August 2. 2001

It was my sincere pleasure to be in Columbus, Ohio last weekend for "Windstar One World", put on by the "Heart of Ohio Windstar Connection".

What a joy to meet so many people, like minded in spirit, wanting to carry on the vision of Windstar. I had the opportunity to both speak to and, more importantly, visit with many folks one on one, about the future of the Windstar Foundation. This was a real treat and I hope as good for them as it was for me.

There were many connections groups there and I also had the pleasure of meeting Jim Toth, President of the "Northern Ohio Windstar
Connection"! What a wonderful man and kindred spirit in what we are all about. He has inspired many folks and created a "model" connections program. This was my first opportunity to meet and learn more about his group and the many excellent things they do in their community, many of which, we (Windstar) hope we can emulate literally around the globe as we continue to expand and grow.

My only regret is there weren't more people there gathered to learn and grow as I think we all did.

I believe next year Jim Toth will be hosting the event in Cleveland, with support from Nancy Holloway and the "Heart of Ohio" connection,and I am confident this will be beneficial for everyone who can, to attend.

As I look at the progress made so far this year by the Foundation I am even more excited about the future. We had another successful "Kids Week" and "Ed Week" on the Windstar land, both of these programs being a part of what Windstar is all about, "Education!" We also had a wonderful "Volunteer Work
Weekend" that I was able to attend and enjoy as many of us worked our fanny's off, to rebuild the path up to John's meditation platform, and plant many trees and plants around the dam of the upper lake, as well as many other wonderful jobs that needed to be done.

Our second newsletter is in the mail and, through the magic of e-commerce, folks are now joining us from all over the world via the Internet at www.wstar.org, our home page.

Soon we will have the new charter for the "Connections Program" in place, allowing people to form a connection without the hassle of creating a 501c3 to do it. We are already seeing folks coming together and forming new connections as we gain new membership. I think we have members in all but 8 states now, and in many foreign lands.

If you have not yet chosen to participate with us, please do. This is the time to "Come Home to Windstar!" For as I keep reminding folks, each time I am given the chance to speak, "The Job's Not Finished!" There is still so very much to do for the "environmental sustainability of our planet!"

Ron Deutschendorf
President, Windstar Board of Trustees