The St. George’s Club News - E-Newsletter by guido maraspin

Members’

Newsletter th

Volume 28, 25 Anniversary Issue

February 2009 Issue

“It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required.” Sir Winston Churchill.

Update from the Development Company

“For myself, I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else”. Sir Winston Churchill.

Update from Club Operations

2009 is going to be an interesting year!

Twenty-Five years ago The St. George’s Club was born!

It is of course the twenty-fifth year that The St. George’s Club has been in operation, it is my fifteenth year on the island, th and it is Bermuda’s 400 Anniversary of settlement. We also go into 2009 with a new lease in place for the next one hundred and twenty (120) years! While we will not be around for that length of time, I am pleased that I was able to finally negotiate the lease to conclusion but we are concerned that the current global economy will affect our plans for the near future so we are going to very much focus on the current property for this year and carry out a number of improvements that we have identified. In fact the majority of the work is being done on the cottages because as you know we felt they had been neglected for some time.

Having spent the last few months going in to each of the units and inspecting them thoroughly, with a view to repairs, replacements and upgrades, I will say she is in pretty good shape. Yes, there are some things that need to be done, things I would have done differently had I been there for the construction, (like dipping the roof tiles before putting them up so that they do not put the limestone powder over everything when it rains), but all-in-all The Club looks as though it will outlive all of us especially now that The St. G Club Ltd. have signed a new lease for one hundred and twenty years.

We are also working on some of the common areas but I will leave those details to come from the Operations Team.

So I am very optimistic that we can get The St. George’s Club back to a very high standard very quickly.

We have also as you are aware started a Members’ meeting every Monday evening from 17:00 – 18:00 to give you an update on what is going on at The Club. This has been very well received and we will continue that starting again in April.

To do that we have been busy over the latter part of 2008 creating new systems and processes to allow us to address and deal with the majority of cottage and unit issues.

Continued on Page 2

Inside this issue: 1 1 3 4 5 5 6

Update from the Development company. Club Operations Update Refurbishment Projects and Timelines - 2009 th Bermuda 400 Anniversary Concierge Service Launched - 2009 Did you know? th The St. George’s Club’s 25 Anniversary

The plans are nearly complete with respect to what we are doing and in fact the work is well under way with the necessary appliances ordered. We expect them to take about six weeks to arrive and we could not order them until we have the 2009 Assessment Fee revenue. We did get in already some new LCD TV’s with DVD for installation in about half of the cottages. We have also identified the worst of the sliding doors and ordered them. As soon as they arrive we have contracted to have them put in to minimise the impact on the resort and its guests. We are about to order new flatware and replacement crockery for the units as well. We hope you notice the difference! Continued on Page 2

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continued from page 1 – Message from Sally-Ann Kyle

If you can you should plan on attending just before the Manager’s Swizzle Party! We also welcome anyone outside those times coming in to the Membership Office to hear from the “team” what is going on and see how it affects you. “I have often regretted my speech, never my silence”.

-- Anonymous Thankfully all the nonsense with the MAC is behind us and with the new members now in place the Managing Agent is liaising with them to work out how the advisory body can make a contribution to the running of The Club as the obvious previous role as communications intermediary has been superseded by the internet and e-mail. The effort involved in the entire debacle took a fantastic amount of our time and huge amounts of money and accomplished nothing! Hopefully we can all learn from it and work together in the future to avoid differences of opinion. We will be putting up another survey in the next few months to determine your opinion of the work we have been doing after we complete our renovations and upgrades to allow us to seek not just MAC input but individual impressions. We are always looking at ways that we can add-value to your visits to The St. George’s Club and this year we are introducing a “Concierge” service for Members and Guests both in advance of arrival and while on property. The details are being worked out but it will start in February and allow you to book and arrange events and reservations in advance through The Club Membership Office and we will try and keep you informed of the many events that are going on in this the dual birthday year. From the development point of view as we said earlier the current state of the world is going to influence our immediate plans, as you can appreciate and we are not in a rush to start building both for financial and sales reasons. We are working with all the pre-construction buyers of “Hillside” and our financial advisors to determine when is the best time to proceed to the next stage but if you are in this category and have not received a letter and telephone call then please let us know. “Work is the refuge of people who have nothing better to do”.

-- Oscar Wilde That said we feel your investment at The St. George’s Club is a prudent one that will give you pleasure for years to come. We also hope when you leave the bad weather and/or bad news behind to come to your holiday retreat this year, you will see that Bermuda and The St. George’s Club is still the isolated paradise it always has been and if anything it is a little bit better!

continued from page 1 – Message from the Management Team

As promised we will publish a high-level list of everything we hope to accomplish. This is on page 3 of this newsletter with our rough timelines. We will continue to refine this and indicate Cottages numbers as appropriate. The intention is to place a list of what has been done and what is scheduled to be done next year in each cottage unit package. We are updating this information binder in each of the cottages to keep you better informed so please ensure you read the latest version and review the new inventory control details that has been reintroduced at the member’s request. The Rules and Regulations already reflect this system so we ask for your cooperation in maintaining the cottage inventory for your fellow visitors. Full details will be available in the cottage on arrival after April 2009. Most of the cottages now have Wireless Internet service (the exceptions are listed on the Web Site under the News Tab). To extend it further we need to do some trenching but that will not happen until next year. For anyone that needs access from a cottage that is patchy we have a business solution. We know that most people have devices that receive e-mail via cellular technology (Blackberry, iPhones and Treo) but we felt that this service may be useful. It is available at the same cost as the current Wireless Griffin at $50 per week. There is however a $50 setup charge to install it in your cottage. It is a dedicated link and not shared on property. (NB. There is a refundable deposit on the device of $500 – that can be put on your Club charge account). Our hope is that you will switch off, relax and enjoy your time at The St. George’s Club and not need to stay in contact with your office. A quote jumps to mind and I believe every word of it. “Vacations often go too fast! Enjoy every minute!” -- Catherine Pulsifer

As we go into the 2009 season and celebrate the twentyfifth anniversary of The Club we want to re-emphasise that we are here at your service to help you enjoy your holiday. If there is anything that we can do to assist you to have that special time then all you have to do is ask. One thing I can confirm is that after four hundred years Bermudians have learned how to treat guests to the island. We hope you can take advantage of it and leave your cares at home!

Sally-Ann Kyle President & CEO The St. G Club Ltd. and General Manager The St. George’s Club

John Kyle Managing Agent For The St. George’s Club

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Refurbishment Projects and current Timeline - 2009 DESCRIPTION

# OF UNITS

START DATE

END DATE

STATUS

Catalogue all issues with all cottages and enter into new system

December 2008

COMPLETE

Create a project for each that is to be completed in 2009 Budget for all projects in Capital Expenditure

71 71

November 2008 January 2009 January 2009

January 2009 January 2009

COMPLETE COMPLETE

September 2008 October 2008

November 2008

COMPLETE

January 2009

COMPLETE

December 2008 January 2009 December 2008 December 2008

March 2009

COMPLETE

March 2009 March 2009

ORDERED IN STOCK

March 2009

STARTED

October 2008

February 2009

DONE

February 2009 April 2009 January 2009

March 2009 April 2009 January 2009

ON ORDER

2 71 71

January 2009

March 2009

STARTED

December 2008 February 2009 February 2009 February 2009

March 2009

STARTED

February 2009 March 2009 March 2009

STARTED STARTED STARTED

April 2009 February 2009 April 2009 January 2009 April 2009

May 2009 February 2009 April 2009 April 2009 April 2009

STARTED STARTED

January 2009

February 2009

STARTED

January 2009 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 June 2009 June 2009 February 2009

January 2009 March 2009 February 2009 March 2009 June 2009 June 2009 February 2009

COMPLETE STARTED

ORGANISATION

PROJECTS Clean up grounds, bushes and trees in all areas and maintain going forward to the same standard Tennis Courts – clean, repaint lines, replace nets and repair lights Cottage Interior painting

Cottage Kitchen Appliance replacements of identified units Identified Cottages upgraded to LCD TV’s and DVD Players

20 30

Paint all cottages outside doors

Expand and update High Speed Internet Service to all cottages. Introduce new Business Internet Service where members need a dedicated service. Replace sliding glass doors (based on severity) Paint Cottage Roofs Redo all cottage signs Cottage Inventory done – new inventory system in place to ensure all cottages are replenished. All Cottages cleaned and put back in service. (This is happening on a rotational basis over the four months) Gas Fires in cottages replaced Cottage Linens replaced Cottage Flatware replaced

2 71 71

STARTED

Main Clubhouse Toilets – completely strip all tiles and partitions and replace. Install new granite counters and new air-conditioning Paint main Clubhouse Roof Paint Outbuildings Roofs Main Pool – replace main pump and all valves Front Desk Reservations Area – Clean, repaint and replace counter with granite top Update Credit Card system to High Speed Service

ORDERED

Griffin’s Restaurant and Bar Clean all areas Health Inspection Fire Inspection – action items to be done Tourism Inspection Update Bar with new furniture Create and update Pool Pagoda Bar Create Somer’s Lounge Dining Area Update Griffin’s Restaurant and Somer’s Lounge décor

COMPLETE

Blackbeard’s Hideout (Opens April) Health Inspection March 2009 March 2009 Fire Inspection March 2009 March 2009 Tourism Inspection March 2009 March 2009 Refurbish all Toilets March 2009 March 2009 Replace Furniture March 2009 March 2009 Upgrade Kitchen NB. All Status reports are valid at the Newsletter production date and all projects are on time and budget.

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Bermuda Events for 400th Anniversary Bermuda 2009 will be a year of fantastic events and we would love for you to join us. To learn more about visiting Bermuda in 2009 please click on one of the links below. We look forward to having you as our guest!

“Quo Fata Ferunt”: Bermuda’s 400th Anniversary written by Dr. George Cook The wreck of Sea Venture and the subsequent rescue of the Jamestown colony in Virginia is one of the great maritime epics of the western world. What early seventeenth century writers might see as the hand of God, our more sceptical age might attribute to good leadership and good luck: something that is so often neglected in history? Those events began 400 years of continuous habitation of these small isolated Atlantic islands. They also resulted in Bermuda’s playing a crucial role in maintaining 400 years of continuous English settlement in North America and, therefore, the beginning of what became her great neighbour, the United States of America. To read the full article and find a full schedule of events, please go to www.bermuda2009.bm

Bermuda Triple Crown 2009 Billfish Tournament – www.bermudatriplecrown.com July is the peak month for blue and white marlin in Bermuda. The Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship is a celebration of incredible fishing, allowing boats to compete in a competitive Bermuda billfish series. Competing boats will earn points as the anglers wind them in during each qualifying event. The winners will receive special championship rings and a prize package that is one of the sport's best. The championship series is comprised of three Bermuda-based events, including the Bermuda Billfish Blast July 3-6, the Bermuda Big Game Classic July 8-12 and the Sea Horse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament July 15-19. Boats competing in any of the events are eligible for the Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship. There is no additional entry fee to compete in the triple championship.

PGA Grand Slam of Golf – Bermuda, October 19-21, 2009 – www.pga.com The PGA Grand Slam of Golf, the season-ending showcase featuring golf's premier foursome, will for the third year, take place in Bermuda. The event will be hosted by the Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton. Boasting the most difficult qualification requirement in the game -- a major championship -- the 36-hole PGA Grand Slam of Golf will surely yield incredible play by the world’s top golfers. Port Royal has been completely revamped to host this prestigious event. If you are fortunate enough to be in Bermuda at this time, please plan well in advance for tickets as they are snapped up by the locals. If you can’t make but are here another time, let us arrange a round on the new Port Royal course for you. (NB. The course is currently closed but is scheduled to reopen in June 2009).

The 2009 World Rugby Classic – November 8-14, 2009 – www.worldrugby.bm The Classic, which features former top players once again representing their countries in international competition, encompasses eleven international matches over the course of the Classic Week, including a women's international between the British Isles and Canada. This is the twenty-first anniversary of this event. If you are in Bermuda this week and are interested in seeing firsthand the “hooligan’s game for gentlemen” that was the forerunner of American Football, it is something not to be missed. The World Rugby Classic is generally considered to be one of the most enjoyable events on the rugby calendar with 10 internationals matches played during the week but scheduled so as to allow plenty of time to enjoy Bermuda’s beaches, golf courses and other many attractions. All the games are played at the National Sports Centre, the venue for the Classic since 2000. With packages which range from daily admission to the ground through various levels, culminating in the Members Tent (the VIP facility), the Classic provides a wide range of ticket prices to suit every budget. And for those involved in corporate entertainment, the Corporate Hospitality Village is considered to be one of the best in sport, situated right on the touchline, up close and personal! (Also ask at Front Desk about the Classic Club option for The St. George’s Club guests).

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The Club “Concierge” In an effort to provide additional service to our visitors to The St. George’s Club and to th also allow you to take advantage of the many additional events for the Bermuda 400 Anniversary we are introducing, in February 2009, a new “Concierge” facility. This will allow you to plan some trips, tours and reservations prior to you arriving on the island via our Web Site (www.stgeorgesclub.com). We have approached all of the operators in the area of St. George’s to get their most current rates and tour information. We have also developed some additional trips and events just for Club visitors. We will provide you the most current information and links we can from our Web Site with booking information. We will also plan to provide you an on-property “concierge desk” in the Somer’s Lounge every Monday morning between 10:00 – 11:00 am. to allow arranging any last minute activities to ensure you maximise your enjoyment of your week on our island paradise. We are trying this for a few months to determine if members and guests use the service. If they do then we will continue it and try to enhance the service. NB. Events arranged through our “concierge desk or on-line concierge desk” are subject to a booking fee if not cancelled through The Club less than 24 hours in advance otherwise the service is at no charge. No money is required to make bookings or reservations. Please ask if you have any questions.

Did you know? A concierge (French) is an employee who lives on the premises of apartment buildings and serves as a general property caretaker; while the phenomenon and the term are most common in France, they can be seen elsewhere, for example in the French-influenced neighbourhood of Heliopolis in Cairo, Egypt. A similar position, known as the portera, exists in Spanish-speaking regions. In medieval times, the concierge was an officer of the King who was charged with executing justice, with the help of his bailiffs. The term concierge evolved from the French Comte Des Cierges, The Keeper of the Candles, who tended to visiting nobles in castles of the medieval era. In 19th century and early 20th century apartment buildings, particularly in Paris, the concierge often had a small apartment on the ground floor and was able to monitor all comings and goings. However, such settings are now extremely rare; most concierges in small or middle-sized buildings have been replaced by the part-time services of door-staff. These are less costly and less intrusive. Some larger apartment buildings or groups of buildings retain the use of a concierge. The concierge may, for instance, keep the mail of absented dwellers; be entrusted with the keys of apartments in cases of emergencies in the absence of the inhabitant; and perform other tasks. In hotels, a concierge assists guests with various tasks like making restaurant reservations, arranging for spa services, recommending nightclubs, procurement of tickets to special events and assisting with various travel arrangements and tours of interesting places to visit. In upscale establishments, a concierge is often expected to "achieve the impossible"; dealing with any request a guest may have, no matter how strange, relying on an extensive list of personal contacts with various local merchants and service providers. Hotel concierge staff, have their own professional association, called Les Clefs d'Or ("The Golden Keys"). It was formed in France in October 1929. It now reaches over 3000 members in over 50 countries. Members can be distinguished by the gold keys they display on their lapels.

Please remember to complete our guest survey at www.stgeorgesclub.com under the feedback tab after you have visited The Club in 2009. We need your input to allow us to understand your needs.

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The Club 25-year Anniversary We are compiling a short pictorial history of The St. George’s Club starting at the St. George’s Hotel for those few people that remember it! If you would like to contribute to this archive then please send us your favourite photograph you think represents what you like most about The St. George’s Club. We will include the best ones in the archive and will offer prizes for the top three selected by our panel of judges. The e-mail to send them to is Marjan@stgeorgesclub.com or, mail them to her attention at The St. George’s Club. Closing date for entries is April 30th, 2009. We will show this at our weekly meetings at The Club and eventually at our Web site – www.stgeorgesclub.com or www.stgeorgesclub.bm. The Club post the latest news and Club information under the news Tab about once a month so please check there prior to your arrival so you are well informed. Here are some of our favourites!

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