President's Message

President Rita Worster

Although Spring officially started back in March it always seems like May has the warm weather and flowers that I think of as Spring.  There are several variations explaining how May got its name, but the one that resonated with me is that May was named for Maia, the Roman goddess of spring and growth. Her name related to a Latin word that means increase or growth. I think that is so fitting because we have invited many guests to our May meeting in order to grow our chapter. I hope many of you will be able to attend the May meeting. What a wonderful opportunity to chat with many people, some you know and some who are future friends. Please remember to share a friendly smile and a few words with all our guests to demonstrate the wonderful warmth we have as a chapter. 

Mother’s Day is a big May event.  Mother’s Day is one of the biggest days for sales of flowers and greetings cards and is the biggest holiday for long-distance phone calls. I remember growing up that every female got a carnation at church on Mother’s Day.  Mom and I always got a red carnation and Grammie always got a white one. I finally asked Mom why and found out red was for those whose mother is living and white for those whose mother is deceased.  We lived in a small town and went to a small church so no one needed to ask what color we needed so I spent a number of years confused.  It proves that when you don’t know something, just ask.  (That goes for our EWI chapter too!)  I hope Mother’s Day is a time when you can reflect on special times with your mother or with your children.  If you are fortunate enough to spend time with family enjoy your time together.

Here are some interesting tidbits about May that I ran across: In a given year no other month will begin or end on the same day of the week as May. May is National Salad Month, National Egg Month, National Barbecue Month, National Hamburger Month, Fungal Infection Awareness Month. National Brain Tumor Awareness Month, South Asian Heritage Month, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, National Military Appreciation Month, Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Older Americans Month, National Moving Month and National ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) Awareness Month. My favorite is one that is actually a United Kingdom designation for May as National Smile Month.

“May” you be filled with smiles in May and even though we are in the U.S. let’s make May a Smile Month, especially at our upcoming meeting. I hope to see you there.

Rita F. Worster, CPA
Tax Manager BKD, LLP