OUR 37TH WEEKLY UPDATE REGARDING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, SOME MORE GOOD NEWS REGARDING VACCINES, ANOTHER PROFILE OF ONE OF OUR CO-WORKERS, AND SOME ENTERTAINMENT FOR YOU TO ENJOY
FRIDAY, November 20
FROM CHRIS KRARAS
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
“TRAVELING – IT LEAVES YOU SPEECHLESS,
THEN TURNS YOU INTO A STORYTELLER!”
Dear Friends:
I hope this weekly note finds you well and staying safe and healthy. Unfortunately, it appears that the Coronavirus is still amongst us and still having quite a profound effect on our entire society. But, today I want to focus on the real positives, and that’s the fact that now we not only have one vaccine for which to be grateful for, but still another vaccine was announced to be 95% effective and will start to be distributed within the next month. So, while we see the numbers continue to spike upward in almost every corner of our country, we should all be very heartened and elated that there is a solution at our doorstep. It is predicted that within the first quarter of 2021 most of our population, and especially those most vulnerable, will be able to receive the vaccine and no longer will have this terrible worry. So, we applaud the companies of PFIZER/BIONTECH and also the new company to announce this week, which is MODERNA. In both cases, the success percentages have been astoundingly better than anyone had ever thought. You can tell by the mood throughout the industry and from all the leading doctors and agencies, that this is what we have all been waiting for. So, while we are giving thanks over the next week, be sure to be thankful for these companies that, in fact, did yeoman’s work to make these vaccines possible.
In keeping ourselves in a positive mode, I am happy to report to you that several Groups have been on the road this week traveling and have all reported wonderful results. One such Group is a Group from Georgia that is currently experiencing a wonderful Holiday Trip in Asheville, NC with a visit to the famous Biltmore Estate. We have attached a picture of the Group posing in front of this incredible Estate and, as you can see below, they appear to be enjoying themselves and they have reported all positive experiences.
There have been many others that have been traveling to places like the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, several destinations focused around Sight & Sound in Pennsylvania, and a group that just returned from Branson, MO. Speaking of Branson, as you know, they are famous for their many shows. Probably the most famous of all the shows features an incredible violinist and amazing entertainer by the name of SHOJI TABUCHI. Most people that have ever been to Branson still talk about this famous entertainer and his beautiful theater (and believe it or not, his even more famous bathrooms). So, if you want to see a little bit of Shoji Tabuchi, click here for some great entertainment.
Speaking of Groups, we came upon this very humorous but, certainly, very relevant short video that says it all about Group Travel that you as Group Leaders are so deeply involved in. Take a moment and click here and I am sure it will bring a smile to your faces. Maybe you want to even share it with many of your Group Members. It sort of says it all, doesn’t it?
This Week’s Staff Profile is Des Yianoulis
Last week we started to feature one of our treasured fellow White Star Tours Staff Members, and I would like to continue for a few weeks highlighting some of these very loyal co-workers. This week we feature DES YIANOULIS, who has been working with our family and our company for over 38 years. She is an absolute delight, and all the Groups and Group Leaders that she works with always make wonderful comments about how kind, sensitive, and thorough Des is when dealing with them. Des deals with places like the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, the Biltmore in North Carolina, Ocean City, MD, Nashville, TN and so many other locations. Des’ attention to detail is absolutely incredible and for that, as a Family here at White Star Tours, we are so indebted and appreciative.
Speaking of our Staff, please allow me a moment to brag about them just a little bit. During the month of November, the United Way of America always concentrates its fundraising so that the organization is able to help millions of people across our country. I am so very proud to tell you that for this year’s United Way Campaign in our area of Reading, PA, in spite of all the economic challenges, we had 100% participation by our Staff. I can’t thank them enough!
So, as another week comes to a close, we wish you all well and hope that you are all getting ready to enjoy Thanksgiving Day Week! I certainly know that Thanksgiving will be celebrated in a bit of a different way this year, but we can all take a moment to give thanks for the many Blessings that have been bestowed upon us. We wish you a wonderful weekend and please stay safe and healthy. May God bless you all!
“TRAVEL AND CHANGE OF PLACE
IMPART NEW VIGOR TO THE MIND!”