President's Report
June 2008
President’s Note – Page Miller
Dedication Service – On May 25, a large crowd assembled for the dedication service of our expanded and renovated building that was made possible because of generous support of money and time of many people. We marked this milestone with a time of remembering FICC’s beginnings and the 1991 expansion as well as hearing from those most responsible for this 2008 additions. The choir and Jerry Hammet were in great form for this celebratory event and the community room was a perfect setting for a splendid reception.
Our New Multi-Functional Space – On June 10 the FICC will be used for voting in the primary elections, for ROMEO’s luncheon, and for 4:30 Bingo. For the first time we are able to accommodate all of these events in the same day because of our expanded area with folding walls with doors that give us three rooms.
Donor Plaque – The May Trawler includes the names that will appear on the "Donor Plaque" of those who made contributions for the FICC expansion. We request that you contact us at ficc@islc.net if your name has been omitted or is incorrect. We have extended the deadline for notifying us of changes to June 15. If you have not made a donation – and we still need money for the kitchen project -- and wish to make one and be listed on the "Donor Plaque," it isn’t too late.
Donations and Help for Treasure Sale - The Treasure Sale is FICC’s primary fundraiser. Let me know if you have items to donate. The last pick up will be on Saturday, June 21. If you can assist the week prior to the sale with set-up and pricing, please call Patty Patek.
Treasure Sale
Saturday, June 28 - Fripp Island Community Centre
8 am to 2 pm - Huge Bargains
Furniture, Appliances, Toys, Computers, Books, Art, Sporting Equipment
Televisions, Stereos, Antiques, Dishes, Glassware, Jewelry, and
A Concession Stand with Food and Drink
May 2008
President’s Note
Building Update - On April 17 Beaufort County notified us that they were signing off on the successful completion of our expansion project. The hard working Chair of our Building Committee, Budd Catlin, beamed as he gave me the good news. Now we are in the process of paying the final bills. When we began our fund raising in 2006, we didn’t know this would be a "commercial" project requiring extensive fire and security protection as well as air flow tests and other extra requirements. We anticipate being able to pay all of our bills without going into our $40,000 reserve fund. But, we do not have money now to undertake the enlargement of the kitchen. However, the good news is that the kitchen renovation will not require the expenses associated with a county permit. After the June Treasure Sale, the FICC Board will re-evaluation our financial situation and decide how and when to proceed with the kitchen.
Dedication Service - On Sunday, May 25, at 5 pm, we will dedicate our renovated and expanded chapel and community centre with a service and reception. The Fripp choir will sing, pastor Jerry Hammet will participate and we will hear from those who have helped over the years to shape the vision of the FICC.
Fellowship Dinners - The new reservation procedure for the April fellowship dinner worked well and the meal was most enjoyable. The fact that so many people lingered long after the completion of dinner was a testimony to a more spacious, quieter, and attractive environment. Our next dinner will be in October.
Library - After having been closed for months during construction, our expanded Library will reopen on May 1. A special thank you to our Librarian, Sandy Buschur for overseeing the enormous task of removing and then re-shelving our books. Our library has almost 5,000 books with an amazingly fine collection of biographies, history, poetry, juvenile/youth selections, reference books, a large fiction section - divided into popular, classics, mysteries, and romance –, books on tape, videos, CDs, and DVDs. Plan to stop by and use this Fripp asset.
Treasure Sale - Please donate items you no longer need or use for the FICC’s major fund raising effort, the biannual Treasure Sale. Call me or one the other Board members if you have items to give or that need to be picked up. (See the list of phone numbers on the back page of the newsletter). The Treasure Sale will be held from 8 am to 2 pm on Saturday, June 28.
Return to Main Page
April 2008
Presidents’s Note -- So much to say, so little space.
Easter Service - Phil Webers’ trombone heralded the good news, the choir sang with gusto, and Pastor Jerry Hammet provided food for thought with his dramatic monologue of Peter’s reflections on his discipleship. Over 400 Fripp residents and guests shared in this memorable Easter celebration as the sun rose. Thank you to the Resort for making the tent available to us.
Passover - Seeking to be an "All Faiths Chapel," vespers on April 29 will feature a dialogue sermon on the meaning of passover for the present by Jerry Hammet, a retired Presbyterian minister, and Charles Richman, who has a background in Judaic scholarship and participates weekly in study of the Torah. Since Judaism follows a 13 month lunar calendar, Passover this year lasts from April 20 to April 26 and does not coincide with Easter.
Yamaha Clavinova - For the past year, we have faced increasingly expensive repairs of our organ. Your Board decided to replace it with a fine Yamaha Clavinvoa, a digital keyboard that has an organ voice that simulates one of the best organs in the world. We invite you to join us at 5:30 pm for Wednesday Vespers to hear our new instrument.
Purchase of April 16 Fellowship Supper Tickets - On April 7, our ticket master, Don Aldrich who lives at 868 Sabal Court, will begin accepting money for the April 16 fellowship dinner. No reservations may be made before that date and no reservation can be made without payment of $5. Don will keep a list as he accepts the money instead of distributing tickets. The Board has adopted this procedure in hopes of providing a more systematic method for making reservations for the fellowship suppers.
Thank you to the Fripp Island Women’s Club which contributed the proceeds of their March House Tour to the FICC. As we face more unanticipated expenses, this is particularly appreciated.
Building Update - We expect the carpet and additional pews to be installed in early April. The Board hopes to announce in the next newsletter plans for a dedication service for our expanded and renovated building.
Page Miller
March 2008
On February 9, I had the honor of becoming the new President of the FICC. I consider it a special privilege to be able to serve the island in this way. In 1990 when my husband and I first visited Fripp, we played bridge, attended Vespers and heard a Friends of Music Concert -- all wonderful experiences at the community centre. Since this is an institution that fosters a vibrant community on our island, I am excited about our renovation and expansion project. Not only will this give us a more handsome exterior and a warm and inviting interior, but it will also provide more opportunities for serving residents and guests.
Due to construction, the only event held in recent weeks at the centre has been vespers. We appreciate the cooperation of all the group leaders and thank the Resort for providing alternative places for bridge, yoga, and club meetings. We are aiming for the middle of March for the completion of the first stage and are tentatively planning on March 19 for the St. Patrick’s Day Fellowship Dinner to be held at the centre. Please watch the sign for the latest word on scheduling.
I am most fortunate to have a terrific board with which to work. They are: Dan McCormick, Vice President; Betsy Kohler, Treasurer; Nancy Rudy, Assistant Treasurer; Mike Ashby, Secretary; Max Stubbs, Building and Grounds Committee Chair; Patty Patek, Worship and Special Events Committee Chair; Stewart deWitt, Communications Committee Chair; and Gerry Burke, liaison to the Building Committee. All the major committees have active subcommittees. And this year we have a busy Treasure Sale Committee. If you would be willing to assist with any of these committees, please call me at 838-1108.
Treasurer’s Report
During the February Annual meeting, outgoing Treasurer Dana Dudley reported that the annual budget for 2008, adopted by the Board in December, is $97,395, with the largest single item being insurance. He also noted that 2007 was a very good year financially for FICC. The contributions to the Building Fund since its inception total $384,000. The reinvested income from the fund has produced $16,000 to give us an available amount of $400,000, which was our original target and when combined with FICC’s reserve fund will enable us to pay for the additions and renovation despite a number of unanticipated expenses.
Both Dana Dudley and the Assistant Treasurer, Carrie Catlin, have decided after many years in their respective positions that it is time to step down. They have served most ably and the Fripp community is most appreciative of their contributions of talents and time.
Raffle Tickets – Board members are now selling raffle tickets for Faye Edge’s reproduction of the stained glass window in the front of the chapel. Tickets are $10 each and the drawing will be at the March Fellowship Dinner.
February 2008
ANNUAL MEETING, FEBRUARY 9TH AT THE CENTRE, AT 9:00 AM.
Eight or ten years ago it was the practice of the outgoing president of the Centre to host an annual dinner for the Board of Directors and their spouses. As with events of this nature, the number of invitees began to expand. At first it included only past presidents, and then members of the choir were added, and so on. It was a nice thing to do, but the numbers continued to expand. Along the way it became such a financial burden, the Centre started paying for the dinners. There are so many people, presently and in the past, who have contributed and continue to contribute so much to the Centre that the number, including spouses, has now reached in excess of one hundred and thirty.
Eight or ten years ago it was the practice of the outgoing president of the Centre to host an annual dinner for the Board of Directors and their spouses. As with events of this nature, the number of invitees began to expand. At first it included only past presidents, and then members of the choir were added, and so on. It was a nice thing to do, but the numbers continued to expand. Along the way it became such a financial burden, the Centre started paying for the dinners.
There are so many people, presently and in the past, who have contributed and continue to contribute so much to the Centre that the number, including spouses, has now reached in excess of one hundred and thirty.
Because of this large number and the cost, the Board has decided to end its policy of financial support of the annual dinners and to place the money budgeted in 2008 for the dinner in the building fund. This action effectively ends the annual dinners. This was not an easy decision, for without the generous giving of time by so many people to the many programs and events taking place in the Centre, it would not be the place of importance in our lives that it is today. We trust our members will agree with this decision of financial oversight by the Board and appreciate this action.
Because of this large number and the cost, the Board has decided to end its policy of financial support of the annual dinners and to place the money budgeted in 2008 for the dinner in the building fund. This action effectively ends the annual dinners.
This was not an easy decision, for without the generous giving of time by so many people to the many programs and events taking place in the Centre, it would not be the place of importance in our lives that it is today.
We trust our members will agree with this decision of financial oversight by the Board and appreciate this action.
We are moving right along with the new building. So far the following items have been completed: heating and air conditioning for the community room; framing of all additions; wiring for community room and chapel addition; the re-roofing of the entire building; and additional pews ordered. After the additions are completed we have the internal changes to do. This includes moving some of the present walls, re-doing and re-configuring the bathrooms and of course we still have the kitchen to do. So, there still remains a long time before we are completely finished.
We are moving right along with the new building. So far the following items have been completed: heating and air conditioning for the community room; framing of all additions; wiring for community room and chapel addition; the re-roofing of the entire building; and additional pews ordered.
After the additions are completed we have the internal changes to do. This includes moving some of the present walls, re-doing and re-configuring the bathrooms and of course we still have the kitchen to do. So, there still remains a long time before we are completely finished.
Members of the Board are now selling raffle tickets for Faye Edge’s beautiful reproduction of the stained glass window in the front of the Chapel. Tickets are $10.00 and the drawing will be at the Community Dinner on March 12th.
Hope to see you in Chapel Wednesday night.
January 2008
We are beginning to see the results of a lot of behind the scenes work, as the addition to our Community Room comes out of the ground and the foundation of the Chapel additions is laid. By the time you read this, the addition to the Community Room, including the roof, should be framed and the floor on the Chapel addition poured.
At Vespers Services recently the Pastor of the St. Helena Baptist Church told us his church has been working for two years trying to get a building permit from the county to complete their additions. We are fortunate that Budd Catlin has been our contact with the county and was able to get our permits as soon as he did.
A great deal of time and effort is made by several members of your Board to keep the Centre's website current. The site has minutes from prior Board meetings, pictures of our building progress and many other informative items. Check it out at www.frippicc.com .
The Care Team is fully organized and busily going about doing its work of helping those on Fripp in need. Give Page Miller a call for The Team to visit the sick and those with special needs and her Team will respond.
Due to space limitations, Sandy Buschur, our librarian, has requested that those who were planning to give books to the Centre Library please wait until the additions are completed.
Members of the Board are now selling raffle tickets for Faye Edge's beautiful reproduction of the stained glass window in the front of the Chapel. Tickets are $10.00 and the drawing will be at the Community Dinner on March 12th.
The Centre is collecting Education Box Tops for the local schools. They are found on brands such as Cheerios, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Ziploc, Kleenex, Hefty and more. The collection Box is near the bulletin board on the deck going into the Community Room.
We need help with our organ. Volunteers are needed to play our Chapel organ at various times during the week. Its lack of play is causing problems. So, if you are interested, please call Page Miller and let her know when you can help out.
T