E-mail:  yvonneal@pvnet.com.mx

Two of the nicest words in the English language are THANK YOU.  And that's the first message I want to pass on to you members for your wonderful participation in the IFC's events this season.  Attendance and participation are the heartbeat and pulse of any organization--what keep it alive and give it the energy to achieve and succeed in all of its pursuits.  What follows is the pride of its members in being a part of such a worthy group as is the International Friendship Club of Puerto Vallarta.  That is my goal during the tenure of my presidency; that our membership take great pride in what we have accomplished to date and what we plan to accomplish in the future.  

Our heartfelt support of the IFC's annual Cleft Palate Informe on Feb. 4 presented by Patricia Mendez was evident by the number of us in attendance.  Many thanks to the members who helped organize this event: Murray and Milly Beer - food, Ted Will - clubhouse set-up, Susan Shebel - invitation distribution, Marina Perez-guest list compilation, Sharon Eggers-flower arrangements and Roger Vogt-transportation. We owe our continued thanks to the surgical and support team made up of Drs. Ezequiel Fuentes, Alberto Mora, Emigdio Llontop and nurses Marta Matínez and Emma González who make this humanitarian program come to fruition, which includes the initial operation and then follow up and therapy to completion for each patient.  The presentation was concise and simply detailed to make the figures and procedures understandable for us laymen.  We applaud and thank this wonderful Mexican medical team and our involved members (Patricia Mendez at the helm, Joann Quickstad, Donna Readerman, and Susan Davalos) for their dedication to this program. Also involved in our Cleft Palate program are Dr. Paul Fleming from Sheboygan, WI and Dr. Roger Lilliedahl from Kansas City.

  February 11 brought us a dance performance by the Ballet Folklorica "Xiutla"--the group of delightful and talented pre-teen and teens, directed by Prof. Enrique Barrios Limón.   The audience was not disappointed, and our enthusiasm was well displayed by the immense applause for the unusual talent of these young people. It was a delightful evening  for all.  This is another group the IFC helps support under the auspices of young people and the arts in Puerto Vallarta.

 Another energy-intensive event was our annual Bazaar, Sunday, February 23 and setup day, Saturday.  By this time we should all be well rested and looking back at a job exceedingly well done.  Congratulations to all of you who worked to bring this to a successful conclusion.  The grounds were completely cleaned out by 1:00 pm. We want to express our special thanks to Carolyn Chambers, Executive Producer of the film production "Puerto Vallarta Squeeze" here in Puerto Vallarta for the donation of the remains of the film props and accessories to the Bazaar for the benefit of the Mexican residents.  Her generosity will be long remembered by all of us here in the community.

  MONARCH BUTTERFLY TOUR:  Since it is too late for this tour, we are postponing it to next year, probably Jan. or Feb. 2004.  For those of us who have never been to view one of nature's most stunning sights we are excited about this opportunity to go there with our friends.  Look for details in anticipation in December 2003.

A Club business matter:  The Hacienda advised us that it was necessary to make a revision in the Club's constitution to provide more explicit wording to explain what would happen to the Club's assets in the event of dissolution.  Of course, the change was made through the process of a Notario and then filed with Hacienda.  In essence all of our assets and monies (after debt payments) would be distributed equally among the organizations we would be dealing with at the time of dissolution. This keeps it simple and satisfied the Hacienda.