January 2018 Volume 50 No. 1

Non-Responsibility Clause: All Tours and other activities arranged for or by Sons in Retirement, Inc. and its branches are for the convenience and pleasure of the members and their guests wishing to participate. Sons in Retirement, Inc. and its branches do not assume any responsibility for the well being or safety of the participants or passengers, or their property, in any matters pertaining to said tours, trips or other activities.

Branch 32 Website: http://branch32.sirinc2.org/ State Sir Website: http://www.sirinc.org/ Sir Happenings Newsletter: http://sirinc.org/sirhappenings/ From Big Sir we’ll be talking about that one for awhile as he is likely to be very entertaining. What a beginning to Branch 32 is a great group with endless possibilities. It is 2018!!! a privilege to be Big Sir, (instead of that little one). We will be putting comment forms on the table starting this Nick Marafino and his month so that you can share your opinions on food, committee put together speakers, or ideas for activities. They will be looked at an incredible Holiday seriously by the Executive Committee and taken into Party that people are still consideration in our future endeavors. We have built mo- talking about. mentum and want you, and quite possibly your friends, to be part of it. Bob Grandey, past Big Sir, will be occupied as Thank you to all of you who ordered the Sirs license Governor of SIRS Area place frames. They will be available at the January 11, so we will be helping meeting for pick up. to rejuvenate our whole organization. Given Bob’s nature, we will have to exhibit So we have an energetic start to our New Year, and I leadership and commitment, or I will hear about it. So we hope the coming year will be great for you too. need to either get on board, or come up with some really original and believable excuses. Jim Claitor, Big Sir The Board Executive Committee has a focused and in- volved Caring Committee led by Jim Leblanc. If you Membership Report know of anyone needing our attention, let Jim (or any of the board members) know so they can receive the atten- Here we go into 2018 and in September our Branch will tion they need and deserve. celebrate its 48th birthday. Last year we had a positive year in membership with 18 new members joining our Pat Ryan has taken responsibility for meetings with Pro- branch while 12 actives left active member status. gram Directors of other branches to provide depth and During the past 2 years we have averaged 1 new opportunity in speaker choices. Through his leadership member for every 2 guests you bring to a luncheon. we have had great speakers this year. The one on the Let’s all strive to “step it up” and do better in ’18 because history of the Panama Canal was so engrossing that my growth is important for survival. All it will take is for each wife and I traveled to Panama to see the operation over of you to bring in just one new member. The more the New Year. We wanted to learn even more about the members we have the more activities we can support area to truly understand the trials, endurance and engi- and the more fun each of us will have. neering required to achieve this marvel. Our next meet- ing is with Crazy George as a speaker. I’m pretty sure We will have 5 new members joining us at the January

-1- luncheon. With our great luncheon speaker program as Hans Lingens 01/31 well as our many fun activities we offer a great experience for new members. So, start 2018 with a bang Anniversaries by bringing a friend to our luncheon. I wish you a Happy New Year and look forward to a prosperous 2018.

To be inducted at the January 2018 luncheon:

GEHANT Don C. Don #20 5696 Makati Circle Apt. A Marilyn Couple Anniversary Years San Jose 95123-6227 (773) 332-8697 Married [email protected] Systems Security, Chicago Transit Authority 09/23 Ernie and Deborah Brookfield 01/16 28 None listed SPONSOR: Han Lingens #114 2018 Guest Speaker Membership changes:

#70 Active Henry Newman has a new email address: This Month [email protected] Krazy George Henderson Our current membership status, as of January 1, 2018 (born1944) is a is: 115 active members, 8 Inactive members, and 1 professional cheerleader pending Inductee. and inventor of

the audience . Remember, bring a guest to lunch and when they join, you win a free lunch. Henderson began cheer leading while a student at San Jose State in 1968, where Respectfully Submitted: he was also a member of the National Championship Bruce Henry winning judo team. After graduating, he continued cheer Membership Chairman leading for free at local sporting events, where he became known for leading sectional cheers, Birthdays and Anniversaries accompanied by his hand drum. In 1975, while working as a high school teacher at Buchser High School in Santa Clara, California, Henderson was hired by Birthdays the and the to be a cheerleader. Later that year he was hired to be a cheerleader for one game by the , team owner then extended his contract for the remainder of the season, and each year Name Birthday through 1979 (when the Chiefs lost a bidding war to the Houston Oilers), He has been a professional cheer Ed Barrett 01/02 leader ever since. Robert Araldi 01/02 Henderson is characterized by his drum and gravelly Harry Peabody 01/07 voice Paul Vogel 01/10 Phil Smith 01/11 Next Month Richard D. Brooding 01/13 Speaker: John Mills, AU. D. Bob MacQuarrie 01/14 Subject: Hearing well is living well. Lee McLaughlin 01/17 Joe Phillips 01/19 This Month's Luncheon William Olson 01/26 Three Flames Restaurant. 1547 Meridian Ave, San Jose Bob Edwards 01/28 CA 95125. Wednesday January 17 at 11:00am. James F. Kilty 01/29

-2- Alternative menus that are always available: Awards (Obtain ticket from bartender, and place on table).

Chicken breast with rice and vegetables. Vegetarian.

Call now if you know you will not be at the January Luncheon. Call Jack Vierhus, Jim Claitor, Herschel Booth or Warren Lampshire before 6:00pm on Sunday January 14.

Bring some and take some!!

Longevity Recognition

Hearing

18 current active members joined Branch 32 in January Noble Sir Awards (from left to right) Larry St. Denis, Pat Ryan, Jim Caratozzolo, Galen Gipson. Wes Howard is not in picture. The January members with the longest longevity are: #35 Jim Sleigh 19 years joined in 1999 Travel #44 Paul Vogel 19 years joined in 1999 #102 Dan Roberts 19 years joined in 1999 April 5-14, 2018: “Tulip Time in #141 Lee McLaughlin 17 years joined in 2001 Holland” Escorts: John Pletsch (408) 274-2992 or (408) 504-1255 and Mike Console (408) 246-1080. New Members Celebrate the beauty of Spring colors in Netherlands and Belgium countryside. Cruise through country waterways on AMA Waterways riverboat. Visit the legendary Keukenhof Gardens and the enchanting scenery of Hoorn Tulips. Take a moment to reflect at Anne Frank's home. Indulge in culinary bliss via Belgian chocolates and No new members were inducted at the ladies Christmas stroopwafels. Much more is described in the available Party. brochure. Trip includes home pickup and return, round trip air, choices on shore excursions, all meals including beverages (beer, wine and soft drinks), and deluxe accommodations in river view suites or staterooms. All inclusive prices range from $4830 to $6195 (based on cabin choice). Brochure available from John or Mike or at your SIR Travel Table. Deposit of $400 (without insurance) or $883 to $1020 (with insurance). Final payment due December 20, 2017. Mail to John Pletsch, 2697 Suisun Ave, San Jose, CA 95121

-3- Aug 6-12, 2018. “Yellowstone, A Wildlife Safari” Golf (Br 32) Escorts John Pletsch (408-504-1255 and Mike Console (408) 246-1080. Yellowstone NP is home to The 2018 golf season got off to a over 60 species of mammals, untamed landscapes and good start on January 2, with 11 geothermal features that have captivated visitors for golfers participating but this past generations. It is time to experience America's first week Mother Nature prevailed and National Park in a unique way- on a Wildlife Safari. golf was canceled due to rain. Be Tour Highlights include: Yellowstone National Park, sure and notify Al Mau in advance Idaho Falls, Grand Teton National Park, Snake River if you plan on playing next Tuesday, January 16, at the Float trip, Salt Lake City w/Mormon Tabernacle choir, San Jose Municipal G. C. Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. Included is home pickup and airport transfer, round trip air to Salt Lake A meeting of the Area golf chairmen is scheduled City, 10 meals (6 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 4 dinners), all Monday, January 15, to establish this year’s schedule for taxes and gratuities. Price: $2789 double occ ($3509 the monthly SIR’s Area tournaments. The first 2018 single). Deposit of $223 dbl occ or $281 single with tournament will be in February. Based on past $250 insurance optional. Checks or credit cards experience, the venue is presumed to be the Las payable to Talbot Tours Trust Acct and mail to Talbot Positas G. C. in Livermore. You might want to mark Tours, 1952 Camden Ave, San Jose, CA 95124. Call February 26 on your calendar. The schedule will be John or Mike for brochure or get brochure at your SIR made available to Branch 32 members as soon as it is travel table. finalized.

See brochures for more information RESULTS OF BRANCH 32 WEEKLY TOURNAMENTS FOR DECEMBER Be sure to stop by the travel table at the luncheon to obtain brochures on the latest trips!! 12/05/17 Los Lagos G.C., San Jose 11 Golfers

Travel Bulletin If you would like to receive your Bulletin Low Gross: Garry Sellers 83 via E-Mail, email your request to [email protected] Low Net: Ed Musgrave & Garry Sellers 63 from the email address that you want your Bulletin delivered to. Least Putts: Tom Burton, Bill Hawk & Al Mau 33 If you are not interested in travel get your name taken off our CTP #6: Garry Sellers 22’ 3” E-Mail list by contacting Bill Rodman at (408) 274-4521, email Chip-Ins: Tom Burton #3 [email protected] or your branch Travel Chairman. 12/12/17 Los Lagos G.C., San Jose 18 Golfers Activities Low Gross: Rick Hausman 85 Low Net: Rick Hausman 59 Camera Club Least Putts: Al Mau 29 CTP #2: Ed Musgrave 3’ 8” The Camera club trip in January will be to Chip-Ins: Tom Burton #8 the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Wednesday January 24. The admission 12/19/17 Spring Valley G. C., Milpitas 11 Golfers for Seniors is $39.95. We will meet at the Cafe at 12:30 for lunch and to judge the Low Gross: Bill Hawk 86 pictures taken at Filoli Gardens. For those Low Net: 64 of you that would like to car pool, please Least Putts: Jim Caratozzolo & Bill Hawk 31 meet at my place (1315 Dentwood Drive, San Jose CA) CTP #2: Barry Sellers 25’ 0” at 9:00 am. Please call me if you would like to car pool. Chip-Ins: Gary Berkland #18 I have a large trunk for cameras and wheelchairs, and Jim Caratozzolo #15 can carry up to 4 passengers. Please be aware that you Steve Warren #6 do not have to take pictures to join any camera club activities. 12/26/17 NO GOLF SCHEDULED

All Branch 32 Members and wives are invited to SIRS BR 32 TUESDAY GOLF SCHEDULE FOR participate in the camera club activities. JANUARY & FEBRUARY

You do not have to have a fancy camera and some of 01/16/18 10:00 AM San Jose Muni G.C., San Jose our winning photos were made with small compacts or 01/23/18 9:30 AM Los Lagos G. C., San Jose smart phones. 01/30/18 10:00 AM Spring Valley G. C., Milpitas 02/06/18 9:30 AM Los Lagos G. C., San Jose Dwight Buzick, Camera Club Chairman 02/13/18 9:30 AM Los Lagos G. C., San Jose 02/20/18 10:00 AM Spring Valley G. C., Milpitas

-4- The co-ed tournament usually scheduled for the second Contact our Club Chairman, Bill Allman who will answer Thursday of the month has been canceled this month; any questions and insure you have badges. the reason being that most of the usual participants are traveling to Puerto Vallarta for an AWAY golf outing. Bowling

Golf Co-chairmen Al Mau and Paul Vogel The Sir’s Winter Bowling league will start on Monday 11 September 2017. At the 4th Bocce St Bowl located at 1441 North 4th Street, San Jose, Ca 95112. We start league Here are the results from our last bowling at 10:30AM with practice at Bocce match for the year 2017. We 10:20AM. The Sir’s bowling league is had a total of 15 players show up to having the same problem of losing bowlers play. All in all it was a very pleasant due to age and illness just like all Sirs December day with bright sunshine branches here in the valley. The Sirs league will now be and cool temperatures. A great day to be outside. The bowling in the Dons 4-Some League. We are still badly courts had been recently swept clean of debris and were in NEED of bowlers of all skill level. As in this year’s in terrific condition. Summer League we will be accepting both senior men and women. Weekly bowling fees is $15.00 per person Team 1: Hersh Booth, Fred Gardner, and Stan per week. In addition you will have to purchase a Schneider: Lost their first match (1/11) and won their $20.00 USBC bowling card for league sanction (This second match (11/8) price may increase). So come out and join us. It’s great exercise and also a lot of fun. Looking forward to seeing Team 2: Fred Boyce, Roger Earle, Paul Gardner, and more of you there. With your help hopefully we will be Earl Thygeson; Won both their matches (11/1 and 11/8) able to keep the Sirs bowling league going for another year. PLEASE come early and visit with some of the Team 3: Galen Gipson, Gary Paulson, Gary Pelton and BEST people in the world. For info you may contact me Jim Sleigh: Won their first matches (11/8) and lost their Victor Miller at 1-408-718-5379 if busy leave a message second match (8/11) or email me at [email protected] (Lower Case).

Team 4: Bernie Coullahan, Bob Grandey, Rene Padilla, Victor Miller, Bowling Club Chairman Robb Walker; Lost both their matches (8/11 and 8/11) Bridge Club Summary for the second half of 2017: Be our Guest! Join us for an enjoyable Over the second half of 2017, we averaged about 12 Game of Bridge. If interested, call players per match over the scheduled 12 matches. The Harry Wenberg (408) 257 9969 or Lee maximum number of players for any one match was 16. McLaughlin (408) 356 6043. Our bridge A total of 30 Branch 32 SIRS participated in the Bocce games are played on Thursdays at activity over this time, with 19 players being on a winning 10:15 AM to 12:30 PM at the Saratoga team at least once. Over this time we had 3 guests join Senior Center, Coffee is on us. us for the matches. The two players who were able to participate in 100% of the scheduled matches, also had The Bridge club continued play on Nov. 30 after the greatest number of wins at 4 each. The results taking a moratorium in order to be with our families showed that winning was definitely a team effort. on Thanksgiving.

Roger Earle, Bocce Chairman On Nov. 30 Nick Marafino was first and Dick Irion second. Gardening As we remembered Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7 play Our garden club is part of the SIR continued with Lee McLaughlin coming in first and Areas 5 and 20 Garden Club. Members meet on a monthly Dick Irion a close second. schedule to enjoy guest presentations on gardening topics The December 14 play continued with Earl Thygeson and to exchange information on first and Harry Wenberg second. gardening. Wives are encouraged to attend. On December 21 Nick was first with Lee coming in We meet on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at second. 11:00 AM at the Denny’s Restaurant at 1140 Hillsdale Ave. (near Almaden Expy) in San Jose, CA. On December 28 play was held at Lady of Fatima Villa Health Center where Dick Irion is recovering from a

-5- recent automobile accident. Lee was first and Dick Wes Howard, History Club Chairman second. Ladies Walking Group Play will also be held at the Health Center as Dick continues to recover. SIRS wives walking group meets 9:30 at the parking lot at Oak Meadow Park Best wishes for a Happy New Year from the members of in Los Gatos. We are having so much the Bridge Club. fun that we decided to add a second Monday each month. We now meet Bridge Club Chairman, Harry Wenberg, Lee on the second and fourth Mondays of McLaughlin each month. We often go for coffee afterwards at Peet's Coffee or Starbucks right down the road. Pool Club The walk is along a lovely level, paved path through the trees and along the creek in some spots. We walk for Pool/Billiards: Last month we had 5 players, we played 8-Ball & 9-Ball about 45 minutes at a moderate pace. Come join the and had a wonderful time, Jim fun! Please email Rosalie Howard at Caratozzolo played exceptionally well, a group of SIR members play [email protected] if you would like to join us. almost every Monday at Cuetopia Cafe, I will be hosting play on The upcoming walks are: Monday January 27th at 1:00 PM at 4700 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, come out and join in the fun. Jan 8th and Jan 22nd Feb 12th and Feb 26th Galen Gipson// Pool Chairman Rosalie Howard, Ladies Walking Group Chairman History Club Branch 32 Website Updated Well the New Year is here and the We wanted you to know that the Branch 32 website was History Clubs first meeting is updated recently in order to achieve the following two scheduled for Wednesday January principal objectives: 10 th at 1:00PM at Wes Howard’s house (6109 Montoro Ct., San 1. Update the overall site navigation to provide greater Jose). flexibility moving between pages. This was achieved by providing a left margin navigation list of links that is This was the month that we were consistently available on all pages. going to have Skip Saunders talk about whaling, but he is traveling with the golf group to Mexico. We will move 2. Modify the visual look of each page to have a new, the whaling talk to our February 14 (Valentine’s Day) consistent pallet of colors, fonts, and graphics. Meeting. The major technical modification was to include the use Bring your ideals for topics this month so we can plan for of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) to centralize the the next six or so months. Remember! History can control of style features across the multiple pages while cover anything you are interested in. Let us set up some capitalizing on features of the previous HTML code. great talks and explore the past. We were also able to implement a cloud mechanism that

allows either of us to make changes and keep our February 14 th Meeting (Valentine’s Day) respective set of folders and files in sync. That way we Come prepared for a whale of a time as we are going to are able to back up each other as necessary. explore the Whaling industry of our past. To make this even more exciting our own Skip Saunders will be the The web address has remained the same: key speaker. Skip has worked many summers as a docent for the Mystic Seaport Museum and has many http://branch32.sirinc2.org/ exciting stories of the life in a whaling industry.. If you are looking for a great time and an exciting afternoon We welcome any feedback that can be used to make then make sure you don’t miss this. Take a look and let us know what you think

-6- Bruce Henry, Jim Caratozzolo Sir Happenings is available again

Please use the link at the front of this newsletter to read the latest edition. Photos from Christmas Party

-7- -8- January 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 GOLF – Los BRIDGE New Year’s Lagos CLUB Day 9:30AM 10:30AM BOCCE 1:00PM 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 BOWLING BEC 9:30AM GARDEN CLUB CO-ED GOLF 10:20AM GOLF – Los 11:00AM – Deep Cliff LADIES Lagos HISTORY CLUB 9:30AM WALKING 9:30 AM 1:00PM BRIDGE group CLUB 9:30AM 10:30AM 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 BOWLING GOLF – SJ BR 32 BRIDGE 10:20AM Muni LUNCHEON CLUB POOL 10.00AM 11:00AM 10:30AM 1:00PM 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 BOWLING GOLF – Los CAMERA Club BRIDGE 10:20AM Lagos Outing to CLUB LADIES 9:30 Monterey Bay 10:30AM WALKING AM Aquarium group CO-ED 9:00am 9:30AM BOCCE 1:00PM 28 29 30 31 BOWLING GOLF – 10:20AM Spring AREA Valley GOLF – 10:00 AM TBA TBA AM

-9- February 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3

BRIDGE Groundhog CLUB Day 10:30AM 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 BOWLING BEC CO-ED GOLF 10:20AM 9:30AM – Deep Cliff GOLF – Los 9:30AM Lagos BRIDGE 9:30AM CLUB BOCCE 10:30AM 1:00PM 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 BOWLING GOLF – Los GARDEN CLUB BRIDGE 10:20AM Lagos 11:00AM CLUB Chinese New LADIES 9:30 AM HISTORY CLUB 10:30AM Year WALKING 1:00PM group 9:30AM Ash Wednesday 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 BOWLING GOLF – BR 32 BRIDGE 10:20AM Spring LUNCHEON CLUB POOL Valley 11:00AM 10:30AM 1:00PM 10:00 AM 25 26 27 28 BOWLING GOLF – TBA 10:20AM TBA AM LADIES CO-ED WALKING BOCCE group 1:00PM 9:30AM AREA GOLF – TBA TBA AM

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