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LAMORINDA SIR BRANCH 174 NOVEMBER 2019

Vol. 11, Issue 11 Branch 174 Website: Newsletter Editor: http://branch174.sirinc2.org/ Dick Curry

OUR NEXT REGULAR MEETING WILL BE WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2019

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

CLARK WALLACE

Whew! We made it last month notwithstanding the anvil of a PGE shutdown hanging over our head. We didn’t want to cancel, which we considered worse than the various “the show must go on” scenarios. So we soldiered on (like Bob Hope) and as it turned out we never had to deal with the “delayed” shutdown. And Kelly Hope’s “Growing Up with My Dad, Bob Hope” was entertaining and brought back

many fond memories for me and I “hope” for you as well. A special thanks to Tom Vinzent our secretary whose connections with Kelly Hope made this program possible.

Yes, we still have microphone problems, and I am learning more about them than I ever wanted to know. Fortunately, we do have members who do know something about the mics and I thank them for helping us with the problem, which is evolving and should soon get better.

Two other issues I wish to bring to your attention: #1 Your BEC at our October meeting felt that it was time to take a fresh look at our financial situation. Bluntly, we are still in good shape with a healthy reserve but falling slightly in the red on a month by month, partly due to some incentives we’ve decided to pay for bringing in new members. Incoming Big SIR Tom Henry will head up an ad hoc financial review committee in January 2020 to look into this issue and bring back recommendations to the BEC early next year.

Issue #2 is our Christmas Party which will again be held at St. Mary’s Soda Center and headed up by Ed Beatson of Branch 171 ably assisted by our Branch 174 stalwarts, Frank May and Rick Zavatero. We’re looking for a big turnout again! See details elsewhere in this Newsletter and remember it’s ladies day so bring your significant other and arrange to sit with 3 other couples at a table of 8. As we’ve been announcing at recent meetings, cost is still at $50 per person but St. Mary’s has recently adopted a fee for parking of $3.00 per vehicle brought on campus for events like ours so please send in your appropriate amount (for many = $103.00) at your earliest convenience. We promise “another good time to be had by all”.

Clark

LITTLE SIR PROGRAM

TOM HENRY

I am hoping for a large audience for the last regular meeting of 2019. It is our opportunity to thank Big SIR Clark for the outstanding leadership he has provided to our great club.

A warm SIR 'Thank You' to Tom Vinzent for bringing Kelly Hope to our October meeting. Kelly is Bob Hope's son; he talked to us about growing up in Hollywood as the child of one of the film colony's biggest stars. Kelly's experiences were very unique and he kept us fully entertained.

Our presenter for November is Vice-Admiral David Buss, USN (Ret.). David is coming to our meeting from his home base in San Diego. He will be talking about protecting sea-lanes and chokepoints that are important to United States security.

As Little SIR, I represented our branch at a meeting of Activity Chairmen and branch officers called by Fred Wachowicz and held at Denica's Kitchen in Walnut Creek. The goal was to share ideas in encouraging participation in SIR activities. Among ideas were: 1)Bring guests to activities. 2) Ask the activity chairman to act as Host to walk-ins and meeting guests. 3)Signs or badges for activity chairmen.4)Business cards asking guests and walk-ins for an activity preference.5)Find and ask local travel guides to offer their trip to members.

Be sure to make early reservations for our Year-end Holiday Party. The price is $50.00 per person and an additional $3.00 per automobile.

Tom

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Please note this year’s Ladies Day Holiday Luncheon will be held Wednesday, December 18, at St. Mary’s College Soda Center. The cost is $50 per person. In addition to an excellent meal we

are providing an outstanding musical program we know you will enjoy.

Use the Reservation Form on the penultimate page for you alone, you and a guest, or to reserve a complete table for you and eight of your friends.

DO IT NOW!!

HAPPY NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS TO:

STEVE BEHNKE WALTER BELL PETE GIERS FRANK KLOBAS TONY SCHOEMEHL RON WILSON

One of the above members will win a free lunch if they attend the NOVEMBER luncheon. Members whose birth month is NOVEMBER and who do not see their name in the above list should call the Big SIR prior to the NOVEMBER 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 There are no 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 there is no sad news to report this month!

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.

TREASURER REPORT: JON LEUTENEKER 376-7035 August 2019 Balance, Beginning $7,274.17 Month's Receipts 2,195.00 Month's Disbursements 2,402.79 Balance, Ending June $7,066.38 ATTENDANCE REPORT: TOM WELTE 330-3934 Attendance at the OCTOBER luncheon was 83. There were 74 members (59%), 3 guests, 4 visitors, including the speaker, and 2 visitors that did not record their presence. There were 39 excused members; there were also 12 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. MEMBERSHIP REPORT: RICK ZAVATERO 683-2373 Changes:

Candidate List: There are no new candidates on the waiting list. Member Roster: SIR Ron Wilson and SIR Gary Sylvern were inducted into membership this month.

Current status: Candidate List = 0 Member Roster = 125

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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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 AUGUST 2019 edition of SIR Happenings on our SIR State website at www.sirinc.org. Can you believe SIR is celebrating its 60

th year anniversary? Lots of interesting articles

relating to other SIR Branches. Check out the news article from Branch 171. 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 APPLICATION FORMS are available on our website (branch174.sirinc2.org/MembershipForm.pdf), or, preferably, requested from Rick Zavatero, phone (925) 683-2373, zavatero@yahoo.com, or from Rick at our General Meeting. INDUCTIONS: RICK ZAVATERO 683-2373

OCTOBER INDUCTIONS

APPLICANT NO. YR. ADDRESS EMAIL PHONE BM

RON WILSON 249 2019 241 Glorietta Blvd, Orinda ouregos@comcast.net 254-1913 11

GARY SYLVERN 250 2019 7071 Skyline Blvd,Oakland Gary13664@yahoo.com 510-543-3120 9

GREETERS: There were no greeters at our October meeting. 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 BOB HICKMAN (our October birthday recipient) and DICK CURRY (membership recipient) who will receive free lunches at our November 2019 meeting. Were you one of the lucky ones? ROSTER CORRECTIONS: RICK ZAVATERO 683-2373 NOTICE: Whenever your mail or E-mail address, your phone number, or other data reported in the Members Roster changes please advise Rick. 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 November 25. 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 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, November 11. Please call or e-mail Tom and visit our website at www.sirbr8.com/astronomy for details and further information.

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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 November 21. As our October meeting was cancelled at the request of the Elks Lodge our presentation topic on “Organizing Your Photos” by Neil Schmidt has been shifted to our November meeting. Our presentation will address what do you do with all your photos. Most of us have a large collection of old slides and prints and, with today’s smartphones, we now have a massive collection of new digital images. Neil will explore several different techniques for managing your entire photo collection. Members usually arrive around 9:15 to enjoy coffee and a chat with friends and new acquaintances before the presentation. 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.

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 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 November 4. 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

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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such, ACBL Masterpoints 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, November 21, 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

Well, summer is officially over. Many salmon and halibut were killed and eaten. Now we seek trout, sturgeon, and striped bass. The Lake Almanor foray had mostly limits at Eagle Lake but wind prevented the group from fishing on the second day at Almanor; camaraderie, food and hospitality were the real winners. San Pablo reservoir was not as kind to Rich Fascina, Ed Barney, Phil Scimonelli, and Carl Moyer who fished twice for only two trout each day. Carl, Ron Lew, and Thom Watkins had even worse luck with sturgeon, catching only a few small ones. Ron, Carl, Brion Beetz, and George Vogt did catch rockfish, cabezone, and ling on the ocean blue. Tom Kostik got limits of trout at Pinecrest Lake, and salmon from the Klamath river. Paul Dubow, and Don Arington went to Nevada’s Pyramid lake for big cutthroat trout.

Please contact Karl Droese (Br 171) at 376-0468 or Carl Moyer (Branch 8) 685-5243 for more information.

GOLF: 18 Hole Golf - BILL WADSWORTH (Br. 174) 963-0442, Gene Bell (Br. 171) Our 2 man team championship tournament is moving along and hopefully will be finished before the rains hit! Our events in November include Lone Tree in Antioch on 11/4 and Rancho Solano in Fairfield on 11/18. As always come out and join the fun. Immediately following the Branch 174 luncheon on November 12, the golf group will hold its annual meeting in the bar area. For 2020, our nominating committee has put forth a slate of Ed McBride as Chair, Steve Behnke as Vice Chair, Ron Leiker as Handicap Chair, and Bill Wadsworth as Treasurer. Golf members please plan to attend as others may decide to put their names in the hopper for these prestigious positions and your vote will be important! Check us out online at www.sirlamorindagolf.com or contact Bill Wadsworth at 1wadsy@gmail.com. Come join us for the camaraderie and exercise.

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 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.

Branch 174 needs a volunteer(s) to assist Jim and Ken and liaise with our Branch so that our members are current with upcoming events!! Please contact Dave White at dandjw@comcast.net for 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. 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, November 20, at 8 a.m. Our speaker will be our own Jamshed Gandi, CPA, updating us on getting our financial affairs in order for handling our federal tax returns.

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/.

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.

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View along the Abrigo Valley Trail in

Briones Park – courtesy of Jorge Escobar

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 LYLE DECK (Br. 174) 254-3829 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. 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.

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 Imperia 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 – The biographies of our newest members, Ron Wilson and Gary Sylvern, have been added to our website this month. You can view their biographies as well as 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?

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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 Jon Leuteneker at 376-7035 or jonleuteneker@comcast.net.

2019 YOUR OFFICERS YOUR DIRECTORS

Big SIR: CLARK WALLACE 254-0753 Director (1 yr): TOM VINZENT 254-4509 Little SIR: TOM HENRY 510-502-5724 Director (1 yr): ALAN MCDONALD 283-8854 Secretary: TOM VINZENT 284-1763 Director (2 yrs): ROY ELLIOTT 283-6261 Asst. Secretary: DICK CURRY 254-4509 Director (2 yrs): DAVE WHITE 376-6152 Treasurer: JON LEUTENEKER 376-7035 Director (3 yrs): RALPH THORNICROFT 376-8140 Asst. Treasurer: RICK ABRAMS 945-1024 Director (3 yrs): HUGO KAPELKE 631-9335

November 2019 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Stamps & Coins

2

3

Day Light Savings Time

Ends

4 Golf-Lone Tree Table Pool

5 Walking Pinochle Tennis B’shop Harmony

6 League Bowling Senior Strollers

7 Rubber Bridge Tennis Dominoes

8 9

10 11 Table Pool Astronomy

Veterans Day

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

13 SIR Branch 174

General Meeting League Bowling Senior Strollers

14 Tennis Dominoes

15 16

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18 Golf- Rancho Solano Table Pool

19 Walking Wine Tasting 2 Tennis B’shop Harmony

20 Pinochle League Bowling Senior Strollers Investments

21 Computer &

Technology Tennis Dominoes Fishing

22 23

24 25 Table Pool Apple SIG

26 Walking Bridge Tennis B’shop Harmony

27 Poker Pinochle League Bowling Senior Strollers

28

Thanksgiving

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Template © calendarlabs.com

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SIR ORGANIZATION 2019

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 WALT BUSENIUS Branch 174 Website: http://branch174.sirinc.org

BRANCH 174

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN:

OFFICERS: MEMBERSHIP RICK ZAVATERO 683-2373

BIG SIR CLARK WALLACE 254-0753 ROY ELLIOTT 283-6261

LITTLE SIR TOM HENRY (510) 502-5724 RALPH THORNICROFT 376-8140 SECRETARY TOM VINZENT 254-4509

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

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

DIRECTORS: TOM VINZENT 254-4509 ALAN MCDONALD 283-8854 ASST. TO BIG SIR RICK ZAVATERO 683-2373

ROY ELLIOTT 283-6261

DAVE WHITE 376-6152 PROGRAMS TOM HENRY 284-5724 RALPH THORNICROFT 376-8140 CHAPLAIN TOM HENRY 284-5724

HUGO KAPELKE 631-9335

PAST BIG SIR INDUCTION RICK ZAVATERO 683-2373 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 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 FRANK MAY 376-8195

2016 JON LEUTENEKER ASSISTANT RICK ZAVATERO 683-2373

PUBLICITY TYLER HUNT 284-5561

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS: ACTIVITIES CHAIRMAN DAVID WHITE 376-6152

2011 BILL SUMNER (deceased) NOMINATING COMMITTEE JON LEUTENEKER, Chair. 376-7035

2014 PETE GIERS NEWSLETTER EDITOR: DICK CURRY 376-5541

2019 DICK CURRY BACK UP SENIOR CERTIFICATE AWARD WEB MASTER DICK CURRY 376-5541

DON REICHERT WOODY CONE (SUPER SENIOR) BACK UP

JACK CLARKSON STU KNUDSEN BILL MANN KNOW YOUR SIR BILL WADSWORTH 963-0442 BILL COMELY BRUCE JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHER JOE FITZGERALD 376-4656

DON HOSKIN JIM KRUGER

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 OPEN

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

9

SIR Branch 171 and 174

Ladies Day Holiday Luncheon

WEDNESDAY, December 18, 2019. Mark your calendars, get into your holiday mood and come along

with us for another enjoyable and festive Ladies Day Luncheon at St. Mary's Soda Center. Reception with wine

and conversation begins at 11:00 AM, followed by lunch at noon. We will have the Devil Mountain Chorus

entertaining us with your favorite holiday songs.

Our lunch menu will feature a choice of either Beef Short Ribs (BR) or Chicken Marsala (CM) with Garlic

Mashed Potatoes, Steamed Green Beans and Baby Carrots. You'll start with a Mixed Green Salad with

Thinly-Sliced Apples, Crumbled Blue Cheese, Dried Cranberries, Candied Pecans and a Dijon Vinaigrette.

Dessert will be Holiday Cupcakes and Petit Fours. Wine will also be served at your table during lunch.

Please submit your reservations using the form below. A vegetarian (V) and gluten free entrée of Sauteed

Spinach and Mushrooms with Sun Dried Tomato Risotto will be available.

RESERVATIONS MUST BE IN BY DECEMBER 8th•

This is a joint event between Lamorinda Branches 171 and 174. Your support is not only appreciated but is

essential to both our Branches. Please sign up early. Last year was close to selling out. Guests are welcome.

LADIES DAY HOLIDAY LUNCHEON RESERVATION FORM

Cost for the luncheon is $50 per person PLUS $3 per parking pass –Please use the reservation form

below. Full table reservations for one party of 8 should be made by one person submitting checks

totaling $400 (plus the cost of parking passes) along with the preferred badge names and menu

selections. Please make the checks payable to SIR Branch 171 and mail the check(s) together with

this form to:

Ed Beatson, 9 Teodora Ct., Moraga, CA 94556.

Branch/ SIR#

Member

Badge Name

Menu Guest

Badge Name

Menu

V BR CM V BR CM

BR – Beef Short Ribs CM – Chicken Marsala V – Vegetarian Risotto

Number of Parking Passes Required _______________

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 Rick

Zavatero. Completed applications should be handed to Rick or mailed to Rick at his residence at 809 Villa Lane, Apt. 1, Moraga, CA 94556.