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FEBRUARY 2026 FENCEPOST
APTOS, CAPITOLA & RIO DEL MAR SIR BRANCH 104 – Website https://sirinc2.org/branch104/
“Just for the fun of it”
LUNCH DATE: 3rd TUESDAY, FEB. 17TH, AT 11:30 AM
SEASCAPE GOLF COURSE
BIG SIR MESSAGE: RICH BRANSON
HAPPY NEW YEAR,
Getting connected and making friends in retirement can be difficult. As we all know SIRS offers many opportunities to connect, have fun, and join in. I learned more from a recent state wide video conference which Paul Peterson our new branch 104 Secretary has recorded.
One point I took away from this SIR INC was that some of our prospective members might be surprised at their first SIR luncheon to see so many cotton tops and balding men. One suggestion is to first invite your friends to one of our many activities to see how fun retirement can be. Our SIR branch 104 has benefited from the influx of men from our own 9 hole golf.
Our activities are open to non SIRs members. Share the following link with your friends and neighbors at sirinc.org to see a short video on SIR activities. We all can learn more about our Aptos Capitola SIR Branch at sirinc2.org/branch104/ or connect with our very own webmaster John.E.Ryan@comcast.net
Be sure to tell your friends about the variety of great speakers and delicious meals we enjoy together every third Tuesday of the month at Seascape golf course.
This month you are in for a special treat as Mario Beltramo will be taking care of the BIG SIR duties in my absence.
Doors Open at 11:30am. Meeting begins at 12 noon.
LUNCHEON PROGRAM – Kim DeSerpa – District 2 Supervisor
Our February speaker will be Kim DeSerpa, our District 2 Supervisor. She will be talking about key issues in the county including Highway 1 project status, rail/trail status, homeless status, feedback on who’s going to live in all the new multistory housing being constructed, county budget, answers to why there’s a sales or property tax measure on the ballot every year, and more. This will be a great opportunity for attendees to provide feedback to Kim and get answers to questions they may have.
LUNCH ARRANGEMENTS – Entrees are $34 (Option #1) and Salads will be $29 (Option 2 & 3)
Option 1: Chicken Castroville: Breast of Chicken in a cream sauce with artichoke hearts. Served with rice for $34 which includes 1 door prize ticket. Additional tickets can be purchased for 1$ 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.
Special Note: The Dave Selner Annual Memorial Fund Drive – “It’s never too late to donate”
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
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY BOYS:
SIR Mario Beltramo, SIR Tim Clark, SIR Dave Downing, SIR Flair Goldman, SIR Larry Hart, SIR Rick Hornbeck, SIR Daniel Lipschultz, SIR Kelly Nesheim, SIR Brent Paine, SIR Ben Vernazza, SIR Earl Wagener, SIR Dave Moulton
Remember, you must be present at the drawing to win the free lunch.
BRANCH 104 MEMBERSHIP: SIR Rick Hornbeck.
Branch 104 would like to welcome our newest member, Dave Moulton. Many of you know Dave from his involvement with our golf activities… Dave is sponsored by long time member, Joe Rudnicki.
Welcome, Dave. We all look forward to getting to know you better!
Friends inviting friends into SIR continues to be the best way to grow our Branch.
Branch 104 continues to have over 100 members.
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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 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. If you interested in learning more about the 18 hole group you can contact David Harken at harkend@comcast.net (831-662-3109) or Jim Stott at contacts noted above.
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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
BOOK CLUB — SIR Rick Hornbeck Email: rhornbeck@sbcglobal.net PH (831) 226-4350)
The Book Club will be meeting on Thursday, February 26th 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
INVESTMENT CLUB
This month we will be meeting on February 10th 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 March 17, 2026
- Tuesday April 21, 2026
- Tuesday May 19, 2026
SF Giants Day Baseball Game at Oracle Park – May 6th at 12:45
“ Take me out to the ballgame”….A SIRS group outing is being planned to see the SF Giants against the San Diego Padres.
More detailed information to follow at the upcoming meeting and in future Fenceposts
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