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DECEMBER 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, DEC. 16TH, AT 11:30 AM
SEASCAPE GOLF COURSE – LARGE MONARCH ROOM
BIG SIR MESSAGE: RICH BRANSON
Happy Holidays Everyone. By now we have consumed Thanksgiving leftovers, Shopped Black Friday and Cyber Monday as we rapidly approach Christmas.
But first we have our annual SIR Branch 104 Christmas Luncheon on December 16th. Doug Deaver has secured the choral group Cantiamo! (Kahn tee ahmo) from Cabrillo College consisting of 8-12 vocalists providing us with another outstanding performance.
Your SIR caller will be reaching out to each member this coming week. Please invite wives and friends for this very special occasion.
SIR Members will be responsible for providing your caller with the names and meal choices for you and your guest. SIR member will also be responsible for purchasing the guest’s lunch as well as your own.
Doors Open at 11:30am. Meeting begins at 12 noon.
Special Note: The Dave Selner Annual Memorial Fund Drive
As you know we do not collect dues or charge fees to support our branch. Your donations are what keep us financially afloat. Our Treasurer, SIR Rich Hamlin manages our reserve account. It is from this account that we pay our bills and obligations. Often the money we collect for lunch does not cover our costs for using the room, A/V setup and for the number of meals committed to not meeting the minimum expected level. The reserve also pays for supplies, reimbursements to members who incur expenses, speaker fees if required, as well as funds the branch provides to the State Sir organization to pay for insurance and other administrative expenses.
Our past fund drives typically have raised around $6,400 with about 75 members out of 100+ contributing an average of $85 (donations range from $25 to $100+). And we use every bit of that.
The branch appreciates any amount you are comfortable giving.
Checks should be made out to SIR Branch #104. Please note you can pick up an addressed envelope to mail your donation at the lunch meeting or drop it off at the next lunch you attend. The address for mailing the donations is shown here.
SIR Rich Hamlin
3245 Terrace Drive
Aptos Ca, 95003
LUNCHEON PROGRAM – Cantiamo! Cabrillo College Symphonic Chorus
Cantiamo!, under the direction of Carlin Truong, is one of the premier chamber choirs performing in Central California.
This choir group was a big hit last year and we are so excited to have them back under the new direction of Carlin Truing.
For those of you who expressed interest, here is the link to last month’s presentation given by Marcella Gomez, Associate Professor at UC Santa Cruz from the Applied Mathematics Department
Sons in Retirement Nov2025_for sharing.pdf – Google Drive
In addition, Marcella has been nominated for the Titan Award, The Titan Award is a local honor given by Santa Cruz Works each year to recognize individuals who have made a significant impact on the entrepreneurial, cultural, and innovation community in the tri-county region of Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito.
If you would like to show your support and give Marcella a “nudge” in the award competition, you can provide your input by clicking on the link below.
https://share-na2.hsforms.com/1OPUdwP43RK-8I_0_z5byJA3dpm3
LUNCH ARRANGEMENTS – Entrees are $35 (Option #1) and Salads will be $29 (Option 2 & 3)
Option 1: Tri-Tip on Mushroom Sauce: Strips of Tri-Tip in a mushroom sauce served with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Fresh Sauteed Seasonal Vegetables for $35 which includes 1 door prize ticket. Additional door prize tickets can be purchased for $1 each.
Option 2: Grilled Salmon Salad: Mixed greens, tomatoes, red onions, and cucumbers with grilled salmon and topped with raspberry vinaigrette for $29 which includes 1 door prize ticket and option to purchase additional tickets for $1 each
Option 3: Southwest Veggie Salad: Mixed Greens, Corn, Black Beans, Tomatoes, Red Onions. Topped with Avocado, Tortilla Strips and Ranch Dressing. for $29 which includes 1 door prize ticket and option to purchase additional tickets for $1 each
Hot Coffee, Tea hot or cold, and cold water is also included.
DECEMBER BIRTHDAY BOYS:
SIR Tom Ard, SIR Allen Cheney, SIR Jerry Finney, SIR Keith Hardy, SIR Gene Hunt, SIR Chris Karzag, SIR Gary Minardi, SIR Gary Schilling, SIR Peter Telc
Remember, you must be present at the drawing to win the free lunch.
BRANCH 104 MEMBERSHIP: SIR Rick Hornbeck.
Branch 104 is excited to introduce a new member. Please welcome Jack Gibbons.
Jack is a friend of Mike Hartter and many of us were able to meet him at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk “Behind the Scenes Tour” on November 5th.
Friends inviting friends into SIR continues to be the best way to grow our Branch.
Welcome Jack… we look forward to getting to know you better in the months to come.
Branch 104 continues to have over 100 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.
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
COFFEE AND CONVERSATION – SIR Joel Dedrick
The group meets every Wednesday at 10:00AM. The Coffee and Conversation group has moved their get-togethers to Sevy’s formerly Severino’s.
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.
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.
BOOK CLUB — SIR Rick Hornbeck Email: rhornbeck@sbcglobal.net PH (831) 226-4350)
The Book Club will be meeting on Thursday, December 4th 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 Doug Deaver Email: ddeaver@yahoo.com PH: (831) 234-1210 :
The nine hole golf group (Deaver’s Duffers) will be playing Mondays and Thursdays at Seascape Golf starting at 1:45pm. If you’re interested in joining the group, please contact Doug Deaver at ddeaver@yahoo.com
INVESTMENT CLUB
This month we will be meeting on December 9th at 10:00 am. 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 2026 SIR Monthly Luncheons. Not too early to mark your calendars!
- Tuesday January 20, 2026
- Tuesday February 17, 2026
- Tuesday March 17, 2026
Behind the Scenes Group Tour of Santa Cruz Boardwalk – Wednesday November 5. A good time enjoyed by all!
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