THE SENIOR MEN'S CLUB OF NEW CANAAN
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 12, 2002
President Lee Hindenach opened the meeting with 173 members present. Current membership is 480, with 20 invitees, and 26 on the waiting list. New members Rusty Richards and Ladd Seton introduced themselves and were welcomed by the members.
Announcements: President Hindenach introduced Fr. Wm. Pickering who welcomed the members to Morrill Hall. Lee thanked Fr., and presented him with a contribution of $2500 on behalf of the SMC. As Fr. Pickering left the dais, he was abruptly intercepted by church treasurer Clancy Fauntleroy. The Board unanimously elected Fr. Pickering as an ex-officio during our stay at St. Marks. Fr. also informed us that Dick Depatie is recovering form bypass surgery. Joe Sweet announced that Ed Deadrick has a broken leg, Nick Nichols is at Waveny, Steve Stackpole is receiving hospice care at NC Inn, and Don Hunziker is at home recovering. The NC Band is conducting rehersals at Waveny beginning April 17, at 8PM. And finally, the case of the missing fisherman's cap is closed. Jim Schulmpf on behalf of nominating committee chairman Don Hunziker, presented the proposed slate of Officers for 2002-2003.
Activities: April 4F’s luncheon will be at the Trattoria Via Sforza in Norwalk. Bridge will meet at Lapham Community Center. Bowlers are back on the lanes at 1230 today. Paddle continues MTTh, and Racquetballers have emerged from hibernation. Golf warm-up is scheduled for April 17th, at Oak Hills in Norwalk ($47). The season opener will be at the NCCC on May 8th ($67). Trailblazers will hike to Macedonia State Park on April 27th, and then to the Brooklyn Bridge on May 1st. Those interested in purchasing it, please see Jack Murray.
Couth: The long awaited Washington, DC trip is April 23-25. Departure is at 0730 hours from St. Marks. The Bronx Zoo is on tap for May 14th; followed by Goodspeed Opera House on June 19th. July 27 is the date for the CT Jazz Festival. August brings cool sea breezes on the ferry ride to Port Jefferson. In September it’s off to the races at Belmont. October 9th is a date with Broadway to see Oklahoma, and on Nov. 9th we see the Army-Air Force football game at West Point. In December we tour the GE Building and NBC studios. Couth is really humming along!
Jester: John Berg informed us of the challenges every golfer faces when confronted with buttercups and pussy willows.
SPEAKER
Vice President Ron Seger, introduced Fabio Freyere, a native of Cuba and publisher of Sports Illustrated. Mr. Freyere began his discussion by stating that the American dream is alive and well. He expanded this, by stating that with every crisis comes an opportunity. To gain this opportunity one must establish a game plan and carry it through. He also spoke of the importance of family values, honesty, and integrity. In 1956 during the Batista years, the Freyere family owned 176000 acres of land and were the 2nd largest sugar producer in Cuba. In 1959, after the Castro takeover, the peoples assets were frozen and were given 48 hours to leave Cuba. His father who participated in the Bay of Pigs invasion was captured, imprisoned, and eventually released for $100K ransom. In 1964, the family moved to Greenwich, CT, where he attended Whitby and Brunswick Schools. He expects that Cuba’s transition back to capitalism will be difficult, since there are conflicting groups which he identified as the aristocracy and the Canosa families or middle class. Although Fabio has a strong interest in Cuba, he describes his first language as English, and himself as an American.
Stan Stanziale, Asst. Secretary