SIR HAPPENINGSMAY 2007 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 2 A Nonprofi t Public Benefi t Organization for Retired Men Devoted to the Promotion of Independence and Dignity of Retirement President Tom’s Column Fruitridge Branch 93, Sacramento Let me tell you a couple things that have happened Use What You Do Best during the fi rst quarter of 2007. The State Board has reduced the pro-rata amount that Branches pay to the to Bring in New Members State Organization of SIR, starting with the second Bob Bone, Branch 93 Member quarter of this year. Upon the recommendation of our Golf is the life-blood of Branch 93 and 150 of State Treasurer, Bob Mannell from San Jose, the Board our 190 members belong to our NCGA golf club… reduced the pro-rata from $1.15 per active member that’s about 80% of our membership. Although we to $1. That is signifi cant, especially for Branches with have a variety of activities, memberships in excess of 100 members. we use our golf program as Although it was unfortunate that the original 50th our main recruiting tool. Anniversary Cruise to Hawaii aboard a Celebrity Cruise We are fortunate to Line ship was cancelled, it was our fault, because we did have a very active golf not generate the minimum 1,000 fee paid participants committee that takes by the extended deadline of December 31, 2006. The care of all the operational new 50th Anniversary Cruise with Norwegian Cruise details, allowing members Lines, aboard the Pride of America, promises to be a to just show up and play. great trip. Passports will not be required, because this is We schedule an event at an American registered ship and it will not be going to a least 35 weeks a year, at some of the best courses foreign port merely to satisfy the foreign registered ship in the Sacramento area, often at reduced rates. The requirements. club conducts a club championship and stages Participants will be picked up at centralized points several team events each season. Branch 93 also by bus and transported to Sacramento, Oakland, San arranges or participates in a number of other Francisco and San Jose on Thursday, April 3, 2008. They events such as over-nighters to Nevada, Area 3 will fl y to Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii where buses will meet events and of course, State golf tournaments. and transport them to the Marriott Resort Beach Hotel. To take advantage of our strong golf program On Friday April 4th, there will be a SIR 50th Anniversary to bring in new members, we recently designed a Gala Hawaiian Luau. On Saturday April 5th, buses will tri-fold brochure – based on a Branch 102 model -- called, “SIR Branch 93 Golf Program.” The tri- transport participants to the Pride of America and their fold contains information such as: our mission cruise and port stops in the Hawaiian Islands will begin. statement, a description of our golf program, a After touring the Islands, the ship will cruise to San brief description of the SIR organization, where Francisco arriving the morning of Tuesday, April 15th. we meet and even an application to join SIR. In Buses will transport participants back to the centralized March, we decided to place the brochure at all the points where they were picked up. golf courses where we play. While it is too early As a bonus for those who paid the initial fees for the to determine its effectiveness, we have already Celebrity Cruise, you will be treated to an extra night in picked up three new members. We would be Honolulu and you will depart on Wednesday, April 2, happy to send a copy of the brochure to any Sir 2008. This cruise is guaranteed, so I hope you are able to that would like to see it and copies are available take advantage of this event. If you need further details, on the Branch website, www.sir93.org, then click please contact your Branch Travel Chairman. on Membership, or request it from Len Hom at Tom [email protected]. Christmas Parties in the News San Francisco Branch 4 Monterey Peninsula Branch 28 George Rodriguez, Bulletin Editor Bill Meyer, Past Big Sir San Francisco Branch 4 held its annual Christmas Monterey Branch 28 held its annual Christmas party Luncheon at the Elks Lodge in South San Francisco. The at the Elks Lodge in beautiful Monterey in a spacious Social Hour was followed by a luncheon at noon. After room with an excellent view of Monterey Bay. About 110 lunch, we were royally entertained by the “Heart and Soul” members, relatives, spouses and guests attended the party choir, under the direction of Mr. Adam Albrecht and they that included lunch, the singing of Christmas Carols, and performed pieces from their recent Holiday Concert. The visits from Santa Claus and his Elves. It also included a two- choir has performed at the White House, Carnegie Hall, piece band, “goodies” for all the guests, special gifts for the in Dallas Texas, and sung the National Anthem at the San women, and an outstanding buffet lunch. Francisco Giants and the Oakland A’s games, to name just Joining in the fun from left to right are newly elected Big a few venues. After their performance, they led us all in a Sir Bill Webb and Little Sir Bob Wood. spirited sing-along of Christmas carols. We were fortunate to have Past SIR President Dwight Sale and his wife Laura, join us for our luncheon. Dwight also conducted the installation of the new Offi cers and Directors. All the ladies received a box of See’s candies and we also gave away some wine and Poinsettias. It was a wonderful luncheon and a great way to start the holidays. Mid-Peninsula Branch 51, Los Altos Hills Lee Parlett, Past Big Sir Peralta Branch 12, San Pablo We held our annual Christmas party at the Fremont Hills George Moore, Past Big Sir Country Club in Los Altos with a total attendance of 130 including members, ladies, and guests… a wonderful meal This year Branch 12 held its annual Christmas party at of salmon, prime rib or vegetarian was enjoyed by all. the Richmond Country Club and 43 people attended the As shown in the picture, we were entertained by a nice affair. wonderful choral group, the “Main Street Singers” from Los Some unusual entertainment was provided by Outgoing Altos High School. This group has achieved an international Big Sir George Moore. Linda reputation and they demonstrated their outstanding Moore, who collects and abilities in their performance for us. plays bells, added to the The party was enjoyed by all with the great food, fun during her performance wonderful entertainment, and camaraderie. when she selected some men from the audience to come up and play the bells… these fellows are now known as Ding-A-Lings around the Branch. Some of Linda’s bells are over 100 years old and she is shown in the picture with the bells she brought to the party. Dwight Sale, Past SIR President, inducted the new offi cers and directors. 2 Christmas Parties in the News Indian Valley Branch 68, San Rafael San Ramon Valley Branch 128 Bill Gelardi, Assistant Bulletin Editor Bill Olmo, Past Big Sir PBS Ted Cohen and his committee put together San Ramon Valley Branch 128 held its annual a festive party at the San Rafael Four Points Sheridan Holiday Party at the Diablo Country Club. The affair Hotel. The 104 attending – the largest group ever is a formal or semi-formal dinner dance and was – enjoyed the good food, music, and dancing. There under the sponsorship of Fred Dorsch. Chairman were also fi ve lucky winners of some nice door prizes Bob Denison arranged for the “3 O’Clock Jump” and each lady took home a beautiful Poinsettia plant. Band, consisting of fourteen pieces and two singers. After Big Sir, John Boccabella, turned his reign The three course dinner featured a choice of Filet over to the new Big Sir Russ Dreosch, PBS Bill Favilla Mignon, Atlantic Salmon, or Vegetarian Wellington. (shown in the picture) swore in the new Offi cers and In attendance were 64 members with spouses and Directors … following that, John Boccabella lead the guests bringing the total attendance to 74 couples. traditional Past Big Sir Champagne Mug Toast. The highlight of the evening was a few songs sung by Sir Jean-Guy Duport (shown in the picture), who in his youth before leaving France, sang with Maurice Chevalier. In addition, Big Sir Bill Olmo -- known in the Branch as BS Bill -- recognized the three previous Big Sirs, who were in attendance, as well as Little Sir Bernie Brenner and his upcoming role as Big Sir. Many members attended the pre dinner cocktail hour, followed by dinner and three hours of dancing on the spacious Diablo Country Club Dance fl oor. Members joined in the Holiday spirit by fi lling over three barrels of toys, which are donated to needy children by the Diablo Country Club. A special door Chabot Branch 6, Castro Valley prize for those who brought toys was a dinner for two Ken Wright, Big Sir at San Ramon’s Brass Door. And the winner was Sir Jean-Guy Duport and his wife Jeannette… would you We had a very special event at our Ladies Day believe, Guy drew his own name. Luncheon last December, when Lou Pagni and George Howe were presented with Honorary Life Membership Awards. On hand to present the HLM awards was State President, Bob Curley.