THE SENIOR MEN'S CLUB OF NEW CANAAN
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 30, 2001
President Lee Hindenach opened the business meeting with 161 members present.
Current membership is 500 with 33 on the waiting list.
Announcements: Dick Depatie reported he knew of no members having health problems.
New member Don Porter was introduced and welcomed. President Hindenach read a thank
you letter from the NC Historical Society for the donation of a video projector.
He also noted that December 14 will be the only meeting of the month. Dick Bond
informed the members that NC will have its own State Rep. beginning Jan. 2003.
Huck Wood announced that Touch the Future speakers will be contacted for information,
and that NC fourth graders have undertaken a project to send letters to WWII Veterans.
Charlie Morris presented a virtual but most inviting gourmet menu for the Christmas Luncheon.
Activities: Bowling continues at 1230 today. Bridge players found the foul weather
provided a great day to play indoors. Paddle tennis continues M/T/TH, 9-11am, in
Waveny. Racquetball had three players. Phil Toll announced that "Nino's" will
host the Nov. 4F luncheon. Since Phil is bowing out, this may be the last 4F
luncheon unless there is a volunteer to replace him. Phil, thank you very much
for serving the members well! Although he was absent, Jack Murray still wishes
to be heard. Watch you e-mail. Weather permitting, a final 2001 hike may be scheduled.
Couth: December 13th., Radio City Christmas show and lunch at City Island.
Thirty two members have signed up, however we have paid for 50 tickets.
Bob Wosahla asked for "a few good men"! January 17th, it's Mohegan Sun with a
shuttle bus to Foxwoods Native American Museum. Cost will be $30. A trip to the
Bridgeport Cabaret Theater is planned for Feb. April 23-25, is the rescheduled
date for the Washington, DC trip. Two openings remain.
Resident Humorist: John Berg described how good neighbor intentions can be impacted
by currency exchange rates.
SPEAKER
Vice President Ron Seger introduced Father Peter Le Jacq, a MaryKnol1 priest and
medical doctor. Father Peter's is assigned in Mwanza, Tanzania, on Lake Victoria
where he is the coordinator of USA participation in founding the Univ. College of
Health Sciences. He described the living conditions as extremely poor. Only 10% of
the people have electricity, and drinking water which comes from Lake Victoria,
must be boiled before drinking. Health conditions are worse. Malaria the No.1 killer
of people in the world is prevalent in Tanzania and AIDS has infected ten percent of
Tanzanians. Father Peter spoke of the 800 bed hospital in Mwanza serving 8 million
people with one intensive care bed. The hospital and medical center was funded in
part by German charities. He described the room where anatomy is taught and autopsies
performed like one used during the time of Hipocrates. He stated NC has been doing
what President Bush has asked us to do; "make friends with the poor". Students from
NC collect sheets for the hospital and toys for the children, which are then shipped
by Americares to Tanzania. Cornell Medical School is the sister school to the Mwanza
Medical School. Cornell
provides education tools for medical courses. Father Peter mentioned there are
two things Tanzanians have in common, they all speak Swahali and are poor.
Stan Stanziale, Asst. Secretary