Summer 2011 President's Blog - Visit to the Land of Mickey Chapter

It's been a busy year and several months since I had an opportunity to visit a chapter, but my first chapter visit in 2011 was well worth the wait.

My favorite wife, Anita, accompanied me for a drive to Chicago, Illinois to spend some time with the Land of Mickey Chapter.  We had fun along the way, stopping for an ice cream cone among other things.  We also learned a valuable lesson about trying to drive through downtown Chicago on a Friday afternoon - if only we had a train to ride from Ohio.

The Land of Mickey Chapter started in April, 1992 and will celebrate its 20th anniversary next spring, about the same time that Disneyland Paris celebrates its 20 years.

The chapter has about 35 families and meets on a bi-monthly basis.  In addition to the meetings, there is an annual picnic in August, which I attended, and a Christmas party.

We ate and ate and ate some more.  And had a great time sitting in a large circle outside next to a lake talking and sharing all things Disney.  After dinner, activities moved inside for dessert and door prize drawings.

A chapter newsletter is in the works.

I'm glad to see chapters starting to make use of Facebook to communicate and the Illinois chapter is at the forefront.  Chapters will hopefully be able to link with the national Facebook page to network together.

I'm also pleased this is another chapter active in local charity work, contributing to organizations such as a food pantry, school supplies, Give Kids the World, Mooseheart, and a women's shelter.  Proceeds from chapter auctions and raffles are all donated.

To our members in the Land of Mickey, keep up the good work!

I'll be heading further north next time, up to Minnesota.