The Old Guard, Inc.
April 2017 NEWSLETTER
Volume 53                                                No. 8

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STORYTELLER
 CODE OF CONDUCT


APRIL PROGRAMS
Apr 4           John Ramsey, WWUH Radio General Manager  
                     "History of Radio in Connecticut "
                      Introduced by: Scott MacCloy
                      STORYTELLER: Peter Tiernan

Apr 11          Susan Walkama, CEO of Wheeler Clinic
                     "Integrating Primary & Behavioral Healthcare:
                      Creating Better Outcomes"
                      Introduced by: Courtney Bourns
                      STORYTELLER: Tom Trumbull

Apr 18          Kevin B. Sullivan, CT Commissioner Department
                      of Revenue Affairs
                    "Connecticut Update"
                       Introduced by: Al Nweeia
                      STORYTELLER: Jerry Fiske

Apr 25          Dr. Heidi Hadsell, President, Hartford Seminary
                      "Peacebuilding Across Religious Traditions:
                      What are the Building Blocks?"
                      Introduced by: Bob Hoffman
                      STORYTELLER: Joe Patterson

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE                       Jeff Lee, President
As I write this, I just came off the golf course after shooting a 61 with 4 holes in one! My best round ever, and only one hole-in-one short of my all-time record of 5 in one round!    APRIL FOOLS!  As I actually write this a blizzard is raging outside with a forecasted snowfall of 12-18"...and I have NEVER had a single hole-in-one...but still tryin'! Besides the sometimes obvious April Fools, this month brings us Palm Sunday, Passover, Good Friday, Bad Tax Day, and Easter Sunday. It also marks the last full month of our 2016-2017 Program Year, and we have some great speakers, and lots of preparation ahead for our Annual Meeting next month on Tuesday the 16 th . Your events committee promises a special event where we will have the UConn head football coach, the outgoing West Hartford town manager, and West Hartford's mayor as our guests at The Hartford Golf Club. I'll do my formal year-end thanks in next month's newsletter, but suffice it to say, I've had a wonderful time serving as your President, and look forward to many years of proud future membership in the Old Guard!
 
VICE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE      Al Nweeia, Vice President
We start off our eight month of our 51 st year with John Ramsey, WWUH Radio General Manager,
giving us the "History of Radio in Connecticut". Next, comes Susan Walkama, CEO of Wheeler Clinic, who will be speaking on "Integrating Primary and Behavioral Healthcare: Creating Better Outcomes." Then, Kevin Sullivan, CT Commissioner Department of Revenue Affairs, will be giving us a "Connecticut Update." We close out the month with Dr. Heidi Hadsell, President of Hartford Seminary, who will discuss "Peacebuilding across Religious Traditions: What are the Building Blocks?" Thank you for all your referrals this year! We are still taking referrals for next year, so please keep them coming.

GOLF TOURNAMENT                      Dale Wolfe/El Harp
This annual Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, May 8th at the Tunxis Plantation Country Club, 87 Town Farm Road, Farmington CT. Please reserve this date on your calendars so we can have a good turn out. All income over costs goes to the YMCA Summer Camp Scholarship Fund to help children who cannot afford to attend camp be able to attend. El Harp will again be gathering the prizes for raffle tickets. Please save the date and join us for this fun event!
 
MEMBERSHIP                                   Tom Goodrum, Chairman
We have hit a plateau, a drought. We need your HELP. We have not had even one guest since the January 10th meeting. As we all know, personal contact is the best recruiting tool and most successful. Please consider recruiting one or more of your friends, former workmates, neighbors, golf buddies, acquaintances and/or one of those Baby Boomers. I know we all love the Old Guard and want to keep it growing and thriving. Thank you.
 
STORYTELLERS                                Bernie Weiss/Jim Doran
Saving the best for last??? Nah... all our Storytellers are stars. Our lineup for this season's final six meetings is: Pete Tiernan, Tom Trumbull, Jerry Fiske, Joe Patterson, (and in May) Cliff Moss and Jim Doran.
Next year's schedule is filling fast!!! Nah, again. But if you'd like six or seven minutes on the Storyteller stage when we reconvene in the fall, please call Jim Doran or Bernie Weiss.
 
HOSPITALITY                                       Ray Goulet, Chairman
To any members who do not have transportation and wish to attend the weekly meetings please call 860-521-9567 and arrangements will be made with a fellow member in your area to provide you with transportation.

UCONN HEALTH VOLUNTEERS  Bruce Hamilton, Chairman
The Old Guard is into its 13th year helping patients visiting the Musculoskeletal Institute at UConn Health and we are looking for some new helpers. We work a scheduled four hour shift every other week (or every week if desired) greeting patients and visitors, directing them to appointments, assisting those needing wheelchairs, and providing a friendly welcome. It's non strenuous and greatly appreciated by both visitors and staff. If you can help please see me, phone Bruce Hamilton at 860-613-2441 or email me at BandCHamilton@gmail.com for more information.
 
SENIORS JOB BANK                         Hank Boulton, Chairman
This is a magic month for the Seniors Job Bank. Fellow OG member, Jim Doran, is offering to match funds donated to the Seniors Job Bank through the month of April. That means that your contribution is DOUBLED! Contact Hank Boulton if you need assistance with this procedure: h.boulton@snet.net or 860-830-2386.
The Seniors Job Bank is very pleased with the number of Old Guard members that have stepped up as volunteers, Board members and Officers. Many Old Guard members have found enjoyable and profitable part time work through the Seniors Job Bank. In addition, the Seniors Job bank has helped our neighbors with tasks around the house. The community as a whole benefits from this great organization.
 
WEST HARTFORD FOOD BANK           Lou Aiello, Chairman
The first Tuesday for April's meeting we will be collecting money and/or food for the West Hartford Food and/or Foodshare. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT. This year there is more need than ever for contributions than past years. We have to preserve, protect, and help our community with the changes going on in our world, and have Old Guard out in front as a top contributor to support our community. We received $15,200 in money value as of March 14th. Last June we contributed $16,000. LET'S GO OVER OUR GOAL! ALSO, we have received $250 towards Old Guard's personalized brick for the path to a stronger and healthier Greater Hartford.  A contribution of $30.00 would feed one person for 30 days with the organization cost. We could donate money to West Hartford Food Bank and/or Foodshare: Greater Hartford & Tolland County. For collecting non-perishable food will be for the West Hartford Food Pantry. 1. To contribute by check for West Hartford: Paid to the order of -Town That Cares-West Hartford Food Pantry and for Foodshare: Paid to the order of Foodshare. 2. To contribute by charge card: Foodshare (860)286-9999  or www.foodshare.org ; West Hartford Food Bank www.westhartford.org/townthatcares click on Donate Now. Let me know if you contribute by charge, so I can add contribution to our total. All money is tax deductible. Any questions call me (860) 970-6502 = cell phone or l ou_aiello@yahoo.com .
 
GOLF                        Hank Boulton & Dale Wolfe, Co-Chairman
Golf begins in April (snow free golf course permitting)! As usual, it will be held at Tunxis Plantation in Farmington. It will be weekly on Mondays and Fridays with tee off at 8:30AM. We will organize foursomes at tee off and will be playing nine holes. Just show up and we'll see you there. For questions contact Hank Boulton at 860-830-2386 or Dale Wolfe at 860-726-2114.
 
CORRESPONDENCE VIA EMAIL
We currently have 128 members who have opted to receive their Monthly Newsletter via email. If you are not currently receiving your newsletter via email and would like to receive yours that way please contact Sharon in the Y office and she will make the change for you. All new incoming members will receive the newsletter by email only. The newsletter can always be found on the Old Guard website at www.oldguardct.org. We always have paper copies available at meeting as well. You can email her at sharon.tagulaid@ghymca.org. PLEASE NOTE : IF YOU CURRENTLY RECEIVE YOUR NEWSLETTER VIA EMAIL IF YOU EVER RECEIVE ANY EMAILS FROM THE YMCA PLEASE DO NOT  UNSUBSCRIBE AS YOU WILL BE BLOCKED FROM RECEIVING THE NEWSLETTER BY THE EMAIL DELIVERY SERVICE PROVIDER.
 
INCLEMENT WEATHER MEETING CANCELLATION REMINDER : If the West Hartford Public Schools are closed or have a delayed opening due to inclement weather there will be NO meeting held. Please check your local news, the WHPS website or you may visit the Old Guard website and there are links provided to these pages.
 
SPECIAL EVENTS                                  Paul Dean, Chairman
New Britain Bees Baseball Game April 26
Last year was the Bees First in New Britain. Their accomplishments were astonishing. They won 55 percent of their games, produced two league all-star players, sold 6 players to Major League Baseball teams and achieved an attendance of   213,000.
The Bees are building a better hive this year. The team will consist of strong returning players plus promising new players. Season ticket sales are up and improvements have been made to their facility. They look forward to treating us to a good ball game, hot dog and a beer on April 26.
We are now accepting sign ups. Currently, we have commitments for 20% of our seats It's time to play ball.

Rockefeller Trip May 4
One day 26-year-old John D Rockefeller ran into one of his bankers who had allowed him to borrow up to his credit limit. The banker invited him to stop by to discuss his loans. Rockefeller replied "I shall be glad to demonstrate the strength of my credit at any time. Next week I shall need more money and I would like to give my business to your bank. Soon I shall have a great deal of money to invest"
The strength of our May 4 trip to Rockefeller's estate is that it is over 50 percent subscribed 45 days prior to the departure date.
Don't wait until we reach our limit. Make you plans now.

May 16 Season Ending Luncheon
We are going back to the golf club of Hartford for a great lunch. Service will be improved and we have landed a big fish with our speaker Randy Edsall.
Once a quarterback for Syracuse, then special coach for multiple football positions he was hired as the coach of a struggling UConn football team in 1999 and oversaw the program 's promotion from a division 1-AA team to division 1-a.
During the next 12 years, he guided the huskies to regional respectability, bowl games and into a new stadium. Scores of players received national recognition and pro contracts.
Once again, we have asked him to take charge of UCONN's struggling football team and continue as the winningest football coach in its history.
We look forward to hearing how he will again bring cheer to the land of Rentschler. 

 

 

 



 


 






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