CIGAR BOX BULLETIN

Volume 53, No. 26   October 26, 2005

Prexy BRYAN FORROW opened the meeting on time. JOHN SCHINTO led us in the pledge, in his words, to the "Greatest Flag in the World" and MORRY HALLOWELL, accompanied by Bob ALDEN, led us in song wishing JOHN a happy 101st birthday, followed by It's a Grand Old Flag, and Carolina in the Morning. Recording Secretary FRED BARNES ably recapped last week's meeting and told us a birthday party story. Corresponding Secretary BILL DYNAN had no mail to read but entertained us with a story about a lady holding on for dear life while riding double on an Indian pony. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS: ED ANDERSON introduced Fran Schapperle who made a pitch to us to serve as judges of a Greenwich Laws of Life Essay Contest co-sponsored by The Greenwich Boy Scout Council and the Greewich Family Centers. ERIC KNUTSEN pitched a new $50 Greenwich Historical Society book available to us at a discounted price of $45 (if 10 or more of us elect buy one) with all proceeds going to the Society. CARL VAN AKEN announced that the Investment Club would next meet in the Y boardroom at noon on November 2nd and BOB CHURCH told us about the Diamond Hill Players current production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (in which he has a cameo role) playing this weekend and next -- tickets $10 at the church door. JEFF PARKER told us that the Grace Notes and Off-Sounders were holding a joint concert at the Belle Haven Club this Friday - tickets $20. SAM MARASSO again reminded us of the RMA Annual Dinner on November 9th, noted that a number of host tables were still available, and asked members not yet assigned to a specific host table to add their names to the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Visiting CHUCK STANDARD reported the status of ailing members WALT COUPE, DOM DI MAIO, JIM ROGERS and BOB UNDERWOOD, and we welcomed back JOHN LYONS. Program: SAM MARASSO reported that next week's speaker will be Peter Rolph, a 3rd generation stained glass artisan. He and his family are currently renovating and restoring the stained glass windows at Christ Church. Membership DOUG TAYLOR reported today's attendance of 143 members, 5 candidates, DICK GEISMAR, BILL SALTSMAN, ARNOLD STANCELL and BOB WARD, and 2 guests, MARTY CRAIG, guest of BILL KLUMPP and MIKE HAUPTMAN, guest of JOHN CALIMAFDE.LL. Birthdays JON GATES - 67, DICK HORNBECK - 80, LARRY SCHMITZ -75 and as noted above, JOHN SCHINTO - 101. Special Events RICH LIMBACHER reported that a few tickets are still available for the January 20th New York Philharmonic Concert - $100, and the August 9th - 20th Russian boat cruise -- for details call FRANK FLORES at 698-3060. Volunteers JACK SWEGER reported 791 outside hours by 84 men and 117 RMA hours by 33 men. Returnees DOM COGLIANDRO - New Hampshire, GORDON MACDONALD - 3-week Russian boat tour, JOE COLEMAN - Hungary, Germany and France, FRANK FLORES - New Mexico and Texas. 

PLAYTIME: Bridge PETE JACKSON reported last week's sores, 9 players - LORING WEBBER - 1410, JOE ROE - 790 and PETE JACKSON - 510. Tennis BILL ZBORAY reported: Court 1 - a tie between MIKE SMITH and DICK BARTHOLOMEW with 12 games, Court 2 - JOHN HOFFMAN with 15 games, and Court 3 - BILL ZBORAY with 18 games. Bowling LINN GRIM reported 8 bowlers, DOM COGLIANDRO - 161, DOM DEPASQUALE - 157, JIM DUNCAN - 152 and BOB OPPENHEIMER - a special circumstances 300. Golf BOB JOHNSON reported a Wilma washout to this season's final session. 

DAVID DOWNS, Editor

TODAY'S SPEAKER

CHUCK STANDARD introduced security expert Paul Strassmann in a return engagement, his current topic -"What You Need To Know About Cybercrime." He gave us an overview of the scope and severity of cybercrime from hackers, to criminals, to spies and finally, terrorists. We are all vulnerable, personally, to identity theft. Online merchants are losing 2% of sales equating to 30+% of profits, and our national security is at risk of an Internet shutdown which could cripple us militarily and economically. For more information, go to Strassmann@AOL.com .

SPECIAL EVENTS

December 10, 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.

Year 2006

January 20, Friday, New York Philharmonic Concert (Avery Fisher Hall). Performance starts at 2P.M. – Kurt Mazur conducts works of Beethoven, List & Prokofiev. Lunch at Noon at O’Neal’s Restaurant(across from Lincoln Center). Cost is $100 per person. Bus leaves St.Catherine’s Parking lot at 10:30 A.M. Trip Coordinator – Tom Healy. Status – a few Tickets Available. 

August 9 to 20th – 11 Day Russian Boat Cruise from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Prices vary by cabin, but discount prices, which include airfare, meals, and sidetrips, and begin at $2800 per person, continue to decline. For more details, please contact – Frank Flores at 698-3060.

NEXT WEEK

Speaker will be Peter Rolph, a 3rd generation stained glass artisan