Notes from Joan

Hello everyone!

Happy New Year! I hope 2012 brings you health and happiness, and AmeriClub can certainly help you with the latter. If you haven't yet joined us on one of our wonderful trips, I hope that this will be the year that you do. We seem to get more than our share of very happy travelers.

As many of you are aware, this will be my last year as your AmeriClub Director, due to my retirement in early 2013. This year's calendar features some new destinations that have been on our "bucket list," along with repeats of some of your favorite trips, which are back by popular request. Let's make wonderful memories together!

The last two months of 2011 were very busy. The first part of November found us in Nashville, Tennessee, attending the 45th Annual Country Music Awards, which were fantastic. We had an action packed three days! The weather cooperated for all of our trips in December as well, starting with a three-day visit to Chicago which put us all in the Christmas Spirit.

The next week our two-day mystery trip found us in Middleton, WI, at Clasen's European Bakery, the Mustard Museum and free time for lunch at Greenway Station. We sampled wines at Wollersheim Winery before making our way to the House on the Rock Resort for dinner and overnight stay. After dinner, everyone enjoyed The Gift of the Magi at the American Players Theatre. The following morning we spent a couple of hours at The House on the Rock viewing their winter display, had a great lunch at the Old Feed Mill in Mazomanie and paid a quick visit to the Shoe Box in Black Earth. It was a really fun-filled two days.

Our year ended with two trips to The Fireside for their fabulous Christmas Show. Luckily I had scheduled a week of vacation before Christmas, which I needed to rest up! I do hope your Christmas season was merry and bright, and look forward to seeing you soon!