Y's Men News -- Sunday, April 12, 2026 | | |
Table of Contents
(Scroll Down to Find the Article Behind the Headline. Articles are
in the same order as the Table of Contents)
- Shoah Memorial to Be Discussed This Afternoon at Library
- Travel Discussion Group to Discuss Cruises Tomorrow
- Get Smart About AI — Fast!
- Long Island Sound and the American Revolution
- Trips & Events Lists Outings
- Governor Lamont Speaks at Library Tomorrow
- Y's Men Pickleball Enthusiasts Ready to Begin New Season
- Do You Matter? That's the Question at Life Talk Meeting
- Y's Men Bocce Season Begins Wednesday, April 15
- Ping Pong Players Meet on Mondays at 2:30 pm
- Sign up Deadline for Y's Men Summer Tennis is Today
- New Y's Man Proposes Aviation Discussion Group
- Here's An Opportunity to Strengthen Bonds with Grandchildren
- Common Ground Presentation on Bias and Hate April 21
- Full House for Jim Marpe Interview with Craig Melvin
- Y's Man Len Ances Has Speedy Recovery
| | Shoah Memorial to Be Discussed This Afternoon at Library | | |
The Shoah Memorial Fairfield Connecticut will be discussed this afternoon (Sunday, April 12) from 2:00 to 3:30 pm at The Westport Library.
The Shoah Memorial Fairfield Connecticut will be discussed and presented this afternoon from 2:00 to 3:30 pm at The Westport Library. This Just In: Senator Richard Blumenthal is expected to be in attendance.
Y’s Man Paul F. Burger is Chairman and primary sponsor of the project, a nonprofit dedicated to Holocaust remembrance, education, and interfaith civic engagement. It revolves around a sculpture entitled "She Wouldn't Take Off Her Boots" that will be installed as a memorial at Fairfield University.
The sculpture will be the centerpiece of the Sunday program entitled "Fighting Antisemitism and Celebrating Community: An Introduction to the Shoah Memorial."
The memorial is being created as a permanent educational resource—honoring Holocaust victims and survivors while fostering dialogue about human dignity, moral courage, and the consequences of hatred for future generations.
For additional information on the program and to obtain free admission click here.
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Travel Discussion Group to Discuss Cruises Tomorrow
The Y’s Men Travel Discussion Group will meet from 9:00 to 10:30 am tomorrow (Monday, April 13) in rooms 203-204 at the Saugatuck Congregational Church.
The meeting's focus will be: "Cruising, Ocean/River/Other?- Experiences and Interests"
* Cruise lines - good and bad experiences?
* Is it for you?
* How to decide on the "best" cruise?
Spouses/partners/significant others are always welcome.
For information about the Y’s Men Travel Discussion Group, or to be added to the Group’s email distribution list, please contact Art Mann at mannart03@gmail.com
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Get Smart About AI — Fast! | |
Peter Farnsworth
This Thursday’s meeting will show you how to put AI to work immediately. We’re building this program for the Y’s Men. If you haven’t already, take this two-minute survey: Survey link
Customizing the presentation for us is this week’s speaker, Peter Farnsworth.
Peter Farnsworth is a retired Chief Financial Officer and administrative leader with decades of experience in finance, risk management, and operations across major nonprofit organizations. Over the course of his career, he served as CFO for leading national nonprofits, including Americares and the American Kennel Club, where he oversaw finance, risk, and administrative functions.
In recent years, he has focused on helping individuals and organizations understand and use Artificial Intelligence in practical, ethical, and responsible ways. Bringing a CFO’s perspective to the topic, Peter emphasizes real-world applications, the benefits and dangers for the future, and risk-awareness over technical complexity.
A longtime New Canaan resident, Peter and his wife have raised their family there over the past 38 years. He enjoys giving back to surrounding communities through presentations on various aspects of AI in New Canaan, Darien, and Old Greenwich, and he also delights in performing card tricks to entertain residents of nearby senior living and rehab centers. He has been a friend of our own Y's Man Jeff Wieser for 45 years.
Y's Men Thursday morning meetings are in Hoskins Hall downstairs in the Saugatuck Congregational Church, 245 Post Road East in Westport. Coffee, donut, and bagel social hour begins at 9:00 am, business meeting at 10:00 am, speaker at 10:30 am. Come early and meet your fellow members. Guests are always welcome
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Patriots, Privateers, Spies, Murderers and Smugglers:
Long Island Sound and the American Revolution
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The cannons at Compo Beach.
Photo by Dale K. Pennington
No doubt everyone in Westport and Weston has passed by the cannons at Compo Beach and the nearby Minuteman statue, commemorating battles fought in Fairfield County during the American Revolution. Ed Hynes, in his presentation to Y's Men last Thursday, offered the fascinating and intricate details of the military history underlying these monuments, and the strategic roles played by maritime towns off Long Island Sound, in determining the course and outcome of the revolution.
Extending 100+ miles in length, and up to 15 miles in width, the estuary of Long Island Sound was a critical boundary between the coasts of Connecticut, and New York. When the British took New York City, in 1776, thousands of colonial Patriots crossed the Sound to Connecticut.
There were Loyalist and British raids on Connecticut, including the 1777 "Danbury Raid," with troops from Long Island and New York City, crossing over the Sound; as well as retaliatory raids from Connecticut across the Sound against loyalist strongholds by colonial "Patriots," including and aided by "Privateers," legal pirates licensed by the government to smuggle goods and attack enemies, all for profit, not freedom. While there were large merchant ships on the Sound, much of the traffic was engaged in by smaller and swifter "whalebacks," with sharp edges at east end, which were able to navigate in the shallower waters of the Sound, or in low tides.
All told, Patriots and Privateers apprehended or destroyed seven merchant ships for each ship lost, while the British specialty was raiding and burning towns, including Norwalk and Fairfield. And thousands of captive prisoners died following raids.
As to the spy associated with crossing the Sound, it was Nathan Hale, a recent Yale graduate, learned in many areas, but evidently not espionage, he was promptly captured and hanged by the British. And Benedict Arnold, having recently changed teams, led a British fleet to New Haven and Groton, where he deceived the defenders by signalling that there was no danger, and that all was clear.
To see Ed's presentation, click here.
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Monday, April 13
North Sails: Sail Manufacturing Facility in Bridgeport
“For Y’s Men Members Only” due to high demand. Unfortunately, no spouses nor guests.
https://conta.cc/41suxeY
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Wednesday, April 15
New York Transit Museum and Plymouth Church
Open to fully dues-paid-up Y’s Men members, spouses and friends
https://conta.cc/3Nxqvi8
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Wednesday, April 22
New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show
Sold Out
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Monday, April 27
NYC Walk: First Things First
Spouses, Significant Others, and Guests Welcome!
https://conta.cc/4vj21ub
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Wednesday, April 29 and Wednesday, June 24
Tour of Amazon Fulfillment Center
Due to anticipated demand, we must restrict
participation to Y’s Men members only.
https://conta.cc/4v4R1Ar
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Thursday, June 4
New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Guardians
Open to fully dues-paid-up Y’s Men members, spouses and friends
https://conta.cc/4sJGW9R
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Thursday, June 11
New York Mets vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Open to fully dues-paid-up Y’s Men members, spouses and friends
https://conta.cc/4kOYChS
Be sure to refer to the NYC Travel Hints on the T&E website. They were revised recently, and are helpful to those who may not be familiar with train travel to and from the City.
| | The Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce has extended its speaker series to include Governor Ned Lamont. He will be speaking at The Westport Library tomorrow (Monday, April 13) at 11:00 am. Admission is free. Sign up by clicking here. | | |
Y's Men Pickleball Enthusiasts Ready to Begin New Season
The courts are swept, the nets are up, the temperature is rising. It's time to begin the 2026 outdoor season!
The location is the same: Town Farms Courts on North Compo Road.
The time is the same: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 to 2:00 pm.
What's new this season is that they are going to continue their practice of playing for a third day as they did at the end of last season: Saturdays from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.
Courts will be reserved beginning this week; first play date this Tuesday, April 7.
For those who may be new to the game or would like to improve their skills, Westport offers a series of clinics throughout the spring and summer months. Westport residents can sign up for the clinics at the Parks and Rec website. They can really make a difference in your game.
If there are any questions or suggestions, please contact any of the four Y's Men listed below.
In the meantime, get ready for another season of play and camaraderie. See you on Tuesday. And remember to stretch before you play.
Hayes Clark hayesclark53@gmail.com
Ed Diamond erdli@aol.com
Jay Dirnberger jaydirnberger@gmail.com
Matt McNerney matthewmcnerney0@gmail.com
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Do You Matter? That's the Question at Life Talk Meeting
The next Y's Men Life Talk meeting will be this Tuesday, April 14 at 2:00 pm in room 109-110 at the Saugatuck Congregational Church.
Much has been written about how exercise, diet and sleep contribute to a long and healthy life. But research suggests that, as you age, a positive mind-set — including optimism and a sense of purpose — can also benefit your health and longevity.
Feeling that you are valued and have something to contribute to others — often called mattering — can inspire positive behaviors that influence longevity. “If you feel like you matter, you’re more likely to stay socially connected, take care of yourself, show up for others, and keep investing in life,” said Jennifer B. Wallace, the author of a new book, “Mattering.”
So, do you matter? The answer is, of course you do. But the question is, to whom and why? Your children? Your spouse or partner? Brother or sister? How about to your community — the food bank you work with, the kids you mentor, or your church? How about to yourself?
Please join Life Talk on April 14. Tell us who you believe you most matter to and why, and yes, why others matter to you.
For additional information on Life Talk, contact Y's Man Larry Ackerman at larryackerman06@gmail.com
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Y's Men Bocce Season Begins This Wednesday
Y's Men bocce players begin their new season this Wednesday, April 15 when they meet at Veterans Memorial Park, 909 Reef Road in Fairfield at 10:30 am. They play until about noon and will be playing weekly on Wednesdays throughout the season. No registration or fees are required. There are six well maintained courts, and a restroom. If you have a Bocce set, bring it, until it is known how many players will attend.
This year, Y's Men players will be joined by the Fairfield Men's Club.
For additional information, contact Y's Man Len Ances at ances@sbcglobal.net or
203-227-8218
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Y’s Men Ping Pong Players Meet on Mondays at 2:30 pm
Y's Men Ping Pong players meet every Monday at the Westport Center for Senior Activities to play from 2:30 to 4:00 pm.
Extra paddles are available if needed. Typically, the group plays singles or doubles depending on the number of folks who come.
Players at any level are welcomed even if they have not played in 40 or 50 years.
For additional information contact Y's Man Jeffery Silberman at jefferymsilberman@gmail.com
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Sign up Deadline for Y's Men Summer Tennis is Today
Sign up now for summer tennis which is expected to begin at Longshore Park around Friday, May 1. Returning and new players need to complete the form and return it by end of the day today. Click here to obtain the sign up form.
Summer tennis is held Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:00 to 9:30 am.
For additional information, contact Dewey Loselle at DeweyLoselle@gmail.com or 203-454-4171.
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New Y's Man Proposes Aviation Discussion Group
New Y's Man Bob Jacobs is interested in hosting an aviation discussion group for those Y’s Men who are pilots, ex-pilots or anyone who has an active interest in flying, contemporary aviation and aviation history. The purpose is to share information and stories whether a pilot or aviation buff.
To make it interesting, he thinks four to six people would be needed to meet once a month. The first few meetings would be brown bag lunches or a mid-morning coffee at his house in Westport.
Bob has been a pilot since his first lesson at age 15. He has about 2,000 hours comprised of 1500 hours flying piston engine aircraft and 500 hours flying sailplanes.
If interested, contact Bob at rbrtjacobs@gmail.com or 203-856-0274
| | Here's an Opportunity to Strengthen Bonds with Grandchildren | | |
Y's Men pilot program provides a platform to better know your grandchildren.
Sign up now for a new pilot program: Grand Play Day, coming to Y’s Men of Westport/Weston. It’s an afternoon where you and a grandchild (ages 5–12) play together, face‑to‑face and screen‑free. Using simple tools — question cards, paper‑and‑pencil table games, storytelling dice and cards, and easy, low‑impact activities — you’ll share laughs, swap stories, and likely discover something new about each other.
Why it matters: Grand Play Day is built on “Connections Thru Play,” created by Playocracy founder Lynn Campanella in partnership with the National Institute for Play, where Y’s Man Joe Miller serves as a volunteer executive.
Research highlighted by the Institute shows that play supports our health, our brains, our learning, our creativity, and our emotional resilience. It is as essential as sleep and nutrition. This Y’s Men pilot, planned for the week of April 24–30, 2026 to coincide with Global Intergenerational Week, will involve 15 to 20 Y’s Men families, be facilitated by Lynn and Joe, and include academic input from Eastern Connecticut State University’s Center for Early Childhood Education and Fordham University’s Center on Aging and Intergenerational Studies as a potential model for other community groups.
To participate with a grandchild ages 5–12, contact Joe Miller at josephamiller@yahoo.com.
| | Full House for Jim Marpe Interview with Craig Melvin | | |
Y's Man Jim Marpe interviews Craig Melvin at The Westport Library.
Photo by Susan Garment.
There was a full house last Wednesday when Y's Man Jim Marpe interviewed Craig Melvin in an event co-sponsored by the Y's Men and The Westport Library. Melvin is Co-Anchor of NBC’s “Today” and Co-Host of “3rd Hour of Today.”
Click here to read a full account of the interview on "06880." A video of the interview will be released as soon as it becomes available.
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Y's Man Len Ances Plans to Attend This Week's Meeting
If you attended last Thursday's meeting, you may have seen the fire trucks and the EMS. Westport has a great response team!
Our member Len Ances--who led us in the pledge of allegiance and announced Bocce resuming at Veteran’s Park in Fairfield on Wednesdays--was taken to Norwalk Hospital after the meeting. He spent hours in the emergency room and then was admitted to the regular ward while his doctors tried to determine what was happening to him.
The good news is that he is now doing much better, so much so that he was going to be released yesterday. His medicines have also been recalculated. Len said he plans to be at this Thursday's meeting.
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