Locsec News by Sandy Halby

The Newsletter of Plains and Peaks Mensa, Southern Colorado

Volume 28, Issue 11 http://www.plainsandpeaks.us.mensa.org/ DECEMBER 2011 LocSec News by Sandy Halby Hello! All is normal at the Halbys except we’ve Coming up in December – our annual Holiday Brian, Wetzel, Ann, Ginny, Kathie, Deborah, made some adjustments to our “pack.” In mid- Party at the Stagecoach Inn in Manitou Springs. Gary, Tony, Anthony, David, Gary, Steve, Jim, October, we adopted another dog – a New- This is our biggest event of the year and I hope RC, Gia, Kari, Lou, Daniel, Jennie-Jo, Wayne, foundland named Otis. He’s black and not as you can join me, Mike and a bunch of fellow Eryn and anybody I might have missed … and big as Kody, but just as sweet. Otis was a little Mensans for an evening of camaraderie, fun, hugs to all of you… my Mensa friends. nervous at first about all these other dogs, but as and holiday cheer! Be sure to RSVP by the 28th dogs are wont to do, they’re all working it out. of November! From Mike and me: Merry Christmas and Chance is teaching Otis to play and Brinkley is Happy New Year! Hope to see YOU soon at a teaching him how to beg and get on the beds! Then, in January, some of usual events like Give Plains & Peaks Mensa event!! Having four large dogs now leaves no room in In to Beer Pressure, Trivia Night, Mix & Mingle the kitchen during feeding time and when they and Kimball’s. We’re also having a Scrabble all want to go outside at the same time, it’s like a afternoon in January and our Main Monthly Marx Brothers skit – three or four dogs jammed Meeting is a guest speaker – Mike! He’ll be ~Sandy together in the doorway! Never a dull moment! talking about hobby beekeeping and we’ll even If you’re on Facebook, there’s lots of photos have some local honey to sample. posted of the dogs; just search for Sandra Lynn In This Issue Halby. Sean’s got something special planned in January for the Gifted Children’s program – so if you And, if you are a Facebook-er, Plains & Peaks have kids (and they don’t have to be in Mensa), What’s Up In Our Region...... 2 Mensa has our own Facebook page. It’s a closed use this January meeting to join in the fun and group, so you have to ask to join and the post- education programs Sean’s established. Some of Welcome & Farewell...... 2 ing are not available to the public. If you join the events sound so good, I might join in – even the group, you can participate in the Friday Five though I don’t have kids!! Plains and Peaks Officers…...... 2 questions, post photos and event, and get to know some of your fellow Plains & Peaks The January Ultimate Saturday Supper is a mys- Mensa members! tery … a mystery dinner, that is! Al is gathering 2011 Holiday Party...... 3 reservations for the Antler’s Hotel Mystery Din- Connor, our treasurer, says our treasury is quite ner – so if you want to join in the fun, be sure to Cryptogram...... 3 flush right now, so some of us have been kick- RSVP to Al by the 15th of December. This dining around some ideas for use of our money. ner is one of the most popular in Colorado Several members have mentioned that some Springs and seats fill up fast! Birthdays...... 3 money should be used for Sean’s Gifted Chil- dren’s program for kits, entrance fees to events, As always, if you have an idea or topic for a Mensan In Motion...... 4 etc. Also suggested is that we write into our by- Mensa meeting, or know that interesting some- laws a reimbursement of $50 to any “private” one who might speak to our group, let me host (at a Mensa function) if that person hosts know. We can set it up! MERF Scholarship Contest...... 5 in their home and supplies snacks and drinks (or have food/drinks served in a meeting room, etc Don’t forget to check out our web-site at Gifted Children’s Program...... 5 – but not restaurant dinners). Another sugges- www.plainsandpeaksmensa.org – it’s an award- tion was that our group could pay entrance fees winner – thanks to Windy Haddad, our webmis- Anniversaries...... 5 to Mensa events with a cap of $20 per Mensa tress! Thanks, Windy, for such a great site! member per event. One person (the host or planner) could pay all entry/ticket fees for the And big, huge thanks to Betsy Ogan (our news- Holiday Party Invitation...... 6 Mensa members and then get reimbursed. We letter Editor) and Connor Baker (Treasurer), can also use some of our funds for an annual Jennifer Browning (Membership), Al Ackerson Have a Blast at Mind Games...... 7 scholarship in conjunction with the MERF Es- (Past President), and Sean McCormick( GC say Scholarship Contest, as some other Mensa Coordinator) who all work to keep Plains & local group do. Anyway, I’d like to discuss these Peaks Mensa vital and active. And, more Plains & Peaks Patter...... 7 options at the January ExComm meeting – so if “Thanks, guys” to some of our more active you have ideas or suggestions, please join us in members: Dave, Jen, Jenny, Susan, Susan, December/January Events...... 8 January at the ExComm Lunch at the Olive Nancy, Larry, Matt, Art, Vera, Bill, Steven, Branch. Mark, Jan, Sean, Michael, Ed, Stephen, Robin, December/January Calendar...... 9 Page 2 PlainsPeaking What’s Up In Our Region Welcome & Farewell WELCOME: Marykatherine, Moran and Scott Darling, both new Mensans. Welcome to Mensa!

WELCOME BACK: Peggy Pannke-Smith Clara Heffernan and Louis A Acosta, who are rejoining Mensa and are now part of our group. Regional Vice Chair FAREWELL: Heartland Region 7 Jimmie Myers and Christine Peterson, who are both leaving our group for other Colorado groups.

AMC Quarterly Meeting in Las Vegas You are welcome to attend the December 3, 2011 Quarterly AMC meet- Plains and Peaks Mensa Officers ing at the Tropicana Hotel, 3801 Las Vegas South, Las Vegas NV 89109. Details: [email protected] Sandy Halby (LocSec/President) Life Members dues on are on the Agenda, so if you’ve been thinking of 6066 Del Rey Dr, COS 80918 giving yourself a very nice holiday present (and most likely saving yourself 719-528-5483 a bundle!) now’s the time to buy your Lifetime Mensa membership! Life [email protected] member dues are based on your current age. Call the Mensa office for complete details at (817) 607-0060 or (800) 66-MENSA. Jennifer Browning (2nd Vice Pres. for Membership) Holiday Happiness 2034 Devon St, COS 80909 Another eventful year closes and I’m sending you best wishes for a 719-591-0189 healthy, happy and interesting 2012. Warmest greetings to you and your [email protected] family from me and everyone in Mensa. Connor Baker (Treasurer) Surprising Statistics! PO Box 514 The average age of NEW Mensa members is 31. The average age of ALL Florissant, CO 80816 Mensa members nationwide is 51, but 85% of our Region 7’s new mem- (719) 646-2660 bers are under the age of 50. Region 7 is proud to have 199 officers. [email protected] SAVING MONEY: 26.6% of Mensa members are saving on dues by having the 3- or 5-year payment plans while an ever-increasing number (now 11.9%) are LIFE MEMBERS (no dues for the rest of our lives.) Sean McCormick (Gifted Children’s Coordinator) Want more fun statistics? Go the Mensa website (us.mensa.org) and 4220 Ruby Dr search for “dashboards”. You’ll find up-to-the-minute statistics on test- Colorado Springs, CO 80918-5058 ing, members, finances and much more! Cool site for all members to (719) 651-6706 check. [email protected]

Welcome New Officers! Betsy Ogan (PlainsPeaking Editor) GARY KIRKPATRICK, Web Contact, Missouri Ozark Mensa 1061 Hummingbird Ct, COS 80921 HAROLD GAINES, Ombudsman, Kansas Sunflower Mensa 719-481-1199 [email protected]

Windy Haddad (Webmaster) I’d love to hear from you! 1465 Stella Dr. COS 80921 719-201-4743 [email protected] Contact me at [email protected]. Al Ackerson (Past President) 3627 Hayman Court, COS 80910 Please send your announcements and photos 719-635-4910 of Region 7 happenings to [email protected] [email protected] http://www.region7.us.mensa.org/ Volume 28, Issue 11 Page 3 Announcing Our 2011 Plains & Peaks Mensa Holiday Party Don’t miss our legendary Plains & Peaks Holiday Party!! Mark your person with number 1 has. If person number 2 chooses to take the gift calendars now: Saturday, December 3rd!! from person number 1, then person number 1 gets to choose another gift and open it. Then the person who holds number 3 will choose a gift or We’ll be getting together on Saturday, the 3rd of December, to celebrate exchange that gift with person 1 or 2. Again, if person number 3 chooses the holiday season, our friendships and our unique Mensa camaraderie. to take one of the opened gifts, the person whose gift was taken can Our annual gala, featuring dinner, door prizes, White Elephant Gift Ex- choose and open another present. This progresses until the last person change, and a generally all-around GREAT time will be at the historic has the final choice among all the opened gifts or the last gift on the table. Stagecoach Inn in Manitou Springs. We’ll be meeting for cocktails (pay-as- Then, as the final White Elephant exchange, the poor person who got you-go) at 5:00 pm, with dinner at 6:30 pm. See the flyer in this newsletter number 1 gets to either keep his/her gift or take one of the gifts eligible for other details about the event! for grabbing. (A gift can only be exchanged three times. After that, the person who has it is stuck with it!) Be sure to wear something appropriate to the season. Reindeer antlers and Rudolph noses are very acceptable; socks that play Christmas Carols may Participating in the White Elephant Gift Exchange at the Plains & Peaks even be better!! The punishment if you are not appropriately attired: you’ll Mensa Holiday Party is entirely optional. But, keep in mind, it’s a lot of be required to sing a Christmas Carol a cappella. fun – and you never know what you’ll end up with – you might even like what you got! Some of the past years gifts have included: a stuffed toy We’ll also be doing a White Elephant Gift Exchange. For those of you not chicken, an indoor waterfall machine-thing, bottles of wine, puzzles, familiar with the White Elephant Gift Exchange (which is GREAT FUN), books, CDs and videos, and lots of other neat (and not so neat!) things! read on for the details! It’s all in the spirit of the holiday – so join in!!

WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT EXCHANGE Remember that tacky “gift” you got last year at your office party gift exchange? What about the unidentifiable and utterly artless “sculpture” your cousin presented you with on your anniversary? Here’s your chance to get Birthdays rid of an unwanted, or White Elephant, item. Jennie-Jo White December 2 A White Elephant Gift Exchange works like this. Find something you Brian Payne December 3 don’t want any more (valued between $15 and $25 and in working condi- David Cunningham December 5 tion). Wrap it up nicely in holiday paper. Bring it to the Plains & Peaks Norma H Hollister December 6 Mensa Holiday Party on December 3rd at the Stagecoach Inn (in Manitou Kevin M Powers December 7 Springs) and stack it with all the other gifts. Jack William Israel December 13 T Roderick Dew December 16 Everyone bringing a gift will draw a number. Whoever picks number 1 will Roberta C Ackerson December 19 be allowed to select one gift from the pile and open that gift. The person Mary Catherine Curtis December 23 who has number 2 can chooses a gift from the pile or take the gift the Robert Hirbernik December 25 Carol Christie Peterson December 26 Susan Creager December 27 Christine Peterson December 27 M Shane Hall December 28 Wetzel B Howard December 30 Cryptogram Patrick Cook-Hanalei Spencer II January 1 Christopher J Sarton January 2 Elizabeth A Steinweg January 2 Windy Haddad January 3 "TDY MYXTHRAFTD F CBSY OBZY, Boyd Rodman January 9 A Stephen Herzog January 10 Stephen Edwin Pease January 17 BDZ AMK BHGBKX AT IYYL, FX Jennifer R Owens January 27 Robert Dillon January 29

ACFX: AT MFXY BETSY ACY NOTE: If you don’t see your birthday posted here, it’s probably because that information (and perhaps more) is marked “non-releasable” on our rosters. If you’d like to check on your personal information release HFAAHY ACFDPX." status, please contact American Mensa (1-800-66-MENSA) or go to www.us.mensa.org and under Member resources, select the PDQ section. ~NTCD ERMMTRPCX Page 4 PlainsPeaking Mensan in Motion By Susan Joy Paul Chris McGranahan Reaches New Heights on Colorado’s Biggest Peaks Climbing to the tops of the highest mountains in the Colorado Rockies is Chris has many more no small feat. There are miles of trails with thousands of feet of elevation 14,000-foot peaks to look gain on steep, rugged terrain. The air is thin, and cold temperatures, pow- forward to, like Capitol erful winds, rock fall, avalanches, and lightning all add up to a challenging Peak in the Elk Mountain and potentially dangerous hike or climb. Range outside Aspen, and Mount Sneffels in the San Often times there is no trail at all, and good route-finding skills are critical Juans near Ouray. About to reach the summit and find your way back down safely. Yet each year these, he says, “I’ve gotten hundreds of thousands of mountaineers from across the country flock to much better with exposure the high peaks of Colorado in hopes of summiting all 58 of the states over the years and want to “14ers” – peaks over 14,000 feet high – and the “Centennials,” Colorado’s see the Knife Edge (on one hundred highest mountains. Capitol) up close. Sneffels is so beautiful from Mon- Chris and the boys in Holy Cross Wilderness Chris McGranahan began his trose and the Dallas Di- own quest to complete “The vide. I hope to climb it Lists” in May 2002 with a from the Blue Lakes area.” successful summit of 14,115’ Pikes Peak. Chris, a member There are a few that Chris is dreading, as well. “I’m least looking forward of the Hearts of Illinois to Little Bear Peak, because it isn’t that prominent but is rather dangerous chapter of American Mensa with either the hourglass or traverse from South Little Bear both being since the late 1990s, joined unpleasant.” There’s good reason to fear Little Bear Peak, a mountain Colorado’s Plains and Peaks known for accidents, many of them fatal. With all the potential dangers, chapter in 2004 when he why do mountaineers like Chris continue to climb? relocated to Colorado to take a job as a traffic engineer at “Climbing mountains makes me feel alive and standing alone or with a Climbing Mt. Ouray from Marshall Pass LSC Transportation Consult- close friend on a summit is as good as it gets. I often tell my wife, Julie, ants in Colorado Springs. that the mountain tops and ridges are my chapel.”

Even though he had been active in organized sports in his youth – playing So what’s next for this Mensan in Motion? “I’m hoping to attempt Rain- varsity basketball at Division III Washington University for two years – ier with my friend Jake this summer.” Mount Rainier is the highest point Chris admits that, back then, “It took everything I had to summit Pikes in Washington State; covered in glaciers and fraught with deep crevasses Peak because I was out of shape and a flatlander.” and icy seracs, it’s one of the toughest state highpoints in the country. He’s also hoping to pass on his passion for the peaks to his children, But Chris is used to physical challenges. “During my senior year in college Logan, 2, and Ian, 5. “I’ll probably introduce my kids to the big peaks in I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and thought my life was over – I the next few years – hopefully one of my sons gets the bug like Dad.” remember it being quite devastating. I spent the next six years generally feeling sorry for myself before I finally got off my butt and started hik- Despite the challenges, the draw of Colorado’s 14ers and Centennials is ing.” indisputable, and Chris shares a common sentiment with many avid mountaineers in our state, “I can’t imagine living in Colorado and not Crohn’s Disease is a condition believed to be caused by a genetic mutation climbing mountains.” leading to a deficiency in the immune system. It can manifest itself in a number of painful and debilitating ways, and there is no known cure. But six years after his diagnosis, Chris started hiking and tagged his first summit on 8,749’ Guadalupe Peak, the highpoint of Texas. His friend Jake Morris had talked him into the backpacking trip in Guadalupe Moun- tain National Park. Soon after that, he learned about Colorado’s 14ers when he stumbled upon Gerry Roach’s guide book “Colorado Fourteen- ers: From Hikes to Climbs” at an REI store in St. Louis. “It looked like an interesting read,” he says.

Since then, Chris has climbed to the tops of 49 of Colorado’s 100 highest peaks, including 34 over 14,000 feet. He’s also summited more than 80 Colorado “13ers,” and peaks in Wyoming’s Wind River Range, and in The family on Mt. Rosa other states as well. Chris says that his hardest 14er so far - from a techni- cal standpoint - was his last one, Crestone Needle in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. There have been more physically demanding ones, though, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ like the Halo Ridge Loop on Mount of the Holy Cross, Longs Peak, Are you a Mensan In Motion? I'd love to talk to you! If you're active and Crestone Peak, and the Harvard and Columbia combo. want to share your secret for keeping that mind-body health thing in balance, let me know and I'll help tell your story! Email me at susanjoy- [email protected] to set up an interview. Volume 28, Issue 11 Page 5 MERF College Scholarship Essay Contest “The Mensa Education & Research Foundation college scholarship pro- than 550 words explaining their academic and/or vocational goals. (Please gram is unique in that its awards are based totally on essays written by the note: The deadline for entries is January 15, 2012.) applicants. There is no requirement for applicants to be Mensa members nor is consideration given to grades, academic program, or financial So, if you’re in a degree program or about to enter one, check out the need.” (From the MERF Web page at http://merf.us.mensa.org) MERF Essay Contest. There will be at least one prize of approximately $300 given out for our local area, along with the potential of winning up to What could be simpler than writing an essay describing your goals and $1000 at the national level. And remember, you don’t have to be in Mensa filling out a very simple application? And the applicant requirements to participate, so if you have a friend or relative who would qualify, direct couldn’t be simpler, either: The applicant must be a citizen or permanent them to the MERF web-site for the complete rules and application resident of the US who resides in a participating local group's area; the (www.mensafoundation.org and select Scholarships ) , or have them con- applicant must be enrolled in a degree program in an accredited institution tact our Local MERF Chairman Matt Kennedy at [email protected]. of higher learning during the academic year following the application date; and lastly, the applicant must submit an application and essay of not more Gifted Children’s Program by Sean McCormick Happy Holidays to all, and wishes for an unforgettable 2012. For more information about the Plains & Peaks Mensa Gifted Children Program or gifted youth in general, or to join the mailing list, you can Plains and Peaks Mensa Gifted Youth Program received an early Christ- contact Sean McCormick, the Gifted Children Coordinator, at mas gift this year, and it is time to share the joy. In case you didn’t know, [email protected] ThinkGeek (www.thinkgeek.com) is the best. If you have ever browsed or on my cell phone at (719) 651-6706. their catalog, you know they have the coolest stuff. They even give dis- counts to Mensa members (check the Mensa website, under “benefits” for details). Earlier this year, ThinkGeek moved their headquarters. When they moved, they developed a problem. This must be close to a perfect world, because their solution to their problem was to send boxes of stuff to people, for free. Full back-story is on ThinkGeeks blog, on their website (post dated March 31) . Obviously, I signed us right up (of COURSE I was thinking of you children!). I was hopeful, but the hope faded over time. The word after not even a month was that the program was VERY popular, with thousands signing up. I stayed patient, but mostly through forgetfulness.

On November 9, that patience paid off. ThinkGeek officially rocks. I pulled up to the house that day to see two identical boxes on the front porch. When I looked more closely, and saw the shipping labels, I realized what I had received. Essentially, Plains and Peaks Mensa Gifted Children Program has adopted two new mascots, Max and Min! Their original pedi- gree was Rovio, but they were returned/defective merchandise, so where they will end up remains to be seen. I can not wait to get us going on either refurbishing these mascots, or making creative use of the leftover parts. If they can be made to work properly, maybe they can stream our Membership Anniversaries monthly meetings to those members who can not come along with us! I can just picture these guys roaming some of our more interesting out- DECEMBER JANUARY doors! Cheryl Ann Spencer Roberta C Ackerson Connor Baker Bill Bannister Therefore, an “adoption party” will be held at the Rockrimmon library, on Daniel Tapio Brigitte M Walker Saturday, January 14, from noon until 2PM. Our celebration will unfortu- Dixie Power Casero Clara Heffernan nately not include cake or ice cream (I don’t bake), but bring your tools (or Gary Alan Mohr MD David Cunningham use ours), and mechanical ability (or creativity, either one works). We will Gary Zachman David T Hightower get introduced to Max and Min, get to know them a little bit (meaning we Jack William Israel Douglas Lamborn will test their current condition), and get to work making the most of them Julie Armstrong Dr William J Riley that we can. I plan to take lots of pictures, so please let me know in ad- Mary Catherine Curtis Edward C Herlik vance if publishing pictures of you in the Plains and Peaks newsletter, on Mike Dulaney Edward Kaplan Facebook, and on a blog would be a problem. Preston James Wallace Jr Joseph W Davidson III R Scott Schofield Monica L Klodnicki We hope to see you at this or any future GCP events. Remember, whether Stephanie Doris Morris C Bealmer you are a member under 18, or you are a member and have children under William Terence O'Connell Rita J Prangle 18, the Plains and Peaks Gifted Children Program is yours! At some Roger Weitzel events, attendees are even encouraged to bring a non-member guest or Sandy Lynn Halby two. Steven L Neidens Page 6 PlainsPeaking

PLAINS & PEAKS MENSA HOLIDAY PARTY

Saturday, December 3rd At the historic Stagecoach Inn, 702 Manitou Avenue

Join us for our annual Plains & Peaks Mensa Holiday Party!

Party favors, White Elephant gift exchange, door prizes And lots of good conversations … What a night we’ll have!

Cocktails at 5:00 pm

Dinner at 6:30 pm

Reservations are required for this event!

Please choose from the following dinners when you RSVP:

8 Ounce USDA Choice Sirloin Cedar Plank Salmon Vegetarian Ravioli

All dinners will start with a house salad with Balsamic vinaigrette and fresh biscuits and will be accompanied by vegetables and Chef’s choice of starch.

$28.50 total for dinner, coffee, tea or soda (price includes tax and tip)

RSVP by November 28 to Sandy phone 528-5483 or e-mail [email protected] Volume 28, Issue 11 Page 7

Have a Blast at Mind Games® by Jared Levine and Jess Byron, Mind Games co-chairs Thinking about attending Mind Games®? You’ve heard about it, thought For 2012, we are holding Mind Games in Herndon, VA at the Hyatt Dul- about it, maybe even checked out the website, but what is it really? Here’s les, a short hotel shuttle ride from Dulles Airport. Registration includes what you should know before you go. round-the-clock hospitality and all the games you can play. All meals from dinner on Friday through breakfast on Sunday will be provided, including Mind Games is a weekend-long event that has up to 300 people playing two buffet dinners provided by the hotel. games that have been on the market for no more than one year, testing them out, providing manufacturers valuable feedback, and selecting the The official start time where announcements happen is at 4pm on Friday, Top 5. Every year, Mensa solicits new games of all types (except video but, if you're trying to decide whether to come early or late, err on the games) from the various game manufacturers, from big names to small early side. Registration will start around 9am, the games are fluffed independent outfits. There are approximately 60 distinct titles in any typi- (prepared) starting around 10am or so; once we’ve completely finished cal year, and we get to test them all out. Sometimes we're among the first that process anyone who has already arrived is usually welcome to start to ever even see the finished version of a game. playing. We're also looking into hosting some early gaming (not using the Mind Games entries) the night before. To find out additional important When you get your registration packet, you are handed the list of games. information, keep up with the happenings, and ask questions, find us on Everyone gets the same list, randomized order-wise, so that the first 30 Facebook (search Mind Games 2012). To register for Mind Games, go to games listed for each person are different. These are your “assigned” mindgames.us.mensa.org. To make your hotel reservations, go to https:// games for the weekend – the only games from which you are permitted to resweb.passkey.com/go/MensaMindGames2012. vote for the Top 5, which receive the Mensa Select® seal. Throughout the weekend, you are expected to play those 30 games; while you can play the We'll see you in Herndon on April 20 when Mind Games 2012 officially rest of the games with your extra time, you don’t have to. begins!

As you play, you try to find the main features of the games. You can pro- vide feedback to the manufacturers on all sorts of items. Some games will Plains & Peaks Patter be quick to understand and play, while others take longer. There’s the occasional dud in the mix, but you’ll play many great games over the week- If you have an announcement or news item, please forward it to end, some of which you’ll be so excited about that you decide to play again PlainsPeaking Editor Betsy Ogan ([email protected]) for inclusion in despite having many other games to play. These are some of the best mo- PlainsPeaking! And, don’t forget, you can advertise your business in ments in Mind Games — enjoy them. PlainsPeaking. The current rates are: business card size $6, quarter page $10, half page $25 and full page $50. At the end of the fun, frenzied weekend of play, we announce the Top 5 winners and then hold a games give-away. All of the games played Plains & Peaks Member to Release First Book in Spring 2012! throughout the weekend are repackaged, the names of the Mensans in Plains and Peaks Mensan Susan Joy Paul will release her first book, attendance are randomized, and, in order, we get to select which game we “Touring Colorado Hot Springs, 2nd edition” in the Spring of 2012. The want to take home with us – a nice perk of the weekend. If there are any guide book, to be published by Globe Pequot Press and FalconGuides, games left over when we hit the bottom of the list, we work our way back provides detailed descriptions along with photos and personal accounts of up the list until all the games are gone. her travels to many of the state’s commercial and natural hot springs.

Susan has been writing professionally since 1991, penning hundreds of commercial scripts for broadcast and cable television, as well as marketing and sales collateral for high- tech Fortune 500 companies. She was a contributor to Hiking Colorado’s Roadless Trails (Mountaineers Books, August 2007), and lead story writer for the Pikes Pique section of the Colorado Mountain Club.

You are welcome to attend a free slideshow presentation and book signing, sponsored by the Colorado Mountain Club, on Tuesday July 17, 2012, at 7:30 PM at the All Soul’s Unitarian Church at 730 North Tejon Street, Colorado Springs.

Susan is currently working on her second book for FalconGuides, title TBD, to be released in the Spring of 2013.

Join Plains & Peaks Mensa on Facebook! See photos of recent activities and meetings, participate in the “Friday Five” questions, and get to know some of your fellow Mensans via this Susan Joy Paul popular social site! It’s a “closed” group so you have to ask to join. Search FB for “Plains & Peaks Mensa.”

Restaurant Reviews! Check out some local (and not so local) restaurants reviews by Sandy at her blog: www.sandynewf.blogspot.com Some recent dining reviews include Nosh, Bang! (in Denver), Texas T-Bone, Schnitzel Fritz and Spice Island Grill. Page 8 PlainsPeaking

this date, but watch your e-mail for the location! Wherever we go, you December/January Events can bet there will be good eats, good prices, and plenty of TVs to look at and control boxes to play with. Look for a Mensa “M” flag at a table in Friday, December 2nd, 5:00 pm: Give In to Beer Pressure! Join us for the bar and join us for a fast paced Trivia round! the December “Give In to Beer Pressure,” at Old Chicago's, 4110 North Academy Blvd (Academy Blvd & Austin Bluffs). We’ll hoist a few, com- Friday, January 20th, 6:00 pm: Main Monthly Meeting: Pikes Peak miserate about our tough week at work and generally have a good time! Beekeepers! Fellow Mensan Mike Halby, local bee club Secretary and Note – we’ll be visiting different establishments each month for this event hobby beekeeper, will be speaking to us about keeping bees – from – so if you’ve heard of a good brew-pub or happy hour bar in the local “installing” bees in a hive to harvesting the honey to the recent colony area, please let Vera know. Vera can be reached at 864-430-0126 or collapse disorder that was in the news! We’ll be meeting at Sandy’s house. [email protected]. Snacks, sodas, wine and beer will be provided. Bring your own drinks or if you want something else. Adults only, please. Allergy alert – cats and Saturday, December 3rd, 5:00 pm: Plains & Peaks Mensa Holiday dogs. Sandy lives at 6066 Del Rey Drive (near Flintridge and Dublin) in Gala Party! We’re all meeting up at the Stagecoach Inn in Manitou Springs Colorado Springs. For directions, call 528-5483 or email mand- for our biggest event of the year – our Holiday Gala Party. Door prizes, [email protected]. White Elephant Gift Exchange, dinner – and lots of good cheer with our fellow Mensans! Look for more information in this newsletter. Saturday, January 21st, 5:00 pm: Mensa Mix and Mingle! Married, single, Gen-X, new member, long time member, Hell’s M, shy, outgoing, Thursday, December 15th: 8:00 pm: RSVP for January’s Ultimate whatever – you’re all invited to join Sandy for a no-host Mix & Mingle Saturday Supper. One of the more popular dinner options in Colorado party at Springs Orleans. Come out and meet some fellow Mensans - if Springs is the Dinner Detective Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Show you’ve not been to a Mensa event, this is the one you need to attend to at the Antlers Hotel. We’ll be going there on January 28th for Ultimate break the ice! Guests are welcome, so if you’d like to bring a friend or Saturday Supper. Please RSVP to Al Ackerson at [email protected] or spouse with you, please do so! Enjoy some drinks and perhaps a nosh call 719-635-4910. Note: Even at this point, halfway through November, from bar menu. Springs Orleans is at 123 East Pikes Peak. there are only 43 tickets left for the 28 January 2012 show, so call Al and stake your claim to a seat! Sunday, January 22nd, 4:30 pm: Kimball’s Peak Three Movie! Join some of your fellow Mensans at Kimball’s, which is a downtown (Pikes Friday, January 6th, 5:00 pm: Give In to Beer Pressure! Join us for the Peak and Tejon) first run movie theater showing “the very best of current January “Give In to Beer Pressure,” at Bristol Brewing, 1647 South Tejon independent and foreign films.” We meet at 4:30, have a drink in Kim- (next to the Blue Star). This may be the last GITBP at this location, as ball’s full service bar, select a movie to attend together, and then after- Bristol Brewing is moving into new digs shortly. We’ll hoist a few, com- wards, have another drink and/or dinner and discuss the movie. We’ll be miserate about our tough week at work and generally have a good time! taking a chance on what Kimball’s is showing on this date - but you never Note – we’ll be visiting different establishments each month for this event know! Could be the best movie you’ve ever seen!! – so if you’ve heard of a good brew-pub or happy hour bar in the local area, please let Vera know. Vera can be reached at 864-430-0126 or Saturday, January 28th, 6:15 pm: Ultimate Saturday Supper: Murder [email protected]. Mystery Dinner at the Antlers.. One of the more popular but expen- sive dinner options in Colorado Springs is the Dinner Detective Interac- Sunday, January 8th, 12:30 pm: ExComm Meeting and Lunch at the tive Murder Mystery Dinner Show. Solve a hilarious murder case and win Olive Branch. Let’s visit one of Colorado Springs’ premier family restau- a prize! Staged a the Antler's Hilton, the $58 price includes the murder rants – the Olive Branch (at 23 South Tejon)! The Olive Branch, located in mystery dinner show, a four-course plated dinner, entertainment after the a downtown historic building with natural brick walls, high ceilings and an show, and the gratuity. Dinner entrees include flat-iron steak (not cooked abundance of plants, has been a Colorado Springs tradition for 32+ years. to order) served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables; chicken Join us for a short ExComm Meeting and then lunch. For a peek at the marsala served with rice pilaf and seasonal vegetables; potato gnoc- menu, visit www.theolivebranchrest.com. chi sautéed with seasonal vegetables; and a kid's mean of chicken tenders & fries. Even at this point, halfway through November, there are only 43 Saturday, January 14th, 12:00 noon: GC Adoption Party! Plains & tickets left for the 28 January 2012 show, so call Al by 15 December and Peaks Mensa Gifted Youth Program has a pair of new mascots. Come stake your claim to a s e a t ! meet them at the Rockrimmon Library on Saturday, January 14th! Our celebration will unfortunately not include cake or ice cream (I don’t bake), Advance Notice: Friday, February 3rd, 5:00 pm: Give In to Beer but bring your tools (or use ours), and mechanical ability (or creativity, Pressure! Join us for the February “Give In to Beer Pressure,” at Judge either one works). We will get introduced to Max and Min, get to know Baldwin’s, 4, South Cascade (in the Antlers Hotel). We’ll hoist a few, them a little bit (meaning we will test their current condition), and get to commiserate about our tough week at work and generally have a good work making the most of them that we can. Sean plans to take lots of pic- time! Note – we’ll be visiting different establishments each month for this tures, so please let Sean know in advance if publishing pictures of partici- event – so if you’ve heard of a good brew-pub or happy hour bar in the pants in the Plains and Peaks newsletter, on Facebook, and on a blog local area, please let Vera know. Vera can be reached at 864-430-0126 or would be a problem. You can contact Sean at 719-651-6706 or at [email protected]. [email protected] Advance Notice: Tuesday, February 7th, 6:30pm: ExComm Meeting Sunday, January 15th, 1:00 pm: Scrabble®! Meet at Sandy’s house, 6066 and Dinner at the California Pizza Kitchen. Please join us for a short Del Rey Drive (near Flintridge and Dublin, call 528-5483 or email mand- ExComm meeting and dinner at the California Pizza Kitchen, located in [email protected] for directions) for an afternoon of just-for-fun Scrab- The Promenade Shops at Briargate, 1645 Briargate Parkway. The Califor- ble®. Sodas, wine and snacks provided. Adults only, please! Allergy alert nia Pizza Kitchen features unique pizzas, small plates, pastas and salads; – cats and dogs! see their menu at www.cpk.com/menu.

Tuesday, January 17th, 6:00 pm: Trivia Night! We’re playing NTN Buzztime Trivia – but we don’t know where yet! Mark your calendars for Volume 28, Issue 11 Page 9 December 2011 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 Give In To Beer Pres- Holiday Gala sure @ Stagecoach Inn @ Old Chicago’s 5:00 PM 5:00 PM

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 RSVP for USS 8:00 PM

18 19 20 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

JANUARY 2012 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Give In To Beer Pressure @ Bristol Brewing 5:00 PM

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 ExComm Mtg. GC Adoption Party @ Lunch @ Noon Olive Branch Rockrimmon 12:30 PM Library

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Scrabble® Trivia Night MMM Mensa Mix @ Sandy’s 6:00 PM Pikes Peak And Mingle 1:00 PM Beekeepers @ Springs Orleans @ Sandy’s 5:00 PM 6:00 PM

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Kimball’s Peak USS: Murder Three Movie Mystery Dinner 4:30 PM @ the Antlers 6:15 PM

29 30 31 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED TO: PlainsPeaking AMERICAN MENSA, LTD. 1229 CORPORATE DRIVE WEST ARLINGTON, TX 76006-6103

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