Hello, once again, to the members of Jerome Country Club. I would like to start out by wishing you all a Happy Fourth of July weekend! It is time to break out the fireworks, barbeques, campers, pool toys, golf clubs or whatever floats your boat. Here is a fun fact: Americans consume around $155 million in hot dogs, $92 million in chips, $167.5 million in watermelon, and $341.4 million in beer on the Fourth of July each year. So make sure you do your part! Get out, have fun and celebrate the Good Ole U. S. of A.
There is not much to report in the way of club business and as they say, “No news is good news”. I can report we are well on track to have an excellent year. The club budget projections are on target and we hope to have an excess surplus come fiscal year end. The course is fabulous shape and in its summer maintenance schedule. Miscellaneous repairs have been done on the building including some new shades and tinting for some of the windows. The new chairs still have not arrived but I have been promised they are in route.
The board elections results are in. Jack Kulm and yours truly have been elected to another term on the board. I know that I speak for Jack when I say we are honored to have the responsibility to serve as your board members. I would also like to thank Kirby Nebeker and John West for running. Furthermore, I would encourage all members to consider running for the board of directors. Granted, it can be a thankless position sometimes, however, it is very rewarding in the fact that you do make a difference towards the improvement of the club. If you are interested please let Janet Cantor or any current board member know.
As I have mentioned in previous newsletters the board is constantly prioritizing our list of capital improvements. This is a dynamic list as its changes based on several factors such as equipment needs, weather, price and overall demand. At the top of that list is the removal of the old paths on the back nine in conjunction with remodeling the irrigation system. We were slated to begin our irrigation repair this last spring but could simply not get to it due to weather. The big project will be the path removal on #16 along with some new irrigation. We will be attempting this repair again spring 2018, weather permitting. The spring repair seems to work more effectively than beginning in the fall. Our reference is the repair work of #17 which was done in the fall vs. the repair on #18 which was done in the spring. We also try to balance the repairs without interrupting play as much as possible. Fall play is usually considerably better than spring play.
In closing, why don’t I leave you with a few more fun facts about the 4 th of July?
-Only two people actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4: John Hancock and Charles Thomson, secretary of Congress. Most of the others signed on August 2. Jeez, John! Leave some room for everyone else.
-Three US presidents have died on July 4 — John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe. In a bizarre twist of fate, Adams and Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the country they helped found. It is loosely reported Jefferson strongly desired to live to “breathe the air of the Fiftieth Anniversary” and his last words were “Is it the Fourth?”
-The Philippines celebrate the holiday as they also gained their own independence from the US on July 4, 1946 by signing the Treaty of Manila. President Theodore Roosevelt declared U.S. conquest of the Philippines 44 years earlier on July 4 th , 1902.
-Not everyone was on board with celebrating on July 4, the day Congress approved the Declaration. John Adams wanted to celebrate on July 2, the day Congress voted for independence.
-July 4 wasn't deemed a federal holiday until 1870, nearly 100 years after the nation was founded. Thank goodness it is now. It would be completely un-American to have no federal holiday celebrated by setting off explosives.
Now that you have received your history lesson, have a fun, safe holiday.
Cheers to you ‘Merica!
