CIGAR BOX BULLETIN

Volume 51, Number 14    August 6, 2003

The weather outside was steamy and grim, but inside the Rendezvous Room the atmosphere was very different as ever smiling Pres. Linn Grim gonged the gang to attention promptly at 10 AM to recite the Pledge led by Henry Baker. Then the songs began “The National Anthem, On Moonlight Bay and In The Shade Of The Old Apple Tree” -- with Bob Dresel vigorously directing, Chuck Livingston announcing and Immediate Past-President Bill Lehren at the Baldwin 88. Then it was on to routine business with RecSec Bill Dynan giving his spin to the goings on at last week’s meeting. CorrSec Ben Bacon displayed a collection of not-very typical RMA postcards from a number of travelers and then told the JOTW which was about a gent on Rodeo Drive who bought a gal a fur coat with a $65,000 worthless check. Dick Case, substituting for absent Treasurer Herb Egli, reported that RMA finances were in good order and that the Club had $572 more in receipts than budgeted!

ANNOUNCEMENTS: and there are some!
President Grim reminded all that today was the 58th Anniversary of the dropping of the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima! Sam Marasso took the stand to urge everyone to save Thursday, September 18 for the Annual RMA Picnic at Greenwich Point. It starts at 11 AM, features games, sports, door prizes and FREE Hot Dogs and Beer (until they run out!) For those without Greenwich Point Beach Cards there is a sign-up sheet that will be used to get them passes from Town Hall. Tim Nolan slipped your editor a note to remind the MAFIA of the R.O.M.E.O. Luncheon at the Belle Haven Club on September 10. (MAFIA = Many Aged Fellows Indulging Appetites!)

RETURNEES:
Loring Webber Washington, DC Jerry Berrafati Denver, Frank Zavattaro Saranac Lake, NY Joe Robinson Cooperstown NY and Baseball Hall-of-Fame, John Phillips Northern Wisconsin, Joe Gordon Alaska, and Fran Auger Adirondacks & Green Mts.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Visiting: - Bill Adam: Home now and doing well is Chuck Standard, who thanks the guys who made him lie down until the doctor came, welcomes calls. Harry Twitchell was back at the meeting today. Sam York has what he calls “not a complete fracture of his leg”, is on crutches but hopes to be at next week’s meeting. Pete LaSorsa was away “construed as a sign that his hip replacement was a success”. Sid Crothers wife reported that MD’s still haven’t a diagnosis, and Charlie Beran is reported to be in Greenwich Hospital but was unable to be contacted. Program: Bill Eustis: Today: Part B of the videos of RMA Members reporting on their military service (more later). Next week, Jack Blessington, a writer on religious matters for the NY Times and Greenwich Time will discuss the explosive new developments in religious matters. Membership: Doug Taylor: 161 Men in the Rendezvous Room -- 154 Members, 5 Candidates (no Inductee) and 2 Guests: Carl Richter guest of Tim Nolan, Mike Androso guest of Jim Santora. Candidates: Bob Ward, John Toner, John Caron, John Hoffman and Bill Saba. Lots of Birthdays: Charlie Morganti 85, Joe Sobeski 76, H. Ford Dickie 89, Bob Peterson 84, Jerry Parker 87, Ray Wolf 69, Bill Ridenour 77. Volunteer: Jack Sweger reported that 645 volunteers were tallied for the week: 541 to outside agencies by 72 men and 104 hours to RMA duties by 32 men. Way to go!

FUN and GAMES:
Pete Jackson on Bridge: on July 30. Eleven players: 1st Hap Heyman 3140 points, 2nd Dick Case 3060, 3rd Barney Long 2240. Frank Henderson, substituting for Bob Johnson gave the Golf report. “Humidity/Threatening Rain/ Thunderstorms“ 28 Brave Players. Longest Drive: Mike Smith on #17. Nearest Pin: #7 Sam Marasso, #15 Mike Smith. Low Gross: Jim McKay 86, Les Young 85, Leon Freeman 82.

TODAY’S PROGRAM:
Introduced by its Producer, Dom DiMaio, was Part B of the videos made at Greenwich High School of RMA Members recounting their experiences in the Services during World War II. In 5 to 10 minute talks we heard from Ed Anderson. Dom Di Maio, Dick Radcliffe, Bud Hall, Dick Wilstatter and George Chelwick. Another installment will be shown in the near future. Stay tuned!

 Bob Oppenheimer, Editor

SPECIAL EVENTS
Open to all members, their ladies, candidates and guests.

Aug. 20 - Wed. - Fjord Fisheries boat trip with lobster/chicken dinner. $80 PP. Sailing from Cos Cob Harbor 6:30 PM, view fireworks @ Playland. Wait listed.
Sep. 10 - Wed. - ROMEO luncheon @ Belle Haven. Details to follow.
Sep. 11 - Thurs. - Goodspeed Opera House, "Very Good Eddy," lunch Bee & Thistle, wait list
Sep. 18 - Thurs. - RMA Annual Picnic, Greenwich Point.
Oct. 2 - Thurs. - Culinary Institute. & Old Rhinebeck air show. $59 PP. (wait listed).
Nov. 6 - Thurs. - Rockwell Museum, lunch @ Cork & Hearth, Stockbridge, MA, $64, open.
Dec. 4 - Thurs.- Spinning Wheel Christmas Show, U drive, $40, open.
Dec. 20 - Sat. - Boston Pops, Bridgeport Arena, U drive, 1:30PM, wait listed.
 

NEXT WEEK

Jack Blessington, a writer on religious matters for the NY Times and Greenwich Time will discuss the explosive new developments in religious matters.