By Steve Mallory

The first thing I must tell you about is this year’s annual golf tournament fundraiser.  It was, by far, the most successful fundraiser yet!  We raised well over $7000, which is several thousand more than we have made in past years!  Hopefully, I can get the pictures posted this weekend.  Pictures will be posted on the Fundraiser web page and can be seen, when I post them, by clicking here (http://www.strokenetwork.net). There were over 100 players, door prizes for almost everyone and a delicious lasagna dinner afterwards.  Trophies were handed out to 1^st through 3^rd place and for individual awards.  It was definitely a professional looking golf tournament and was enjoyed by all!  Several people mentioned how our golf tournament is the best in the area and is a pleasure to come to. 

 We also had a sports celebrity at our tournament this year.  Elrod Hendrix was first-string catcher for the Baltimore Orioles for almost as long as I can remember.  I grew up watching him and know he was playing for the Orioles when we won the World Series.  He has been the Orioles Bullpen Coach for the last several years.  He suffered a stroke in April of this year.  He talked to me about the sudden onset of his stroke after a game and how he went from a speechless condition the day of his stroke and returned, close to normal, shortly after the administration of tpa.  It was really cool to hang out with this sports legend and shoot the breeze.  We must have had our picture taken together at least 20 times!  He was so nice and it was a real treat to hear how he copes with his ordeal!  There is already talk of having more sports celebrities at next year’s tournament. 

I would like for all members to contact our Members Administrator, Cheryl Williams, if any of you have membership problems.  Cheryl can assist you if you forget your password or need to change your username.  She can be contacted on our Contact web page if you need help. 

I know there have been questions as to when the chat room is occupied.  The chat room is available 24/7 but that does not mean that it is hosted 24/7. The message board has a button for the Chat Schedule of when people will definitely be in the room.  Also, you can just enter the room and wait for about 10 minutes.  Chances are that another member will see the chat room status and see that someone is in there and may decide to join you.  Pick up chat sessions happen frequently and at all hours.  Some of them even happen late at night and in the wee hours of the morning.  Do not be afraid to sit in the chat room and wait for someone to drop by. 

I would like to put a call out to our members to submit your bios.  Lin is always looking for bios and pictures of members to add to the Gallery section of our web page.  You can contact Lin at lwisman@strokenet.biz.