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Donuts Remembered

[Posted by Ed Stocker in JP's absence]

Dear Members and Constituents,
In the immortal words of Frosty the Snowman “Happy Birthday!” For those few of you tenured enough to remember (and I am not one of them), today marks the 8th, yes 8th anniversary of the Donut Club.

This auspicious occasion finds JP out of the office visiting family and friends in Ecuador. I know one of his goals is to have the Donut Club become an everlasting part of Level 3. The symbolism of the 8th anniversary is fitting as the symbol for infinity, ∞, appears as an 8 on its side.

This is also traditionally known as the bronze anniversary. While trying to take a bite out of a chuck of metal sounds neither fun nor appetizing, to me the Donuts appear to have taken on a bit of a bronze luster.

To mark the day I present to you some lines of verse written by JP on his Ecuadorian travels -

If I had been told,
in June of 'oh-four
eight years from that date
it still was my fate
to be at the core
of donut rotations...

My first thought would be
how lucky for me
and then I might wonder
could it be a blunder?
to try and foresee
a free donut nation?

It seems rather great
for the number eight
made of two stacked, round hoops
like donuts that stuck, oops!
the donuts I ate
without consternation

How long might it last,
this club and it's cast?
an eight that fell sideways?
infinity? always?
Well, wait, not so fast
postpone such elation

Donuts must be fresh
or so one should wish
let's try not to miss
the ones Julian Kiss
brings for us, delish!
come pay them oblation

One day at a time
some Friday may find
we've been all too clever
and lasted forever
it might blow your mind
without hesitation

For now live the moment
enjoy your next donut
just savor it's taste
without any haste
you should now get on it
rejoice in creation

(JP after driving 32 hours for Donuts.)

For today’s celebration Julian Kiss has delivered five dozen of LaMar’s finest for you to enjoy. So come celebrate our anniversary with a Donut, they’re still in JP’s office even if he isn’t.
As a final note today, raise a toast to JP. Champagne may be traditional for these occasions, but I’m going with espresso. Without his devotion to Donuts how many of us would be enjoying one this morning?

Happy Friday,
Ed

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