Hellooooooooooooooooooooo Tampa Bay Parrot Heads:

     You know, I believe we live our lives like chapters in a book.  Some are short and sweet.  Others are down right heart wrenching.  The ongoing chapter involving the creation and evolution of the Tampa Bay Parrot Head Club has been page after page of making wonderful memories.  The friends for life that have been made are the biggest legacy of the club.  The great work we have performed in our community is a wonderful tribute to our success.  The smiles and laughs and good times had by all.  If as Jimmy Buffett says, “Wrinkles only go where smiles have been”, then we are all going to have a lot of wrinkles.

     As many of you have heard, Heidi and I have recently changed from being powerboaters (1972 45’ Chris Craft Sportfish – Yippie Ky A) to those who are one with the wind.   We just sailed our new sailboat (1982 CSY 44’) up from Ft. Lauderdale and got her here two weekends ago.  Her name is Willow and soon will be changed with King Neptune’s approval and hopefully blessing to Yippie Ky A – Plus 1.  The story on the name will be told at a later date.

     Our goal is to have our boat ready to set sail for parts unknown sometime next year – either by April (before hurricane season starts) or more than likely the end of hurricane season at the end of November.  We plan to sail the Caribbean for a few years and then head to the South Pacific eventually circumnavigating the earth.  Who knows, we may never make it out of the islands. 

     Thus, we are beginning a new chapter in both of our lives and winding down an old.  Therefore it is with a very, very, very heavy heart and tears in my eyes that I am announcing that immediately after our 13th (for good luck) birthday party this year, the weekend of September 7th - 9th, I will be stepping down as Captain of this wonderful club.  Per our bylaws I will be turning over the reins to our First Mate, NanaBabe who I have complete confidence in her doing a fantastic job.  I have promised her that I will be at her beckon call for advice and help as long as she needs it . . . if she needs it at all.  I know all of the other members of our Fruitcake Advisory Board will step up to the plate and make sure everything goes great.  Also, by our bylaws it is up to the remaining 3 elected members (new Captain, Purser & Yeoman) to appoint by unanimous vote a new First Mate to serve until the term ends in December of 2008.   

     Over the years I have been blessed by having literally “the greatest people in the world” to work with to make this club what it has become.  Although my thanks will come at a later date and there are a ton of folks for me to thank, there are 4 people who worked so many hours over the years for this club that I must personally thank at this time and again and again and again and forever.  First, there is Sarah Sunshine who helped me create the club. If our spirits had not been together on this it would have never of happened and succeeded.  Secondly, I must thank McGill who to this day is by my side and is my main confidant. I love McGill like my sister and could not have done this without her.  Finally, there are Mikeeeeeeeeeeee and Diane Rhodey whose tireless efforts and crazy-ass creativity made such a major difference in this club.

     Where this club goes from here is up to each of you.  We have a very strong foundation for us to build on.  New energy, ideas and creativity are always important in building a club, business or family – all of which I feel the Tampa Bay Parrot Head Club is.  My one request would be for everyone to work with NanaBabe and her team as hard as possible over the next year.  Go to her and let her know you are there for her.  Let her know if you want to get more involved.  In October of 2008 there will be elections again.  If it is time for change, then would be the time.  If NanaBabe does the job I think she will do, she just may be the Captain of our club for a long time.
     Although this is not the end now, I still want everyone to know how much of an honor it has been to be the Captain of this club.  It has been 13 (almost) years for pure joy.  It has been a chapter unlike any chapter I have ever lived.

     Finnnnnnnnnsssssssssssssssssss Up!

     Capt’n Harry