Dear members                                      January 15, 2009
 
          Wow! Would you believe the federal stimulus package for the NE Kingdom is supporting our request for a roof over tennis court #1, a new 7th green and an indoor spa?  No?   But it is true that, this fall, we completed three important capital projects.  The clubhouse is restained ($6,000) and looks great. We put in extensive drainage around the lower tennis courts ($7,000) and we reconstructed the deck on the Youth Center (gifts from members and the volunteer skilled labor of Rob Brigham).
 
          For 2009 the same friendly staff will return, caring for our gorgeous fairways and greens, rolling our knee-friendly tennis courts and serving us all in the Pro Shop.  Dick and Eileen will continue as our teaching professionals.
 
          You, the club’s loyal 340 members, are obviously the cornerstone of our continued success. About 70% of the club’s income is from our dues.  So, if you can help us find more members (friends and relatives?), then we are all better off.    I thank you all for your support of this great little club, but particularly I single out the many members who play golf or tennis hardly at all, who continue their playing memberships out of loyalty, pride and a deep sense of shared community.  Without them we really would be looking for an economic stimulus package.
 
          Disturbing economic times make us all nervous as we strive to maintain our usual high standards.  We are always frugal, but the costs of running the club go up each year and we need to salt away a little something for emergencies and future capital projects. So, after much discussion, dues this year are going up 4.5% - 5% plus a modest $15 fee to support capital reserves.
 
          The most important capital project of the last fifteen years has been the gorgeous new (2006) clubhouse, paid for by handsome gifts, an assessment and a mortgage. This last summer we renegotiated that mortgage to reduce our yearly mortgage expenses to under $17,000 (from a high of $28,000 a year).  The time will come when that mortgage will be paid off and we will be able to consider seriously your dream projects.
 
          Meanwhile, we do the essentials, lean on a host of generous volunteers and, as before, request donations for smaller projects: redo some tee boxes, plant some strategic elms/maples and replace the ugly front siding of the Youth Center. We’d love your special help/donations. Those of us in Greensboro for the winter have a long wait for golf and tennis. So, until then, may the ski trails be packed powder and may “the sap run sweet.”
 
      Best wishes

      Nat Smith