Minutes of June 15 Meeting
It had been three weeks since our last meeting, owing to the lacteal festival of Shavuos. Thus, our crepuscular coterie of carnivores clamored for meat and made up for in enthusiasm what they lacked in numbers. President Dan Ashley called
on Paul Rashba to introduce the evening's speaker; Dr. Ruth Kava, an independent nutrition consultant, who works in Poughkeepsie but has taught nutrition courses at Dutchess Community College, SUNY- New Paltz, the New School
in Manhattan and Mt. St. Mary College. In addition, she has written or co-authored numerous publications on the topic of nutrition, both in professional journals and for the general public. Ruth addressed her talk that evening to the nutritional concerns of seniors and discussed such issues as osteoporosis, which affects not only millions of older women but some older men as well. Thus, she said, it is very important to eat a balanced diet that includes adequate amounts of calcium, vitamins D and B12, magnesium and potassium. Because older people don't normally absorb an adequate amount of vitamin B12, Ruth recommended they take a daily supplement with a moderate amount of that nutrient. She warned, however, not to overdo one's daily intake of vitamin D. We thanked Dr. Kava and presented her with a Warren G. Harding mug, whose stern visage reminds its owner to take their daily vitamin supplements and/or meds.
Following the lecture Dan Ashley thanked Gary Mayer and the Deli Night Committee for a job well done and reminded those assembled that on Tuesday evening , July 19th, the Harding Club will be meeting to watch the Hudson Valley Renegades take on the vaunted Staten Island Yankees at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill. A $20. per person ticket will include a 5:30pm picnic and grandstand seating. This is the perfect family outing and grandchildren are more than welcome to attend. Hurry,
tickets are limited! Send your checks to Herb Stoller.
Sunshine:
Paul Rashba reported that Ted Baker was recovering from surgery, as was Rich Levine, who had had knee surgery.
It seems that the club's venerable joke telling segment is on hiatus until further notice. So no humor was on display
that evening.
Red Ticket: Les Muldorf, Blue Ticket: Dan Ashley
Respectfully Submitted: Peter Albenda
Minutes of June 29 Meeting
The last G&G meeting of the current season was called to order by John Weisman, filling in for Sergeant-at-Arms, Martin Hochhauser who was absent that evening. John then called on HC Vice President Jerry Goldberg, who was filling in for
our absent President Dan Ashley. Jerry then introduced the evening's speaker - someone near and dear to him- namely, his wife Sandra Goldberg, who spoke in her capacity as a member of the Dutchess County Legislature. Sandy has served in the Legislature since 1982 and is the Minority Leader. She will be retiring at the end of her current term. As a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat, Sandy described working within the legislature, which has 6 Democrat members and 18 Republican ones.
Thus, she said, cooperation and compromise was a vital component of the legislative process, considering the important issues facing Dutchess County in these economically challenging times. Among the issues Sandy mentioned was the issue of
reapportionment (i.e. reduction) of the legislature as a result of the 2010 census, as well as the issue of the chronic overcrowding at the Dutchess County Jail. The County faces a choice, she said, to either continue paying to outsource its prisoners or to expand its jail. The latter would necessitate floating a bond.
State Assemblyman, and Republican, Joel Miller, who was in attendance that evening, joined in the discussion and concurred that the jail issue is a serious problem facing the county because, ultimately, New York State will impose its own solution, irrespective of the county's wishes. Sandy and Joel both agreed that the reality of politics was that, more often than
not, the two parties' first priority was their own advancement, and only secondarily those of the voters. They may not have solved any of the issues discussed that evening, but as elected representatives of opposing parties, their mutual candor was refreshing.
Club Business:
Finance Committee: Dick Schwed enlightened club members on the arcane process of the HC's long term Investment Fund strategy. He handed out copies of the fund's most recent balance sheet, which included a healthy bottom line, and assured us that the fund had pretty much recouped on its losses suffered in the panic of Fall 2008. Dick noted that a certain percentage
of the fund is to be set aside to fund donations made by the Harding Club Community involvement Fund.
Officer Slate: The slate of club officers will be the same as last year, with the exception that John Weisman will be standing in for Jerry Goldberg who is retiring as club Vice-President. The slate was put to a vote by those assembled that evening and was passed unanimously.
Fall Gala: Gene Glanzberg reminded club members about this fall's upcoming Installation Dinner to be held on the evening of Saturday, October 29th at the Grand Hotel in Poughkeepsie. Cocktail Hour: 7:30pm, Dinner at 8:30pm. Admission will be $75. per couple.
Club Steward: Our Steward, Larry Rosenberg, asked club members if they would be willing to try the Round-Up Texas BBQ for this year's Summer Picnic instead of the popular Big W's of Ek Velt. Joel Miller suggested his favorite place - Rudy's BBQ of Austin, Texas. Larry said okay, but Joel would have to go
Sunshine: Paul Rashba suggested that the club really should look into reviving the Sunshine Committee made famous by the legendary Al Gelb. So far none has volunteered to step into Al's shoes.
Gene Glanzberg introduced his guest for the evening, Russ Bock of Pleasant Valley.
Red Ticket: Les Muldorf, Blue Ticket: Mel Zipes
Respectfully Submitted: Peter Albenda