CIGAR BOX BULLETIN

Volume 53, No. 16   August 17, 2005

Gingerly ascending the stairs to the YMCA, DICK CASE remarked to me that “It sure is a lot cooler than last week.” An understatement when considering that our Rendezvous Room was also pleasantly cooler. Subbing for Brian Forrow, SAM MARASSO introduced BOB OPPENHEIMER for the Pledge to the Flag, followed by Song Leader CHUCK STANDARD on the vocals, JIM SANTORA at the keyboard, and the 156 RMA stalwarts giving their rousing best to Oh Say Can You See,Yankee Doodle Dandy, and There’s a Grand Old Flag. Subbing for Rec Sec Fred Brooks, BILL DYNAN recounted what transpired last week. Then filling in for himself COR SEC Bill reminded us that August 15, 1944 was the day the Americans invaded Southern France, and followed to note the article on our bulletin board about the town AARP’s very active program and DOM COGLIANDRO’s efforts there. The joke-of-the-day was a glib straight forward explanation of why that guy was so happy to be confessing his missteps to the priest. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS: SAM took this opportunity to remind us of some important dates: Annual Picnic Thursday, September 15, and Annual Dinner Wednesday, November 9. TIM NOLAN announced the next Romeo at Mill Brook on day 5 of the month that follows September. (This lovely summer has been just so much appreciated here after our difficult season earlier in the year that I just can’t find the willingness to type the letters representing that month after September, although it surely will also be a beautiful month.) MIKE RYAN then more officially reminded us about the upcoming picnic in September, and asked for some volunteers to visit local merchants. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Visiting: CHUCK STANDARD reported PETER LA SORSA is preparing for major surgery later this month, JOE GORDON remains in hospital, PETER RYAN’s recovering from his broken ankle, and MIKE PARISE is back, thank heaven, ‘cause we sure needed him. Program: JEFF PARKER said Bejamin Weiner is our today speaker, followed next week by Heather Cotter, Assistant Curator of the Historical Society, with a talk including artifacts about Slavery in Connecticut, and in two weeks The Rev. Mark Fitzhugh, Assistant Director of Christ Church. Membership: DOUG TAYLOR said there were 156 of us today, including three candidates JOHN MENDENHALL, ERIC KNUTSEN and ROSS FRANK, and two guests: OLIVIND LORENTZEN guest of GRAHAM WHITEHEAD, BILL SALTSMAN, guest of CARL RICHTER, and ERIC ROITSCH, guest of RICH HOPKINS. We sang Happy Birthday to BILL BOOM 89, NIKE MECCA 77, BILL CORDNER 87, RICH BARTHOLOMEW 68, GENE SCHWARTZ 72, FRANKLIN LANG 74, and BILL O’BRIEN 86. Volunteer: REID McINTYRE reported for this week 751 outside hours by 68 men, 179 inside hours by 41 men. We then had a new member inducted: JIM DEAN, introduced by HAVEN KNIGHT and CARL RICHTER. Jim’s been working and living all over where ESSO and oil were located, ending up of course in NYC and Greenwich, where he’s been especially active and appreciated at the Second Congregational Church. Welcome Aboard, JIM! For Special Events: TOM HEALY’s update is printed below in the events schedule. He also gave a pitch for the Sound Beach Volunteer FD orchestra's Binney Park presentation of “Shooting the Stars” with Patrick Taylor, Baritone, on Sunday August 28 at 7pm. 

PLAYTIME: Bridge PETE JACKSON reported the bridge scores: JOE ROE 2800, FRANK HENDERSON 2180, and HUGO GRUENDEL 640. Golf BOB JOHNSON said Monday was a good day: 30 played, low gross scores were DICK BARTHOLOMEW 82, REID McINTYRE 84, TOM HEALY 86 - also low net of 65. Next week there is a scramble format. Tennis BILL ZABORAY will have the schedules out soon, and asks in no uncertain terms that if anyone who is listed now but is going to withdraw from playing, PLEASE tell him NOW. The season starts September 16. 

TODAY’S PROGRAM: BILL EUSTIS introducted Benjamin Weiner, a former Foreign Service officer who’s lived and served all over and now consults organizations on their security needs. His very interesting talk on “Update on World Terrorism” briefly covered lots of ground about the long Moslem history resulting in today’s good guy-bad guy quandary in which the we and the Moslems find themselves. His point was that the Muslims need a Reformation, and he sees nothing likely to happen there. The Q&A brought mostly non-answers. He recommended reading “The Clash of Civilizations” which came out a few years ago. 

FRANK LEE, Editor

SPECIAL EVENTS
Open to all members, their ladies, candidates and guests;
Tx exchanged via BB

1 Oct., Sat., West Point FootballGame. Army vs. UCONN – 1 P.M.Kickoff. Cadet Parade or self tour ofAcademy before lunch. BYO lunch precedes game. Dinner at North Street Grill in Fishkill, NY after Game. Cost is $85 per person. Bus leaves St. Catherine’s parking lot at 7:45 AM Trip Coordinator – TomHealy. Status – Ticket Exchange.

10 Dec., Sat., Boston Pops Holiday Concert (Arena at Harbor Yards).Performance starts at 7:30 P.M. Cost is $60 per person. U-Drive – I-95 North – Exit 27. Trip Coordinator – Tom Healy. Status – Ticket Exchange. 

15 Sept., Thurs. see below

5 Oct. Romeo

 9 Nov. Annual Dinner

NEXT WEEK

Next week: Heather Cotter, "Slavery in Connecticut."

******************************************************************************************************************************** ON YOUR MARK! GET SET! COME!
To the
RMA ANNUAL PICNIC
Clambake Area, Greenwich Point
Thursday, September 15, 2005 - 11 am

Bring Your Spouse,
Significant Other,
Friends, Guests!

BRING YOUR OWN BEACH CARDS

FREE FOR ALL . . .

ADMISSION * * * FUN AND GAMES

BEER * * * SODA

HOT DOGS * * * WATERMELON

and . . . PRIZES GALORE!

IT'S YOUR PICNIC