President's Column

By Robert Griswold

Summer is always fun at our house and the Griswold family has been quite busy lately. In August we ventured to Europe beginning with a trans-Atlantic sailing on the Queen Mary 2, which was followed by railpass adventures throughout England, France, Switzerland and Belgium. This was a wonderful trip with our four children (including three teenagers). So to recover from that experience, my wife and I just returned from a relaxing and enjoyable Alaskan cruise which included a stay in Vancouver before taking another ship back to San Diego. There is nothing quite as beautiful as sailing into San Diego.

We have been to Alaska many times but one of the highlights was a side trip to the Yukon Territory where the changing colors of the leaves were a strong reminder that we are already in the fall season. This is also the time for change at your Press Club, as we will soon welcome a new board and new leadership. I have enjoyed my time as your President and I am looking forward to my new role as Past President - almost the same way that I hope to one day (but not too soon) be a Grandparent.

On a more pragmatic note, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to support our fundraising efforts for our friends and peers at the New Orleans Press Club. Contributions to date are greater than $600 towards our goal of $2,000 to assist the NO Press Club (and their members) as they try to get back on their feet. So please send club manager Terry Williams your check payable to Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. With so many questions about the use of well-intended contributions, I want you to know that we will be giving the funds directly to the New Orleans Press Club and I will report back to our members on how the funds were used.

I look forward to seeing you all at our Journalism Awards gala on Thursday, October 27th at the Shelter Pointe Hotel and Marina. We have the generous support of several sponsors, including Cox Communications, the Building Industry Association of San Diego County and Phillip Morris. Your invitations are in the mail so be sure and RSVP as soon as possible. Good luck to all who entered.

Posted Oct. 2005