Newsletter
The National Wine
UnClub
Newsletter
January 2000
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!Donald W. White
Well... we made it! The disasters predicted for the end of the 2nd Millennium A.D. haven't as yet panned out...much to our collective delight, I'm sure! We're perhaps just a bit older and (hopefully) wiser for all our varied experiences of the last millennium. I wanted to share my wish for the healthy and joyous celebration of life in this new year and new millennium for all our friends and family around this old world of ours. We have much to be thankful for...even though strife of many sorts still exists on the planet. I believe we're in a steep learning curve about the realities of who we are and why we're here. We must be sure to get it right (or there will be hell to pay!)
Speaking on the subject of wine might seem to be somewhat trivial at such a momentous time as the beginning of a new millennium, but perhaps it isn't so inappropriate. Wine (and food), used properly, can serve to bring people together of diverse backgrounds and sentiments. The simple sharing of a meal is one of the basic pleasures of life. Certainly many Americans take this common act for granted, while there are millions around the globe who would gladly give everything they own for the peace and security to routinely enjoy such a simple daily practise.
We Americans need to spend some reflective time considering our many blessings; not so much with bitter remorse about our failings, but with a sober sense of appreciation for what we've been given here in our wonderfully free country. With this abundance of liberty and affluence comes a greater responsibility to lead the way for others in the world to share that abundance. It certainly isn't the will of God that some should have all the fruits of life while others suffer the misery of constant want.
In this vein, The National Wine UnClub was created to be a fun place of association where individuals could come to learn about life's simple pleasures from the standpoint of wine and food. Fine wine and cuisine has traditionally been reserved for the wealthy elite of society but many people around the world are discovering what they've been missing in this regard. There's a common desire in people everywhere to advance their horizons with the acquisition not of material wealth so much but of the seemingly secret knowledge of how to enjoy life fully. The capstone of enjoyment of a fine meal is represented by the addition of God's glorious spirituous gift to Man.... wine.
It is our great pleasure to greet you today in the warmth of Spirit at this new beginning to the rest of our lives together on Mother Earth. Let's remember to respect Her properly, to take care of Her carefully, and to add our immense creativity to Her bounty!