A resounding success! Recap from Karen Short –
Fun, frivolity, and friendships were plentiful at last night’s banquet. The Striders demonstrated that not only can we run, we can also play (and dance, and sing). The raffle raised lots of moolah for the club and, as is expected due to statistical algorithms that I can’t begin to understand, we had many repeat winners (you know who you are, April Phillips, Norma, Melinda Hedding, Brenda Whitman, Themum Kane, and others). Lots of new faces which indicates a) that I am old and b) that a younger generation of Striders has exploded in the club, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Club President Albert J Phillips Jr Al “I am everywhere promoting Strider Nation” Phillips, Strider Treasurer and Banquet Chairperson Shelly Hilliard Rivera and Strider Social Media Queen and Ambassador-Extraordinaire Lisa Conyer. (Did you catch that amazing slide show that Lisa and pals created? Surely you saw Kristen Mason Amick in her heels and her gorgeous dress schlepping in a projector and humongous screen to allow a private viewing by the club?). Many thanks to all of you who donated raffle prizes (if I name one of you and forget another, I will feel awful so I’ll just lump you all together). Alcohol still seems to be the overall prize of choice, along with gift certificates (5 free race entries!!). Handmade baskets, the quilted Strider throw, the engraved balance (wobble) board, the Prides Corner Farms plants, the cat basket and the many assorted / unique gifts hopefully excited everyone who bought tickets. Timothy K. Kane and I tried our best to expedite the raffle and turn the night over to Bill Bentley, Sharon Ripp, and The Pink Row Rockers who were fab (“Salt Salt Salt” ) All in all, it was an evening filled with smiles and laughter. Let’s wash, rinse and repeat in 2027.
