| Palm-Mensa | Newsletter | |
|---|
Palm-Mensa
Palm Beach County Mensa Newsletter
August, 2005
Contents
Next Newsletter
Next Newsletter Information due: August 15
Send newsletter items, e-mail address changes, updates and announcements to mensa@ritchason.net
Sad News…
Peter A. Sturgeon, the man considered to be the founder of American Mensa, passed away in Vienna, Austria, on Friday, July 22. He was 88.
Sturgeon was a medical writer living in Brooklyn, N.Y., when he read an article about Mensa. He wrote to the Mensa Selection Agency in England in March 1960, passed the Cattell test above the 99th percentile that May and became a Mensa member later that year. He was authorized to start forming a New York City regional group in August 1960 and assumed the title of Provisional Secretary, although the "provisional" was soon dropped. This group was the first outside of Britain to be recognized and has since evolved into American Mensa, Ltd., the largest of more than 50 national Mensa organizations.
Sturgeon served as American Mensa's Secretary until 1965, when he resigned after accepting employment with the World Health Organization in Switzerland. During his tenure as Secretary, many of the foundations of American Mensa were laid including the Local Group and regional structure, the Annual Gathering national convention, Regional Gatherings, Local Group newsletters, the American Mensa Committee, national recruiting efforts, the American Mensa Bylaws and the creation of the National Office.
Sturgeon published the first edition of the American Mensa Activities Report in 1961 and served as its editor through July 1962; this publication soon evolved into the Mensa Bulletin, the organization's national membership magazine. He was also American Mensa's first National Representative to the Mensa International Board of Directors, serving from 1962 to 1965.
Notes from the Underground
by Barry Karas
It is now about 4 AM and I am writing this column. Why now? Because I forgot to write this column during a normal time.
My point? Even the best of us <g><?><g> forget.”
Most of us played “Monopoly” when we were kids. The Game had orange chance cards. One of the cards was for getting out of jail free (instead of costing the usual $50.00). I have satirical Get Out of Hell Free cards. Let me know if you want one.
One of the best things about “Monopoly” was making up my own rules. For example, if a player landed directly on “Go,” he/she got all of the money in the pushke. (Pushke (pronounced PUSH KEE) is a Yiddish word meaning a sort-of bonus. Fines and penalties, which would have normally gone to the bank, were all given to the pushke - which was kept in the center of the board. The usual reward for passing “Go” was $50.00.).
After playing “Monopoly” which was played with play money, I discovered poker. First we played for pennies, then nickels and dimes, then the gambling escalated to dollars and higher stakes. A pot of $50.00 was not unheard of. Some games (not mine) had pot limits of a $100.00 or more. My parents were furious when I had to go to them for more money. They eventually cut me off, and I learned to be creative. Then I discovered girls…
I just got word today that the scholarship submission deadline is Saturday, October 22, 2005. Please call or write to me for details as there is a cash award involved. Participants are not limited to Mensa members - anybody over age 14 is eligible.
There is a very good mortgage benefit for PBC Mensa members. This includes a reward of up to $1000, and includes Moving. Call me for details.
We have a Gifted Children's Program. Call me for details.
Coming Attractions!!
Summer Solstice Celebration
Saturday, August 13.
Yes, we know! The Summer Solstice is usually in June ;)
There is a good reason to accept this ‘revised’ calendar. August Event Calendar, for Saturday, August 13. Hosted by Elissa Rudolph, DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!
National Trivia Network
NTN Trivia is a trivia game televised over a national network to over 3000 bars and restaurants in the United States and Canada
When: Any evening but Tuesday is the best. Start about 8 PM. End about 11 PM.
Where: Anyplace (usually a restaurant) that has NTN Trivia.
Who: All trivia players
For Details: Please call Barry Karas (561) 964-4360
Beauty And The Geek Season 2
Beauty And The Geek Season 2 is looking for smart single guys 21-35 years old with a high IQ and a savvy intellect. Finally, a reality show where being smart PAYS OFF with a MAJOR cash prize! This is a chance for smart, educated, single men, who may have a hard time socially, but can knock you out of the ballpark with their intellect. Palm Beach Ms can apply with a VHS/DVD of themselves.
Email impossiblecast@verizon.net, call 212-255-3029, or check our web newsletter for more information.
RVC Column
By Maggie Truelove
It is the beginning of July - the beginning of my term as Region 10's Regional Vice Chair. I am writing my column earlier than usual, because we will be attending the Annual Gathering in New Orleans and then off on family vacation during the time the column would normally be written. Since it is so early, I have only had one response to the question I asked in the July newsletter, which was what each group does to welcome new members. Thank you to Membership Officer Jason Knight of Broward Mensa for responding so quickly! Jason tells us that Broward Mensa sends a letter to those who are offered membership, letting them know that they are invited to attend the twice-monthly Pub Night, which is open even for prospects. He also sends each member a birthday postcard, which can be redeemed for $1.00 off the kitty of a Mensa event. Congratulations to Broward Mensa for making these efforts to welcome new - and old - members to events! We still hope to hear from other groups: what do you do to welcome new members?
In April Tampa Bay Mensa did a terrific job hosting MindGames. Because April is so close to May (when TBM usually holds a Regional Gathering), Tampa Bay and Broward traded RG dates, just for this year. Memorial Day weekend saw well over 100 of us at Broward's Suite Mayhem RG. Now we can look forward to Tampa Bay's Oktoberfest October 7-9, 2005, at the Holiday Inn Select near Clearwater-St. Pete Arpt. Advance registration is $70, which includes meals. Contact Dan Chesnut (DChesnut@tampabay.rr.com) or see the gatherings section in the
Bulletin or on the Mensa website for further information.
Central Florida Mensa will not be holding Smarti Gras RG in January. Many of the members who are usually involved with putting on their RGs are busy with the planning and preparation for the World Gathering in August 2006, and have decided to concentrate their effort and energy on making the World Gathering a resounding success.
And speaking of the World Gathering: have you decided yet how you would like to participate?
Maggie Truelove, RVC10
3333 Honeysuckle Lane
Belle Isle, FL 32812
rvc10@cfl.rr.com
407-855-9078
Member News
Palm Beach County Mensa ended May with 324 members. We gained 4 brand new, renewing or moving into our area. Welcome or welcome back to: Robert Willis, Robert Behren, Dr. Ronald Miccord, and Christopher J. Martin. Come on out to an event (the First Friday is highly recommended!) or organize one yourself and let me know (mensa@ritchason.net). I will add Mensa event to our calendar and make special note in the newsletter.
The July International Journal
The July issue of the IJ is now online at www.us.mensa.org/ij
For any questions or comments about the International Journal, please contact Editor Kate Nacard at ijeditor@mensa.org . If you have any trouble with your password while accessing these online publications, please email:
Call for Articles
We are looking for articles and requests for articles from our members. The Ms in our county have a diverse knowledge of all kinds of fascinating things. Don’t be shy, this is a great way to advertise your knowledge! Email the editor with your ideas: mensa@ritchason.net
Help wanted
Joan Zieff has done a great job been handling circulation for more than 2 years and deserves a break. The job entails affixing labels (supplied from the National Office) and seals to close the folded newsletter. Once done, the mgr. then delivers the newsletters to the Boca Raton post office. This is an easy job that really helps the PBCM, and gives an M (new or old) a chance to be involved in the group. If you are interested please call Elissa Rudolph at 561-496-0124 for more info.
Happenings at the Palm Beach County Library System
Happenings at the Palm Beach County Library System
Definitely check this out!!
http://www.pbclibrary.org/aug05Happenings.pdf
Andy Ritchason
mensa@ritchason.net
23053 Old Inlet Bridge Dr
Boca Raton. FL
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.