Rooster Talk Little Hills Branch 147 March 2018 Vol. 31, #3 Branch 147 Web Site: sirinc2.org/branch/147 From BIG SIR Mike Burwen I thought the Petaluma Fire Chief s presentation was excellent. Petaluma is lucky to have such an experienced and dedicated person running the show. The Board has adopted a new policy for new member prospect lunches. I understand that the same policy was in effect years ago, but nobody I asked could remember why it was abandoned. Under the new/old policy, any member that brings in a new member prospect for lunch must pay for that person s lunch. That money will be refunded by giving the member a free lunch the following month. I am sorry to announce that our Membership Chairman, John Howard, who served in that role for many years, resigned from SIR for several reasons including health issues. We need a volunteer to take over John s duties. If you are willing, please contact me ASAP. Keith Heiden and Chuck Seebok recently resigned from the Board. Our fearless Nominating Committee Chairman, Tom Molinari, has nominated Mark Quam and Ron Hodges to fill these positions. On behalf of the entire membership, thanks guys. From the Soapbox: Like most organizations, a small number of people run the show. We wish it were otherwise, but that s life. If we can t get new blood to participate, the organization will eventually collapse as did Branch 100 a couple of years ago. I encourage every member to do his part to ensure that Branch 147 stays healthy and vibrant. Once upon a time SIR had more than 38,000 members. Today that number is 14,300. Nough said. Speaker of the Month for next Month Arranged by Little SIR Greg O'Brien The SIR guest speaker for the March 13th luncheon will be Brian Sobel. He is the author of The Fighting Pattons A unique view of a military family with 79 years of continuous service from the punitive action in Mexico in 1916 through Vietnam. Speaker of the Month for last Month Arranged by Little SIR Greg O'Brien The speaker for February was Petaluma Fire Chief Leonard Thompson. The Fire Chief spent 35 years with the Los Angeles Fire Department. As you know, I have been on a crusade to get as many (Con't Page 2) Page 1
Computer & Smartphone Group from the Magic Keyboard by SIR Mike Burwen This group meets on the last Thursday of every month from 2:00 to 3:30 @ the Petaluma Senior Center The next meeting of the Computer & Smartphone Cub will be held March 29, 2:00 3:30 PM at the Senior Center. The topic for the meeting will be ebooks, ezines and ereaders. Although ebooks have been around for many years, thanks to Amazon and others the ebook ecosystem has changed significantly in recent years. Among other things it is now possible to get nearly every book you might want to read FREE without leaving home! The advantages of ebooks over paper books are many: read them in bright sunlight or in the dark; never a late fee; convert to an audiobook with a couple of clicks; carry your entire library in the cloud; and many more. At the meeting we will discuss and how to access these free sources. We will also talk about the pros and cons of ereader hardware and software choices, borrowing ebooks from other ebook owners and public libraries; and many more. BIG SIR email addresses as possible. I just learned that there is a state SIR rule (#178, adopted in 2007) requiring that SIR branches collect email addresses and publish them in the annual Branch Roster. State SIR is now publishing a quarterly newsletter that it wants to send to SIR members by email (It is available at sirinc.org/sirhappenings.) and have requested that the Branches provide them with their member email lists. We will comply with that request in a few weeks. In summary, if we have your email address, we will use it for SIR state and branch communications and publish it in the roster beginning in 2019. If you haven t given us an email address, we will ask for it. If you have given us your email address and don t want us to use it, you can opt out by sending me an email to that effect, mike@pamg.com. The newsletter and meeting notices are available on the website, sirinc2.org/branch/147. Sir 58 will be hosting the Beer Booth at the Butter & Eggs Day Parade the last Saturday in April. If you are willing to help, please contact Derlin German, 763-6162. Mike Burwen Big SIR, 2018 (Con't) Ladies Day - Save the Date of April 24, Tuesday. Tracking Our Numbers SIR Herb Mitschan HLM (FEBRUARY NUMBERS) Membership 102 Members Attended 79 Guests, Visitors, & Speaker 1 Total Attendance 80 Excused 14 Unexcused 9 Inactive 1 Removed 2 Added 2 The Greeter will be SIR Keith Heiden Regular members missing three (3) consecutive meetings without notifying the Attendance Chairman with a valid reason, or, attending fewer than six (6) meetings within the last twelve (12) months, shall be notified of membership termination. Please call three (3) days in advance when you cannot attend. Calling the same day as the luncheon does not give time to cancel meals. Page 2
Don't Forget!! If you can't make it to a Luncheon, then be sure to report your absence in advance by the Thursday before. Contact: Herb Mitschan at 707-763-9225 the MENU March 13th Corned Beef and Cabbage Includes salad, bread, coffee and dessert March Anniversaries Name Year Alfred & Colleen Aguilar 1985 Robert & Dianna Hartley 1965 The State SIR has honored 3 Branch 147 members with the "Senior SIR President's Award" on achieving the Milestone of Life, namely age 90. The awards will be presented at the next SIR meeting to: Frank Detting John Finkbohner Cortland Pelton NON-RESPONSIBILITY DECLARATION: All activities arranged for or by, or sponsored by, Sons in Retirement, Incorporated, and its Branches, are for the convenience and pleasure of the members and their guests who desire to participate. Sons in Retirement, and its Branches do not assume any responsibility for well being or safety of the participants or their property, in any matters pertaining to said activities. March Birthdays Name Year Michael Burwen 1938 William Cooper 1936 Malcolm Doyle 1937 John Gallagher 1945 Keith Heiden 1959 Thomas Hickerson 1946 Roger Hillman 1933 John Nelson 1937 Douglas Robinson 1932 Butch Smith 1945 (If you are 90 or older you get a free lunch on your birthday month) Parent - Sorensen Mortuary & Crematory James M. Smith - President 850 Keokuk Street Petaluma, CA 94952 707 763 4131 Page 3
TRAVEL Arranged by SIR Ed Molinari Railroad Fans - We are looking at a Rocky Mountaineer rail trip in Canada in 2019. As you might know, these trains pass through some of the most beautiful country in Western Canada. Contact Derlin (707-763-6162) if you have interest so we can work up an outstanding trip. Apr 4-14: Tulip Time in Holland. A 7-night Cruise R/T to Amsterdam aboard AMA Waterways. You will visit the legendary Keukenfof Gardens, and pass colorful row houses and houseboats, See Ann Franks home then indulge in culinary bliss via Belgium chocolates and stroopwafel. Cost ranges from $4830 to $6195. Contact: John Pletsch, Br.32, 408-274-2992 Apr 18-27: Spring Tulip River Cruise. 10-day Cruise featuring Dutch and Belgium Waterways. Highlights include Amsterdam, Volendam, Hoorn. Arnhem. Middelburg, Ghent, Bruges, Antwerp, Kinderdijk windmills. Cost $4376 to $7176 and includes RT Air, Insurance, Air Taxes, Hotels and transfers. Bill Britton, Br121, 925-443-9913. Apr 22-30: Explore the magnificent Northwest. 9 day voyage aboard the elegant American Empress, from Clarkston, WA to Portland, OR. Ports: Richland, WA, The Dalles. OR. Stevenson, WA and Astoria, OR. $3665 includes T/T airfare to Spokane and return from Portland, all port taxes. Prenight stay at famous Davenport Hotel, in Spokane, WA Lee Suess, Br. 96 408 309-1480. May 25-Jun 9: Historic Cities of Eastern Canada & New England. 16- day trip begins in Toronto then Lake Ontario, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Quebec City and Montreal. Then travelers will board Holland America cruise ship and cruise down the St Lawrence river to Charlottetown, Sydney and Halifax and onto Bar Harbor ending in Boston. Cost is $3695 to $5185 (without Airfare). Jim Hohenshelt, Br 62, 408-394-7226. June 6th - GIANTS / DIAMONDBACKS GAME. This will be a day game with start time at 12:30. Seats are in 307 above First Base and 318 above Home Plate. Coach travel from Petaluma Fair Grounds parking lot will be provided. Tickets approx $45. Contact: Derlin 763-6162 June 27-29 Yosemite Nat Park - 2 nights at Chukchansi Resort. Includes: food and gaming credits, 2 lunches, Yosemite Valley Tram tour, Railway excursion and BBQ, tax and gratuities included and more for only $495pp. Contact: Tom Molinari stmolinari@sbcglobal.net, 707-762-1880. Aug 6 12: Yellowstone, A Wildlife Safari. Tour Highlights: Yellowstone NP, Idaho Falls, Grand Teton NP, Snake River Float trip, Salt Lake City w/mormon Tabernacle choir and Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. Includes: home pickup, transfers, R/T air Salt Lake City, (10 meals). Cost: $2789 per person dbl occupancy. $3509 Single.Br. 32 Escorts John Pletsch 408 504-1255 and Mike Console 408 246-1080 Aug 22-30: Colors of Provence River Cruise Lyon to Aries. Begin your cruise in Lyon, France s gastronomical capital. Enjoy wine tastings at local vintners, marvel at Roman ruins and stroll thought medieval villages. See the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Avignon. Post option, three nights in Barcelona. Price $6349 to $7350. Larry Yarberry Branch 8 yarberry42@comcast.net Phone 925-890-9245 Sep 8: Colorado Train Trip. 7- day trip with stops at the US Airforce academy, Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Colorado National Monument and Museum. Cost $3035 and includes 15 meals, R/T Air, home pickup and back, professional tour manager, Larry Yarberry, Br 8, 925-890-9245. Sep 13-23: Alaska Inside Passage. 11-day Grand Princess Cruise starting in SF with ports of call at Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan and Victoria B.C. Trip includes R/T transfer, Gratuities, Shipboard credit, and Photo. Cost $1899 to $3249. Tom Molinari, Br 147, 707-762-1880. Sep 17-25: The BIG E. The largest fair on the East Coast. Fall colors, culture, history, entertainment, shopping, food and drink. Highlights- Eastern States Exhibition, Storrowton Village, Springfield Museum, Dr Seuss Sculpture Garden, Big E Circus and Parade, Ben and Jerry Factory, Lunch at Trapp Family Lodge, Quechee Gorge Loon Gondola ride, Portland City Tour and Lighthouse Lovers Cruise. Contact Lee Suess, Br 96, 408-309-1480. Sept 20: Islands of New England. Eight day escorted tour. Highlights Providence, Newport, Boston, Cranberry Bog, Plimoth Plantation, Cape Cod, Martha s Vineyard, Lobster Dinner, Provincetown, Hyannis, Nantucket. Bill Rodman 408 274-4521 or Alan Patmore 408 867-4197 Cost: $3349.. Oct 21-31: Crystal Mozart River Cruise. Enjoy Europe s majesty and history of the scenic Wachau Valley, An Austrian wonderland. Stops include Durnstein, Melk, Bratislava, Budapest and Vienna. Prices start at $6485. Larry Martinson, Br 114, 408-528-0746 or Jim Stoner, 408-238-8458. Nov 5-13: Branson, MO Bentonville, Arkansas and Beyond. Wine, Dine and Yacht with Branson entertainers and see beautiful scenery and historic sites of Northwest Arkansas. Price includes home pick-up, professional tour guide, round-trip air fare and transfers. Cost: $2935 per person dbl occupancy $3470 Single. Br 141 Co-escorts: Brian Serpa 408 227-7658 & Rollo Parsons 408 268-5245 Dec 31 2018 (+ or - ) days (3-4 day trip) - New Years Pasadena Rose Parade. Pursuing 3-4 day trip to see the Rose Parade and other features. Please contact me (Chuck Wolf, 477-3505) if you have interest in this event as planning/scheduling is critical. We will have reserved seating. Feb 15-Mar 2, 2019: Cruise from San Francisco to Ft Lauderdale. 15 day cruise aboard the Coral Princess with port stops at Cabo San Lucas, San Juan Del Sur, Puntarenas, Fuerte Amador, cruising through the Panama Canal, Cartagena, and Ft Lauderdale. Cost ranges from $3390 to $4190. Arkady Belogolovsky, Br. 54, 408-253-3956, or Joe Salamida, 408-767-2838. Page 4
GOLF NEWS - from SIR Mark Cooper Tournament Schedule Feb 26 - Foxtail North (8:00am shotgun) Mar 5 - Rooster Run (8:30am First Tee Time) Mar 12 - Foxtail South (8:00am shotgun) Mar 19 - Rooster Run (8:30am First Tee Time) Mar 26 - Foxtail South (8:00am shotgun) Apr 2 - P.G.&C.C. (9:00am shotgun) Apr 9 - Rooster Run (8:00am First Tee Time) Apr 16 - Foxtail North (8:00am shotgun) Apr 23 - P.G.&C.C. (9:00am shotgun) Apr 30 - Rooster Run (8:00am First Tee Time) May 7 - Foxtail South (8:00am shotgun) All Monday games that fall on a Holiday during 2018 will be played at Rooster Run with 10am as the First Tee Time. WE HAVE THREE NEW GOLFERS JOING SIR 147. THEY ARE: STEVE POWELL, GARTH HEWITT, AND BILL CHISHOLM. WELCOME GUYS! I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON THE LINKS...MARK COOPER TOURNAMENT RESULTS JAN. 29th. Rooster Low Gross Low Net Net Closest to Pin Free Golf FIRST FLIGHT ROY DORN 83 RON HEDGES 68 NON E TOM MOLINARI 9 3 DAVE EINERS SECOND FLIGHT AL AGUILAR 104 LOU MARELLO 73 NON E JOHN NELSON 19 5 MARK COOPER 104 FEB. 5th Foxtail Low Gross Low Net Net GREG FIRST FLIGHT BILL JOHNS 81 KEN DOWNING 68 O BRIEN Closest to Pin STEVE POWELL 15 1 Free Golf SECOND FLIGHT MARK COOPER 101 AL AGUILAR 72 JIM TEMPLE 20 5 FEB. 12th. Rooster Low Gross Low Net Net Closest to Pin Free Golf DAN 14 7 FIRST FLIGHT DAN BUSCH 94 KEN DOWNING 69 ROY DORN BUSCH SECOND FLIGHT RICH CLAPP 96 DAN CURTIN 65 AL AGUILAR 64 6 FEB. 22nd. Rooster Low Gross Low Net Net Closest to Pin Free Golf FIRST FLIGHT No Tournament For The 2018 SIR State Golf Schedule - Find information at golf.sirinc2.org April 28 -- Butter and Egg Days Parade -- Volunteers are needed to work in the Beer Booth. Call Derlin 763-6162 Page 5
SIR Nino Cerruti, HLM 313 Ridgeview Drive Petaluma, CA 94952 Place Stamp Here address label here Rooster Talk Little Hills Branch 147 Incorporated An Organization for Retired Men Find all kinds of info about our organization at sirinc.org DATED MATERIAL March 2018 SIR Branch 147 Executive Committee OUR WILLING WORKERS BIG SIR Mike Burwen 658 2824 Little SIR Greg O'Brien 774 6342 Secretary Bill Cooper, Sen. HLM 762 3083 Assistant Jim Inden 763 6422 Treasurer Nino Cerruti, HLM 762 5187 Assistant Mark Cooper 763 6183 DIRECTORS Bill Allen 763 3332 Jim Bauer 763 3276 Michael Blume 658 2802 Bill Johns 981 7363 Chuck Seebock 778 6577 John Nelson (Past Big Sir) 763 4311 Attendance Herb Mitschan HLM 763 9225 Jim Bauer 763 3276 Bowling Bill Cooper, Senior HLM 762 3083 Chaplain Richard Bergeron 762 8589 Assistant Jim Bauer 763 3276 Computer Mike Burwen 658 2844 Editor Al McLaughlin 762 8456 Golf Mark Cooper 763 6183 Golf Handicap Chairman Dan Curtin III 763 5374 Historian Jim Inden 763 6422 Store Keeper John Gallagher 763 9498 Membership John Howard 415 883 3685 Bocce Ball Rich Zanotti 763 0553 NameTags & Seating David Shetka 762 9686 Photographer Herb Mitschan 763 9225 Travel & Other Activities Ed Molinari 762 1880 Mailing List Nino Cerruti, HLM 762 5187 Picnic Tom Molinari 762 1880 RAMP (Recruitment, Activities, Member Relations, & Publicity) Mike Burwen 658 2844 Nominating Committee Ed Molinari 762 1880 REGULAR MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS are held on the Second Tuesday of Each Month The Executive Committee meets at 10:30 A.M., Social Hour at 11:00 and Lunch begins at 12:00. A Speaker is normally up after lunch. Meetings are held at the Elks Lodge 2105 S McDowel Blvd Petaluma, CA 94954 State President - Derek Southern Region 10 Director - Open Area 25 Governor - Alexander Grieve Page 6