Come for the Programs . . .
* Since the Covid shutdown ended, we have been running in-person meetings with "hybrid" access by Zoom. To join by Zoom send a request to [email protected]
Meetings start at 9:30 AM with coffee and socializing. At 10:00 we sit down, sing a song or two, and hear a few jokes & announcements. The day's invited speaker starts at around 10:30. Visitors are asked to arrive by 10:00 AM to sign in.
Note: For the present, in-person attendance requires full Covid vaccination. Face masks are optional.
Programs consist of stimulating talks by people such as past governors, mayors, politicians, physicians, Nobel Prize winners, judges, professors, historians, scientists, authors, economists, journalists, financial advisors, medical specialists, conservationists, etc. The following Q&A is lively. Put on your business casual attire or jacket & tie (or something more casual from May to September) and attend a meeting with us. All visitors are welcome. Admission is free.
Stay for the Friends*
After the meetings, many members join together to have lunch at various local restaurants.
In addition to the weekly meetings, there are activity groups for golf, bridge, hiking, trips, computer help, tennis and more.
* Or, as one member put it recently, "Come for the Jokes, Stay for the Talks", since we start each meeting by singing a few songs and enjoying a few jokes :-)
Policy on Weather Cancellations
During very bad weather or when the NPPC is unavailable to us, our meetings simply move online with Zoom. We will post a notice at this website and send an email to members.
For more information:
On Retiring – A Stimulating Road Ahead
Where will you find a sense of purpose and satisfaction? How will you find mental stimulus and a sense of community? Click on this PDF file to consider an answer to these questions.
Donations to Old Guard are welcome and greatly appreciated (although they are not tax deductible).
Dues are $55 a year with a $10 early-payment discount, and can be paid using this dues link.
April Program Chair – Gabe Gruber
- Apr 1 – Speaking Up, Standing Together: Starting the Conversation on Domestic Violence – Our speaker Marianne McCrone is a licensed professional counselor and the clinical director of child and adolescent services at the Rachel Coalition, within the Domestic Violence Counseling Program at Jewish Family Service of MetroWest, New Jersey. She will present an overview of the dynamics and prevalence of domestic violence, with an emphasis on violence in our local community, and services provided by JFS/Rachel Coalition. The session will be geared toward engaging men in the conversation around domestic violence, highlighting the important role men play in gender-based violence, and understanding the experiences of survivors. [no video]
- Apr 8 – What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? – Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective form of treatment for a variety of mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder and others. Dr. James Korman, a clinical psychologist, is chief behavioral health officer at Summit Health. He is a fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and a certified cognitive behavioral therapist. He will discuss the process of CBT and how it effects change, as well as its potential benefits for mental health and physical health outcomes. [video]
- Apr 15 – The Cali School of Music at Montclair State University – Invited speaker Kathryn Lockwood is a professor of music at the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University and a violist. She serves as the curator of the Immersive Residency Program at the school and oversees weeklong residency visits of internationally renowned artists and groups. She will discuss the Cali School and its programs, which include graduate level music education and music learning for high school students intending to major in music. Kathryn will enliven her presentations with clips of musical performances by faculty, students, and groups. [no video]
- Apr 22 – Managing Medication Mayhem – Our presenter Laura Balsamini holds a doctorate in pharmacy and leads the clinical and operational pharmacy management services for all Summit Health clients. Managing one’s own complex medication coverage or that of a loved one can be challenging and even overwhelming. She will cover issues of medication coverage and affordability, high risk medication in older adults, as well as tips on assessing timing for taking certain medications. She will also address side effects and adverse events, improving adherence to prescribed regimens, and maintaining up-to-date medication lists. [video on request to members]
- Apr 29 – The Refugee Community of World War II in Shanghai, China – Old Guard member and April MPC Dr. Gabriel Gruber is the son of parents who were forced to flee from Vienna, Austria, in 1939 and spent the war years in Shanghai. Dr. Gruber will discuss historical events leading up to their departure from Vienna, facts about life in Shanghai during the war years, and the challenges faced by the refugees. He will also share some personal stories of his parents’ experiences. [in-person and on Zoom – for access: [email protected]]
May Birthdays emcee - Joe Geist
May Program Chair - Tom Mulligan
- May 6 – History and Stories About the Football Giants, Jets, and Patriots --
Come and relive the championship history and some of the weird and
funny stories of the football New York Giants, New York Jets, and New
England Patriots. Vin Femia is
the noted author of three books about pro football and baseball. His
entertaining presentation will describe the sometimes successful and
sometimes turbulent history of these teams, which are some of the most
popular and fascinating teams in all of sports. He will enliven his
presentation with a visual slide show. Vin will also talk about his
experiences in interviewing former NFL players and coaches. [in-person
and on Zoom]
For speaker photos, visit us on facebook
For an archive of videos of past meetings,
