Megan's Message and Musings November's word of the month: CHANGE The dictionary lists the definition of this word as: –verb (used with object) To make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone. The month of November will bring a lot of changes in many different ways to the Holland Amateur Radio Club. There will be changes in our surroundings, in our meetings and in our training, and all of these changes will be moving in a forward direction. Since the beginning of the year our classroom attendance and monthly meeting attendance began to increase, and we soon realized that we were rapidly outgrowing the facility. Our club meetings could no longer accommodate the members and guests in comfort, and there were some additional concerns for safety. Our classes began to fill available space in the main room, and we had to consider limiting the number who could sign up. The Board room began bursting at the seams when filled with our Board members and Chairmen of our various activities. The popular Saturday breakfasts and Open Mike Nights showed us that the clubhouse kitchen was just a bit too small. Ken Groom negotiated a three-year lease for our 'clubhouse' and we were subsequently offered several extensions, and all told we enjoyed a six years of use of the building! However, the recent discovery that the roof and chimney were severely damaged has prompted the City to list the property for sale, and so we must reluctantly make changes. “Why we don't just keep meeting at the Kollen Park Fire Station?” you might ask. Well, the Fire Department is turning that room into a training center. You may have noticed that book cases and supplies kept multiplying each month. Recently the Fire Department asked our club, and other who also meet in this room, to look for other facilities. After a timely meeting with the new Executive Director of the Red Cross of Ottawa County, Mr. Mike Mitchell, K9SKP, the Red Cross graciously offered us meeting space in their facility, so we have found a new “home” and must make changes to accommodate this move. Some things will change: Beginning in January 2011 our General Membership Meetings will move to the second Monday of the month, and the Board Of Directors will meet the first Monday of the month. A lot of things will not change: We will continue to offer informative monthly presentations, and there will still be coffee and cookies to keep you all, and our Treasurer, happy! We will continue to offer CW training and radio licensing classes. We will continue to promote social gatherings, including Ham is for Breakfast, and Donuts at Donutville, We will continue to offer our help to serve the community. The facts are that we must leave the building and the building will be demolished. There is sadness in leaving “Ken's House” but I am confident that these changes will ultimately bring good results. Besides, I can't imagine that Ken would be disappointed with these changes, especially knowing that we have become one of the largest, most active and best prepared amateur radio clubs in West Michigan. I fact, I think he would be proud of us! Meg WO0MEG Upcoming Schedule Changes The December 14, 2010 Membership Meeting will be our last meeting at the Holland Fire Station. Beginning January, 2011 General Membership Meetings move to 2nd Monday of the month at the Ottawa County Red Cross, 270 James Street in Holland, Michigan. Meetings still start at 7:00pm. Board of Directors Meetings move to the 1st Monday. Make Your Banquet Reservations NOW! Our annual Banquet will be held at the Beechwood Inn, 380 Douglas, in Holland, Michigan. The Banquet kicks off at 6:30pm. Dinner is served all-you-can-eat “family style” so this is not the night to count calories! For starters, you may enjoy fried mushrooms, onion rings, fresh baked rolls and a dinner salad. Dinner includes lake perch, baked chicken, Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, and country fresh corn. Then, don't forget to save room for ice cream and cake. This feast is available for the sum of $20 per person and includes all of the food, plus coffee, tea and soft drinks, sales tax and tip. Your reservation must arrive not later than November 5, 2010 in the hands of Sue Seidelman, KC8RQS. Please include a check made payable to “HARC” and send it to 46 West 21st Street, Holland MI 49423. You may also contact Sue at (616) 394-9821 if you have any questions. Ham of the Year This ham is not food, it is about service to our club and community. Dave Lamer, WA8RSA, and Jim Lamberts, KC8KE, are taking nominations for Ham of the Year. We give this award to a person who does many things for the club. Please take a moment to call or send an email our nominations committee. Jim, KC8KE email to kc8ke@arrl.net or call (616) 399-6002 Dave, WA8RSA email to wa8rsa@arrl.net or call (616) 772-1391 Meet, Greet and Eat Times and places to meet fellow amateurs Donuts @ Donutville every Wednesday at 2:30pm, 676 Michigan Avenue in Holland. Stop by for coffee and conversation. “HAM is for Breakfast” last Saturday of each month at 9:00am. We meet and eat at the Southside Inn,192 West 35th Street in Holland, just east of Washington Avenue. We have tables in the back room. Members, spouses, friends, family, and anyone else interested in amateur radio are welcome. Upcoming Public Service Opportunities Please contact each event's coordinator for more information. Parade of Lights Tuesday, November 30, 2010 Contact Ivan DeWitt, K8EMU idewitt@charter.net Ike needs several volunteers for this annual parade to usher in Santa Claus. Nets of Interest Compiled by Tom Wilson, KD8DEG Sunday 8:30 AM 50.400 AM Grand Rapids 8:00 PM 145.270 FM Lowell Club 8:00 PM 50.400 AM Kalamazoo, Gary K8BKB 8:00 PM 147.240 FM Allegan, Jim AC8AG 9:00 PM 50.150 USB Zeeland, Charlie N8QEM 9:30 PM 144.155 USB Holland, Bill K8NFT Monday 7:30 PM 147.060+ FM HARC 2m Net. Ed, KF8EV, Net Manager Tuesday 7:00 PM 144.222 USB Kalamazoo, K8BKB Gary 9:30 PM 50.300 USB Kalamazoo, K8BKB Gary 9:00 PM 145.270 FM MDXA, Dave KC8PCL 9:30 PM 50.400 AM Kalamazoo, K8BKB Gary Wednesday 8:00 PM 28.380 USB Allegan 9:00 PM 50.140 USB Cedar Springs, AC8AH Jerry Thursday 6:30 PM 147.520 FM 2nd Thursday each month, OCEC Simplex Net 7:00 PM 147.060+ FM 4nd Thursday each month, OCEC Repeater Net 7:00 PM 147.160+ FM Michigan youth, 22 and younger 7:00 PM 28.055 CW CW round table and rag chew 8:00 PM 146.800+ FM MAARC weekly Net Daily 7:00 PM 50.200 USB Cadillac, round tables If you know of any other nets, please let me know and I'll add them to the list. Jim N8QMD, n8qmd@arrl.net.