Memberabilia: Traveling  alums  

Readers find ye ol’ college spirit rising high in Boston.

A CHEER FOR BU
Since joining the Piedmont Club, we have had the opportunity to enjoy a number of the Associate Clubs during our travels. In May, we traveled to Boston for a college reunion and a graduation. Bob is a graduate of Boston College, and we were very interested in visiting the Boston College Club.

We wish to congratulate the Boston College Club on its opening. Its location on the 36th floor of the BankBoston Building provides lovely panoramic views of Boston. The atmosphere is soothing and comfortable. The employees were gracious and the service, food, and drink were excellent. We wish to particularly thank Shaun Hubbard and Jo-Ann Ford for their hospitality and service.
Kathy and Bob Ketels
Members, Piedmont Club
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Editor’s note: Thanks for the comments and the opportunity to refer readers to the article on page 30 about the new concept of “alumni clubs.”

FORGIVE HIS SIN
I would like to take issue with a point made in Clint Willis’ article on “7 Costly Sins of Investing” (“Capital Ideas,” July/August 1998). One of the listed “sins” was momentum investing. Mr. Willis goes on to describe the danger in such investing, but seems to miss the point. To Mr. Willis, the danger of momentum investing lays in buying volatile stocks that have experienced a substantial rise in price, only to find that the investor has “bought the top,” and that the only place for the investment to go is down. I don’t fault Mr. Willis, as his opinion is one of a host of common misconceptions regarding momentum investing. A well-trained professional trader who chooses momentum as a means of stock selection has an array of technical indicators at his or her disposal to minimize the likelihood of this happening. It is possible for active investors to embrace this type of training and technology. Momentum investing is a viable way of increasing the return on your portfolio. Truly, the largest cautionary note would be to do it with the training and technology to increase the likelihood of success.
Jeffrey B. Schankerman
Member, Banker’s Club
Cincinnati, Ohio

GOOD CHINA
At the conclusion of our recent  vacation in China, my wife and I had the exceedingly good fortune to have dinner at the Capital Club in Beijing. The club’s exclusive elevator to the 50th floor of the second tallest building in Beijing (the highest restaurant) was our first clue that this was to be a memorable occasion. Assistant general manager Kurt Walter graciously accommodated us with a window seat overlooking Beijing.

The food was superb, the harp music soothing, and the staff was exceptionally attentive. Our special thanks to Western dining room manager Adam Zange, who kindly showed us around the entire club after dinner. It was then that we learned that there was a complete Asian dining room with traditional Chinese music as well. We could not have felt more “at home” and welcome.
Ken and Debbie Houp
Members, Metropolitan Club
Austin, Texas

CHAMPS ALL THE WAY
Four years ago, my husband and I visited The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia, to celebrate his birthday. The experience we had then can only be surpassed by our experience while attending the Associate Clubs Couples Tournament. Kathy Walker did an outstanding job of organizing the tournament.

The Homestead is definitely in a class by itself when it comes to facilities and service. Although we were there for a golf tournament, there would have been a number  of activities we could have enjoyed were we not golfers. From enjoying a quiet evening in the library to embarking on a scenic hiking expedition; from horseback riding to skeet shooting; from swimming to croquet, we would have had all the activity we could have wanted.
Steve and Maureen Legg
Members, La Cita Country Club
Titusville, Florida

FEEDBACK
A Call for Historic Photos
The new millennium approaches. So as we head into the year 2000 and beyond, we’d like to take a photographic look back. Please share with us photographs (they will be returned) from past Associate Club activities. Or shots of your club from yesteryear. Send to the address below. Please include your name, address, and club.