Friday Morning Coffee Club Wishes You a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Friday Morning Coffee Club, aka FMCC, brought holiday greetings to shoppers and team members at the Target store in Cranbrook with a rousing rendition of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". It was part of the regular weekly gathering at the Starbucks location in the store. Trina (Starbucks) and Leona (Target) joined the group.

From FMCC were MJM, Joel Vinge, Gerry Warner, Yme Woensdregt, Ron McFarland and Bill Nightingale.

Jim Roberts was travelling but in touch by phone and Mark Spence-Vinge was late arriving as he was assisting packing boxes for Christmas at the Salvation Army.

FMCC extends thanks to Trina (Starbucks) and Leona (Target) as well as store team leader Mike for their assistance with the production.

Antoine, Ron

Although FMCC has been meeting at the Starbucks in Target for a year and a half now, two very special occasions have taken place "off campus"

Brian, Antoine, Bill, Ron

Recently, an awesome Christmas party was held at the home of Ron McFarland which was really enjoyed by all. While FMCC, was at Ron's place for their party, the ladies went out for dinner.

Justin and  Jim at Ron's

Thanks so much Ron for your hospitality and special thanks to Judy!

Back Joel, Mj, Brian, Ron, Mark, Jim, seated Gordon and Bill

The other occasion was Breakfast at the Ranch, organized by Jim Roberts and Mark Spence-Vinge, with special assistance provided by Justin Cleland.

Peter, Yme, Gordon at Ron's

Thanks Jim, Mark and Justin for making it happen. A very special thanks to Joel Vinge for being our "official" photographer.

Back Jim, Bill Joel. Seated Antoine, Gordon, Peter, MJ, Ron, Bob, Mark

FMCC has also celebrated birthdays and sends thanks to Target Starbucks for helping make these occasions special.

MJ and Mark at Ron's

 "We wish you a Merry Christmas, best wishes for the holiday season and a Happy New Year!"

Winston and MJ

FRIDAY MORNING COFFEE CLUB JUST KEEPS ON CELEBRATING

Front Antoine, Gordon, Peter, MJM, Ron, Mark. Back Jim, Bill, Joel, Bob

Friday Morning Coffee Club aka FMCC, just keeps on celebrating with its Halloween party complete with treats back at its usual location at the Starbucks in the Cranbrook Target store.

We had a pretty full house last Friday as a couple of our regulars were back from travels.

A couple of weeks ago it was Breakfast at the Ranch organized by Jim Roberts and Mark Spence-Vinge. Another ranch visit with Jim is in the works before Winter really sets in, but if it has, so what, FMCC members are a hardy group.

In fact, I wouldn't doubt it if some could still cross country ski to the ranch in the Fort Steele area. LOL!

Thanks to Trina at Starbucks for preparing the tray of treats complete with pumpkin loaf and muffins. Awesome.

Thanks also to Joel Vinge for the group photo.

And finally, thanks guys for the rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday". Much appreciated.

As you were singing, it struck me that almost all of you, still sing, or have sung in choirs and groups bringing great enjoyment into peoples' lives here in Cranbrook and beyond.

As an aside, I had a very brief career in the Junior Choir at St John's Anglican Church in Chapleau where my Mom was choir director. When my voice started to change, one night as Mom was washing the supper dishes, I asked her if I should join the Senior Choir, She said, "Sing the scales", so I started, "Do, re, me...." and she interjected, "No," Thus ended my singing career.
Here is link to Thanksgiving Breakfast on the Ranch http://michaeljmorrisreports.blogspot.ca/2014/10/fmcc-holds-thanksgiving-breakfast-on.html

Friday Morning Coffee Club Holds Birthday Party for Three Members

From left Jim, Joel, Bill, MJ, Ron, Yme, Mark, Gordon

The Friday Morning Coffee Club (FMCC) which meets at the Starbucks in the Cranbrook Target store celebrated the birthdays of three of its regulars with Joel Vinge, one of the founders, leading a rousing rendition of  "Happy Birthday",

Celebrating birthdays and getting a muffin with a candle on it and a card were Ron McFarland, Gordon Ingalls and Bill Nightingale, youngsters all!

FMCC was founded over a year ago shortly after Target opened its store here. I started having coffee at its Starbucks mainly because I discovered that several of my former students from College of the Rockies were working there, and I wanted to show them my support. I also liked the friendly staff, (team members in Target jargon), excellent prices and customer service (guest service in the Target manual)

Shortly afterwards, Joel, who had just moved into the neighbourhood, decided to walk over from his new home, and  join me. We told Jim Roberts about it, FMCC was launched and has had as many as twelve show up for coffee.

Before FMCC some of us did not know each other too well, and we come from a great variety of backgrounds, personally and professionally, from all over Canada, with one from the United States.

For me, who has not gone for coffee "with the boys" since I was in high school, a few years ago, it has been a new experience. I look forward immensely to our weekly meetings where conversations range from being asked to check our wardrobes to see where our clothes were made to attempted smuggling of booze across the border, the latter in younger days of course.... and everything in between but all in a lighthearted vein.

I really enjoy hearing the stories the boys share, and I laugh a lot. Some of the members are at least a couple of weeks older than me, and some younger, but the lighthearted conversations bring us together. It is great fun.

I am a great believer that we should make every effort to focus on those things which bring us together rather than divide us, and FMCC does it for me. Thanks guys.

And, thanks to the Target and Starbucks  "team members" who extend the hand of hospitality to us each week.

I tweeted to Target Canada about the party and here is reply:

@MichaelJMo - Birthday greetings to your Friday Morning Coffee Club members. We're delighted you choose to celebrate with us. Thanks.