Fencepost

APRIL 2025 FENCEPOST
APTOS, CAPITOLA & RIO DEL MAR SIR BRANCH 104 – Website https://sirinc2.org/branch104/

“Just for the fun of it”
LUNCH DATE: 3rd TUESDAY, APRIL 15th, AT 11:30 AM
SEASCAPE GOLF COURSE MONARCH ROOM

BIG SIR MESSAGE: RICK POWERS

“THE ROSTER’S CACA-DOODLE-DOO”
Due to Circumstances Beyond Our Control
“Due to circumstances beyond our control” – as you may recall years ago, was often times given when the TV show we were watching went off the air. Regretfully I have to go off the air. . . As you may have heard I have submitted my resignation as Big SIR.
I have been diagnosed with Level 1 Pancreatic Cancer. The Surgical Specialist is recommending surgery as soon as all the tests, blood-work and biopsies are completed. A concern arose regarding my hypertension/ high blood pressure numbers. The Specialist is very hopeful!
A proactive approach has been suggested that I should reduce stress as much as possible to avoid undue potential complications. By cutting back, I will enhance my chances of a successful outcome! I am determined!
In closing, l would like to thank all who have helped me and extend my warmest regards to you . . . my friends. And to all of you who have worked together with me behind the scenes, my heartfelt thanks.
Rick

LUNCHEON PROGRAM – Matt Wetstein, President Cabrillo College, will be our presenter at the April Meeting

Matt will be retiring as President of Cabrillo College at the end of the year after 7 years. Despite the challenges of COVID, a decline in student enrollment, and a shift to online courses, Matt has propelled the college to the point where a new study by SmartAsset, a financial advisory website, has ranked it as the top community college in California and number 37 in the United States overall. As part of its determination process, SmartAsset compared 616 two-year colleges across the nation offering associate degrees with at least 500 full-time students. The schools were assessed through a ranking system that took into account retention rates, student-to-faculty ratios and tuition and fees using publicly available data from 2022-23

Prior to joining Cabrillo College Matt was Vice President of Instruction at San Juaquin Delta College. Matt has a PhD in Political Science and Government from Northern Illinois University and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government from the University of St. Francis.

Matt will be discussing accomplishments over the past 7 years and challenges the new president will be facing.

LUNCH ARRANGEMENTS – Meal Selections. Cost $27

We have the following three menu choices for our lunch. Please be sure to let your monthly caller know your choice for lunch to ensure you and your guest receive your request. The cost will be $27 per person.

Option 1: Southern Fried Chicken: Served with garlic mashed potatoes and fresh sauteed seasonal vegetables

Option 2: Grilled Salmon Salad: Mixed greens, tomatoes, red onions, and cucumbers with grilled salmon and topped with raspberry vinaigrette.

Option 3: Southwest Veggie Salad: Mixed Greens, Corn, Black Beans, Tomatoes, Red Onions. Topped with Avocado, Tortilla Strips and Ranch Dressing.

APRIL BIRTHDAY BOYS:
SIR Joel Dedrick, SIR Mike Grant, SIR Richard Green, SIR Daniel Olivar, SIR Yoshi Senzaki, SIR Eric Thompson
Remember, you must be present at the drawing to win the free lunch.

BRANCH #104 MEMBERSHIP: SIR Rick Hornbeck.
It was great to see Herb Taylor re-engage with Branch 104. Herb was active in our SIR group a few years ago but lost touch for a while. He recently found us and wants to renew his old friendships. Herb, we look forward to getting to know you again. Welcome!
This is a good reminder for our membership to reach out to our friends who are no longer active in SIRs and encourage them to re-engage with us. Prolonged friendships and an active social life make for better health and well-being. We now boast 109 members.
WE CARE – If you know of any member who is experiencing any difficulty with health or personal issues and you feel it can be shared with all the members, please let your caller know when they call about the next meeting or let the BIG SIR Rich Branson know while attending the monthly meeting.
Speaking for all SIRS members I would like to give a loud shout-out appreciation to Rick Powers for his recent contribution as the BIG SIR for our branch. Rick, who was also the BIG SIR during the challenging COVID years made the commitment again and has been the BIG SIR for the past 15 months. He has been instrumental in increasing the membership as well as the excitement and increased participation in the monthly luncheons. Rick, thank you for all you have done, and I know everyone’s prayers and thoughts are for a quick recovery for you.
Here is a poem that long time member Gary Schilling created and wanted to share with the group
SIRS……by Gary Schilling
We are the walking wounded
Old gents at the end of the trail
We fought the good fight
With all of our might
And with SIR friends we just couldn’t fail

BRANCH 104 ACTIVITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

DAY BASEBALL GAME WITH SF GIANTS – SIRS GROUP OUTING
San Francisco Giants play the Cincinnati Red Legs April 9th. First pitch at 12:45 p.m.
We have excellent seats for $46/each.

We’ll be carpooling to Dierdon RR Station in San Jose and taking the train to S.F. And back. It’s a short walk to the stadium. (Anyone needing assistance, contact Joe Rudnicki). Specific times for carpooling will be announced closer to the event.

We had a great time last year with perfect weather in the same awesome seats we have this year. Weather isn’t guaranteed, but we’re just under the overhang that protects us from the sun.
If you have not yet paid please make a check to “SIR 104” at the rate of $46/person.
Looking forward to a great day with our Friends and the Giants!
Questions? Ask Joe Rudnicki. Pilotrudnicki@gmail.com or (831) 251-0726.

COFFEE AND CONVERSATION – SIR Joel Dedrick

Joel Dedrick has launched a new group which he calls “Coffee and Conversation”. The group meets every Wednesday at 10:00AM at Loft Coffee, on the Cabrillo College campus, near Twin Lakes Church.
We don’t have a formal agenda, at least so far; we discuss politics, religion, current events, public policy, technology, and pretty much anything else that’s on our minds. The conversations are spirited but always respectful – and I guarantee you’ll learn something new every week.
No RSVP required – just swing by if you can!

BOCCE—SIR Brent Paine Email: brentp1955@gmail.com PH: (408) 355-4623

We will be playing pick-up games. So, just come, have a good time and everyone will play!
Bocce play is scheduled from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon on the 1st Tuesday of the month at the Felt Street County Park. Following Bocce, optional Dutch Treat lunch with the guys at a local restaurant.

BOOK CLUB — SIR Rick Hornbeck Email: rhornbeck@sbcglobal.net PH (831) 226-4350)
The Book Club will be meeting on Thursday, April 24th at 4:30pm at Sevy’s Bar + Kitchen (formerly Severino’s). As we have done for the past several meetings, we are continuing the “reader’s choice” option. If there is a book that you have read that you think other folks may be interested in, please let us all know about it at the meeting.
If you are interested in learning more about the Book Club, please contact SIR Rick Hornbeck. He will be glad to add you to the Book Club email distribution list to get more up-to-date information

GOLF – SIR Jim Stott Email : JimPams@sbcglobal.net PH: (831) 212-3393
The eighteen-hole (multi-branch) SIR golf group plays on Monday mornings at various courses and is coordinated by SIR Jim Stott.

GOLF – SIR Doug Deaver Email: ddeaver@yahoo.com PH: (831) 234-1210 :
There is an afternoon 9-hole golf group on Mondays and Thursdays at Aptos Seascape that is organized by Doug Deaver.

INVESTMENT CLUB
We continue to do a Zoom call on the first or second Tuesday of each month. On the call we share ideas and usually drill down on a couple of stocks. We share our mistakes and occasional wins. We can’t promise big gains, but we usually have some laughs.
Until we find a new lead for this group, please contact Doug Deaver at ddeaver@yahoo.com
or (831) 234-1210 for further information.

CARDS AND BOARD GAMES

Come to the Aptos Grange to join other SIRs in card, poker, cribbage, and any other games of your choice. This is a recent activity that we are pulling together that will meet from 1:00 – 4:00 on the second Wednesday of every month at the Aptos Grange on 2555 Mar Vista Dr.
Please come by to join us with the poker club and other SIRs to have some fun competitive games and good conversation. So, bring your deck of cards, dominoes, cribbage boards or whatever game you would like to start a group to play every second Wednesday. Also please feel free to bring drinks (non-alcoholic) and food for yourself. Please contact Rich Hamlin at hamlin.rich.w@gmail.com PH (276-732-134) for further information.

OTHER UPCOMING SIRS EVENTS TO MARK IN YOUR CALENDARS

Schedule for First Quarter of 2025 SIR Monthly Luncheons. Not too early to mark your calendars!
Tuesday April 15, 2025
Tuesday May 20, 2025

Branch 104 Website https://sirinc2.org/branch104/ Webmaster: SIR John Ryan (650) 743-3040 or John.E.Ryan@comcast.net. Our Website has been recently been re-organized and updated in order to provide easy access to all the SIR activities within our Branch and SIRs State news and activities.

Branch 104 Fencepost Newsletter Editor: SIR Bob Basel (707)-373-2484 or rbasel@sbcglobal.net

OTHER EVENTS OUTSIDE OF SIRS INC. OUR MEMBERS ARE HIGHLIGHTING.

Tad Sterling has requested this be sent to all SIRS #104 members.
If you are interested in attending contact Tad directly at justtadsterling@gmail.com

Brunch & Talk with Rich Jaroslovsky, ’75, of SmartNews | Stanford Alumni Groups

VETERAN FREEDOM FLIGHT:
Mike Hartter requested we post information about Bob Evans mentioning the Veteran’s Freedom Flight to Washington DC at one of our previous Branch 104 luncheons. Here is the information they provided if you are interested in getting more information about signing up for a future flight.

To sign up: https://honorflightbayarea.org/tours/ or Call 408-499-1739
In-kind donation to Honor Flight Bay Area; admin@honorflightbayarea.org
Honor Flight to Washington D.C. Bay Area Tours 2025 Remaining Travel Dates:
Flight #37 – 04/10/2025 – 04/12/2025
Flight #38 – 05/15/2025 – 05/17/2025
Flight #39 – 09/11/2025 – 09/13/2025
SIR Branch 104 Bob Evans 2024 Honor Flight with Veteran Guardian.