President’s Corner February 2016

Dear Fellow Skalleagues,

Your Board of Directors and I are hoping for a grand turnout for our March 10^th (Thursday- 6:30pm)Installation Banquet at the Club at Treasure Island! We hope to welcome back many past-presidents and will have the honor of the SIUSA (SKAL International U.S.A.) VP of Administration, Holly Powers, participating in the ceremony. This is a formal/tux “optional” event but please do not let that intimidate, and please note it is a Thursday evening and one-half hour later to encourage spousal/date attendance.

If you are planning any Summer travel, you may want to include Boise, Idaho June 9-12 and the North American (NAASC) SKAL Congress. Dan Peretz will be representing our club.

Please be identifying a Young SKAL Candidate to invite to the May SKAL dinner at the Sirata Beach Resort. We encourage every member to bring a young guest to this special evening featuring Young Skal. Their first visit is complimentary. (Please reference our web site page on Young SKAL for possible categories and explanation)

February 8^th we met and dined at Tradewinds Island Resorts on St. Pete Beach thanks to our host George Bentley!  Hors de Oeuvres (creative watermelon cubes topped with crab salad, chicken marsala mushroom tarts and caramelized onion tartlet) and cocktails were served in the Atrium lobby. 

Guests were recognized and I introduced Carlos Banks, our special guest, who led the opening SKAL toast. Carlos is the Executive Secretary/Treasurer for Ft. Lauderdale/Palm Beaches SKAL and a Past SIUSA President. Carlos presented the club his token SIUSA banner.

Dinner opened with a baby spinach salad with lots of “goodies”. Our double entrée was Sumac-Seared Jumbo Scallops and Key West Pink Shrimp with Stir-Fried Vegetables, Pad Thai Noodles, Tamarind-Chili Glaze, Mango-Papaya Salsa, and Fried Plantain. Our meal was capped with Flourless Chocolate Gateau with Apricot Coulis and RaspberrySauce.

With the help of Carlos Banks and Mark Hubbard, we pinned two new members:  LarryButterfield (owner of Kilwin’s Chocolates and Ice Cream in John’s Pass Village) and Bob Marcus (Editor/Owner of the InfoGuide). The nights 50/50 was won by Gregg Nicklaus who generously donated the funds back to SKAL, Tim and Karen Coultas won brunch for two at Tradewinds Palm Court, Dylan Hubbard won dinner for two at Sirata’s Compass Grill and Stephen Cummings won a sail for two from Dolphin Landings!

We had a pleasant surprise as two members offered to purchase the $1,500 event at T-Pepin’s for $300 "Buy Now" and Andy Brouillard stepped up and accepted both for the benefit of SKAL Tampa Bay! Thanks to all!  New member Larry Butterfield led our closingSkal toast.

Please do not miss the 57^th Anniversary Installation and Past Presidents Banquet, and support Hoyt Hamilton as I pass him the (huge) Sash of Past Presidents and he becomes your 2016/2017 SKAL Tampa Bay President! My year has been a great experience and I greatly appreciate the support of all members! My special thanks to our Executive Committee, our highly committed Board of Directors, and the exceptional efficiency of Steven Rodriguez, our EST! It has been an honor and a pleasure to get to know so many members and guests. I thank our members who stepped up with raffle prizes and especially those who recognize the value of our esteemed membership by hosting wonderful events these last few years!

George Hoch, President

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