Season's Greetings
The seventeenth in a series of twenty-four

Brr! It is cold outside. What happened to that beautiful fall that we were experiencing? It abruptly moved into winter without any warning. The temperature is 38, it is damp and the sky looks like it could snow any moment. Too bad the LocSec Mansion does not have a fireplace, otherwise, that would be where I would be sitting as I write these few thoughts. As it is, that is where my mind is and so I imagine myself before a hearth as I sit enjoying its warmth. Oh, to capitalize on the mood, I am wearing a sweater. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. In the throes of everyday life, in the adventure of living, it is easy to forget the little things for which we are thankful. It is a good thing that the Federal Government has given us a day away from our workplace to appreciate and to reflect on all those things that make our lives worth while. Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa are almost here. Homes are decorated in honor of the given season. Gifts have been bought and are waiting for the recipient to open them. The aromas of spices fill the house as cooks prepare special meals. And before we know it, we will be into a new year. As villages grew into towns, then into cities, and then into a mega-metropolitan area, so it is with the end of the Gregorian calendar. We begin celebrating in November and continue into January. I hope that each of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and will have the best Chanukah/ Christmas/ Kwanzaa and New Year's Eve ever. The Executive Committee is in the process of filling the positions required by our by-laws for a Nominating Committee and an Election Committee. If you are willing to spend a couple of hours and be on one of these committees, please get in touch with me. Generally speaking, the board is working very hard on many fronts to continue the current trend of generating more interest at the grass roots level. More activities have been scheduled and activities that are more diverse have been scheduled. Again, I encourage you, if there is an activity that you would like to do, anything from bowling to an open house, please feel free to schedule it. Contact our Calendar Coordinator and put it on the calendar. In addition, the ExComm may even be willing to cover the costs. Last but certainly not least, I want to congratulate and thank Dr. Weingarten and her associates for putting on the best Regional Gathering in recent memory. I have not witnessed such a smooth, well-defined, well run gathering. I am extremely pleased to announce that the same people have volunteered to put on Liberty Bell XIII in 2003. Liberty Bell XII having been this committee's first attempt, one can only assume that Liberty Bell XIII will capitalize on it success with a "New and Improved" version. Moreover, from what little bit I have heard of the planned activities, this will be one not to miss. Someone is going to die and YOU are to solve the murder.

This has been a year of major change for Delaware Valley Mensa. I am pleased with the direction DVM is headed. I think that as you read PROTEUS, mark your calendar of Mensa activities, and observe the unity and forward thinking of the Executive Committee, you will see the results of these changes. No change is easy; there is always pain involved. However, DVM is gaining momentum and I am sure you will like and enjoy the results. I hope to see you at many of the functions.

Season's Greetings to all, may you enjoy and be safe in this special time of the year.