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The Week Ahead -- Sunday, July 28, 2024

• GIDG “Open Mic” Meeting Tomorrow at 9:00 am
• Annual Hot Dog Festival Fund Raiser this Tuesday at 5:00 pm
• New Y's Men Calendar of Events Unveiled
• Improving Civil Discourse "Common Ground" Topic
• Volunteer Needed to Support Afghan Refugee Family
• Pickleball Players Play Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Play Bocce Wednesday Morning 
• Thursday Morning Gatherings at Sherwood Island
• Y's Men Invited to Rotaries "Opus for Peace" August 11
• Plans Firming for West Point Football Outing
• Five Upcoming Trips Announced by T&E
• Watch This List for Future Social Events

Videos of all 2024 meetings are now available on the Y's Men website (ysmenwestportweston.org). Then click on the “Meeting Photos & Videos” tab.

Global Issues Meeting Tomorrow Will Be An "Open Mic"

The Global Issues Discussion Group (GIDG) will meet tomorrow (Monday, July 29) at 9:00 am in Room 203 at the Church. It will be an "open mic" meeting where the Group will spend some time talking about whatever is hot that morning. Then the floor will be open for discussion of issues suggested by participants.

For additional information about GIDG, contact Peter Chelico at pecysmen@gmail.com.

Annual Hot Dog Festival Fund Raiser This Tuesday

The Y's Men Annual Hot Dog Festival Fund Raiser is this Tuesday, July 30, at 5:00 pm at Compo Beach just "642 steps from the cannons" (see the location on the map below).

It's a fund raiser for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp so bring cash or checks made out to the Hole in the Wall Gang. The Camp provides “a different kind of healing” to children with serious illnesses and to their families through year-round programs celebrating the fun, friendship and spirit of childhood.

Bring your beach chairs, drinks (no glass containers please at Compo), chips, appetizers, and food if you wish, but the hot dogs are free.

This is a great Y’s Men tradition open to friends and family.

If you can’t make it and want to donate, please contact Jon Fox at 203-227-2679 or email: jonfox06880@gmail.com

Community Service Announcement from Jim Marpe:

Y’s Men Invited to "Common Ground” Presentation

Just about any Y’s Men conversation involving current public events or political activities inevitably brings out the sad state of civil discourse involving our political leaders as well as everyday citizens. This past year, The Westport Library started the Common Ground initiative to help us learn how to make our own conversations and interactions as civil and productive as possible. You may recall the well-attended and well-received session at the Library featuring former U.S. Senator Roy Blount describing his experiences in “reaching across the aisle.”  

Monday, August 5, 7:00 to 8:00 pm

Steve Parrish with Sally Susman, Pfizer's Chief Corporate Affairs Officer will discuss ways to share information in ways that encourage agreement and avoid confrontation. 

Breaking Through: Communicating to Open Minds, Move Hearts, and Change the World, Sally’s best selling book, draws from her experience at Pfizer where she was charged with rolling out the vaccine to an anxious and polarized world. From that experience she gained insights on leadership and connectivity that are essential going forward as we face challenges from political dysfunction to rampant inequity.

Admission is free but registering for tickets on The Westport Library website is highly recommended. The August 5 ticket reservation link is available now.

Y’s Men Community Service Opportunity:

Volunteer Needed for Afghan Refugee Family Support

Long-time Y’s Man and Past President Pete Wolgast has been working for several years with a group of Fairfield County volunteers who help relocate Afghan families who supported the U.S. presence in Afghanistan and have had to flee their home country to save their lives. 

This rescue group is looking for a volunteer to coordinate the other volunteers who provide support services to a recently arrived Afghani family. This coordinator is not the person who delivers specific services such as rides, grocery shopping, school enrollment, etc., but instead, develops a relationship with the family and reaches out to other known volunteers as specific services are required.

If you think you would be interested in an ongoing commitment to help a family who risked their lives to help our troops in Afghanistan, please contact Pete Wolgast at akwpete@aol.com or 203-259-4215 for further information.

Y's Men Pickleball players at Town Farms courts recently. From left to right are Ed Diamond, Pete Eyes, Nick Battaglino, Hayes Clark, Larry Shapiro, Jim Perez, Matt McNerney, Drew Murphy and Jim Bennett. Other regular players are Gerry Lillis, Stan Satty, Sal Mollica, Jay Dirnberger, and Mitch Fitter.

Y's Men Pickleball Players Play Twice Weekly

A growing contingent of Y's Men numbering between eight and 12 players meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 12:30 pm at Westport's Town Farms courts on North Compo Road. There they have two courts reserved to play pickleball.

Describing themselves as "a loyal and collegial group," the pickleball players are committed to fun and friendship.

New members at all levels who would like to play pickleball are invited to join the group. Contact Ed Diamond at erdli@aol.com or Hayes Clark at hayesclark53@gmail.com if you have questions.

Y's Men Bocce Players Meet This Wednesday

The Y's Men Bocce Group meets this Wednesday, July 31 and every Wednesday (weather permitting) at Veterans Park, 909 Reef Road, in Fairfield, where there are six well-maintained Bocce Courts available.  

Teams are formed and games start at 10:30 am and usually run until noon.

No registration is required. Just show up and join a team of fellow Y's Men.  

Reminder emails are sent out on Tuesday evening. If you wish to be added to the list, send your email address to Len Ances at ances@sbcglobal.net

Plan to Attend Thursday Gatherings at Sherwood Island

Thursday morning gatherings at Sherwood Island Pavilion are a Y's Men's summer tradition. Coffee, donuts, bagels, and conversation from 9:00 to 10:00 am are held every Thursday through August 29.

Plan to attend this Thursday and future Thursdays. No reservations are needed. Just show up and enjoy the free refreshments and conversation.

Following the social hour, an optional walking group forms up to tour Sherwood Island.

Special thanks to the Y's Men team that brings the refreshments. They are Al Landis, Bob Israely, Brian Baxendale, Lou Rolla, and Dick Kalt. Baxter Urist is the organizer of the Thursday morning socials.

Plans Shaping Up for West Point Football September 21

A section of 25 tickets have been purchased by the Y's Men for the Army vs. Rice University football game scheduled for Saturday, September 21.

An outing to West Point has long been an autumn event for the Y's Men and this year's program promises to be outstanding. In addition to the game, participants will watch the West Point Cadets Parade and enjoy a tailgating party under a tent that will be "home base" for Y's Men and their guests. Spouses, significant others, families and children are encouraged to attend.

Plans call for car pooling from Merritt Exit 42 at 6:45 am or driving directly. The cost for the tickets and tent is $60.00 per person including tailgate food and byob drinks. Sign-up and payment information will be circulated soon.

Roy McKay (roymckay@hotmail.com) and Baxter Urist (burist@optonline.net) are the event leaders.