SHARON MEN�S CLUB NEWSLETTER

SHARON MEN’S CLUB NEWSLETTER EST. 1992 Volume 16 Issue 6 Sharon, Massachusetts November 2008 President Sid Hurwitz Vice President Hank Kaizerman Asst. Vice President Michael Cook PRESIDENT HURWITZ GIVES SURPRISE AWARD AT SNOWBIRD LUNCHEON President Sid Hurwitz presented club member Irving Kublin with a raffle prize of two tickets to next year’s Spring Luncheon as the guest of the Sharon Men’s Club. A great time was had by all those present at the Lakeview Ballroom on October 16. The food was great as usual and the band was extra special playing the music of the great Broadway shows from the 60s to the present. Our thanks go to the Luncheon Committee for their work. Treasurer Ed Schwartz Assistant Treasurer Norman Barroll Secretary Mel Diamond Assistant Secretary Henry Victorson Committees Membership Bud Adler, Chairman Stan Bello Dave Berger Sid Hurwitz Marty Sidell Programs For Our Upcoming Meetings Nov. 4 Nov.11 Nov. 18 Nov. 25 Dec. 2 Dec. 9 Dec. 16 Dec. 23 Dec. 30 - NO BREAKFAST ON THIS DAY BALLROOM IS NOT AVAILABLE DUE TO ELECTION DAY USE - NO MEETING – VETERANS DAY COMMUNITY CENTER CLOSED “Community Television” “Flu Care At Home” Social Bernard Rosenthal Lou Friedman Jim Heller Sid Hurwitz Ed Schwartz Marty Sidell Theatre Committee Anold Kublin Phyllis Bernstein, Director, Sharon TV Marcia Liebman, Sharon Medical Board Travel Committee Bernie Rosenthal Sid Hurwitz Hal Cohen Marty Sidell Ed Schwartz Breakfast Get Together (Wives, Significant Others, Girl Friends Invited) Dorothy Campbell (subject to be announced) Sad & Glad Marty Woolf Newsletter Editor Harris Cohen Abe Gamzon Editor Emeritus To Be Announced Les Sutton Musical Program Signature Songs To Be Announced PRESIDENT’S CORNER hurwitzsid@aol.com (781) 961-3811 "Change" - seems to be the magic word today. We all hope that the changes that are on the horizon are good changes for all of us. What a Country!! Only time will tell! If you know of a club member or a member of his family who has become ill, or the death of a member or a member of his family, please contact Marty Woolf at (781) 784-7826. He is in charge of sending a Get Well or Condolence Card to the member or his family. The Club also sends a fruit basket to a Men’s Club member’s family after his passing. Get Well wishes to Marty Sidell. Our condolences go out to the family of Honorary Member Harry Wacks who has passed away. This also applies to the Sharon Men's Club. As president of the club, I am making several committee changes, two of which are mentioned here. First - the Travel Committee: The new group to head Travel will be: Bernie Rosenthal – Co-Chairman Sid Hurwitz – Co-Chairman Hal Cohen – Member Marty Sidell – Member Ed Schwartz - Member “Thank You” Herb Posner for all you did for our club leading the Travel Committee. Ongoing Activities of the Sharon Men’s Club CRIBBAGE GROUP, led by Sumner Atran, plays on Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. at the SHARON ADULT CENTER. WHIST CLUB, led by George Kostick, plays on Fridays at 1:00 p.m. at the SHARON ADULT CENTER. CHESS GROUP led by Bill Appel. Check with Bill for the time and location. BILLIARDS led by Al Ferrin - 2nd and 4th Tuesday from approx. 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the SHARON ADULT CENTER. DISCUSSION GROUP, led by Bill Appel, meets on the 4th Thursday of the month from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the SHARON ADULT CENTER. CHORAL GROUP, led by Bud Adler, meets every Monday morning at 10:00 a.m. at the Sharon Community Center on the second floor. GOLF GROUP, led by Paul Berger, plays golf on Wednesdays subject to the weather conditions. TENNIS GROUP, led by Bill Appel and Ed Neiterman, Emeritus. SMC INVESTMENT ASSOCIATES meets on the last Tuesday of the month at the SHARON ADULT CENTER. Any member of the Men’s Club is welcome to attend as a guest. Dave Berger is president of the Sharon Men’s Club Investment Associates Second - A new Nominating Committee: (Any member wishing to become an officer of the Sharon Men's Club, please contact one of the committee members listed below). We encourage you to join us. Dave Berger – Chairman (781) 784-6447 Bill Appel Marty Sidell Stan Bello Stan Goldstone (781) 784-5133 (508) 238-0364 (781) 344-1688 (781) 344-7697 We are on the move. Exciting new programs are in the works. Sid Hurwitz Happy Thanksgiving Page 2 Sharon Men’s Club Newsletter for November 2008 Sharon Men’s Club Profile Of The Month ABE GAMZON – “EDITOR EMERITUS” Abe was born in the Bronx, New York on April 22, 1923. He attended schools in the city and completed his public school education graduating from Evander Childs High School in 1940. He went to work to help support his family and enrolled in evening school classes at City College of New York, which was a Scholarship School for New York City students, studying for an engineering degree. He received his “greetings from Uncle Sam” in January 1943 and was sent to Fort Devens in Ayer, MA for his army basic training. He was then sent to Camp Edwards on Cape Cod where he became part of the Amphibious Engineers. When New England’s winter arrived, his group was sent to Camp Gordon Johnson in Florida as part of the ASTP (Army Specialized Training Program). Following the disbandment of that program, he was sent to Pennsylvania, joined the 95th Infantry Division and went oversees in June 1944. As a member of the Combat Engineers, Abe took part in the invasion of France and the Alsace Lorraine region. They captured the city of Metz from the Germans and moved on to Endsdorf, Germany in the heart of the Siegfried Line and captured one of the heavily armed pillboxes. Following that battle, Abe received the Bronze Star For Bravery (His prized possession is pictured on the left). He was with General Patton’s 3rd Army in the Battle Of The Bulge, and the 1st Army. His group then became part of the British Second Army in Holland and Belgium. He and his fellow soldiers returned to the United States in July 1945 to prepare for being sent to the Pacific Theater against Japan. Abe met his future wife, Fran, at a “sweet sixteen” birthday party for a friend in 1942. She lived in New York City but was working in Baltimore. They continued their friendship by means of letter-writing while he was in the service. They became engaged the very night that Abe came home from Europe and they were married in September 1945. Fortunately for him, he was able to leave the service in October 1945. Abe had lived the life of a “buck private” during all his time in the armed forces. Abe went back to City College as a full-time student and graduated in 1948 with a Public Accounting Degree. Fran and Abe lived in the Jackson Heights section of Queens and were blessed with two daughters – Karen and Robin. Abe worked for the Evan Picone Company, a women’s sportswear manufacturer, for five years until they were bought out by Revlon. He moved his family to New Bedford, MA in 1967 and went to work for the Kay Windsor Manufacturing Company as Vice President of Finance and a member of their Board of Directors. He was involved with the arrangement of their purchase by the VF Corporation where he became the Senior Vice President of Finance. He ended his working career in 1990 after being the Senior Vice President of Finance for Greico Brothers, a manufacturer of men’s suits. Abe has been a member of the Sharon Men’s Club from the beginning and remembers with delight the Monday night dinners at Finian’s Restaurant with Marty Sidell, Ed Lastoff, Dave Migdal and Herb Richmond and the picnics that the club used to have. Abe became Secretary and Newsletter Editor and served the club for 14 years in those positions. He and Fran are enjoying their three grandchildren – Richard, Andrew and Jonathan and their two great-grandchildren – Mara and Dillon. His grandson, Jonathan, will graduate from Worcester Polytech Institute in June 2009 with an Engineering Degree completing the circle with his grandfather. Thank you Abe for your many years of service to our club. Sharon Men’s Club Newsletter for November 2008 Page 3 “SNOWBIRD” LUNCHEON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16 Page 4 Sharon Men’s Club Newsletter for November 2008 SHARON ADULT CENTER & COUNCIL ON AGING NEWS AND INFORMATION Norma Simons Fitzgerald, MSW, LICSW Executive Director Office: 781-784-8000 – Fax: 781-784-6126 Email: sharoncoa@townofsharon.org TAKE A CHANCE…GIVE A CHANCE Raffle tickets are in the mail for the Friends of the Sharon Council on Aging annual raffle to be held on December 2. By purchasing tickets, you have a chance to win any one of a number of great prizes including gift certificates from local merchants, savings bonds, or $100 cash. By purchasing raffle tickets, you will enable the Sharon Adult Center/Council on Aging to provide more programs and services to Sharon’s seniors and disabled. Tickets cost $2 each, $10 for six. Winning a prize is not contingent upon a donation. If you need additional raffle books, call the Adult Center, (781) 784-8000. TOWN MEETING – NOVEMBER 17 - 7:00 p.m. The COA has submitted a warrant article asking the town to increase gross receipts (income) for the property tax deferral program (Clause 41A). This program allows eligible people, 65 and older, with a low-moderate income, to defer all or part of their property taxes up to 50% of the value of their home, without fear of losing their homes or of having to resort to an expensive and riskier method (reverse mortgage, etc.) in order to have enough income. PS: Don't forget to file retroactively for the Senior Circuit Breaker. You can still file for the last three years and then file again for 2008 in January! If you are eligible for the Circuit Breaker, the maximum credit you may receive for tax year 2008 is $930, for tax year 2007 is $900; for 2006 is $870; and for 2005 is $840. FALL CAREGIVER EDUCATION SERIES “CAREGIVER 101” (Presented by the HESSCO Elder Services’ Family Caregiver Support Program) “Caregiver 101” provides information on community resources, support and respite services for elders and their family caregivers. Participants will receive the Family Caregiver Handbook, resource information and will learn successful strategies for managing elder care planning and family decision making. Tuesday, November 18 - 1:00 - 2:30 PM or Wednesday, November 19 - 6:00 - 7:30 PM All sessions will be held at HESSCO Elder Services. HESSCO’s offices are located about 2 miles north of Gillette Stadium on the corner of US Route 1 north and Merchant Street. To register for any of the above sessions call Sheryl Leary, Family Caregiver Specialist, (781) 784-4944 Ext 238. Stanley Marshall Carl Handler Louis Goldberg Joseph Miller Lawrence Reuben Leonard Miller Moe Green Bernard Ross Paul Maltzman Myron Rothenberg November 1 November 2 November 3 November 3 November 3 November 6 November 6 November 6 November 7 November 7 Nathan Workman Harold Hoffman Milton Kassner Ramon Piazza Bernard Hirsh Alan Silverstein Harold Simon Max Barth Morton Harpel Robert Waldman November 7 November 8 November 8 November 9 November 13 November 14 November 15 November 16 November 16 November 18 Edward Schwartz Abe Bahm Alfred Forman Carl Goldman Lester Levenbaum Julius Lazin Barry Levin Charles Morris November 19 November 20 November 21 November 21 November 21 November 24 November 26 November 30 Sharon Men’s Club Newsletter for November 2008 Page 5 SHARON MEN'S CLUB OF FLORIDA CALENDAR OF EVENTS WINTER 2008-2009 All regular meetings will be held on the first Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. at the South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road., Delray Beach, FL from November, 2008 through April, 2009. Our first meeting of the year will be held on Tuesday, November 4. ANNUAL DUES ARE NOW $10.00 and must be received by January 6, 2009 or membership will not be renewed. MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2008 Chinese Luncheon Buffet, 12:00 Noon Kingdom Buffet II, 240 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach Cost $8.25 per person. Tax and tip included. Limit 70. SATURDAY, JANUARY 17,2009, 2:00 p.m. "La Cage Aux Folles" The Tony Award-Winning Musical Stage Door Theater, 8036 W. Sample Rd., Coral Springs Cost $27.00 per person, Limit 105 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2009 Annual Chicken Dinner by Tomberg's, 6:00 p.m. South County Civic Center Entertainment by Song Stylist Mark Desrosiers Cost $15.00 per person, LIMIT 150 THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2009 Reserve the date. Details to follow. FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2009 "Farewell to the Snowbirds" Full course, served luncheon, 12:00 Noon Delray Beach Golf Club, 2200 Highland Ave., Delray Beach Cost $22.00 per person, tax and tip included. Limit 150 Entertainment by song stylist Lou Villano. Indicate Choice of: Grilled Sirloin or Snapper Francaise Triple Chocolate Cake or Sugar-Free Apple Pie All Men's Club functions are limited to paid-up members and their spouse/friend. Seating is limited at all events, so send in your checks promptly. Do not get left out! Please make your selections, send in your check, and include your $10.00 dues. Make checks payable to: Sharon Men's Club of Florida Mail to: Irving Kublin, 559 Piedmont L, Delray Beach, FL 33484 Florida telephone: (561) 637-8221 PLEASE REMEMBER TO INCLUDE YOUR DUES WITH YOUR RESERVATIONS OR YOU WILL BE INELIGIBLE FOR OUR EVENTS. THANK YOU. Page 6 Sharon Men’s Club Newsletter for November 2008 If you would like to participate in the activities of the Sharon Men’s Club, here are the people to contact and their telephone numbers. Remember, there is always something doing to keep you active in our club. ACTIVITY: NAME: PHONE NUMBER: Weekly Guest Speakers Jim Heller Theatre Arnold Kublin Trips/Travel Bernie Rosenthal – Co-Chair. Sid Hurwitz – Co- Chair Harold Cohen Marty Sidell Ed Schwartz Breakfast Fred Kaplan Luncheons (Co-chairs) Marty Sidell Irving Kniager Sid Hurwitz Choral Bud Adler Golf Paul Berger Tennis Bill Appel Whist Dave Berger Cribbage Sumner Atran Drama/Chess/Discussion Bill Appel Telephone Squad Stanley Goldstone Raffle/Pool AI Ferrin Fuller Crafts Museum Stephen Arnold Investment Club Dave Berger (781) 784-7047 (781) 784-3657 (508) 660-9102 (781) 961-3811 (508) 238-5358 (508) 238-0364 (508) 668-8444 (781) 963-1955 (508) 238-0364 (781) 784-3530 (781) 961-3811 (781) 784-3834 (781) 344-5579 (781) 784-5133 (781) 784-6447 (781) 341-2911 (781) 784-5133 (781) 344-7697 (781)-963-0993 (508) 238-0567 (781) 784-6447 ℡ ℡ ℡ ℡ ℡ COMMITTEE INFORMATION Please contact any member if you have a question or a problem. Bud Adler, Chairman Michael Yawich Les Sutton (781) 784-3834 (781) 784-7058 (781) 784-7212 GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE Please contact any member with suggestions to improve club operations. Lou Friedman, Chairman (781) 767-2444 Jim Heller (781) 784-7047 Sid Hurwitz (781) 961-3811 SUGGESTION COMMITTEE Happy Thanksgiving Sharon Men’s Club Newsletter for November 2008 Page 7 Recent programs The Sharon Men’s Club was honored to have Judge Wilbur Edwards, Jr. of the Brockton Housing Court, as our speaker on September 15th who spoke on the “Home Foreclosure Mess.” He reported that there is a 120% jump in foreclosures in Brockton this year. He explained to us how this came about. Investment banks bundled mortgages and sold them to service banks around the world. Lending requirements were lowered and people couldn’t pay their mortgages. Immigrant families bought homes and rented them to others and when the property needed repairs, they did not have the money to make them. Adjustable interest rates increased and they were not able to meet payments. The mortgage holder applies for foreclosure and sends notice to the owner who has to give his or her tenants notice of eviction which goes to the Brockton Housing Court. If the home ends up in the hands of the lender, and is empty, many homes are vandalized and become a burden to the town. The tenants have no protection and are thrown out of their residence through no fault of their own. On September 22nd, Bill Appel led a discussion on the upcoming election for president of the U.S. Taking part on the panel were Les Sutton, Bud Adler, Reuben Herman and Herb Silverman. Many men in the audience spoke on behalf of Senators Barack Obama and John McCain, some of whom did not agree with the statements made by members of the panel. Club member Michael Yawitch presented a very interesting slide show at our meeting of October 14 about “South Africa The Country.” Michael lived in South Africa before coming to the United States in 1999. In 1652, the Dutch established a halfway house to the East on the southern tip of Africa. The country was seized by the British in 1806. In 1910, it became the “Union of South Africa,” a British dominion. After spending many years in prison, Nelson Mandela became the first black president of the country in 1995. The country is the world’s largest exporter of diamonds. Receive our newsletter via email every month. Email your request to Newsletter Editor Harris Cohen at tzvi2@verizon.net. He can be reached by phone at (781) 784-5121. If you wish to receive a copy of our newsletter by mail each month, send your request to Harris Cohen, 12 Marie Avenue, Sharon, MA 02067-2543 and include at least four #10 self addressed envelopes with a 42 cent stamp on each envelope. You will receive your newsletter just before the beginning of each month.