2022 - Issue # 1
COGnitions:
Ramblings from the Northeast Area Director Happy New Year COG NorthEast! The past few months have been a bit overwhelming. As a member of the COG IT team, I was helping to cover a portion of the workload when the COG IT Officer resigned. Then COG’s Membership Officer, Fred Boothe, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly just prior to Thanksgiving. Since this role requires access to the member database, the IT team offered to assist processing membership on an interim basis. What we didn’t initially consider is that the membership Steve Smith #3184 handbook was also on Fred’s plate for completion in March, and this too landed in our hands. Amid all this COG work, Linda’s mom passed away early January. Now we make weekly trips to her home to NY to help clean out and prepare the house for sale. I know that some good cycle-therapy is needed, but according to the rodent prognosticator I may be waiting 6 more weeks. <sigh!> During the Northeast’s non-riding season there are typically a few social gatherings posted on our event calendar. These are a good way to see COG friends and break up the winter monotony. Be flexible and check the schedule ahead of time as pandemic restrictions pop up unexpectedly. Just as the restrictions loosened for Canadian members and social activities began to take place, our Toronto AAD, Dave Perkins, recently reported he was forced to suspend once again the two monthly GTA Meet & Greet dinners. I’m sure he will provide a report in this issue, and I am hopeful the GTA dinner gatherings will resume soon. On the plus side, other Northeast region social activities have been fortunate to be able to gather at restaurants.
photo courtesy Bob Barbanti #7134
Our northeast winter schedule is typically light until March/April. If you are missing COG activities, I suggest members can use the time to plan and submit Spring/Summer COG activities. Don’t forget, any member may submit an event to the COG calendar. It is easy using one of the “Submit an Event” buttons found on the club calendar web pages and filling in the required information. The Northeast Spring Fling will be in Williamsport PA May 19-22. Review the event calendar. Registration is open. Our discounted room block at the Genetti Hotel is held until 4/22/22. As Jason would say… “Book Those Rooms.” Jason has already posted up the COG Northeast Dog Days event in Marlinton WV for August 18-21, along with a few other spring/summer non-COG events where COG is invited. Check them out.
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