Hello to everyone,

I would like to start this month’s Newsletter with a note about the Thanksgiving Lunch on 24th November at Valparaiso. We had 168 people there from the three chapters, FMB, Marbella and Estepona, that’s 21 more than last year.  Well done everyone.  Please see the Editor’s selection of photos in the General Gallery.

The afternoon started at 13:00 with cava and canapés, followed by a great rendition of the National Anthem sung by Joanne Wynne-Hughes of the Estepona Chapter.  We  welcomed  Bobbye  Aaron from  the U.S. Consular Agency  in  Fuengirola  and we thank  her  for  reading  the Annual Thanksgiving Message from  U.S. President, Barak Obama.

We all sat down at around 14:30 to a starter of fruit and shrimp cocktail, followed by a sumptuous meal of turkey with cranberry sauce,  potatoes, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, carrots and green beans, and lastly pumpkin pie, mince pie, coffee and liqueurs.

Directly after the meal, Troy Davis stood to present the ‘Paul Castelle Award’ to this year’s recipient, 
Nita Marsh of Estepona.  (For those of you who are not familiar with this award, Dr. Paul Castelle was the U.S. Consular agent who was responsible for starting the American Club on the Costa del Sol.  This award is presented to a member who has shown outstanding service to the club and to the goal of maintaining strong Spanish-American relations).

I would like to offer thanks to everyone (especially Sue Anne Perez Farjado) who helped to make the raffle possible and a big thank you to those who donated prizes, sold tickets and of course to all who bought tickets. The raffle was an outstanding success; we raised a total of 700 euros (after expenses) to donate to charities that help to ‘feed the poor’.

Thanks should also go to Troy Davis for arranging the seating, Mike Barber for being in charge of the money, David Kylen our President, for Master of Ceremonies and to the organizers from the Estepona and Marbella Chapters for their efficient handling of their own members and guests. 

Last, but by no means least:  We were told by Gigi Joly that there were young American teachers who would like to celebrate Thanksgiving with us.  Unfortunately they could not afford to do so as they had not been paid. We appealed for help, and the following people very generously offered to sponsor them.  Many thanks.

• Troy Davis
• Sue & Peter Boynton
• Susan & Nick Fineman
• Lee Maybaum                                          CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE PHOTOS OF THE DAY!

FMB NOVEMBER CHAPTER MEETING

Last month’s Chapter Meeting was held on November 8th at Regina’s in the Port.  At 11:45, the minutes were read by the Vice-President Bill Oliver, and accepted.   Welcome to Suzana Oliver, the wife of Vice-President, who became a member. 

Discussions included:

• Thanksgiving lunch and raffle – we will donate to Caritas to help the poor.
• The Conservatory of Music in Fuengirola which has a four year program for students to learn to play an instrument; and another four year
   program for them to learn how to teach.  They often put on concerts in the evening from 19:00 to 21:00.
• The Club Official elections – it was decided that they would be held at this month’s Chapter meeting on December 13th.

THE DECEMBER LUNCHEON. 

We are planning to hold this year’s Christmas Lunch on Thursday 22nd December at 13:30, at the restaurant Don Jesus, Edif. Lindamar, Calle Bernadé Tierno 55, (Los Boliches / Fuengirola).  Directions: With your back to the entrance of the Recinto Ferial (Feria ground), walk under the railway line towards the Mercadona supermarket.  ‘Don Jesus’ is on your right before you get to the main road in front of Mercadona (the Avda. Ramon y Cajal). 

The price is 15 euros per person for a 3 course meal including ½ bottle of wine.  For those who don’t drink, I am sure that they will offer something other than wine.

Please let us know by Saturday 10th December whether you will be coming.  Anyone booking later than that may or may not get a seat with the rest of us.  It is nearly Christmas and the proprietor needs to have numbers.  Also – if you say that you are coming, DO please show up.  My email is This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

 THE  HOSPITALITY DESK:  is open every Friday from 11:30 till 13:00 at  the  Manila  Bar  on  the  Paseo Maritimo  in Los Boliches, and there is always somebody there.  New members and volunteers are always welcome and we usually go for a bite to eat afterwards.  Please come along and support us.  EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

FINALLY, ALLOW ME TO WISH ALL OUR MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY, PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR…