MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Members,
Let me start off by wishing everyone a Happy New Year. That time of year where resolutions are made (to be broken), at a later date. That time of year where everyone erases the slate and is ready and anxious to start off fresh and clean.
The January meeting should not be missed. This evening will be the first of two cruise nights, January is the first and February the second. We have both Ocean and River Cruises representatives that will be telling us all about their products in a round table format. It is sure to be a great evening.
As there has been very little to speak about since our Holiday Gathering, I wish to give you some of my highlights of my recent River Cruise. Diana and I recently returned from our Holiday Christmas River Cruise that started out in Basel, Switzerland and into Amsterdam, Netherlands, with stops in France and Germany. As always, the two of us tries to see and do everything that is offered, which tires us out. Everything about the Cruise was fabulous. The ship, the crew and food were great. The ports were really exciting as they were decorated for the Christmas Season. The Kinderdijk Windmills were amazing in how they are maintained and working having been built so many years ago.
The Cologne Cathedral was as magnificent as expected and to top off our tour of Cologne, it ended in front of the Cathedral just in time for us to attend Mass on Christmas Day. It was a real treat, even if I did not fully understand the Mass in German.
Our stop in the Netherlands was awesome, we managed seeing the Hague, Rotterdam and of course Amsterdam. All three cities were beautiful and unique in each of their ways. The Hague being where most of the Netherlands legislatures meet, and Rotterdam, with its enormous sea port. I could not believe how big the sea port is. Trying to compare the New York City port to that of Rotterdam seaport, New York’s port (New Jersey included) is tiny.
Diana and I managed to see the “Girl with the Pearl Earring, “and other fine paintings in the only museum we managed to get into. While on board, I managed “via the internet” to secure two tickets to see the Anne Frank house on the last evening we were staying in Amsterdam. I had been trying for weeks beforehand with no success as they only issue so many tickets per day. However, they did become available and I did not hesitate to purchase them.
I am so glad we managed to go. It was so moving and inspiring to see what Anne Frank and her family endured.
I close with the thought that everyone’s holiday was as joyful as mine and that your New Year will be everything you are wishing for it to be.
Happy New Year,
Garrett P. Simulcik, Sr
.
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The TASC Executive board would like to thank the membership for their generous donations of toys and checks to our annual toy drive held during our Holiday party. We once again brightened the lives of many boys and girls residing at the Little Flower Children's facility in Wading River who enjoyed a Happy Holiday due to your generosity. Thank you again.
