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LAMORINDA SIR BRANCH 174 FEBRUARY 2020

Vol. 12, Issue 2 Branch 174 Website: Newsletter Editor: http://branch174.sirinc2.org/ Dick Curry

OUR NEXT REGULAR MEETING WILL BE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020

HOLY TRINITY CULTURAL CENTER – 1700 SCHOOL ST., MORAGA Social Hour: 11:00 – Lunch: 11:45 – Cost $25.00. Payment in the exact amount would be appreciated.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETS AT 9:45 AM

BIG SIR MESSAGE

TOM HENRY

Dave Munson, a member of our Branch 174, presented photos and commentary on his trip from Istanbul to Mallorca. Dave and two others ferried the yacht. It was a dramatic and interesting journey, as Dave's photographs illustrated.

“We had a record breaking 21 members who neither called or sent email and failed to show up.” This quote is from our Attendance

Committee chairman. I had hoped I was reaching more of you about the seriousness of this problem. Please email or call if you cannot attend. If you do not excuse yourself from a meeting, the branch has to pay the caterer for your lunch. That puts the branch in the uncomfortable position of having to bill you for the uneaten lunch. Please put our monthly meeting date on your calendar. Do call or email as soon as you know you cannot attend. Do not let your duty to excuse yourself lapse.

The speaker at our February 12, 2020 meeting will be Dave Newhouse, the long-time bay area sportswriter. I am sure Dave will have many interesting tales for us.

Tom

LITTLE SIR PROGRAM

BILL WADSWORTH

In January, our own Dave Munson filled in for an ailing Dave Newhouse. He regaled us with the story and pictures of his adventures while helping a friend move a new 61-foot motor yacht from Turkey, where it was being built, to France. The 20 day shakedown cruise on the Boomerang I covered more than 1,800 miles through Turkey, Greece, Italy, and France. Along the way, the intrepid 3-man crew stopped at 14 different ports seeing some of the most fascinating sites, meeting interesting, helpful and wonderful people.

Dave noted to us how we have so much in common with people despite distances, culture, and language differences. If you missed it, please seek Dave out at a future SIR luncheon and talk with him about his trip…fascinating!

Dave Newhouse, who retired from the Oakland Tribune after a 47-year award-winning journalist career, believes he will be back on his feet for our February meeting. As noted in the last newsletter, he’ll talk to us about the legendary 1920s and 1930s St. Mary’s College football coach Slip Madigan. Madigan was a visionary, raconteur, and entrepreneur who brought the college sport into the modern age. The glib, oft-quoted Madigan built tiny St. Mary's into a national power, playing before record crowds, even without its own stadium. His playbook bore imagination as the Galloping Gaels out-hit, out-thought, and out-played major opponents with much larger student bodies.

Come meet and hear Dave Newhouse at our February 12 luncheon. I’ve heard whispers that during Dave’s time at the Oakland Tribune he may have written about the athletic

achievements (or adventures?) of one or more of our SIR members…we may find out if that’s true!

Bill

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Guest speaker David Munson

courtesy of Branch photographer Joe Fitzgerald HAPPY FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS TO:

RALPH DAVISSON BOB HEANEY GREG HORNER BILL MUESER

One of the above members will win a free lunch if they attend the FEBRUARY luncheon. Members whose birth month is FEBRUARY and who do not see their name in the above list should call the Big SIR prior to the FEBRUARY meeting to ensure their names are included in the drawing.

NOTE: Members 90 years old or more will receive a free lunch in their birth month each year; however they must notify the Big SIR prior to the meeting.

BRANCH REPORTS SUNSHINE REPORT: MARK MAHONEY (415) 269-2999 We are sad to report the passing of SIR John McClellen. He died after a brief illness on December 14. John had been an active member of our branch since 1999. There are no other health issues relative to Branch 174 members to report.

Please note: If any member of Branch 174 knows of any deaths, injuries, illnesses or of members who are recuperating, please email Mark at: mark@mahoneyweb.com and advise him. The cooperation of all members is truly needed to ensure that we may all be made aware of health issues of our members.

From Branch 171: ERIC CHO (377-1801) Eric notes the passing of Jerry Compton on Dec. 27. His service will be held on Jan. 24 at 1:30pm at the Queen of Heaven

Cemetery in Lafayette. We have no other health issues relative to our Branch 171 members to report this month.

TREASURER REPORT: JON LEUTENEKER 376-7035 December 2019 Balance, Beginning $5,444.50 Month's Receipts 50.00 Month's Disbursements 15.38 Balance, Ending Nov. $5,479.12 ATTENDANCE REPORT: TOM WELTE 330-3934 Attendance at the January luncheon was 83. There were 75 members (60%), 6 guests, and 2 visitors that did not record their presence. There were 28 excused members; there were also 21 unexcused members who will be asked to pay the cost for the lunch. Certification of attendance at another SIR Branch will be considered a credit to the Attendance Record.

Please try to contact your Sir friends with illnesses to offer your support and encouragement and keep them in your thoughts and prayers. A friendly call is always welcome. Cards and letters are also

appreciated. If you are aware of an ill Sir, please let Mark or Eric know by e-mail or phone.

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Also enjoy reading SIR Happenings, our State Newsletter, and find out about all the fun things that are going on throughout our organization. You can now find the NOVEMBER 2019 edition of SIR Happenings on our SIR State website at www.sirinc.org. Lots of interesting articles relating to other SIR Branches. CHECK WHAT OTHER BRANCHES ARE DOING. See something you like? Let your Activities Chairman know about it and see if we can adopt something similar for our Branch!!

MEMBERSHIP REPORT: BILL WADSWORTH 963-0442 Changes:

Candidate List: There are no new candidates on the waiting list. Member Roster: We lost one member, John McClellen, who passed away.

Current status: Candidate List = 3 Member Roster = 124

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORMS are available on our website (branch174.sirinc2.org/MembershipForm.pdf), or, preferably, requested from Bill Wadsworth, phone (925) 963-0442, wadsy1@aol.com, or from Bill at our General Meeting. INDUCTIONS: Bill Wadsworth 963-0442 There were no January inductions.

GREETERS: There were no greeters at our January luncheon. When asked to volunteer for this very important role in our luncheon ceremonies please don’t hesitate to accept. It is a great way to meet many of the members who you do not yet know.

FREE LUNCH: Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch? Ask FRED GEORGE (membership recipient) who will receive a free lunch at our February meeting. In addition, as there were no drawings for a free lunch for members whose birthday is in December and January, as well as those whose birthday is in February, a selection of a recipient for each of these months will be made at our February meeting.

ROSTER CORRECTIONS: BILL WADSWORTH 963-0442 NOTICE: Whenever your mail or E-mail address, your phone number, or other data reported in the Members Roster changes please advise Bill. He will in turn update the Member Roster and advise the Newsletter staff. Our current Member Roster is posted on our Branch 174 website monthly and may be viewed using your User ID and Password. BRANCH 174 NEWSLETTER: Editor Dick Curry 376-5541 racorinda@pacbell.net, 19 Descanso Drive, Orinda, CA The deadline for receipt of Newsletter material by the Editor is the 20th of each month! E-mail is preferred.

ACTIVITIES REPORTS (Branch 174 & Branch 171) ACTIVITIES CHAIRMAN: Our Activities Chairman is Sir David White. Dave’s responsibilities include supporting the various chairmen of our branch activities, providing liaison with these chairmen and the Branch Executive Committee, and assisting in organizing new activities of interest to our branch members. Dave’s phone number and e-mail address, respectively, are: 376-6152 and dandjw@comcast.net. Please contact Dave if you have thoughts/suggestions on other activities you would like our branch to sponsor.

APPLE USER GROUP ACTIVITY: STAN HOLCENBERG (Br. 171) <sholcenb@icloud.com>, JOE TRACY (Br. 174) 954-7801 Our meetings are held in the conference room at the Contra Costa County Supervisor’s Office at 3338 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette adjacent to the fire station across from El Charro restaurant. Enter through the left side door at top of steps. Meetings are held bi-monthly on the 4th Monday of odd number months from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Our next meeting will be held March 23. Novices and advanced users are welcomed. Come and be a part of the group. Our meetings focus on Apple/Mac computers, iPads,& iPhones. Each meeting includes a discussion of recent Apple/Mac announcements and releases; rumors; a roundtable discussion of applications, general rumors, issues, and problems members may be having, and some formal topics.

ASTRONOMY: TOM FARR (Br. 174) 683-9476 <ruskfarr@pacbell.net>, ALLEN GROSSMAN <allengross7@sbcglobal.net> We meet the second Monday of each month in the Tilden Room at the Concord Hilton Hotel, club room #2, at 1970 Diamond Blvd., Concord (no meeting in June and December). Our meetings commence at approximately 1:30 immediately following Branch 8’s monthly luncheon. Our next meeting will be on Monday Feb. 17, 2020 (note-not second Monday-Feb.

Note: To be excused from a future meeting or to bring a guest, please see instructions under ATTENDANCE INFORMATION and TO BRING A GUEST, respectively, on the last page of this Newsletter. If using e-mail

(preferred!) please ensure you use our correct e-mail address.

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Bocce Blowout-End of season 2019. Courtesy Joe Fitzgerald

only). We will watch a video about a particular planet (TBD) and discuss it. Please call or e-mail Tom and visit our website

at www.sirbr8.com/astronomy for details and further information.

BARBERSHOP HARMONY: BRAD DEWEY (Br. 171) 376-3349, RICK ZAVATERO (Br. 174) 278- 683-2373

BOCCE BALL: Steve Patton (Br. 171), Ed Protiva (Br. 174) 254-1631 With our last game of the 2019 season behind us we now await the start of our 2020 season which should commence in early May. You could be a part of this great group of guys. We field as many teams as show up. The start of our 2020 season should commence in early May. For additional information please contact Ed Protiva.

BOWLING - AREA 16: Mike Kropf (Branch 19) 689-1453 Area 16 Tournament bowling, sponsored by Branch 19, is held at the Clayton Valley Bowl on Wednesdays starting at 10 a.m. The Winter/Spring league has commenced; the league initially consists of 8 teams. Contact: Mike Kropf, 689-

1453 mdkropf@astound.net, or John Dorsett, 827-‐2852, for information.

BRIDGE: JOHN SCHICK (Br. 171) STEWART KNUDSEN (Br. 174) 376-4919 We meet at the Moraga Hacienda on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Please arrive by 9:50 a.m. Play starts promptly at 10:00 a.m. Bring $5 and a bag lunch. Call Stu for further information and reservation.

COMPUTERS & TECHNOLOGY - AREA 16: NEIL SCHMIDT (Branch 116) <np_schmidt@pacbell.net >; DICK CURRY (Br. 174) 376-5541 <racorinda@pacbell.net>. Meetings of the Area 16 Computer and Technology Group are held the 3rd Thursday of each month (except June and December) from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., at the Walnut Creek Elks Lodge, 1475 Creekside Drive.

Our meetings are fun and informative where we discuss applications for computers and technology. Each meeting we have a presentation on a wide variety of computer and technology related topics. These presentations are designed to be of interest to technology “novices” as well as individuals who have “worked in the business”. Topics cover everything from antivirus programs, ways to back up your data, digital photography, genealogy research, smart phones and many other topics. It’s a great way to learn about new technology and to get answers to your computer questions/problems. We also encourage mingling and socializing before and after the meetings; it’s a good way to get suggested solutions to your technology questions and issues. Sirs from all branches and their guests, including spouses, are welcome and invited to attend.

Our next meeting will be held on February 20. Our presentation topic for the February meeting will be “Editing Photos With Your Mobile Devices” by Derek Southern. Derek will show you how to edit your own pictures on your smart phone. By using just a few simple sliders you can quickly make your pictures look incredibly better, you will wow and impress your friends. He will demonstrate a free app (for Android and Apple phones) called SNAPSEED. He will also mention the free version of Adobe's Lightroom for smart phones. Your phone may include a photo editor, but you'll see that Snapseed offers many more capabilities while being simple to use. Load Snapseed onto your smart phone and edit your own images, as you watch Derek's live, onscreen presentation.

Members usually arrive around 9:15 to enjoy coffee and a chat with friends and new acquaintances before the presentation begins. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned user, we try to offer something for everyone. We ask for a donation of $5 to cover the cost of the hall rental, coffee and pastries. Check out our website and obtain our past and current presentation notes available on the CAT Web page (https://sirinc2.org/a16cat/). All SIR members and their guests (spouses included!) are welcome.

The SIRpremes are in need of new blood! This activity has been in existence for a number of years; however, recently, we have lost many of our members. Notwithstanding, there is great interest by those remaining in our group to continue this very enjoyable and rewarding activity. We are a barbershop octet that sings songs in four-part harmony. All parts are open, but another tenor would be delightful. So, if you are with Branch 171 or Branch 174 and have any interest or any questions regarding our group, please give a call to Brad Dewey (Branch 171) at 376-3349 or Rick Zavatero (Branch 174) at 683-2373.

for information.

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Ron Lew caught this starry flounder in the Delta

DOMINOES: TOM WESTHOFF (Br. 171), Br. 174 DON MERSON 287-0874 DSMERS19@comcast.net We meet every Thursday at the Moraga Royale in Moraga from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Please call Tom or Don at 287-0874 for details.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE – AREA 16: TOM HENRY (Br. 174) ) (510) 502-5724 tomh925@icloud.com Area 16 duplicate bridge meets on the 1

st Tuesday of each month at the American Contract Bridge Center (First Christian

Church Fellowship Hall), 3039 Willow Pass Rd, Concord (phone: 925-935-2273). Our next meeting will be held on February 3 . Registration begins at 9:15 a.m.; play begins at 10:00 a.m. and finishes by 2:00 p.m. Lessons from Ravi Bhalla will be offered commencing at 9:30. This activity is fully sanctioned by the American Contract Bridge League and, as such, ACBL Master points will be awarded to the top three pairs. Guests of SIR members are welcomed. Interested players must contact Tom Henry in advance of date of play.

FISHING - AREA 16: KARL DROESE (Br. 171) 376-0468, Big Fish HARRY SHERINIAN 510-207-7067 All SIR members and guests are welcome and, indeed, encouraged to participate in fishing trips as well as attend the monthly meetings. As the fourth Thursday is Thanksgiving our next meeting will be held on Thursday, February 27, at the Legend Sports Bar and Grill, Diablo Creek Golf

Course at 4050 Port Chicago Highway in Concord. Meetings start at 8:30 a.m

Our winter trout season is off to a slow start. Phil Scimonelli caught one!!! Tom Kostik, Joe Miscione, and Ron Lew caught some stripers, sturgeon, and flounders in the Delta. Stan Wong, Brion Beetz, and Bob Stein went out upon the ocean blue for sandabs and crabs. Limits of crabs and disappointment with the dabs. A fine group of us went to the Fishing Expo in Sacramento for bargains.

Please contact Karl Droese (Br 171) at 376-0468, Carl Moyer (Branch 8) 685-5243 or Harry Sherinian 510-207-7067 for more information.

GOLF: 18 Hole Golf – ED McBRIDE (Br. 174) 284-9479, Steve Wright (Br. 171) We’ve started off our 2020 season in good form. Thanks to Ed McBride’s brilliant scheduling we’ve avoided the rains so far. February’s Monday sanctioned events include Franklin Canyon on February 3, Paradise Valley in Fairfield on February10 and Chardonnay in Napa on February 24. We welcome new members of all skill levels. Check out our schedule and other information on our club at our website www.sirlamorindagolf.com. Don’t forget that Steve Wright (sirgolf94570@yahoo.com) organizes informal outings on some “off” Mondays, Wendell Pleis (PLEISWG@COMCAST.NET) has an active Thursday group each week at either Franklin Canyon or Diablo Creek, and Tim Freeman (TIMFRE@COMCAST.NET) heads up a Friday morning 9-hole group at the Diablo Hills course in Walnut Creek. Lots of opportunities to get together to enjoy each other’s company plus to share the exhilaration of good/lucky shots and the frustration of those “occasional" bad ones.

9 Hole Golf – TIM FREEMAN (Br. 171) 283-5945 Open (Br. 174) For those that don't want to play 18 holes, or want to play a shorter course on occasion, there is a 9 hole group that meets each Friday morning at Diablo Hills Golf Course in Walnut Creek. Tim Freeman coordinates this and sends out a note to all members on his interested party list each week, a few days before the game, to see who is interested in playing. Lunch follows at the Diablo Hills clubhouse. Email Tim if you would like to be added to the interested party list. He’s gotten a tremendous response. Contact Tim (timfre@comcast.net) if you are interested on being on his email list for those events.

HISTORICAL ADVENTURE and VETERANS ACTIVITIES: OPEN (Br. 174) JIM KLINE/KEN FISHER (Br. 171) 376-4173/518-3104 TOM FARR (Br. 174) 683-9476 <ruskfarr@pacbell.net> The Historical Adventures Committee continues to review new and exciting outings to undertake. Dates for touring Bay Area historical sites will be announced as they are firmed up. Your suggestions of activities to add to our list are always welcome. A tour of the Contra Costa County recycling plant in Pittsburg has been scheduled for the morning of February 26. Contact Tom for more information.

INVESTMENT GROUP - AREA 16: TOM HENRY (Br. 174) (510) 502-5724 tomh925@icloud.com, DAVID SUTTON (Br-8) 686-0158

The Area 16 $ums In Retirement investment group meets at 8:00 a.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month (except November when we generally meet on the third Wednesday and December when there is no meeting) at the Diablo Creek Golf Course in Concord, off Port Chicago Highway. The Legends restaurant opens at 7:00 a.m. so plan to have a leisurely breakfast along with your fellow members. Bring along a prospective member or two to hear this very timely talk and see what the Investment Group offers as an activity. Ladies are welcome. Let me know if you are bringing a guest so we can acknowledge them. Let’s support the restaurant and its excellent staff. Occasionally we will ask for a $2.00 donation which we need to pay for items that come up. Please make sure that you all support us in this regard.

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, February 26, at 8 a.m. The speaker for the February meeting had not yet been

provided at the time of posting of this Newsletter.

Also see the $UMS website which lists topics covered at $UMS meetings starting in 2013. Many of these include attachments with speaker's outlines and slides. See: https://sirinc2.org/a16sums/.

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Pt. Pinole – North Bay. Submitted by Al Donner Walkers visiting The Waterfall. Submitted by Eric Cho

POKER: DICK MEDEL (Br. 174) 376-5568 Our low-stakes poker group meets the fourth Wednesday of each month from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. We meet at various locations. To join, please call Dick for information.

RUBBER BRIDGE - AREA 16: ROD SPICER 935-5306 Rubber bridge is played on the 1

st Thursday of each month from 9 a.m. to 1:00. We meet at Carl’s Jr. located in the Nob Hill

Shopping Center on Oak Grove Road near Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek. Call Rod for information.

STAMP AND COIN GROUP: LARRY BEANS 376-7306 & BRUCE BERMAN (Br. 171), DON MERSON (Br. 174) 287-0874 We meet on the Friday following the first Wednesday of each month at Larry Bean’s home, 20 Carr Drive, Moraga. Call Don or Larry for information. TABLE POOL - AREA #16: BILL WEINBERG 682-0962 We meet every Monday at 11:30 a.m. at Masse's - 2721 North Main in Walnut Creek. No advance notice is necessary. Just show up and play. Cost is $5.00 for as long as you want to play. This is a special rate that Masses gives SIR members. You can also play during the day, at other times, for the same $5.00 fee. Just tell them you're a member of SIR. We play mostly two man teams of eight ball, or a unique three-player game, called “Crazy Eights”, depending on the number of participants. We usually play about 2 hours but not everyone stays for the final curtain. All SIRs in our area are welcome.

TENNIS: RALPH THORNICROFT (Br. 174) 376-8140, (Br. 171) Jim Countryman (Br. 171) 631-1766 We play at St. Mary's on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. during the summer and 9 a.m. during the winter. An email call is sent out on Friday and the roster is emailed Sunday. Let Ralph know if you would like to be on the email list. Open to members of both SIR Branches. Ralph can be reached at 925-376-8140 and at grtincal@aol.com.

WALKING: We have three walking groups as outlined below. There is a group for each of us based on our needs and abilities.

ORIGINAL WALKING GROUP: AL DONNER (Br 171) 376-0421 STEVE BEHNKE (Br. 174) 817-8317

We meet every Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. at the Serbian Church, unless we advise you otherwise via E-mail.

SENIOR STROLLERS WALKING GROUP: JIM COUNTRYMAN (Br 171) 631-1766 (Br 174) Open This is a second walking group formed by Jim Countryman who, with Clay Sealy, began the original Walking Group more than a decade ago. The Senior Strollers meet every Wednesday at 9 a.m. for an easy walk of less than a mile around/near Moraga Center, generally with a stop for coffee at some point along the way. It is a group of SIRs who prefer a more relaxed walking outing. Our starting point varies so please contact Jim Countryman to get on the mailing list and to obtain other information.

BIG HIKERS: AL DONNER (Br 171) 376-0421 STEVE BEHNKE (Br. 174) 817-8317. In its continuing effort to fill SIR members’ interest in a range of activities, a Big Hikers group has been established. The Big Hikers walking group aims to engage SIRs who want some longer and stronger routes than our two around-town walking groups. It offers opportunities for hikes more than 3 miles in length and, perhaps, with a little more elevation. It is an outgrowth of several hikes that attracted a half dozen SIR members from Branch 171 and 174 recently. One was a 6-mile hike in canyons and hills on the north side of Mt. Diablo; another was a guided hike into the remote Vasco Caves of Far East County. The Big Hikers operate on a varied schedule, and will try to do a couple hikes each month. Contact Al Donner (aajdonner@gmail.com) to get on the Big Hikers notice list.

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WINE TASTING: GENE BELL (Br. 171) 284-1786, JON LEUTENEKER (Br. 174) 376-7035 There are now two wine tasting groups. Both are couples events and normally held in-home starting about 7:00 p.m. with a cost per person averaging about $15. Jon Leuteneker is chairman of the group that meets on the second Tuesday of each month - this group has a full roster. Gene Bell is chairman of the group that meets on the third Tuesday of each month - membership in this group is still open. For more information give Jon a call.

TRAVEL: JOE TRACY (Br. 174) 954-7801 e-mail: jotracy@comcast.net, Br. 171 (Open)

June 6, 2020, Grand Baltic Sea Voyage—Small Ship Adventure by Overseas Adventure Travel. Ports of call include This upcoming great trip to the Baltic departs June 6, 2020 and we have 9 Sirs signed up already, but there is still room for more if you act soon.14 days from $8,255 includes international airfare from Sacramento. 14 days from $6,695 without international airfare. Single Supplement: $1,395. Trip extensions available to Copenhagen and/or Stockholm from $1,295 each. Please mention code GO-23630 when booking. Reservations & Information call 1-800-955-1925 www.oattravel.com/crb2020. For details contact Milt Smith (Br. 146) (925) 285-2897 miltsmith549@gmail.com.

September 14-26, 2020 Imperial Splendors and OBERAMMERGAU. Tour includes home pickup, round trip airfare, professional tour manager, 19meals, 11 nights first-class hotel, land transportation via private deluxe coach, admission to all activities indicated. Tour highlights: Munich welcome dinner, visit the famous Hofbrauhaus, Prague guided sightseeing, Hradcany Castle , Bratislava the capital of Slovakia, Budapest guided sightseeing, Danube cruise, Salzburg guided walking tour and special dinner at St. Peter Stiftskeller restaurant, Oberammergau Passion Play. Cost $6,267 includes estimated airfare. Larry Yarberry (Br. 8) 925 890-9245 l.yarberry42@comcast.net

Know Your SIR

Please Note – No new member biographies were added to our website this month. You can view your biography and the biographies of our other Branch members’ by visiting our website and clicking on the Member Biographies link in the left column on the page. You will need your User Name and Password to access this section and the section with our current Member Roster. If you have forgotten or misplaced your user name and/or password, check with Dick Curry at racorinda@pacbell.net. Do we have your biography?

Know Your SIR is edited by BILL WADSWORTH, 963-0442, wadsy1@aol.com. We would like to have all of our members’ biographies included in this directory which can be viewed by Branch 174 members on our website. If you have not previously done so please write down the salient points of your life (1/2 page) and provide it to Bill (via e-mail if possible). It will then be written up and posted on our website.

Ask not what your Country can do for you; ask what you can do for your fellow SIR

We all enjoy our SIR Branch, the activities, the camaraderie, the speakers, the food. But there is more! You can help make our organization more enjoyable and add to that which you draw from the Branch by filling a position and helping to distribute the work load from a few to many. Remember, many hands make for little work!! If you have an interest in serving in an activities capacity in Branch 174 please contact Dave White at 376-6152 dandjw@comcast.net. If you have an interest in a position on our BEC as an officer or director (and get your picture in the Newsletter!!) please contact Clark Wallace at 254-0753 or clarkewallace@comcast.net.

2020 YOUR OFFICERS YOUR DIRECTORS

Big SIR: TOM HENRY 510-502-5724 Director (1 yr): ROY ELLIOTT 283-6261 Little SIR: BILL WADSWORTH 963-0442 Director (1 yr): DAVE WHITE 376-6152 Secretary: RON LEIKER 376-3884 Director (2 yrs): RALPH THORNICROFT 376-8140 Asst. Secretary: DICK CURRY 254-4509 Director (2 yrs): HUGO KAPELKE 631-9335 Treasurer: JON LEUTENEKER 376-7035 Director (3 yrs): ED PROTIVA 254-1631 Asst. Treasurer: RICK ABRAMS 945-1024 Director (3 yrs): TOM WELTE 330-3934

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FEBRUARY 2020 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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2

3 Table Pool Golf-Franklin Canyon

4 Walking Pinochle Tennis B’shop Harmony

5 League Bowling Senior Strollers

6 Rubber Bridge Tennis Dominoes

7 Stamps 9-hole Golf

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9 10 Table Pool Golf-Paradise Valley

11 Walking Bridge Wine Tasting 1 Tennis Pinochle B’shop Harmony

12 SIR Branch 174

General Meeting League Bowling Senior Strollers

13 Tennis Dominoes

14 9-hole Golf

Valentine's Day

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17 Table Pool Astronomy

Presidents' Day

18 Walking Wine Tasting 2 Tennis B’shop Harmony

19 Pinochle League Bowling Senior Strollers

20 Computer & Technology Tennis Dominoes

21 9-hole Golf

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23 24 Table Pool Golf-Chardonnay

25 Walking Bridge Tennis B’shop Harmony

26 Poker League Bowling Pinochle Senior Strollers Investments Historical Adventures

Recycling Plant

27 Tennis Dominoes Fishing

28 9-hole Golf

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SIR ORGANIZATION 2020

STATE PRESIDENT ED BENSON SIR Inc. Website: http://www.sirinc.org

REGION 5 DIRECTOR BILL HOLLY Area 16 Website: http://area16.sirinc2.org/

AREA 16 GOVERNOR BRUCE PERSONS Branch 174 Website: http://branch174.sirinc.org

BRANCH 174

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN:

OFFICERS: MEMBERSHIP BILL WADSWORTH 963-0442

BIG SIR TOM HENRY (510) 502-5724 ROY ELLIOTT 283-6261

LITTLE SIR BILL WADSWORTH 963-0442 RALPH THORNICROFT 376-8140 SECRETARY RON LEIKER 376-3884

ASST.SEC. DICK CURRY 376-5541 ATTENDANCE TOM WELTE 330-3934

TREASURER JON LEUTENEKER 376-7035 ASST. TRS. RICK ABRAMS 945-1024

DIRECTORS: ROY ELLIOTT 283-6261 DAVE WHITE 376-6152

RALPH THORNICROFT 376-8140

HUGO KAPELKE 631-9335 PROGRAMS BILL WADSWORTH 963-0442 ED PROTIVA 254-1631 CHAPLAIN TOM HENRY 284-5724

TOM WELTE 330-3934

PAST BIG SIR INDUCTION BILL WADSWORTH 963-0442 2009 BILL SUMNER (deceased) 2017 BILL LUND PIANIST MIKE MERCHANT 324-1911

2010 BILL SUMNER (deceased) 2018 BILL SUMNER/PETE GIERS SUNSHINE MARK MAHONEY (415) 269-2999

2011 PETE GIERS 2019 CLARK WALLACE BAR ARRANGEMENTS PETE GIERS 254-4667

2012 RON BASS

2013 NEAL HUNTLEY ROOSTER TAILER FRED GEORGE 284-1763 2014 DICK COURTNEY BRANCH AUDIT BILL WADSWORTH 963-0442

2015 DAN CAWTHON (deceased) LADIES DAY RICK ZAVATERO 683-2373

2016 JON LEUTENEKER FRANK MAY 376-8195

PUBLICITY GREG SMITH 283-0704

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS: ACTIVITIES CHAIRMAN DAVID WHITE 376-6152

2011 BILL SUMNER (deceased) NOMINATING COMMITTEE CLARK WALLACE, Chair. 254-0753

2014 PETE GIERS DICK COURTNEY, PETE GIERS and JON LEUTENEKER 2019 DICK CURRY NEWSLETTER EDITOR: DICK CURRY 376-5541

SENIOR CERTIFICATE AWARD BACK UP

DON REICHERT WOODY CONE (SUPER SENIOR) WEB MASTER DICK CURRY 376-5541 JACK CLARKSON STU KNUDSEN BILL MANN BACK UP

BILL COMELY BRUCE JOHNSON KNOW YOUR SIR BILL WADSWORTH 963-0442

DON HOSKIN JIM KRUGER PHOTOGRAPHER JOE FITZGERALD 376-4656

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD RECRUITMENT JUAN KELLY (954) 636-9684

DICK CURRY

ACTIVITY BRANCH 171 COORDINATOR BRANCH 174 COORDINATOR AREA 16 CHAIRMAN

APPLE USERS STAN HOLCENBERG 376-1180 JOE TRACY 954-7801

ASTRONOMY TOM FARR 683-9476 LARRY LANGE 254-6281 B’SHOP HARMONY BRAD DEWEY 376-3349 RICK ZAVATERO 683-2373

BOCCE BALL STEVE PATTON 510 409-2916 ED PROTIVA 254-1631

BOWLING OPEN LLOYD WEST, Br 19 228-9037 BRIDGE JOHN SCHICK 376-9412 STU KNUDSEN 376-4919

COMPUTERS & DICK CURRY 376-5541 NEIL SCHMIDT, Br 116 948-8702

TECHNOLOGY PHIL GOFF, Br 116 831-3692 DOMINOES TOM WESTHOFF 376-2609 DON MERSON 287-0874

DUPLICATE BRIDGE-ACBL TOM HENRY (510) 502-5724 TOM HENRY (510) 502-5724

FISHING KARL DROESE 376-0468 OPEN HARRY SHERINIAN 510-207-7067 GOLF GENE BELL 284-1786 BILL WADSWORTH 963-0442 RAY WEISZ Br. 146 240-0424

HISTORICAL ADVENTURES

& VETERANS JIM KLINE/KEN FISCHER 376-4173/ 518-3104 TOM FARR 683-9476 HORSESHOES OPEN

INVESTMENT OPEN TOM HENRY (510) 502-5724 TOM HENRY (510) 502-5724

DAVID SUTTON 686-0158 LEARY WONG 457-0807

POKER DICK MEDEL 376-5568

RUBBER BRIDGE ROD SPICER 935-5306 STAMPS LARRY BEANS 376-7306 DON MERSON 287-0874

TABLE POOL OPEN BILL WEINBERG, Br 146 682-0962

TENNIS JIM COUNTRYMAN 631-1766 RALPH THORNICROFT 376-8140 TRAVEL OPEN JOE TRACY 954-7801

WALKING AL DONNER 376-1594 LYLE DECK 254-3829

WINE TASTING GENE BELL 284-1786 JON LEUTENEKER 376-7035

BOLD – INDICATES ACTIVITY CHAIRMAN

10

GENERAL INFORMATION

SONS IN RETIREMENT INC. is a Non-Profit Organization for Retired Men, Devoted to the Promotion of Independence and Dignity of

Retirement.

NON RESPONSIBILITY DECLARATION: All activities and trips arranged for or by, or sponsored by, Sons in Retirement Incorporated or its

Branches, are for the convenience and pleasure of the members and their guests who desire to participate. Sons in Retirement, Inc., Lamorinda

Hills Branch 174 Inc., and its Officers, Directors, and Activity Chairmen do not assume any responsibility for the well-being or safety of the

participants; their property; or for any monetary loss in matters pertaining to SIR activities or to travel.

PARKING: Luncheon parking is available in the lot at the side of the Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School Street, the lot at Willow

Springs Church across the street, and on the street. Car-pooling is recommended.

TABLE RESERVATIONS: Seats at tables at our luncheon meeting may only be held or “reserved” when a paid luncheon ticket is placed on

the table in front of the seat.

ATTENDANCE INFORMATION: Members missing three (3) consecutive meetings without being excused, or attending less than six (6) of

the last 12 meetings (excluding Ladies Day), are subject to termination. Certification of attendance at another SIR Branch will be considered a

credit to the attendance record.

TO BE EXCUSED FROM A FUTURE MEETING: At each regular meeting, a sign-out sheet will be available at the Attendance Table for

the next 2 regular meetings. If you have other planned activities for either of those meeting dates, please enter your name and number on the

appropriate sign-out sheet. You can also be excused from a meeting by Email to lunch677@gmail.com providing your name, membership

number, and request to be submitted prior to 1 p.m. on the Saturday before the scheduled meeting (for those without E-mail capability see

instructions below). UNEXCUSED MEMBERS will be asked to pay the cost of the missed luncheon.

TO BRING A GUEST: A member may bring a guest to a meeting with an Email request (preferred) to lunch677@gmail.com providing your

name and number and the guest’s name as he wants it on his Guest badge. Only if you do not have Email capability, you may call the HOTLINE

at 925-377-5880, identify yourself as a Branch 174 member, and provide the information above for either being excused from a meeting or for

bringing a guest. Either the call or your Email request must be submitted prior to 1 p.m. the Saturday before the meeting. Sponsors must make a

reservation for each guest for each meeting attended and will be responsible for paying for his guest(s) meal should his guest not show.

EMAIL CONFIRMATION: If you advise the Attendance Chairman using our Email address (lunch677@gmail.com) you will receive a

confirmation response. If you fail to receive a response please submit your request again.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS: A Guest must attend a regular meeting before submitting an application for membership. Branch 174

application forms can be obtained at the front table, on our Branch website at http://branch174.sirinc2.org/MembershipForm.pdf or from Bill

Wadsworth. Completed applications should be handed to Bill or mailed to Bill at his residence at 2 Fleetwood Ct., Orinda, CA 94563.