GREETINGS FROM YOUR PRESIDENT

On September 25, the fall tour visited five sugar bushes. A special thanks goes to Steve and Lynette Henson and to Craig and Sandy Arnold for organizing the tour. The lunch at the First United Methodist Church in St. Louis was exceptional; we were served family style by the parishioners, and they were very gracious hosts.

In October, ten MMSA members drove to Lake George, New York for the annual NAMSC/IMSI meeting. I served as your delegate to this meeting, and Larry Haigh was the alternate delegate. We spent quite a bit of time reviewing their Strategic Plan. This resulted in deciding that their Constitution and By-Laws needed revision. I will be serving on this committee. On page 6 of this newsletter is a copy of our State Report I gave at the NAMSC meeting. In addition, a picture of the Michigan delegation is on page 7. Ron Thomas took first place in the cream contest and honorable mention in the light syrup category. We were quite pleased to have Michigan represented in the winner’s circle again this year.

On January 22, 2005, the MMSA annual meeting will be held at the Doherty Hotel in Clare. The agenda and registration form is included in this newsletter. Even if you are unable to attend this meeting it would be helpful if you could use this form to renew your dues for next year. Your membership is from January-December. We do not have any major speakers from out of state this year. It appears that New York, Vermont and Ontario all have meetings the same weekend as our meeting. Our agenda will address more local/state issues: reviewing the national meeting agenda, elections, Honorary Member recognition, syrup contest, recognition of the fall tour sponsors, and a series of afternoon break-out sessions. (see agenda). We encourage you to participate in the syrup, cream and candy contest.

This year three Board members are not running for re-election. Craig Arnold, Steve Youdes and myself will complete our terms at the January meeting. Fred Bates has obtained an excellent list of candidates for you to vote for three new Board members. I wish to thank the MMSA membership for their support and encouragement for the past two years as your President. My six years on the Board have been very eventful, sometimes tedious, but an excellent experience. A special thanks to Craig and Steve for all their hard work; and we welcome new blood on the Board.

I hope that everyone has a Happy and Blessed Holiday season.

Jean Maday, President