As I write this on June 15th, we’re four days into the 100% capacity, restaurant restrictions and mask mandate lifted and we’re well on our way to summer.  I’m thrilled that you, as business owners, can go back to making the very best decisions for your businesses!  You spent 15 months adjusting to the ever-changing restrictions and recommendations and we are on the other side.  Our new challenge is staffing as we return to full capacity, catering jobs, events and still robust carryout and patio dining.  I’ve been working for and with you through the pandemic and I will continue to advocate for you going forward!

We had the best time at the inaugural KRA Sporting Clays Tournament!  Shooters and sponsors were excited to be face-to-face on a beautiful day.  Enormous thanks to Presenting Sponsor Heartland, Sharp Shooter sponsors Woodbine Construction and C. Mondavi & Family, Lunch Sponsor Patterson & Company CPAs and Station Sponsors Ecolab, Henson Construction, Koorsen Fire & Security, RNDC, Sullivan University, Toast.  Immediate Past Chair Guy Genoud suggested the tournament in our January Board meeting, and we were selling it by March.  It was so well received we’ll make it an annual event!

We have some outstanding new benefit offerings through our United HealthCare partnership.  Yes, UHC offers traditional health insurance plans, but we are also adding Teledoc and LetsGetChecked test kits for all kinds of regular testing.  The Teledoc offering is only $9/month per employee and it covers everyone in their household!   And get this – anyone who collected unemployment is eligible for full health insurance coverage with plan choices at no cost through our program.  Members, watch your email for a number and website to contact for your employees, and we’ll have more information in the September-October magazine.

This summer we’ll be working on our Golftoberfest event on October 4th – hope you can join us! – and gearing up for the Restaurateur’s Gala on January 17, 2022.  That means we need your nominations!  Who helped you survive this past wild year?  Who was invaluable when you needed curbside or delivery help?  Who was by your side when you needed to commiserate?  What other operator helped you cope, learn or inspired you?  Please nominate them!  Let’s roar into 2022 with a huge “we made it” celebration!  You can find nomination forms at www.kyra.org and they’ll be emailed out as well.

Wishing you all the best, and if I can help you with anything I hope you’ll get in touch.