Computer Club Will Celebrate
Its 10thAnniversary on the 21st
January 2006 Citizen by Judy Gardner
Congratulations
to the Computer Club who is celebrating its 10th year in existence. It all
started with Bob and Ramona Summers purchasing a computer in 1993 and then
looking for a support group to help with problems. George Tinetti
started a sign-up sheet for others interested in computers, and the first
meeting was held in October 1995. Meetings were held at various residences and
a steering committee was formed. By the beginning of 1996, there were
approximately fifty people in attendance. It was then decided to hold meetings
on the first Wednesday of the month with that practice continuing today.
Dreamland Computer Club purchased its first used computer in 1996.
The
website went on line in January of 1997 and thanks to Ramona and Bob, has been
growing ever since. Slowly, with the aid of fundraisers, there were other
additions to aid in the learning of computers including a screen and projector.
By 1998 a new computer was purchased as well as a scanner and internet service.
Another computer was donated at this time and the club adopted by-laws.
In
1999 the club's membership rose, to approximately 100. A
50/50 raffle was established as a way to raise additional funds and still continues
at the general meetings.
Today
the club is the largest organization in the Villa with 150 members. The goal
continues to strive in helping each other solve computer problems and to learn
from each other. The club owns six new XP computers, another XP teaching
computer, two Windows 98 computers, wireless internet service, a scanner,
projector, and wireless mike system. Three very generous donors gave two XP
computers as well as the wireless internet service. A big thank you goes to
these three wonderful people.
A
program is presented at the monthly meetings by outside speakers. In addition
guest instructors speak monthly as well as our own volunteer. Classes in word,
XP, creating CD's and backing up computers, card programs, on-line banking, and
photo programs just to name a few have been offered. Currently beginner classes
are held weekly as well as a Saturday morning computer lab where people can
bring questions and always learn more from others. There is a genealogy SIG that
meets monthly, and the club has just purchased Ancestry.com
for that purpose. The computer room, is open once a week for general use and
with the wireless, internet connection, many more laptops are being used as
well.
The
yearly dues are $15.00 per individual or $20.00 per couple. The dues include all
classes, programs, and workshops. The only requirement is that one must be a
member of the Dreamland Villa Community Club.
On Saturday, January 21,
2006, the computerc1ub will hold an open house in Read Hall from 1:00 - 3:00 PM.
Refreshments will be served and drawings held for door prizes. The computer room
will also be open with information and demonstrations.
The
members of the club look forward to seeing you on January 21 and hope, if you're
not a current computer club member, you will like what you see and decide to
join us.
Computer
Club
New Years greetings to everyone from your Computer Club. By now the
sounds of jingling bells and sights of twinkling lights are gone and the New
Year, 2006, has begun. Hopefully, Santa brought that new computer or software
you had been hoping for and you are working
your way through all its new features. Don't forget-- the Computer Club is a
good resource to look for help. If you have never been a member of the club or
have been away for a while, perhaps now is the time to consider joining your
friends and neighbors in Dreamland and become a member of the Dreamland Computer
Club. We would be happy to have you as our guest at one of
our sessions or meetings to see what we are all about. No need for a
formal invitation, just come and introduce yourself. Come and join us at our
monthly membership meeting held the first Wednesday of the month, 9:00 AM at
Farnsworth Hall, for one of our classes, or a Saturday morning question and
answer session. We would love to see you. The
December General Membership meeting was held December 7 with 48 members and guests present. Following our usual format of a business
meeting followed by a guest presenter, the business of the day was conducted
by President Judy Gardner. Judy informed the members that our long time Web
Masters, Ramona and Bob Summers, are stepping down from maintaining the club web
site. As most of you know, our great web site was first developed and has been
maintained for many years by Ramona and Bob. The site has always been a great
source of information to members of the Computer Club and DVCC. Thank you Ramona
and Bob for your great work and dedication. Judy then announced that Kay
Hawbaker has volunteered to take over the web site. Kay will be working with
the Summers to put together our new site. Watch
for further information on a possible address change.
Election
of the board of directors for 2006 was the main item of business for the
November meeting. Candidates for the nine member board of directors were read
to the members and a "white ballot" was called for and approved. The
members 6f the 2006 board are Howard Hanson, Kay Hawbaker, Charles Krasselt, Dee
McBain, Tim Santaro, John Shideler, Tom Sides, Doug Snover, and Mike Sorem. As
required by our by laws, a meeting will be held of the new board and officers
will be elected. Thank you to the outgoing board for a job well done and to
those volunteering to serve on the new board.
President
Gardner next went on to thank all of our great instructors for their hard work
and dedication to the club over the past year. She reminded us all that we ALWAYS need more people to
share their expertise and knowledge with the members as instructors. No topic is
too small to be shared with the membership. Why not consider starting the New
Year right and give a class???
Mark
Haley, of MyPCTalks, was the guest presenter for the meeting. He showed us a
software program his company has developed
to make your computer talk and to help you learn six languages. He also showed
parts of four travel CDs his company has produced and provided information about
how we could make our own travel CDs. After his presentation, he provided a
door prize of one of the travel CDs.
Computer Club OPEN HOUSE
Your Computer club is
going to be ten years old
and we thought we should do something special to mark the occasion. On
January 21, 2006, from 1:00- 3:00 PM, we will
be having an Open House in Room 9 and Read
Hall. We will be highlighting our classroom and equipment, the software we
have available for your use on our computers, and the types of things you can do
on our equipment or on your own computers. Members of the club will
be available to answer your questions and show you
around. The Open House is open to all Dreamland Residents so come and join us
for FUN, FOOD, INFORMATION, and DOOR PRIZES. See you there----
Christmas House Decorating Contest
The
Computer Club was asked this year to judge the Christmas Decorating Contest
sponsored by
the DVCC Board of Directors. After much consideration of the beautiful displays
submitted for consideration, winners in the three categories were chosen. The
winner of the Animation Category was Ralph and Patricia Shirey, 5463