Our 6th Annual Oil Heat Retreat comes to a close and for some – a bang!
Next Year's Event – September 27-30th, 2012

Anyone that attended our retreat in Mystic had a blast!

We worked, we played and we enjoyed the company of one another. In this crazy economic and political climate it was a needed break. Was it too late in the fall? Well for 2011 it sure was. Many of the guys were working the phones on Friday but I guess with winter upon us that isn't a great surprise. Many also went home to find the early snow caused problems for them. It sure will be an October to remember.

The week-end began Thursday with a relaxed social and then Friday folks had a chance to visit a local Cider Mill – B.F. Clyde's. Craig Butler, R.W. Beckett, was pleased to see that a Beckett Burner was used in the processing of the cider. It was a lovely spot but they could take a lesson or two on customer service. There were more signs that told you "Not to Touch" vs. anything else. The only positive sign was – "tips are accepted" but by the time you saw that sign you weren't in the mood for tipping.

That evening the group was transported to Mystic Seaport Latitude 41 located on the water where they enjoyed dinner and fireworks.

Saturday the day began with our board meeting – that included passing our 2012 budget and during the meeting the Oil Heat Cares traveling cup moved from the possession of Don Farrell to the Long Island Chapter – president, Matt Spink accepted the cup from Judy Garber.

While we worked and did the Association's business, the spouses had a chance to enjoy Mystic. The bus took them into town – they shopped and had a nice lunch and from what we understand – "what happened in Mystic will certainly stay there." But the ladies took care of their men by getting them ready for the evening's Halloween party. In the afternoon, the group participated in a Round Table discussion about a new initiative being developed by our group – the Professionals Sales Academy will be renamed more appropriately to a formal program designed for Energy Conservation Consultants. You will be hearing more about this as we move forward. We concluded our event with a fun Halloween Party complete with a festive fall dinner. You haven't seen anything until you've seen oil heating pros decorating pumpkins!!

Our annual retreat allows families to relax prior to the winter season

No one would have known that Mystic was the place to grow hair quickly – the only hitch was you needed the knit cap to keep it all together.

Toni Holmes taking direction from Al Breda as to how to decorate a pumpkin!

And the winners of the Pumpkin Decorating Contest are . . .

With all of the fun and good spirit, our group was mindful of some of our members who passed recently and also one who is recovering from a serious accident, Danny Gentile, New Haven Chapter. One of the benefits of belonging to an association is the spirit of belonging and carrying about each other. Such is the case with Danny - At our board meeting the directors had a chance to donate money to the Danny Gentile fund – together they pledged $6000.00 plus National voted another $500.00 from our Good and Welfare fund (the maximum). Paul Cuprewich of the Garden State Chapter asked to run a 50/50 with 25% going back to the winner. This raffle grossed well over $2000.00 and the winner Denise Michel was ecstatic because she was "required" to take 25% of the money.

President George McQueeney draws the winning ticket of the raffle.

Members and guests will be happy to know that next year's retreat will be in Scranton, PA. The date will be the last week-end in September. Hopefully it is not cold and snowy and the leaves should be beautiful. Scranton is known as the Electric City. A series of tours featuring our past - the Railroad Museum, tours of the Lackawanna Coal Mine, Anthracite and Iron Furnace will be offered. And the Radisson Hotel is a grand experience. This hotel is a restored train station. So mark your calendar for September 27-30th, 2012 and join us – whether you are a director of your chapter or not, you are welcome!