MARCH 2024 IS MEMBERSHIP MONTH

communications@ysmenwestportweston.org

Please use this email address to contact the Communications Committee directly should you have questions concerning Y's Men communications, the Newsletter, or other information, requests or concerns.

Tuesday Update -- March 5, 2024

• Y's Man Len Fisher, Westport Icon, Passes Away at 99    
• Dan Woog Speaks to Y’s Men this Thursday
• Jazz Club Continues Its Program on March 6
• Dave Brubeck Tribute Benefits The Westport Library
• GIDG to Discuss Conflict Zones at Monday Meeting 
• Three Upcoming Trips Announced by T&E
• Y's Man Tom Kretsch Photo Exhibition March 22 
• Spring in to Song March 24
• Get Ready for Summer Tennis
•  Monday Golf Group Being Formed
•  New Y's Men Facebook Group
•  Tax Preparation Assistance Available for Y's Men

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

Leonard Everett Fisher led the Y's Men in the Pledge of Allegiance at a recent Thursday meeting.

Y's Man Len Fisher Passes Away at 99

Leonard Everett Fisher, a Y's Man since 2004, passed away Saturday, March 2. He was 99, and would have been 100 this June.

Hailed as a "Westport icon," Len was an artist well known for illustrating children's books. Starting in 1955, he illustrated about 250 books for young readers including about 88 that he also wrote.

In the Y's Men, he was best known for designing the organization's Memorial Day float that consistently won the "best float" award.

There will be no funeral, but the family is planning a celebration and memorial on what would have been Len's 100^th birthday in June. Details will be announced as soon as they are available.

To read full coverage in "06880" of his passing, click on the button below.

Dan Woog will talk this Thursday about "Westport Then and Now"

Dan Woog to Speak at This Thursday's Meeting

Creator of the highly popular Westport social site 06880, retired Staples High School soccer coach and noted observer of all things Westport, Dan Woog joins us this Thursday (March 7) to offer his views on "Westport Then and Now," a look at our history and the Westport of today.

Jazz Club Continues Its Program at the VFW Tomorrow

The Jazz Club returns to the VFW tomorrow (Wednesday, March 6) at noon for lunch and an extension of its February program of dancing and vocals from movies, and personal appearances by entertainment legends.

The program will start off with Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" performance which should have been viewed last month. It is a classic. Following will be Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and Shirley Temple and their famous stairway dance, Cyd Charisse and Gene Kelly, and more.

Biographical sketches will be presented before each performance.

Contact Jeff Hare at jeffhare@optonline.net if you would like to attend and tell him the name of your guest. Cost is $25.00 per person paid at the VFW.

Brubeck Brothers Quartet: A Tribute to Dave Brubeck

Will Benefit The Westport Library

The Brubeck Brothers Quartet will pay tribute to Dave Brubeck on Saturday, March 9, from 7:00 to 10:00 pm, at The Westport Library in a performance that will benefit the Library. The evening will marry musical elegance with irresistible swinging rhythms, offering a jazz experience in an intimate setting that will resonate deep within the soul.

Through captivating visuals and masterful storytelling, they will unveil the extraordinary life of Dave Brubeck, drawing the audience into his genius, innovation, and spirit.

The Brubeck family has been part of this community since the early 1960s.

Click below to purchase tickets to this event.

Global Issues Discussion Group Meets Monday, March 11

The Global Issues Discussion Group (GIDG) will meet this coming Monday, March 11 at 9:00 am in Room 203 at the Church. 

Because previous meetings of the Group have focused on Ukraine and the Israel/Hamas war, Moderator Peter Chelico thinks that the Group may have forgotten all the other conflict zones in the world. He proposes a discussion of these conflict zones at Monday's meeting. Attendees should come prepared to enumerate and rank other conflict zones that can flare up into significant issues.

Sign up below to be added to the GIDG distribution list

The mission of the Global Issues Discussion Group (GIDG), one of the more popular activities in the Y’s Men’s arsenal, is to keep members engaged with world affairs and stimulate discussion about world events as they unfold. The group meets every other Monday throughout the year, except during the holidays, and averages about 30+ attendees. One of the elements that makes the group dynamic is that it includes many Y’s Men who have worked for companies or other organizations dealing in international issues. Some have had extensive international travel for work and some have lived abroad for extended periods of time. Their experience provides the group with important personal insights into current affairs, politics, history and local culture.

Please sign up below for the Global Issues Discussion Group

Answer 'Yes' if you'd like to be added. If not, no need to click "No."

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Three Trips and Events Arranged by the T&E Committee

Three upcoming trips for Y's Men have been announced by the Trips and Events committee under the chairmanship of Bill Blaufuss,

The first trip consists of guided tours of Grand Central Terminal and the New York Public Library on Friday, March 15 led by Y's Man Bob Mitchell. The tours are currently fully booked but click here to contact Bob to be put on the wait list.

Next is the Staples Players Dress Rehearsal of "James and the Giant Peach" at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, March 20. Attendance is exclusively for Y's Men, their spouses or significant others. Details are available under the Trips and Events tab on the Y's Men website (ysmenwestportweston.org).

Last is a Bridgeport Islanders hockey game at 10:30 am on Tuesday, April 2. March 20 is the deadline to purchase tickets. Again,details are available on the Y's Men website.

Get Ready for Summer Tennis

Now is the time to take action if you are interested in participating in Y's Men Summer Tennis.  Many players from last year are expected to return and new players are welcome.

Seven courts have been lined up (Courts One through Five and Courts Eight and Nine) which should accommodate the group most days. Although it is to be determined, play is supposed to start in early May through September on Tuesdays and Fridays at 8:00 am for an hour and a half.  All skill/experience levels are welcome and good matches and games for everyone will be found.

The Town has raised the fee this year for reserving monthly courts from $50.00 per month per court to $150.00 per court. Dewey Loselle, who manages Summer Tennis, has asked everyone interested in playing to pay $200.00 now by clicking the Pay Now button below or by sending a check payable to the Y's Men of Westport/Weston to Y's Men of Westport/Weston, P.O Box 167, Westport, CT 06881-0167.  

For additional information, contact deweyloselle@gmail.com

Y's Men Monday Golf at Longshore

Y’s Men Spring golf at Longshore begins on Monday, April 22 with three exclusive tee times at 11:30, 11:40 and 11:50 am. Weekly sign up on Friday for the following Monday, beginning April 19.

If you are interested in this great opportunity, you will need to register in advance so please look for an email coming to you soon.

Selected players will be notified by e-mail on Sunday. Early responders get priority but not exclusivity.

Watch for the email and join us!

New Y's Men Facebook Group

The new Y's Men private Facebook Group now has about 80 members. It is there for all Y's Men to participate in and enjoy. To become a member of the Facebook Group, go to Facebook.com and enter Y's Men of Westport/Weston, and ask to join.

Tax Preparation Assistance For Y’s Men

There is free tax prep help available to all Y’s Men at Westport Town Hall.

Appointments are required and can be made by calling 860-590-8910. 

The virtual option can be accessed via www.simplifyCT.org. 

Any questions, or if interested in becoming a volunteer tax counselor, contact Mark Spivack at 203-216-0978 or spivamas@att.net.