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Palm-Mensa©
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Palm Beach County Mensa October, 2001
most recently updated Tuesday, October 1st, 2001 |
Happy Halloween! |
Contents
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News and Notices * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Congratulations to Allardyce Hamill of Fort Pierce who is now an officially certified Proctor. Deche (as she prefers to be called) had to observe 2 testing sessions and be observed giving 2 before she was certifed. We started the process last April and, amazingly enough; it didn't take as long as we thought it would. Now Deche can test as often as she wants at a great site, St. Andrews Church, right on the water. Thank you, Deche, for your patience! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Four Mensa Admission Test Sessions are planned for October and November. In Delray Beach and Port St. Lucie, 2 proctors will be working hard on National Testing Day, October 20; another session is planned for October 27 in Fort Pierce. In November there will be a session in West Palm Beach. If you know of someone who's been talking about joining Mensa, now's time to get their name and address to Elissa. A full report on NTD next month! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Big Deal in December. Our chapter is hosting the 4th quarter board meeting of the American Mensa Committee (AMC), November 30, December 1 & 2, at the Airport Hilton in West Palm Beach. We need 2 kinds of volunteers--transportation experts and hospitality experts--to help make this meeting a great success for the AMC. When AMC members deplane, it would be nice to have a friendly south Florida Mensan escort them to the Hilton. Most members arrive Friday afternoon. We will have a hospitality suite for Friday and Saturday nights; it would be great to a couple members stock the suite with snacks and drinks-we do get a subsidy from the National Office to offset costs. If you would like to volunteer to help make this event a fun one for all, please call Elissa, 561.272-0475 or email elissa12@bellsouth.net. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Thanks to Dan Tobias who has volunteered to bring Palm Beach County Mensa's Bylaws into compliance with the latest iterations from the National Office. We are also thinking of changing the name of our group to Palm Beach Area Mensa (instead of "county" since we take in more than one county). What do you think? Are you in favor? Not in favor? Have a better name in mind? Let's hear it! Email Barry or Elissa with your input. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Regional Gatherings October 12-14 - FloRanGe '01 in Hollywood, FL. Web site: www.geocities.com/broward_mensa/pages/florange.html or Registrar: Jerry Fortner, POB 100457, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33310;954.572.6049; drhea@mindspring.com January 25-27, 2002 - Heart of Florida's "Smarti Gras" in Orlando, FL. Registrar: Eddie Trulove, 3333 Honeysuckle Lane, Orlando, FL 32812; 407.855.9078; truluvs@cfl.rr.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Positions still to be filled.... Scholarship Chair-to distribute information to schools about Mensa's scholarship program that last year awarded over $50,000 to deserving students. Please contact Barry or Elissa if interested. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
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Elissa Rudolph This will be a short message this month. As I write this I'm getting prepared for the September AMC meeting in Ontario, California. We have a full agenda, as usual. For those of you who considered the "centralized mailing" project proposed by Scott Rainey, look for the lowdown on that subject in November's "Tenth Story." The other project discussed this past month was a newsletter exchange among all 12 groups. Results of that are not complete as yet. Consider this: What if we had a regional web site where you could go to check on deadlines or descriptions of national programs, upcoming gatherings, mini-minutes of AMC meetings, useful ideas from other Region 10 groups-would that be a better solution to sharing information than 11 more newsletters landing in your mailbox?? Email me with your thoughts. Only 3 of our region's 12 groups will be not be participating in National Testing Day, October 20. That is a very good result, especially when you realize that 2 of the groups are not involved because they have no certified proctors. We're working on that challenge! I hope the rest of the groups have terrific results at their testing sessions!! North of us the leaves are changing colors; but we have license plates that change color (as the snowbirds arrive)....have a wonderful October! See you at FLoRanGe?? Coming Attractions: FLoRanGe '01, Broward Mensa, October 12-14, Coral Springs (new location), hurricane or no hurricane, Registrar: Jerry Fortner, gfortner@mindspring.com Middle Keys Mini-G, Miami Mensa, November 9-11, at the Lime Tree Bay Resort, 1-800-723-4519 or 305-664-4740. It's on Long Key. Call Jenny Brown or Stan Berkovitch, 305-652-3547 for details. Sounds like a fun, relaxing time! AMC Meeting, Airport Hilton, West Palm Beach, November 30, December 1 & 2. Call me for details. AMC meetings are open to all Mensans. Join Palm Beach Mensans in welcoming the AMC on Friday night-hospitality Florida-style. AMC members are very happy to be coming to our warm Gold Coast for a December meeting.... Smarti Gras, Central Florida Mensa, January 25-27, 2002, Orlando, Registrar: Eddie Truelove, truluvs@cfl.rr.com.
Elissa Rudolph |
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Barry Karas ATTACK. I was trying to think of something pithy and original to write about the Sept. 11th attacks, but to no avail. My heart goes out to those who suffered and are still suffering, the murdered and injured people and their families and close friends. At the same time I am proud of the service personnel (the firemen and policemen) and the ordinary citizens who helped with the rescue operations. Palm Beach County Mensa is making a $200.00 contribution to the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund, established by the LUMINA FOUNDATION. Briefly, the scholarship fund will aid spouses and children of those people killed or permanently injured in the attack who were or will be in pursuit of post-secondary education. The Foundation made a $3 million grant, $1 million of which is composed of matching grants. Therefore, our contribution will be essentially doubled. HANDY. I just received the new LocSec Handbook. While it is aimed primarily at LocSecs, it is not "secret." Members of the AMC have copies. You too can have a copy, or photocopies of appropriate pages/sections. Please contact me for more information. MENSA MONEY. People who score in the 90+ percentile in the Home (practice) Test will receive a $5.00 voucher/discount for the regular test. This offer expires on Nov. 5, 2001. If you have any questions about Mensa Money, please contact me or any of the proctors listed in the newsletter. NATIONAL TESTING DAY ("NTD"). Writing about Mensa Money and testing reminded me of NTD. New members are the lifeblood of this organization. One way to qualify for membership is by taking The Test. While several testing sessions are held at various locations during the year, we like to encourage candidates for membership to take The Test on NTD. This year it is on October 20th at the locations listed elsewhere in this newsletter. You can join in by "talking up" Mensa with your friends and relatives. The ONLY qualification for membership is to score at the 98+ percentile on The Test. (Actually, The Test is comprised of two tests - but they are commonly referred to in the singular. The Test lasts about 11/2 hours.) It costs $30.00 to take. LIFERS. Most of us renew each year or so. However, a few of our members are not concerned with periodic dues payments and renewals. These people are our LIFE MEMBERS. The following people recently became Life Members: JACQUELIN MAXINE LEVINE of Boynton Beach; and BILL WHITESELL of Port Saint Lucie. Both received gold cards to commemorate their status. NATIONAL WEB SITE. Last month, our national web site had 100,000+ visitors, and the average visit was for 71/2 minutes. There, you'll find the new MensArcade. This new area offer games and puzzles for members AND prospects to play. The URL of the national web site is < http://www.us.mensa.org/>. REINSTATEMENTS. These (as well as regular dues payments) may be made online. You will need your membership number. If you don't have your number, you can call 817-607-0060 or 1-800-66-MENSA for assistance. DINGS AND DENTS. Your membership benefits are growing all of the time. One of the benefits is GEICO auto insurance. The rates could represent a large discount over your current rates. Contact GEICO for more information: 1-800-368-2734 or http://wwwgeico.com on the web. |
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Glen Moulder and Elissa Rudolph As of 8/31/01, we have 277 members. Two members- Avraham Adler and Robert Hailey moved out. Joanne Flore, West Palm Beach; Brian Johnson, Boca Raton; Gordon Chase, Loxahatchee; and Evelyn Levy, Boca Raton (a snowbird-welcome back!) moved in, and we gained one brand new member-Rick Burns of Jupiter. Welcome to all-we look forward to meeting you! Please note: If you don't see your birthday shown in this section when it should appear, you probably indicated to the national office that this information should be withheld. If so, and you do want it to appear, simply contact the national office and change your information withholding preferences. |
Happy October MensAnniversary (year and persons) to:
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40! David Humes 35 Harry Hahamovitch 30 Catherine Chester 29 Roberta Kadlecz 22 Perry Wurst 20 John Swick 18 Susan Weinstein 13 Judith Abel 12 Henry Colman 11 Jules Grossberg and Barry Karas 08 John Hotchkiss and Paul Sauer 07 Mary DeSensi 05 Steven Garellek 04 Kendrick Cooper, Karen Haney, Richard Haney and Arthur Tisch 03 Joel Gotkin, Leeza Gotkin and Carl Robinson 02 Aaron Lieberman and Edward Mackey 01 Richard Rubin |
Happy October Birthday (day and persons) to:
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1st Bailey Godfrey 2nd Stanley Needelman 3rd Joanne Fiore 5th Mary DeSensi and Bernice Sklar 7th Rene Revert 8th Steven Modell and Donald Walker 17th Dr. Jerome Blumen 18th Anita Kirchen, Charna Lazar and Perry Wurst 20th Charles Grande 25th Dave Parkerson 29th Bernard Colodney |
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Crab House Breakfast Glen Moulder In September, the Crab House Breakfast was warm! We sat out on the deck again, right near the edge of the dock. I brought along a number of rocks, minerals and fossils that I'd collected from my trip out West the month before to show around. The food was very good, but when we first sat down, the background music was loud enough to overpower all conversation. A contingent of Mensans descended on the manager and prevailed on him to get the music turned down. Attending were Bob and Ann Abbott, Bob Dolson, Elissa Rudolph, Pam Berteau, our friend Reba and me. |
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Health & Wellness Seminar Elissa Rudolph Penny Reynolds gave a fascinating lecture on health and the Wellness Wheel. She knows her field well and was very informative. After the lecture, she fielded questions from the audience. She mentioned she does other lectures on Wellness that describe the different parts of the wheel in more detail. For more information on lectures, fitness, health or related topics, you can contact her at Graceful Hands Therapies, 190 West Spanish River, Suite 102, Boca Raton, FL 33431. |
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Palm Beach Science Fiction Club Elissa Rudolph The first meeting of the Science Fiction Group of Palm Beach County (aka pbsf) was Thursday September 6th. During the first half of the meeting, we went through introductions and covered a lot of organizational ground. We decided to have future discussion sessions at Barnes and Noble, plus we'll have a Halloween video party. The second part of the meeting, we discussed our favorite science fiction, fantasy and space topics. We engaged in an entertaining Star Trek trivia game. Please see http://www.gopbi.com/community/groups/pbsf/ for more information on upcoming meetings and sf related news. |
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First Friday-still Chesterfield's at this Writing! Elissa Rudolph Such a large group of Mensans gathered for September's First Friday that we were ensconced in the "ballroom," the largest room in the restaurant. Rose, our server, tried to make everything come out perfectly, but we know it's difficult to please such a "particular" group. The particulars were: Wade and Monique Scholine, Jay Kerby, Mark Murphy, Prudy Board, Carol Bancroft, Bernie Jartner, Barry Karas, Mark Murphy, Glen Moulder, Pamela Berteau, Merrell and Jerry Fortner, Laura Peralta, Jay Bertolet, Bob Dolson, and Elissa Rudolph. (hope I didn't forget anyone!) Mark, Merrell, Jerry, Laura, and Jay are all from Broward Mensa-cross-pollinization?? Visit Broward's Mensa members at their Regional Gathering this month-October 12-14. |
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Carnivores Chomp the Chow Elissa Rudolph Nando' Beefeeder's in Lake Worth was the location of our Mensa Dinner Adventure last month, falling just a few days after the Attack on America. Although the diners all seemed subdued, as we were, I believe there is no better way to foil your enemies than to bounce back stronger than before. And for that, some of us need meat! Surrounded by dark wood, reminiscent of a Victorian men's club, and pseudo Tiffany windows, six of us commiserated and comforted one another. The filet mignon and prime rib looked excellent and disappeared quickly from dinner plates...! Wade and Monique Scholine, Michael Soutter, Barry Karas, Bob Dolson, and Elissa Rudolph all made the best of a very unhappy week. |
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Northern Exposure Elissa Rudolph The North County Gathering was held at the home of Bill Whitesell. Those attending were Donna Bogner, Laura Bulawski, Bobbi & Julius Kadlecz Janice Johnson, Alan Posner, Dick Hancock, Sean & Kyle Crooks, Bill & Jennifer Whitesell & once again Schooner & Heinrech Von Schutzstaffeln (dogs, happy to be in the presence of their masters and friends!). The topic of conversation was, of course, Sept 11. May the victims rest in peace. |
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¡Ole! Mexican Dinner Tickles Taste Buds! Elissa Rudolph A hungry crowd anticipating authentic Mexican food descended on Sharron Ronco's Delray Beach abode last month. In celebration of the real Mexican Independence Day, September 16, Sharron put together an array of delicious dishes that truly deserved the "magnifico" label. Among the tasty treats: chile relleno, ceviche, tamale pie, posole made with hominy, and lots of other toothsome delights. The feast was complimented by margaritas made with key lime juice and Cointreau. The party was a welcome mood lifter after the horrendous events of the previous week. Attending the party were Larry and Pat Berman, John Swick, Barry Karas, Stephanie Gapinski, Ron Antonin, Glen Moulder, Pamela Berteau, Tom and Allycin Winchester, Bob Dolson, and Elissa Rudolph. Muchas gracias, Sharron!
Ron Antonin helps out in the kitchen.
Allycin Winchester seems like she's having a good time....
Larry and Pat Berman getting in the swing of things.
The "cameraman" is none other than Glen Moulder--can't fool us!
Sharron describes the various Mexican dishes before we dig in.
Tom and Allycin Winchester. |
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Perkophiles - Glen Moulder September Perkophiles was a bit of a subdued event. It was a beautiful day, and again, sitting on the deck at Bradley's, we had the place mostly to ourselves. The topic of conversation was of course, inevitably, the horrific events of September 11th, which I don't believe any American living today will ever forget. Not much celebrating going on, but we all agreed that America needs to act soon to protect its people. |
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Upcoming Events
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Coming Event!! Wicca Today and Yesterday In November, Palm Beach County Mensa will have the privilege of hosting a discussion of Wicca, including such topics as the Growth of the Neo-Pagan Movement and Wicca during 20th Century; What Wicca is and what Wicca is not; Ethics and Spirituality of Wicca; Practices and Ways of Worship; The Wheel of the Year, including the eight Festival days; Some things Wiccans do and do not believe; and Living in the World of Non-Wiccans. Our presenters will be Lady Nokomis, Regina, the original founder of a Wiccan path known as Pantheist Wicca and a retired high priestess of three circles in Ohio and Florida. Her focus is primarily the spiritual/philosophical aspects of Wicca. Lady Nokomis offers her handcraft skills to the Universe in the form of designing and making jewelry. Lady Morrigan is high priestess of the Circle of the Winged Lion. She refers to herself as "Priestess of the Craft, Daughter of Nokomis, Daughter of the Moon, Sister to the Craft." She is a Licensed Massage Therapist, healer in training, craftswoman, singer, mother, lover and friend. She is young, beautiful and full of loving energy. Lady Bridget has been a practicing Wiccan for over 11 years, a teacher, singer and songwriter. "My worship is in my music and in needlecrafts," says this mother of two, grandmother of two, and spiritual 'mom' to many. She is a talented, wise high priestess of her own circle. Lord Riekin was first dedicated to the Goddess in 1974 and was a solitary individual until 1991. At that time, through his involvement with Starfire Circle, he became part of the Wiccan community. He has dedicated many years to exploring the transformative male mysteries: brewing, forging, foundry, woodworking, agriculture, herbology, combat, and many more. "I am constantly trying to learn new hand skills," Lord Riekin comments. He is a forester and very bright and able. These Wiccans have taken the names of old gods, goddesses, heroes, heroines with whom they identify or admire. They are eager to share the old lore with us and expect to be answering many questions. This event begins at 7:30PM in the Clubhouse at Morningstar Circle in Delray Beach on Saturday, November 17. We will collect a small donation of $2 per person to cover drinks and snacks. RSVP to Elissa at 561-272-0475. Arrive early, doors (and the gate to the Circle) will close shortly after 7:30PM. |
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More Dragons and a Florida Mystery Miss Dustinea Jacquette |
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Still exploring Anne McCaffrey's new world populated with empathetic dragons, I read Dragonsong and Dragonflight this past month. The first tells the tale of a young girl living in a sparsely populated fishing village an ocean away from the more exciting dragonweyrs (their hangouts). Pern, the new world, is riddled with huge caves and volcanic formations that make ideal nests for the dragons and their human partners. Menolly, the young fishergirl, has a beautiful singing voice and the ability to create wonderful song lyrics. But her family downplays her talents because on Pern, only men are singers and songwriters. McCaffrey never misses a chance to illustrate how Pern's developing civilization mirrors the flaws, even if they are no longer as stark, in our own society. One day Menolly saves a clutch of fire-lizard eggs from an unusually high tide by ducking into a convenient cave with them. The eggs hatch and look to Menolly for their sustenance. To calm the nine fire-lizards (small cousins of the huge dragons), she sings to them and feeds them. The nine-Rocky, Beauty, Diver, Auntie One, Auntie Two, Uncle, Lazybones and Mimic are hers forever; even fire lizards look to the first empathetic person they encounter. Menolly's story outlines one girl's decision to take charge of her life and to follow her talents. A great addition to McCaffrey's spate of stories about Pern and its dragons. |
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Dragonflight describes how Lessa, chief weyrwoman and rider of Ramoth, the golden queen dragon, saves her world when the Thread menace appears. If you start with Dragondawn where humans land on Pern and begin to build a civilization, these other books will follow naturally and you will be drawn into this universe that parallels our own so closely. The bond between dragonrider and his animal is a "forever" one. If the human dies, the dragon winks him or herself out of existence. If the dragon dies, the human may continue to live on Pern, but is living only a half life. Such deep devotion between human and animal is a mark of McCaffrey's Pern series, one that every animal lover knows intimately. This story sets up a relationship between Lessa and her human partner, F'lar. They are the "king & queen," more or less, of Pern. Together they rally the other dragonriders to fight Pern's nemesis, the Thread that falls every 200 years and consumes all organic matter in its path. Unchecked the Thread could wipe out people, crops and other vegetation easily. But the dragons can sear the Thread so that it falls as ash instead of a dangerous microorganism. Human ingenuity and dragon predisposition become Thread's enemies. Eventually the humans find a way to eliminate Thread forever-I think that will happen in "All the Weyrs of Pern," the book I'm reading now. Report next month! |
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Stephen White's "The Program" is a complicated and absorbing story of how the Federal Witness Protection Program doesn't always protect whomever it's supposed to protect. Sometimes a change of location, name, and career isn't enough to hide behind. Alan Gregory, the Boulder psychologist who's starred in White's long-running series of suspense novels, takes a back seat in this story. He's there but the real star is Kirsten Lord, a New Orleans prosecutor who lands in Gregory's office after her husband is killed and her daughter's life is threatened by a criminal she sent to prison. "Every precious thing I lose, you will lose two" is the warning that sends her on the run until she finally lands in the Program. She makes an unlikely friend in another "hidden" person, a man who was a soldier for the mob. He turns out to be, literally, her life saver. Gregory and his wife Lauren also become targets as they attempt to help Kirsten. A great read. |
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"Ten Thousand Islands" is by the same author who brought you "The Man Who Invented Florida," Randy Wayne White. It's another tale that entangles Florida prehistory with a modern day marina on the west coast, near Sanibel Island. Don't go looking for it-you won't find it although White really seems to be describing an existing spot. Doc Ford the marine biologist who makes a living selling sealife to pharmaceutical companies gets involved in the mystery surrounding the desecration of a young girl's grave. It seems that she was buried with a gold medallion dating back to the ancient Calusa Indians. Supposedly this archaeological artifact has mysterious powers, or someone thinks it does. Murder and mayhem ensue with Doc Ford trying to unravel the mystery before the greedy someone comes after him. The community of Dinkin's Bay-somewhere around Sanibel-is just like a small village, friendly to an extent and tough to infiltrate. "Ten Thousand Islands" is based on a true story of multiple tragedies associated with the 1969 discovery of the medallion at the novel's center. Where the medallion is now is anyone's guess. |
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'Til next month, have a stupendous Halloween, my pretties! |
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Note: The opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and DO NOT reflect opinions of Palm Beach County Mensa, its officers, or of American Mensa, Ltd., which holds NO opinions. |
© 2000-2007 Palm Beach County Mensa. The Mensa logo is a registered trademark of Mensa International Limited and American Mensa Limited, all rights reserved. Mensa does not hold any opinion or have, or express, any political or religious views.