THE SENIOR MEN'S CLUB OF NEW CANAAN
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 1, 2002
President Lee Hindenach opened the meeting with 132 members present. Membership is
500 with 43 on the waiting list.
Announcements: Health minister Dick DePatie announced a clean bill of health for the
club. Bob Connor is back up and about. Cole Fisher gave a synopsis of the
"Touch the Future" program going into details of some of the activities. He stressed
that SMC function is to be good listeners and encouragers. Lee Hindenach announced that
Ted Zimmerman filled the New Canaan Library slot and also called a Board of Directors
meeting 2/8 at 8:45.
Activities: Bowling had four last week with one over 500 series. Paddle continues
three days a week, now playing with spray- painted balls. Racquetball is still
silent. "Trailblazers" had a wonderful hike in New Zealand, and leader Jack Murray
is going to invite a few elite members for an encore trip over there. Bridge is
flourishing in the indoor season, and 4Fs will report to us next week.
Couth: February 22nd Bridgeport Cabaret Theater, March 5th the Philadelphia flower
show, April date TBA the Culinary Institute, May date TBA the Bronx Zoo. The April
Washington D.C. trip has openings for two couples.
Resident Humorist: John Berg described how a frog turned into a handsome prince, and
how his lonely female companion turned into the nearest motel driveway.
Speaker: VP Ron Seger introduced Larry Fisher, Executive Director of the
Barnum Museum
in Bridgeport. Mr. Fisher spent almost his whole speech on the life of one of America's
most famous personalities, Mr. P.T. Barnum. A few of the highlights. Barnum was born
in 1810 in Bethel, Ct. His first work experience was in his grandfather's store, and by
age 14, he was managing it. In 1841 he bought the Scudder American Museum in New York
City, and made a fortune before it burned down. His ability as an innovator and showman
was evident as he introduced an aquarium with live whales, and had a very successful
theater inside the museum. His next claim to fame was Tom Thumb, who he met through
his brother, and who became a huge success both here and abroad. In 1850 he pulled
off his next coup by bringing over to America the "Swedish Nightingale, Jenny Lind",
again making a small fortune. At age 61 he met James Bailey, and they opened his first
circus in the U.S. Ever the great innovator, he introduced such acts as bearded ladies,
fat ladies, fire eaters, and best of all, "Jumbo" the elephant, whom he brought over
from the London Zoo. Mr. Barnum throughout his life was the master of the hoax, making
money from such things as the "Fiji Mermaid," and the "Cardiff Giant."
It was most
suspicious how many of his insured properties were destroyed by fires. He lived most
of his later life in Bridgeport, and contributed greatly to the community. He was
founder of the Bridgeport hospital, opened the Bridgeport Port Jefferson ferry, and
helped found many churches in the community. In 1891 he constructed the Bridgeport
Museum. He died quite wealthy, leaving to his family five houses, his investment part
of the circus, and also $250,000 to Tufts University. He is falsely credited with
coining the phrase, "a sucker is born every day." However, he certainly lived up to
the spirit of that saying.
Eric Musa, Secretary