While the past few months have been nothing shy of unique to say the least. Little things that were once taken for granted are no longer the norm, we were all being forced to change and adapt. At least for me I can not remember anything quite like this in my life time. The Board of Directors made a collective decision to temporarily close the club in late March and follow the recommendation of our Governor due to the world wide Covid-19 pandemic. The Board wanted to place our members and their family’s health & safety first and foremost in our decision. In doing so I firmly believe that we learned to appreciate what a special place the Bonnycastle Club has become for many of us. Freedoms quite often can be taken for granted and we don’t really appreciate what we have until it has been taken away from us. The Bonnycastle has become an extended family for many of us. You don’t realize how much our fellow members mean to each of us personally until we are not able to see them in our daily lives or routines. To the best of my knowledge, none of our members and their significant others have been seriously affected by the virus. While I am sure we all know someone that has been affected by the virus, I am just appreciative that our immediate Bonnycastle Club family has survived so far. By no means have we beaten the virus and the pandemic continues; we are ready to turn the page and adapt to the new normal.
I am pleased to announce that the Board of Directors met in May for its regularly scheduled monthly board meeting and have decided to re-open the club. The club will open up on Friday May 22nd in a modified or limited fashion. The club will generally follow normal hours of operation; however, we will follow the Kentucky Governors coronavirus task force guide lines and open in a limited capacity. The club will be limited to 50 people. Initially the club will be for members and their significant others only. This rule will be evaluated on a weekly basis as the pandemic is a very fluid situation. The club will still not be hosting any large organized activities such as games, dinners, dances etc. where social distancing cannot be adhered to. Even our beloved popcorn machine will be temporarily out of service. E-mails and Facebook postings will be sent out explaining the rules and how they will affect the club’s day to day operations. The club will be applying many rule changes and safety policies to help protect each and every member of the club. Your families’ health and safety is our top priority.
I cannot reiterate the following enough. Not just for your own health and safety but the health of the entire club and their respective families, if you are not feeling well, please avoid the club. If you even have just a few of the symptoms of the virus, stay home until you are feeling 100% better. There is no shame in self quarantining. The club will be still here when you return to full health. Many of our members originate from a demographic that can be susceptible to the virus. Please remain diligent as we continue on the road to normal. The new normal will cause us to adapt to rules that may seem trivial or even inconvenient. However, adapting to these rules will create an environment that will help us fight the spread of virus and lead to good health and prosperity. The pandemic has caused a crisis not just in our nation but the world. Let us remember what Winston Churchill said: “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” Applying Winston Churchill quote to the Bonnycastle Club, let us take it upon each and every one of us to adapt and apply a value that will make the club a better place.
Many of the new normal rules can be looked at as an inconvenience. However by applying a value such as “courtesy” we can take to heart a quote by Theodore Roosevelt “Courtesy is as much a mark of a gentleman as courage.” Being courteous to the club members and staff will help us win the battle, accept the changes and prevail throughout these challenging times. A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles. By creating a space between members and following social distancing guidelines may seem like we are staying apart, when in actuality we are pulling together for a common cause.
I know change is difficult, but when it’s all said and done, this will be a real positive. We can once again enjoy the club, say hello to a member that we have not seen for a while and catch up on each other’s lives over the past two months. As mentioned the new normal is change and adapting to the change. The only constant in life is change. By keeping a positive attitude and being courteous to one another these changes will not be difficult but lead to a better club.
Again the rules allowing the club to open will be posted throughout the club as well as posted online. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me personally should you wish to discuss any issue near and dear to your heart.
Yours truly,
Larry Marko
Bonnycastle Club 2018 / 2019 / 2020 President