1. Geronimo and the Northern contingent managed to arrive simultaneously at the Hoffman House parking lot at 11:21 AM. Geronimo, quizzed on seating in the patio or inside, vehemently agreed with the consensus to hold the meeting inside in air-conditioned comfort. Members, upon being seated, ordered suitable beverages. Deliberator had a Beck’s light, Shadow opted for cabernet sauvignon (it arrived in a glass instead of split bottle like the Merlot), and PC Wiz and Geronimo ordered Killian Reds. Perusing the menu, PC Wiz pointed out the lamb sandwich to Shadow. He suggested PC Wiz might like it but he had already eaten his lamb for this year. Upon receiving our luncheon orders Shadow examined his mystery sandwich, purportedly a "portabello sandwich". Shadow declared it "didn’t look like my last portabello sandwich". Deliberator helpfully said the topping was probably melted cheese.
2. Leaving the agenda, Geronimo opened the discussion by informing the HVBS group that he had actually ordered a new Dell computer. However, Geronimo noticed that the phone rep had not given him the upgrade price for the special monitor – instead charging the considerably higher full price. It took four e-mails and two telephone calls to cancel the order. To complete the tale of woe, the cancelled machine duly turned up at his front door and Geronimo wisely rejected the delivery. Deliberator mentioned that he has been perusing the Dell catalogs to try to determine what options to purchase – particularly concerning the optical drives. Shadow suggested the Dell ordering web site and clicking on the items which brings up windows clearly explaining the choices. Deliberator declared that he really needed to have a live person to talk to. Members suggested either calling Dell on the telephone or going to a Gateway store.
3. PC Wiz asked Geronimo about his and Kay’s trip to the Southwest and the superb photos he had sent. They had flown on a small aircraft to Monument Valley and took a small bus to the different views. Geronimo said the scenery was so beautiful that taking great photos was easy. He also noted the drought had lowered Lake Powell by half. Shadow updated the members on the recent trip to Virginia, primarily to attend Christopher’s High School graduation prior to leaving for an Army enlistment for six years (he hopes to become an Army Ranger). The weather was hot but fine for a great day for the family at Busch Gardens. Geronimo asked about Russ. Shadow said he is under a lot of stress since his Company is reducing forces and Russ is involved in the selections. Also he is flying to a meeting in Pittsburgh concerning Alcoa’s plan to buy an Australian titanium company.
4. In a change of pace, Geronimo told a Quasimodo joke – punch line: "I don’t remember his name but he is a dead ringer for his brother". On this note he asked if anyone knew what an Otis filter is. It seems they were used in the Newburg city water system and, by failing, were flooding cellars. Deliberator informed us that son John had won the Mohonasen School Board election, thus remaining Board President for another term and thanked PC Wiz for voting for him. Explaining his vote, PC Wiz said that he thought the Board had done the best they could under the circumstances, and that he was satisfied since they had used the unexpected increase in State aid to reduce the tax increase. Shadow reported on his attendance at the Hudson Valley Library Association honoring Ron Legacy (Vice President of the Broughton Foundation) with a commemorative garden. President Shirley gave a short speech and a $17,500 gift for a handicapped program that surprised the attendees. Shadow said the speech was well done and well received.
5. PC Wiz reported on the two lens implant operations he has had to remove cataracts. The doctor is very pleased although PC Wiz said he is having a double vision problem – each eye now having a mind of its own at times. He has been informed that this is normal and the brain eventually compensates. Deliberator is facing the same operation although his cataract is not considered "ready for removal". Shadow gave a detailed report of his recent cholesterol tests in which, by diet alone, the level came down from 231 to 207. Triglycerides went from 130 down to 98 – keep up the good work. Geronimo’s doctor ordered drugs for him and he is taking a 10 mg. Lipitor although he does not know his cholesterol numbers.
6. Concerning the Yankees Deliberator said they have a terrible bullpen except for Riviera and Shadow stated that Clemens "stunk in his last outing" – giving up two home runs to a player who thereby doubled his year’s total to four. Congratulations to Clemens for finally achieving his 300^th win. Geronimo brought up the fact that the National League is the only professional league that doesn’t use the "designated batter". HVBS members generally felt that pitchers, as team members, should hit for themselves. That would, PC Wiz opined, reduce employment for older players although he supports pitchers batting for themselves.
7. In our political section the Iraq situation came up for discussion. Shadow did not understand why the U.S. had to justify its actions and Deliberator agreed that Sadam was evil. PC Wiz commented that the French government had demonstrated that they were our enemy – not by opposing the action but by actually passing on information on allied plans to the Iraqi’s. This prompted Geronimo to bring up a French’s mustard advertisement that he had seen – that the only thing the mustard had in common with the French was that they were both yellow! Of course this was in common with the "Freedom Fries" and "American Toast".
8. Members ordered coffees to round out the session with PC Wiz the only one to order dessert – the amaretto cheesecake could not be denied. Shadow raised the issue of going to another location for our next meeting. Geronimo thought the Raccoon Saloon too far, an additional 45 minutes, for the Northern group but Shadow related that he was the next designated driver and that was no problem. On being asked for other venues, Geronimo said he would check out a couple of possibilities. HVBS Official Scheduler Deliberator proposed Wednesday August 6, 2003 for our next meeting – duly ratified. Deliberator suggested returning to the Hoffman House for our meetings in the late Fall and members took the idea under advisement. The meeting was adjourned.

Thanks to Geronimo, Shadow and Deliberator for corrections to the Preliminary Minutes.

HVBS Official Scribe Laureate PC Wiz