Inside This Issue - Southeast Michigan Mensa

M-Pathy
July 2013
Page 1
THE NEWSLETTER OF
SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN MENSA
VOL. 50 NO. 7
July 2013
mensadetroit.com mensadetroit.com/facebook
Inside This Issue
Editors’ Page
2
Co-LocSec
3
RVC: reMARK
4
From the GYC
5
Scholarship Essay Winner
6
Just Joking
Puzzles
Word Search: Moody
Survivors
Managing Talent
Are you reading this…
SEMMantics Heroes
And the winners are…
7
8
9
10
Capital Challenge
11
Collage of RG memories
12-13
Golden Owl Award
14
On the Web
Do you know Gen Y?
15
Membership Notes
16
Events: The SEMM Calendar
19
Monthly Calendar
Précis of ExComm Meeting
22
Directory: Executive Committee
23
SEMMer Bash flyer
24
Photo by Dakota Jenkins
SEMMantics 34 was a fun-filled weekend for all ages. There were tournaments, an
always well-stocked games room, Kids’ Track, excellent speakers, beer and wine
tastings, swimming, a chocolate orgy, plus so many other activities.
One of the events on the Kids’ Track was building sumo robots with Lego mindstorms
kits, as shown above. Making new friends and working as a team are some of the
memories these three will surely remember about this RG.
If you didn’t make it to the RG this year, please join us in 2014 for SEMMantics 35,
and make your own memories!
SEMM’s speaker program will return on Saturday, August 17. Program details will be
published in next month’s M-Pathy. Until then, join us at the SEMMer Bash on
Saturday, July 20. See the back cover for the flyer.
Page 2
M-Pathy
From the Editor’s Desk - Kathleen Giesting
m-pathy
(ISSN 0744-9763) is published monthly for
$6 per year for local members and
members-by preference and $12 per year
for non-local members by Southeast
Michigan Mensa at 24565 Glen Orchard
Drive, Farmington Hills, MI 48336.
Subscription cost for local members and
members-by- preference is included in
national dues.
Publisher
Larry Arbanas
24565 Glen Orchard Drive
Farmington Hills, MI 48336
publisher@mensadetroit.com
Editor-in-chief
Kathleen Giesting
2947 Philadelphia Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103-6813
Mpathy@mensadetroit.com
Assistant Editor
Toby Berger
7269 Creeks Bend Court
West Bloomfield, MI 48322
Mpathy@mensadetroit.com.com
Calendar Editor
Calendar@mensadetroit.com
Membership Editor
Iana Questara Boyce
ianaqtpie@gmail.com
Circulation Manager
Marilyn McZip
P.O. Box 510056
Livonia, MI 48151-6056
Phone: 734-459-3884
mmczip@wowway.com
It’s SUMMER! My garden grows. I’m enjoying my deck and umbrella and a big glass of
Sangria. Life is good. In Ann Arbor, the Summer Festival is almost over which means
Art Fairs happen this month.
OK, I love living in Ann Arbor (even though I avoid the stadium on game days and skip
most of the Art Fairs). I know there are other great places in Southeast Michigan –
maybe where you live?
Why not drop us a note and tell us what you like best about your community? You can
send it to mpathy@mensadetroit.com
Or go further and host an event in your neighborhood. It could be visiting a local
microbrewery (contact John Voymas to help organize it), taking in a movie at a historic
theater, attending an outdoor/indoor concert or play, or just leading a neighborhood
walk (have you seen the Fairy Doors in Ann Arbor?) or visit to your local Farmer’s
Market (and subsequent cook-off/recipe sharing).
If you plan ahead, you can get it in the M-Pathy calendar or post it on our SEMM
Facebook page.
Love where you live? Share it!
From the Assistant Editor - Toby Berger
There seems to be a common theme in this month’s M-Pathy – summer! So much to do,
see, and experience, but where to start? Whatever your summertime plans may be,
consider some of the SEMM activities listed in this issue.
For example, there’s the annual SEMMer Bash on Saturday, July 20 at Kensington
Metropark (information on back cover). Looking for something to keep your children
interested during the summer months? Check out the comprehensive list of specialized
summer camps located in Southeast Michigan, compiled by SEMM’s Gifted Youth
Coordinator, Melissa Jenkins. And there are always other events listed in SEMM’s
monthly calendar to check out.
Just be sure to bring along enough liquids, (preferably water!), and plenty of sunscreen
as you venture out in this heat. Happy summer!
Distribution Manager
Tom McClure
41765 Onaway Dr.
Northville, MI 48167-2411
(248) 348-3603
atmcclure@earthlink.net
Jokes & Riddles
Humor@MensaDetroit.com
Allegra Louth
Puzzles:
Joan Rayford, Tom Shaw, Jim Szirony
Like us at mensadetroit.com/facebook, to follow the latest SEMM news.
Page 3
July 2013
SEMM co-Loc Sec Katie Jeffries
Welcome to Summer, with summer comes the
annual rite of summer in Southeast Michigan
Mensa, the SEMMer Bash! This year is promising
to be one for the books! We are going to have
tons of food, hot dogs, hamburgers and
cheeseburgers, chicken, with all the fixing, lots of
sides, sodas, adult beverages,
and desserts. If there is
anything you would like to
bring to share you are more
than welcome.
This year we are at a great
site, the South Hickory
Picnic Shelter (site “J”).
The area around it can accommodate a couple
hundred people so we will have plenty of room to
spread out and there is a lot to do just in our area
alone. We have a lovely view of the water, which
will provide a nice cooling breeze for us, there is a
volleyball court adjacent to the picnic area, and for
the kids we also are close by children’s play
equipment. The kids this year will also have a
best friend in Melissa Jenkins, she is planning a
bunch of awesome activities for all our cool smart
kids this year from geochaching, a rocket launch
and a possible boat trip, on the Island Queen.
Speaking of Island Queen we are near the boat
launch, $6 for adults and $4 for children under the
age of 16. Kensington Park also offers other fun
Coming Soon!!!!
activities like disc golf ($2 for a day pass), fishing,
fitness trail, golf ($18-25), hiking, the Splash ‘n’
Blast Waterpark (ranging from $3-$5), and of
course swimming at Martindale Beach which is
about four and half miles away. (We also have an
extra upgrade from last year, flush toilets that are
right by the shelter)
As always we are looking for volunteers to help out in
anyway. We need people to help with cooking, anyone
out there who is a self-proclaimed grill master, and
want to prove it? We are also looking for people to help
transport supplies to Kensington from our storage area
in Chelsea, so if you have a pick-up truck and want to
help, please let me know!!! To help and volunteer,
contact me at Katejeffries@gmail.com or
locsec@mensadetroit.com.
So, as we get ready for SEMMer Bash I want to remind you
to get your reservations in as soon as possible, before the
price increases on July 12 (look for the flyer for the
SEMMer Bash in the back of the M-Pathy or register online
at mensadetroit.com). You will be getting a lot for your
investment! If you have never been to a monthly gathering
this is a great place to start and if you are a regular fixture
at SEMM monthly gatherings, we can’t wait to see you
again this month!!!
Katie
by Katie Jeffries, Gen-X/Gen-Y Coordinator
July 14th will be a Gen Y activity, the where has yet to be determined. To keep up-to-date on all the latest breaking news that is
going on in Gen Y in SEMM, check us out on Facebook at SEMM Gen Y!!! We are very active and always looking for new people
to join us at our gatherings. We usually meet in the Ann Arbor area because the majority of our SIG members live in that general
area, but anyone who is willing to host is more than welcome to have us, we clean up after ourselves!
As summer comes to an end, which seems like a far time from now, but it will come sooner than you think, Gen Y will be having
its 5th Annual Gen Y Picnic!!! Who can believe it is the 5th one?!?! We started as a rag tag bunch with maybe 7 members and
now have over 30 members at last year’s event! This year we hope to have an even bigger turn out.
So mark your calendars for August 18th (and yes, I have to give a shout out to Pritpaul Mahal who will be celebrating his birthday
that day), and synchronize your watches for noon where we will meet at Gallup Park in Ann Arbor. Watch your mail for the
postcard with ALL the information in it and there will more in M-Pathy next month.
So come one, come all. Bring a friend and let’s have some amazing fun!!!
Page 4
M-Pathy
reMARK
by Betsy Y. Mark, Regional Vice Chair
As of the submission date for this column, elections
are still happening and we won’t know who our new
RVC3 will be until after June 1st. Please welcome Julia
or John as s/he begins her/his new adventure. Without
question, Region 3 will be well represented on the
AMC.
33 1/3 - the Long Play weekend! WPAM drops the needle and
spins you four days and three nights of non-stop food and fun.
That's 33 1/3% more than your average RG! Look forward to
interesting speakers, themed meals, a sock hop, silent auctions,
book sale and games, games, games. Come to Pittsburgh to
play with us over the long Labor Day weekend.
Our next RG (July 26-28) is “It's the End of the World
as We Know It...and We Feel Fine” to be hosted by
Columbus Area Mensa, whose blurb on-line in
Mensa’s calendar of events states: Join us for food,
games, speakers and a pint at our pub called
Milliways. All RG events in the hotel, 12th floor.
Waterpark passes optional. Hotel will charge one
night's room & tax (deposit) at time of reservation. $25
cancellation fee with 72 hours notice, forfeit deposit
with less than 72 hours notice. Registration, including
meals: until Jul. 1, $75; after Jul. 1, $80; Friday only,
$30; Saturday only, $55; Kids 11-18, half price; 10 &
under, free. Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark Resort,
4560 Hilton Corporate Drive, Columbus, OH 43232,
614-868-1380. Web site: www.fortrapids.com Room
rates are $99 ($159 w/ up to 4 park passes) and are
guaranteed through July 5. Use reservation code
Columbus Mensa. To register, make check out to
"Columbus Area Mensa" and mail to: Columbus RG
Treasurer, P.O. Box 292557, Columbus OH 43229.
For more information, contact Registrar Julia Ashley at
psibernaut@yahoo.com or 614-448-6023.
Registration rates are:
- postmarked Apr., $90 adult/$45 child (ages 7-14)
- postmarked May/Jun., $100/$50
- postmarked Jul. thru Aug. 25, $110 /$55
- Aug. 26 and after, $120/$60
Mensa’s next Annual Gathering will be in Fort Worth,
Texas, July 3-7. Information can be found at
http://ag2013.us.mensa.org/. It’s going to be a great
party! You may register for the 2013 Colloquium,
Between Science Fiction and Science, which is being
held July 2, immediately preceding the AG. That
information can be found on the AG website, also.
Single-day registrations are:
- Friday - $35 adult/$15 child (ages 7-14)
- Saturday - $55/$25
- Sunday - $55/$25
- Monday - $25/$15
Children 6 and under are free, and families of four of more
receive an additional $10 off for each child.
DoubleTree Greentree
500 Mansfield Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15205
800-222-8733
Website: 2013-WPAM-RG
Room rates are $94 and are guaranteed through Aug. 15. Use
reservation code Western Pennsylvania Mensa.
To register, contact auntkitti@aol.com or send a check payable to
WPAM RG with name, email, phone, address and days attending
for each registrant to Marty Flowers, 303 Diamond Dr., Moon
Township, PA 15108
For more information, contact Jodi Chase at
jodi.liv.strong@gmail.com or 412-867-8576.
LLAP and Peace,
Betsy
Betsy Yvonne Mark
rvc3@us.mensa.org
3674 Oak Drive - Ypsilanti, MI 48197
734-434-5757 (Home) or 313-530-2055 (Mobile)
Region 3 Website - http://www.region3.us.mensa.org/
Yahoo group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AMR3/
Facebook group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=71515809887
Page 5
July 2013
From the GYC
by Melissa Jenkins, Gifted Youth Coordinator
KIDS’ ACTIVITIES AT THE SEMMER BASH
This year’s bash promises to be a great one for kids! We
will be at the South Hickory Ridge Picnic Shelter near the
beach with a flush bathroom! Our lineup for kids starts at
12 noon with bottle rocket launching. Your kids fill and
launch their own rockets! If you drink pop, please save up
those liter bottles and bring them with you. SEMM will
supply the rocket decorations and the awesome launcher
that will shoot your rocket up to 100 feet into the air! Next
at 2:30pm, we will embark on a geocaching expedition lead
by our own Kurt Love. Kensington is a great place to find
caches! Here is a link describing the great caches that can
be found there.
http://www.geocaching.com/bookmarks/view.aspx?guid=13
9ee949-f9b0-4fc4-9d2f-2aed6ff5949a. Those
who have done this before know how much
fun it can be! Bring your GPS (you can still
participate if you don’t have one). Also, if
desired, bring objects to swap for something
found in a cache! We will wrap up the kids’
activities with a combined adults and families
boat tour on the Island Queen Pontoon Boat
at 6:00pm. This tour includes wildlife
interpretation and the kids are usually given
turns to drive the boat. So come on out for a
great time. Don’t miss the fun!
Greenfield Village Ticket Contest:
Families with kids who attended the Regional
Gathering were entered into a raffle for two free
Greenfield Village tickets. Rachel Hendrian, who
attended with Marizel and Kristina Porcalla, won
the tickets. Congratulations, Rachel!
Wild & Wacky Summer Camps in Southeast Michigan
I’ll conclude my column this month with descriptions of
some really unusual summer camps in the Southeast
Michigan Area. Are your kids/teens bored with the usual
campfires, craft-making, swimming, and everything else
mundane? Check out these unusual camps which are
likely to pique the interest of kids who are looking for
something new and intriguing to do this summer. All the
following camps and more can be found on the summer
camps page on the Gifted In Michigan website:
http://giftedinmichigan.wordpress.com/links-andreferences/summer-programs-summer-camps/
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum Summer Camps: This
camp is science-themed, as you might expect.
Weeklong camps have titles such as “Engineering 101”,
“It’s Electric”, “Lights, Camera, Explosion!”, etc.
Cirque Amongus Camp: Has your child ever wanted to
perform in a circus? Kids at this camp design and build
a circus performance from scratch and put on the
performance at the finale of the camp!
Camp Invention: Want to give your kid a chance to work
with his/her hands and really learn how to build and make
things and use his/her imagination? Then this is the camp
for you!
Cranbrook Institute of Science Summer Camps: These
camps aim to make hands on science learning fun! Here
are some of the titles: “Museum Boot Camp”, “Hack This
Camp”, “Harry Potter Camp”, “Behind the Camera Camp”.
Cranbrook Schools Summer Robotics Camps: Would
your child like to design and build autonomous robots
using leading edge robotics tools and techniques? Then
this is the camp for her/him!
Detroit Zoo Summer Camps: Send your child on a summer
safari to learn more about the animals of the world!
Dreamcatcher Camps: List provided by Sherry
Sparks, president-elect of MAGC (the Michigan
Association of Gifted Children). This camp list
describes many wonderful camp opportunities for gifted
children and youth.
Local Gifted School Summer Camps: Many local
gifted schools offer summer camps that are open to
any child. Examples are Emerson School Summer
Camp, Roeper Summer Day Camp, Steppingstone
School Summer Day Camp, Summers-Knoll School
Summer Camp.
The Henry Ford Summer Discovery Camps: These are
some great history camps! Here are some descriptions:
“Growing Up in America”, “On the Move”, “Seeds of Change”,
“What a Crazy Idea!”, “Hiking Through History”, “All in a Day’s
Work”.
Impression Five Lab Camps: These are some great science
camps held in the Lansing area!
Interlochen Summer Arts Camp: This is a wonderful camp
for artists of virtually every variety. It is located just outside of
Traverse City.
Mad Science Summer Camp: Another science camp. This
one allows the kids to build and assemble several take-home
projects and also engage in physical activities.
Michigan Science Center Summer Camps: The old Detroit
Science Center is now the Michigan Science Center and it has
summer camps this year! Here are some of the titles: “Critters of
the Night”, “Backyard Science”, “What’s Up Doc?”, “Eekstein’s
Space Adventures”,”Rock’n with Geology”.
Painting With a Twist Summer Kid’s Kamp: Painting and Art
Projects!
Pre-College Programs: Several exist in our area. Here is a
sampling: College for Creative Studies, Kettering University,
Lawrence Tech, Macomb Community College, Oakland
University, Schoolcraft College, University of Michigan,
Michigan State University.
Kids’ continued on page 6
Page 6
M-Pathy
Kids’ continued from page 5
The Physics of Atomic Nuclei Program: MSU houses
among other things, the National Superconducting
Cyclotron Laboratory. Teens have occasionally been
allowed to conduct experiments here. It may be worth
looking into if your teen is interested!
Robot Garage: This is the place to go for Lego building
and robot construction this summer!
Scholarship Essay Winner
Shop Rat Summer Camp: Does your kid want to learn
about plumbing, electrical, or another skilled trade? This is a
great camp for kids grade 6th through 10th who want to test
out their skills at hands on work!
Upland Hills Farm Summer Camp: Is your child crazy about
animals? This camp is great to teach kids how a farm works
and help them learn really interesting facts about farm animals
and animal husbandry.
by Phyllis Voorheis, Scholarship Chair
I am pleased to announce that SEMM had one winner this year in the 2013 Scholarship program, Katherine
Cavellier. Her winning essay follows.
Diana Mossip Memorial Scholarship $300 Winner - Katherine Cavellier, Oxford, Michigan
I have many qualities that would make me a great nurse. I am very organized, enjoy learning, and like
working with people. I have always earned all A's in school and challenge myself with advanced/honors
classes. I am currently ranked #1 at Lake Orion High School and have a 4.0 GPA.
Another strong quality I have is that I am very caring. I have helped organize fundraisers for St. Jude's
Children's Hospital and participated in several community charities. I also enjoy spending time with my 95year-old great-grandmother, who unfortunately can hardly hear and has multiple health problems. I help
clean, do errands, and listen to her many interesting stories.
One of my favorite things to do is babysit little kids. One family I work for has a 6-year-old, a 3-year-old, and
twin babies. The 3-year-old battles speech impairment on top of juvenile diabetes. They can be a lot of work,
but I love taking care of them. I have cleaned up plenty of messes and have dealt with sicknesses on many
occasions. I believe these experiences will strongly help me when I start working in the medical field.
I have been accepted into both the University of Michigan's School of Nursing and Michigan State University's
Honors Program. The curriculum at these schools would strongly support my interest in becoming a Pediatric
Nurse. I am used to working hard and my favorite subjects are math and science. I had the privilege of
working as a student intern at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital this past year. I have always been interested in
going into the medical field, but after working in several different departments of St. Joe's, I realized the
Pediatric Unit is where I belong.
With my experiences as a leader in high school band and an enthusiastic member of various team sports, I
know I have a lot to offer. In college, I will major in Nursing while concentrating on child and infant care. I will
become a registered nurse and obtain my license by passing the NCLEX exam. I hope to someday lead my
own department at a hospital and place a strong emphasis on the proper care and love for sick children.
I will also get married and have four kids of my own. I am thrilled that I will get to continue to do what I love –
working with both kids and science!
Page 7
July 2013
Submitted by Allegra Louth
Please send your jokes and comments to: humor@mensadetroit.com
The young couple invited their aged pastor for Sunday dinner. While
they were in the kitchen preparing the meal, the minister asked their
son what they were having. "Goat," the little boy replied.
"Goat?" replied the startled man of the cloth, "Are you sure about
that?"
"Yep," said the youngster. "I heard dad say to mom, 'Might as well
have the old goat for dinner today as any other day.'"
------A frog telephones the Psychic Hotline and is told, "You are going to
meet a beautiful young girl who will want to know everything about
you." The frog says, "This is great! Will I meet her at a party, or
what?"
"No," says the psychic. "Next semester in her biology class."
------There was once a snail who was sick and tired of his reputation for
being so slow. He decided to get some fast wheels to make up the
difference. After shopping around a while, he decided that the
Datsun 240-Z was the car to get. So the snail goes to the nearest
Datsun dealer and says he wants to buy the 240-Z, but he wants it
repainted "240-S".
The dealer asks, "Why 'S'?" The snail replies, "'S' stands for snail. I
want everybody who sees me roaring past to know who's driving."
Well, the dealer doesn't want to lose the unique opportunity to sell a
car to a snail, so he agrees to have the car repainted for a small fee.
The snail gets his new car and spent the rest of his days roaring
happily down the highway at top speed. And whenever anyone would
see him zooming by, they'd say "Wow! Look at that S-car go!"
(escargot)
------Q: What do you get if you cross a cocker spaniel, a poodle and a
rooster?
A: Cockerpoodledoo!
Q: How did the little Scottish dog feel when he saw a monster?
A: Terrier-fied!
Q: Why do seagulls live near the sea?
A: Because if they lived near the bay, they would be called bagels.
Puzzles
By Tom Shaw
#1
He didn’t hear Mark Anthony
As he gave his famous speech
The years of separation
Would make that quite a reach
But the starry night was an omen
He must change the status quo
Two was just a bit too much
So one would have to go
#2
Superman might challenge
If he can get it in his clutch
But no one else in history
Has lifted quite as much
#3
His trips were all quite special
Since the roads were always paved
With visions like alarm clocks
That had been micro-waved
#4
A sailor had a grudge with me
And waited for a rise
He justified his hatred
As he would anthropomorphize
The resemblance to a barroom brawl
In an old wild western town
Might then describe what happened
As I finally took him down
#5
His hungry family lost as sea
It seemed they all were clueless
They couldn’t eat the cargo
‘cause that would make them twoless
Answers on page 19
Page 8
M-Pathy
Moody
by Joan Rayford
N N E E R G S C A R E D D
W O N N T A O L U F E C A
O T G I D L R E T S A N G
D E X A L E R C O O L R O
E N O T U T O L U F E P O
P S T R F H W H O T A L F
R E S E T A F O F E E L I
E H U C H R U U Y P M U R
S A O N G G L O R I O U S
S P I U U I E C S T A T I
E P V P O C O L L E C T E
D Y N A H Y D E E R G M L
A T E N T A T I V E C I N
M L D O L E F U L U F H S
J O Y F U L A N O I T A R
D
E
R
E
H
I
N
G
N
C
D
A
A
A
R
Survivors
I’m not one to brag excessively or gloat depending on your
definition of excessive. But, when it comes to my children and
grandchildren, well now, that’s a different definition entirely. I’d
like to tell you just how proud I am. I am
simply beaming!
My two boys, each with their own teenage
boy, decided to teach the youngsters how
to survive in the wilderness. My eldest,
from Rhode Island, and his son flew into
Denver and my youngest, with his son,
drove from Oklahoma City into Denver
where they picked up the others and continued on
into Wyoming.
They left the car at a McDonald’s parking lot, shouldered their
individual sleeping bags, rifles and fishing poles and began their
perilous trek into the vast wilderness of Wyoming’s outback.
Like the TV show “Survivor” they each took a handful of rice but
unlike the show they didn’t have competitions to earn
scrumptious meals which they were sure they would have won,
hands down. They would shoot small game and catch fish to
survive like the frontiersmen did in the past. They would build a
simple shelter to stave off the elements and enjoy the fruits of
nature.
Everything went so well the first day. Visions of succulent meals
of furry little animals danced in their heads as the youngsters
listened to stories of hunting prowess and of the difficulties of
growing up in the olden days before texting and even the
R
P
Y
M
T
H
G
I
T
P
U
C
M
B
I
Word List
Angry, Bashful, Calm, Collected, Cool, Depressed,
Doleful, Down, Ecstatic, Envious, Feeling, Flat, Glorious,
Greedy, Green, Grumpy, Happy, Hopeful, Hot, Irrational,
Joyful, Lethargic, Mad, Manic, Peaceful, Red, Regretful,
Relaxed, Sad, Scared, Sorrowful, Tense, Tentative,
Thoughtful, Uncertain, Up , Uptight
Solution – 18 letters, solution on page 19
by Tom Shaw
internet. But, on the second day Nature, they learned, had a
dark evil side. Mother Nature, as it turned out, had hidden the
small game and completely forgotten to stock the stream with
fish of any size. The rice had been eaten on the very first
evening since they were certain there would be delectables
galore the next day.
Maybe a hungry Grizzly would stray into camp; Shame on him if
he did, for they would show him what a grizzly appetite was
really like, but, no tasty grizzly appeared. The stomachs
growled. They were quickly learning how cruel nature
could be.
Then, by late afternoon of the third day the ‘hungries’ had a
powerful grip and that bitch of nature, they knew, was
smiling at their misery. It was high time for survival mode to
kick in, it did! How to eat when there was nothing to eat? How to
fight off those terrible hunger pangs that not only tore at their guts
but their minds as well? How to survive in this hellish environment?
How long could they last with nothing but water? Come on brain,
get to work! Survivorman, where are you?
Abracadabra! Shazam! Then, like a lightning bolt from the blue, their
Eureka moment; it came to them simultaneously. “McDonald’s!”
They packed up their sleeping bags and trekked the grueling half
mile back to Micky Dees and a Big Mack. What could be
simpler? Why didn’t we think of it earlier?
Mother Nature, you dim-witted bitch, you lose! We are SURVIVORS!
YEA! Yes, we’ll take fries with that!
Page 9
July 2013
Managing Talent
by Ken Gass
“His excitement blew out of his eyes in great stabs of fiendish light.” ─ Jack Kerouac, On The Road
Whew…. That Kerouac can turn a phrase. (By the way,
that whole book is like that ─ it’s an incredibly masterful
piece of work.) But to the point: Are we living our lives
fully, or just pounding down the ravines we’ve made for
ourselves? Yeah, yeah, yeah; we’re gifted High IQs.
Big deal. Geniuses are a dime a dozen. By Mensa’s
standards, about one of every fifty people you run into on
the street qualifies as a genius ─ since a statistically valid
random sample of the general population is 30 or more. If
you’re in the right office of business, the odds are even
better. But people who love life to the
fullest, achieve their personal
ambitions, and fulfill their potential are
so rare that they are the true elite.
It’s a fact that you can make yourself
smarter through disciplined effort.
The mind is a plastic thing; that is, it
has the ability to change (for better or worse) over the
course of one’s lifetime. Edison once famously said that
“genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.” Let’s
break that down further á la Tom Friedman in the NY
Times, who recently wrote that what is needed is CQ and
PQ: Curiosity Quotient and Passion Quotient. Without
those, IQ is lost in space, spinning off into irrelevance.
Happily, these are quotients that are within the control of
each of us. I’ve been married over 35 years to the same
girl, Jane. People sometimes wonder if we’re still happy
after all this time. Well, I tell them that we’re still mostly
cheerful: That’s what we can control. See, intelligence and
happiness have a common characteristic: they come and
go with one’s immediate circumstances. She’s at home
when she’s at the piano’s keyboard; probably less so when
at the control panel of a nuclear power plant. I’m happy
when everything in the world is going my way. What
carries me through the tough times, though, is my ability to
change my attitude, at least most of the time, looking
forward with a positive frame of mind.
Just as one can foster better abilities through mental
exercises like chess, crossword puzzles, writing, singing,
meditation, etc., one can practice self-discovery through
following up on what puzzles you (curiosity) and getting so
excited (passion) about something that it blows out of your
eyes ─ “in great stabs of fiendish light.” Then you’ll have
a life you can really sink your teeth into.
Are you reading this newsletter online -- on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or e-reader? Still reading paper?
Why?!!??






There are lots of advantages to accessing and reading M-Pathy online:
You get the news sooner. Issues are posted by the 15th of the previous month.
You can always find your M-Pathy, 24/7.
You don’t need to recycle your M-Pathy (or file it).
Back issues are easily accessible.
E-version can contain extra material that didn’t fit/came in late.
Online, you can also see all the color pictures and text that can’t be printed in the paper version -- and click on live links to
other information.
To convert to the e-newsletter, you need to update your newsletter delivery preferences, by visiting
www.us.mensa.org/mynewsletterdelivery. If you don't have your login to American Mensa's website available, you can contact
Web Services during normal business hours at WebServices@americanmensa.org or 888-294-8035 ext. 199.
Where do you find chili beans? At the North Pole.
Page 10
M-Pathy
SEMMantics Heroes
by Jean Becker, RG Chair
SEMMantics 34, held May 3 through May 5, was a great
weekend enjoyed by about 150 of our Mensa family. We
had speakers and tournaments, adult discussions and kids’
activities. We enjoyed non-stop hospitality, dinners and
decadent desserts, and 5 different beer floats. (With the
right combination of beer and ice cream, they were
delicious. RGs are a place to try things you never would
do by yourself.) The drawing for the free hotel stay went to
William Meyer.
The Regional Gathering was the culmination of a year of
ideas, brainstorming, and preparation. The program listed
70 individuals who contributed in one way or another. Our
esteemed registrar, Larry Arbanas, won a free registration
for next year when his name was drawn from a fishbowl of
tickets given for volunteering. In spite of cries of “fix! fix!”,
the drawing was in front of the assembled crowd, the
impromptu drawer was a small child, and examination of
the tickets in the bowl, after the miraculous event, showed
his was just one name among many.
Although scores of Ms contributed to make the weekend
the success that it was, several people deserve special
mention:
Larry Arbanas, registrar
Peter Brown, treasurer
Rick Fink, tournaments
Karen Furuhjelm, hospitality
Melissa Jenkins, children’s activities
Kathy Phipps, signage & certificates
Joan Rayford, speakers & events
John Senko, program booklet
Karen Smith, games room
They have been a great team to work with, adding unique touches to the RG, which made the planning a true collaborative
effort. My deep appreciation and thanks to all of you who lent your time and talents to make SEMMantics 34 the best RG
ever—until next year!
And the winners are …
by Rick Fink, RG Tournament Director
As Tournament Director, it would normally be my pleasure to acknowledge the winners of our many tournaments.
Unfortunately, I inadvertently threw the list of winners out with the trash, my sincerest apologies.
This year we had the following tournaments:
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
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
Poker (Texas Hold’em)
Scrabble
Fluxx
Cribbage
Double Deck Cancellation Hearts
Euchre

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Joke Off
Carnelli
Song Burst
Wizard
Mensa Bowl
MensaLympics
All were well attended and I look forward to having them return. Looking at the schedule, I think there’s room for two or
three more events. I have ideas, but I welcome input. Please make your suggestions known to next year’s planning
committee (better yet, join it and make your mark on SEMMantics XXXV).
July 2013
Capital Challenge
2013 Jim Szirony
Page 11
There are many reasons why a city may become a capital city. Geography can be a factor, such as a holding strategic value, a
centralized location or accessible ports. Politics may play a role; after the Russian Revolution of 1917 the Bolsheviks moved the
country’s capital from St. Petersburg to Moscow. Whatever the reason, capital cities are the primary center of legislative and executive
bodies for a country. From the descriptions given below try and identify each capital city.
1. On December 25, 1643, a captain of the British East India
Company sailed by an uncharted and uninhabited island in the
Indian Ocean. He named it Christmas Island. At the end of the
19’Th century its capital city was established as a port for
transporting lumber to the privately owned Cocos (Keeling)
Islands. Christmas Island is presently an
Australian territory with more than 2,000
inhabitants. Name this capital city.
A. Flying Fish Cove
B. Bethlehem
C. Port Royal
D. Wellington
2. The founding of this city is said to predate
recorded history, making it the oldest capital city in the world. Its
beauty is legendary, inspiring authors such as Mark Twain and
Agatha Christie. It is said the Prophet Muhammad refused to
enter this city as “man should only enter paradise once.” At
present a brutal civil war threatens its architectural and historical
treasures.
A. Manama, Bahrain
B. Doha, Qatar
C. Muscat, Oman
D. Damascus, Syria
3. Located on the slopes of an active volcano, this capital city
became a seat of government on Dec. 6, 1534, when a
lieutenant of Francisco Pizarro established a municipal council.
Founder’s Day is still commemorated with a weeklong
celebration. The old town area of this city has preserved its
Spanish colonial appearance and has been designated a World
Heritage site by UNESCO. This city is the oldest capital in South
America and is situated at the highest altitude of all legal
national capitals.
A. Lima, Peru
B. Kathmandu, Nepal
C. Santiago, Chile
D. Quito, Ecuador
4. Founded as a temporary and movable Buddhist monastery,
this capital city changed its location nearly 30 times before the
building of the Da Khure Monastery in 1639. Once known as
Urga, this capital city was occupied in 1921 by troops of the
Soviet Red Army. In 1924 the city was given its present name,
which translates as “Red Hero.” This city has the distinction of
being connected to both the Trans-Siberian Railway and the
Chinese rail systems.
A. Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
B. Ulaanbaator (Ulan Bator), Mongolia
C. T’bilisi, Georgia
D. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
5. Located at the junction of three river systems, this metropolis
began as a natural meeting point for fur traders and explorers. The
War of 1812 created a need for shipbuilding timber, spurring
development of this city. In 1857, Queen Victoria chose this city
over four others vying to be the territory’s new Capital. Large
segments of the city were destroyed by fire in both 1900 and
1916. Showing remarkable foresight, a master plan for city
development was proposed in 1936. A key component of this
plan was the establishment of parks, public spaces and a
“greenbelt” of undeveloped land around the city.
A. Montreal, Canada
B. Toronto, Canada
C. Ottawa, Canada
D. Fredericton, New Brunswick
6. Founded by the governor of Buenos Aires in 1726, the city was
a stronghold against advancing Portuguese forces, who wished to
expand their empire. In the early 1800’s five nations alternately
occupied the city. Beginning in 1843 the city endured a 9 year
siege by Argentinean and Brazilian forces. As a result, port
facilities were expanded and the city became the major trade and
transport hub of the country. Forty percent of the nation’s citizens
reside in this capital city.
A. Paramaribo, Suriname
B. Montevideo, Uruguay
C. Bogota, Columbia
D. Georgetown, Guyana
7. This landlocked, German speaking country covers only 62
square miles and is located entirely within the Alps. Originally
consisting of two different lordships, the family after whom the
country is named purchased both lordships in order to increase
their power and gain a seat in the Reichstag. In 1719 Holy Roman
Emperor Charles VI declared the united territories a principality and
a member state of the Holy Roman Empire. He also named the
country after this family. It took another 120 years before one of
royal princes stepped foot in their principality. Although neutral in
both World Wars, during the Cold War diplomatic relations with
Slovakia and the Czech Republic were severed. It took until 2009
for relations to be reestablished. Name the former lordship that is
now capital of this principality.
A. Vaduz, Liechtenstein
B. Andorra la Vella, Andorra
C. Mote Carlo, Monico
D. Valetta, Malta
Answers on page 19
Page 12
M-Pathy
Enjoy these memories from SEMMantics 34. Thanks to our photographers for capturing these images:
Larry Arbanas, Jean Becker, Faith Elkins, Dakota Jenkins, Harvey Somers, Phyllis Voorheis, and John Voymas.
Hope to see your picture here next year!
July 2013
Page 13
More memories from SEMMantics 34. Be sure to join us next year for SEMMantics 35!
Page 14
M-Pathy
Golden Owl Award
by John Voymas
In 1984, Southeast Michigan Mensa initiated the Golden Owl award to honor those who have had a continuing and
abiding interest in the good and welfare of Mensa in general, and Southeast Michigan Mensa in particular. Additionally,
a recipient has been an active local or national officer or activities chair serving with distinction for a minimum of three (3)
years, or performed some other activity of a singularly distinctive and significant nature benefiting Southeast Michigan
Mensa. Finally, they had to have been a past or present member in good standing of Southeast Michigan Mensa.
You could equate the Golden Owl award with the Congressional Medal of Honor (without the battle) for SEMM. It is the
highest honor that can be bestowed upon a member of SEMM who has dedicated a significant part of themselves to the
betterment of Mensa.
The inaugural class of recipients included Gabe Werba and Phelps Hines as well as three others. That was the largest
class of honorees. Since then, there have only been thirteen other years in which one or two people were chosen for the
award. A gap of several years preceded this year’s Golden Owl recipients: Harley Berger and Gary Rimar.
GOLDEN OWL AWARD RECIPIENTS:
1984
Gabe Werba, Phelps Hines,
Charlotte Jermyn, Bette Gay, John Snow
1985
Wally Gannon
1986
Regina Love, Li Quezada
1988
Jerry Breuer, Jim Draper
1990
Jean Becker
1992
Armas Lamsa
1995
Bob Strauch
1996
Betsy Mark, Karen Minturn Brown
1998
Dan Burg
1999
Ed Becker, Ed Pirtle
2000
Peter Brown, Brenda Lewis
2001
John Senko
2003
Pauline Averbach
2013
Harley Berger, Gary Rimar
At SEMMantics 34, Harley Berger (left) and Gary Rimar (right) were ceremoniously presented
with their Golden Owl Awards by Outgoing Loc Sec John Voymas.
July 2013
On the Web
Page 15
by Kathleen Giesting
It’s back! The occasional column on all things on the Mensa web. This month we look at newsletter delivery and access
options, and how to update your profile.
Publishing our newsletter online – at www.us.mensa.org -- saves us money and ensures that the information you want is
accessible 24/7. It also allows us to add color pictures and additional material. Extra printed pages mean extra printing and
mailing costs.
As an e-subscriber, you get a direct link to the newsletter online as soon as it’s posted – usually by the 15th of the prior
month. The link arrives in your email. Print subscribers see the newsletter when the post office gets it delivered. Timing
varies across our member area, and we have no control over this other than to get the printed copies to the post office as
early as we can. (A job done very ably and timely by our Circulation and Distribution Managers!)
To access and update your profile, and opt-in to e-distribution of the newsletter, log in to www.us.mensa.org and click on
the Edit Profile link under the Welcome message in the right column. This
link is available anytime you are logged in, from any page.
Once on the Membership profile page, scroll down, past the Password
Information area (where you can change your login password if you like),
to the ePublications Information area.
Click on the radio button (that little round circle) in front of the words “I
prefer to receive my local publications electronically if available.” Check to
make sure that the email address in the box is the one at which you wish to
be notified of the latest newsletter, and click Save Changes. All done. And
any time, from anywhere, you can log in and find our newsletters, current
and past (well, back to 2002) at https://www.us.mensa.org/read/groupnewsletters/
Once you’re logged in, you’ll see that they recognize your Region -- Great
Lakes and Ohio Valley (03). Select SEMM from the Local Group list and
M-Pathy is displayed as the Newsletter name. Then click on Search and
Filter to see the issues in reverse chronological order.
Do you know Gen Y?
by Katie Jeffries, Gen-X/Gen-Y Coordinator
Are you a Gen Y? Looking for a SIG (Special Interest Group) where you fit in with your peers, but you are not a Gen X and not
part of the Teen SIG? That is where we come in. Gen Y is for Mensa members born between the years 1974 and 1995. We
have fun all the time. At the AGs, we have a suite where we can just hang out. The hot tub stories are of legend (but don’t tell
anyone, they are a secret; I’ve said too much already).
Locally we have awesome monthly get-togethers (usually hosted by Co-Loc Sec Billie Lee, which is awesome that she opens her
house to us). Every August we BBQ, and every December we have a book exchange. To check us out nationally, go to
www.GenYMs.org. To follow our local group, go to Facebook and search for SEMM Gen Y. We will also be posting our
gatherings on the MensaDetroit.com calendar.
M-Pathy
July Membership Notes
WELCOME
Keith L. Bennett
601 E Madge Ave
Hazel Park, MI 48030-2088
248-331-6923
sundin213@aol.com
Eric Kuangyue Liu
Northville, MI 48168-8000
Page 16
Compiled by Iana Questara Boyce from National Office Data
WELCOME BACK continued
Jamie M. Prahler
Waterford, MI 48327-1841
prahler@ameritech.net
Jason Schug
147 N Military St
Dearborn, MI 48124-1034
313-565-2913
jschug@umich.edu
Kim K. Williams
2605 Greenstone Blvd Apt 211
Auburn Hills, MI 48326-3758
248-885-7778
kim_keala@hotmail.com
Carol Anne Wittig
PO Box 432
Saint Clair, MI 48079-0432
810-326-2624
WELCOME BACK
Sara Jane Dallas
21205 E Glen Haven Cir # CR
Northville, MI 48167-2467
248-305-8316
MOVED OUT
Dirk R. Kemp
To Rosemount, MN
Peter E. Murphy
To San Antonio, TX
Brooke Elliott
1698 Mantucket Rd
Plymouth, MI 48170-1025
DIRECTORY UPDATES
Katherine E. Fennimore*
20025 Mayfield St
Livonia, MI 48152-1304
Scott Gebauer
2705 Warwick Dr
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304-1861
Douglas M. Grosjean
23050 Arlington St
Dearborn, MI 48128-1806
313-434-2699
Mark Harbeck
Ann Arbor, MI 48105-9551
Carole Ann Kronberg
15760 Virgil St
Detroit, MI 48223-1053
313-538-4823
MensaBunny@yahoo.com
Brent Allan Hartzell
15265 Keppen Ave
Allen Park, MI 48101-2955
703-943-9849
Christian J. Nieman
Birmingham, MI 48009-3627
Robert E. Strauch*
PO Box 7882
Ann Arbor, MI 48107-7882
*indicates a Life Member
Page 17
July 2013
MENSA MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES
[Number of years of continuous membership. Years 25 or more listed for each year; years less than 25 listed for 5-year milestones.]
25+:
48 Years
L. Ray Bishop*
Janet L. Kreger*
41 Years
Paul Anthony Cullis
39 Years
Tom K. Clough
35 Years
Dennis Wayne Dickinson*
34 Years
Richard E. Buck
Oakley Reynolds
31 Years
Barbara Joan Kalbfleisch
Betsy Yvonne Mark*
Eugene O. Mauch
30 Years
Murdoch Thomas Campbell*
Susan Jane Chalom
Cecile T. Frogh*
29 Years
Sonee Spinner Lapadot
27 Years
Gregory C. Jeppesen
26 Years
Bruce Douglas Grant
25 Years
Clinton C. Williams*
15 Years
Lisa A. Kunkleman
10 Years
Linda Helen Dudaryk
Sara Moore
5 Years
Kaegan Maddelein
Marcella Wojtyca
*indicates a Life Member
We extend our heartfelt sympathies for
the family and friends of
Vikki Kelley
from Holly, Michigan
who passed away recently.
Page 18
M-Pathy
HAPPY JULY BIRTHDAYS!
1
13
Michael V. Dean*
2
Jenny Deason Copeland
Scott Gebauer
Andrew G. Celeski
Michael B. Courtney
Janet L. Kreger*
Barbara Jean McCaffery
Virginia H. Quezada
14
16
6
Mark Roy Bendure
Robert Ward Pearce
Andrea Z. Tawil
8
Clarke Cunningham
Steven Linn
Daffyd E. MacSteaphan
Harry Pianko
28
Karen Minturn Brown
Daniel F. Mawby
C. M. Novess III
29
Ray M. Beall
Carole Ann Kronberg
30
Scott A. Kudirka
Derald R. Schnepp*
William H. Wiebrecht
18
Fautimah Doumbouya Amin
Sandra Meria Keavey
31
19
22
Diane D. Constable*
Robert S. Tomak
David Michael Vincent
Richard Cook
David Max Evans
Sharon A. Suhrie*
David Kleinberg
Christian J. Nieman
23
11
Gerald S. Clarke
Thomas Powers III
Anne Marie Baer
Sherri L. Loweke
Venar Ayar
Jean M. Rauchholz
Amy M. Bradford
Joseph P. Seledotis
12
27
Robert E. Brooks*
Ann P. K. Marks
Michael David Turner
9
10
Robert Wellington Fisher
Kristina Raines
Kevin A. Williams
17
7
Mark Edwin Blazevic
John Szymkowski
Rudolph Bates III
Kenneth A. Haller*
Nicole Sherard-Freeman
15
5
Ed Paddock III*
26
As of May 1, 2013
SEMM had 1,039 members
25
James Blumberg
Darlena A. Wiegand
*indicates a Life Member
The dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.
July 2013
Page 19
SEMM Events Listing
Events are listed by Category: Dining, Social Gatherings, Movies, Brain Food (Discussion/Working Groups), Games,
and Children’s Events. Events are also listed by date in a Monthly Calendar view at the end of this section.
M-Pathy is published monthly and reflects information as of the 1st of the preceding month. For the latest events
information, see www.MensaDetroit.com. To sponsor an event, give feedback on events, or to suggest a new activity,
email Calendar@MensaDetroit.com NOTE: Mensans lead busy lives; it is advisable to call ahead to confirm events.
Dining
DOWNRIVER 2nd SATURDAY BRUNCH
2nd Saturday, 10:45am
Note: We’ve moved to the second Saturday of every
month and are alternating between two restaurants, one
in Southgate (even months) and one in Westland (odd
months).
This month: Fire Mountain, 34615 Warren Rd.,
Westland, S side of the road, just E of Wayne Rd.
Optional: A movie after at nearby theater.
RSVP to join the distribution list, for location details -- or
to suggest a movie.
Host: Pauline Averbach 734-281-2726, 734-751-2304
cell, semmtest@paverbach.us
Host: Karen Smith 734-449-2359, cell phone 248-444-3813.
Email karenls@ameritech.net to join the distribution list.
FLINT AREA GASTRONAUTS
4th Tuesday, 6:30pm.
We move around frequently as we sample local and sometimes
not so local cuisine. At each monthly dinner we decide where to
go the next month, preferably within 25 miles of Flint.
Hosts: Lynne and James Draper 810-624-1791 (call or text).
Email: paradyme4@comcast.net to join our distribution list
A3M DINNER AND "NOT SO CHEAP" MOVIE NIGHT
2nd Wednesday, 5:30pm
Holiday's Restaurant, 2080 W. Stadium, Ann Arbor,
between Liberty and Pauline, across from the P.O.
Movie at Quality 16, 3686 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor.
RSVP to reserve a place or for movie details.
Hosts: Karen Smith 734-449-2359, Mike LaMoreaux
734-971-2242. Email Karen karenls@ameritech.net to
join her Ann Arbor distribution list.
A3M EATOUT
Wednesday. July 31, 6:30pm.
Join us at Cafe Ollie in Depot Town for their array of creative
sandwiches and entrees, including veggie and vegan. The
house mac 'n' cheese is excellent! Decor by local artists,
plus bins of vinyl records available for sale/browsing.
Afterward stroll through Riverside Park. 42 East Cross St,
Ypsilanti. Parking available on street or in lot across the
street. Restaurant phone is 734-482-8050. .
Hosts: Bob Strauch, 734-973-6522, cell 734-604-3791;
bstra2012@aol.com and Ann Garvin. Email Ann at
agarvin224@aol.com to join the distribution list.
A3M BRUNCH (and a movie?)
2nd Saturday, 10:30am
Big Boy Restaurant, 3611 Plymouth Rd, NE Ann Arbor
(use Red Roof Inn driveway) Breakfast bar buffet 'til
2:00pm or order off the menu. Look for us in our own
section!
Optional: A3M 2nd SATURDAY MOVIE after
RSVP to reserve a place or for movie details.
TRI-CITIES DINNER GROUP
3rd Wednesday, 6:30pm.
We pick a new restaurant to try in the Midland, Bay City, or
Saginaw area each month. We have a different speaker at
each dinner!
Coordinator: Grant Smith 989-792-9850. Email
rgrantsmith8@gmail.com to join the distribution list and learn
about the speaker.
Puzzle Answers
Tom Shaw Puzzles:
#1 Vincent Van Gogh, #2 Atlas, #3 Salvadore Dali, #4 Moby Dick, #5 Noah
Joan Rayford Word Search:
Don’t get so emotional
Jim Szirony Answers:
1. A, 2. D, 3. D (9,350 ft.), 4. B, 5. C, 6. B, 7. A
Page 20
M-Pathy
Social Gatherings
SOTS—SOUTH OAKLAND TAVERN SOCIALIZERS
Every Friday, 6:00pm
Wrap up your week and help audition new taverns.
Lively conversation, entertaining company.
Host: Lee Helms 248-895-6389, email
leehelms@wideopenwest.com to join distribution list or
call Lee for information.
THE BREWERY CIRCUIT
Wednesday, July 17, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Kuhnhenn Brewing, 5919 Chicago Road, Warren, (just
east of Mound Rd). Please RSVP if you are coming and
how many guests.
Host: John Voymas 313-434-6750, email
johnvoymas@yahoo.com to join distribution list.
Movies
A3M 1ST WEDNESDAY ART FILM (QUIRKY MOVIE)
1st Wednesday, 5:30pm
Mr. Greek's Coney Island, 215 South State, Ann Arbor.
Movies at Michigan Theatre and/or the State Theatre.
RSVP to reserve a place or for movie details.
Hosts: Rich Bury 734-929-2066, rdbury@gmail.com &
Karen Smith 734-449-2359, karenls@ameritech.net
RSVP to reserve a place or for movie details.
Hosts: Karen Smith 734-449-2359, Mike LaMoreaux 734-971-2242.
Email Karen karenls@ameritech.net to join distribution list.
A3M DINNER AND "NOT SO CHEAP" MOVIE NIGHT
2nd Wednesday, 5:30pm (see above)
http://www.dia.org/detroitfilmtheatre/14/DFT.aspx
A3M 2nd SATURDAY MOVIE
2nd Saturday, after the Brunch (see above)
Quality 16, 3686 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. Discount
prices are in effect at this time.
FRIDAY FILMS IN DETROIT
Fridays, 6:55pm, by Exit 2 (not aisle 2)
Detroit Institute of Art, 5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit. For
movie schedule, see
RSVP (Leave a description if we haven’t met)
Host: Sharon Suhrie 313-563-8609, sharonsuhrie@earthlink.net
Optional: Convene after the movie at http://www.trafficjamdetroit.com
Brain Food - (Discussion/Working Groups)
RAM—ROCHESTER AREA MENSA
2nd Sunday, 5:00pm
RAM is the last refuge of Mensan science nerds and
technophiles. We meet in the Rochester area.
Host: John Blinke 248-659-8438, johnb44221@cs.com
for restaurant directions – or to suggest a topic.
U of M SATURDAY MORNING PHYSICS LECTURES/BRUNCH
Selected Saturdays, October-April, 10:00am Join us in the Fall!
FREE!!! Lectures, bagels, donuts and coffee. Parking $2 across
the street. Brunch and discussion after nearby. See
www.saturdaymorningphysics.org
Host: Rick Bollinger 734-645-7170, richard.bollinger@ieee.org
Games
4th SATURDAY GAMES IN SHELBY TOWNSHIP
4th Saturday, 1:00pm to whenever, 1950 Crystal Lake Court West,
Bldg C, Apt. 46, Shelby Township. RSVP appreciated. Smoke
and alcohol-free, fun for all. Are you a games person? Just want
to socialize? Please stop by. We have a variety of games to play,
such as Outburst, Quirkle, Word on the Street, Settlers of Catan, or
cards for Hearts and Euchre, or BYOG (Bring Your Own Game).
Non-alcoholic beverages and snacks provided or BYO to share.
Host: Phyllis Voorheis , 313-719-1696
PhyllisVoorheis@yahoo.com
LONDON, ONTARIO GAMES NIGHT
2nd Saturday, 7:00pm
Drop by any time after 7:00pm to play games or just socialize.
Hosts have a wide variety of games, but feel free to bring your
own favorites. Location: 35 Scottsdale Street in Lambeth
(SW area of London).
Hosts: Lois and Pete Fuchs 519-652-0282,
petefuchs@bell.net
Page 21
July 2013
Kids’ Events
A leader or facilitator is present at all events, but s/he may or may not be an M. Visit the Events Page at
www.giftedinmichigan.com to get details, to RSVP, to identify the event leader, and/or to volunteer. Events may be
cancelled if no RSVPs are received for an event, or if for some other reason an event must be cancelled, a
cancellation email will be sent for the event at least 24 hours prior to the event time. A phone number will be
provided for each event. If it is difficult to find the group at an event (due to a crowded/busy location, for example),
please call the leader at the phone number provided so that s/he may help guide you to the group.
Host: Melissa Jenkins, gifted_in_mi@sbcglobal.net
Gifted In Michigan Picnic
Sunday, July 7, 12:00 noon, Rochester, MI
Greenfield Village Ragtime Street Fair
Sunday, July 14, 11:00am, Dearborn, MI
Henry Ford Maker Faire
Saturday, July 27, 10:00am, Dearborn, MI
SAVE THE DATE!
Wednesday, August 28, 6:30pm for Meet in the Middle in Livingston County
Page 22
M-Pathy
July 2013
SUN
MON
1
TUE
2
WED
3
THU
4
July 3-7 Mensa AG in
Fort Worth, Texas
7
8
9
12:00pm Kids
Gifted In Michigan
Picnic
14
15
16
17
SAT
6
6:00pm SOTS
11
5:30pm A3M Dinner &
NSC Movie
11:00am Kids
Greenfield Village
Ragtime Street Fair
5:00pm Rochester
Area Mensa
21
5:30pm A3M
Art/Quirky Movie
10
FRI
5
12
13
6:00pm SOTS
10:30am A3M Brunch (& movie?)
10:45am Downriver BrunchWestland
18
6:00pm Brewery
Circuit
19
7:00pm London Games Night
20
6:00pm SOTS
11:00am SEMMer Bash
26
27
6:00pm SOTS
10:00am Kids
Henry Ford Maker Faire
6:30pm Tri-Cities
Dinner Group
22
23
24
6:30pm Flint Area
Gastronauts
25
1:00pm 4th Saturday Games
Shelby Township
28
29
30
31
6:30pm A3M EatOut
Précis of May 18, 2013 ExComm Meeting Minutes
by Harvey Somers, ExComm Secretary
In attendance: 8 Voting members; 6 others.
Annual Business: Appointed voting and some nonvoting officers. Remaining non-voting positions to be addressed at June
meeting. [Ed. Note: Officers’ listing is on page 23.]
April Minutes approved as corrected. Officer Reports: CD is up for 1 year renewal in early June. SEMM volunteering at Channel
56’s membership drive in June.
OLD BUSINESS Regional Gathering held May 3-5. Attendance down 9.6% vs. 2012 with fewer families with children attending.
For this RG, 140 adults attended; 11 children under age 10. Number of hotel room nights: “disappointing.” At 100 “room nights,” RG
saves $1,000 in hotel service charges, but as room count was only 93, opportunity lost. Hotel voluntarily reduced charges by $300.
Preliminary profit of $1,700; savings found in several areas and registration was up $5 to offset increased hotel’s meal cost/person.
Surveys being tallied. July M-Pathy will be 24 pages to accommodate RG pictures. RG Wrap-up meeting June 8. Issues for 2014:
Hotel nights, conflict of RG dates with other events.
SEMMer Bash is July 20. Costco found to offer better prices than GFS. $200 fee to use the park location has been paid. Activities
and events still being planned.
NEW BUSINESS ExComm members challenged to define new goals for the 2013-2014 program year, possibly addressing, e.g.
Scholarship fund, Member communications, Community projects, Outdoor activities, Web use, Bylaws review, etc.
Next ExComm meeting: Saturday, June 15, 2013, 6:00pm, Northwestern Unitarian Universalist Church, 23925 Northwestern
Highway in Southfield.
Executive
July 2013 Committee of Southeast Michigan Mensa - Elected Officers
General Representative
General Representative
Katie Jeffries
Billie Lee
Harley Berger
Harvey Somers
Jerry Breuer
Betsy Y. Mark
Bob Strauch
James D. Draper
Lynne A. Draper
Judy Johnson
Grant Smith
Pauline Averbach
George Stankow
Regional Gathering Chair
Membership
Newsletter Editor
Jean Becker
Kurt Love
Kathleen Giesting
Arbitrator and Ombudsman
Archivist
David Brown
Edward Becker
Chuck McQueen
Geoffrey Vasquez
Felecia Studstill
Jerry Breuer
James D. Draper
ombudsman@mensadetroit.com
Archivist@mensadetroit.com
AuditCom@mensadetroit.com
AuditCom@mensadetroit.com
AuditCom@mensadetroit.com
BudgetCom@mensadetroit.com
BudgetCom@mensadetroit.com
734-458-1194
810-229-2113
586-468-7096
248-346-1614
Lynn Broniak-Hull
Volunteers@mensadetroit.com
734-451-7278
Spencer Wolff
Katie Jeffries
Melissa Jenkins
Pauline Averbach
DuesSubsidy@mensadetroit.com
genxy@mensadetroit.com
GiftedCoord@mensadetroit.com
MusicInSchools@MensaDetroit.com
734-327-4884
248-961-1444
248-586-9926
734-281-2726
Pauline Averbach
Testing@mensadetroit.com
734-281-2726
Larry Arbanas
Edward Becker
Pauline Averbach
Vacant
Vacant
Gary Rimar
Phyllis Voorheis
Katie Jeffries
Steve Goodhall
John Voymas
Billie Lee
Harley Berger
Toby Berger
publisher@mensadetroit.com
Parliamentarian@mensadetroit.com
Testing@mensadetroit.com
Inkslinger@mensadetroit.com
PR@mensadetroit.com
Recruitment@mensadetroit.com
Scholarships@mensadetroit.com
SEMMerBash@mensadetroit.com
ForumMod@mensadetroit.com
SIGHT@mensadetroit.com
webmaster@mensadetroit.com
winterbash@mensadetroit.com
Mpathy@mensadetroit.com
http://mensadetroit.com
http://mensadetroit.com/facebook
323-642-7226
810-229-2113
734-281-2726
Co-Presidents (LocSecs)
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Co-Vice Presidents
Ann Arbor Area
Co-Vice Presidents
Northeast Michigan
locsec@mensadetroit.com
VP@mensadetroit.com
Secretary@mensadetroit.com
Treasurer@mensadetroit.com
AnnArbor@mensadetroit.com
AnnArbor@mensadetroit.com
Flint@mensadetroit.com
Flint@mensadetroit.com
Flint@mensadetroit.com
Flint@mensadetroit.com
genrep1@mensadetroit.com
genrep2@mensadetroit.com
248-961-1444
248-535-8524
248-210-3563
734-780-6907
734-459-1886
734-434-5757
734-973-6522
810-744-1252
810-744-1252
810-240-3801
810-694-3560
734-281-2726
Appointed Officers-Voting
semmantics@mensadetroit.com
membership@mensadetroit.com
Mpathy@mensadetroit.com
810-229-2113
586-293-1456
734-327-4884
Appointed Officers—Non-Voting
Audit Committee
Budget Committee
Community Volunteer
Coordinator
Dues Subsidy Administrator
Gen-X/Gen-Y Coordinator
Gifted Youth Coordinator
Music In the Schools
National Testing Day
Coordinator
Newsletter Publisher
Parliamentarian
Proctor Coordinator
Project Inkslinger
Publicity
Recruitment Officer
Scholarship Chair
SEMMer Bash Chair
SEMM Forum Moderator
SIGHT
Web Master
Winter Bash Chair
Assistant Newsletter Editor
SEMM Website
SEMM Facebook Website
734-459-1886
810-744-1252
248-338-7867
248-437-1509
248-961-1444
248-334-9073
313-434-6750
248-535-8524
248-210-3563
248-851-3563
Page 23
editorial policy
Mensa, as a group, holds no opinion on
any subject. Its members do. All opinions
expressed in M-Pathy are those of the
individual authors. The editor will
consider for publication all materials
submitted by SEMM members.
Anonymous material will not be printed,
but names will be withheld upon request.
Anything libelous and/or obscene will not
be printed. The editor reserves the right
to edit any submission for length or
clarity. Other Mensa publications are
granted permission to reprint any
material that does not contain a copyright
notice. Attribution to M-Pathy and the
author are required. A courtesy copy to
the M-Pathy editor is requested. Written
permission to reprint must accompany all
copyrighted materials.
advertising
M-Pathy accepts prepaid ads either
digitally or in camera-ready format.
Please contact the editor for ad
dimensions. Copy and payment must
arrive at the editorial office no later than
the first day of the month preceding the
target issue. Rates for members: fullpage $55; half page $30; quarter-page
$16; business card $7. For nonmembers: full page $75; half-page $42;
quarter-page $22; business card $10.
Make checks payable to SEMM.
membership
Mensa is an international society whose
only membership requirement is a score
at or above the 98thpercentile on any of
several, standard IQ tests. Mensa is notfor-profit and its only purpose is to serve
as a means of communication and
assembly for its members. Mensa is not
affiliated with any other organization. For
membership information, call (800)66MENSA, write to American Mensa, Ltd.,
at the address below, or email
AmericanMensa@mensa.org.
Prospective members can arrange for
local, SEMM testing by calling (810)9392560.
postmaster
Send address changes to:
M-Pathy c/o American Mensa, Ltd.
1229 Corporate Drive
West Arlington, Texas 76006-6103
Page 24
M-Pathy
M-Pathy
(ISSN 0744-9763)
C/O American Mensa, Ltd.
1229 Corporate Drive West
Arlington, TX 76006-6103
Periodicals Postage Rates
Paid at Southfield, Michigan
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
SEMMer Bash
Kensington Metropark
2240 W. Buno Road
Milford, MI 48380
Saturday, July 20, 2013
11:00am until dusk
The all out, no hold spared picnic of the summer! The most fun you will have all season! Come out for great food
(hamburgers, hot dogs, side dishes, desserts and anything you would like to bring), fun in the sun, a splash in the lake, a
boat ride, rent a bike, play on the swings, bring a football, or just kick back and relax and enjoy the nature! We will have fun
things planned for kids of all ages.
This year we will be at South Hickory Ridge Picnic Shelter “J”. It is located about 5 miles from the beach, has a lovely view
of the water, children’s play equipment, volleyball, and best of all, a flush bathroom! Come early, and stay late, remember
to bring the sunscreen, a huge appetite, and get ready for a day of fun in the sun-- we have sunshine on order! Also, don’t
forget to bring your favorite card and board games! (Adults over 21, bring your favorite adult beverages if you like.)
If you would like to volunteer, please contact Katie at Katejeffries@gmail.com
ADMISSION FEE TO PICNIC:
$5.00 PER CHILD UNDER 10,
$7.50 PER ADULT IN ADVANCE
AT THE DOOR:
To use PayPal, go to http://mensadetroit.com.
Tell us your name and how many people are
coming with you!
$7.50 PER CHILD UNDER 10,
$10.00 PER PERSON


======================================================================
SEMMer BASH 2013 REGISTRATION COMPLETE AND MAIL THIS PORTION BY JULY 12, 2013 TO:
Kate Jeffries
1974 Marcastle Ct
Rochester Hills, MI 48309
YOUR NAME:
TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED: $
Checks made payable to “SEMM”
Do NOT send cash
# OF TICKETS:___Children ___ Adults