CIGAR BOX BULLETIN

Volume 51 No. 30    December 3, 2003

Soon after he rang the bell to open the meeting at 1000 hours President Linn Grim announced that Bob Button was at the piano, as a last minute replacement for Bill Lehren who was in hospital after suffering a heart attack. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill, may he have a speedy recovery. Ray Sloan led the pledge, reminding us all that we would soon remember Pearl Harbor Day which should give today's pledge extra meaning. Jim Smeriglio then took over as song leader supported by maestro Button they led us through the National Anthem (as is traditional on the first meeting of the month) followed by Jingle Bells and O Come All Ye Faithful. Recording Secretary Bill Dynan followed with a well-worded reflection on the meaning of the Thanksgiving Holiday and the Christmas rush we now have to endure. He then gave us a short and concise review of last week's meeting. Corresponding Secretary Ben Bacon had one interesting piece of mail from Australia sent by an anonymous writer who commented that Yanks are not very popular down under anymore. That's perhaps why the three ladies on the card were mooning us. Ben then told us how a group of gambling members at the Odd Fellows Lodge dealt with a kibitzer who interrupted their card game. Treasurer Herb Egli took the podium to give his monthly report drastically simplified for consumption by those who are not familiar with the methods of the Big Five or Four accounting firms. He told us we had $ 700.00 in the bank and were doing well. And that was that.

Announcements:
Leadoff speaker was Colonel Bob Button who reported on the achievements of the Melody Men. This group had completed a very successful season as Good Will Ambassadors for the RMA. They performed in 52 sessions singing for close to one thousand people. He read the names of all the participants, including the honorary members and all who were present took a bow. Pinch-hitting for Bill Lehren, Bob Phillips spoke about the Angel Tree project. All slots for tree duty are filled, but Bob needs help with the distribution process and would particularly like those who are familiar with this job to come forward and give him a hand. Then it was the turn of Bob Harmon who had exiting news. His two sons run the Verilux lighting business in Stamford. They have 300 reconditioned standing lamps in "as new" condition to give away for FREE. These $100. lamps produce light that is believed to be as close to natural light as possible. The lamps will arrive by truck and are all boxed and ready for use. A truck will deliver them for distribution at the Mason Street side door after the December 17 meeting. After some hesitation by those who did not believe there was a free lunch afterall, Bob did a land office business taking names during the coffee break. Tim Nolan reminded us of the upcoming ROMEO luncheon next week at the Field Club. Jacket and tie, pants optional, $30 pp and indicate fish or steak.

Returnees:
A fair number of people came back to face the cold. Raymond LeBlanc and Al Fenn were back from Atlanta GA, Joe Robinson from Malibu CA, Bob Virtue from Virginia, Annapolis and PA. Lou Chiappetta from Dallas TX, Harry Twitchell from New Orleans LA and Chuck Standard returned from VA.

Committee Reports:
Visiting - Chuck Standard while continuing to peddle calendars and other printed material that had reached his doorstep, reported that Jack Murphy, Bryan Cooke and Dick Case were recovering at home. Bob Underwood is in room #3170 at the hospital undergoing tests. We wish to see them all back soon like Charlie Sweatt who was back and recognized. Program - Bill Eustis announced this week's Speaker and said that next week we will hear Kim Eves, Public Communications Director of the Board of Education of our Town (see below). Membership - Doug Taylor said that 172 men who wanted to spend less time with their families were present. There were three candidates; Mike Amoroso, Bill Saba and Ned Greenthal. We welcomed three guests: Bill Howland guest of Chuck Standard, Bob Stone - Brian Spille, Dick Geismar - Rich Hopkins. We celebrated the following birthdays: Ted Spool 73, Peter & Paul Scheuritzel both 77, Carl Van Aken 81, Bin Binshadler 85, Frank Preucil 77, John C. Gallagher 98. We sang a Hearty Happy Birthday to them all, a cappella because the pianist had left the premises. Special Events: Bill Horton reviewed the events listed below and reminded all that you are only "in" on an event if you bring a check. Volunteer Hours: Doug Francefort reported that for the week of 12/3/03, 780 hours were given to outside agencies by 78 men and 93 hours to RMA duties by 30 men.

Sports and Games:
And The Winner Is: Bridge - Pete Jackson said that Hap Heyman scored 2000, John Huffman 1300 and Jim Duncan 980 in the 11/26 games. Bowling - Dom DePasquale reported that on 12/20/03 Tony Presto rolled two 156 games and Dom himself scored 169. Bill Zboray gave the 11/28/03 Tennis scores: Jeff Parker 14 on court #1, Rich Bartholomew 14 on #2, and Bob Phillips 15 on #3.

Today's Program:
Introduced by his long time friend Rich Hopkins, our speaker was Charlie Carey who after a career in the pulp and paper business became President and CEO of the National Food Processor's Association. Now retired in New Hampshire, Charlie lectures at Dartmouth and spends his time studying what he came to speak about: "the Growing Cost of Fresh Water, Economical and Ecological." Speaker gave us a fascinating and at the same time frightening overview of the need to find constructive solutions to the problem of a growing demand for water while the supply is constant. Worldwide and certainly in the US dams were built that increase silting in riverbeds, change the climate and supply water to arid land that ends up with unacceptable salinity levels. In addition there is over exploitation of aquifers worldwide. Much food for thought, extremely well presented and frightening.

G. Peter Schieferdecker - Editor.

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

PLEASE RETURN THE SURVEY SO WE CAN PLAN TRIPS TO YOUR LIKING.

Dec. 10 Wed. ROMEO luncheon, Field Club, $30pp.
Dec. 20 Sat. Boston Pops, Bridgeport Arena 1:30 PM U drive. Tickets were mailed to participants .
Jan. 15 Thurs. NY Philharm. Rehearsal, lunch Tavern on the Green $69pp.Lv St. Cath. 8 AM. Wait listed.
Feb. 28 Sat. "Never Gonna Dance", Lunch at Sans Culottes (Salmon, Chicken, Beef or Duck French Style). Lv. St Cath. 10 AM. Cost $122pp. Max. 50 people. Sign up on Bulletin Board.
Note: Only a check confirms your reservation.
There will be a Special Events Committee meeting on Wed. Dec. 17 at 9 AM in the Y Board Room.

NEXT WEEK

Kim Eves, Public Communications Director of the Board of Education of our Town. will tell us about the wonderful things we as members can do in the Mentoring Program. Remember he said "no one stands so tall as when he is helping a boy or girl."