November 5, 2003

It was another standing room only day as Slim Williams, the man formerly known as Tad, led the assemblage with the Pledge of Allegiance and the good doctor Jerry delivered the Blessing.  Chuckles McLaughlin introduced his wife Jane as his special guests.  Also in attendance were Marylyn Durie,  Colin’s better half, who was present to introduce the students of the month from Cardinal Gibbons High School and Jimmy and Rosemary Leto to see their daughter Danielle receive her well deserved accolades.  Former member Jim Semrad, President and CEO of Flagler Bank, was also with us as the guest of Fred Bamman.  Jim says that we are likely to start seeing a whole lot more of him but it may have just been the iced tea talking.

 If you are reading this at home your fellow Club members, along with their families and friends, are making their way down the raging Peace River, pushing the envelope of death defying feats to the extreme.  The weather report issued by Hundred Ton, the Club’s crack meteorologist, is no less ominous, with a prediction of converging fronts spawning dangerous outer bands with up drafts, down drafts and side drafts producing utter chaos.  That was all Alfonse needed.  As long as there are drafts, he is there.  A full report of the outing will follow next week with pixs to appear on the Club’s website.

 Saturday, November 15^th is the Club’s Habitat for Humanity work day.  The home that we will be working on is located in Davie at the 2600 block between NW 14^th Court and NW 15^th Court.  Members are asked to arrive at the work site by 7:30AM to register and the day concludes at approximately 3:00PM.  Lunch, snacks and water will be provided for all the workers.  The proposed construction schedule will include setting the trusses, complete subfascia, cats and ceiling strips.  You do not have to know what you are doing.  In fact, if you don’t, you will be in good company.  Wear comfortable and cool work clothes, a hat, closed-toed shoes, sunscreen and gloves.  They will supply the tools but if you want to bring your own, that’s okay too.  Bring your family for this day of fun but you must be at least 18 years of age to participate.  We will be leaving from the Pink Church east parking lot by the canal end if you want to carpool to the work site.

 Don’t forget the trip to the Miami Seaquarium the next Saturday, November 22 leaving from the Pompano Beach Recreation Center across from the post office at 8:00AM.  See Don Dare to sign up for that one.

 The annual 150 event is just around the corner coming up on Tuesday, December 2^nd.  You should be receiving your tickets by next week but don’t wait to contact the folks you usually sell to lest someone else beats you to the punch.  Co-chairs for the event, Don Parrish and Leon, are hosting another 150 meeting next Monday evening, 6:30PM, at Don’s clubhouse at Lighthouse Colony Apartments in LHP.  Call Don or Leon for directions if you do not know where this is.  Leon always brings plenty of beer and pizza.  What a guy!

 This month’s Student Program was the Most Improved Student of the Month.  Again, we met all fine young adults who have managed to overcome adversity and develop a healthy amount of self respect for their accomplishments.  This month’s honor roll included Yashira De La Rosa and Chandler Senatus from Coconut Creek High, Krystal Belding and Anzio Bouche from Pompano Beach High, Stanley Desir and Shenicka Bobrin from Ely High, Kristina Bressler and Clayton Wilbanks from Highland Christian and Danielle Leto and John Christopher from Cardinal Gibbons.  Congratulations to all of the students, their families, teachers and counselors and also to Jim Balistreri who does a marvelous job making this presentation something special for these special kids.

 Happy birthdays to Brenda Franco (11/05), Joanne Williams (11/06), former president Greg Wiedrich (11/07) and Mary Rabideau (11/09).

 Marvelous Marvin Buntrock, doubling as the double secret shaking man, bestowed the honored shake on Jim Balistreri for the excellence of this student program and Johnny V took home the pot.

 John Ghee was telling us at the last meeting that Dorothy has been complaining that he never listens to her.  He finished his tale of woe with, “at least I think that’s what she said.”