Sarasota, Florida August 2013

Sarasota, Florida
August 2013
Official Newsletter
Articles and April,
letters are
due no later than the
2013
th
20 of each month.
All other communication should be directed
to…
Officers and Members of the Board of Directors:
President - Bill Davis
941-921-0913 – E-Mail: BillDavis00@verizon.net
PRIME TIMERS SARASOTA
P.O. Box 1411
Sarasota, Fl. 34230-1411
Vice President - Dan Smith
941 359-2526 – E-Mail: dansmith5@joimail.com
Secretary – Charles Tramer
941-371-0720 – E-Mail: Charfrasarasota@verizon.net
Treasurer – Thomas Imholt
850-878-1657 – E-Mail: Imholtt@yahoo.com
Members At Large:
You can also go to ‘Chapters’ and click on
chapter names and read many of the
chapter newsletters. Find out what’s
happening all around!
Randy Bailey 941 359-8614
E-Mail: rbailey1438@yahoo.com Dick Walker 508 282-7711
Email: dickrwalker@aol.com
Founder & Director Emeritus:
Michael Stone: 941-359-8212
E-Mail: Mstonefl@verizon.net
Bryan Wilt
941-792-1975
E-Mail: Baltbryan@msn.com
Cover Page
Presidents Message
Member Biography
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Be sure to visit our website at:
http://www.primetimerssarasota.org
PrimeTimers Worldwide Newsletter
You can now read our
Primetimers Worldwide newsletter, online
free. Just go to our brand new website at
www.primetimersww.com, click on
Newsletters, and select the issue you want
to read.
Newsletter Editor and Member-at-Large:
Joe Coulombe
941 929-9769 – E-Mail: joseph417@hotmail.com
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2.
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4.
941-556-1344
Monthly Meeting Host for treats:
Ralph Tibbitts, Chuck Fahey
5. Birthdays
5. Bulletin Board
6. Event Photos
7. Event Photos
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8. Event Photos
9. Speakers
10. Events
11. Travel
12. Worldwide
13. Calendar
President’s Message
I understand that our June Membership Meeting with Ken Shelin was excellent and very enlightening.
I want to thank Ken and all the Prime Timer members that showed up for the meeting. Vaughn and I
were out of town and could not attend but I am sure we would both have been pleased.
The Board has booked our holiday party for the 13th of December 2013 at the Sara Bay Country Club.
We have also extended an invitation to the ROMEO group to join us.
There will be more information forthcoming as soon as we know more about the menu and cost. I
believe that last year everyone that attended the Holiday Party at Sara Bay Country Club had a great
time and the wait staff was excellent.
Our luncheons seem to be doing well. We usually have about the same amount of guys at the North
and South luncheons. However, we are trying to determine if everyone would like to participate in a
Sunday dinner after our monthly meeting. We are trying to look for places that are near the MCC
church so that it would be just a short distance when we are finished with the meeting. Any
suggestions are welcome!
We have canceled the bus tour to the four casinos in August. I would like to see the group go over to
Ft. Lauderdale in the near future. I remember going a few years ago and it was a great time had by
all! Any other suggestions just let one of the Board Members know and maybe we can make it
happen.
We did have a pool party on July 20th at Joe and Franks place. It was very well attended and we had
lots of food. However, I think everyone was so full that no one jumped into the pool!
As you know, we have decided to increase the membership dues for our group. It was a really hard
decision to make. Our group had one of the lowest dues in the Prime Timer organization and we felt if
we wanted to have some parties, pool party or picnic we would need to have the money to make it
happen. We have several occurring bills every month in addition we pay Prime Timers Worldwide a
two dollar fee for each member that we have in our group. I think most everyone understands but I am
always open to sitting down with anyone to explain our decision.
Bill
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Member Biography
Ralph Tibbitts
I was born in Kearney, N.J. on July 19, 1920 - After high school I attended Rutgers University
majoring in Accounting and Law hoping to join the FBI. Then came WWII and I joined the Navy. I went
to BOOT CAMP in New Port R.I. I was put aboard a destroyer and made one trip to Mermansk,
Russia. After returning to BOSTON I found a GAY Bar called the SILVER DOLLAR, in SKULLY
SQUARE where I met a professor from Harvard. He is the one who introduced me to the GAY life, as I
was now twenty one. Then another trip to Trinidad, but got so seasick the Navy put me on an aircraft
carrier (RANGER), sailed with that ship until HARRY TRUMAN dropped the A bomb in 1945. I joined
my uncles sheet metal fabricating company until I met my partner Ken Stedman, who had just
inherited STEDMAN MOTORS, a Cadillac, Olds dealership in Oyster Bay, Long Island. KEN'S father
started the first Sudebaker dealership on LONG Island in 1914. I Moved in with him and that job
lasted 10 years when he decided to sell the business. One of my customers owned a liquor store in
Great Neck and asked me to manage it however it was a 17 mile drive along the L.I. expressway,
which always has traffic tie-ups, so I quit and managed the same in Oyster Bay. A friend of my partner
was madam SHANG KIE SCHEK's full time chauffeur, when he wanted time off, i used to PINCH HIT
for him. She liked me and told me she had a lot of POLITICAL POWER IN WASHINGTON D.C., and
she offered me a postmaster job in LOCUT VALLEY, L.I. which lasted for 17 years. I retired at age
62. Ken was already retired, so he sold his estate and bought a beautiful true georgian colonial 3600
square foot house in Norwich. CT. We lived there for 8 years, until JUNE 10, 1990, when he died of a
heart attack after a forty year partnership. Of course, I was devastated. He had two daughters who
became very hostile and it was all about money.
Bob Platman, a retired Episcopal priest who I knew from Oyster Bay had moved to Bradenton, and
invited me to come for a visit where I met Bob Carlson and Russ Bechtle. The three of them were
members of GALA who met once a month at Storman Norman’s, a gay friendly restaurant in
Venice. There I met Bob Hayman and Chuck Fahey. We remain wonderful friends today. I was single
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for seven and a half years then became a "GENTLEMAN HOST" on Cruise Ships. I made so many
trips I lost count. I teemed up with Chuck Fahey and we began to HOUSE SWAP with different
people around the globe. That was a wonderful experience. We traveled to AUSTRALIA, EUROPE,
BRITISH ISLES. ETC. CHUCK and I motor tripped all over the 50 states and visited all the national
parks including ALASKA and CANADA.
We are now into 1997. While scanning SILVER FOX I met RICK GRIFFIN. We corresponded for three
months and he drove down from Waycross, Ga. On December 1, 2013 we will celebrate our
sixteenth Anniversary. I keep active with all the social activity that we enjoy in this area. I gave up
bike riding as I took two bad falls and also kayaking on the Myaka river due to the heavy foliage, if I
needed medical attention there was no way a helicopter could get there. Three years ago Dennis
Della Franco, Ron Kessler and Rick had a SURPRISE 90th birthday party for me at Bobby Jones golf
club. 125 of my friends showed up. It was one of the highlights of my life. I hope all that read this will
have a great life and enjoy it for as long as I have. GOOD HEALTH TO ALL. Love Ralph
Complimentary Members Business Cards Displayed
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Randy Bailey
Albert Cartier
Warren Hurst
Ron Sawyer
Steve Warren
Bill Schwolow
8/1
8/1
8/8
8/8
8/9
8/10
Dan Brown
Dr Jim Griffith
Greer North
Michael McGuire
Bob Thommes
8/13
8/16
8/20
8/31
8/31
Bulletin Board
New Feature for the Prime Timer Newsletter
The PTS Board decided to offer members a Bulletin Board. If you have an item you no
longer need you can find a new owner. If you are looking for something you want to add
to your collection put it on the Bulletin Board. If you have an idea or can offer assistance
to members the Bulletin Board will be the place to post that information. If you have a
suggestion for uses of this service please contact any member of the Board and
discuss your idea with them.
Looking for a Cruise Cabin Mate: Prime Timer looking for a cruise ship cabin mate to avoid the
single supplement. dickrwalker@aol.com
.
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Event Photographs
Southside Luncheon at Grasshopper
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Pool Potluck @ Frank & Joe’s
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Robert Yan – Financial Advisor
Merrill Lynch
Roberts presentation at the monthly meeting was informative but best of all were the
questions from the members that he answered in depth and in an enlightening way.
http://wealthmanagement.ml.com/wm/system/ViewFAPage.aspx?pageurl=robert.yan
Bryan Wilt
Light Demonstration of current home lighting options – Entertaining and informative.
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Friday, August 2 - Northside Luncheon: 1PM at Captain Bryan's Seafood Restaurant, 8441 N. Tamiami Trail (US41) Sarasota, FL 34243. Just north of the airport on the east side of US41. Lunch specials seafood, sandwiches, and salads, including non-­‐seafood items. RSVP Dan Smith dansmith5@joimail.com or 941-­‐359-­‐2526 by noon on Thursday August 1. Tuesday, August 13 at 11:00 AM: Board Meeting to be held in MCC Church.
7225 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota, Fl. 34243. Friday, August 16 at 1:00 PM: Southside Luncheon at the Nokomis Breakfast House,
2301 Tamiami Trail N. (Nokomis), 941-313-9529.
RSVP Dale Curtsinger 941-346-0757. wdcurtsinger@Yahoo.com
Thursday, August 15 at 4:00 PM: Miniature Golf with Randy Bailey and Art Muglia
Sunday, August 25 at 3:30 PM: General Meeting will be at the MCC Church of the Trinity,
7225 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34243 - in the Sanctuary
If anyone wishes to join a group of members is planning to go to dinner after the meeting
to a convenient restaurant.
Monthly Meeting Refreshments
August
September
October
November
Ralph Tibbitts, Chuck Fahey
Michael Stone
Erv Benson, Ron Luongo, Greer North
Al Cartier
Travel from Prime Timers Worldwide through 2014
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Amsterdam, River Cruise and Oktoberfest in Munich
September 14 – September 24, 2013
Good news! It is still possible to book this trip. You will be put on a wait list but prospects are good
that youʼll get aboard! This exclusive Prime Timers trip includes roundtrip air from Tampa to
Amsterdam, all transfers in Europe, Hotel in Amsterdam, 6 day cruise on French riverboat with ports of
Nijiomegen, Cologne, Koenigswinter, Rudesheim and Mannheim where we will transfer with a stop
and tour of Heidelberg and 3 nights in Munich. The last day you will transfer from the hotel to the
airport for the flight home.
Our hotel in Munich is three blocks from Oltoberfest Gardens and the following day is gay day in one
tent. Men and women from all over the world attend this festive day.
All-inclusive fares (air, transfers, hotels and baggage handling) begin at $2,999.
Round-Trip Panama Canal from Florida
November 21 – December 7, 2013
This adventure is booking quickly so hop aboard! It includes air from Florida to San Diego, transfer to
a hotel for one nightʼs stay, transfer to the Celebrity Infinity for a fabulous cruise that includes the
Mexican Riviera with ports of Cabo San Lucas and Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, Puerto Quetzal,
Guatemala, Puentarenas, Costa Rica, full transfit through the canal from the Pacific to the Caribbean
and the ports of Colon, Panama, and Cartagena, Columbia to Ft. Lauderdale. In addition our bus will
return you to your place of departure
All of this is from $2138 inside, $2478 outside and $3048 balcony and includes taxes, port
charges, air and all of the amenities mentioned above.
For Reservations on the above 2 trips:
Sheila At Al and Chuck Travel.com
1-866-949-1429 ext. 195
Eastern Caribbean aboard the fabulous Celebrity Silhouette!
January 19 – January 26, 2014
This is our annual Prime Timers Caribbean cruise but this time itʼs aboard the most fabulous ship
weʼve ever sailed on. This adventure leaves from Ft. Lauderdale and includes the ports of San Juan,
Puerto Rico, Basseterre, St. Kitts, Phillipsburg, St. Maarten, and returns to Ft. Lauderdale. Cabin
prices are as follows: Insides from: $574, Outsides from $724 and Balconies from $824 plus port
charges and taxes. Contact Marc Solomon at Courtyard Travel at 917 359 3888
New for 2014!
We are very excited to announce our affiliation in 2014 with Prime Timerʼs Sarasota member Randell
Johnson of Randell Johnson Travel. While this announcement is early youʼll be hearing a lot about it
in upcoming issues of this newsletter. Weʼll be having a Prime Timers group cruise aboard Celebrityʼs
Equinox from October 27, 2014 until November 10, 2014. This repositioning cruise starts in
Barcelona, Spain and visits 7 ports before bringing us to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Cabin prices are very
well priced. As soon as we have more information weʼll let you know. Remember, the early bird gets
the worm so, as always, we encourage you to book early.
For Information call:
Michael Stone
941-359-8212
Robert Rosenthal 561-969-6958
robertd3343@mac.com
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mstonefl@verizon.net
Worldwide Convention for Prime Timers
October 2-6, 2013
Regular registration Regular registration Last minute registration postmarked March 1-­‐ May 31 postmarked June 1-­‐August 31 postmarked Sept 1 – Oct 2 $185.00 $195.00 $225.00 Full registration includes all on-site scheduled activities - workshops and meetings, two cocktail hours, two dinners, entertainment,
hospitality suite, shuttle buses and more.
Individual prices For those who might want to choose just one event we offer the following: Friday cocktail hour, dinner and entertainment ONLY $75.00 Saturday cocktail hour, dinner and entertainment ONLY $75.00 Note these individual price choices must be paid by September 1, 2013 EXTRA CONVENTION GOLF SHIRTS Must be ordered and paid for prior to August 1, 2013 $15.00 Rooms at the convention's centrally located Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel are specially priced at only $124 per night (2
Queens or 1 King) plus tax ($20.77), with a limited number of suites available at $174 plus applicable taxes ($29.15).
For the best rates on registration and rooms, be sure to register for the conference and lodging right away. Complete information on this
Prime Timers Worldwide Conference and registration form can be found at www.primetimersww.com/ptwwconv.
Here are the descriptions of the four optional prepaid excursions that are being offered with registration.
Friday October 4th Chartered Bus Tour to THE AIR FORCE MUSEUM at Wright/Patterson Air Force
Base in Dayton, Ohio. All day trip 8:00am to 5:00pm. Lunch included.
Prepaid
$40.00
Friday October 4th Short Walking Tour to THE OHIO THEATRE
on State house Square just south of our hotel..
Prepaid
$8.00
Friday October 4th Chartered Bus Tour to THE FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY in Columbus, Ohio. 10:00am to 4:00pm Prepaid $15.00 Saturday October 5th Chartered bus to visit the world famous COLUMBUS ZOO Prepaid $20.00 You can visit the website to keep up with convention news. You may get involved and participate in the discussion forum by creating a log-­‐in and password on the website. You may also sign up to be on our mailing list to get updates about the convention. If you are not connected to the internet, you may contact us by mail at 1928 Dandridge Dr., Columbus, Ohio 43229, or by phone at (614) 885-­‐0846 and we will mail convention information and registration forms to you. Hope to see you in Columbus in October! 12
Sun
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thur
Fri
Sat
1
2
Northside
Luncheon
1 PM
Captain
Bryan’s
Restaurant
3
4
5
6
11 AM
Board
Meeting
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Southside
Luncheon
1 PM
Nokomis
Breakfast
House
17
Miniature
Golf
@
Randy & Art’s
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
General
Meeting
3:30 PM
MCC
26
27
28
29
30
31
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