prime timers of the desert host a great convention

Prime Times
PRIME TIMERS WORLD WIDE
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DECEMBER 2011
SINCE 1987
PRIME TIMERS OF THE DESERT
HOST A GREAT CONVENTION
The 2011
Prime Timers
Worldwide convention,
hosted by Prime Timers of the Desert, was a huge success. More than
500 Prime Timers attended from across North America,
as well as from Israel, Australia, and other countries.
Several of the happy hours were augmented by attendance from PTOD’s members, resulting in as many as
700 guys attending in the early evening.
The PTOD volunteer force was great. Houston Prime
Timer Herman Hong, in an article for the Houston
newsletter put it well: “Prime Timers of the Desert
hosted the event. They were available to answer
questions and help with registration and logistics and
did a fine job.”
Conventions are designed for people to have a lot
of fun, as well as to conduct the business of Prime Timers Worldwide. By all reports, everyone had a lot of fun
during the weekend, including attendance by over 200
at the Palm Springs Follies on Friday afternoon, and
two great dinners with entertainment.
Herman Hong further described it: “It is easy to see
the appeal of Palm Springs. Beautiful mountains in the
background and palm trees everywhere. Very little rain.
It can get up to 120 degrees in the summer but cools
down at night.”
Palm Springs is a great gay-friendly city, and attendees made the most of its attractions. Every evening
featured groups heading out to the many gay bars in
town.
On the business side of the convention, the Presidents’ Meeting choose a new board of directors, including three new board members – Everett Rosner of Dallas-Ft. Worth, is the new VP of Independent Members;
Terry Kyweriga, the long time Treasurer of the Minneapolis-St. Paul chapter, is our new Treasurer; and Henry
McMorris of Chicago is a new Member-at-large. They
Founder Woody Baldwin and PTOD President Wayne
Patterson led the Palm Springs Gay Pride Parade
in a vintage Rolls-Royce
join returning board members including Founder
Woody Baldwin, newly elected President Rob Howard,
VP Chapters Don McVay, Secretary Richard Tobiason,
(Continued on page 3)
Convention goers get acquainted at the Thursday Night
Welcome Mixer at Palm Springs’ Riviera Resort and Spa
INDEX PAGE 2
2
PRIME TIMES
PTWW BOARD
Founder
Woody Baldwin
4604 S. Lamar, Apt D-103
Austin TX 78745-1362
512.892-3588
[email protected]
President
Rob Howard
4436 NW 59th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
405.946.1377
[email protected]
Vice President
Chapters
Don McVay
816-803-2733
Don.Mcvay
@runbox.com
Vice President
Independents
Everett Rosner
489 Woodgrove Dr.
Little Elm, TX 75068
972-987-4141
[email protected]
Secretary
Richard Tobiason
RichOTroy
@aol.com
Treasurer
Terry Kyweriga
4722 Minnehaha Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55406
612-729-0363
[email protected]
Members-at-Large
Tom Hendricks
Hartom
@windstream.net
Henry McMorris, Sr.
9847 S. Avalon Ave.
Chicago, IL 60628
773-721-2851
Mc_morrish
@comcast.net
Director Emeritus
Michael Stone
7452 Eleanor Circle
Sarasota FL 34243
941.359.8212
[email protected]
DECEMBER 2011
FOUNDER FILOSOFY
BY WOODY BALDWIN, PRIME TIMERS FOUNDER
There's nothing like a
convention or regional
gathering to illustrate the
worth of our organization. I would like to
share a comment from the latest Charlotte
chapter newsletter-- "While the group has
grown over the years, we still have maintained our ability to be friends, to help each
other when called upon and share our
lives. I am not sure whether Woody Baldwin really meant the organization to be
that; however, it works for us." I could not
have expressed it better.
I almost inevitably wipe a few tears
from my face when someone tells me
how Prime Timers has changed his life for
the better. I have had several say they
were considering suicide until they found
our great organization. In some instances,
their psychiatrist had recommended they
try Prime Timers.
It is hard to define just what we are
because we are so many different things to
different people; I would not want it any
other way. I hope you are doing your best
to reach all the men in your community who could benefit from the things we
offer. And the more things we offer, the
more guys will want to be a part of it. Do
you ever recommend Prime Timers
to appropriate guys on Silver Daddies? It
is such a small thing but could accomplish
so much in enriching their lives. I wish
there was a way to know how many fel-
lows have met Mr. Right through our organization. We only know there have
been many.
As I looked out over the almost 500
men at the convention banquet, I felt as
humble as Wayne Patterson was praising
me. The beautiful plaque the Prime Timers of the Desert gave me, I sincerely felt it
belonged to everyone in the audience and
other absent members, as you are the
ones who have held Prime Timers together
and made it grow to its present identity.
As Shakespeare said so meaningfully,
" Don't settle for being just a player; help
write the play."
Prime Timers of the Desert President Wayne
Patterson presents a plaque honoring Founder Woody Baldwin at the 2011 Convention.
-Picture by Eddie Fleming
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
Pages 1 and 3
Convention Coverage
Page 2
Founder Filosophy
Pages 4-5
Your NEW Worldwide
Board
Page 6
Rocky Mountain
Regional Gathering
Page 7
Columbus to Host 2013
Convention
Page 8
Here and There
Page 9
Presidents Column
Page 10
Atlanta Hits the Rails
Page 11-12
Chapter Stories
Page 13
A Cancer Cure
with a Fan Club
Page 14
Atlanta Celebrates 20
Years
Page 15
Mid-Winter Rendezvous in
Oklahoma City
Page 16
Cruisin’
3
THE NEWSLETTER OF PRIME TIMERS WORLDWIDE
A GREAT CONVENTION
(Continued from page 1)
and Member-at-large Tom Hendricks.
Michael Stone, the outgoing President, returns in a
new role as Director Emeritus, a non-voting position
created by the board. The new board went right to
work on Saturday morning, considering the proposals
of Chicago, Columbus, and Richmond to host the 2013
convention. After considerable deliberation, the board
selected Columbus, Ohio
as the host
chapter for
the next convention.
Most attendees went
to the Palm
Springs Gay
Pride Parade
on Sunday
morning.
Convention volunteers were always friendly
The parade,
and
helpful. The registration was well organwhich continized
and moved along swiftly, important
ued for over
when
you
are welcoming over 500 guests.
an hour, feaThe volunteers were identified by their red
tured Prime
convention polo shirts and were always
Timers Founavailable to help out.
der Woody
Baldwin in
the lead car, a vintage Rolls-Royce. Those who participated in the parade remarked what a lot of fun it was to
see local Prime Timers, as well as convention attendees, lining the parade route from start
to finish.
Your new board has
a lot of work ahead.
We all want to continue to grow our
great organization
and ensure that
wherever there are
mature gay and biMembers of other chapters brought sexual men, we will
their banners and marched with
be there with them.
PTOD members in the parade.
That is a primary
task for Michael
Stone in his new position. With 75 chapters, we have
grown too large for the VP Chapters to easily serve
chapter needs, so Michael will continue to work with
Don, particularly in starting new chapters, and assisting
Convention pictures by Eddie Fleming
chapters that are having difficulties.
The Presidents’ Meeting approved a budget that
includes increased outreach. Prime Timers has been
at two of the last three AARP conventions to increase
the public’s awareness of the social and aging concerns of gay seniors. We want to add a presence at
NGLTF’s annual Creating Change conference as well,
and explore participation in the Canadian Association
of Retired Persons annual convention.
In addition, the meeting approved moving forward
with attempting to change our tax status to 501(c) 3, so
that gifts to the organization will be tax deductible, and
we will be eligible to receive grants from foundations
and corporations in continuing our educational work as
well as the friendship and support that is so important
to all Prime Timers. This is a major undertaking – the
application and approval process with the IRS is time
consuming and complex. If we are successful, we will
Members of Prime Timers of the Desert built a great float for
the Pride Parade. The float featured flags from every country
that has a Prime Timers chapter.
be able to extend this tax status to all chapters in the
United States.
We have a great new board, and they are dedicated
to working with members across the globe to move
Prime Timers Worldwide forward in
the next two years.
THANKS PRIME TIMERS
OF THE DESERT FOR
A GREAT CONVENTION!
4
PRIME TIMES
DECEMBER 2011
YOUR NEW PRIME TIMERS WORLDWIDE BOARD
A new board of directors was elected for
Prime Timers Worldwide at the convention in Palm Springs. Here is your board!
Woody Baldwin
Founder Emeritus
Woody needs no introduction.
He is a guiding light to both
Prime Timers Worldwide and
to its board of directors. At 67
he started the first chapter on a
hot August day in Boston. He
now is 91 years young, and
lives in Austin. He still attends
as many Prime Timer events each year as he can
manage, and is very, very proud of our organization,
which will be 25 years old in 2012.
Rob Howard
President
I have been a member of Prime
Timers since moving to Oklahoma City in 2002. In 2003 the
local board nominated me for a
position on the worldwide board.
Since then, I have been a member-at-large, VP Chapters, and
most recently treasurer, before
being elected as president at the Palm Springs convention. I have also served a number of positions in
local Oklahoma City LGBT organizations, and as
president of the Central Oklahoma chapter for six of
the last eight years. I look forward to serving you as
the head of our great organization!
Don McVay
VP Chapters
I first became aware of Prime
Timers through the recommendation of a friend that I attend
the PT Labor Day Weekend in
2001. That was such an enjoyable (and my first gay
event) experience and I wondered why we didn't have
a chapter in Kansas City where I lived at the time.
By the time I returned to OKC in 2002, I had decided to start a chapter in KC and talked to Woody
and Sean and a couple of others. By Oct 2002, we
had our first meeting with 32 present and the chapter
was started. At a later date, I was appointed as assistant to the vice president of chapters and worked with
Michael Stone for a few years.
In 2007 I was elected to the PTWW board for
member at large. In 2009 I was elected VP of Chapters and again in 2011.
Prime Timers is a wonderful experience for gay
men of any age to experience a friendly atmosphere
where you meet, socialize with, travel with, enjoy
educational and cultural opportunities with like
minded men.
Everett Rosner
VP Independents
Hi! I am excited about being the Vice President of Independents. I have been with
the Dallas/Ft Worth chapter
for over 18 years. I have
served as President, Vice
President, Secretary and
Newsletter Editor.
I am retired and have a background in purchasing. Lots of experience in computer programs. I will
provide the independents news and what's going on
in your area monthly; I want you all to feel part of the
Prime Timers family.
Richard Tobiason
Secretary
I have been Secretary of Prime
Timers Worldwide since being
nominated to serve on the Board
at the Toronto Convention in October 2009. In this role, I have
recorded and distributed minutes
of meetings and conference
calls, maintained the PTWW database and distributed copies of the database and
extracts of key information to the Board members.
Other tasks include using the e-mail address extracts
from the database to keep Chapter officers informed
by sending messages from the PTWW President and
announcing the availability of the periodic newsletter.
I feel that my contributions have been appreciated by
the other Board members and I hope to be able to
continue this assignment.
I am the Chairman of the Organizing Committee
that started the then first Michigan chapter named
Prime Timers Metro Detroit. This evolved from an-
5
THE NEWSLETTER OF PRIME TIMERS WORLDWIDE
YOUR NEW PRIME TIMERS WORLDWIDE BOARD, CONTINUED
other group that felt association with Prime Timers
Worldwide would be a desirable goal. The chapter
remains modest in size, but the members enjoy the
monthly luncheon and dinner at a group of our favorite
restaurants.
Terry Kyweriga
Treasurer
Hi! I’m Terry Kyweriga
(pronounced KIV-er-riga) and I hail
from the Great North Country, also
known as Minnesota! Recently I
was elected as your Treasurer of
Prime Timers Worldwide. I am a
single man; however there is this
fellow with a twinkle in his eye that
may have other plans.
I am a member of the Prime Timers MinneapolisSt. Paul Chapter and have served as its treasurer for
approximately 12 years. As our chapter has grown, so
has my knowledge of various financial facts and information. I believe that part of our chapter’s success
has been because of our solid budgeting, fiscal responsibility, and financial management. Back in 2004,
my fellow Chapter members awarded me the Prime
Timers MSP President’s Award for outstanding service, dedication, commitment, loyalty and perseverance of behalf of all members of the chapter. Then, a
few years ago, I was also awarded the Prime Timers
MSP Lifetime Achievement Award (only 4 have been
awarded during our Chapter’s history) of which I am
most proud.
I am very happy and proud to be part of your new
Prime Timers Worldwide Board of Directors. I feel the
others on the Board are very hard working and dedicated to the success of Prime Timers and I am humbled to work side-by-side with them moving forward.
Finally, I wish to thank everyone who worked and
helped me become your new Treasurer. I look forward
to hearing from all of the many chapters around the
world. Take care!
Tom Hendricks
Member at Large
I was raised in the Atlanta, Georgia
area, later moving to Tucson, Arizona. I worked in Tucson for several years in accounting at Canyon
Ranch Resort and as office manager with Oil Company. I relocated
to the Charlotte, North Carolina
area in 1988. I was connected to
the Import Dept. of a department store chain for 19
years before retiring 3 years ago.
I joined the Charlotte, N.C. Prime Timers in 1994
and have served as Vice President and as the Liaison
of our chapter. This is my second term as Member-AtLarge on the Prime Timer Worldwide Board and I enjoy my service very much.
Henry McMorris
Member at Large
Henry is a retired employee
of The State of Illinois. He has
been a member of the Chicago
chapter for the past five years
and has served the chapter as
Social Events Chairperson.
Henry loves to travel and
has been on all seven continents. He headed Chicago Prime Timers’ effort to host
the 2013 convention, and was elected to the worldwide
board at the Palm Springs convention.
Michael Stone
Director Emeritus
Michael has been a member of the
worldwide board since 2003, first
serving four years as VP Chapters,
and then four more as President.
His time on the board has shown
significant growth, from 53 chapters to 75 today. For the next two
years, Michael will hold a position
created by the board as Director Emeritus, a position
without a vote. He will assist Don McVay in caring for
chapters experiencing difficulties, and helping start
new chapters.
HOLIDAY
GREETINGS
FROM YOUR
WORLDWIDE BOARD
6
PRIME TIMES
DECEMBER 2011
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGIONAL GATHERING
JULY 19-22, 2012
The Colorado Prime Timers are having their second Rocky Mountain Regional Gathering July 19
through 22, 2012. The
three day event includes
a performance of the
Gray Stocking Review, a
walking tour of Historic
Downtown Denver, a
banquet with entertainment, and an open bar
two nights, as well as a mixer on Friday evening at Denver’s Capitol Hill Mansion. There are two packages
available, currently priced at $90 and $150, as well as
ala carte selections.
The Gray Stocking Review, a troupe of men over
50, puts on a great show. They were featured at the
last Rocky Mountain Regional in July 2009. Some
members of the Colorado Prime Timers perform as part
of the Review. It is a first
class show, and you don’t
want to miss it.
Also available are several interesting tours in the
Rocky Mountains, including Pike’s Peak via the
Cog Railway including
lunch and drinks for $50; a
Mount Evans/Echo Lake,
with a stop for lunch on your own, for $18; and a visit to
the Colorado Railroad Museum for $7.
The Capitol Hill Mansion is the location the
welcome mixer on Friday
evening. It is a gorgeous, romantic Denver
Bed and Breakfast nestled in the quaint Capitol
Hill neighborhood in
downtown Denver. This
national and state historiCOLORADO RAILROAD
cal registered inn is a
MUSEUM
short walk from downYou’ll begin your visit at the
town & Charlie’s. It is
Depot Museum building, a repone of Denver’s premier
lica of standard station conurban inns since 1994;
struction of the 1880’s. On the
Capitol Hill Mansion is an 15-acre rail yard and grounds,
inviting, gay friendly getyou’ll discover over 100 railcars including rare narrow and
away.
standard gauge steam and
The event headdiesel
locomotives, passenger
quarters is the Crowne
cars
and
cabooses in a natural
Plaza Hotel in downtown
outdoor setting.
Denver where the room
rate for the gathering is $119 plus tax, single or double
occupancy. Third and fourth person in the room is
available for a supplement. The hotel is not included
in the price of the gathering. Reservations can be
made at 303.573.1450, be sure you mention Colorado
Prime Timers. Parking at the hotel is a reasonable
$10 per day.
For additional information, a brochure, and a registration form, go to www.coloradoprimetimers.com, or
call them at 303-331-2458 and leave a voicemail or by
email at [email protected].
FUN AND A GOOD
CAUSE AS WELL
Prime Timers of Phoenix participate in the Aunt
Rita’s AIDS Walk/5K Run during the Phoenix Rainbow
Festival, October 1 and 2. (L to R) Phoenix members
Justin, Dan, Mark (their Chapter President), Mike, and
Will.
When Prime Timer chapters participate in events
such as an AIDS Walk, Pride Festival, and other LGBT
community events, it both helps your local community,
and makes the broader LGBT community aware that
Prime Timers is available to older gay men.
-Picture provided by Prime Timers of Phoenix
THE NEWSLETTER OF PRIME TIMERS WORLDWIDE
7
COLUMBUS OHIO PRIME TIMERS
TO HOST 2013 CONVENTION
Columbus, Ohio was selected by the PTWW board
as the convention site for 2013, hosted by the Columbus Ohio Prime Timers. The convention will be held
Thursday, October 3 through Sunday, October 6, 2013
at the Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel.
Columbus is the “most underrated gay city” according to Gay Travel, as well as being rated one of
the Top-10 Fall Visitor Destinations by National Geographic Traveler in August 2011.
The city features a lively gay life, including 22 gay
bars and restaurants. There are also a number of
neighborhoods that Prime Timers will want to explore,
including German Village, the Brewery District, the Discovery District with a number of museums, and the
Short North Arts District. Bestgaycities.com says
“Columbus has one of the Midwest’s best culinary
reputations, a high number of art galleries, numerous
gay sports clubs, and a youthful but unpretentious gay
club scene.”
The Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel
is offering a rate of $124
(plus tax, bringing it to
about $145) per night,
single or double occupancy. The hotel underwent a recent $16 million
King Guest Room in the
renovation, and has over
Renaissance Columbus
400 rooms.
Downtown Hotel, the site of
Getting to Columbus
the 2013 convention
will be easy. Not only is it
an easy drive from many cities in the US, it is well
served by ten major airlines and many regional airline
partners. With
over 340 daily arrivals and departures, the airport is
only ten minutes
from downtown.
In addition to the
enthusiastic members of the Columbus Chapter, the
members of TriColumbus Skyline
State
Prime Timers
Picture by Randall L. Schieber
in
Cincinnati,
and
courtesy Experience Columbus
the Miami Valley
Prime Timers in Dayton, have both offered to help with
the convention, and strongly supported Columbus’ bid
for the convention.
To see
more of
what Columbus
offers, go
to www.ExperienceColumbus.com. There is so much
to see, do, and so many restaurants to choose from,
you might want to
stay a few extra
days. And just a
note for you football
fans, Ohio State will
not be playing the
weekend of the
convention, which
allowed the hotel to
offer very attractive
rates and catering
Barcelona Bar & Restaurant
costs.
in Columbus’ German Village
Mark your calPicture by Beth Ervin/
endars for October
Experience Columbus
3 through 6, 2013,
and maybe even
longer, and start planning your visit to Columbus. It
promises to be a great convention.
Tucson Prime Timers members (L to R) Dale, Richard, Scott, Jerry, Eddie, Don, and John at Friday Night
cocktails at the Colors Bar and Restaurant in Tucson
-Picture by Rob Howard
8
PRIME TIMES
DECEMBER 2011
HERE AND THERE
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: On
alternating Fridays at 7pm, a group
meets at the Starbucks at 1600
East Olive Way for a coffee reunion. It is a good time to meet some
of their guys in a sit-down conversational venue. They socialize, chit
-chat, swap lies, gossip about what
their friends are doing, and blahblah. Perhaps a few will go to dinner later. If you are in their gorgeous city, keep Friday night open
and them in mind.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS: In the
nearby town of Seguin, the old
Texas Theater has been totally remodeled from top to bottom. It has
been “rebuilt” to show movies, put
on live plays, and can be rented for
“special private presentations”.
Two of their members have a B
and B in Seguin, and they hosted
the 36 members that made the trip
for dinner after the theater. What a
day that must have been!
AUSTIN, TEXAS: (85 members)
Austin certainly is one of the more
lively, fun cities in Texas. A suggestion to visit would be the first
weekend of the month, so that you
could take in their chapter general
meeting. It is held at the Carver
Branch Library, 1161 Angelina
Street at 2pm. They have some
interesting speakers.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA: (105 members) This is a
busy, busy chapter. There seems
to be something going most days of
the week: Sunday brunches, Tuesday coffees, Wednesday golf and
bridge, Thursday lunches, Friday
golf, Saturday dine outs and theatre nights. If you are visiting their
active city, give Prez George Cameron a call (604/564-4783), and
meet some of their friendly group
someplace. Plus, congrats to
members Tony Kimble and Peter
Cheung on their 30th anniversary
BY CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
ZACH MULLANEY, CENTRAL OKLAHOMA CHAPTER
together. Thirty years! That’s more
than my own parents could handle.
What memories to look back on.
We met Tony and Peter at the Gay
Games last August. Two neat
guys.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS:
Their newsletter mentions extension classes for seniors that many
of the members are taking. The
classes are sponsored by UMass
with over 1,000 enrollees throughout eastern Mass towns. Another
learning group is the Stonewall
Communities Institute, Boston
based, serving senior GLBT communities. They have over 400
members attending classes. What
an advantage to keep the mind
sharp.
CLEVELAND, OHIO: The groundbreaking play of the 1970’s, “The
Boys in the Band” is being staged
in the city. They are planning a
theatre party to see the production.
Unfortunately, I’m old enough t remember it (and the movie) and can
recall what a dramatic breakthrough it was for the gay community. I still remember Connie Casserole. Hope their guys enjoy this
presentation.
TORONTO, ONTARIO: Hey, everybody, get a copy of their newsletter. My, my! All the special Santa’s
on the front page set this old heart
a-flutter. Let’s hope they’re members. Their Christmas Get-together
is coming up in December, and I
can’t help but wonder if these Santas are going to be there to hand
out ‘gifts’. Hey, Toronto chapter will
have a packed house for that dinner. That will be a fun night to remember.
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO:
If you’re heading E-W on I-40, or NS on I-25, and are going through
Albuquerque, here’s some info for
you. Both their Board meetings
and General meetings are held at
Sidewinders Bar, 8900 Central
Avenue SE. The General Meeting
is held the second Sunday of the
month. Several of the group will be
going down to Carlsbad in December to enjoy “Christmas on the Pecos River”. They take boat trips
down the river, seeing all the decorated homes along the river banks.
That sounds like a good weekend
jaunt.
KANSAS CITY, KS/MO: The two
Kansas City’s are also a crossroads of the country. They also
have on-going activities for you to
take note of and enjoy. On
Wednesday nights, they always
meet at the Stables around 6pm
(we’re assuming it’s a bar), and Fridays at 6pm are dinners at The
View. If you’re passing through, or
stopping, join ‘em.
MELBOURNE, VICTORIA: Boy,
the Vintage Men are always on the
go. They hopped the Smart Bus,
went out to the suburbs for lunch,
hopped back on the bus to a shopping centre. Back on the bus, and
down to International Airport for
afternoon tea, then back on the bus
back to their meeting place. The
cost for the day was just showing
the Senior’s Daily Metcard. Can’t
beat that!
CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA: In
reading their newsletter, a group
took a field trip down to the city of
Savannah, one of my favorite cities. The stories they brought back
from this trip were about the excellent food in some superb restaurants, visiting some great sites,
strolling under the giant oaks on
Bull Street…… It’s a good city to
have a good time in.
9
THE NEWSLETTER OF PRIME TIMERS WORLDWIDE
THANKS FOR THE HONOR
I am humbled that the Presidents’
Meeting at our 2011 convention
chose me to serve you as president
for the next two years. It is a significant honor. Thanks to Prime Timers
of the Desert for putting on a great
convention.
The outgoing board has achieved a
lot in the past two years, and I want
to thank outgoing president Michael
Stone for his leadership. His efforts
to grow the organization over the past eight years have
increased the number of chapters from 53 in 2003 to 75
today, with several more in the works. Steven Dubois
and Gene Walker are leaving the board; I thank both of
them for their service as well.
I want to welcome our three new board members –
Everett Rosner of Dallas-Ft. Worth, is the new VP of
Independent Members; Terry Kyweriga, the long time
Treasurer of the Minneapolis-St. Paul chapter, is our
new Treasurer; and Henry McMorris of Chicago is a
new Member-at-Large. They join Founder Woody
Baldwin, VP Chapters Don McVay, Secretary Richard
Tobiason, Member-at-Large Tom Hendricks, me, Rob
Howard, as President, and Michael Stone in a new role
as Director Emeritus, a non-voting position created by
the board. Together, we make up a progressive, forward looking board. I am excited about our new board
and look forward to working with them over the next
two years.
Just in the past two months, I’ve had the pleasure
of visiting two other chapters – Tucson in October, and
Atlanta in November. Each visit was great fun. It is
always wonderful to sit down with a few Prime Timers
and hear their stories about their lives, and their hopes
for the future. Both in Tucson and in Atlanta, I felt like I
had dozens of new friends. I look forward to visiting
more chapters over the course of the next two years,
and seeing lots more members at gatherings in Oklahoma City, Las Vegas, Denver, and possibly other locations as well. And we have a great convention to
look forward to in Columbus, OH, in October 2013.
As a side note, I intend to continue to edit this
newsletter. It is a gratifying task – not really a job at all
– because chapters and individuals who send me articles actually write most of the content; I just have the
great experience of learning about what is happening
across the organization, and assembling an informative
and fun newsletter for each of you to enjoy.
Thank you for the honor of serving you both as
president, and as editor!
Best regards,
Rob Howard
PRIME TIMERS IN TEL AVIV
One of the farthest traveling convention attendees was Benny
Raphael, a Prime Timer from Tel Aviv, Israel. Benny brought
with him a gay Israeli flag, which he proudly unfurled at the
Palm Springs Pride Parade. He also brought a lot of material
about gay life in Tel Aviv including their 2011 Pride Guide, and
a brochure
listing gay
hot spots.
Before his
journey to
Palm Springs, Benny sent along a
picture of a brunch meeting of proBenny Raphael with his gay spective Prime Timers. The Pride
Israeli flag at the Palm
Guide says the city is “Fun, Free,
Springs Gay Pride Parade and Fabulous,” and the brochure
says “This city is HOT!” It sure
-Picture by Rob Howard
looks like a hot gay destination.
Prospective Prime Timers have brunch in Tel Aviv
10
PRIME TIMES
DECEMBER 2011
ATLANTA PRIME TIMERS HIT THE RAILS IN
DAY TRIP TO BIRMINGHAM
BY JIM MISKIMEN, ATLANTA PRIME TIMERS NEWSLETTER EDITOR
rant in the heart of downtown, near the AMTRAK staAMTRAK (the National Railroad Passenger Corpotion. As a sidelight, heading back to the AMTRAK staration) took several Atlanta Prime Timers on a lovely
tion, the smell of fresh peanuts could not be ignored so
fall day trip from Atlanta to Birmingham and return rewith that, many took one pound bags of hot roasted
cently.
peanuts back to Atlanta.
Jim Miskimen, a forThe northbound Crescent comes from New Ormer AMTRAK investileans on a day trip to Atlanta and left Birmingham at
gator and Atlanta
2:24P, Central, arriving in Atlanta at 7:35P, Eastern,
Prime Timer member/
that evening. The train continues overnight to New
Newsletter Editor, set
York with stops in Charlottesville, Virginia and Washup the trip in cooperaington, DC, among others. On the return trip, we were
tion with AMTRAK ofserved a reservations only dinner which gave us time
ficials who provided
to eat before arriving in Atlanta at 7:35P (EDT). The
VIP packages of train
menus offered delicious varieties for each meal.
materials, a heavy
There was such a good time that preliminary thinkhard cover book deing has taken place on a possible extended round trip
tailing the first 40
to New Orleans or Washington, DC from Atlanta.
years of this national railroad service, and other railAMTRAK carried nearly 30.2 million passengers on
road items, including the famous AMTRAK ball point
300 daily trains and at speeds up to 150 mph in Fiscal
pen.
Year 2011 ending September 30, marking the highest
The train, The Crescent (southbound), named for
ridership total since the National Railroad Passenger
the former Southern Railway Southern Crescent, proCorporation started opvides daily service, both
erations in 1971 and the
north and southbound,
eighth ridership record
from New York to New Orduring the last nine years.
leans via Washington, DC,
Ridership versus the prior
and Atlanta among the
year is up by more than
several stops.
five percent – and ticket
Southbound, the trip is
revenue is up by more
overnight from New York,
than eight percent -- destopping in Atlanta and
spite significant weather
leaving at 8:38A in the
related disruptions in the
morning with a stop in AnNortheast, Central and
niston, Alabama, before
Atlanta Prime Timers on their train trip to Birmingham
Western U.S.
arriving in Birmingham, AL
Left, front row, are Terry Fuerst and Michael Demars, back
Celebrating 40 years
at 11:50A. The train prorow Charles Stevens and Jim Miskimen. Right, front row are
ceeds to New Orleans.
Harry Godsey and Albert Turnell, back row Dan Pruitt and Don of dedicated service as
Once on board, every- Gambrell. They had so much fun they are now planning a trip America’s Railroad®, AMTRAK is the nation’s interone relaxed in their roomy
to New Orleans!
city passenger rail proand comfortable reserved
vider and its only high-speed rail operator. This naseat in coach, watching the world pass by outside the
tional railroad service connects 46 states, the District
large windows. Some took a nap, or had fun in conof Columbia and three Canadian Provinces. AMTRAK
versations with fellow Atlanta Prime Timers. And, of
operates trains in partnership with 15 states and four
course, many had cameras to photograph the panocommuter rail agencies. Enjoy the journeys at AMrama along the railroad right of way.
TRAK.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares
While on the train we enjoyed a delicious home
style breakfast. When we arrived in Birmingham, there and more information.
was time to walk around some of the downtown area
Pictures by Jim Miskimen and Harry Godsey
and have lunch at John’s Restaurant, a popular restau-
11
THE NEWSLETTER OF PRIME TIMERS WORLDWIDE
MIAMI VALLEY OHIO PRIME TIMERS FIRST ANNUAL PIG ROAST
Unity and fellowship were the themes of the day
for the first annual pig roast held by the local Miami Valley Ohio Prime Timers Chapter on August
21. The chapter invited Prime Timer brothers from
the Chapters in Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio
and Indianapolis, Indiana for a social day at a
Dayton Metro Park shelter. Also, sharing the day
were members of the Dayton Gay Men’s’ Chorus,
River Bears group, and friends of these various
groups. Games, food, drinks, and conversation
ruled the agenda and 81 gay and bisexual men
enjoyed each other’s camaraderie. Although individual members and chapters have had social exchanges and some members hold multiple memberships, this was the first time these groups have
met in mass together. The pig was professionally
catered and prepared in advance in half sections,
however, the potato salad, cole slaw, and baked
beans were homemade by MVOPT members.
The occasion was so successful; the Dayton, OH
chapter is making it an annual event.
CROSS TIMBERS PRIME TIMERS’ FLOAT WINS AWARD
IN THE FT. WORTH GAY PRIDE PARADE
On September 24, 2011 Jimmy Shipp and A.J.
Ratliff hosted their annual Cross Timbers Prime Timers
& Fort Worth Dinner Club at their home in Ranger,
Texas. Sixty-five people attended the social. There
was a barbeque dinner and pot luck supper. After dinner there were several fun games to play and win
fabulous prizes. Everyone had a good time.
On Saturday, October 1, 2011 the Cross Timbers
Prime Timers
entered the Fort
Worth Gay Pride
Parade with a
float with all of
the flags from
Countries where
Worldwide Prime
Timers has
chapters. Ten
members of the chapter participated in the parade. The Cross Timbers Prime Timers Float was
awarded the trophy for the best float from out of town.
-Pictures by Jim Fritsch
12
PRIME TIMES
DECEMBER 2011
BOSTON PRIME TIMERS CELEBRATE
HALLOWEEN IN PROVINCETOWN
BY DICK BOURBEAU, VICE PRESIDENT, BOSTON PRIME TIMERS
Boston Prime Timers had just shy of 100 members
and guests from the Boston, Connecticut and Rhode
Island Chapters at their Annual Halloween Weekend at
the Provincetown Inn, the location of the birth of Prime Timers
International, which in 1991
became Prime Timers World
Wide. Woody was elected the
first President and Dick Bourbeau the first Vice President at
the Provincetown meeting in
1991.
Attendees had a lot of fun,
particularly at the costume
party, a highlight of the weekend each year. The photo from
this year’s event shows the six
members of the Board of Directors dressed up in their
ghoulish finest. Ed Moussally, third from the left, suggested that next year, he’d have to pay a little more
attention to his makeup, leading
to a suggestion that he could
start by trying a different color
base.
The Boston Board Does Halloween. From Left to
Right: Steve Vorenberg, President; Ed Rapazzini, Editor; Edmond Moussally, Program Director; Mitchell Drucker, Secretary; Kerry Marshall, Treasurer;
and Dick Bourbeau, Vice President and Office Manager.
-Frank LaPiana
Photographer
A SHORT VISIT WITH OUR METRO PORTLAND CHAPTER
MICHAEL STONE
What a great convention we had, put on by our
friends of Prime Timers of the Desert! After enjoying
five glorious days in Palm Springs basking in the
warmth of friends from around the world (in unusually
cool weather) what better way to end a 14-day adventure than by stopping in to visit and dine with our Portland chapter’s friends.
The drive was glorious as we (Robert and I) drove
slowly up the California coast. We stopped nightly to
enjoy the great seafood and sights this state has to
offer. Outside of the Redwood National Park at the
California-Oregon border we visited with Prime Timer
Mark ‘Bear’ for a pleasant evening. He lives in Fort
Dick, California. I’m not kidding! Look it up!
It was my fifth or sixth time to drive the Oregon
coast and I always discover something more beautiful
than in the past. Robert had never been there and
was completely awed and inspired by its beauty. Rain
greeted us as we headed north.
Metro Portland Prime Timer’s President, Dave Kolberg, had invited us to lunch with the chapter and to
say a few words. How wonderful it was to meet new
friends and enjoy the comfort of a gay restaurant with
good food and hot soup! Dave has done wonders with
his chapter and has a very hard working and supportive board of directors.
I was impressed listening to the guys calling off the
upcoming planned events; a good mix of public gatherings and home-hosted events. They have events
planned well into the New Year.
So, if you’re up that way be sure to give them a
call; you’ll have a great time and come away with new
friends. This is what Prime Timers is all about!
-Picture by Robert Rosenthal
13
THE NEWSLETTER OF PRIME TIMERS WORLDWIDE
A CANCER CURE WITH A FAN CLUB
BY ROB HOWARD, EDITOR
Think for just a moment what you think about cancer. Picture in your mind the waiting room for cancer
treatment. It’s probably not something you want to
dwell on, because it sounds depressing.
So, I was totally blown away a couple of months
ago when I accompanied Nathan Bussey and his partner Forrest Edge to the Wednesday lunch at ProCure
Proton Therapy Center in Oklahoma City. Nathan was
treated there for prostate cancer earlier this year. He’s
progressing astoundingly well, and has turned into kind
of a missionary for ProCure.
But I wanted to learn more about the center, since
their Vickie Weigel, one of ProCure’s Patient Services
Manager, had given two presentations to Central Oklahoma Prime Timers, one at our June Meeting, and one
on Saturday at Labor Day weekend.
My preconceptions about a cancer treatment waiting room were instantly crushed. Here was the sun
filled, two story lobby, with comfortable chairs. People
were sitting in circles, visiting, laughing, smiling. They
want to tell you their story. We walked to the lunch,
attended by over a hundred, laughing, talking, excited
people.
It’s not just Nathan who is a ProCure missionary –
they all seem to be like that. The guy across from me
at lunch talked about having his proton therapy for
prostate cancer at Loma Linda, CA, where the treatment was developed. He talked about his urologist’s
reluctance to recommend proton therapy, and asked
why he was considering it. He responded that he had
done extensive research on the Internet, liked what he
Primetimers Forrest Edge (L) and Nathan Bussey
at the weekly lunch at ProCure Proton Therapy Center
in Oklahoma City
saw, and particularly the reduced risk of side effects. And
then the clincher. He had
found something called “The
Balloon Club” formed by
graduates of the treatment.
He told his doctor, “It’s the only
cancer treatment I know of that
has a fan club.”
The lunch is followed by a
program, honoring that week’s
“graduates” and a presentation
on some of the programs
available. Graduates receive
a medallion and a certificate.
There are several
treatments for prostate cancer besides
proton therapy. They
include surgery, radiation, implantation
of radioactive seeds,
and chemo-therapy.
If you are diagnosed
with prostate cancer,
you should explore
all the options with
your Urologist, but if
your doctor doesn’t
mention proton therapy, bring it up yourself.
There were several
graduates when I attended, including a Marine. She was in formal Marine attire, and three of her
fellow Marines, also in formal uniform, presented her
medallion. The one handing it to her said
“Congratulations on kicking cancer in the butt.”
Another clincher! Nathan and Forrest are
treated with respect as a couple, their being gay
has no bearing on their acceptance. Vickie has
twice talked to our gay group. It is great to see such a
positive approach to treatment, as well as to the patient and his family.
There are several different cancers that are treated
at ProCure, including prostate cancer, brain tumors,
and esophageal
cancer. If you
are diagnosed
with cancer, talk
to your doctor
about proton
therapy, and
touch base with
the folks at ProCure. You’ll
see why the
treatment has a
fan club!
Vickie Weigel, one of ProCure’s Patient Services Managers, and Nathan Bussey in the cheerful waiting
lobby at Procure.
-Pictures by Rob Howard
14
PRIME TIMES
DECEMBER 2011
ATLANTA PRIME TIMERS TURN 20
BY
JIM MISKIMEN, APTITUDES EDITOR
Every good thing has a beginning and the beginning of Atlanta Prime Timers started some 20 years
ago.
In the late spring of 1991 on a bright sunny Sunday
afternoon, twelve very brave charter members met at
the Hilan Theatre (then Metropolitan Community
Church of Atlanta) to form Atlanta Prime Timers (APT).
John Hall, our first Treasurer and second President, a
member of MCC arranged the space on that auspicious
occasion. Jarvis (Sam) Cummings, John Hall, Dale
Delgado, Bruce Parrish, Gordon Seiler, Ernie Stone,
Larry Fulcher, Harry Godsey, along with four additional attendees met, made motions and voted to become the fifth Chapter of Prime Timers.
In 1992, we decided to have a newsletter and had
a contest with $25 for the winning name. Dale
Delgado named it APTitudes which holds true to this
day. Since that time, our newsletter has been cited by
Prime Timers Worldwide for having one of the best
newsletters throughout the chapter system.
Woody Baldwin visited Atlanta Prime Timers and
we had a picnic at the Summer Pavilion Park near the
Atlanta Water Works. Current member Harry Godsey
was able to secure a 51/2” floppy disc with the Boston
Chapter Constitution and By-laws, which he adapted
for APT. Founding Fathers Bruce Parrish and Harry
Godsey met for several Sunday afternoons, refining
the new Constitution. At that early beginning we had
120 members and growing.
Speaking in his own words, long time member T.
Wylie Davis says “Because of the enthusiasm and persistence of Sam (Jarvis) Cummings, APT’s upbeat
founder, I did not cross off Atlanta Prime Timers that
day (in the early 90s). I went with Sam and a few others for a drink and decided to give APT another try.
The next meeting was greatly improved, and I became
a member. Gradually, I began to understand the implicit message in the story of Woody Baldwin, the Boston professor who had founded Prime Timers: don’t
ask the younger generation for acceptance; honor the
experiences, skills and wisdom you’ve acquired over
the years; take control and come up with your own solutions. I began to see that APT could provide a forum,
a rallying point, and a source of support for gay men
who no longer fulfilled the commonly accepted age requirement.”
APT today continues to offer a schedule of pleasant
diversions for its widely diverse and changing membership. One such individual is Juan Clavell.
Juan says that “As an Afro-Caribbean, Taino Indian, Hispanic, Puerto Rican, middle age gay man,
there are within me a lot of minorities that I represent
just being Juan Rafael Clavell de Jesus.” He goes on
Jim Miskimen, editor of APTitudes, Rob Howard, President
Prime Timers Worldwide, Phillip Rafshoon, owner of Atlanta’s
gay Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse, and Charles Stevens, President of Prime Timers Atlanta at the group’s 20th
Anniversary Dinner
-Picture by Charles McCullough
to say, “I have been in my own way an activist and a
political face to many of the minorities that live within
me. Prime Timers is not a political or religious organization. Its concern with society is its effects to the aging gay and bisexual population. To have the option of
a Prime Timers chapter in Atlanta and to join other
members of the community, of our generation, was not
an option growing up for most Prime Timers members.
It is time to enjoy life with our fellow Prime Timers.”
T. Wylie Davis writes: “Twenty years ago, the
Prime Timer banner was lifted for gay men in Atlanta.
Now it is being carried forward into the 21st century.
Thanks to the generous gift of current Chairman
Charles Stevens and the emergence of the Baby
Boomer generation, our 2010 booth at Gay Pride in
Piedmont Park and the increased efforts of our Executive Committee have drawn many new members who
are now bringing a special energy and creativity to the
organization.” This held true this year during Atlanta
PRIDE where over 100 men signed our interest sheet
and we hope will become members in the near future.
Let’s see if these new hands combined with the old can
tighten the weave of the APT community.
Our 20th Anniversary celebration was held in November featuring Rob Howard, President, Prime Timers
(Continued on page 15)
THE NEWSLETTER OF PRIME TIMERS WORLDWIDE
15
MID-WINTER RENDEZVOUS AT THE HABANA INN, OKLAHOMA CITY
PRESIDENTS DAY WEEKEND, FEBRUARY 17-20, 2012
It is great to see all the friends from around
North America gather at the annual Labor Day Weekend. But in the middle of winter, when it might be
sunny and 70° and it might be 20° and snowy,
whatchagonnado? How about a party? Central Oklahoma Prime Timers are finishing plans for a MidWinter Rendezvous over
Presidents’ Day Weekend
in February (Feb. 17 - 20,
2012), and inviting all their
Labor Day friends and members of Prime Timers to join
them.
In the old days (the
REALLY Old Days) hunters and trappers held a yearly
Rendezvous to trade supplies, restock, sell their hides,
and generally have a gay old time. So they picked Mid
-Winter Rendezvous for the theme. The Ledo Bar in
the Habana Inn, where much of the fun will be had, will
be decorated in Hunting Lodge Chic; the bar tender,
we have been promised, will be wearing flannel shirts.
ATLANTA TURNS 20
(Continued from page 14)
World Wide as our speaker. He gave a powerful
message dealing with the history and the future, coupled with our individual roles, for Prime Timers Worldwide. Many APT members were in attendance representing the many years of our organization from our
first president of our organization, Jarvis (Sam) Cummings, to our current chairman, Charles Stevens.
Seven of the members won door prizes through the
donations from several members .Today the chapter
has over 112 members involved in a wide variety of
activities and events every month. The chapter is on a
roll to be enjoyed by everyone in the enrichment of the
gay community in Atlanta. (Thanks to Harry Godsey,
Bruce Parrish, Few Hembree, Juan Clavell and T.
Wylie Davis for their contributions. )
The Rendezvous will include a welcome party on
Friday, a Dinner on Saturday, and a Brunch on Sunday. If the weather is nice, the Habana Pool will be
heated. There will be plenty of indoor events as well,
with board games and local field trips. Of course,
there will be Happy Hours.
If there is enough interest, a trip to the Chickasaw
Cultural Center in Sulphur, OK will be organized. The
Cultural Center is a great museum showing the experience of one of the Five Civilized Tribes that were the first
native Americans to be forcibly
resettled in Indian Territory,
which later became part of
Oklahoma.
The Habana Inn is offering
a special king or double room
rate of $49.95 (plus tax) per
night for a three night minimum
stay. That’s the usual price for
a single room. Additional nights beyond the minimum
of three will be further discounted to $44.95.
An invitation letter will be sent in early December to
everyone on the Labor Day
mailing list - if you have
attended Labor Day in the
last three years, you
should get an email, or if
you have no email, a letter
in your mailbox. Email
[email protected] if
you want to be added to
the mail list.
Room reservations can be made after you register
and receive a registration number. The price for the
event is expected to be below $100, and will be finalized before the letter is sent. The Central Oklahoma
guys don’t know how many will show up, but whether it
is 25, 50, or 200 it will be a great mid-winter break for
us and for our friends from around the country.
THIS IS YOUR NEWSLETTER
To submit a story, tell other Prime Timers about your chapter events, write a letter to the editor, or to reprint a story from
Prime Times, contact Rob Howard at the address above, or at [email protected]. Prime Timer chapters are welcome to
copy editorial content from Prime Times without further permission. Please give credit to Prime Times, and to the original
author and chapter if it is noted. Articles can be sent to you electronically to clip into your newsletter by emailing Rob
Howard at [email protected].
Read Prime Times FREE at www.PrimeTimersWW.org
16
PRIME TIMES
DECEMBER 2011
MORE SPACE TO CHINA
NEW SHIP AND DATES ROME TO FT. LAUDERDALE
MICHAEL STONE AND ROBERT ROSENTHAL, YOUR TRAVELING PRIME TIMERS!
We are back from
our wonderful ‘Fall Colors’ cruise from
New York to Montreal. We met many new
Prime Timers and ended up talking with
and signing up new members. The fall
colors were as promised (electric reds and
oranges), especially between Quebec and
Montreal. A great time was had by all!
As happens when we schedule travel
events far in the future, some of our guys
have had to cancel our China trip. On the
positive side, however, this has opened up
some spaces for some of you to book. So,
give us a call and we’ll help get you into
the group. Prices have been frozen at last
year’s rates:
21 Day Prime Timers China Panorama
Private Group Tour
Courtyard Travel Proudly Presents
PRIME TIMER’S FAMILY AND FRIENDS …
ROME TO FT LAUDERDALE
REPOSITIONING CRUISE !!
December 1 to December 16, 2012
Celebrity SILHOUETTE
Proceeds to benefit Prime Timers!
Note new dates and NEW SHIP!
Inside Stateroom from $729
Ocean View from $869
Balcony from $ 1019
DEPOSIT $450 PP
April 18 – May 8, 2012 (21 Days)
Hosted by China Spree – Our Own Private Group – First Class
Your Prime Timers guides, Michael and
Robert, as well as our friend and Chinese
Guide, Jimmy Mao, will be with you from
arrival to departure. In addition we will
have local guides at each stop. 21 days
including 5-star hotels, and all but 2
lunches and 2 dinners and including international air and air travel within China and
transfers and taxes is $4468 (US) from
JFK. Phone Michael at 941 359-8212!
FOR MORE INFORMATION
about the Courtyard cruises
Michael Stone (941) 359-8212 or
[email protected] or
www.courtyardtvl.com/
Port charges of $240 plus taxes/fees of $137.77 and a $10 pp
group amenities marketing fee are additional Final payment due
Sept, 8, 2012 All fares based on double occupancy Single fares
200% of above fares!
This cruise on this brand new ship has been booking quickly
and we’re afraid prices won’t last. With Courtyard Travel’s generous policy you can cancel (if needed) up to 90 days in advance
with no penalty. You’ve nothing to lose!
This 15-night Repositioning Cruise departs from Rome and
includes stops at the ports of Florence and Genoa in Italy,
Provence, in France, Barcelona in Spain and Tenerife in the Canary Islands before
returning you refreshed and rested to
Ft. Lauderdale.
Special Prime Timers
events will be provided by your hosts
Michael Stone and
Robert Rosenthal and
we promise to help
you have the time of
your life!
and ask for Bobette
Bobette at Courtyard Travel 1-800 437-9685
Or Marc Solomon at 917-359-3888
Cruise leaves from Rome, where there are
1000’s of great sites to visit