OUR 49TH WEEKLY UPDATE REGARDING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC – THIS WEEK, MY MESSAGE IS FILLED WITH CELEBRATION. ALSO THIS WEEK, AGAIN, WE WILL BE FEATURING ONE OF OUR ORIGINAL STAFF MEMBERS AND FOUNDERS AND A SERIES OF VERY ENTERTAINING VIDEOS OF ALL TYPES FOR YOU TO ENJOY.
FRIDAY, March 05
FROM CHRIS KRARAS
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
“WE TRAVEL NOT TO ESCAPE LIFE,
BUT FOR LIFE NOT TO ESCAPE US!”
My Dear Friends:
Well, another week has passed, but a week that was full of so much more excitement and so much more enlightenment in the fact that we are so very, very close to beating this terrible Coronavirus that has been plaguing us for the past year. Yes, as each day passes, we get more and more indications that the numbers of positive tests are dropping dramatically across the United States, as are the number of hospitalizations and deaths. This is what we have been waiting to hear. In addition, we have seen the number of vaccinations that are being distributed around the United States increasing incredibly on a daily basis. This past week, the Johnson & Johnson (J & J) vaccine was approved for distribution, and it is now being flown to cities all around the United States. Between the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the one from Pfizer and the one from Moderna, we are now up to over 2 million people a day getting the vaccine, representing almost 20% of our total population. Please remember that as of now we are not giving the vaccine, for the most part, to any of our younger people. But, almost all the adults 65 and over are now getting their shots or have them scheduled. This means we are getting so close to that “Herd Immunity” that we have been looking for. This past week, President Biden announced that he estimates that by the end of May, at very latest, any adult who wishes to be vaccinated, will have been vaccinated. So, that is music to all our ears, and it is something you, as Group Leaders, should be sharing with all your Group Members as soon as possible. Remember, your Group Members have been “shut-ins” for the past year and they have been waiting for this bit of wonderful information. Tell them that this is now a reality, and that they can start getting their bags packed for the trips that you have planned for them!
Speaking of trips that you have planned for them, almost all of you Group Leaders have been so wonderful in communicating with us and have not only one, but two and three and four group trips scheduled for this year. That is extremely exciting for us and for you and for your Group Members. Just to inject a little humor at this point, please click here for several more reasons why you can tell your people it is important to travel in Groups. I think they will get a kick out of this.
Also, it is during times like this when everyone seems to be feeling much better about themselves, about their friends and neighbors, and life in general. It is during times like this that we all get a bit nostalgic from time to time, and start realizing how important it is to love and appreciate each and every person with whom you might have the opportunity to meet and interact with. I found a very heartwarming story and a true story that is sure to warm your heart about a couple who happened to be wandering for a place of lodging one night. Please click here for this heartwarming story. Feel free to share it with other people who you think would enjoy a good-feeling story about life in general.
This Week’s Staff Profile
MAURO CAMMARANO
Now it is time for another opportunity to feature one of our White Star Staff. This week I am happy to introduce to you one of the Founders and a person who has worked by my side for almost all of these fifty years. Today we feature Mauro Cammarano, who happens to be my brother-in-law and is married to my sister, Angel. Like me, Mauro was a school teacher in the early 1970’s. But, as he saw our business growing, he, too, left the teaching profession to work by my side over all these many years and to work diligently to see our Company’s growth. Mauro served as my Vice President of White Star Tours for many years, until he passed that position over to his son, Andrew, who is the current Vice President. Mauro is currently the Vice Chairman of the Board. As I mentioned, Mauro has always been at my side as the Company grew and progressed and he has always been a loyal confidant. Over the many years, Mauro managed many of our sales personnel and was very involved in our Company’s advertising, in addition to overseeing many of our seashore destinations. But, most of all, Mauro has always been a very loyal and calming presence in our office and for our whole Staff. And for that, I am extremely grateful and thank him from the bottom of my heart.
Now, for a little more entertainment, I thought I would include some incredible music and dancing from an old-time legend by the name of Cab Calloway. Enjoy one of his shows by clicking here as it is sure to touch your nostalgic side.
And just so we all end this week’s email to you with a smile on our faces, I invite you to click here to enjoy a young Jay Leno, as he appeared on the Johnny Carson Show back in the 1990’s. These two men were certainly of the finest in their profession, and they kept late-night audiences laughing for decades and decades. Enjoy it!
As another week comes to a close, I want to thank you all for taking the time to read this and I also thank you for all your many wonderful comments that you send in after reading my weekly email message. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, as it looks like the weather is getting very calm and very nice in most corners of these United States. I pray that all of you stay safe and stay healthy, and I wish you a wonderful week. God Bless You All!
“THE GLADEST MOMENT IN HUMAN LIFE IS A DEPARTURE
INTO UNKNOWN LANDS!” – SIR RICHARD BURTON