The Madam Prez sez…
Hello All,
I hope everyone is doing well and in good health!  As for this winter... well may I suggest the snowbirds come back North.  I think some of our weather has been warmer than yours.  And for us snow bunnies...WHERE'S THE SNOW!   This has been one weird winter weather-wise, (say that real fast five times)!  As for our fun level, well it is up there!  Our New Year's Eve  catered party was a sell out, and all who attended had a good time. Ted had so much fun, he ended up in the hospital with acute pancreatitis, and had a bruise on his back from Mari saving a horse and riding a cowboy. Really, we DID have fun!  Thanks Sandy and crew for your hard work!  Our trivia night was a great success. I hope we do it again. Great job Claude and company!  Our fun run, well, was FUN!  To Diane and her crew, I want to thank you for the stuffed potato dinner.  Very unique and delicious!   I heard good feedback.  To Kathy and her crew, I want to thank you for the Valentine Steak Dinner.  Delicious as usual, and the one man band did a great job.  Also our January dart tournament raised money for our Presidents' charity.  Thanks to all who participated!  Coming attractions promise to hold a good time also.  Our annual Rueben Sandwich dinner on March 12th (No fish fry) and St. Patty's Day party on March 13, will guarantee fun as always!  We also have our annual camel races on March 27th, and the bartenders have a camel this year!  Vote wisely.... Remember we make your drinks!  Anyway, come out and have a great time while supporting your Aerie at the same time!  Enjoy the rest of your winter....It's SNOWING!

God Bless and Secord Smiles,
Barbie Jozefowicz
Madam President

Auxiliary Chaplain’s Report
Hello. A sympathy card was sent to Judy St. Louis whose Mom passed away. Sympathy cards were also sent to J Marlene Vastine whose husband passed and to Judy Knoph, whose Mom passed away. Get well cards were sent to Deb Lewis, Kathryn Bessette and Mary Wildfong. Thinking of you cards were sent to Betty Ankney, Mary DeCook and Patty Pennington. If you didn't know, Elaine St. Louis celebrated her 90th birthday. She is a joy. If someone is ill or bereaved let us know. Thanks,
Auxiliary Chaplain, Anna Robinson

Trustee’s Corner
It’s not time to panic yet, but we’ve just found out that although we are a non-profit organization, we have not been paying sales tax on our sales. It seems the State of Michigan has a push on to start enforcing collection of taxes from private clubs and organizations that were unaware of their responsibility to collect and pay these taxes. This tax, as we currently understand, would be assessed on our liquor and food sales, fish fries, steak dinners, sales of apparel, license plates, dart accessories, etc. We are waiting to hear from our accountant and the state as to what we are liable as far as back taxes. We have been told that the state may possibly only go back 4 years and may not assess penalties or interest to our arrearages. However, assuming alcohol sales of $200,000/yr, this would result in a tax of $11,320.00 for just that one year. Clearly the club may be in for a sizable assessment.
Now once this issue is clarified it may be necessary for the Board of Trustees to reassess our pricing structure for the bar and kitchen to compensate for the 6% tax that we will be paying on all beer, liquor and food sales. Note: Nothing will be done until we are sure of our tax obligation to the state.

Letter from a Member
Dear Brothers & Sisters,
There are no words which can fully convey my gratitude and pleasure in sharing my 90th birthday with all of you. Your cards, calls, gifts, hugs and various expressions of love are the very best rewards one can ever expect in life. It elates me and yet humbles me to realize what a great “family” I have gained in my lifetime.
Many, many thanks to each and every one of you and may each of you be blessed for a lo-o-ong time.
Fondly, Elaine
P.S. See you next year!

Thursday Bingo Returns !!!
Okay bingo players, our Thursday night play resumes on March 25th. Y’all come @ 6:30, ya hear?

Smoke Free Coming May 1, 2010
Our state legislators passed HB4377 on December 10, 2009 stating that both public and private bars and clubs will be non-smoking effective May 1, 2010. Governor Granholm signed the bill into law. We know this will inconvenience many members, however this has been coming for better than 3 years. As it stands now we have no option but to follow the law. If other options become available the BOT’s will review them. We will expect our members to follow this law when instituted. We will post signs as reminders and member violations could result in suspension of Social Room privileges for a period of time. Your cooperation and assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Odd Facts or Who Wanted to Know More About Pigs
In the old days, sea captains kept pigs on board because they believed, should they be shipwrecked, pigs always swam toward the nearest shore.
The pig is rated the fourth most intelligent animal. Pigs are part of the order artidactyla (even toed, hoofed animals). There are more than 180 species of pigs, found on every continent except Antarctica. They come in just about any size and color, have an average lifespan of 20 years and litters from 2 to 12 piglets.
“During the War of 1812, a New York pork packer named Uncle Sam Wilson shipped a boatload of several hundred barrels of pork to U.S. troops. Each barrel was stamped ‘U.S.‘ On the docks, it quickly became bantered about that the ‘U.S.’ stood for ‘Uncle Sam,’ whose large pork shipment looked to be enough to feed the entire army. Thus did ‘Uncle Sam’ come to represent the US Government itself.” This according to the US National Pork Producers Council.

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