Old Guard | Programs

Technology User Group (TUG) Discussions for all users at all levels via Zoom, after the regular meeting, at about 11:45 a.m. (First and fourth Tuesdays of the month).

Sept. 1 -- Mitch Erickson will discuss the accelerating pace of technology change and how Internet policy varies around the world including a comparison of the USA, China and the European Community

Sept. 22 -- TBD

Timely Topics Discussion via Zoom, with participation encouraged from all in attendance. Usually at 11:45 a.m. on the second Tuesday. Mort O'Shea, Chairman, (973) 813-7393, [email protected]

Sept. 8 -- Topic: “US-China Relations: What should we be doing?”

Trips Scheduled (For Old Guard members and guests)

No trips for the duration of the COVID crisis

Walkers Paul Tukey, (908) 273-7889 [email protected]

Group walks have been suspended for the time being due to the COVID-19 shutdown. They will resume when it appears to be safe – with suitable social-distancing measures in place, of course. Please stay tuned.

September Program Chair - Allen Hamilton

Sept. 1 "New Jersey Jazz Society" – Cydney Halpin, president of the New Jersey Jazz Society, will tell us about jazz in NJ, and it is a great story. She will describe the society and what it does, including its monthly jazz social in Madison on Sundays. She will also have one of the NJ jazz musicians give us a brief concert. This should be a fun and entertaining meeting. [video conference]

Sept. 8 "Do It Yourself Investing" – Allen Hamilton, OG member, will explain how easy it is to do your own portfolio management and save a lot of money versus investment advisors. He will explain how to do it yourself by using newsletters, monthly magazines, and automation. Alternatives include using the automated portfolio services through Fidelity, Vanguard, and Schwab. Many of the automated services use ETFs at nearly 0% fees. [video conference]

Sept. 15 "Polling 101: The Art, The Science, and a Look at the 2020 Presidential Election" – Dr. Ashley Koning, director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling. Dr. Koning will provide an overview of public opinion polling, highlighting the delicate balance between its objective and subjective nature, and its oft forgotten roots in probability and uncertainty. She will also take a look at polling during the 2020 presidential election, how it compares to 2016, whether or not we should trust it, and what challenges lie ahead for polling in the future. [video conference]

Sept. 22 "Coffee -- From Beans on a Tree to Aromatic Beverage." Old Guard member Alfred Glatz spent his career as a chemist at General Foods Corporation and knows a thing or two about food chemistry, especially America's favorite beverage! Al will tell us some things about coffee that we likely don't know, including how coffee is decaffeinated. And he will answer our questions. You'll have to call out for your own Starbucks Latte, though. [video conference – For Zoom access contact: [email protected]]

Sept. 29 "Ship Modeling -- More than Just a Hobby." Tom Ruggiero and Bill Brown of the Ship Model Society of New Jersey will describe the different types of ship modeling, including the various types of hull construction, a comparison of kit versus from-scratch building, what is involved in the hobby, and how one might get started in this very rewarding craft. [video conference]

October Birthdays – Sri Srikantan

October Program Chair - Marvin Gersten

Oct. 6 "The Meadowlands American Dream Project" - Ken Mackiewicz and Steve Tarabokija will discuss the traffic and transportation aspects of the American Dream Project, a 5,000,000 square foot mixed use entertainment, retail, hotel, and office project located next to Met Life Stadium in the Meadowlands.

Oct. 13 "Automated Vehicle Technology Research Conducted at NJIT" - Dr. Branislav Dimitrijevic and Dr. Joyoung Lee will discuss examples of vehicle-to-infrastructure communication application for traffic signal advisories and queue warning, transit vehicle tracking, passenger call-ahead arrival notification, and integration of mobile road weather observations.

Oct. 20 "NJ Transportation Planning Authority - The Long Range Transportation Plan" - Ted Ritter will provide an overview of the NJTPA and long range transportation planning in northern NJ, including NJTPA's next long range plan, 2050: Transportation, People, Opportunity.

Oct. 27 "Researching Your Civil War Ancestors" - Richard Schrader will discuss his experience researching nearly 50 ancestors who fought in the Civil War for either the Union or Confederate causes. He found heroic deeds and some who were court-martialed. He will also describe some of the more common sources available to do your own research.

November Birthdays – Foster Osborne

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