Author: Floyd

SIR Branch 116
Newsletter
February 2023

Enhancing the lives of our members through fun activities, luncheons and events while making Friends for Life

Message from Roger

The New Year arrived and we welcomed seven guests to our January luncheon.
Many thanks to our greeters, sponsors and temporary sponsors for making our guests feel welcome.
Don Schroeder and our Publicity Dept. are doing a great job generating prospective members Five of our guests came from social media. Still there is no substitute for word of mouth by our members.
We were treated at our luncheon to a demonstration of Aikido by 6th degree back belt Jimmy Friedman. Some of us participated in a hands on Aikido experiment with a fellow member and proved we are not ready for prime time.
A big tip of the hat to Phil Goff and Neil Schmidt for the timely production of the 2023 Roster.
My maiden voyage has sailed. It is very assuring to know so many members are willing to do what ever it takes to make sure our branch remains strong and healthy. Having said this we especially encourage those of you who have not yet joined an activity to climb on board. You can also your feet wet by joining a committee. For example, Marty Katz will be looking for help as he plans our annual Spring Fling in May. Give him a call.
Paul Russell could use some help in the Publicity Department. These are just two examples there are many others.
Golf is our most popular activity but there are many more such as two book clubs, bridge, pickleball and bocce ball to name a few.
Get your feet wet...

Next Meeting
Feb. 20 @ Boundary Oak, 11:30 AM

Topics Index

Amiable Amblers 13
Big SIR Report 1
Birthdays 4
Bocce 7
Book Exchange 9
Book Group 1 8
Book Group 2 15
Branch Officers 2
Bridge 14
Calendar 3
Community Service 8
Dine-O-SIR 11-12
Fishing 7
Golf 16
Golf -Carmel 6
Golf Clinic 10
Little SIR Report 5
Lunch Menu 5
Lunch Speaker 5
Membership 4
Mexican Train 13
Pickleball 10
SIR Web Addresses 10
$UMS Investment 14
Sunshine Report 10
Treasurer’s Report 4
Wine-O-SIR 9
Walking Tour 14

Trampas Topics

Roger Craig, Big SIR

Call 925-322-1318
or email to luncheon116@gmail.com
by the Monday prior to the meeting to cancel your standing
reservation.

2023 SIR Branch 116 Officers

Big SIR
Roger
Craig

Little SIR
Alan
Pope

Treasurer
Jeff
Johnson

Asst.Treas.
Al
Satake

Secretary
Paul
Ramacciotti

Asst. Sec.
Greg
Hughes

Member.Sec.
Phil
Goff

2023 SIR Branch 116 Directors

Don
Benioff

Gary
Bonfiglio

Kevin
Donahue

Darrell
McClaughry

Fred
Wachowicz

Dave
Williams

2023 Support Chairmen

2023 Activity Chairmen

RAMP Department Heads:
Recruitment Don Schroeder
Activities Mike Ward
Member Relations Michael Barrington
Publicity Paul Russell
Branch Support Chairmen:
Audit Committee Ron Armijo
Nominating Committee Fred Wachowicz
Sunshine Committee Matt Arena
Computer Support Neil Schmidt/Phil Goff
Webmaster Neil Schmidt/Phil Goff
Newsletter Editor Neil Schmidt
New Member Orientation Dave Williams
Membership Roster Prep Phil Goff
Compliance Officer (COVID) Kevin Donahue
Diversity Support Team
Team Leader Fred Wachowicz
Team Member Sam Beret
Team Member Terry Sherman
Team Member Al Satake
Team Member Jerry Hicks
Team Member Michael Barrington
Team Advisor Lee Moy
Luncheon Support Team:
Attendance Mike Scheneider
Audio Visual Neil Schmidt
Chaplain Committee Terry Sherman
Greeters Committee Ramaciotti, Datzman
Raffle Committee Ben Bryce
Storytellers Committee Mac McLoughlin/F. Schafer
Speakers Committee
Team Member James Dawe
Team Member Allan Farbman
Team Member Paul Freitas
Team Member Alan Pope

Activity Chairman Asst. Chairman
Amiable Amblers John Riordan Joel White
Bocce Paul Russell Bob Huck
Book Group 1 Rich Black Steve Bort
Book Group 2 Scott Clark Alan Pope
Book Exchange John Fraser Dick Kauffma
Bridge Jon Dickson Art Donaldson
Community Service TBD
Dine-O-SIR Jerry Hicks Marty Katz
Duplicate Bridge Conrad Robertson Tom Henry
Fishing Harry Sherinian Terry Miller
Golf—18 Hole Bernie Wroblewski Jim Johnson
Golf—9 Hole Dick Chaffee D. Mclaughry
Golf—Treasurer Alan Pope
Golf—Carmel Jim Barstow JJ, Harris, Eller
Golf—Clinic Chris Doan Jeff Johnson
Mexican Train Richard Madden Alex Lutkus
Parties Marty Katz
Pickleball Ed Solomon Gary Bonfiglio
Poker Lou Sandor
$ums in Retirement Ben Smith
Travel TBD
Wine-O-SIR Dave Havlik Lou Meylan
Walking Tours Greg Hughes Marty Katz

Some Other SIR Area 16 Activities

Apple User Group Dick Macy (Br.171) 376-1180
Astronomy Bill Hunter (Br.8) 947-6947
Bowling Dan Weller (Br. 8) 935-5510
Digital Photo. Bill Phelon (Br.8) 254-8338
Pocket Pool Jerry White (Br.8) 944-9068
Tennis Ralph Thornicraft (174) 376-8140

Page 2

Monthly Activities Calendar

Page 3

Branch Administration

Branch Membership
Phil Goff, Membership Chairman

Treasury Report
Jeff Johnson, Treasurer

Total Current Membership: 181
There were no membership changes in January.

February Birthdays
When you see these members, wish them a
Happy Birthday!

Ron Armijo
Norm Azevedo
Jon Dickson
Merle Eaton
Claes Elfving
Max Foust
Dan Green
Charlie Guthrie
Mike Howard
Jeff Johnson
Pete Kallas
Sheldon Lawrence
Rob Lemmo
Harry Oberle III
Ed O'Rourke
Richard Rossland
Fred Schafer
Mike Schneider
Ernie Wong
Rich Yamanaka

Checkout the new and improved State SIR Happenings Newsletter. With a new editor the newsletter February 2021 has been radically expanded with lots of information about fun things that are going on in our branches.
You can find it at: https://sirinc.org/newsletters

REMINDER
All members have a standing reservation for each luncheon. Call 925-322-1318 or email to luncheon116@gmail.com
by the Monday prior to the meeting to cancel your standing reservation.

Do You Remember When:
Women would get dressed up to go shopping?
A popular bicycle accessory was a banana seat?
You used a rotary phone?
Your phone hung on the wall and had an extremely long cord (always tangled)?
Your milk, eggs, and other dairy products were delivered by a milkman?
The Fuller Brush man, the bread man, and the encyclopedia salesmen were three of the many door-to-door salesmen that would visit your home?
You met your friends on the corner in the evening to have ice cream from an ice cream truck?
You made coffee in a percolator?
You got under your desk for atom bomb drills at school?
School papers were copied by mimeograph with the acidic-smelling purple ink?
You called a refrigerator an ice box?
There used to be no swearing on TV?
You found phone numbers in a phone book or dialed information?

Page 4

February Luncheon Speaker

Speaker for February Meeting
Isidra Mencos is the author of “Promenade of Desire—A Barcelona Memoir.”

Isidra Mencos is the author of Promenade of Desire—A Barcelona Memoir. She holds a PhD in Spanish and Latin American Contemporary Literature from the University of California, Berkeley, where she taught Spanish language, literature, and creative writing for twelve years. Her essays and articles have been published in Diálogo, WIRED, Chicago Quarterly Review, and Stirring Literary Journal, among others. Her essay, “My Books and I,” was listed as Notable in The Best American Essays 2019. Originally from Spain, Isidra lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Luncheon Menu
Monday, February 20th, 2023
Salad
Little Gem Salad
Watermelon Radish, Pickled Onions, Candied Walnuts, Manchego cheese, Goddess Dressing
Entrées
Grilled New York Steak
Potato Pave, Asparagus, Red Wine Sauce
Or
Grilled Prawns
Winter Ratatouille, Polenta, Salsa Verde
Vegetarian Option
Polenta and Winter ratatouille
Dessert
Mocha Cream Cake

Little SIR Report
Allan Pope

We had over 100 SIRs at the January lunch! This was one of our most well-attended luncheons in a while. It was great to see friends enjoying their time together. The birthday boys who won the raffles and will receive free lunches are Allan Chasnoff for December and Bill Ginter for January.
Since becoming a SIR over 4 years ago, I’ve learned that there are many SIR members who live interesting lives and have interesting histories. However, I’ve only learned of these individuals through participation in various SIR activities. Each month, I would like to write a brief summary of a branch member who is recommended by a fellow SIR. With that person’s permission, I will write a summary of the recommended SIR and it will be in this section of the newsletter. The purpose the summary (one or two paragraphs) is to get to know more about the SIRS who make up our branch. Will you recommend someone? Please email me his name so that I may contact him.

Page 5

Branch Activities

Carmel Golf Event

Mark your Calendars! We are planning a fun golf event in beautiful Carmel by the Sea this May. Please join us on May 17th and 18th where we will play the spectacular Poppy Hills and Pacific Grove courses. Poppy Hills is absolutely beautiful and has hosted the AT&T PGA event for many years. Pacific Grove is a smaller course where the back nine is right on the ocean. If you haven’t played these two courses, you are in for a treat.
We have negotiated a special rate at the Hilton Embassy Suites in Seaside which offers a free breakfast and hosted cocktail hour. There will be a group dinner on Wednesday the 16th in the Hotel where we can share our stories of golfing at Poppy Hills earlier that day.
We only have 24 golf spots available so please plan to join us for a great getaway event. Signups will begin in early March. If you have any questions please call Phil Goff at 925-212-8520.

Poppy Hills Golf Course

Pacific Grove Golf Course

Shopping Cart User Guide

Please purchase each activity separately, i.e. don’t combine multiple activities into one purchase. (This helps our Treasurer’s accounting)
If you can’t remember if you paid for something via the Shopping Cart system, use your email search tool to search for the words “Sons in Retirement, Las Trampas”. Then open up each email found and it will describe what you have purchased.
When you want to purchase two different meal choices for a Dine-O-SIR event, select the first meal and hit the “Admit” button to put it in your shopping cart. Then select the 2nd meal choice and hit “Admit” button to add it to your cart. Then go to checkout to pay.

Page 6

Branch Activities

Fishing
Harry Sherinian

SIR members and guests are welcome, and indeed encouraged, to participate in fishing trips as well as attend the monthly meetings. Contacts are Big Fish, Bob Lively 925-383-5193 and Branch 116 Fishing Coordinator, Harry Sherinian 925-846-7067. Next meeting will be at the Legends restaurant at the Diablo Creek golf course on Port Chicago Highway and Highway 4 on Thursday, February 23rd at 8:30am. Come early.
Rain and Rules did us in at the start of this year. We finished 2022 with a flourish. Crab and rockfish combo trips on party boats loaded freezers for many of us. Tom Kostik, Doug Dukes, Harry Sherinian, and Mike Corker continued to catch stripers in the delta. Stan Wong caught trout in reservoirs. BUT then came the rain. The few of us who ventured forth only got wet. And then the Fish and Wildlife closed our rockfish season till May, and then only in water deeper than 300 feet. We wait till July 15th for rockfish closer. The rain has muddied our reservoirs, and our usual winter trout fishing is unproductive. In the winter we fish for sturgeon, but with whole trees coming down the river, and the constant rain, that has also been dangerous and scary. Still, with hope in our hearts we clean reels, fix rods, tie leaders, because we know the sun will come out tomorrow.

Bocce
Paul Russell

The Bocce Ball season will probably begin in April this year (the 13th?) and will end on September 28th. These are “guesstimates” at this time and will be confirmed when we get closer to April.
We will play every other Thursday beginning at 10am until 12pm. We play on the Clayton Bocce courts in Clayton next to Skippolinis Pizza. The courts are at the intersection of Main St. and Oak st. There is parking in front of Skippolinis and also across the street.
This year we will be doing things a little differently in terms of scoring. A winning team will get 2 points, if your teams end in a tie, you will get 1 point each and a loss will get 0 points for that team. We play three games to a total of nine points per game so that a match should be completed by noon. If the games have been tight, and they are in the middle of the third game, the team that is leading at noon will be the winner of that game.
There is a limit of two balls per player that can be rolled to get close to the pallino.

Page 7

Branch Activities

Book Group 1
Rich Black

Book Group #1 will discuss the following books at Orinda Books at 10.15 on the following dates
Monday, January 30…”California Burning” by Katherine Blunt”
Monday, February 27… The Gotti Wars” by John Gleeson
Monday, March 27…TBD
Book Group #1 met on Monday, January 9 at Orinda Books to discuss “River of the Gods” by Candace Millard. In the 1850’s several European nations rushed to be the first to discover the heretofore unknown source of the Nile River. The English Royal Geographical Society sponsored an expedition led by Richard Burton to approach the suspected headwaters from the south, through Zanzibar on the Indian Ocean. The first destination would be Lake Tanjanika , with a second goal of Lake Nyanza (subsequently named Lake Victoria). Burton’s assistant was Englishman John Hanning Speke and their guide was a freed slave, Sidi Mubarak Bombay. The book relates the story of the adventures of this expedition and how Burton and Speke became rivals both on the trip and in publishing the story of their discovery. Another integral figure was Elizabeth Arundell who eventually married Burton. She wrote a list of seventeen “Rules for my Guidance as a Wife.”
John Riordan recommended the book while Art Donaldson let the discussion with Steve Bort, Nick Bowles, Jim Flessner, Paul Freitas, Garret Girvan, John Kopchik, Richard Rossland, Tim Tinnes and Richard White.
The group awarded the book a rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars.
New members are always welcome. It’s a discussion, not a class. If possible, contact Rich Black at Blackrw41@comcast net ahead of time.

Community Service—On Hold
Jeff Johnson

COMMNITY SERVICE – ON HOLD!
“If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be heard.”
The Community Service on hold until someone steps forward to chair the activity. If you are interested in leading this worthwhile activity, please contact me (jeffjohnson9000@att.net or 415-652-4840.

Page 8

Branch Activities

Wine-O-SIR
Dave Havlik

The year got off to a good start for the WINE-O-SIRS, with a wine tasting event at the home of Lou and Carole Meylan on January 26th. The turnout was the largest in several years, and everyone enjoyed the appetizers and the wine from the Sierra foothills. There is no WINE-O-SIR get-together in February. Our next tasting event will be on Thursday, March 23rd. It will again be at Lou and Carole Meylan’s home but this time hosted by Mike and Sharon Schneider.

Gary Boswell, Tom Eller and Lou Meylan
enjoying the Zinfandel

Allan Chasnoff, Carl Langhorst, Jim Nachtweih & Carlos Xavier taking advantage of Book Exchange

Book Exchange
Dick Kauffman

The purpose of the Book Exchange is to have books available to SIRS members at no cost on an exchange basis. Bring a book, take a book or take a book and bring a book to the next meeting. This is all done on an informal basis with no paperwork.
The Book Exchange is only made possible because of the dedicated persons who volunteered to be “Sirs 116 Book Sherpas”. The Sherpas take bags of books to their home after each luncheon and then return them to the next luncheon to be available to all the members. At the January meeting we had approximately 250 books. This means that each Sherpa carries a couple of bags of books. We would like to get it down to a single bag of books. If you are interested in joining this elite, distinguished group please contact a Sherpa. Some of the Sherpas are Doug Allen, Richard Black, Gary Bonfiglio, Art Donaldson, Paul Freitas, Bill Hayes, Gregg Hughes, Dick Kauffman, John Riordan, Mike Schneider, Fred Wachowics, Michael Ward. A big thanks to them all.
Happy Reading

Page 9

Branch Activities

Pickleball
Ed Solomon

Join us every Friday at the Walnut Creek Tennis Center in Heather Farm from 8:00 to 9:30am. We reserve two courts every week. All you need are tennis sneakers, shorts preferred, sun screen, & we have extra paddles.
Pickleball is a fun sport for all ages that combine many elements of tennis, badminton, & ping-pong, played on badminton sized court. The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn.
Dennis Snarr, has volunteered to work with beginners interested in learning this fun game. Just call Ed at (415) 215-2684 to reserve a spot and have fun!

Golf Clinic
Chris Doan

One of the benefits of living in Northern California is the mild weather and the ability to play golf year round. The SIR Golf Clinic exists to help make the game more enjoyable to those who participate. The Clinic will continue to be open to SIR Members and spouses or significant others.
The February Clinic will take place on Saturday the 18th. Instead of a predetermined topic for everyone, you name the topic you want to focus on this month. One hour group lessons are offered for $30.
In order to participate, you will need to be on the Clinic Register and Mailing List. If you would like to be added for the 2023 season or have any questions about the Clinic, please email Chris Doan at cdoan99@gmail.com.
We look forward to helping you improve your game!
FORE!

Sunshine
Matt Arena

S:IR Matt Arena, AKA Mr. Sunshine, didn’t stay off his list. The good news is he is home and well on the mend.
HURRY BACK MATT

In Memoriam
Cordell C. Hull
February 19, 1934—January ??, 2023

SIR Web Addresses

SIR 116 Web Site
branch116.org
Branch 116 Golf
branch116golf.org
Branch 116 Shopping Cart
sons-in-retirement-las-trampas-br-116.square.site
SIR Happenings State Newsletter
sirinc.org/newsletters/

Page 10

Branch Activities

Dine-O-SIR
Jerry Hicks

Dine-O-Sir Sunday Brunch
Very happy, contented, and fulfilled were the 33 diners at the Dine-O-Sir’s Sunday Brunch at Lone Tree Golf Course.
Many may recall the popular and well-attended January brunches that were held at Crow Canyon Country Club prior to the Covid pandemic. Since their brunches were cancelled we found Lone Tree, which offers an even more sumptuous brunch. Although one third of the Branch participated in past brunches, the low turnout indicates that Dine-O-Sirs would prefer dinners rather than brunches in the future.
The next Dine-O-SIR dinner event is this month, February 22 at Maguey Mexican Restaurant in Alamo (see flyer on the following page).
Dine-O-SIR Committee: Bob Donohue, Tom Eller, Jerry Hicks, Mike Yale

SIR Members and their Significant Others enjoying Brunch at Lone Tree

Page 11

Branch Activities

Branch 116 Valentine Event enjoy together at
Maguey
A Mexican Restaurant at
3168 Danville Boulevard, Alamo
Cost $35 per person inclusive
Wednesday, February 22. Social Hour at 6:00, Dinner at 6:30 PM
Happy prices for Margaritas (8), wine (8), and beer (6);
Corkage $15
Dinner Menu
Entrée Choices:
Combination: Chicken Flauta, Ground Beef Enchilada, Crispy Taco
Carnitas
Steak and Chicken Fajitas
Chiles Rellenos (vegetarian)
Dessert: Flan
(Tea or Coffee available)
Parking: in front Parking lot
Detach**********************************************************************************************************************************************
Maguey in Alamo, February 22, 2023
Must be received no later than February 15, 2023
Name: _______________________________ Entrée: __________________________________
Name: _______________________________ Entrée: ___________________________________
Number of Attendees @ $35 .00 = $__________________
Payment by: Branch 116 Shopping Cart- SIR Branch 116 Shopping Cart
or
Check to SIR Branch 116 Dining, c/o 74 Amberwood Lane, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
Call Jerry if you have questions at 925-360-0447 or jerryhicks@astound.net

Dine-O-SIR

Page 12

Branch Activities

Amiable Amblers
John Riordan

January walkers included Richard & Donna Black, Art & Mary Alice Donaldson, Al & Nancy Farbman, Terry Fleming, Dick Frankel, Paul & Anna Freitas, David & Colleen Geary, Dan & Andrea Green, Essie Naddaf, John & Gail Riordan, Tim & Diane Tinnes, and Joel & Susan White. The walks on January 6 and 13 were canceled because of storms, but a record 17 Amblers/Eaters showed up for breakfast at the Danville Black Bear Diner on January 13. On January 20 we walked east along the Contra Costa Canal Trail from the Countrywood Shopping Center, with a post-walk gathering at Panera Bread. On January 27 we walked north along the Iron Horse Trail from Civic Park, with a post-walk gathering at Caffe La Scala.
The February walks are scheduled to commence at 9:00AM. RSVP to jriordan730@gmail.com . The February 3 walk will meet at the Olympic Blvd Staging Area and walk west on the Lafayette-Moraga Trail; the post-walk gathering will be at the Lafayette Starbucks. The February 10 walk will meet at the Stone Valley West trailhead and walk north on the Iron horse Trail; the post-walk gathering will be at Pete’s. The February 17 walk will meet at the Moraga Commons and walk north along the Lafayette-Moraga Trail; the post walk gathering will be at the Town Bakery and Cafe in Rheem. The walk will meet in San Miguel Park and walk east along the Ygnacio Canal Trail; the post-walk gathering will be at Panera Bread.
These walks are for individuals or couples, as spouses and significant others are encouraged to participate. The significant other/spouse is also invited to participate even when the member is unable to. SIR members, including those from other branches, wishing to join this mellow group or to be added to the email contact list should contact me at jriordan730@gmail.com or 925-284-3394. Also contact me if you wish to be removed from the list for future emails.

Mexican Train Dominos
Richard Madden

Mexican Train” is a domino game which uses a set of Double Twelve Dominoes. From 2 to 8 can play. Each player draws 11 to 15 dominoes. The number of dominoes each player draws depends on the number of players. The object of the game is to play all your dominoes. When you draw your hand, you set it up so that the adjacent dominoes match. During the play of a round there are things that can derail your train so that you cannot play. This can make the game very interesting and a lot of FUN!
We normally meet at 10:00 AM on the second Wednesday of each month at the Church of Christ located at 500 Minert Road, Walnut Creek.
We have several members traveling during the first several months of 2023 so we probably will not meet until April. If that changes an email will be sent to our regular members so if you are not on our email list and would like to keep up with the latest let me know.
Please email me and if you would like to talk and I can give you a call. A notice will be sent out when the May plan is determined. Let me know if you would like to be put on our list.
You can contract Richard Madden at
maddenram@sbcglobal.net or 925.788.4223

Page 13

Branch Activities

Walking Tours
Greg Hughes

On Saturday, February 25th, the Walking Tour Activity is visiting the David and Eliza Glass House Museum and the Tractor Museum, at 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd. San Ramon. At 10:00 half of the participants will enjoy a tour of the house and gardens. At 11:00 the second half of the participants will tour the house and gardens. Participants will do a self guided visit at the Farm Home Park facilities when they are not doing the house tour. At 12 noon, everyone will participate in the tour of the Tractor Museum. At 1:00pm we will have lunch- local cafe TBD.
The house tour is restricted to 12 participants at one time. We will be collecting roughly $8 per person from everyone at the start of the tour.
Please contact Greg at 925-998-5650 or Marty at 925-484-0122 and let us know if you are coming at the 10:00 or 11:00 tour.

The David and Eliza Glass House Museum

San Ramon Tractor Museum

Bridge
Jon Dickson

SIR's bridge group meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at the Brass Door Restaurant, at 10:30 AM for lunch & bridge. Play is Chicago style. moving every four hands with a new partner for 6 hands of four. If you enjoy bridge and company of fellow SIR's, do join us.
On our totals for 2022, Gordon Gonsalves was our yearly champion and Jai Yee came in close behind. One had to paly at least half of our games to qualify for the prize. Our prize is bragging rights!
Hope to see more SIR's bridge players in the future.

$ums Investment
Dave Sutton (Br. 8)

We will again join Branch 128’s (San Ramon) Investment Group Zoom meeting on Wed Feb. 22 at 1:30 PM. The topic will be Interest Rate drivers and trends and their impacts on selected Investment Choices.
Email Dave Sutton at davesutn@comcast.net to be included.

Page 14

Branch Activities

Book Group 2
Scott Clark

The Book Club 2 met January 19 to discuss “The Escape Artist” by Jonathan Freedland.
The book is the story of Rudolf Vrba, who, in April 1944, became the first Jew to break out of Auschwitz—one of only four who ever pulled off that near-impossible feat. He did it to reveal the truth of the death camps to the world—and to warn the last Jews of Europe what fate awaited them at the end of the railway line. Against all odds, he and his fellow escapee, Fred Wetzler, climbed mountains, crossed rivers and narrowly missed German bullets until they had smuggled out the first full account of Auschwitz the world had ever seen—a forensically detailed report that would eventually reach Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and the Pope. And yet too few heeded the warning that Vrba—then just nineteen years old—had risked everything to deliver. Some could not believe it. Others thought it easier to keep quiet. Vrba helped save 200,000 Jewish lives—but he never stopped believing it could have been so many more.
This is the story of a brilliant yet troubled man—a gifted “escape artist” who even as a teenager understood that the difference between truth and lies can be the difference between life and death, a man who deserves to take his place alongside Anne Frank, Oskar Schindler and Primo Levi as one of the handful of individuals whose stories define our understanding of the Holocaust.
On a 5 point scale, members voted “The Escape Artist” a 3.85 score.

Trampas Topics Submissions

We need your contributions and suggestions for Trampas Topics. Please send photos, news items, SIR activities, and Letters to the Editor:
Neil Schmidt, Trampas Topics Editor
trampastopics@gmail.com

Page 15

“The Handsome Devils” (Book Group 2)

Branch Golf

SIR Golf
Bernie Wroblewski, Golf Chairman

The Golf Website is: branch116golf.org
Please bookmark it in your “Favorites” list of websites to access information on the following:
Annual Golf Schedule: Dates, times, and courses as well as detailed information on costs, payment information, deadlines, and special event facts.
18-Hole Pairings: Shows captains, teams, starting times & handicaps for next event.
18-Hole Leaders and Results: Shows results from recent events and leaders in each group.
Paid-In-Advance Sign-Ups: Shows checks that have been received for the next 3-4 pre-paid outings.
Boundary Oak Sign-Ups: Shows who has signed-up for the next two Boundary Oak sessions.

February: 9-Hole Schedule

Date	Time	Location	Organizer
Wed. 01	11:00	Pleasanton GC	Marty Katz
Wed. 08	10:00	Diablo Hills	D.McClaughry
Wed. 15	10:00	Buchanan Fields	Dick Chaffee
Wed. 22	10:00	Dublin Ranch	Marty Katz

Carmel Golf
The Carmel Golf Event will be on May 17th and 18th where they will be playing two fantastic courses, Poppy Hills and Pacific Grove. See article on Page 5 for more information.

February: 18-Hole Schedule

Date	Time	Location	Organizer
Mon. 06	9:40	Boundary Oak	Harry Oberle
Mon. 13	9:40	Boundary Oak	Harry Oberle
Mon. 21	9:30	Blue Rock Spring	Harry Oberle
Mon. 27	9:30	Lake Chabot	Harry Oberle

18-Hole Pay In Advance Deadlines

Event Date	Location	Deadline	Amount
Tuesday, Feb. 21	Blue Rock Springs W	Feb. 13	$39
Monday, Feb. 27	Lake Chabot	Feb. 20	$35
Monday, Mar. 21	Tilden	Mar. 14	$44

Sign-up for Golf via Branch 116 Shopping Cart System at: sons-in-retirement-las-trampas-br-116.square.site

Page 16

RETURN TO: Neil Schmidt
2231 San Miguel Dr.
Walnut Creek, CA 94596-5805

Sons In Retirement: A non profit Organization for Men Enjoying Active Retirement

B

2023 LUNCH
& DUES
Lunch $33
Annual Dues $25
Note - We have voted to subsidize the luncheon. Annual dues are necessary to keep our branch viable. As you know, costs every where are spiraling and we have endeavored to keep costs as reasonable as possible.

Member Relations
David Harris

Activities Report
Mike Ward, Activities Head