As I write this article, my father is preparing to move to Florida.  Moving away from his beloved Ozarks has not been an easy decision for him, but the winter weather is disagreeable enough that he has decided to move to a warmer climate. 

He has asked me to pass on some valuable (computer related) possessions to benefit ICON's members...not the least of which is a very large collection of genealogical resources from "Family Tree Maker", which will be made available through the "Education Library". 

In the process of helping him sort through some of his possessions, I read an article he wrote during his stint as President of "Ozarks TI 99ers' User Group" (a group that included ICON members Mary Phillips, Henry Beersman, and others).  Two goals he and the other officers had set for the year were to "grow the membership", and to "provide programs that better served the needs of the members". 

His article went on to say that they had successfully accomplished both of the aforementioned goals, but reflected some disappointment due to poor attendance at monthly meetings during the year.  I had to laugh when I read his words.  They sounded so much like some of my own writings from the past eight years, I was reminded of this quote:

"The more things change, the more they stay the same."
In French: "Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose"
Attributed to French novelist Alphonse Karr (1808-1890)  

Dad is both, a "Charter" and "Life" member of ICON.  His efforts played a large part in building the organization during it's first ten years.  He wrote monthly newsletter articles, led SIGs, taught hands-on classes, recruited new members, and served as an officer in various capacities.  He also made many, many house calls, donated lots of tutorial software, and no small sum of money.      

My father and I have very deep philosophical differences...and mostly we disagree, but his efforts to help build ICON are something to be proud of, and to be appreciated by all ICON members.  I wish him well in his new home. 

See you soon,
Terry