CIGAR BOX BULLETIN

 Volume 51 No. 9,     July 2, 2003

174 men were present when Pres. LINN GRIM rang the bell at 10:00AM. Prior to leading the pledge, LOU SMERIGLIO, reminded us of the Salute to Veterans ceremony behind Greenwich, High School at 11:00AM on Saturday, July 5th. Songleader, MORRY HALLOWELL accompanied on the piano by BILL LEHREN led us in The National Anthem, In the Good Old Summer Time and Take Me Out To the Ball Game. The last song required some additional effort as it is not in the song book. PETER SCHIEFERDECKER, called out of retirement to substitute for Rec. Secy BILL DYNAN, gave a comprehensive summary of last week's meeting with particular emphasis on last week's speaker, Dr. Nicholas Stroumbakis,  presentation dealing with the state of the prostate. Similarly called out of retirement, WAYNE WRIGHT substituted for Corres. Secy, BEN BACON, read a post card from EMMETT EATON sent from Maine and also delivered a story about why a police officer, who stopped Mr. Smith for speeding, should not argue with him, as his wife told the officer, when he is drunk.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Treas. HERB EGLI indicated that for the 2 month period cash was up $200.00 and we were spot on budget. Pres. LINN GRIM noted that the Board had approved the budget posted for 2 weeks. He called for a motion to approve the budget which was seconded and approved by the members. He then acknowledged and asked us to thank those RMA members who provide the many necessary inside services required for our meetings. He also expressed a message of sympathy to the family of MARION CLINE on the passing away of his wife, Lula. In celebration of the 4th of July, JIM ROGERS provided some interesting facts and history concerning Old Glory. ROGER PIERCE reported the 1st 9 months results of RMA volunteer hours: Outside  34,946; RMA  4787, which is slightly behind last year.

FIRE DRILL: A fire drill was performed. After all meembers returned to the meeting room, CONNIE KAJACK indicated two RMA members cars were improperly parked by the tennis courts.

RETURNEES:
CAL DARULA-Bermuda, BRIAN SPILLE-Maine and New Hampshire, FRANK LEE-Germany and Baltic Sea, BRIAN FORROW-Tanglewood, EMMETT EATON-Maine.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Program. SAM MARASSO reported next week's program, Part A of World War II Veterans Videos would be presented by DOM DIMAIO; Membership. DOUG TAYLOR reported that 165 members, 7 candidates and 2 guests were in attendance. The guests were Bill Cleworth of PETER SCHIEFERDECKER and Hal Rogers of LEON FREEMAN. Birthdays included JOE GUARISCO, 84, JOE MALARA, 83, JOHN PHILLIPS, 83, HENRY GUNDERS, 79, GEORGE RAYMOND, 79, CARL STONE, 79; Special Events: AL FENN reported that security would be tight at the Yankee game on July 7th, and that openings were currently available only for July 28th and 29th, Nov. 6th and Dec. 4th (see below); Volunteer Hours. HARRY TWITCHEL reported 819 hours to outside agencies by 86 men and 110 hours to RMA duties by 29 men; Bridge & Raft-Up - prior to giving the bridge scores, PETE JACKSON reported a successful raft up, which included 8 boats with 46 skippers and crew. The top 3 bridge scores with 11 players were: 1st MIKE BALINT-2,220 pts., 2nd JOE ROE-2,170 pts. and 3rd KURT SCHAFFIR-1,030 pts.; Golf. MIKE SMITH reported the golf results. The largest turnout for the season so far, 53 men, delivered the following: Low Gross went to SAM STOWELL-80, LEON FREEMAN-83 and REID MCINTYRE-84. Nearest the pin went to PETER ARTURI on #7 and REID MCINTYRE on #15. Longest Drive went to DICK BARTHOLMEW on #17. There will be no golf next week, July 8th. Starting times for July 15th will be posted next week.

TODAY'S PROGRAM:
JOE ROBINSON introduced Congressman Christopher Shays for his 4th bi-annual visit to the RMA to discuss national and international issues, and noted that at Congressman Shays last visit, 6 days before 9/11, he warned us that we should be more concerned with terrorists than rogue nations shooting missiles at us. Congressman Shays focused on the resiliency of the United States in view of: 1) the 2000 election/uncertainty/transfer of power; 2)  the 9/11/wake up call, which had many prior warnings; 3) the war on terrorists - today we must detect, prevent and preempt, whereas during the cold war it was different; 4) Enron/WorldCom - causes, impact and reform; 5) the war in Iraq/weapons of mass destruction.

Today's Editor Ruurd Leegstra

SPECIAL EVENTS
Open to all members, their ladies, candidates and guests.

July 7 -  Mon. Yankees/Red Sox. $51. Lv St. C's 10 AM (now 1 or 2 openings)
July 28 -Mon. 10:30am Bridgeport Bluefish/Newark Bears $11 ( tickets avail) Udrive
July 29 -Tues. Mohegan Sun. $21. Lv. St. C's 9 AM (a few spots open)
Aug 20 -Wed. Fjord Fisheries boat trip with lobster/chicken dinner. $80 PP.  Sailing
              from Cos Cob Harbor 6:30 PM, view fireworks @ Playland. wait listed.
Sept 11 - Thurs. Goodspeed Opera House, Very Good Eddie, lunch at Bee &
                Thistle. $84 PP.(wait listed)
Sept 18 - Thurs. RMA Annual Picnic at Greenwich Point
Oct 2 -    Thurs. Culinary Institute and Old Rhinebeck air show. $59 PP. (wait listed)
Nov 6 -  Thurs. Rockwell Museum, Cork & Hearth Rest. Stockbridge, MA, $64 PP.  
Dec 4 -  Thurs. Spinning Wheel Xmas Show. $40. PP. U-Drive.
Dec 20 - Sat. Boston Pops,Bridgeport Arena, U-Drive, 1:30 pm (wait listed)

NEXT WEEK

Dom DiMao presents Part A of World War II Veterans' Videos