skal candidate to bring to a future dinner. I announced the results of the SIUSA election, John Mavros from Orange Coast is the new President and Holly Powers from Boston is the new VP of Administration.

Let me tell you, the table settings by Puff & Stuff Catering were extravagant and the passed hors d’ouvres were delicious during the reception. Andy’s son and a brass ensemble from Freedom High School serenaded us with holiday songs during the reception. Course #1 was “Pine and Popcorn”- a rosemary infused English pea puree with brown butter popcorn crunch.  In honor of Frank Sinatra’s 100^th birthday, Andy arranged entertainer Don Juceam to croon a few standards during the evening.

Course #2 was a creative grilled Raddichio with sweetened grapefruit, smoked pistachios and a mustard vinaigrette.  Course #3 was XX Quail, roasted and stuffed with a blackberry cornbread paired with a pan seared scallop, salsify puree and a smoked gastrique.  Course #4 “Grow Up” was house made vanilla ice cream with sesame brittle candle…..yum!

Grand “thanks” to Andy, Chef and the staff that kept our wine glasses full!  Jim Schalk provided some favors of his tasty “Toffee to Go” for each guest.  I encourage everyone to take a look at the photos on the website (Andy even provided a photographer for the evening and for special pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause after dinner).  It was my honor to give the closing Skal toast with a special wish for a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

George Hoch

President

The Following slate of officers and directors for 2016 is presented by our Nominating Committee:

President            Hoyt Hamilton

VP                         George Bentley

Secretary            Ed Shaughnessy

Treasurer           Colette Florido

Past Pres.            George Hoch

SIUSA Rep.         Dan Peretz

EST                       Steven Rodriguez

Board Members

                              Roberta Blum

                              Chuck Prather

                              Tim Coultas

                              Carol Eaves

                              Tom Haines

                              Rick Hamilton

                              Mike Gruendel