THE SENIOR MEN'S CLUB OF NEW CANAAN
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 21, 2003
President Bob Witt opened the meeting with 134 members present. Current membership is 522, with 3 invitees, and 11 on the waiting list. New member John Crum was introduced and welcomed.
Announcements: Dick DePatie informed the members that Russ Gough broke his hip, A. Nick Nichols had heart surgery, Bill Maloney has emphysema, and Elly King and Jack Roorbach are convalescing, all at Waveny. Giff Kittredge announced that an "Investment Basics" course will be held at Lapham Center beginning March 6, Fee is $25. Bob Shafter requested voter registration cards be returned promptly.
Activities: Bowlers are again on the Lanes. Bridge is business as usual. Paddle survives the inclement weather. The February 4F’s luncheon will be hosted at Nino’s. With Spring approaching, Trailblazers announce its first hike to the Husotonic rail bed on March 26th. Flight simulation enthusiasts meet at Lapham Center. See Jack Murray for details.
Couth: March 12 we see the Broadway hit Mamma Mia. Jackets are required at the Firebird restaurant. April 24, is the trip to the Connecticut State Capitol. On May 8, is the overnight trip to Boston.
Resident Humorist: John Berg provided us with a most negative definition of service; many of us have had such an experience! He also described exchanging your husband for a bottle of wine as making a good trade.
SPEAKER
Vice President Bob Shafter introduced guest speaker Mary McKay Maynard, author of the book "My Faraway Home". Ms. McKay began describing her childhood in the Philippines in the early 1940’s, where her father, a mining engineer, managed the Mindanao Mother Lode gold mining firm. Although war was imminent, Mr. McKay was assured by Gen. Mac Arthur that any war would be over within a month. Gen. Mac Arthur was a stockholder in the Mother Lode mine and an acquaintance of Mr. McKay. As the Japanese took over the islands, they offered what was called "benevolent concentration" for those who cooperated with them. The McKay’s decided to take refuge in the jungles on the edge of unexplored territory. She mentioned that in 1943 her farther was more worried about bandits, than the Japanese. As the situation worsened, Mr. McKay wrote to Gen. Mac Arthur asking that he take his wife and daughter out of the country. The Gen. refused saying no women or children were permitted aboard military vessels. They survived the ordeal by trading with Filipino natives who never revealed their hideout. In 1944, through clandestine operation Ms. McKay and her mother left the Philippines on the submarine USS Narwhal and got to Australia. They were then given passage on a troopship arriving in San Francisco in March 1944. Her brother who was missing, was liberated after being a POW for 37 months, returning to San Francisco in March 1945. Her father returned to the US, and spent 1 1/2 years in a TB hospital. This is one war story that ended well.
Stan Stanziale, Asst. Secretary