First off all, I agree with what you say about once it is in the Post Officers hands the Club has no more say in it. But like you say, when thay make their 3 piles (1 USA normal post, 1 USA 1st class mail and 1 foreign), I know it is even more work again, just put the AIR MAIL sticker on the foreign pile.
I don't mind waiting for the magazine, it is just that now the one with the ballots in it is running late and I might miss the voting.
No regarding Marc-Andre, he has devirsefied into more casino memorabilia and started his small museum in Liege, his home town, he is not online and likes the old way, almost feather and ink.
Maybe we moved a bit to fast for him... I do not think that you drove him away, just your ways went a differant direction.
Anyway we meet again in a few months and I cannot wait...
Kind regards,
Bob R-4479 Belgium