Official Minutes – HVBS Meeting on Wednesday, June 20, 2007

  1. The Upstate Cohort, ably chauffeured by Shadow, arrived at the Hoffman House at a respectable 11:20 AM, soon followed by Geronimo at his punctual 11:25 AM. We were welcomed by greetings from the staff, including Amy, as we entered the premises. Our designated waitress, Alley Bradley, informed us that the tables had been re-arranged because of the blast from the window air conditioner; HVBS members noted that we had not authorized moving the tables. We took our places at the table now perpendicular to the end wall. We soon noted that Alley had a favorite pejorative statement when Deliberator ordered a glass of Cabernet (for the anti-oxidants in the wine): "You've got it!" came the reply. More "You've got it's" later we toasted to the Hoffman House's 30th Anniversary, our troops overseas and "health".
  2. Deliberator raised the question of the state of Geronimo's injured foot. In the parking lot members noted that he walked more confidently than at the last meeting with Deliberator remarking "and no cane". Geronimo informed us that the surgeon, at his latest visit, had said this type of operation can take about a year to heal properly. The Upstate Group remarked that Geronimo looked quite well despite his problems with the appendage. We were informed that Associate Member Kay is going to have further surgery due to continued inflammation of her knee. HVBS members wish her a successful operation and a speedy recovery. Updating us on grandson Mark's condition, Deliberator said he has recovered quite well except for a set-back when he twisted his leg recently.
  3. Shadow told us of a visit to the local TGIF to try out their new "smaller portion" menu. Geronimo asked for a description of the portions and Shadow said he ordered salmon over pasta. He demonstrated the size of the "two small pieces of salmon" with his fingers and said the pasta portion was quite large. Shadow ordered a Tom Collins "be sure there is gin in it" from waiter Mike. The drink, though excellent, was gone in three sips - the glass was so full of ice. Informed of the problem, Mike retorted "We gotta make a profit"; we assume they do. Geronimo patronizes a new Chili's restaurant where he can get a half portion of ribs. Geronimo asked Shadow how his "part-time" job is coming. Shadow informed him that he is working "half-time", about 20 hours a week.
  4. PC Wiz showed HVBS members a photo taken on Father's Day of Shadow and Randy at the Albany airport. He took Shadow and PC Wiz in a flight with his airplane to Nashua, NH for breakfast in celebration of the occasion. Which brought airport security to Geronimo's mind. He mentioned security personnel, now Federal employees, wanted to take away a child's "sippy cup". Members had a low opinion of the level of "homeland security" in general - Shadow opining that the administration has "too many yes-men", Deliberator chiming in with "yes-women also". Shadow mentioned that 8 State Troopers have been shot, 3 fatally, the most recent in the news being the woman trooper that was seriously shot in the shoulder but managed to kill the gunman. This led to a discussion of two levels of justice and the rise of "sanctuary cities" for illegal aliens in the U.S. Shadow said New York City is one where police are not allowed to inquire about legal status. Also discussed was the passport requirement for Canada, Mexico and Bermuda, etc. The demand for 600,000 passports had swamped the authorities and resulted in no passports being required temporarily, only an application receipt. Deliberator stated that a passport costs $160 and is good for 10 years; members were unclear if visas were required by the host countries.
  5. The price of gasoline came up with Shadow stating that he had filled his tank this morning and paid $2.999 at his local Hess station. Geronimo informed us Kay had paid $3.139 for regular for her car! Geronimo has noticed that gas only stations seem to be going out of business - only stations with Marts are successful. PC Wiz interjected that the independent stations have seen no rise in mark-ups. On a radio talk show one operator said with the 3% cost of credit card sales he was losing money on each gallon sold and had closed his station - verifying Geronimo's observation. Shadow related how a privately owned Hess station he patronizes has separate pumps for credit cards at a higher price.
  6. The agenda item for a special topic of personal interest by Geronimo was raised. His topic concerned what one thing would HVBS members like to accomplish before "termination". PC Wiz offered the term "goal" that Geronimo accepted. He said he had always wanted to rent a house for a month in a resort area such as Cape Cod, Maine seashore, the Outer Banks, etc. for an extended holiday with his entire family. Members enthusiastically endorsed his idea but raised the problem of getting everyone on the same page with the young peoples busy schedules. Deliberator thought it "almost too late" but admitted he would like to attend his granddaughters wedding; he has no idea when the event may occur though she has a serious relationship. Shadow's goal was that he would like to be present at grandson Alex's High School graduation. Pressed for a response, PC Wiz said he had no long range goals, presently concentrating on replacing the rotten treads on his front steps for the safety of his mailman.
  7. Geronimo commented his local newspaper was a "crappy paper" in their news coverage, although they came up with the startling news that circumcisions are down. Shadow, following the District Attorney Michael Nifong Duke University lacrosse case, thought he "threw the students to the wolves". Deliberator observed that the school had "caved" in the lacrosse case but would not have done so if their basketball team had been similarly charged. Geronimo lambasted the "dumb bastards" in the NY assembly for taking up their time with the perennial topic of "gay marriage". Shadow chimed in that he couldn't wait for the Bush administration to end. Members, while dreading a Hillary Clinton election, had no opinions of the opposition candidates. PC Wiz stated his mild interest in Fred Thompson's possible challenge for the Republican nomination, having been favorably impressed by a TV interview and Thompson's past Senate record.
  8. In our sports section HVBS members despaired of the present Yankee season - the general opinion is that they will not be in the playoffs this year. Deliberator specifically thought Wil Nieves, the Yankee back-up catcher was "no good". Geronimo asked if anyone had a prediction for the Giants and Shadow said it is too early to speculate. Geronimo, reflecting on their enthusiasm for railroads, gave Shadow and PC Wiz a copy of an article from the "Hudson Valley" magazine entitled "Tracking the Mighty O&W". Thanks to Geronimo for his thoughtfulness! "You've got it" Waitress Alley polled our membership for possible desserts after serving the coffee. Only PC Wiz, as seems to be our tradition, ordered one - amaretto cheese cake. HVBS Official Scheduler Deliberator proposed Wednesday August 1, 2007 for our next meeting (with August 8 as back-up). It was ratified and our meeting adjourned. On the way out PC Wiz congratulated Hostess Ginny Bradley on the Hoffman House's 30th Anniversary; she laughingly replied that she had been only two years old in June, 1977.

Condolences to Geronimo for his fruitless effort in fault-finding, thanks also to Deliberator.

HVBS Official Scribe Laureate PC Wiz

June 30, 2007