The last official event and outing of 2024 was the Annual Christmas Party held Sunday December 15th at the Escondido Columbus Club. It was very well attended this year with over 50 people for both dinner and the White Elephant Exchange Game. For a change we catered the main course of turkey and ham from the Barbeque Pit in National City and all I heard were approvals from the membership. This is of course the time of year to give out thanks, first to Matt, Michael, and Patricia from the Escondido Columbus Club for providing us with a place to hold our meetings. Then to the Board of Directors and volunteers who help make everything work. Even though I am the visible head, it takes a lot more to get it all done. Joe Johanak VP, Michele Silva Secretary, Jerry Goldstein Treasurer and head of the outstanding raffle table program, John Troseth Director and Apparel, Mary Troseth Director and Name Badges, Robert Cook Director and AV Tech, Sue Connor Director and Gold Sales, Keith Browning Director and Refreshments, Leslie Laveroni Finds of the Month, Gabe Clum Claims Books, Rich and Trish Hegyi Membership, Cathy Connor M Merchandise, and Roz LaFoon Librarian and a special thanks for finding the catering and arranging this year’s ornaments and dinner.
3 years ago, at the start of the war in Ukraine I invoked the age old saying of Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all mankind was needed then, and even more now. That war is still raging, Hamas and Israel and that whole region has exploded, Sudan is in crisis now, things seem to be going backwards in the wrong direction with the only bright star Syria. They have deposed Bashir Al Assad and come out from under a 50-year reign of terror. Looking forward to 2025 maybe a cease fire in Ukraine, the one in Lebanon and the West Bank holds, extends to Gaza, stabilization in the Sudan, one can only hope. Then there are all of the displaced people and those fleeing to all of the other countries in Europe, Canada, and the US causing its own problems. One can only hope for a better 2025 worldwide.
As far as our own New Year, the calendar is mostly set with the Quartzsite Gem and Mineral Show as the first event of the year and a variety of both joint chapter collecting and Gold Prospecting trips. The new calendar will be published in the January newsletter.

Jerryk