THE SENIOR MEN'S CLUB OF NEW CANAAN
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 9, 2002
Vice President Bob Shafter pinch-hitting for vacationing Bob Witt and others, handily, opened the meeting with 102 members present. Current membership is 500, with 36 on the waiting list.
Announcements: Joe Sweet reported that Steve Stackpole passed away, and Frank Perron was admitted to Sloan Kettering. Dan Ward previewed the Board of Education presentation for our Sept. 6, meeting which will also include a tour of NCHS. Rod
Keagy paid a moving tribute to Curry Ford on his 91st birthday by reviewing the way things used to be for those born before 1945.
Activities: Tennis players are active as usual. Golf is scheduled on Sept. 16, with a return to Ridgefield CC by popular request. Fee will be $37. Bridge play will convene at Lapham today. Bowling will commence the first Friday after Labor Day. Racquetball is in pause mode and will reconvene the second week of Sept. The venue for the 4 Sept. 4F luncheon must await Eric Petschek's return.
Couth: On Sept. 19th, members with great expectations will be bound for Belmont. On Oct. 9th, we will see Oklahoma, and on Nov. 9th, the Army-Air Force football game. On Dec. 4th, we launch the Christmas season at the Newport mansions. Kicking off the New Year, plans are in place to see "Mamma Mia" on March 12th, 2003, with dinner at the Russian restaurant Firebird.
Resident Humorist: John Berg described the case of mistaken identity, and the embarrassment of a wife who mistook the auto mechanic's exposed private parts for those of her husbands.
SPEAKER
Former President Lee Hindenach introduced guest speaker Thomas Turrentine, chairman of the Waveny Care Network. Tom provided an update on the recent
activities of the Network, including the development of The Village and merger with the New Canaan Inn. After seven years of intense discussion the merger of the WCC and The Inn occurred on May 1, 2002. The underlying forces which drove the strategic change were the population growth of the 70+ market, and a need for increased
capacity at WCC for expanded dementia care. In addition The Waveny Network
provides inpatient-outpatient rehabilitation therapy, skilled nursing care, adult day care, geriatric assessment, hospice care, and Meals on Wheels. The result of the merger -- provides cost efficiencies by combining various staff functions, and facilitates capital expenditures through WCC fund raising capabilities and stronger balance sheet. Tom mentioned that the average age of a resident in 1980, was 65, today the average age is 88. The average length of stay is two years. The merger strengthen the Inn's standing in the marketplace, since Waveny Care Network residents are assured preferential admission at Waveny facilities. WCC benefited since they can now provide a
continuum of services and have gained expertise in the area of assisted living services. Tom closed by saying that what impressed him most during his seven years on the
board, was the. dedication of the volunteers, staff, and board members, for the welfare of the residents.
Stan Stanziale - Asst. Secretary