OUR 30TH WEEKLY UPDATE REGARDING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AND SOME FUN VIDEOS FOR YOU TO ENJOY
FRIDAY, October 2
FROM CHRIS KRARAS
PRESIDENT OF WHITE STAR TOURS
DEAR FRIENDS:
“ONCE A YEAR, GO SOMEPLACE YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN BEFORE!”
In view of the very concerning news that came out of the White House today that our President and First Lady have contracted COVID-19, I will start this message to you by asking that all of us, regardless of political affiliation, pray for the quick and complete recuperation of President and Mrs. Trump. This is a further reminder that we must all continue to keep up our guard against this terrible virus.
So, as I begin this letter, I am actually amazed at the fact that this is my 30th Weekly Update to you since the beginning of this terrible disrupter of our lives that we call the Coronavirus Pandemic. Thirty weeks is actually over seven months that we have all had to try to readjust our lives to try to deal with the consequences of what could happen if the virus got somehow into any of us or our families, such as with the President. I am sure we all remember those first few weeks and even the first few months, when COVID-19 was running rampant in our society and when we all knew many people who had gotten the virus. Unfortunately, many people who had gotten the virus passed away as a result. But, those numbers are, in fact, dwindling, and I am happy to tell you today that slowly but surely all the reports are coming back that we are gaining on being able to deal with the virus in a much better way and in a much safer way. Recent statistics show us that over the past few months the average number of positive cases throughout the United States during the months of July and August were almost 60,000 people a day testing positive. But, lately over the last couple weeks, those numbers have dwindled down to more like an average of 30,000 people per day. Also, the number of deaths as a result of the virus have drastically reduced to where now it poses a very minor threat. Most of the folks who are now having the most trouble when they contract the virus are those that have serious pre-existing conditions. So, certainly, this is not the time to completely lift our guard and not keep proper precautions in place. But, it is a time that we can look towards the brightness that really is out there if you look for it. We can realistically expect wonderful and better days ahead and, hopefully, in the very near future.
I know most of our heads are spinning of late with all the craziness that is around us and with the bizarre things that have occurred. We all need a break from things such as our President’s illness, debates, arguments, protests, fires, hurricanes and so much more that has boggled our minds in this year of 2020 that history will talk about for centuries to come. So, as I say every week, it is time to bring joy back into the lives of all of you as Group Leaders and all of your wonderful Group Members, by letting them know that there is such a bright future ahead. What a better way to celebrate the future than to give them hope with planning some wonderful trips for 2021 and having them all ready to present to your people. Consider it a joyful responsibility on your behalf as a Group Leader to put these opportunities out there to continue to give them cheer going forward. The last thing that any of your Group Members want is to stay shuttered at home again next year as they were forced to do this year. That is not going to happen! We are coming out of this terrible pandemic and next year will be a bright year. It is incumbent upon all of us here at White Star Tours, and upon all of you as Group Leaders, to celebrate and proclaim how wonderful it will be to have life come back to us in 2021, the way we always loved it.
I am happy to report that this past week was another very encouraging and exciting week at White Star Tours, as many groups were out on the road. As I mentioned over the last few weeks, our Groups have traveled to some of the most popular tour destinations in our country and have been able to report back to us what a wonderful time they had at these destinations. As I try to do every week, I do have a picture of a Group that recently visited one of the great destinations in West Virginia on a trip that we call Ride the Rails. As you can see, they were all so animated and excited and they came back with glowing reports of their trip. Share these stories with your Group Members as they look forward to being part of trips like that going forward.
I want to remind you once again that you should be receiving, if you have not received it already, our very special Booklet that we put out entitled 2021 Group Tour Booklet of Special Offerings. I have a picture of it here, and if you do not receive it over the next week, please give us a call. Beginning this coming week, our Staff Members will be calling each and every one of you to discuss what is in the Booklet and also to help you make some decisions on trip planning for the year 2021.
And now for some fun! First of all, I thought you would enjoy listening to a familiar tune with some different wording. This is now the month of October and Halloween is at the end of the month. So we thought that this little rendition of “THE MONSTER MASH” will bring a smile to your face. To listen to it and watch it, please click here. (One more time, I just want to make you aware of the fact that some of these videos have an advertisement that precedes the video. These are advertisements that we have absolutely nothing to do with, and we certainly are not promoting or endorsing them in any way. They just happen to be attached to the videos. So, all you have to do is click on the Skip Ads button, and you can go right to the video we are sending you. Thank you for your understanding on this.) Another video you might enjoy is a virtual tour of “Gardens in Bloom” at the very famous Winterthur Gardens in Delaware. The beauty is absolutely breathtaking and, of course, it is part of that tour for any Group that visits that area. To experience the beauty of these Gardens, just click here.
SO, THAT IS ALL FOR THIS WEEK, AND WE HOPE YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY THIS BEAUTIFUL FALL SEASON THAT WE HAVE BEEN HAVING. IT WON’T BE LONG NOW UNTIL THE LEAVES WILL BE CHANGING, WHICH ADDS SPECTACULAR COLOR TO THE COUNTRYSIDE, AND THAT ALWAYS GENERATES WONDERFUL EMOTIONS IN ALL OF US. HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND AND PLEASE STAY SAFE. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES!
“I TRAVEL BECAUSE IT MAKES ME REALIZE
HOW MUCH I HAVEN’T SEEN,
HOW MUCH I AM NOT GOING TO SEE,
AND HOW MUCH I STILL NEED TO SEE!”