Technology User Group (TUG) Discussions for all users at all levels via hybrid meetings (in-person and Zoom) after the regular meeting, at about 11:45 a.m. (first and fourth Tuesdays of the month).
- Sept 5 – John Tomaszewski is back with more TUG Tips & Techniques. Cursors on SmartPhones, Your device can read to you, & Google Earth Tips
Timely Topics Discussion in-person and via Zoom, with participation encouraged from all in attendance. Usually at 11:45 a.m. on the second Tuesday of the month.
- Sept 12 – Has your opinion about Israel changed in light of Israel passing legislation weakening the Israeli Supreme Court?”
Trips Scheduled (For Old Guard members and their guests)
Post-Covid trips are now being planned. Stay tuned.
Walkers Group walks or hikes are once again feasible – but this group needs a chair or coordinator. Any volunteers?
September Program Chair – Tom Dempsey
- Sept 5 – "Ukraine, a Journey" – Mark Di Ionno has made several trips to Ukraine for humanitarian relief. He will talk about his travels, people he met from Ukraine and Poland, and how the war has affected them. Di Ionno is a former general news columnist at The Star-Ledger and an adjunct professor of journalism at Rutgers University-Newark. He is a 2013 Pulitzer Prize finalist in news commentary for his columns on Hurricane Sandy, the suicide of Tyler Clementi, and other local events and issues. He has written extensively about New Jersey in several books that serve as guides to its landscape and history, including New Jersey's Coastal Heritage: A Guide and A Guide to New Jersey's Revolutionary War Trail, both published by Rutgers University Press. [video]
- Sept 12 -- "EMS Services and History of the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad" -- John Staunton will explain the role of EMS services, the operation of 9-1-1, and the 61-year history of the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad. The Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that responds to more than 2,100 emergency calls each year. Staunton has been an EMT with Summit EMS for over 38 years and is a trustee. In the past, he has held the positions of president and chief. [video to appear]
- Sept 19 -- "Professional Boxing in the 70’s to the 90’s" -- Gerry Cooney will describe the environment he experienced as a professional boxer from 1977 to 1990. In 1982, he fought Larry Holmes in Las Vegas. His boxing record is 31 total fights, 28 wins (24 wins by KO) and three losses. After retirement, Cooney founded the Fighters’ Initiative for Support and Training, which helps retired boxers find jobs. In 2019, he was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. He is an author of Gentleman Gerry: A Contender in the Ring, a Champion in Recovery.[video to appear]
- Sept 26 -- "The History of the World Series" -- As all baseball fans know, the most exciting month is October when the World Series is played. The excitement is certainly heightened when the American League and National League teams are both from the same city. Why has this happened only once since 1957? John Cronin and John Nolan will explain this and much more from several perspectives. Cronin is a CPA, vice president of the Board of Trustees of the New Providence Memorial Library, and the author of six articles in The Baseball Research Journal. Nolan was the official scorer for the Somerset Patriots from 1999 to 2019. He worked in public education for 50 years as a teacher, principal, human resources administrator, and consultant. [in-person and on Zoom]
October Birthday emcee -- Phil Apruzzese
October Program Chair – Mike Martin
- Oct 3 -- "A Perspective of Climate Change" -- Dr. William Happer is a retired professor of physics at Princeton University. He will present a diverging interpretation of selected climate change data. Dr. Happer will question current dogma about climate change by presenting scientific data and theory, which questions the underlying assumptions of conventional wisdom. He expects many questions and will allow ample time to accommodate OG members. Dr. Happer worked in various capacities for the Bush and Trump administrations. [in-person and on Zoom -- for access: [email protected]]
- Oct 10 -- Ladies Day No Meeting
- Oct 17 -- "Pharmaceutical Research and Development—How It Works" -- Put away your high school chemistry book! This presentation by Mike Martin, Old Guard member, formerly of Hoffman-LaRoche and Sanofi, will focus on how drugs are developed, the regulatory process, and historic examples of pioneering discoveries that combated serious diseases. Unique theories on how penicillin was discovered will be covered. Is Thalidomide, which was the scourge of the 1950’s, still prescribed? The discussion will present an entertaining description on important discoveries and controversies. As part of the presentation, Mike will also discuss the origins of a few common therapies that some OG members are currently taking. [in-person and on Zoom]
- Oct 24 -- Mayor Robert Conley of Madison will discuss his administration’s efforts to maintain the excellent quality of life in Madison despite dealing with a diverse population composed of students and suburbanites with different needs. Three universities are headquartered in Madison, which has tax consequences and other social issues. The mayor had to address these proposals: to allow Madison to become a sanctuary city and to provide a storefront for marijuana dispensing. Madison is also unique because it has its own electric distribution facility. The mayor discusses these and other issues that provide some important leadership lessons. Madison has consistently ranked among the best places to live in NJ according to NJ Monthly and Money magazines. [in-person and on Zoom]
- Oct 31 -- "Astronomy" -- Amateur astronomer Paul Cirillo will tell us about the latest discoveries that have been made by the many robotic space exploration missions to the planets, asteroids, and comets in our solar system, as well as the latest images from the James Webb Space Telescope. Also, an overview will be provided of the latest human space programs planned by the United States, China, and several commercial space companies. [in-person and on Zoom]
November Birthday emcee -- John Tomaszewski
