President’s Message
Bravo to the nominating committee consisting of Virginia Grigg, Barbara Elam, Joannie Poulson, and Dot Skofronick for doing a superb job of selecting an excellent slate of officers for 2007-2008. The new officers have been approved by the board members and are presented to you in this newsletter for your approval at the Annual Meeting.
On Saturday, Feb. 24th Robert Ryals warmly welcomed us to the Claude Pepper Museum with a terrific video overview of Claude Pepper’s five decades of public service as a liberal politician. It is very impressive to realize that right here in Florida lived a very progressive politician who changed the course of history. Claude Pepper has a very rich legacy, by establishing a minimum wage, protecting women’s rights, strengthening Medicare, and providing seniors with a decent retirement income from social security, to name just a few of his contributions as a public servant. After walking around the museum and viewing the exhibits we enjoyed lunch together in the Suwannee Room. Again the spectacular weather made this a very special outing.
The FSU Flying High Circus celebrates its 60th Anniversary this year. On March 31st we are invited free of charge, to the Dress Rehearsal of the performers in their street clothes. Beth Haskins will be our special guest at the Haskins Circus complex. This will give us an opportunity to witness, first hand, the behind-the-scenes preparation for opening night. We will be meeting at the circus tent promptly at 12 noon so that we can be seated by 12:30 pm and be ready for the show to begin. Be there in plenty of time to get the best seats in the house.
Our final event of the year is the Annual Dinner on April 18th, being held at a brand new location, the Silver Slipper Restaurant. Al Trezza asked that everyone should make sure they choose one of the four menu items and send their reservation to him by April 10th.
We wish to thank the enthusiastic interest group chairs for making sure that all eleven groups have been meeting regularly with first-rate programs. Each group should be thinking about chairs for next year. We are most grateful to our interest group co-chairs, whom have agreed to stay on for next year. Barbara Elam and Diane Olsen have done a tremendous job of coordinating the programs of the various groups.
Beth Charness
FSU Circus
Haskins Circus Complex
Chieftan Way
Saturday, March 31 – 12:00 noon
Come visit the circus to attend what promises to be a terrific afternoon. The FSU students are absolutely amazing. We will meet at the entrance to the circus. Please let Joan Macmillan know by Tuesday, March 27 if you are planning to attend. Either call Joan at 385-3948 or e-mail her at joanmac23@yahoo.com.
Slate of nominees for 2006-2007
President: Joannie Poulson
Vice President: Carol Weissert
2nd VP Membership: Fred Leysieffer
Recording Secretary: Jim Cowart
Corresponding Secretary: Denise Ellingson
Treasurer: Calvin Zongker
Nominating Committee Chair: Patsy Rapp
Annual Meeting & Business Meeting
Silver Slipper Restaurant
531 Silver Slipper Lane
Wednesday, April 18
6:30 p.m. Cash Bar
7:00 p.m. Dinner
$30.00 per person all inclusive
Come celebrate the end of another successful year with a delicious dinner, concluding with a brief business meeting with the changeover of officers and other business matters. We thank Al Trezza for once again chairing the event. Please place this important date on your calendar, which will be repeated in the April newsletter with information about the entertainment. The absolute deadline is Tuesday, April 10. Please send your check, made out to The Faculty & Friends Club of FSU to: Al Trezza, 2205 Napoleon Bonaparte Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32308. You give your choice of entrees when arriving at the Silver Slipper. They are: 12 oz rib eye, broiled grouper, fried shrimp or charcoal broiled chicken breast with cheese and mushrooms. Dessert is also included in the price.
In Other News…
The various Club Interest Groups are well attended with fascinating programs. A sampling follows of what takes place during March and some in April.
The next Presbyterian University Center Lecture will take place on Tuesday, March 13 at 12:15 p.m. Come listen to Dr. John Fenstermaker, Director, Program in American & Florida Studies.
Advance reservation requested to 222-6320 — $8.75 per plate.
The Book Discussion Group will be reading and discussing March by Geraldine Brooks on Monday, March 19 at 7:30 p.m. Call Diane Olsen at 385-5797 or e-mail her at olsend@dor.state.fl.us or call Maxine Weiss at 893-1891 to find out the location.
Brooks takes the well-known story of Alcott’s Little Women, and weaves a tale centering on the absentee father and husband, Peter March. Inspired by the abolitionist movement, he becomes a preacher, marries Marmee and has four daughters. When the Civil War begins, he enlists in the Union army and soon becomes attached to a hospital unit. His high ideals are continually thwarted, not only by the times, but by his own ineptitude.
Lunch Bunch will meet on Tuesday, March 20 at 11:45 a.m. at Chez Pierre at 1215 Thomasville Road.
Call Alice Pfluke to attend at 668-5025.
Restaurant Roulette will meet on Tuesday, March 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Silver Slipper at 531 Silver Slipper Lane.
Call Al Trezza at 878-5551 to attend.
Globetrotters will meet on Saturday, April 7 at 8:00 p.m. at Westminster Oaks in the Main Lounge. Annelise and Fred Leysieffer will present a program on Cruising the Mediterranean.
Call Margaret and Bob Stakenas at 297-2081 if you plan to attend.
Outdoors Explorers will be leaving Tallahassee at noon on Sunday April 29. We will drive to Turkey Point Marine Lab, walk and get a lecture on the beach. We will go inside for lunch, which we bring, and go for a 2 to 3 hour boat trip with a guide. There will be a nominal fee for this trip. Save the date. More information will follow in the April newsletter for this fascinating outing.