Stardate 2009.270 - Maryland Wine Fest

Sunday, September 27, 2009

The end of the Fall BOD in Pittsburgh was only a few days from the Maryland Wine Fest, and too close to fly home and immediately return, so I accepted the invitation to spend the week with Senators in the area.

I left the Fall BOD hotel with Harry and Sandy Kolodner for the trek to their home in Delaware. After a full weekend I was pretty sleepy but managed to stay awake during the drive with pleasant conversation. Upon arrival at their home we settled in and Harry cooked some Tuna steaks and an accompanying salad which was outstanding and just light enough for an early bed time.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Harry had coffee ready when I got up and around 9:30AM we set off to visit the Longwood Gardens. We had a fabulous lunch at the Terrace Restaurant then strolled through the conservatory. They are renovating the huge pipe organ and have much of the workings displayed - what a grand instrument. The gardens are part of the du Pont estate and are referred to as the world's premier horticultural showplace, and it is all of that. It rained pretty hard so we did not see the outside gardens but the inside was magnificent. The rain stopped just as we were heading back to the car. We returned to the Kolodner home and again had a great dinner, checked on my emails and after a few cocktails headed for bed.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Coffee was ready again as I rose and packed by luggage for my next host. We launched at 8:30AM to meet Danny Nuessle who was my tour guide for Gettysburg. We arrived at the visitors center and viewed the displays of firearms used during the Civil War until it was time for the Cyclorama show. What a grand painting. I do not know the exact size but it must have been over 150 feet long and around 50 feet high. Formed in a circle which placed the viewer in the center of the battle, seemingly on an overlooking hill. The action was highlighted entirely by the manipulation of the lighting. The room was darkened and the action started as the lighting mimicked a sunrise over the battlefield. flashes of light hit the painting simulating cannon fore exploding with all the appropriate sounds. the lighting became brighter as the simulated day progressed and the painted combatants seemed to actually be moving, The sounds of gunfire and shouting men made the vision seem very real. There was even some lighting tricks that showed smoke rising from a cannon ball explosion. They stimulated all of the senses during this brief experience.
Danny and I took in more of the museum before deciding to go into town for lunch. Time was getting short so we did not venture outside to the battle fields and monuments. This would probably take a few days and is a good reason to return.

Lunch was at the Farnsworth House tavern where the staff dressed in period costumes and served on Pewter plates. The building still had over 100 bullet holes in the brick walls as this was the location where Confederate Sharpshooters were sheltered while Union soldiers fired at them. We then drove to Judy and Danny's home where we could change and meet up with Judy before leaving for Anne Johnson's home and a Reception by the Virginia Senate in my honor.

And what an honor it was. There were many Maryland and Virginia Senators there and it was appropriately decorated with, what else, Star Trek photos and memorabilia. I learned later that Art Esenberg had supplied all the decorations. Senator Bob Lindholm, the second president of the US JCI Senate was there and presented me with a 15th anniversary book which had much of the early history of the US Senate. This was a very relaxing gathering and Virginia Senate president Ariel and her folks did an outstanding job. Lots of food and drink as well as conversation and fellowship. Of course there were plenty of photo opportunities. My everlasting thanks for a wonderful evening.

Presidential Assistant Jeanne Vanderhyde joined us there and I was transferred into her care. We returned to her home near Baltimore.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

I slept late and when I awoke Jeanne was already gone to work. This was a down day where I pretty much lazed around. I went for a walk in the morning then spent the rest of the day checking and answering the ton of emails that had accumulated over the past few days. Denise had noticed that I had booked my flight back from the British Drumming out for the Wednesday after the winter BOD so I called the airlines and rebooked for the Wednesday prior to the BOD. I called Wendy so she could do the same since the airlines would not allow me to rebook for her. I found Star Trek Enterprise on the telly and watched that until Jeanne returned from work. We were off to dinner then back to her house where we watched some TV then retired for the evening.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

I was up to say goodbye to Jeanne as she left for work then packed and was ready when Diane Baerveldt picked me up for the trip to their "Beach House". I unpacked and we left for a tour of the area. Stopped for lunch and had a salad and perhaps the best creamed clam chowder I had ever tasted. Then it was off to walk the 2.4 miles of the boardwalk. Diane drove us around the town and showed me where their original cabin was located. It was not an upscale development and Golf course. We stopped at a farmers market to get some fresh corn for dinner. Then back to the house just before John and Debbie Price arrived. We had a few cocktails while Diane cooked a great dinner - a glass or two of wine, some pleasant conversation with good friends, a romp on the floor with Tucker their dog (and the official entertainment committee,) then it was off to bed,

Friday, October 2, 2009

We were all up a bit before 9Am as we needed our rest before working the wine fest. Breakfast then off to Ocean City for our work shifts. Jeanne took the day off and joined up with us at the festival grounds. We had an hour or so before our work shift began so we imbibed in a bit of the "grape Juice" and a group of us went go to the Pizza Shack for lunch. We were in time to assume our assigned duties for the afternoon. My assignment was to apply wrist bands to all the attendees. It was quite fun joking with everyone. I worked that task for an hour and a half then was reassigned to one of the vendor booths to pour wine until 7PM and the close of the fest for the evening. The group of Senators headed to the Captains Galley restaurant home of the "Worlds Best Crab Cakes" so naturally I had to try them. After dinner the Senate hospitality room was open at the hotel where Calvin joined us. He had just driven down as he had to work all day Friday. We left to return to the Baervelt castle where we had cocktails and conversation until midnight.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Up and a leisurely breakfast on the porch. Calvin was on the early shift so he was soon on his way while the rest of us left around noon for our 1PM afternoon shifts. Jeanne and I did a shift with wrist bands and drink tickets until 4PM when we went for a sandwich with Harry. We were back for reassignment at 5PM and I was sent to the Beer booth to finish the day at 7PM. Everyone then gathered at the hospitality room where dinner was served with Lasagna, salad, shrimp and all the trimmings. Maryland president Letha Grimes presented me with a Maryland shirt, a hummingbird sculpture and a photo of a hummingbird that she had taken from her window at home. I returned the favor by presenting her with her pips, pin, flag set and the new logo cap.

Everyone was quite tired after two days of working the wine fest so we departed around 9PM. Back at the house we enjoyed each others company until 11:30 when my weary eyes told me that it was time to call it a night.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Jeanne and I arose early and packed our luggage into her car for a fast getaway to the airport after brunch. All the Senators began to gather for brunch around 9:30 and we enjoyed their company and had a group photo taken before Jeanne drove me to BWI and my flight home.

What a great week with president Lethia and all our Senate friends. I will always have fond memories of these friendships.

Stardate 2009.266 - FALL BOD MEETING

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Another 3 Am morning to meet Denise at 4Am for our flight to Pittsburgh. We were picked up by Lloyd and Connie Lingle for transport to the hotel where we checked in and got ready to meet everyone at 6:30 for dinner. There was more early arrivals than could be seated at one table so we were a bit spread about but all had a great time anyway. The specialty sandwiches, which I had to try, were a bit different as they put cole slaw and french fries ON or IN the sandwich. They were actually very good and I loved the cole slaw. We returned to the hotel and Tess and Clarence had arrived. There had been some movement on the rental of the CA Foundation building so Wendy, Tess, Clarence and myself retreated to the Alvey room to discuss. Tess called David, our realtor, and gave him our counter proposal. We then went down to the hotel restaurant for a drink before retiring for the night. I had a great suite all to myself while Wendy and Denise had the connecting room.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Denise, Wendy and I had breakfast with Tess and Clarence before having the hotel shuttle take us to Walmart to pick up supplies for the presidential assistants gathering, the first ladies reception and for Herbie and the political advisors meeting. We called the hotel and they sent the shuttle to pick us up and return to the hotel. After stowing all the supplies the shuttle driver was kind enough to take us to the Harmony Village. This was built by the Harmonist society that I had never heard of but in the early 1800's George Rapp broke off from the Lutheran church and formed his own society in Germany where they were so persecuted that they all traveled to the US where they were the first settlers in Pennsylvania. After about ten years they moved to Illinois and built a settlement but after a few years there decided to return to Pennsylvania where many of the buildings are preserved today. They believed that they were the last people to be on Earth and that Jesus would come to claim them. They were very industrious and built many manufacturing facilities which also became financially rewarding. After our guided tour of the area and an individual stroll we called the hotel for the shuttle to come and retrieve the group.

When we returned the hospitality room was opening and the early arrivals started to beam in. I met with Mike and Newton to discuss the Liaison duties and goals for the year. The relationship with the Jaycees is doing well and that is one of our major priorities.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Started the morning getting things ready for the presidential assistants meeting at 10 AM. During the meeting I gave Denise and Wendy their new jackets with my logo and had gifts for the PA's as well. They all received a silver necklace with the Turkish good luck charms (the all seeing eye) as well as a few other items. We discussed the agenda for the weekend and each PA's duties. We had time to just relax and chat for a while and finish off the mimosas as well.

At 11Am the California Delegation came up for a short meeting where I had the opportunity to express my thanks for their attendance and support. There was also some conversation about the 2010 Concord meeting and how the presentation would be handled at the business meeting. Everyone worked on the food and champagne before dispersing. We went to the hospitality room where Frank Butler was there and was waiting for Bill Cheesman to arrive. When Bill arrived we retired to the hotel bar to have a short talk among old friends. The committee meetings were starting so Denise and I made our rounds to each meeting for my short Rah, Rah talk. We finished just in time to make the bus to the Baseball game.

The game lasted a bit long and I had to get the Officers and VP's back for the Executive Committee meeting. At the 7th inning we had one of the two buses loaded to get us back to the hotel. There were also may others that wished to leave early and there was 28 on the return bus. Convened the meeting at 10:30 (1/2 hour late) and the meeting went smoothly until Bid Review. During the Bid Review Committee meeting the Florida committee wanted to raise the registration fee to $65 since they had printed that amount on their form. The committee voted (not unanimously) to increase. The executive committee vote was a 50/50 split so it came to me to break the tie. I am bound by the bylaws and policy which states that the registration fee will be between $50 and $60 unless a waiver is requested. No such waiver was requested when the meeting was submitted to the BOD for approval and the contract was signed at the $60 rate. Florida had sent an initial document that confirmed that they would abide to all policy requirements and there was not any request to deviate from bylaws when proposed. My vote was to not approve the rate increase. Registration stands at $60. Ron Whitmore was furious but the rest of the Florida delegation accepted the decision and will put on a great meeting as always. The Exec meeting was adjourned in an hour. Time for a short stay in the hospitality room then to bed,

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Up, had coffee in the suite and prepared for the BOD meeting at 9Am. We convened about 5 minutes late due to some nonworking sound system. Katina had set up for a display of the logo and the theme music to start the meeting but we had to dispense with the music. The Regional Vice Presidents beamed into the meeting room all dressed in Spock headgear and they played the part to the hilt while giving their reports.

 

The meeting went well and we adjourned by 11:30AM.

Lunch was served in the hospitality room where I did partake with a few hundred of my close friends. I accepted an invitation to say a few words to the DC Senate meeting at 1:30PM. They have upwards of 48 members now although they are all dual members. They just charge the $5 national dues to become a member. I had a chance to get to the suite for an hour to lie down and relax until time for the evenings festivities. Wendy and I stopped by the Canadian Reception at 5 PM then proceeded to the banquet room at 5:30PM. After dinner we finished all the Foundation awards then during the presidential raffle drawing one of the entertainment group had a heart attack (he eventually died at the hospital). This really put a damper on the festivities but WOW how quickly the nurses and EMT's responded to that gentleman's emergency. They continued to administer CPR until the paramedics arrived and transported him to the hospital.

I adjourned the meeting immediately and asked everyone to move to the hospitality room and everyone did so quickly. Chaplain Larry Bohn said a prayer for those assembled in the hospitality room and I thanked everyone for their caring and concern for someone they had never met and for the most part did not know. What a caring family of Senators.

The evening ended on an upbeat note and everyone was having a great time with all their friends. I went around to each table and thanked them for coming while also saying my goodbyes.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Up in the morning, packed by bags and went down to the hospitality room for coffee. Then it was back to the suite and schlepping my bags to the lobby where I would meet Harry and Sandy Kolodner for the drive to their home and a week traveling through Region 3.

Stardate 2009.253 - Missouri Senate Fall Meeting

Thursday, September 10, 2009

An easy flight this day. We did not have to leave for the airport until 6:30 for our flight to St. Louis. Bonnie Hart picked Denise and I up at the airport and we went to the Hart House where Ed had cooked up a great dinner. We had a leisurely evening visiting before time for bed.

Friday, September 11, 2009

We started the morning with Ed driving us to Micky D's for coffee before descending upon the JCI World Headquarters. Not much action in the building except for the clerical staff so Ed gave us the 5 cent tour and we took a few photos. As we were leaving Edson Kodama, JCI Secretary General, just arrived and we chatted for a while as well as took the opportunity for a photo or two. Our next stop was a tour of the Budweiser Brewery where we completed the tour with a glass or two of beer. We returned to the Hart House to retrieve our luggage then picked up Bonnie at work.

Ed drove us to Jefferson City where we checked into the hotel then off to Madisons Cafe for dinner with 12 other Senators. We returned to the hotel and the Senate hospitality room. We joined the Jaycee First Timer meeting and had the opportunity to speak to the first time Jaycee attendees. After the meeting we remained and chatted with the first timers on a one-to-one basis and signed their competition forms. Back to the hospitality room until time to rest my weary bones.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Up early and Bonnie stopped by and informed me that the Jaycees had two folks giving the same training class and would I mind speaking to the group at lunch in place of a training program. We then had breakfast in the hospitality room before Bonnie convened the Missouri Senate meeting. I gave my normal spiel and presented bonnie with her pips, pin and flag set. She was very generous and presented me with a letter of welcome from the Governor, a Missouri flag certified as flown over the State Capital, a Missouri Backpack, the official Missouri Vest with both of Bonnie's presidential pins attached.

After the meeting was adjourned we joined the Jaycees at their luncheon where I was their Keynote Speaker. I spoke on the importance of ASKING potential members to join our organization as well as the Senate RTF program where the Senate stands ready to assist in the growth of the Jaycee organization. It seemed to be well received. The Jaycee presidential elections were next on the agenda and it was a contested race. After the speeches and vote tallying the new Missouri president is Paul Myers. You know that there has to be more than one Myers as president too bad he does not know how to correctly spell Meyers.

There was time for a short nap before getting ready for the Awards Banquet. Jeff Lank, candidate for US Jaycees president (the only candidate at this point) spoke to the masses about the future of the Jaycees in the US (fits well with our Bridge to the Future). Some of his plans are to include Senators and past Jaycees (over 40) as part of his national team to mentor Jaycees and Jaycee chapters. I had the chance to speak with Jeff after dinner about his plans and how the US Senate's plans can blend together. I also had a few photos taken for the cover of the December Mentors publication. Hospitality, of course, until time for bed.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Up and packed in the morning before attending the Jaycee business meeting. After the meeting we had a leisurely drive back to St. Louis and Ed and Bonnie treated Denise and me to lunch. We had to stop by their house to retrieve an item left by Denise. Ed gave me a set of all three of his presidential pins before we left for the airport and our flight home.

The Missouri Senate and Senators are really great hosts, Thank you all.