past at $3-5 per day. Even this is only $1.50 each for the driver and the tour director, but still above the $1 per day to each you now suggest. I know it is a touchy subject, but a majority of your travelers will do as you suggest, and we hate to see your folks get a “reduction” in pay. Sally R. Ed. Note: Sally, thank you for your concern. Seriously, it’s nice of you to care about this subject. I went back to the last newsletter and here’s what I wrote in March: “For the record, we have recently revised our suggested amounts to $5-$7 per person, per day for extended tours for each member of the tour staff (right in the middle of what the reader had seen printed in a magazine). For day trips, I would suggest $2-$4 to each staff member. If you have two tour directors, the two staff members will split gratuities equally in all cases (unless a note in the envelope specifies otherwise). Some people throw in a little extra when they have an extra tour director, some don’t. It is never expected of you.” It’s nice of you folks to be so thoughtful. And should we ever forget to say it, thank you for your generosity. Sports Leisure staff are paid fair wages, but everyone likes being shown appreciation. Hope this clears up any confusion. Dear Mark & Clayton – Thanks so much for your entertaining preview of Sports Leisure trips at KVIE. The venue and food were wonderful. I enjoyed learning about the opportunities to travel with your wonderful team. Mom and I had a delicious lobster and steak dinner at Rudy’s Hideaway thanks to the door prize we won. Clayton, when it gets closer to the time you leave for New Zealand with your group, let us know, so
Get Well Wishes… We have some friends on the mend. To Stanley Gordon, Ed McAdams, Georgia McDonald, Nicki Johnson, Miss Rosa and Joan Robideaux; we send our best wishes for continued recovery from recent challenges, big and small. We are thinking of you.
I can assist your group with some tips and advice from an American who has lived and traveled all over both islands for over 20 years. Thanks again from both of us, Dave Orchard, Harriett’s son Ed. Note: How nice it was to have our dear friend Harriett come to Open House with her son. As luck would have it, they won one of the dining door prizes. Plus, now we have an additional contact for our New Zealand trip early next year. Welcome Dave, to the Sports Leisure family. (By the way, both the New Zealand tour and the Southeast Asia cruise are coming along nicely. Consider signing up soon if you want to be a part of either trip.) Dear Clayton – Thank you for the best trip ever! Fantastic. I really appreciate how well you take care of your “guests.” And of course, it’s a given you know your territory (Colorful Carolina Coast). Also appreciated the card you sent to us all. Looking forward to another trip with you. Shirley Thornton, Paradise Ed. Note: That Shirley is a fickle one. Just last spring, she was telling me how much she loved my trips. Now, I can see that Shirley has changed her tune and it’s kissing up to Mr. Whitehead. Just wait until you get on my trip next time, Ms. Thornton. Boy, are you ever in for a surprise… Dear Mark – On behalf of The C.L.U.B., I would like to thank you for your recent donation of the trip to San Francisco for our auction. We appreciate you thinking of this special dropin day care program for seniors with memory loss. It provides respite for the caregivers and stresses care, fun and stimulating activities for the participants. With your help, we will be able to buy the defibrillator we hoped to purchase! Dear Mark – We really enjoyed the presentation at our Chevron Retirees Luncheon on April 18th. It was very informative and covered quite a variety of things we need to know about. Thank you so much. Thanks also for the
toothbrush holders and alarm clock door prizes. Sincerely, Linda Patrick, Secretary Chevron Retirees Association, Sacramento Chapter To Whom It Concerns: Please consider this my official Retirement Letter. It is my understanding that my refusal to participate in certain activities on tour has made other people uncomfortable. I did not realize this. There have been many wonderful vacations with your group, all the way back to Branson in 2001! I do wish your group many happy travels near and far. Happy trails to all of you! Karen Cheng If you have a comment, suggestion or tour idea, we invite you to drop us a line. Due to space limitations, not all letters can be printed (others may be edited). Mail to: Sports Leisure Vacations Attn: Mark/Clayton 9812 Old Winery Place, Suite 1 Sacramento, CA 95827 Or e-mail Mark or Clayton at: markslt@aol.com clayton.whitehead@sportsleisure.com
Remembering our friends… Goodbye to Elizabeth Over the course of 32 years in business, we have had almost 50,000 members in our Travel Club. None gave us memories like Elizabeth Monk left behind when she passed on April 6th. Our oldest member at 105, she was an active traveler well into her 100’s. A wonderful lady with a spectacular smile and level demeanor, she was an inspiration to us all. She is survived by her daughter Patricia, an active traveler. A memorial service will be held on May 26th. See you there. We honor the memories of these members of our travel family who have passed recently: • Donald Sall • Arlene Paule • Lucy Lainas • Filomena Failla • Julia Ramsey • Audrey Sienkiewicz Sports Leisure Vacations / May– June 2011
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