Y's Men News -- Wednesday, November 5, 2025 | | |
Table of Contents
(Scroll Down to Find the Article Behind the Headline. Articles are
in the same order as the Table of Contents)
- Westport EMS to Present and Demo CPR Tomorrow
- The Maya is Topic of Travel Discussion Group This Monday
- Y's Men Veterans: Bedford Students Want to Hear About You
- Veterans Day Ceremony -- Tuesday, November 11
- T&E Lists Outing This Month
- Entry Period in 2025 Photo Contest Ends Tomorrow
- Ice Skating, Anyone? Y's Men Initiative Underway
- Income Tax Preparation Volunteers Needed
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Y's Man Paul Epstein Hosts "Just for Men" Meetings
- FMA Invites Y's Men to Breakfast Social
- Common Ground Initiative Set for November 13
- Special Movie Night in Fairfield with Susan Granger
- Important Prostate Cancer Education Event at the Library
- Save the Date; Y's Men Holiday Party December 3
- Life Talk Meeting: If You Could Re-Live Your Life...
- Roll Up Your Sleeve! Y's Men/VFW Blood Drive November 19
- Westport Library Book Sale: Y’s Men Volunteers Needed
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Y's Men: Please Show Respect for Your Speakers
Speaker presentations on Thursday mornings are not over until the Q&A session is finished. Please remain seated until then. If you must leave during the Q&A, sit in the rear of the room so you can slip out quietly. And avoid conversations in the back of the room until the Q&As are completed.
| | Next Up Tomorrow: Westport’s Lifesavers — With a Pulse | | |
Jaime Bairaktaris, president of Westport EMS, will present to Y's Men tomorrow morning and demonstrate life-saving techniques.
The Big Picture:
Founded in 1979, Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service blends volunteers and professionals to keep the town covered 24/7, fielding nearly 2,400 calls a year with three ambulances and a parade-ready bike team. They’re funded by donations, fueled by caffeine, and ready for anything — from traffic tangles to fireworks fallout.
Jaime Bairaktaris, WVEMS president, will pull back the curtain on the latest tech, training, and close calls, keeping Westport prepared for the next emergency.
Heart-thumper bonus:
After Jaime’s presentation, stay for a 20-minute CPR demo — your chance to save a life, or at least impress friends by knowing what to do if someone chokes on a donut at the meeting.
When & where:
Tomorrow (Thursday, November. 6), Y’s Men weekly meeting. Show up, learn, laugh, and maybe get your hero cape ready.
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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The Maya is Topic of Travel Discussion Group This Monday
The Y’s Men Travel Discussion Group will meet Monday, November 10 from 9:00 to 10:30 am in rooms 203-204 at the Saugatuck Congregational Church.
As is the usual custom, meetings start by members talking about their recent travel experiences.
Y's Man David Pressler will be the guest leader. The topic will be: “The Maya - A Classic View.”
- David’s photographic imagery explores both the physical remains of the Maya Classic Period (250 - 900 AD), as well as a view of the present-day Maya people in Central America.
BTW – the graphic above was created by ChatGPT when asked to provide the subject title of David’s presentation.
Spouses/partners/significant others are always welcome to attend the meeting.
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, mannart03@gmail.com
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Y's Men Veterans: Bedford Students Want to Learn From You
NOW HEAR THIS: In years past, a number of Y's Men military veterans have participated in a highly successful Veterans Day education program at Bedford Middle School. The program invites veterans to share their military experiences with members of the school's eighth grade classes.
The coordinator at Bedford is eager to have as many vets as possible participate in this year's program but has not heard from some of her past volunteers.
If you are a vet and have participated in the past, but have not responded to this year's invitation, or if you would like to join this year's program on Wednesday morning, November 12 as a first-timer, please contact John Brandt at jkbrandt@aol.com. He will put you in touch with Courtney Ruggiero, the program coordinator, who will reserve you a place in the program.
According to past Y's Men participants, it's one of those intergenerational experiences that will be well worth your time.
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Veterans Day Ceremony -- Tuesday, November 11
The Town of Westport will conduct its annual Veterans Day Ceremony and Recognition on Tuesday, November 11, in the Town Hall Auditorium. Patriotic music by the Westport Community Band will begin at 10:30 am, with the ceremony starting at 11:00 am.
This always-moving event features recognition of all local veterans, a commemoration by the First Selectwoman, and an address by a local high school student. Even if you are not a military veteran, please consider attending to honor your Y’s Men brothers who have served our country in war and peace.
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Monday, November 17
NYC Walk: A Stroll Down Park Avenue
RSVP Required. The walk is limited to 20 persons
https://conta.cc/47OBHhE
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Entry Period in 2025 Photo Contest Ends Tomorrow
Entries in Expo 22, the photo contest co-sponsored by the Y's Men Photography Club and the Westport Center for Senior Activities, may be submitted tomorrow.
Judging of entries, in eight classifications, will be on Wednesday, November 12. Three entries per person will be allowed in these categories: Landscape, Waterscape, Architectural, Portrait, Nature, Critter, General, and Highly Manipulated.
Click here to read the rules of the exhibition and obtain an entry form.
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Ice Skating, Anyone? Y's Men Initiative Underway
Y's Man Jeff Rothman wants to form a new Y's Men skating group at the Longshore rink—a chance to get off the couch, lace up, and prove that the old legs still have the muscle memory. This isn't about high-stakes competition; it's about claiming some cheap, dedicated ice time during the day for fellowship and a refreshing blast of cold air.
Longshore offers a reduced group rate, reserved dedicated ice time, and even arrangements for lessons. If you're ready to lace up and skate, and enough Y's Men are feeling adventurous, Jeff can look into some no (or low)-contact "beer hall" hockey.
If you are interested, contact Jeff at jeff@rothman-brothers.com. Jeff adds, "Let’s make this happen!"
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Y’s Men Volunteer Opportunity: SimplifyCT
SimplifyCT, which offers free IRS tax prep at Westport Town Hall, is inviting Y’s Men to volunteer this tax season. No experience needed—training begins in December, and service runs from late January through mid-April.
To learn more, contact Leidy Diaz at leidyd@simplifyct.org or visit www.simplifyct.org.
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Y's Man Paul Epstein Hosts "Just for Men" Meetings
"Just for Men" meetings hosted by Y's Man Paul Epstein of the Mindfulness Group are on the first Thursday of the month. The November meeting will be tomorrow from 3:00 to 4:00 pm at the Westport Center for Senior Activities.
Each session involves meditation practice, mindfulness, compassion, gratitude and discussion and sharing, exploring. Teachings include..."see with new eyes;" resilience, working with difficult emotions, responding vs. reacting, being here now, present moment awareness, finding peace in the storm, being comfortable with uncertainty, and integration of practice and teaching with all of life, daily and beyond.
Any questions, contact Paul at epsteinmb@aol.com.
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Fairfield Men's Association Invites Y's Men to Breakfast Social
The recently formed Fairfield Men's Association has launched a "FMA Breakfast Social" and the Y's Men have been invited to attend. It will be held on Wednesday, November 12 from 8:30 am to 10:00 am at the Circle Diner, 441 Post Road in Fairfield. Plans are to have a breakfast social on the second Wednesday of the month from November 12 on.
Cost of the hearty, buffet breakfast is $20.00 with tax and tip included. No speaker at the event which provides an opportunity for socializing and camaraderie in a relaxed setting. Members and non-members are invited to attend.
Click here to sign up and pay for admission.
| | A Common Ground Initiative Special Event on November 13 | | |
Thursday, November 13, 7:00–8:30 pm, The Westport Library.
Eli Cohn-Postell and Kara Wilson from Project Shema will present “Understanding Jewish Identity, Antisemitism, and Allyship.” The program explores the history and impact of antisemitism, featuring a moderated talk and an audience Q&A session. In-person attendance only; all are welcome.
Sponsored by Jon and Bobbi Roth, with support from The Westport Police Department.
Click here to obtain free tickets and details.
| | Susan Granger Invites Y's Men to Starstruck Film Series Event | | |
Film critic and regular speaker to the Y's Men Susan Granger wants Y's Men to know about a program in the Starstruck Film Series on Sunday, November 16 at 1:00 pm at the SHU Community Theater in Fairfield. It will be a showing of "Terms of Endearment" starring Shirley MacLaine followed by an interview with Sachi Parker, MacLaine's daughter.
Click here to purchase tickets or for additional information contact Josh Levin, SHU Community Theater operations manager at 203-371-7817.
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Important Prostate Cancer Education Event at the Library
Y’s Man and retired physician Bob Altbaum moderates the Andrew Wilk Medical Library series at The Westport Library. The next session is Monday, November 17, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, and will focus on prostate disease—including benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. Bob will discuss BPH, and urological oncologist Dr. John Graham will cover prostate cancer. This promises to be an informative talk for all Y’s Men.
For additional information and to obtain free tickets click here.
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Life Talk Meeting: If You Could Re-Live Your Life...
Tuesday, November 11, 2:00–3:30 pm
Room 109-110, Saugatuck Congregational Church
Topic: If you could re-live your life, what would you do differently?
Share and discuss experiences—work, love, health, friendships—and lessons learned.
Quotes to consider:
• “There are no do-overs, but there are second chances.”
• “Life always offers you a second chance… It’s called tomorrow.”
For more info, email Larry Ackerman: larryackerman06@gmail.com.
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Westport Library Book Sale:
Y’s Men Volunteers Needed
The Westport Library’s Fall/Winter Book Sale runs from Friday, December 5, through Monday, December 8, with setup beginning Wednesday, December 3, and continuing through Thursday evening, December 4. Takedown will be Monday afternoon, December 8.
Many Y’s Men have pitched in over the years, and we hope this year will be no exception. Volunteers are needed for setup, the sale itself, and takedown.
Sign up here: https://signup.com/go/moftSDr . You’ll find descriptions of each role and the number of volunteers needed. Be sure to note “Y’s Men” when you sign up so our Director of Community Service, Jim Marpe, can track participation from our group.
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