Late Sunday morning, April 6, the star party attendees had pretty much cleared out of GMARS. Our wonderful clubhouse in Landers was almost swept, the dishes done, and the last of the crew were locking the garage. Then came one of the most important events in our club's history.

This spring morning, John and Roxanne Shamay, our across-the-street neighbors at GMARS, sat down in the clubhouse living room to conclude a process that had started some six months before. They had offered to sell us the five acres and house they had owned for more than twenty years just to the east of our site.

Representing you that morning were Chairman Ralph Megna, Chief Financial Officer Bob Stephens, Property Committee member Dan Coley, yours truly (a committee member and club President), and a few other interested members. Not present were committee member Phil Agins, and because of a bad flu bug, Committee Chair Glenn Malcolm, one of the people who made it possible.

Roxanne and John wanted to make sure that their property went to somebody who would take care of it and be good neighbors. They figured that sounded like us. We wanted to make sure we had room to grow, and could control the lights on the neighboring property. It was of great mutual benefit. We are lucky to have neighbors like them—and come to think of it, they are lucky to have neighbors like us.

We are now in escrow. And that means we have to start calling in the pledges, and perhaps seek more, to finance the down payment. Glenn did a great job calling, and several people made commitments directly to Bob Stephens or me. The names and amounts are confidential, but dozens of people have made commitments ranging from a hundred or two, to thousands. Some were outright gifts, and some were interest free loans. Some is cash, some stock; some is all at once, and some coming in over time.

By the way, if you did not get called you should know that we decided early on that Glenn wasn't going to call everybody because, frankly, we are not the kind of club that spends its time raising money. We restricted the phone calls to long-term members who have supported GMARS through the years. But nobody should feel excluded, and you are invited to participate by sending a donation or pledge to Bob.

And for those who have already pledged, get out the checkbooks (or contact your broker, or stuff your brown bag full of greenbacks, or whatever). You can send your contribution to Bob Stephens (c/o Fox & Stephens - 8300 Utica Avenue, Suite 105 - Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730). If you have questions you may contact me (909 261 6593, alexmcconahay@roadrunner.com) or Bob (909 980-6050 rstephens@foxandstephens.com). Bob will be sending invoices shortly. And we will need the money in the next few weeks, as we hope to close shortly after our April 19 meeting.

Yes, it was a great event that happened in our little clubhouse this sunny Sunday morning. And it assures that we will have many more in the future.

Clear Skies,