Cross Timbers Prime Timers

 February 2009 Newsletter

by Bruce Thomas

What can you say about this Texas weather – just wait a little while and it will change. lol  The ice storm that hit last week seems to be a distant memory with the recent 70 degree days this week. Here is the lastest news and information about the club. Please mark these dates on your calendar, so you can enjoy our club’s many fun activities!

January 2009 Election Meeting

The Cross Timbers Prime Timers election was held on Saturday, January 10, 2009 at the Community Center at "Oak Trail Shores" in Granbury, Texas.  Elections and voting took place from 3:00 p. m.- 5:00 p.m.  The following candidates won the various offices.

President =                  Bo Mahler                            

Vice President =           Billy Parker

Secretary=                     Bruce Thomas

Treasurer=                    Jimmy Shipp

Members-At-Large=    Jimmy Holliman-Perry   and     A.J. Ratliff

Congratulations to all fellow new officers! I look forward to working with each one of you and know that together we will get many things accomplished that will improve our club. Many thanks to Ray and Frank for all their hard work and dedication in leading our club these past few years. We appreciate all their time and efforts.

As for the minutes and information from this meeting, here is what occurred. The election meeting began at 3 p.m. and some members were late in arriving due to bad directions. The members cast votes as they arrived until close to 4 p.m. The nominating committee tallied up the votes, and Mike B. announced the results. The new incoming board members meet with the outgoing board members to transfer information, club’s money, and paperwork. The new board took a vote and decided that the group needed to vote to keep or cancel the Regional Meeting that had been planned for April 2009. The new board also wanted the group’s input on whether to keep the 1st Sunday Cookouts at the Stampede. It was also told that James Allen was in poor health and no longer part of the Stampede. There was also discussion about the $300.00 deposit already made to Trinity Inn.  Ray and Frank said that they would get that back and take care of it themselves. Our current website expires in March 2009, and our club would decide later to maintain it or find another alternative webhosting site. Bo and Jim said that they would pay the current amount owed to T.C.C. for the 1st quarter of $50.00 so that our club can maintain its membership there.

When the new board opened the general meeting, each one introduced themselves and spoke just a little.

The Regional Meeting was introduced by Bo and our options were discussed. Warren made the motion that the event should be cancelled. It was seconded by Jim F. The club voted 17 to cancel it so motion carried.  

Bo M. discussed about Texas Conference of Clubs and the need for our club to maintain its membership with it. He also talked about how fun it was and how much various members contributed to it in the past in the way of money, first aid station, and other donations.  Ron S. said that T.C.C. dues should be optional on membership applications. There were other members adding their viewpoints. Warren made the motion that this item be tabled until February 2009 meeting. The motion was seconded by Jim W. It was carried by a majority of the votes to be tabled for later discussion.

The 1st Sunday Cookouts at the Stampede club was the next item brought before the group for discussion. Our club could not reach any consensus about it. Larry L. and Jimmy H. said that they would do it for the 1st Sunday in February until our group could discuss it further. Warren made the motion that this item should be tabled until the February 2009 meeting. It was seconded by Larry P. It was carried by a majority of the votes to be tabled for later discussion.

Bruce T. brought up the club’s calendar of events and told the group that they needed to select dates through the year to have our monthly social gatherings at various homes.

Jim S. and A.J. R. will be in touch with Mike Stone and Prime Timers World Wide about cancelling the Regional Meeting and changing addresses of new club officers along with a new address to receive the national newsletter. They also requested that there be board meetings before the social gatherings instead of the 1st Sunday of each month.

There was also discussion about getting a permanent post office box to handle Cross Timbers Prime Timer’s mail. It was presented that that needed to be a center location for our club, but no one city could be selected since our area covers lots of west Texas counties.

Hal P. resigned as our club’s webmaster and left.

Billy P. tried to patch up things by saying “Can’t we all just get along” with much laughter from the group.

Warren made the motion that our meeting be adjourned and any further items be discussed at our February 2009 meeting. Jim S. seconded the motion. It carried by an overwhelming vote of the club’s members.  Meeting ended at 5:23 p.m.

January 2009 Dinner Party

Our group had a social dinner get-together at Kings Chinese Food Restaurant in Granbury directly following the election meeting. This particular restaurant received rave reviews from various club members since it offered a wide array of food in a great atmosphere. Everyone enjoyed the great food, while some filled up on sushi; others preferred the tasty Chinese entrees. It only the ice cream was easier to scoop. lol

February 2009 Social Gathering

Our monthly social gathering will be at Mike’s beautiful log home in Weatherford at 6:00 p.m. this Saturday, February 7th.  Mike will be supplying a smoked cooked ham so bring a side dish that will compliment the main course.  His address is 2500 Azle Highway, Weatherford, Texas. His number is 817-988-3051 if you need more information or directions.  We are looking forward to seeing you all there. Club officers need to be there at 5 p.m. (an hour before the dinner) for a short business meeting.

February 2009 Dinner Party

Our monthly club’s dinner party will be on Saturday, February 21st at 7 p.m. at Don Marcos Mexican Restaurant located at 301 S.E. 25th Ave in Mineral Wells, Texas. (940) 325 - 6191

It is located right off of Highway 180 on the east side of the town with the giant metal palm trees out front. This restaurant specializes in a wide selection of great Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican dishes that are sure to please everyone’s appetite. The atmosphere is wonderful and the service is great. We have reserved their special party room for our group for this occasion. So come visit Mineral Wells during the day and eat dinner with our group that night!

2009 Membership Applications and Dues

We are currently sending out our club’s 2009 membership application. These applications are added as an attachment to this newsletter, will be available at all club functions, and will be posted and printable from our club’s website. Those members, who wish only to participate in Cross Timbers activities will pay Cross Timer dues in the amount of $20 for a single and $30 for a couple. Cross Timbers members who also want to participate in TCC activities will pay an additional $20 per person. We also will offer cheaper dues for those who join the club after June 30th.

Prime Timers Website

A club’s website is a great asset filled with lots of information, calendar dates, pictures of our events, history of our club, plus lots more! Please check out our present website at www.crosstimberpt.com/

Our current website will expire in March 2009, and the club officers are currently seeking a cheaper and easier website domain where we can more easily write articles, post pictures, add comments, and much more. Look for more information in the future.

Officer’s Insights

Each monthly newsletter will feature a newly elected Cross Timbers Prime Timer’s officer. These officer’s insights will also be posted on our website. This month we are glad to hear from our newly elected treasurer – Jim S.

As Treasurer I am looking forward to providing big bailout money to everyone in the club and free healthcare, but since we have less than $10 in our treasury, that probably won’t happen.  For those who don’t know me, I live with my partner, AJ—also a board member—near Ranger along with a couple of attack cats and some hound dogs.  My hope for the club over the next twelve months, along with my direction, will be to try to get more guys to join the group, and I will encourage membership by focusing on social activities and camaraderie—let’s make this a fun organization.  Of course, as Treasurer I also intend to keep accurate records of the finances and where possible, to keep your costs down.  Finally, this is your club and you need to let the officers know in what directions you would like to see the club evolve. 

Cheers,

Jimmy.