CMC SEPTEMBER MEETING MINUTES
September 20, 2009
 
I was having lunch today when I almost wiped my face with the notes from our trail ride/picnic/meeting last Sunday.  I was elected Secretary and only had a napkin available for taking notes.  I put it away in my purse, and today when I needed to wipe my face…voila, there were the meeting minutes.  I decided I’d better find something else for my face, and get these notes out to everyone before they became totally unreadable. 

We had a wonderful day Sunday for our trail ride/picnic/meeting at Willamette Farms.  The setting was beautiful, and it was a lovely almost-fall day.  Some people, I think I counted around 10, went on a beautiful trail ride around the property. The views were fantastic, so I can only imagine how nice the trails were. It sounded like all the horses were great and everyone had a lovely time.  I’m not sure if anyone took pictures while on the ride, but if so, please email them to me, and I’ll try to put them in the next newsletter, which I’m sure I’ll be working on real soon.  
 
Some of us chose to visit the wine tasting room while others were out riding.  I had never been wine tasting before, so it was an interesting experience.  The wine was very good and it was fun trying and comparing different types, colors, and years.  I’m not really a wine drinker, but I ended up buying 2 bottles of their white wine, so you know it must have been good.  If you ever get a chance to visit Willamette Farms for their wine tasting, I think you’ll enjoy it there too.  
 
Once the riders were back and the wine tasters dragged themselves from the tasting room, we all got together for another of our chapter eating fests.  Eric and Lou Anne provided salmon, and burgers, while the other members brought an assortment of goodies for everyone to share.  The food was great and the company was better.  I think everyone had a really nice time, and it was an excellent way to say “goodbye” to summer and “hello” to fall.  Speaking of fall, I think the only thing anyone had to worry about that afternoon was getting hit by falling acorns, which kept everyone on their toes.
 
After everyone ate to their content Lou Anne called our September meeting to order.  Our first order of business was the election of officers for next year.  It was unanimous that Lou Anne serves another year as our President, and she graciously accepted the job.  The other offices were filled as follows:  

Vice-President: Patty Armstrong
Treasurer: Andrea Onstine
Secretary: Sharon Knowlton
Awards: Suzi Ronning and Janis Worrall
Newsletter Committee:  Sharon Knowlton, Patty Armstrong, and Janis Worrall 
 

On behalf of the newsletter committee, we will be looking to all our chapter members for stories, pictures, classifieds, or whatever else you’d like to see in ‘your’ newsletter.  If you don’t submit anything, you’ll be stuck with whatever we come up with to entertain you.
 
Since the holidays seem to be just around the corner, the next item discussed was the annual Christmas Party.  Suzi thought people might like a change of venue this year, and we agreed that although we love everything about having the party at Suzi’s, she and Jim deserve the opportunity to be guests instead of the hosts this year, so we discussed a few options for a change in venue. 
 
We talked about renting the clubhouse at Devonwood, having the party at Andrea’s house, or possibly renting a room at a restaurant, or other facility.  No final decision was made, but people are checking into each of the options, so stay tuned…more information will be coming once a decision is made.  The tentative date for the Christmas party is Dec. 6.
 
Next item….Becca brought up that Ginny Rattner would like for the Bears Show to be held at Devonwood.  I don’t know that I heard all the comments that were made, but there was discussion about what the cost would be for using Devonwood, the time of year we have our show, and the distance of the stalls from the indoor arena considering the potential for storms at that time of year. I don’t know that we reached a firm decision about moving the show, but I think the possible expense could be one of the biggest drawbacks to moving the show there.  There may be more discussion on this….I’m not sure.  I believe we’re already set at McMinnville for the 2010 show.
 
The meeting ended, the tables were cleared, the food was put away, everyone said their goodbyes, the horses were loaded up, and another summer came to a beautiful end. 
 
Minutes submitted by:
Sharon Knowlton
September 23, 2009
 
Just a reminder about the Honkin’ Huge Ribbon Show in McMinnville on Oct 31. Mail in your entry to ride, come down to help or watch some rides, or just come to visit.  Hope to see you there.