MARCH 2024 IS MEMBERSHIP MONTH

communications@ysmenwestportweston.org

Please use this email address to contact the Communications Committee directly should you have questions concerning Y's Men communications, the Newsletter, or other information, requests or concerns.

The Week Ahead -- Sunday, March 24, 2024

• GIDG Meets Tomorrow at 9:00 am
• Peter Marghella Speaks About New Variant This Thursday
• Jamie von Klemperer Talked About Tall Buildings
• Olga Vinokur in Piano Performance on April 11
• Irish Spring Fling Set For April 19
• Five Upcoming Trips Announced by T&E  
• Podcast: Jen Tooker Discusses Town Operating Budget 
• Jim Marpe Announces Community Events
• Get Ready for Summer Tennis
• Hoot Owls Serenade Seniors with St. Patrick's Day Concert
• New Y's Men Facebook Group

Videos of all 2024 meeting presentations are now available on the Y's Men website (ysmenwestportweston.org). Then click on the “Meeting Photos & Videos” tab.

Global Issues Discussion Group Meets Tomorrow

The Global Issues Discussion Group (GIDG) will meet tomorrow (Monday, March 25) at 9:00 am in Room 203 at the Church. The subject will be Haiti.

Moderator Peter Chelico notes that members have posted a number of articles on its googlegroups site. For additional information, contact Peter at pecysmen@gmail.com.

Retired U.S. Navy Captain Peter Marghella will speak about a new variant this Thursday.

Peter Marghella to Discuss New Variant Threat Thursday

Peter Marghella of The Milken Institute School for Public Health, George Washington University, returns to Y's Men this Thursday (March 28) to fill us in on the new H5N1 variant which kills 65 percent of its victims. He will be giving us the facts we need to know, and how to best prepare for and stay safe from this potential threat.

Peter will speak at the regular, weekly Thursday morning Y's Men meeting in Hoskins Hall of the Saugatuck Congregational Church, 245 Post Road East, Westport. Coffee, donuts and conversation from 9:00 am to 10:00 am; business meeting from 10:00 am to 10:30 am; and speaker with Q&A from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.

Jamie von Klemperer, lead architect on One Vanderbilt, spoke to Y's Men last Thursday.

Lead Architect of One Vanderbilt Discusses Challenges

Noted architect Jamie von Klemperer detailed the design and construction of one of the most notable buildings in New York City

Jamie, President of world leading architectural firm Kohn Pederson Fox, spoke to the Y’s Men about one of the newest and most noted buildings, One Vanderbilt, the tallest building in midtown and fourth tallest building in New York City. One Vanderbilt integrates with historic Grand Central Terminal, and was built on time and under budget!

He detailed many exciting projects of Kohn Pederson Fox which has been responsible for the design of six of the 12 tallest buildings in the world. His presentation discussed the firm's approach and the uniqueness of their individual designs that have drawn worldwide attention.

Or pay by check ASAP made out to Y's Men of Westport/Weston and mailed to Y's Men of Westport/Weston, P.O. Box 167, Westport, CT 06880-0167

Five Trips and Events Arranged by the T&E Committee

Five upcoming trips for Y's Men have been announced by the Trips and Events committee under the chairmanship of Bill Blaufuss.

First is a Bridgeport Islanders hockey game at 10:30 am on Tuesday, April 2.

Second is a visit to the Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Center led by Y's Man Tom Failla on Monday, April 15, at 11:00 am. The trip is limited to 20 participants, and RSVPs should be received by Monday, April 8. Tom is Weston's Tree Warden.

Third is the Spring Fling with an Irish Touch on Friday, April 19, at the Gaelic Club of Fairfield.

Next is a tour of radio broadcast studios on Wednesday, April 24 with a reservation cut-off on April 15. The tour is limited to 15 participants.

And finally, a tour of the New England Air Museum and Vintage Radio Museum on Friday, May 3. This tour is limited to 24 people and reservations should be made by April 18.

Details for each of these events are available under the Trips and Events tab on the Y's Men website (ysmenwestportweston.org).

Westport First Selectwoman Jen Tooker fills us in on the recently approved town operating budget for the coming year as well as telling us what it covers and the small 1.8% increase over the previous year.

Jim Marpe Invites Y's Men to March 26 Session Preparing Westport for Major Capital Spending

Y's Men Community Service Chairman Jim Marpe has invited Y's Men to attend an important community conversation entitled "Preparing Westport for Major Capital Spending" from 7:00 to 8:30 pm this Tuesday (March 26) in the Trefz Forum of The Westport Library. The subject is expected to impact Westport for years to come.

The event is being facilitated by the League of Women Voters of Westport and the Library’s Common Ground Initiative and will feature members of the leadership teams from the Town of Westport and the Westport Public Schools.

First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker and the Superintendent of Schools Tom Scarice will present their capital spending strategies and rationale, and a panel of experts will discuss possible funding strategies, capital planning best practices, and the approval process for achieving the capital spending goals. There will be a Q&A afterward. 

Y’s Man and former First Selectman Jim Marpe will moderate the session along with former RTM Moderator, Velma Heller. 

Jim also asks Y's Men to save two future dates: Wednesday, April 24 for the VFW Blood Drive, and Saturday, April 27 for Westport Town-Wide Clean-Up Day.

Get Ready for Summer Tennis

Now is the time to take action if you are interested in participating in Y's Men Summer Tennis.  Many players from last year are expected to return and new players are welcome.

Seven courts have been lined up (Courts One through Five and Courts Eight and Nine) which should accommodate the group most days. Although it is to be determined, play is supposed to start in early May through September on Tuesdays and Fridays at 8:00 am for an hour and a half.  All skill/experience levels are welcome and good matches and games for everyone will be found.

The Town has raised the fee this year for reserving monthly courts from $50.00 per month per court to $150.00 per court. Dewey Loselle, who manages Summer Tennis, has asked everyone interested in playing to pay $200.00 now by clicking the Pay Now button below or by sending a check payable to the Y's Men of Westport/Weston to Y's Men of Westport/Weston, P.O Box 167, Westport, CT 06881-0167.  

For additional information, contact deweyloselle@gmail.com

 Y’s Men Hoot Owls Return for St. Patrick's Day Serenade

On Thursday, March 14 the Westport Center for Senior Activities celebrated St. Patrick's Day with a luncheon and some fantastic entertainment provided by the Hoot Owls! Chef Luis from Creative Culinary prepared a delicious, traditional St. Patrick's Day meal of corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes with cake for dessert. A great time was had by all!

If you are interested in joining the Hoot Owls and want more information, please contact Bob Leng at leng_7@msn.com 

New Y's Men Facebook Group

The new Y's Men private Facebook Group now has nearly 90 members. It is there for all Y's Men to participate in and enjoy. To become a member of the Facebook Group, go to Facebook.com and enter Y's Men of Westport/Weston, and ask to join.