Shalom, my friends. It has been months since we’ve shared company, and life has changed dramatically. How wonderful it was, that August evening at Heidi’s, everyone was there. It was a gorgeous summer night, with a bit of September in the air. Heidi had the fire going and it, along with good beer, good friends, good laughs, and a phone call from Rhonda, made us all warm inside. Heidi’s neighbors’ children got us ready for Irish Fest with a jig or two (live entertainment! Tough to top that!). We got right down to business, planning Lisa’s club on the boat for 9/16. Other events mentioned as possible to attend were Sprecherfest, Aug. 24-26, in West Bend, Septembeerfest, Sept. 14^th, and Octoberfest, (date?). It was suggested that we not be so rigid in "rounding" and that field trips be taken more often, or that the round be amended to accommodate a beer event. All agreed. Joan suggested we attend the Beer Fest at Goose Island Brewery in Chicago, in March. We will all put it on the calendar for consideration. It would likely be an overnighter.

Jan brought another extra credit, the Something’s Brewin’ newsletter. There are 2 microbreweries highlighted in this issue, one of which we go into more detail at MY next club. Thanks Jan! Keep it coming.

Storytelling and laughter went on into the night. Jan brought a new reference to the group. When a colleague, spouse, child, friend or anyone else, has worn you out whining, let them know that there is nothing left to do but call the "WAAmbulance". Thanks again Jan, it has been useful to me on more than one occasion!

All the joy and laughter of that evening felt so far behind us on September 11. I’m sure we can all vividly remember the exact moment we heard the news - where we were, what we were doing. We will never forget. Words cannot describe the terror, the tragedy, the heartbreak, the pain, the sacrifice, the fear, the courage, the compassion, the faith, or the love. It was all there, it was all revealed. We will remember. We will not take our freedom for granted anymore. I am reminded of Martin Luther King’s favorite spiritual – We shall overcome…we are not afraid…we shall not be moved…we shall overcome, some day.

Our September club was cancelled; jocularity seemed inappropriate. Some of us did attend the Septembeerfest as had been planned. The evening started off with a prayer and meditation to remember the events of those first few days. It did feel good to gather and reflect, even with those we did not know. ALL Americans feel the pain. Comments about the evening will be shared at the next meeting.

DATE - October 19, Friday, between 6:30 and 7:00 (we need to catch up)

Respectfully submitted,

Mariana

"For everything its season, and for every activity under heaven, its time:

a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to pull down and a time to build up; a time to weep and a time to laugh ;a time for mourning and a time for dancing; a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to throw away; a time to tear and a time to mend; a time for silence and a time for speech; a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace."

Till we meet again,

Shalom