August 2016 - ftlprimetimers.org

Volume 13 No. 8
August 2016
A social club of mature men and those who enjoy their company
President's Message by Henry Penas
Last month’s dinner was our 13th Anniversary Dinner. It was at Tropical Acres, and the place was packed.
We bid farewell to our Treasurer, Mike Trask, after 5 years of service in that position. We bestowed upon
him the title of Treasurer Emeritus and presented him with a trophy commemorating his service to our
organization. He will be replaced by our newest board member and treasurer, Robb Perry.
We also had many door prizes. Special thanks go to Ted Verdone who sent letters to 60+ local businesses
asking for their contribution to our annual anniversary dinner. He was assisted by Doug Kent, Richard
Lefebvre, Eddie Green, Neil Clark, Buddy Berardi, and Jimmy Schill. Their hard work, determination and
patience resulted in 80 gifts, from 26 vendors, totaling $1,250. We appreciate all that they did to achieve this
amazing result.
We also appreciate the businesses that supported us by contributing generously. They are: Miller’s Ale
House, Ambry German Restaurant, Alibi, Andrews Diner, The Best Cellar, Bobby Rubino’s, The Bonnet
House, Champp’s, Chuck’s Steakhouse, The Courtyard Café, The Empire Stage Theater, J. Mark’s, LIPS,
Longhorn Steakhouse, Manor Lanes Bowling, Brunswick Bowling in Margate, Matty’s, The Outback Steakhouse, Rosie’s, Sea Watch, Tee Jay Sushi, Tropical Acres, Tropics, Umberto’s of Long Island, The Village
Pub, Zuckerello’s.
Now we need to show our appreciation and support for these businesses by giving them our business.
Please save this list so that when you patronize one of these businesses you can let them know that you are
a Prime Timer and you thank them for their contribution to our annual dinner.
Fort Lauderdale Prime Timers Inc. PO Box 100666, Ft. Lauderdale FL 33310
[email protected]
www.ftlprimetimers.org © 2003 Page 1
Mr. August 2016 by Doug Kent
How does one go from chronic alcohol abuse to sober, from
homelessness to a high a rise condo in Fort Lauderdale? This
journey in life makes for interesting reading.
Mr. August (Mr. A) began life on August 22, 1959 in
Minneapolis, Minnesota, the youngest of 4 children. The family
functioned well, and the early childhood was fairly typical. His
half brother and sister, and his sister all made it through
elementary, junior high and high school without major
problems. Mr. A struggled and began his drinking at the tender
age of 14 with his Grandfather being his major enabler. This
relationship set into motion a life struggle with alcohol. By the
age of 16, Mr. A’s grades fell, but he managed to graduate from
Lincoln High School in 1977. By 1979, Mr. A had his first gay
relationship and managed to acquire 2 DUI’s that landed him
into his first alcohol treatment program.
Sober now, Mr. A moved to Seattle, Washington where he met his second partner, and he
secured a position as a records clerk. His partner was a legal secretary. Mr. A began
drinking again but managed to keep his job. They moved to Washington D.C. in 1981 and
stayed together till 1983 when they parted. Mr. A was forced to move back with family in
Naperville, Illinois. His father passed in 1984, and his mother passed 6 months later.
In 1984 ,Mr. A moved in with friends in Chicago and he found a gay recovery program that
same year. He became very active in the program and remained sober for the next 10 years.
In 1987, Mr. A met Randal and they stayed together until 2001 when Randal passed away.
However, it was Randall’s influence during the latter part of the relationship that caused Mr.
A’s decision to return to alcohol once again. It was also in 2001 that Mr. A’s sister was t
ragically killed in the 9/11 twin tower terror attack. In February 2002 Mr. A once again
entered a treatment program at the Gateway Westside Treatment Center, where he dealt
with his dependence on alcohol and his newly diagnosed Bipolar condition. He was
transferred from the inpatient unit to a half way house to continue to work on his recovery.
And work he did. He took a position with Radio America as an Account Representative
where he worked for the next three years. In 2005, Mr. A suffered a mini-stroke, and he went
on disability from work. His chronic pain, Bipolar personality and his recovery were all
hampering his ability to work. Later that year, an error in his disability paperwork caused
payments to stop, and he became homeless in Oak Park, Illinois. In 2007, an organization
called West Suburban PADS provided a disability attorney, that recovered his disability
payments, and provided housing assistance for Mr. A. It was through this organization that
Mr. A became involved in matters concerning the homeless, and with persons with mental
issues. He sat on boards, became an advocate and worked tirelessly for these causes.
(Continued on Page 3 )
Fort Lauderdale Prime Timers Inc. PO Box 100666, Ft. Lauderdale FL 33310
[email protected]
www.ftlprimetimers.org © 2003 Page 2
June Luncheon
Mr. August (Continued from Previous Page)
In 2014, Mr. A moved to Florida and continued to work on his recovery, as well
as his other causes. He began volunteer work at the Pride Center. In February of
2015, he became involved with the Prime Timers, and in that same year met his
now partner. Mr. A maintains his residence in Wilton Manors, but spends much of
his time at his partner’s high rise condo in Fort Lauderdale. There you have it;
that is how a person moves from homeless to high rise. With this information, can
you identify Mr. August?
(Answer on Page 5)
Fort Lauderdale Prime Timers Inc. PO Box 100666, Ft. Lauderdale FL 33310
[email protected]
www.ftlprimetimers.org © 2003 Page 3
Fellow member Nick Chaparos passed away in John Knox
Village at 11:00am on June 30, 2016. He had originally gone there 3
or 4 days a week for dialysis. Recently, he moved there full time.
Nick had been a member since August of 2008.
In 1955, he received a Fulbright Scholarship to study design in
Germany. The famous “Kitchen Debate” between Richard Nixon and
Nikita Khrushchev took place at an exhibition which included works
by Nick.
Nick was Mr. Prime Timer in the September 2011 Surfer. You
can read about his fascinating life by clicking on this link http://
www.ftlprimetimers.org/Hall%20of%20Fame/20.%20Nick%
20Chaparos.pdf
Prime Timers at Marilyn Monroe Exhibit
Some Prime Timers at Marilyn Exhibit
Ed Witkowski speaking
to the group
Fort Lauderdale Prime Timers Inc. PO Box 100666, Ft. Lauderdale FL 33310
[email protected]
www.ftlprimetimers.org © 2003 Page 4
Mr. August 2016
Scott Jensen
PTWW Newsletter Available
Go to the PTWW website www.PrimeTimersWW.com
and click on “Newsletters” on the home page, click on
“Current Edition”, click on Download, then Open to
view the newsletter.
Alternatively, you may use the following link to go
directly to the “Current Edition” download page of
the website.http://primetimersww.com/index.php?
option=com_remository&Itemid=579&func=select&id=133
Then click on Download for the preferred edition,
then Open to view the newsletter.
Fort Lauderdale Prime Timers Inc. PO Box 100666, Ft. Lauderdale FL 33310
[email protected]
www.ftlprimetimers.org © 2003 Page 5
It Ain’t What It Used To Be
byJohn D. Siegfried
I love alliteration. You know, the “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers” sort of thing.
So it’s no surprise that I enjoy reading Monday Morning Musings, a single sheet production that’s
periodically slipped under my door by a retired neighbor who enjoys sharing his thoughts on life. As a
lover of alliteration, however, I wish the author had a name like Milt or Mack or Mark and a German
heritage. Then instead of 3 M s, Monday Morning Musings, we’d have 5 M s, Monday Morning Musings mit
Mark. I like that.
The copy I received a few months ago was my neighbor's “Oh, for the good old days,” lament – not
uncommon for those of us with gray hair. The author had visited Plant City, FL, the winter strawberry
capital of the world and found that strawberries are now big and red and beautiful – and tasteless. The
ones he remembered from childhood were small and sweet and delicious.
Likewise, he lamented, “…navel oranges are not what they used to be! … even insults are not what
they used to be.” As proof of this assertion he offered Mark Twain’s quip that, “I didn’t attend his
funeral but I sent a note saying that I approved of it.” And Abraham Lincoln’s famous put-down, “He can
compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know” – a distinction many of our politicos
seem to strive for.
My neighbor concluded his musings with “Even Florida is not what it used to be. Neither am I.”
While I share the sense of sadness at the loss of the flavor of the strawberries of the past – and I’d
add to his list the taste of old fashioned beefsteak tomatoes ripened on the vine and apple cider that’s
fresh pressed, not filtered, pasteurized and prettified – I’m really quite glad Florida’s not what it used to
be. I’m glad I'm not what I used to be.
All of us at times wish selectively for aspects of the old days that we recall with warmth and
nostalgia and classify as good. But do I really want to bang around the Everglades without hip boots
dodging alligators? Do I really want to be in South Florida without electricity, without air conditioning?
Do I really want to return to the days when gays and lesbians were in the closet – and the door was
locked?
Florida is not what it used to be – it’s better.
I’m not what I used to be. But even with two artificial knees, a titanium hip, a screw in my neck
and five transplanted blood vessels feeding my heart – I’m better than I used to be.
I reached adolescence in the forties when even the New York Times had an official editorial policy
of not printing the word homosexual. In their Sunday Book Review internationally known homosexual
authors, such as Andre Gide, Gunter Grass, Truman Capote were referred to as perverted and deviant. I
hoped and prayed that those vile terms didn’t apply to me – but I wasn’t sure. Like most other gay men of
that era, I masqueraded as straight – super straight in order to deflect suspicion. The overriding fear of
my teens, my twenties, my thirties was that if my friends and family really knew who I was deep inside,
they’d reject me. Society in those years was primed to reject gays and lesbians, and I was part of that
society with my own strong streak of internalized homophobia.
It wasn’t until Anita Bryant in 1977 mounted her infamous bigoted Save Our Children campaign in
Miami-Dade that I forced my closet door open and began to acknowledge who I am – first to myself, which
is the hardest “coming out”, and eventually to family and friends. Do I want to return to those closeted
days for the sake of sweeter strawberries? Hell no!
I think it must be hard for gays who have come of age post-Stonewall to understand, or even
imagine, what life was like for the members of our “perverted and deviant” clan before a few drag
queens in New York said, “Enough! We’re not taking this police brutality shit any longer.” But those of
us who are gay and gray remember those years acutely.
By the same token it’s hard for me to believe the progress that’s occurred post- Stonewall. I have
to pinch myself at times to believe that same-sex marriage is now a reality and that gays and lesbians fill
many prominent public positions in government and in the private sector. I’m an out gay senior with lots
of out gay senior friends living in a community that is not only accepting of gays but courting gays to visit
and to settle.
The good old days? My neighbor is right; the strawberries aren’t what they used to be. Most of
them taste like cardboard. But do I want to go back? No way – not me!
Fort Lauderdale Prime Timers Inc. PO Box 100666, Ft. Lauderdale FL 33310
[email protected]
www.ftlprimetimers.org © 2003 Page 6
August Luncheon by Doug Kent
As summer progresses, our August 25, 2016 luncheon
will have us traveling to Kelly’s Landing, located at 1305
SE 17th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida to sample some of
their cherished New England Seafood dishes. As usual we
will meet at 1pm. Kelly’s Landing has been synonymous
with great seafood and a pleasant, inviting atmosphere for
a long time in the Fort Lauderdale restaurant scene.
It has always been their goal to preserve the tradition
of South Boston and continue to serve the freshest New
England Seafood in the same pleasant atmosphere since
1987. Their menu features traditional dishes along with
new items guaranteed to please every palate. As testimony to their great service and products, they have served some three generations of
regular customers and always strive to keep them coming back for more. Make sure
you mark your calendar and join your fellow Prime Timers for this memorable
experience.
As always, to insure your seat e-mail Doug Kent at [email protected] or call him
at 305-495-2978. You will not be disappointed.
Fort Lauderdale Prime Timers Inc. PO Box 100666, Ft. Lauderdale FL 33310
[email protected]
www.ftlprimetimers.org © 2003 Page 7
Prime Timers, Inc.
August Dinner
Will be held at
Outback Steakhouse
6201 N Fed. Hwy. Ft Lauderdale
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Cut Off date for receipt of reservations is Aug 13
Cash Bar @ 5:00 PM – Dinner served at 6:00 PM
A Cash Bar will be conveniently available at “Happy Hour” prices.
**** Caesar Salad ****
1. Sirloin Steak (9 oz)
2. Grilled Chicken (8 oz)
3. Grilled Salmon Fillet
*** Dessert will be Crème Brulee ***
Choice of Coffee, Iced Tea or Soft Drinks Included
$27 per Member or $32 per Guest
(Soup, Salad, Entree, Dessert, 6% Tax % & Gratuity Included)
Member Name _______________________________ Entrée _______
Member Name _______________________________ Entrée _______
Guest Name _______________________________ Entrée _______
Please complete the above information & send the bottom half with your payment to
Fort Lauderdale Prime Timers ,Inc. - P. O. Box #100666, Fort Lauderdale 33310,
or go to our web page (ftlprimetimers.org) and click on the Reservations Link
to pay with a credit card.
If you have to cancel, notify Richard Lefebvre (401-474-9242)
or Eddie Green (954-557-5485) no later
than 5 PM the day before the event or you will NOT get a refund.
All dinners will be served at 6 P.M. .
Fort Lauderdale Prime Timers Inc. PO Box 100666, Ft. Lauderdale FL 33310
[email protected]
www.ftlprimetimers.org © 2003 Page 8
Prime Timers, Inc. August Special Event Dinner
Will be held at
Tee Jay Thai Sushi
2254 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors
(In same plaza as Georgie’s Alibi)
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
(Cut Off Date for receipt of Reservations is August 25)
Drinks 5:00 PM & Dinner @ 6:00 PM (Max 30)
Choice of Miso Soup or Garden Salad
Entree Choices are:
1) Beef Curry
2) Chicken Pad Thai
3) Fish Fillet with Chili Sauce
Dessert is Thai Donuts
The cash bar will be conveniently available at “Happy Hour” prices.
$25 per Member ; $30 per Guest
(Soup or small salad, Entree, Small Dessert, Tax & Tip Included)
Member Name _______________________________ Entrée _______
Member Name _______________________________ Entrée _______
Guest Name
_______________________________ Entrée _______
Please complete the above information & send the bottom half with your payment
to
Fort Lauderdale Prime Timers, Inc. - P. O. Box #100666, Fort Lauderdale 33310
or go to our web page (ftlprimetimers.org) and click on the Reservations Link to
pay with a credit card.
If you have to cancel notify Richard Lefebvre (401-474-9242)
or Eddie Green (954-557-5485) no later
than 5 PM the day before the event or you will NOT get a refund.
All dinners will be served ON TIME!!
Please try to arrive at least 15 minutes before dinner is scheduled to be served.
Fort Lauderdale Prime Timers Inc. PO Box 100666, Ft. Lauderdale FL 33310
[email protected]
www.ftlprimetimers.org © 2003 Page 9
Members’ Page
Birthdays
C. Marley BrownJr.
Charlie Kane
Lorenz Muther
Wayne Gibson
Harold Simpson
Richard Bohne
William Greeves
Charles Buckpitt
Dennis Foley
John Kraemer
Roger Twinn
Philip May
Daniel Gibbons
Robert Blount
Charles Scarcella
John Byerly
Mark Erbe
John Avery
Wendall Cooke
Harvey Chasser
Jerry Russo
Dennis Rock
Paul Addison
8/1
8/1
8/1
8/2
8/2
8/3
8/3
8/3
8/4
8/4
8/4
8/4
8/4
8/4
8/4
8/5
8/5
8/5
8/5
8/6
8/6
8/7
8/11
Daniel Sasser
8/12
Jeremy Pierce
8/13
Patrick Noon
8/13
Peter Spivey
8/14
Peter Cowan
8/14
John Sorrell
8/14
Bennett Siu
8/14
Neal Clark
8/15
Mike Halton
8/17
Paul Stein
8/17
Larry Tinsley
8/17
John Vincell
8/18
Anthony Terrace
8/18
Pedro Pereira
8/19
Stephen Barnhart 8/19
Jeffrey Covey
8/19
Samuel Hendrick 8/20
Richard Lenzi
8/21
Scott Jensen
8/22
Phil Jackowski
8/22
Dean Robinson
8/25
Tom Dwyer
8/25
Anniversaries
Frank Ferri & Tony Caparco
8/1/1981
35 years
Rubin Kaplan & Michael Leventhal
8/30/2002
14 years
John Lloyd & Andrew Cheng
8/22/2003
13 years
Don Perkins & Wil Niebles
8/20/2005
11 years
Anthony Terrace & Tom Olah
8/13/2010
6 years
Rafa Suarez & Dick Angel
8/27/2015
1 year
Birthdays (continued)
Henry Smith
Chuck McDermid
Francis Buckley
John McIntosh
Michael Burwick
Jim Wilson
August Birthday Boys
8/26
8/26
8/27
8/27
8/28
8/28
Rafael Suarez
Ted Devanski
Jack Harrington
Ralph Butchko
Ray Drakoff
David Hamrick
8/28
8/28
8/30
8/30
8/30
8/30
New Members
June
Don Domenico
Dan Shanholtz
Henry Pabian
Jason Rawl
July
Wayne Biswurm
James Deemer
Edvaldo Viana
Bruce Sobol
David
Rozenzweig
Hector Vanegsa
Fort Lauderdale Prime Timers Inc. PO Box 100666, Ft. Lauderdale FL 33310
[email protected]
www.ftlprimetimers.org © 2003 Page 10
Prime Timer, INC. Monthly Events
Events—
—August 2016
Sun
Mon
1
Tennis
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
2
Card Games
3
Bowling
4
Bowling
5
Bocce Ball
6
9
Card Games
10
Bowling
11
Bowling
12
Bocce Ball
13
17
Bowling
18
Bowling
19
Bocce Ball
20
26
Bocce Ball
27
Mixer
7
Card Games
8
Tennis
General
Meeting
2:00 pm
Pride Center
Mixer
14
Card Games
15
Tennis
16
Card Games
Mixer
Board
Meeting
4:00 pm
Pride Center
22
Tennis
23
Card Games
21
Card Games
Monthly Dinner
Outback
6:00 pm
24
Bowling
Luncheon
Kelly’s Landing
1:00 pm
Mixer
28
Haulover
Beach
10:00 am
Card Games
25
Bowling
29
Tennis
30
Card Games
Mixer
Monthly
Special Event
Tee Jays
Dinner
6:00 P.M.
31
Bowling
Weekly Events
Card Games - Sundays at Noon and Tuesdays at 11:30 am - Pride Center
Tennis - Mondays at 9:00 am - Palm Aire
Mixer - Mondays at 5:30 pm - Tropics
Bowling - Wednesdays at 11:00 am - Manor Lanes; Thursday 11:00 am Brunswick /Margate Lanes
Bocce - Fridays at 10:00 am - Palm Aire
After - Mixer Informal Dinner - Mondays at 7:00 pm - See weekly email for restaurant
Fort Lauderdale Prime Timers Inc. PO Box 100666, Ft. Lauderdale FL 33310
[email protected]
www.ftlprimetimers.org © 2003 Page 11
June Anniversary Dinner
Henry Penas gives Mike Trask ,Treasurer Emeritus, a plaque.
History Group at Work
ANNIVERSARY Pictures by Kaz Takahashi
Fort Lauderdale Prime Timers Inc. PO Box 100666, Ft. Lauderdale FL 33310
[email protected]
www.ftlprimetimers.org © 2003 Page 12