THE SENIOR MEN'S CLUB OF NEW CANAAN
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 22, 2001
President Lee Hindenach opened the business meeting with 108 members present. Current
membership is 500, with 20 on the waiting list.
Announcements: In Dick Depatie's absence, and after surveying the audience, President
Hindenach reported he was unaware of any member illnesses or hospitalizations. Bob Troup
offered additional tickets to the GHO golf tournament.
Activities: Eric Petscheck announced that the June 4F's luncheon will be hosted at Stamford
Yacht Club June 22nd, however bathing beauties might be in short supply. Bridge will meet at
Lapham Community Center after the SMC meeting or at 10:00 AM on Fridays we do not meet.
Trailblazers will hike to Troutbrook on July 16th. Racquetball is holding strong with 3
players, while Tennis was enjoyed by 23. Bob Moylan told of the trials and tribulations
of the Redding golf outing. He also confirmed the cause of his forehead gash, which was
what the members had suspected all along. Fortunately he had no blackened eyes.
Couth: Bob Wosahla reported the Blue Fish game planned for July 15th will probably be
postponed. Instead an evening game may be scheduled in August. July 28 is the annual
Connecticut Jazz Festival at Guilford. Please sign up if you are interested. It's off
to the races at Belmont on Sept. 12, to be followed by Mystic Seaport and a clambake
on Oct 3rd. Belmont and Mystic are $65 per person.
Jester: John Berg informed us that hard of hearing Genies don't always grant a wish as
requested, as was the case with a request for a one foot "pianist".
Speaker:
Vice President Ron Seger introduced Ray Porter, the first graduate of the Philadelphia
Museum School of Art to be awarded the school's photography prize in two consecutive
years. He is an accomplished fireworks photographer and has worked on numerous fireworks
displays. Ray showed rockets and described the role of stabilizers and spears. He
described the cylindrical Italian style shells which are commonly used in fireworks
displays as well as the use of spherical shells. Fireworks are illegal in Connecticut.
In fact, this is the first year that sparklers are legal. He warned of the dangers of
sparklers due to the extreme heat at which they burn. Labels and packages of vintage
firecrackers have become collectibles and have considerable value. Ray described the
fireworks making process, beginning with tiny seeds, adding color to the seeds, providing
rice hulls for filling, adding fuses and ignition cords, and finally wrapping them in
tissue or kraft paper. He mentioned that time fuses are extremely accurate and can be
set to music. He categorized fireworks as Class B or display fireworks, and Class C or
consumer fireworks. Japanese are credited with making the best fireworks. The Japanese
say that noise should invigorate, whereas the Italians say the more noise the merrier.
Ray gave a short lesson in fireworks photography. For cameras with adjustable lenses
use the following settings with ISO 100 film. Focus=infinity; Aperture=F8; Shutter
set to B; expose when fireworks go off. Multiple exposures can be made with the "Hat
Trick". Ray emphasized that safety is paramount when working with fireworks. Cotton
clothing is worn; smoking, alcohol, and metal objects are not permitted. Happy Fourth
of July!
Stan Stanziale, Asst. Secretary