Pat Quinn, Editor

DAN’s DIALOG

Thank you for allowing me to have a part in the leadership of Branch 69 for the past year. It has been a whirlwind. Things have been chaotic and marvelous, unplanned and orderly.

There are many to thank; I will do that per-sonally in January. However, there are several

that shone just a minor bit brighter in making my life easier this past twelve months.

Pat Quinn has been a godsend publishing the newsletter and roster, plus being the head photographer. He took over when another GREAT member had to relinquish those du-ties. Mark Steffens and George Langford handled our Secre-tary function; Jerry Buhlert and Hal Copperberg made sure the books were balanced. Thank you from all of us.

Jim Porterfield is a dynamo running the Dinner Theater group, Lunch and Explorer group and being the BEST “only eat plants” dieter who makes the best Santa Maria Tri-tip in the area.

Tom Page is tireless (and exhausted) doing bios, promot-ing the Branch at Golf Expo and knocking down pins.

Ron Hutcheson is that person looking over my shoulder and saying “tsk tsk” when I stray a bit from protocol.

There is no wonder why these last 3 have been our most recent Honorary Life Members.

But not to be left out, the other 145 of you should take a bow because we are certainly, proudly the sum of all our parts.

Before we forget, please nod your head and smile when you think of Walter Pugh and Charles Rainoldi.

In 2016, we saw 18 new members to the Branch from 12 different sponsors and 2 from Golf Expo. We also saw 5 transfers from other SIR Branches.

My last wish is that Jerry Schroeder enjoys the upcom-ing year as much as I have. Please offer him all the support that you have given me.

If you are at the Holiday Luncheon, please come up and let me say hello. If not, you have to do it on January 12th. I will be the one in the back with the big smile.

Dan Calcagno, Big Sir

The Pony Express Branch #69 December 2016 Edition

JERRY BUILT

The end of the year is fast approaching and 2017 will be here before we are ready. In November we heard from Jan Scully, past Sacramento County District Attorney and currently involved with the Family Justice Center. We tried to show a video but the Dante Club system would show it, but not with the sound. Go to the Sacramento Regional Family Justice

Center, at hopethriveshere.org, to see the video.

Next is our Ladies Day Holiday Luncheon. So far we are way under expected attendance, and if anyone wants to come, either single or with spouse/significant other, we’ll get you in. Please let me know and send a check ($25/plate) to Jerry Buhlert. The theme will be The Year in Review, and we’ll thank and recognize members that have made significant contributions to Branch 69 this year.

I’ve enjoyed putting together programs for you. I tried to spread the theme over a wide range, and hope you thought that worked out. Some I thought were going to be great, and turned out to be a bust, while others came out of nowhere to be significant. My favorite, and I think

yours from the reaction, was our own Don Neufeld pre-senting the restoration of his 1948 Chevy Woodie. When I went outside 30 minutes after the meeting and found 50 of you guys still surrounding the car, I knew it was a hit.

Thank you for giving me your ideas, some which I used, others which didn’t go together. Please Give Tony Vigil your ideas this coming year and it will be another good one.

Jerry Schroeder, Little Sir

Concept and Creation by Frank FranzagoConcept and Creation by Frank FranzagoConcept and Creation by Frank Franzago

Remember to attend on Thursday December 8th . There

will be no regular December luncheon meeting but there will be nice food (Prime Rib, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Roast-ed Vegetable Stack), great company and music at the holi-day luncheon.

DON”T FORGET—LADIES DAY/

HOLIDAY LUNCHEON 2016

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December Birthdays

12-1 Mark Kraut 12-6 George Langford 12-14 Ed Linn (80)

12-14 Greg Schweitzer 12-16 Ron Hutcheson 12-25 Horace Holmes (82) 12-25 Rich Taylor (80)

Decembers Anniversaries

12-1 Tom & Susi Masarweh 12-8 Rodney & Cheryl Lukins 12-14 Mike & Lonnie Ratzlaff (54)

12-16 Ken & Debi Lentsch 12-16 Floyd & Helen Scott (55) 12-20 Conrad & Joann Cookman (50) 12-20 Eddie & Ruby Lang Jr. (64) 12-23 Larry & Nancy McLeod 12-26 Heman & Ina Smith (64)

Special congratulations to Sir Ed Linn & Rich Taylor on their 80th birthdays.

SIR JOE BOWERS

2825 Pintail Ct. West Sacramento 95691 (916261-8504 jkbowers46@gmail.com Sponsor: Mark Steffens

Joe was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, while his dad was working on the AlCan Highway construction. He

grew up in West Sacramento and initially worked for the State for a year following high school. In 1965, Joe joined the Army and spent most of his three-year enlistment in Europe. After his discharge, Joe worked for the State again before joining the Sacramento Police Department. He spent the next 31 years with the police, first as a patrolman for ten years, a detective for 18 years and the last three years as a driving instructor, teaching his fellow officers how to drive fast safely. Joe feels that his biggest contribu-tion to the Sacramento Police Department was helping to create and design the high speed/defensive driver training courses that are used by Police and Fire personnel. A simi-lar defensive driver training course was designed and used by all civilian personnel working for the City of Sacramen-

to.

Joe is a busy guy; he is very active with the Lions Club, plus he likes fishing, golf, bowling and helping his son coach varsity basketball at Bradshaw Christian High School. Joe and his wife Karon have two sons, two daugh-ters and seven grandchildren. They love to travel and use their 31’ 5th wheel trailer.

Birthday: November 24, 1946 Anniversary: Karon, May 4, 1996

WELCOME

SIR MARK KRAUT 2252 La Paloma Way

Sacramento 95825 (916) 929-3494 mjckrt@sbcglobal.net Sponsor: Mark Steffens

Mark was born in Jersey City, New Jer-sey, and grew up there. After high school, he joined the Air Force in 1966 and ended up stationed at Travis AFB in California, his introduction to the state. He served two tours in Thailand with the Air Force and was discharged in 1970. He moved to Redwood City and worked at Thom McAn shoes while attending The College of San Mateo and Canada College nearby. He went on to work at Leeds Shoe store and Chandler Shoe store in the Bay Area. Eventually, he transferred to Sacramento for Leeds Shoes in 1980 and worked at Arden Fair and Florin Mall. He left

the shoe business and became a custodian for the San Juan Unified School District, ultimately becoming the head cus-todian at Greer Elementary School. He retired after 15 years of this work.

Mark and his wife have one son, two dogs and one cat. He enjoys hiking, biking, ballroom dancing and he is an active member of the Lions Club.

Birthday: December 1, 1946 Anniversary: Jan, August 14, 1977

SIR PATRICK FINTEL (STICK) 3532 Norris Ave Sacramento 95821

(916) 640-5725 prfintel@yahoo.com Sponsor: Steve Eason

Patrick was born in Carmichael but grew up in Texas, where he was heavily involved in rodeo. Also in his rodeo days, a much trimmer Patrick acquired the nickname ‘Stick’, which his closest friends still call him. Patrick moved back to California in 1989 and joined the Army in 1990. He served a total of nearly 17 years, 11 years of which was on active duty in Afghanistan and oth-er assignments in the Mideast. He became an Army Rang-er, a drill sergeant in the reserves and then a combat MP when his reserve unit was activated and sent back to Af-ghanistan. Following his Army service, Patrick worked for a couple years as a sheriff deputy in Sacramento and then became an electrician before his service injuries ended this career.

Now Patrick works part-time as a nurse and enjoys golf, bowling, hunting and NASCAR racing. He also is a big fan of the New York Yankees. He has a sixteen year old daughter from a prior marriage. Throughout his life, both in the service and in civilian life, Patrick has always tried to be a person who offers support and help to his fellow man.

Birthday: September 15, 1971 Anniversary: Tara, July 12, 2014

GOLF TOURNAMENTS

December Golf 12-1 Thurs 69/RC Wildhawk Xmas Shoot 12-5 Mon PGC Wildhawk Forward

12-15 Thurs 69/RC Cavanaugh Low Net 12-19 Mon PGC Antelope 2 Man BB

January Golf 01-5 Thurs 69/RC Bing Low Net

01-09 Mon PGC Antelope Stroke Play 01-19 Thurs 69/RC Alister Low Net

01-23 Mon PGC River Oaks 4 Man BB 01-26 Thurs 69/RC Bartley 4 Man BB

GOLF AWARDS LUNCHEON

Our annual awards Luncheon was held on November 4th at the Carmichael Elks Club. The event was hosted by the Branch 69/River City Golf Club. It included this year’s awards and drawings for lots of goodies, including numerous gift certificates.

The results of this year’s awards and championship rounds held during the summer at three selected venues are listed on this page for both the Progressive Golf Club and Regular Golf Club.

Lennie Silva, Golf Director

First Flight (8.3-16.8)

Low Gross Ed Markham 160 $30

Low Net Gary Conner 135 $30

2nd Low Net Jerry Buhlert 137 $25

3rd Low Net Glen Halvorsen 139 $20

4th Low Net Dick Borah 143 $10

Second Flight (17.2-20.4)

Low Gross Dan Calcagno 168 $30

Low Net, 1st, 2nd & 3rd

Steve Eason, Adrian Herrell, & Dan Nelsonr

136 $25 each

4th Low Net Ted Patterson 138 $10

Third Flight (21.7-24.9)

Low Gross Dave Yorston 182 $30

Low Net George Langford 134 $30

2nd Low Net Erle Hansen 138 $25

3rd & 4th Low Net

John Hansen & Dennis Jones

131 $15 each

Forth Flight (25-28.7)

Low Gross Ron Hutcheson 178 $30

Low Net Steve Goodman 128 $30

2nd Low Net Sis Newmsn 137 $25

3rd Low Net Tom Knoble 139 $20

4th Low Net Tony Vigil 140 $10

Fifth Flight (29-up)

Low Gross Russ Wong 193 $30

Low Net Lennie Silva 136 $30

2nd Low Net Jerry Schroeder 137 $25

3rd Low Net Jack Osborne 147 $20

4th Low Net Floyd Scott 149 $10

Ace Pot

Rick Hom, 1foot 11/2 inches $150

Fewest Putts

Lennie Silva, 56 putts $25

Player of the Year

Dan Nelson, 207 points $25

Low Net Trophy

Steve Goodman

Low Gross Ted Machado 148 $60

Low Net Bill Pritchett & Bud Rogers

124 $60 each

Ace Pot Jim Porterfield 10 inches

$100

Hole in Ones Dick Borah, Jack Osborne

$50 each

Progressive Golf Course (PGC) Club

Championship plus awards

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Your Tournament Directors

Don’t forget to thank your tournament directors for 2017.

Lennie Silva—Regular Course

Greg Schweitzer—Progressive Golf Club

Regular Branch 69 Golf Course 2016

Club Championship plus awards

BOWLING NEWS

At the November Luncheon we had a total of 111 members in attendance. This gave us a 73% attendance rate.

Paul Sickert, Attendance

Three new members in November, plus several guests who seem excited at the prospects of joining our branch. This is a fitting close to our recruiting efforts for 2016: we had an outstanding year in every respect. It looks like 2017 will be getting off to a good start in January, too, so let’s continue our strong recruiting program and keep the branch healthy and vibrant.

I have been in regular contact with the events coordi-nator at Haggin Oaks to keep us in the mix for a prime location at the Golf Expo in April. This is also a signifi-cant component of the branch recruiting effort. The work by individual members has been outstanding all year, too, so keep bringing those friends and other interested guys to the luncheons. We have a lot to offer potential mem-bers.

Tom Page, Recruiting & Publicity Director

The fight for first place in the bowl-ing league continues to be very close. With only three weeks left to go in the

first half of the season, only one-half point separates the top two teams, with a couple more teams right be-hind. In first place is the 4 Amigos team of captain Bud Rogers, Dick Borah, Hal Copper-berg and Floyd Scott, followed closely by the Grab Ur Balls team of captain Rich Taylor, Pat Quinn, Vic Scott, and Roger Wilbur. We’ve bowled some more outstand-ing scores this year. Darren Simonds rolled a 278 game to match Ted Patterson’s 278 game from earlier in the season. Carl Cloud nailed an outstanding 729 series and Jim Smalling recently rolled a 698 series. Don Baldwin shot a 299 handicap game to tie Johnny Evans’ same score. Don’s 793 handicap series tops the field, followed

by Carl Cloud at 765.

Tournament news: Many of our bowlers are in the midst of competing in the Cal State Senior Open, a tour-nament so big that it is spread out over two months and two bowling centers. The tournament is still going on, so the results won’t be known for a while.

Connor Chin, and new bowler Adrian Garcia paired with Emory Haworth and his wife Joyce to compete in a recent tournament in Concord. Their results, too, will be posted at a later date.

Tom Page, League Secretary 488-6465

RECRUITING & PUBLICITY

Page 4

NOVEMBER ATTENDANCE REPORT

DINNER/THEATER GROUP

Forty three SIR Dinner/Theater

Group members and guests met for

dinner at the Riverside Clubhouse res-

taurant in Land Park to enjoy some

good food and camaraderie. Following

dinner, we make our way to the 24th

Street Theater for a performance of CATS the musical.

The CATS cast was the main asset. Some performanc-

es being the definitive interpretations of the roles. To name

names would become too exhaustive with such a large

cast, but suffice it to say that almost everyone embraced

their roles. The singing ranged from not bad to very good,

and much was expressed through body language and facial

expression, giving the characters unique personalities.

Kudos to the cast members for their dance and singing

performances. And kudos to the costume and stage de-

signers. However, the audio department performed poorly

by delivering unclear dialog and poor voice projection,

making the story line difficult to follow.

That said, it was a fun spending an evening with friends and enjoying the company of those who had joined our Dinner/Theater Group for the first time.

Jim Porterfield, Activities Chairman

Sir Warren Senegal did the hon-ors of swearing in the Sirs Branch

69 2017 slate of officers. They in-clude: New Big Sir for 2017 Jerry Schroeder, Little Sir Tony Vigil, Secretary PBS Ron Hutcheson; Asst. Secretary PBS Dennis Jones; Treasurer Jerry Buhlert, and Asst. Treasurer, Hal Copper-berg, Directors include; PBS Dan Calcagno, Steve Eason, Jim Huffman, Bill Nichols, Greg Schweitzer and Jim Buckley.

Don’t forget to thank those members who did a great job last year but are moving on in 2017. They include; Big Sir Dan Calcagno, Secretary Mark Steffens, Asst. Secretary George Langford, Directors Mike Ratzlaff and Adrian Herrell.

Your New 2017 Sirs Branch 69 Officers

Sir Mark Steffens receives award from Big Sir Dan Calcagno for his recruitment efforts during 2016. Great job Mark bringing new members to the branch.

NON-RESPONSIBILITY DECLARATION: All activities arranged for or by, or sponsored by, Sons In Retirement, Incorporated, and its Branches, are for the convenience and pleasure of the members and their guests who desire to participate. Sons In Retirement, Incorporated, and its Branches do not assume any responsibility for the well-being or safety of the partici-pants or their property, in any matters pertaining to said activities (Rule 345). Checks, money orders or credit cards for Travel for one day or less (no overnight), where a bus/busses is/are used as the primary means of transportation, may be made payable to the Branch sponsoring the event. All other checks, money orders or credit cards for travel must be made payable to the travel agency. (Rule 420 & 421). Members are obligated to attend all regular luncheon meetings unless prevented by illness or absence from the Branch locale. (Rule 60). REQUIRED ATTENDANCE – A member who misses three (3) consecutive luncheon meetings without having been excused by contacting the designated Branch Attendance person prior to the meeting date, and giving a valid reason, or did not attend one half of the regular luncheon meetings within the previous twelve consecu-tive month period. may be notified, by letter, of the pending termination of his membership in SIR. (Rule 60, 100 & 107).

Page 4

2016 Slate of Officers BIG SIR: DAN CALCAGNO 481-8368

LITTLE SIR: JERRY SCHROEDER 801-2530 SEC: MARK STEFFENS 214-8650 ASST SEC: GEORGE LANGFORD (650) 823-5493

TREAS: JERRY BUHLERT 704-0159 ASST TREAS: HAL COPPERBERG 722-2606

Directors

DENNIS JONES 684-3189

STEVE EASON 972-7383 MIKE RATZLAFF 768-6348

ADRIAN HERRELL 989-5981 JIMMY BUCKLEY 284-2364 GREG SCHWEITZER 687-8629

State Officers STATE PRES: DON DILL REG. 3 DIRECTOR: VIC MERSHON AREA 3 GOV: BOB PEREZ

Committee Chairs Programs Jerry Schroeder 801-2530 Mail Pouch Pat Quinn 784-3729 Chaplain Karl Munz 922-2482 Roster Pat Quinn 784-3729 Golf PBS Lennie Silva 487-9812 Golf (PGC) Greg Schweitzer 687-8629 Bowling PBS Tom Page 488-6465 Audit John Martinez 812-7363 Nominating PBS Dennis Jones 684-3189 Attendance Paul Sickert 396-6230 Orientation Dick Borah 419-2214 Branch Apparel Mike Ratzlaff 768-6348 Day In The Park PBS Jim Porterfield 383-8156 Sunshine PBS Jim Carlson 635-8516 Bios PBS Tom Page 488-6465 Web Site Ross Martin 427-0559 Book Club Steve Goodman 521-6546 RV Bob Houghton 487-1190

Honored Members

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS

PBS LENNIE SILVA (SHLM) PRD WARREN SENEGAL

PBS TOM PAGE PBS JIM PORTERFIELD PBS RON HUTCHESON

SENIOR CERTIFICATES

SIR JESSE GUTIERREZ SIR SAM LeROUGE

SIR EDWARD GONSALVES SIR RIC NANNINI

SIR WINFIELD (WINDY) CURTIS

2016 ROSTER REPAIRS

No roster repairs for December.

Pat Quinn, Roster Chairman

SUNSHINE

ARNOLD KELLER It was good to see Arnie back with us at the Nov luncheon. He is currently doing outpa-tient therapy to recover from the stroke.

I have not received any other reports of health problems

in the last month so that is a good thing.

Let’s all have a safe and sane holiday season and we will

see you next year.

If you hear of any of our members or spouses having

health problems, let me know.

Jim Carlson, Sunshine Chairman-635-8516

HOW ARE WE DOING 2016 Budget

INCOME ACTUAL BUDG DIFF

Contributions $3,827 $3,600 $227

Other

Total INCOME $3,827 $3,600 $227

EXPENSES

Printing & Postage $305 $800 $495

Officers Expenses $424 $250 $-174

Guest Expenses $0 $200 $200

State Pro Rata $756 $730 $-26

Other, Golf Expo $295 $300 $5

Other, Misc. $606 $1,200 $594

TOTAL EXP. $2,386 $3,480 $1,094

PROJECTED CASH BALANCE AT END OF YEAR $3,749

PROJECTED CASH BALANCE PER MEMBER $24

NOTE: We ended 2015 with $235 more than we had in 2014

Jerry Buhlert, Treasurer

TREASURER’S REPORT – NOVEMBER 2016

Cash Balance 1/1/2016 = $3,629

NOVEMBER YTD

Beginning Cash Balance $4,998 N/A

Contributions $45 $3,827

Expenses $4 $2,386

Membership, Gain/Loss +3/-2 153

Ending Cash Balance $6,889 N/A

Jerry Buhlert, Treasurer

Recruitment, Activities, Member Relations & Publicity (RAMP) RECRUITING/PUBLIVITY PBS TOM PAGE 488-6465 ACTIVITIES PBS JIM PORTERFIELD 383-8156 MEMBERSHIP TONY VIGIL 217-7816