SIR 34 November 2019 Newsletter
- The Erie Canal was formally opened in New York on November 4, 1825.
- The Suez Canal opened on November 17, 1869.
- Abraham Lincoln gave his Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863.
- The United States and Panama signed the treaty that provided for the Panama Canal on November 18, 1903.
- The US and Canada celebrate the end of WWI every year on November 11, 1918.
- After discovering debris-covered stairs, British archaeologist Howard Carter and his crew entered the four-room Egyptian tomb of 18-year-old King Tutankhamen on November 26, 1922.
- The first mechanically ventilated underwater tunnel in the world, the Holland Tunnel, opened to traffic on November 13, 1927.
- Commander Richard E. Byrd and crew of three became first to fly over the South Pole, November 29, 1929.
- Parker Brothers introduced the world to the Monopoly game on November 5, 1935.
- On November 18, 1963, Bell Telephone Company introduced to the public the push button phone.
- John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963.
Big SIR
Jim Benham
November is the beginning of our Holiday season. It is also the beginning of our rainy season, but no rain yet. This month we celebrate two holidays, Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving. Veteran’s Day, or as many of us remember, Armistice Day, is the time to remember and honor our veterans.
A bit of trivia. Why is Veterans Day always on November 11? It commemorates the armistice that ended the First World War on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year in 1918. In 1954 the name was changed from Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day to honor all veterans of all wars.
Thanksgiving is much more than turkey dinners, cranberries, candied yams, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. It is a time we gather with family and friends to give thanks for our many blessings.
November is the last luncheon month for the year as we have the Christmas party at Castlewood Thursday evening, December 5. The November lunch will be the last time to purchase tickets for this event. For our new members, this is a great evening and I hope you are able to attend. It is a fun night of cocktails, dinner and dancing or just listening to the music and conversing with other SIRs. The women love it.
Next year, we have encountered some scheduling issues requiring us to change the date of three of our meetings. The first change is the January meeting which will be on the second Thursday, January 9th. The other changes are in April (4/9) and November (11/12) both second Thursdays. All other meetings are on the first Thursday of the month. We will remind everyone well ahead of time.
Little SIR
Bill Staack
Guest Speaker
Our guest speaker in November will be Colonel Paul Marnon, US Army (Ret). Colonel Marnon was an Apache Attack Helicopter pilot who was successfully deployed on 5 combat tours including Iraq and Afghanistan. He continues to serve on the Board of Directors and as a volunteer pilot for the Vietnam Helicopters Museum.
Treasurer's Report
Tom Reif
Please note: If you come in late for a meeting and there is no one at the table to buy a lunch ticket, please check the sign at the table to see where a treasurer (Wendell Moen, Jack Ogden or Tom Reif) is sitting and buy your ticket. Thanks for your help.
As noted by the Big SIR there are a few minor changes in meeting dates in 2020 caused by a conflict in scheduling, The first change is the January meeting which will be on the second Thursday, January 9th. The other changes are in April (4/9) and November (11/12) both second Thursdays. All other meetings are on the first Thursday of the month.
Jim Benham
November is the beginning of our Holiday season. It is also the beginning of our rainy season, but no rain yet. This month we celebrate two holidays, Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving. Veteran’s Day, or as many of us remember, Armistice Day, is the time to remember and honor our veterans.
A bit of trivia. Why is Veterans Day always on November 11? It commemorates the armistice that ended the First World War on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year in 1918. In 1954 the name was changed from Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day to honor all veterans of all wars.
Thanksgiving is much more than turkey dinners, cranberries, candied yams, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. It is a time we gather with family and friends to give thanks for our many blessings.
November is the last luncheon month for the year as we have the Christmas party at Castlewood Thursday evening, December 5. The November lunch will be the last time to purchase tickets for this event. For our new members, this is a great evening and I hope you are able to attend. It is a fun night of cocktails, dinner and dancing or just listening to the music and conversing with other SIRs. The women love it.
Next year, we have encountered some scheduling issues requiring us to change the date of three of our meetings. The first change is the January meeting which will be on the second Thursday, January 9th. The other changes are in April (4/9) and November (11/12) both second Thursdays. All other meetings are on the first Thursday of the month. We will remind everyone well ahead of time.
Little SIR
Bill Staack
Guest Speaker
Our guest speaker in November will be Colonel Paul Marnon, US Army (Ret). Colonel Marnon was an Apache Attack Helicopter pilot who was successfully deployed on 5 combat tours including Iraq and Afghanistan. He continues to serve on the Board of Directors and as a volunteer pilot for the Vietnam Helicopters Museum.
Treasurer's Report
Tom Reif
Please note: If you come in late for a meeting and there is no one at the table to buy a lunch ticket, please check the sign at the table to see where a treasurer (Wendell Moen, Jack Ogden or Tom Reif) is sitting and buy your ticket. Thanks for your help.
As noted by the Big SIR there are a few minor changes in meeting dates in 2020 caused by a conflict in scheduling, The first change is the January meeting which will be on the second Thursday, January 9th. The other changes are in April (4/9) and November (11/12) both second Thursdays. All other meetings are on the first Thursday of the month.
Membership
Don Bartel Chairman
No New Members
Don Bartel Chairman
No New Members
No Member Changes
In October we had 168 Members
In October we had 168 Members
Here is a photo of the October Birthday Boys
November Birthday Boys
Alan Brooks Mike Casey Frank Chambers Chan Eason Chris Hayman John Homa Fred Houston Bob Jacobsen Ron Jenson Joe Kenny Dave Lewis Phil Markwart Carl Michelotti Joe Morgan Kevin Reidy Roland Smith Phil Stage Bob Watson |
December Birthday Boys
Jim Benham Joe Biggs Dick Boccolini Larry Brumm Ed Dickerson Buck Helsel Chuck Hendricks Bill Janes Jim Kenna Larry Lindsey Gene Matthew Mike Melvin John Peterson Dick Spicka Bill Thomas |
Golf
We need a volunteer to serve as Communication Person and volunteer(s) to serve as Handicap Chairperson. Neither of these functions are very difficult or time consuming.
Elections for officers will be held along with next year branch officer elections, voting will be limited to golf group members
Jim Kenna (925) 989-9062
We need a volunteer to serve as Communication Person and volunteer(s) to serve as Handicap Chairperson. Neither of these functions are very difficult or time consuming.
Elections for officers will be held along with next year branch officer elections, voting will be limited to golf group members
Jim Kenna (925) 989-9062
2019 Golf Schedule |
Wine Tasting
Larry Lindsey
October Wine Tasting
We had 13 Sir's and their wife's adventure to Guerneville for our annual wine tasting event. Tony and Steve selected three good wineries for sampling and purchase. Our stay at the Applewood Inn was great. We enjoyed a fun dinner in Guerneville. A few SIR couples stayed an extra day to check out other wineries. Another successful outing!
Our November wine tasting will be hosted by Dennis & Cris Alcalde and it will be on November 12th. It is going to be Italian Night. Dennis & Cris will be serving Pasta, they've asked that we bring a favorite Italian wine, along with an appetizer or desert. First pour will be at 5:00. This should be a fun night. Dress Italian if you want. Please respond to Larry Lindsey if you plan on attending.
Dennis & Cris Alcalde
1488 Windsor Way
Livermore
925-443-2692
As most know Tony Davito will be taking over the wine group starting in January. I have enjoyed doing this for the last 4 years but it is time for a change. We recently moved to Bentwood, I will still be involved with Sir's and will still attend some of the wine tastings. I want to thank everyone for your help and participation. This is a great fun group.
Larry Lindsey
[email protected]
BRIDGE
CHUCK BROWN
In October, we met at the John Knox Presbyterian Church in Dublin.
We had three tables and the winners were: Bruce Kubik, Chuck Brown and Gordon Lund
Our next meeting will be November 12th at one PM.
Don Roberts
The camera club meets monthly at the Pleasant Senior Center. Any questions about Camera Club get in touch with Don Roberts at 846-5145 or email [email protected].
Chaplin
Larry Brumm
Please call Larry if you hear of any SIR sick, hospitalized, or injured so he can let everyone else
know.
Larry Lindsey
October Wine Tasting
We had 13 Sir's and their wife's adventure to Guerneville for our annual wine tasting event. Tony and Steve selected three good wineries for sampling and purchase. Our stay at the Applewood Inn was great. We enjoyed a fun dinner in Guerneville. A few SIR couples stayed an extra day to check out other wineries. Another successful outing!
Our November wine tasting will be hosted by Dennis & Cris Alcalde and it will be on November 12th. It is going to be Italian Night. Dennis & Cris will be serving Pasta, they've asked that we bring a favorite Italian wine, along with an appetizer or desert. First pour will be at 5:00. This should be a fun night. Dress Italian if you want. Please respond to Larry Lindsey if you plan on attending.
Dennis & Cris Alcalde
1488 Windsor Way
Livermore
925-443-2692
As most know Tony Davito will be taking over the wine group starting in January. I have enjoyed doing this for the last 4 years but it is time for a change. We recently moved to Bentwood, I will still be involved with Sir's and will still attend some of the wine tastings. I want to thank everyone for your help and participation. This is a great fun group.
Larry Lindsey
[email protected]
BRIDGE
CHUCK BROWN
In October, we met at the John Knox Presbyterian Church in Dublin.
We had three tables and the winners were: Bruce Kubik, Chuck Brown and Gordon Lund
Our next meeting will be November 12th at one PM.
Don Roberts
The camera club meets monthly at the Pleasant Senior Center. Any questions about Camera Club get in touch with Don Roberts at 846-5145 or email [email protected].
Chaplin
Larry Brumm
Please call Larry if you hear of any SIR sick, hospitalized, or injured so he can let everyone else
know.
History Club
Steve Jackson
For those of you who are history buffs this club might be of interest to you. We meet every second Wednesday of the month at 10am at the Corner Bakery Café near intersection of Bernal and Valley near I-680. We have a list of topics we want to explore. Please join us if you are interested and bring a fact or two with you to share.
Stephen Jackson [email protected]
Steve Jackson
For those of you who are history buffs this club might be of interest to you. We meet every second Wednesday of the month at 10am at the Corner Bakery Café near intersection of Bernal and Valley near I-680. We have a list of topics we want to explore. Please join us if you are interested and bring a fact or two with you to share.
Stephen Jackson [email protected]
Beer Group
Steve Annen
Last month we went to Altamount brewery and boy has it changed. We will be going back again! This month we will be going to Bottle and Taps at 3020 Bernal Pleasanton on Thursday 11/21 at 4 pm. They have a wide selection of beers and good food . Hope to see you there Steve
Steve Annen
Last month we went to Altamount brewery and boy has it changed. We will be going back again! This month we will be going to Bottle and Taps at 3020 Bernal Pleasanton on Thursday 11/21 at 4 pm. They have a wide selection of beers and good food . Hope to see you there Steve
Poker
Bill Junge
Thanks to Jack Parker for hosting the October Poker outing, it was a fun night. The poker group meets once a month for our poker games, it's low stakes, and a fun time.
Want to join in on the fun? e-mail Bill at [email protected].
Bill Junge
Thanks to Jack Parker for hosting the October Poker outing, it was a fun night. The poker group meets once a month for our poker games, it's low stakes, and a fun time.
Want to join in on the fun? e-mail Bill at [email protected].
Bocce
Steve Annen
The bocce group is having great turn outs and we are playing every other Tuesday at the Pleasanton Senior Center at 10am. Let Steve know if you want to join in on the fun.
The once a month Breakfast Group
Jim Benham
We met for breakfast on October 30th and as always had great conversations talking about the World Series and the 49ers at 7-0. Oh yea, we also had a good breakfast with lots of hot coffee. Come join us for our next get together on December 18 at Vic’s AllStar Café on Main Street in Pleasanton at 8:30.
Steve Annen
The bocce group is having great turn outs and we are playing every other Tuesday at the Pleasanton Senior Center at 10am. Let Steve know if you want to join in on the fun.
The once a month Breakfast Group
Jim Benham
We met for breakfast on October 30th and as always had great conversations talking about the World Series and the 49ers at 7-0. Oh yea, we also had a good breakfast with lots of hot coffee. Come join us for our next get together on December 18 at Vic’s AllStar Café on Main Street in Pleasanton at 8:30.
SIR Day at The Races
Tony Davito
A small group of our horse racing enthusiasts traveled to Golden Gate Fields for “SIR Day at the Races”. They had a great lunch, met fellow SIRs from clubs around the Bay Area and placed a bet or two on the ponies.
Tony Davito
A small group of our horse racing enthusiasts traveled to Golden Gate Fields for “SIR Day at the Races”. They had a great lunch, met fellow SIRs from clubs around the Bay Area and placed a bet or two on the ponies.
New Announcements
Christmas Song Leaders Needed
The Second Annual Holiday Tea at the Pleasant Senior Center is scheduled for December 5, 2019. This is a popular event. Last year several SIR members helped in leading Christmas Songs at individual tables. It was a lot of fun. We need volunteers again this year, takes about an hour. You'll be able to leave by 3pm in time to get ready for our annual Christmas Party. Come join us and bring some Holiday Joy to the Senior Center. To participate please contact Jim Benham, or Dick Small. For additional information about the Holiday Tea and Cakes event click here.
Christmas Song Leaders Needed
The Second Annual Holiday Tea at the Pleasant Senior Center is scheduled for December 5, 2019. This is a popular event. Last year several SIR members helped in leading Christmas Songs at individual tables. It was a lot of fun. We need volunteers again this year, takes about an hour. You'll be able to leave by 3pm in time to get ready for our annual Christmas Party. Come join us and bring some Holiday Joy to the Senior Center. To participate please contact Jim Benham, or Dick Small. For additional information about the Holiday Tea and Cakes event click here.