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.
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 follow-up 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.
November Program Chair - Terry Dwyer
- Nov 4 – Making the Case for Public Art – Our speakers are Estelle Fournier and Vivian Furman Rubin of Summit Public Art (SPA). SPA is a volunteer-based city organization whose mission is to bring art to public spaces throughout Summit. Since 2002, SPA has installed over 100 pieces of temporary art throughout the community, including artists of national and international renown. Estelle Fournier has been a longtime board member of SPA and is founder of Partner in Art, a boutique art advisory firm. Vivian Furman Rubin has been involved with SPA since its inception and has also been a docent at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey for many years. Together, Estelle and Vivian have experienced firsthand the value of public art—which led to Summit being recognized as one of the seven “New Jersey Towns with Great Art Scenes” (https://thedigestonline.com/new-jersey/new-jersey-art-towns/). They also will speak about the many challenges that come with the pursuit of public art. [video to appear]
- Nov 11 – Palliative Care: How It Is Carried Out at Overlook Medical Center – Our speakers Dr. Abdul Mondul, MD, social worker Jessamyn Tabakin and Chaplain Sarah Galo will explain how Overlook Hospital’s comprehensive palliative care program deals with the symptoms and stressors of illness, including pain, nausea, and difficulty breathing. The multi-disciplinary support team at Overlook consists of doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and others. We'll hear how the team can tackle the challenging social, personal, and spiritual issues that frequently arise during life-limiting illnesses. They are dedicated to facilitating conversations with patients and their families regarding their understanding of their medical condition and aligning care and treatment with their goals and wishes. [video]
- Nov 18 – Without Early Diagnosis, ATTR-CM Can Lead to Impaired Quality of Life – Our speaker Dr. Sabahat Bokhari, MD, will discuss amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), an under-diagnosed and progressive disease that can lead to heart failure, commonly experienced as shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, and swelling of the legs. Being aware of the symptoms is critical to getting the right diagnosis as early as possible. Dr. Sabahat Bokhari, professor of medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, is an internationally recognized amyloid expert who pioneered the development of a non-invasive imaging method which is used worldwide. He is also the director of the Cardiac Amyloidosis and Cardiomyopathy Center, the first program of its kind in New Jersey. [video to appear]
- Nov 25 – 2,000 Miles of Lessons: My Journey on the Appalachian Trail – In this talk, Billy Gouveia will share stories, challenges, and lessons learned from a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, a 2,190-mile footpath stretching from Georgia to Maine. Drawing on months spent in the wilderness, he will bring to life the spirit of the Trail, along with the humor, hardships, and humanity found along the way. The audience will discover what it takes to plan such an adventure, the daily rhythm of life on the trail, encounters with wildlife and fellow hikers, and reflections on endurance, simplicity, and connection to nature. Whether you’ve ever dreamed of hiking a long trail or simply enjoy hearing about determination and the beauty of the outdoors, this talk will take you there — one step at a time. (Note: Our originally scheduled speaker Jim Provenzano had to postpone his talk on "Pinhole Photography" to a later date.) [in-person and on Zoom -- for access: [email protected]]
December Birthday Emcee - Marv Gersten
For speaker photos, visit us on facebook
For an archive of videos of past meetings,
