G.R.A.A.

                           Goddard Retirees and Alumni Association

                           P.O. Box 163, Lanham, MD  20703-0163

 

SEPTEMBER 2008                                http://graa.gsfc.nasa.gov                       24th Year of Publication

 


IMPORTANT DATES: 

September 9

 

September 21 (Sunday)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 14

October 22

(Wednesday)

December 11

(Thursday)

Mark your calendar for the GRAA Luncheon at 11:30 a.m.  Reservations are required, so please call Alberta Moran at 301-890-0544 no later than noon on Friday, September 5th.

Mark your calendar for the GRAA “Let’s Go to the Races Day” at Charlestown Races and Slots in Charlestown, WV.  Starting at 10:00 a.m. at the GSFC Visitor Center for the all-inclusive price of $70 per person (payable at the time of reservation), the trip will include bus fare and driver tip; bountiful brunch buffet (including roast beef, ham, breakfast items, salads, veggies, desserts, breads, drinks); admission to the race track and slots areas; clubhouse seating; racing program and Barney’s handicaps; refreshments on the bus; and return to GSFC after the last race (about 5:30 p.m.), arriving at the Visitor Center about 7:00 p.m.  The fourth race will be publicized as the GSFC Retirees Race.  Only 40 tickets are available, so sign up soon.  Call Alberta at 301-890-0544 (or on her cell phone at        301-910-0177) for more information and to make reservations. 

Mark your calendar for the GRAA Luncheon at 11:30 a.m.

Mark your calendar for a “Walk Thru History” at Antietam Battlefield and Harpers Ferry.  Starting at 9:00 a.m. from the GSFC Visitor Center for the all-inclusive price of $75 per person (payable at the time of reservation), the trip will include bus fare and driver tip; light refreshments on the bus; guided tour of the Antietam Battlefield by John Baniszewski, GRAA member and registered battlefield guide (including battlefield admittance and guide fees); mid-afternoon buffet dinner at the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown, WV; stop for shopping on High Street in Harper’s Ferry, WV; and return to the Visitor Center around 7:30 p.m.  Only 40 tickets are available, so sign up soon.  Call Alberta at 301-890-0544 (or on her cell phone at 301-910-0177) for more information and to make reservations.

Mark your calendar for the annual “Magic of a Musical Christmas” trip to Lancaster, PA.  Included in the trip will be opportunities for holiday shopping at the more than 100 outlets at Rockvale Square, the 2008 Christmas Show (first and second row seating) at the American Music Theatre, and the delicious Prime Rib Buffet at Arthur’s Restaurant.  Tickets are only $99 per person (payable at the time of reservation).  Only 40 tickets are available, so sign up soon.  Call Alberta at 301-890-0544 (or on her cell phone at  301-910-0177) for more information and to make reservations.

 

 

COMMENTS FROM RON BROWNING, GRAA PRESIDENT:  Attendees at the August luncheon were treated to an introduction by Karen Miller to the “Science on a Sphere” video show at the Visitor Center.  Following the luncheon, attendees were invited to the Visitor Center for a demonstration of the show conducted by John Leck.  If you haven’t yet seen “Science on a Sphere,” you should consider stopping by the Visitor Center to view this amazing technological marvel.

 

Bob Wigand announced at the luncheon that GRAA’s expenses during the first half of 2008 were more than double its income from tax-deductible member contributions.  Resulting from the Center’s budget cuts in late 2006, this ongoing deficit inhibits the GRAA Newsletter from becoming a viable, self-sustaining tool to keep members abreast of Goddard happenings and achievements.  Bob also announced the beginning of an endowment program, which we hope will interest members in considering bequeathing funds to GRAA in their wills or living trusts.  We will include more information about the endowment program in a future issue of the newsletter.

   

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH:  That Snap, Crackle, Pop in the morning ain’t my freaking Rice Krispies.

                  

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:  Bob Wigand reports that tax-deductible contributions were received from the following:  Bob Adams, Ron Britner, Angelo Dannessa, Alex Lawrence, H. K. Lee, Dave Manges, John Martin, Jim and Margaret Pusey, and John Treimer.

 

GRAA MAILINGS:  If you no longer wish to receive GRAA mailings, please send a note to our Lanham address or an e-mail to Dave Moulton at davidlmoulton@comcast.net.  If you have moved or want to make corrections to the address on your mailing label, write us or send an e-mail to Strat Laios at stratlaios@verizon.net.  If you already receive your newsletter via e-mail, please let Strat know when your e-mail address changes.  If you are interested in receiving the newsletter by e-mail, simply notify Strat.

 

FROM THE GODDARD ARCHIVES – IT HAPPENED IN SEPTEMBER:  On September 5, 1964, Atlas-Agena launched the Orbiting Geophysical Observatory (OGO-1) from Cape Kennedy, the first of six such observatories launched between 1964 and 1969.         

 

REMEMBERING OUR FORMER COLLEAGUES:

§         Garmon T. Justis, Sr., of Parksley, VA, passed away on July 18th.  He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II and worked for Computer Sciences Corporation following his NASA retirement.

§         Norman L. Martin, of Greensboro, GA, passed away of July 31st.  He served Goddard as an Aerospace Engineer, retiring in 1986 from a Division Chief position in the Engineering Directorate (Code 700).

 

GODDARD’S LAUNCHFEST:  Plan to attend Goddard’s Launchfest (akin to past Community Days) on Saturday, September 13th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  LaunchFest will celebrate Goddard’s upcoming missions and give the public an inside look at the facilities and culture of the Center.  The day will include a variety of demonstrations, tours, live entertainment, food vendors, and much more.  If you are interested in providing day-of volunteer support (with shifts available from either 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.), please contact Leslee Cork, Volunteer Coordinator, at 301-286-0676 or via e-mail at Leslee.M.Cork@nasa.gov.

 

ANYONE WANT TO GO DUCKPIN BOWLING FOR EXERCISE AND FUN?  A few members enjoy duckpin bowling at the AMF College Park Lanes every Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.  They are considering joining the Champion Senior Bowling League beginning Wednesday, August 27, at 9:30 a.m.  If you are interested in joining them on Tuesdays or on the Wednesday league, contact Marj Gallagher at 301-474-4893 post haste.  

 

COPIES OF “READ YOU LOUD AND CLEAR!” STILL AVAILABLE:  We have more copies of the Story of NASA’s Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network available.  If you want to be sent a copy, send a check for $5.00 (to cover postage) to our Lanham address.  If you want to pick up a copy at the September luncheon, send us a note or e-mail Strat Laios (stratlaios@verizon.net) and ask him to reserve a copy for you.

 

ARE YOU FACING FORECLOSURE?  If you are caught up in the subprime mortgage debacle, GRAA member Edward (Ted) Dyer has offered to help one GRAA member negotiate a Foreclosure Defense situation on a pro bono basis.  He attended a law symposium on questionable financing and in return is committed to provide his services to a Maryland homeowner.  If this is you, contact Ted at edwardfdyer@aol.com or 301-490-6073.