President's message: The holiday season is here

The holiday season, really? How can it be? Turning back the clocks and the associated getting out of work in the dark is my queue that winter is creeping upon us. It seems like we were just playing golf at the McKenney, Hewitt and Kinsella golf tournament and now I've got to figure out how to seat 20 people for Thanksgiving in a room that really only seats 8. Nothing like good quality family time! Speaking of golf, in case you missed it, we held the McKenney, Hewitt and Kinsella Golf Tournament at the Stowe Acres Country Club in September. The event was a great success. The weather cooperated and we had a good turnout. Net proceeds were distributed between the Hewitt Scholarship Fund (Appraisal Institute) and the Kinsella Memorial Fund (MBREA). I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the tournament sponsors: Integra Realty Resources, Joseph J. Blake, Lincoln Property Company, Richard Dennis, John Mello, The Appraiser's Group, The Appraiser's Collaborative, Boston Financial and Lincoln Appraisal. Understand that your generous donations enabled the Hewitt Fund to continue awarding scholarships. A number of our newly designated members (nine this year!) benefitted from awards this year. Speaking of time flying by; candidates - now is the time to start planning for 2015. Use the period around the holidays to review your progress, talk with your advisor, check out the chapter's 2015 course offerings, make a plan and stay on track. The chapter has a full slate of educational offerings planned for 2015. Check the website for details. Speaking of holidays, the annual Holiday Party and Installation Meeting is being held December 11th at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Norwood (same venue as the expo). I look forward to seeing you there as we welcome in the 2015 officers and directors, and convey designations to our newest members. This event is a great way to network with friends and meet the new officers. I previously mentioned the sponsors of the golf tournament. I also want to thank our chapter sponsors: Colliers International, Joseph J. Blake and CBRE, NE. The generosity of these companies is greatly appreciated. These donations allow the chapter flexibility in developing programs and offerings to our membership. If you would like to consider a sponsorship please contact Lianne whose address is available on the website. In memoriam: * Robert Foster, MAI, a longtime member of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapter of the Appraisal Institute, passed away the morning of October 23rd, 2014. He was awarded the MAI designation in 1973. Bob began his appraisal career at the family business, Ralph S. Foster & Sons in Fitchburg, MA, opened his own business in Lexington, MA and worked for many years at Meredith & Grew in Boston, MA. All of his children have worked in the appraisal profession. * John Easton, a longtime member of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapter of the Appraisal Institute, passed away on October 23rd, 2014. John was president of the Greater Boston Chapter of the Appraisal Institute in 1993. He was a former SRA member of the Appraisal Institute who served on many chapter committees of both the Appraisal Institute and the Society of Real Estate Appraisers. Joseph Comperchio, SRA, is the 2014 president of the Mass. & R.I. chapter of the Appraisal Institute, and works for commercial banking at Chase, Boston, MA.