cape fear men’s club, inc. newsletter...cape fear men’s club, inc. / po box 12835 / wilmington,...
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Cape Fear Men’s Club, Inc. / PO Box 12835 / Wilmington, North Carolina 28405 / www.capefearmensclub.org
Next General Meeting
The next CFMC general
meeting will be Wednesday, February 5, at the American
Legion Hall behind Hugh MacRae Park, 702 Pine Grove Drive.
Social hour starts at 4:30 pm with catered dinner at 5:45 pm. Your dues pays for the meal but an RSVP to the E-vite is absolutely necessary and essential to insure that the proper amount of food is contracted with the caterer.
Please remember
to bring and
wear your name tag
NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER DANCE
Tuesday, December 31 American Legion
7:30 pm – 12:30 am
Food – Taste of Italy
Music – Duke Ladd Band
$45/pp
As 2019 comes to a close, I look back at the club activities and Special Events and hope that each of you has found Club membership to be a satisfying and rewarding experience. I see friendships formed that will last a lifetime. Special Events have always played a special part of our activities. It is one of the times that we can share a quality event with members and our wives. Dave and the Events Committee do a fabulous job. It is not an easy job. While those who did attend one or more of these events reported having a great time, attendance has been somewhat disappointing.
(continued on page 2)
The last general meeting of 2019 was December’s EXTRAVAGANZA! Some
239 meals of crab legs, steak, and plenty of sides were served
If you need a new name
tag, email Bud Sparks
It will be available for you
at the February meeting.
A Message from Scotty Scott, CFMC Board President
November / December 2019
Cape Fear Men’s Club, Inc. Newsletter
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(The President’s Message continued from page 1)
At the December General meeting, Dave handed out a questionnaire. The results will help his committee to formulate plans for 2020. In the meantime, if you have in mind a specific event that you would like to see the Committee hold, please let Dave or any Event Committee member know your ideas. Better yet, join Dave’s committee. At the dinner meeting I presented three awards. First, “Distinguished Service Award” to Pete Robi-son for his years as Secretary of the Club and his patience in preparing our events calendars and newsletter. Peter moved to Vero Beach in mid - December. Distinguished Service Award recipient, Pete Robison
Next, “Distinguished Service Award” was pre-sented to Steve Minor for his time as activity chair-man of the photography group and for always being present to take pictures of new members for our photo directory.
Steve Minor (left) receiving the Distinguished Service Award from President Scotty Scott
Then, our ‘Man of the Year” award went to Bob “Gomps” Gomperts. Bob has for years been one of the most active members having chaired many dif-ferent activities as well as planning many of our special events.
Bob Gomperts, Man of the Year, holds his award
Finally, in January 2020, we will be accepting 20-30 new members. Please make them welcome, if they live in your neighborhood, ask them to join you in one of your activities. May good health be with you in 2020,
George “Scotty” Scott
Member Activities Larry Schramm High Nooners Luncheon
Stan Weinrich [email protected]
The November Larry Schramm High Nooners luncheon was held on November 19 featuring an exciting presentation by Rick Haley about his ex-periences aboard the Navy's only nuclear pow-ered research submarine NR-1.
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Culture Club Howard Finger [email protected] We attended two musical performances at UNCW in December: On December 6, the UNCW Symphony Band’s tal-ent and virtuosity was on display during a delightful evening of classical music by new and classical composers. Two days later, the 62-member Cape Fear Chorale presented Sing Fa La La - a gleeful program of hol-iday favorites that concluded with an audience par-ticipation singing popular seasonal oldies. On Friday, January 24, the Batuque Trio will be per-forming at 7:30 pm at the Beckwith Recital Hall UNCW. The trio blends a myriad of jazz styles, from the folkloric roots of Cuban and Brazilian music to contemporary trends in Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and Caribbean jazz.
Biking Howard Finger
November’s Ride As summer waned, 20 members of the CFMC bike
club bid farewell to the season with a trip to
Wrightsville Beach. Along the way we traversed
the Summer Rest Trail, watched the bridge rise and
fall, and made the essential stop at the Johnny Mer-
cer pier.
The Port City Chop House served their usual di-
verse and excellent lunch.
21 riders participated in the November 12 outing
December’s Ride
24 riders with bikes & strollers made the December ride
On a magnificent 75-degree December day, 24 riders participated on our 12-mile ride that took us thru Halliburton Park onto the new city trail bike path and onto Wade Park. The trip experienced some minor snafus - a flat tire and a broken chain, but overall all went well until I (Howard) didn’t quite understand that a RED light at college road meant
STOP! But, No harm no foul. The Tavern on 17th Street served a slow but satisfying lunch. In January we will try to seek some shelter from cold with a ride thru Inland Greens.
The December Larry Schramm High Nooners Luncheon December 17 featured a presentation by Joe Suleyman, New Hanover County Director of Environmental Management. Under Joe's management, the County has made great strides in improving operations, minimizing environmental impacts and reducing costs to the taxpayer.
Gomps & his new knee lead the charge up the just-opened 1.3-mile section of the Cross City Bike trail along College Avenue
PLEASE remember when you write checks, make them payable to: Cape Fear Men’s Club, Inc.
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Saw Pit Landing - November
The November Paddle at Saw Pit Landing was wonderful. The weather was in the mid to high 60's and the sun was in and out of the clouds all morning. We only had 10 men on this paddle. Two of the original dozen men that planned to attend cancelled due to the weather! Only three of the paddlers wore shorts. The rest were very comfortable with a light sweatshirt. Yes, it was a very relaxing 1 1/2-hour paddle. The paddle was in the Holly Shelter Game Preserve so there were no houses or structures along the way. We all had lunch in at Bandanas in Burgaw. They have GREAT sandwiches; everyone raved about the cheesesteak sandwich. This was the last paddle of the season. I hope to see you out for the 2020 kayaking season. I will start the season off at The Black River again in March. Look for the announcements starting in February.
NOVEMBER
Thirty members and guests had a wonderful, but chilly hike the morning of November 13th through the Abbey Nature Preserve in Pender County. The 3 mile hike was followed by a delightful lunch at the Kornerstone Bistro.
DECEMBER
Kayaking Doug Furness [email protected]
Hiking Jeffrey Barnes [email protected]
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Hiking (continued)
Fifteen showed up on a cool, brisk December morning to walk the Riverwalk along the Cape Fear River in downtown Wilmington. The walk began in front of the Embassy Suites Hotel and we walked back and forth in both directions to the end - about 3.5 miles. We will not hike in January, so our next hike will be on February 12 with location TBA.
Two missed the picture due to slow walking & fast talking
12 of us joined for lunch in a private room with a view at the Steam Restaurant - good food and a lively conversation
Current Events Bob Gomperts [email protected]
Current Events alternates between a "current" current event and other timely topics of interest, and is usually scheduled the second Wednesday of each month at the Northeast Branch of the New Hanover Country Library on Military Cutoff Road. Times vary due to venue availability. The subject and particulars are announced by e-mail prior to the event.
Cigar Group Gordon Brotherton [email protected]
The Cigar Group meets the second Wednesday
each month throughout the winter months. The
location is TBD for each. All are invited to join
us for the lively conversation - fact, fiction
and lies. We smoke cigars, drink adult
beverages, discuss politics, and tell stories-
some of which are true. The Cigar Group can
solve any problem - large or small. Send an
email or call me at 910-616-8441.
Bridge George (Scotty) Scott [email protected]
Men’s bridge plays the second and fourth Tuesday from 1:15pm to 4:00pm at Kickback Jacks. Those wishing to enjoy lunch beforehand meet at 12:15 pm. Couples bridge (husbands and wives) play on the fourth Thursday from 1:00 to 4:00 pm in members’ homes. If interested in joining either group email me and I will add you to the list.
Golf Jack Kazmarski [email protected] As you know the vagaries of the weather as well as the availability of courses in good condition, and at a reasonable price, makes it a little difficult to pinpoint when and where we will be playing a month (or two) in advance.
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Shooting Randy Inge [email protected]
Members of the shooting club took advantage of good weather and the fine facilities at Camp LeJeune November 21, 2019
PAUL LOTHROP (left) AND BOB NEVIN TAKE A BREAK FROM SHOOTING. WEATHER AND FACILITIES AT CAMP LEJEUNE WERE TERRIFIC
GREGG HAMLIN - EXCELLENT TRAP SHOOTER AT WORK
PAUL LAWLESS HITS HIS STRIDE IN ROUND TWO
Bowling Bob Engel [email protected]
On November 14, “JT” Thomas rolled
strikes in 7 out of 10 frames for a 229…the
high CFMC game bowled in November
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Another year of tennis is in the books. As we look forward to 2020, we can all hope for happiness and good health. Our tennis group has enjoyed a good year of active participation from about 14 of the club members. We would certainly welcome participation of more members. The group meets on Monday morning at about 8:30 am at the Ogden Park tennis courts. If you have made a resolution to be more active and maintain your health, this might be a good way to “kick off” the New Year. See you all courtside. If you are interested in joining please contact me.
Stu White returns a volley showing his form & follow through
It was a little damp one morn, but the sun wasn’t in our eyes!
Mike Clark serves while John Carpitella prepares for a return
Bill Hylwa volleys using great form & a perfect forehand shot
(Left to Right) Lee Mendez, Bill Haycraft, Tony Spataro, Bob Engel, John Carpitella, Stu White, and Mike Clark (kneeling)
Tennis John Carpitella [email protected] 910-686-5575
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Fishing – Salt Water Dale Nixon
Recent Trips On October 30, Rudy Hrubala, Bruce Gartner and
Stuart Reed spent a day on the water with Captain
Wolfe of SeaHawk Inshore Fishing Charters. They
were rewarded with a nice catch of 7 black drum,
one red drum and two sea trout. Sadly, this was our
good friend Rudy Hrubala’s final fishing
expedition. Rudy greatly enjoyed these outings on
the water with his friends! Rudy, with his always
present, welcoming smile, will be sadly missed by
all his friends.
Rudy Hrubala with friends, Bruce Gartner & Stuart
Reed – October 30 fishing trip with Captain Wolfe
Bruce Gartner, Stuart Reed and Malcolm Thaden
fished a few days later with Captain Wolfe and
picked up a nice mess of delicious black drum for
dinner.
Malcolm, Bruce, & Stuart – 3 happy fishermen
Malcolm, Bruce & Stuart’s dinner tonight!
On November 8, Mark Larkins and Frank Price
fished with Captain Jon Hoff of Circle H Charters.
As reported by Mark... “great morning of fishing
with Captain Huff on 11/8. Kept some nice sized
trout and released 3 flounders and more lizard fish
than I care to count. Frank Price and I had a great
time and highly recommend Circle H Charters.”
Mark & Frank and 10 nice speckled sea trout
(continued on next page)
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Mark Larkins must have enjoyed himself on his
last recent trip with Captain Jon Hoff, as he headed
out a second time on November 22, this time with
David Hoff. The guys really nailed the sea trout on
this trip! As David reported, “Mark and I had a good
day today. Limited out on trout in about 2 hours.
Spent the rest of the day catching and releasing
about 30 more fish.”
Mark & David with nice limit of Sea Trout
Don Reichard, Ken Bartholomew & Bill Richards
reported on November 24, “We had a fine day with
Captain Jeff - bunch of black drum, a trout, and
sheepshead! We’re looking forward to the next
trip!”
Ken and Bill with nice Black Drum catch
On November 25, Dave Prentice, Dave Sundberg,
Grover Canady, Mike Nevin, and Dale Nixon
headed out to the Gulf Stream with Captain Rick
Croson of Living Waters Guide Service in search
of the big ones! (continued on next page)
2020 Fisherman's Post Saltwater Fishing School This full day, individually–tailored, hands-on, saltwater fishing school is rated as one of the best in the
country, and is highly recommended for ALL saltwater fishermen in our Club, no matter whether you are
new to the area and to saltwater fishing, or whether you are a seasoned “old salt!”
Each year, over a dozen of us have participated. Don’t delay, this School sells completely out quickly!!!
Full Day - Wilmington, NC - February 8, 2020, at Cape Fear Community College’s Union Station Building
(5th floor) Downtown Wilmington (502 N. Front Street, Wilmington, NC 28401). Before February 1, 2020,
tickets are $100/person and $115/person thereafter. You can register and pay by calling Fisherman’s Post
at 910-452-6378, register and pay in person at Tex’s Tackle, or West Marine in Wilmington.
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The captain tried every technique available to get
the tuna and wahoo to bite but alas, the fish really
had lock jaw this day. Bob Nevin boated the one
and only blackfin tuna that day. All that we could
entice to bite were the false albacore. They were
great fighters but were not the table fare we were
after. At the end of the day, we decided to do some
deep-water bottom fishing to see what might be
home down in the depths. We were able to pick up
three very large, & outstanding eating, trigger fish.
A couple of the triggers were likely citation sized
fish...the largest being over 5 pounds in weight.
Grover Canady (holding citation trigger fish) and Dave Sundberg
On December 10, Malcolm Thaden and Bob
MacFarland spent a half day with Captain Huff. As
Malcolm reported, “Bob and I fished with Jon all
morning but couldn’t find any fish. Kept at it until
Jon found trout. Caught lots of small trout and
finally got into some keepers. What a nice spring-
like day.”
Bob and Malcolm with nice sea trout catch
Even though it was a chilly and windy day on
December 12, Bill Richards and Don Reichard
reported . . . “enjoyed our trip immensely with Cpt.
Huff! We fished the Cape Fear, North East Cape
Fear, and Brunswick rivers. We boated 3 stripers!
Don Reichard with Cape Fear River Striped Bass
There will be no Vonda Kay trips scheduled until April
2020. Unfortunately, the Captain decided to shut down
the service this winter due to low demand.
Vonda Kay Winter Bottom Fishing Trips
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Cape Fear Uncorked Wine Group II News - November 20
Uncorked held its last tasting of the year at the
home of Dave and Mary Austin with co-hosts
Ladd and Pam Smith. The tasting theme was
wines of the Finger Lakes region of New York
and Ontario, Canada. The motivation for
featuring this region was a summer trip by the
Austins to Canada where they sampled
representative wines and hand-carried two
Canadian wines back for the tasting event.
The other two wines offered were from Finger
Lake wineries, though purchased locally.
Those familiar with this region will know its
climate bears a greater resemblance to
Germany than France, reflected in the varietals
grown there. The first wine sampled was a
2017 Dry Riesling from Wagner winery on the
east side of Lake Seneca, just a few miles
north of storied Watkins Glen. The wine
earned a solid “Good” rating by the group,
with two rating it “Excellent.” As promised, it
was dry and crisp with tangy acidity and
green-apple bouquet. At a price of $15 over
half the group would buy this wine, available
at Total Wine.
Next up was a 2018 Dunes Red blend of
Gamay, Cabernet Franc and Marechal Foch
grapes, produced by Sandbanks winery on the
Canadian side of Lake Ontario. Its claim to
fame is that Queen Elizabeth drank this wine
during a visit to Ottawa in 2010.
Unfortunately, the group found her selection
less appealing. In spite of a flamboyant
description on the bottle, most found the wine
lacking in depth. While drinkable, it left no
strong impression on the palate. It earned a
center-of-mass “Good” rating, and several
thought it “Excellent” balanced by an equal
number who found it “Acceptable.” If it were
available locally at its $12 price some of the
members of the group would buy it.
Canada supplied the second red wine of the
evening in the form of a Baco Noir from
Inniskillin in Niagara-on-the Lake, Ontario.
This is a hybrid grape designed to thrive in the
colder climates of Canada. It was quite
drinkable, cited as “creamy and refreshing, a
nice blend of sweet and savory,” but like the
previous red wine from Canada, lacked depth.
It received virtually identical polling by the
group with the same price.
The last wine was a Riesling (with 10%
Chardonnay) from the Finger Lakes winery
Red Tail, located across the Seneca Lake from
Wagner. Unfortunately, its sweeter taste sent
it to the bottom of the ratings for the evening,
averaging “Acceptable,” but no one would buy
this wine at $17 a bottle from our local wine
shop, Red Bank.
Rather than ending on a sour (or is it sweet?)
note, kudos to the Austin-Smith team for
wonderful setting and complementary food
items, including Manchego and Fontina
cheeses, cranberry cream cheese log, stuffed
pastry shells, barbeque beef sliders and an
array of nuts, olives, crackers and fruit.
A fitting end to another vintage Uncorked year
of wine, food, and friends.
Wine Group II
John LaSala
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1. The Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli [Alan
Smith] January 15
The Italian Theoretical physicist behind the
global best seller Seven Brief Lessons on Physics
turns his attention to time: how it works and what
we get wrong about it.
2. In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of
the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick
[John Tufano] February 19
The incredible story of the wreck of the whaleship
Essex - the inspiration for the climax of Moby-
Dick. During ninety days at sea under horrendous
conditions, the survivors clung to life.
3. Hoopla by Harry Stein [Frank Amoroso]
March 18
Considered by many people to be one of the best
adult baseball novels ever written. This blend of
fact and fiction centers on the "Black Sox"
scandal of the 1919 World Series.
4. Mountain by Robert Kuncio-Raleigh [Robert]
April 15
The true story of a free black raised by white
notable Philadelphians just before the
revolutionary war tragedy.
5. Alone by Michael Korda [Leith Wicker]
May 20
Combining epic history with rich family stories,
Michael Korda chronicles the outbreak of World
War Two and the great events that led to
Dunkirk.
6. A Coffin for Dimitrios by Eric Ambler [Gary
Dillon] June 17
The classic story of an ordinary man seemingly
out of his depth, A Coffin for Dimitrios remains
Eric Ambler's most widely acclaimed novel.
7. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
[????] July 15
Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering but
we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in
it, and move forward with renewed purpose.
8. God Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens
[????] August 19
In the tradition of Bertrand Russell's Why I Am
Not a Christian and Sam Harris's recent
bestseller, The End of Faith, Christopher
Hitchens makes the ultimate case against
religion.
9. Proust and the Squid: The Story and
Science of the Reading Brain by Maryanne
Wolf [Lee Mendez] September 16
The act of reading is a miracle. You will never
again take for granted your ability to absorb the
written word.
10. Metropolis by Philip Kerr [????] October 20
Berlin 1928, the dying days of the Weimar
Republic shortly before Hitler and the Nazis came
to power. The voice of Nazism is becoming a roar
that threatens to drown out all others.
11. The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of
Murder, Insanity and the Making of the
Oxford English Dictionary by Simon
Winchester [Hugo Thomas] November 18
An extraordinary tale of madness, genius, and the
incredible obsessions of two remarkable men that
led to the making of the Oxford English
Dictionary.
12. The Tenth of December by George
Saunders [ ???? ] December 16
One of the most important and blazingly original
writers of his generation, George Saunders is
master of the short story. Writing brilliantly
about class, sex, love, loss, work, despair, and war,
Saunders cuts to the core of the contemporary
experience.
Book Club Robert Raleigh
Books for 2020
[Names in brackets are discussion leaders. Red question marks indicate books still requiring leaders. Dates may change.]
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ACTIVITY COORDINATOR EMAIL PHONE
Beer, Burgers & Buddies John Wynne [email protected] 833-8634
Biking Howard Finger [email protected] 516-902-4267
Book Club Robert Raleigh [email protected] 409-9864
Bowling Bob Engel [email protected] 845-641-6149
Breakfast/Lunch Bunches Steve Adrian [email protected] 452-5491
Bridge (men & couples) George (Scotty) Scott [email protected] 908-872-3983
Cigars Gordon Brotherton [email protected] 616-8441
Culture Club Howard Finger [email protected] 516-902-4267
Current Events Bob Gomperts [email protected] 859-6821
Early Risers Breakfast Alan Smith [email protected] 762-2906
Events Dave Sundberg [email protected] 552-5024
Fishing, Salt Water Dale Nixon [email protected] 398-2868
Fishing , Surf Terry Reilly [email protected] 248-836-8136
Golf Jack Kazmarski [email protected] 860-550-3632
High Nooners Stan Weinrich [email protected] 901-493-7227
Hiking Jeff Barnes [email protected] 232-5056
Investments Bruce McGranahan [email protected] 681-3773
Kayaking Doug Furness [email protected] 319-7684
Live Music Kurt Abisch [email protected] 914-582-8673
Shooting Sports Randy Inge [email protected] 804-839-8492
Tennis John Carpitella [email protected] 686-5575
Volunteerism Greg Stone [email protected] 612-6925
Wine Group 1 George (Scotty) Scott [email protected] 908-872-3983
Wine Group 2 John LaSala [email protected] 845-552-3578
Wine Group 3 Harold Eichenholz [email protected] 301-527-1170
Wine Group 4 Jay Brooks [email protected] 610-909-9060
Wine Group 5 Bruce Maurer [email protected] 821-0229
Wine Group 7
Wine Group 8 Michael Zalob [email protected] 599-1610
President Scotty Scott [email protected] 908-872-3983
Vice-President Bud Sparks [email protected] 302-588-2555
Secretary Hugo Thomas [email protected] 860-490-0401
Treasurer Steve Rothschild [email protected] 585-943-7551
Member at Large Bruce Maurer [email protected] 821-0229
Member at Large Lee Mendez [email protected] 757-870-5145
Member at Large JT Thomas [email protected] 703-798-3719
Events Coordinator Dave Sundberg [email protected] 218-390-2683
High Nooners' Coodinator Stan Weinrich [email protected] 901-493-7227
Webmaster & Newletter Gary Kohunsky [email protected] 352-7579
CAPE FEAR MEN'S CLUB ACTIVITY COORDINATORS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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