President Kathi Harper’s Message

Well, my fellow Cambrians, here we are in 2026! And here I am, your new CNC President, writing my 1st President’s message for our Newsletter. So many changes, challenges and opportunities coming our way, I can’t wait to see what the new year brings.

But before we look into the future, let’s take a quick look back. Under the excellent guidance of Susie Schmidt and her fabulous board, in 2025 our club hosted a delightful Fashion Show highlighting some of our local clothing stores; a bubbly wine-tasting event at our local Harmony Cellars; a Harvest Crafts show featuring local artists and crafters from our very own club; and ended the year with a holiday spirit-inducing luncheon with entertainment from our local musician Jill Knight. Are you sensing a theme here? As you get to know me, you will learn that I am really big on shopping, dining and recreating (the hiking kind, not the baby-making kind) local. Since moving here four years ago, I am still amazed at how much our lovely little town has to offer.

And speaking of the holiday party, I hope you are one of the lucky ones who joined us at San Simeon Lodge on December 18th. After our new board was sworn in by Luanne Kittle and lunch dishes were cleared away, guests were treated to a glass of champagne which they sipped while singing along to White Christmas, Rocking Around the Christmas Tree, and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, among many other holiday standards. Kudos on so many fronts to Luanne, who designed the décor, secured the entertainment, and wrote a beautiful toast. Luanne is coming off the board this year as our Secretary and she will be sorely missed.

We will also miss 2025 Reservations co-chair Gail Greene, Hospitality chair Sharon Young, Activities chair Amy Handel, and Newsletter Editors Lori Silver and Cam Arnold. Fortunately, Susie Schmidt is staying on the board as Hospitality Chair, but we will miss her leadership of three years as our President – big shoes to fill, wish me luck! I hope you will join me in thanking them so much for their service to our club and to our community, while we also welcome and thank new Board members Jill Freybourg (Secretary), and Denise Caras and Kathi Strahl (Reservations co-chairs).

Now to the future, two last things before I go: 1) don’t forget to renew your membership for 2026, and 2) hope to see you on January 15th where we’ll “dish some dirt” with gardening expert Laurie Gaither.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Kathi Harper