1. The HVBS Northern Group, piloted by Shadow, arrived a bit early and waited for Geronimo, our Southern Anchor, in the morning coolness of the Roudigan's parking lot (unusually crowded with cars). Geronimo arrived at 11:27 and members found the entrance doors locked. PC Wiz found the main doors to the Quality Inn open and HVBS members entered the premises from that venue. The lady at the desk mistook us for the vanguard of a hospital group they were expecting but Shadow and Deliberator identified us as regulars heading for our usual corner table. Jessica, our Official Waitress, soon arrived and was queried about how her education was proceeding. She is attending Ulster Community College and taking two "on-line" courses in addition with good results. Jessica is most likely going to move to Arizona to complete her bachelor's degree after completing the community college courses. Members commented on the heat in Arizona - over 100 degrees in the summer but Jessica said she was familiar with the climate and could cope with it. She then took our libation orders, the Samuel Adams "Octoberfest" beer for most members (Geronimo kept the faith with his usual Diet Coke with lemon).
2. Under our "Current Events" section Geronimo mentioned that he had e-mail returned from PC Wiz and remembered his sojourn to the Cape. PC Wiz, upon returning and checking his mail, found a "mail box full" warning but didn't know mail had been returned. This time it was Shadow who was ailing. He suspected, after reading the side-effects, that his Lipitor might be causing muscle weakness. Geronimo and PC Wiz are taking Lipitor while Deliberator is on Zocor with no apparent ill effects (lucky so far). In a philosophical moment, Geronimo ruminated that he wished he had done things when he was younger which are now not likely because of health and age. Associate Member Kay's operation has healed satisfactorily but an older foot ailment is now causing trouble. Shadow reflected that his major concern is that, with the poor investment climate, the money assets would be consumed; PC Wiz agreed that cash was very important in our society. Which naturally led to a discussion of school taxes. Geronimo related his district is still growing with new additions to the schools. All agreed that taxes are excessive and out of control. The STAR program is helping all HVBS members but did nothing about controlling educational costs.
3. Shadow mentioned grandson Alex is going to a private academy in Virginia because the middle schools are very weak - Deliberator commented that they are all like that. Alex's class size is 15 students who stay together for all classes. Shadow also heard that, in a drug survey, there is now less drinking and smoking but the youth who do smoke and drink are starting at a younger age. Deliberator enlightened us about his new platinum Buick. He has 2500 miles on the car and it is performing perfectly; he is very satisfied. Geronimo informed us that his splendid Acura now has 7500 miles on it although he is driving less - members then commented on the high price of gasoline; Shadow noted Senator Schumer had said consumers are "being ripped off". Concerning the Acura, Geronimo is signed up for one year for the XM satellite radio and does not plan to renew. He cannot find programming he likes and "may as well use CD's". It seems that this has been a particularly good year for acorns. Geronimo regularly has 5-10 deer eating the acorns and has been spending his time using his blower to blow the acorns and deer "marbles" off the lawn. He says there are also coyotes in the area.
4. Geronimo mentioned that the "future president", Hillary Clinton, had recently visited Poughkeepsie. PC Wiz cited her very clever opposition to the "International Freedom Center" with its proposed "human freedom" and holocaust exhibits at Ground Zero although it may cause trouble with her leftist base. HVBS members also opposed the propagandistic center and opined that, even if she were nominated, Hillary could not win the national election. Shadow informed members of the details of the Dunn Memorial Bridge ramp failure which Geronimo had not heard in the news. Shadow said that the bridge would have collapsed completely if the pier (whose rebars were severely bent but still held the weak-in-tension concrete in place) had not narrowly held up the deck. Also that previous inspections had given the bridge only a 2 out of 5 rating. Geronimo informed Shadow that the "piers" were actually called "trestles" and commented that the NY legislature had been rated as the most dysfunctional in the U.S.
5. In baseball HVBS members despaired of the Yankees (Shadow and Geronimo both saying the Yanks have no dependable middle relief pitchers). Deliberator noted that, even with three weeks rest, Mussina was spotty to which Shadow stated that Sheffield's efforts in the latest game had been wasted. He hit a two run homerun in the 3^rd inning and a grand slam in the 4^th; the Yankees still lost the game by 17-9. Geronimo thought it ridiculous that there are only 4 teams in the American League West (14 total) while the National League has 16 teams (5,5 and 6). In football members attention was on the Jets loss of quarterback Chad Pennington together with the back-up quarterback. They have brought back the veteran Vinny Testaverde. As to the Giants - regardless of the 45-23 loss to San Diego - members are sticking by their earlier season predictions.
6. With the ordering of coffee, PC Wiz and Deliberator opted for desserts. Deliberator ordered the peanut butter cake while PC Wiz tried the "nut tart" - a densely walnut packed dish. Even with some help from Geronimo, Deliberator found the very good dessert's portion too generous. With the arrival of the bill Deliberator found that Shadow had evidently received a complimentary refill of his Octoberfest. HVBS Official Scheduler Deliberator then proposed Wednesday November 16, 2005 for our last confab of this year. The date was ratified with a possible backup date of November 30 if necessary. The meeting was adjourned.

Thanks to Deliberator, Geronimo for responses - especially Shadow who noted the deer droppings fiasco.

HVBS Official Scribe Laureate PC Wiz

Members are invited to check out the website for Roudigan's

http://www.roudigans.com/