Fun Club Chit Chat: Fun Club questions answered

Last week’s Silver Salute, produced by the York News-Times, brought forth a number of questions as well as several new member applications. We are thankful for the latter because we are of course interested in maintaining our membership at the 3500 level.
Today’s column will concerned with answering some of the queries reaching our ears. One concerned the cost of membership. There is no fee, absolutely no charge for joining. But it is recommended that members subscribe to the York News-Times because all pertinent information is revealed in our weekly “Chit Chat” column which appears every Wednesday. Information about new shows, parties, trips and events is revealed and discussed frequently in the column, which is out major method of communication.
“Do you have a mailing list?” Sorry, the answer is no. We use the newspaper as our main method of getting the word out to members. Plus escorts discuss coming events on our frequent trips, and accept reservations at the same time.
Members, who don’t wish to receive the News-Times every day, can subscribe to our “Wednesday Only” edition for a cost of $24.95 a year. Just ask the Fun Club officers or the circulation department of the News-Times for information.
“How are the escorts compensated?” is another question. We are a non-profit corporation and all the workers and escorts are volunteers. Their only remuneration is the trips in which they are involved. Their expenses are built into the price of the event and thereby the members are contributing a little to the escort’s expenses. (And we always hope we can come out at least even.)
“It seems that many events sell out quickly” was another comment. Guilty as charged. This is true in many cases, especially for the well-known and popular one-day events. But not always. Some events do not click as expected; thankfully this situation does not happen often. We usually “misfire” on two or three events annually. For our major trips - overseas and domestic - we always establish a minimum number, bases upon our pricing. If we don’t reach that number, of course, the trip is off. This has happened only three times in our 26 years, however!
“What is the age requirement?” We have established 55 as the age for membership. However, if a member wishes to bring a younger friend or children, we will gladly accept them as guests. We have had requests for certain shows from non-members occasionally and sometimes can accept them as guests, but of course members get first choice.
“What are your hours?” Was another question. Since we are volunteers, we have established mornings from 8:30 until noon as our working hours at the office. However, at other times Bernice Mettenbrink or the manager can be reached at their home phones, 362-5301 for Bernice or 362-4882 for Hub.

Madrigal Feaste
We apparently have hit another “hot button” by booking the “Madrigal Christmasse Feaste” at the Marriott Hotel in Omaha on December 11th. Reservations have been coming in steadily since the announcement one week ago. We are now practically at the sold out point, but will begin to accept a waiting list. We know from experience that sometimes plans change quickly around Christmas Time!
This special Feaste features actors in the 18th century costumes as they sing and serve a four course dinner in the old English tradition. We booked a Madrigal several years ago as a Christmas party program in York and it was very well received. This will be quite similar.

Still Available
We have some eats left for our new show announced last week, “Always Patsy Cline”. This is a tribute to the famous country singer who died tragically at age 30. But not before making her name in the music field. Her best friend tells the story and her best recordings are featured in this musical tribute. Tickets are only $49 for our date on Sunday afternoon, October 26th. This includes busfare and dinner before the concert. Please call 362-4478 for the Fun Club desk for reservations.
There are two other shows remaining on our availability list this calendar year. The Frankie Avalon Concert on Tuesday, Nov. 25th and the Lorie Line Christmas Extravaganza on Thursday, Dec. 18th. Both will be at the Lincoln Lied Center. Avalon, the star of stage and movies some 30-40 years ago, is priced at $70 and Lorie Line at $75, both with dinner and transportation.
Please call 362-4478 mornings for reservations.