G.R.A.A.
Goddard Retirees Alumni Association
P.O. Box 163 Seabrook, MD 20703


APRIL 2002                                             http://graa.gsfc.nasa.gov*                   18th Year of Publication

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

April 9, 2002      GRAA REGULAR LUNCHEON - ll:30 AM - Rec Center - Dr. Dave Leckrone, Proj. Scientist for the Hubble Space Telescope will                             be the Speaker (See Dr. Pieper's comments below. Pls call 30l-937-7762 for reservations.

April 28, 2002    WWII Liberty Ship John W. Brown-one day sailing, eleven hours on Chesapeak Bay $125 per person - tickets include catered                             full breakfast, all you can eat buffet lunch, afternoon snacks, complete tour of ship, live big band music and entertainment of                             the 40s. Limited tickets available-GRAA travel 301-937 7762 by April 9

May 4, 2002      New York City, NY -One day bus trip - Tickets will be sold as long as seats are available. Bus departs 6:30 AM & returns ll:00                            PM - Includes R/T bus transportation/snacks/movies - Cost $52 per person - Pls call 30l-286-8498.

May l4, 2002    GRAA REGULAR LUNCHEON COMBINED W/OGO REUNION - ll:30 AM - RecCenter - For further info re OGO Reunion pls                           contact: Ron Browning 30l-927-l209 or email arkabee@comcast.net or Ed Mercanti 4l0-849-3424 or email                           enricomercanti@aol.com. Call or e-mail interest and identify stories and mementoes For luncheon reservations call 30l-937-7762.

June l5, 2002    Annual GSFC/HQ Family Picnic - Call GEWA 30l-286-8498. for further information.

July 27, 2002    Goddard Day @ Paramount's Kings Dominion - Call GEWA 30l-286-8498 for further information.

July 29, 2002    11-Day Caribbean sailing on Galaxy from Baltimore-ports of call, Charleston, SC, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, San Juan, Nassau.                           Category 7, ocean view stateroom $1,650 per person, double occupancy, includes port charges. Deposit $500 per person with                           reservation. GRAA travel 301-937-7762

Aug 22, 2002   Cruise & land tour, Alaska & Klondike Explorer 12 days, from $2,700 including air.  GRAA travel 302-937-7762.

Sept. 26, 2002  EOY Island Shrimp Feast - Call GEWA 30l-286-8498 for further information.

Oct. l7, 2002     l2th Annual Fall Crafts Fair - Call GEWA 30l-286-8498 for further information.

Nov. l2-24, 02  GEWA Travel to Thailand - R/T Airfare from Dulles- Transportation by coach/boat/domestic air - tickets for shows - all meals                           (B/L/D) for ll days. Cost: Single $2000 Double $l800 - $300 due now - If interested, pls call Pat - GEWA Store 30l-286-8565.

Dec. l4, 2002    Children's Holiday Party - Call GEWA 30l-286-8498 for further information.

Dec. l4, 2002    RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR - New York City - starring the world famous Rocketts - dinner at upscale NY                           restaurant, shopping, etc. Call 30l-286-8498 and make reservations. The cost will be $l69.00 per person. When tickets are                           received, you will be contacted for a $75.00 deposit - balance due in November

Dec. l6, 2002   Toy Liquidation Sale - Call GEWA 30l-286-4498 for further information.

COMMENTS FROM GRAA'S PRESIDENT, DR. PIEPER: The 70+ people who attended the March lunch were treated to a wonderful, carefully prepared talk by Eileen Quann, who described the highs and lows of the five years she and John have spent in the recovery from his stroke. Thirty-four copies of her book, "By His Side: Life and Love After Stroke", were sold at the very inexpensive price of $l6.75 - For those interested it can be bought on-line at http://www.fastrak.com. John looks great and clearly enjoyed the time immensely. He's within a few years of my age and still manages to look years younger. (Also, the book is now available for sale at the GEWA Store).

Next month we'll have a talk by Dave Leckrone, Hubble Space Telescope Project Scientist. Dave will tell us about the spectacularly successful space shuttle Hubble repair mission a couple of weeks ago - and what can be accomplished with the revitalizes spacecraft. It should be very interesting.

NOTE RECENTLY RECEIVED FROM EILEEN QUANN: "Thank you so much for the opportunity to speak at the GSFC Retirees' Luncheon. Both John and I had a wonderful time - everyone there was great - John will be talking about it for days. I was amazed by the number of people who came up and told me about strokes that that they had, or spouses, or other family members. Those statistics must be right. Copies sold exceeded expectations. Sends thanks for the opportunity and the very kind words about the book. You folks are great!

MAIL STUFFERS FOR MARCH: Agnes R. Smith, Bob Wigand, John Steckel, Rose McChesney, George Abid, Hugh O'Donnell, Joanne Reynolds, Bill Elsen, and Elaine C. Montgomery.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Donations were received from Ellie Ritchie, Ken Kissin, Jack Weaver, Charles White, Ralph Mollerick and Robert W. O'Steen.

LETTERS WE GET LETTERS!!!

Ken Kissin of San Diego, CA - sends new address with note - has meant to write whenever he receives the GRAA/Goddard News, which he throughly enjoys. The time is now - he's bought a new (old) home, he appreciated receiving the terrific news about John Quann - Ken remembers him so fondly as the honest straight forward colleague with the marvelous sense of humor regardless of how trying the situation - wishes him the best - also, Ken is trying to work things out so that he can attend the OGO Reunion in May. Is enjoying excellent health (considering) - just about given up on racquet ball and tennis but still avidly plays, golf, chess and poker. Hopes to see everyone soon.

Ralph Mollerick of Silver Spring, MD - "Grateful for the publication that is sent on a regular basis. For most of us it is the only link to the work going on at GSFC. It is always great to read about a project I worked on years ago and is finally complete and launched. For example, I worked on the proposal for the Advanced Camera (ACS) which is now installed on the Hubble - sends thanks for this publication."

Isabelle Olvier of Edgewater, MD - Passed your "Thinking of you" note to Agnes R. Smith - appreciates hearing from you.

Kenneth B. Foster - now of Delray Beach, Florida. Moved to Florida in November and is now awaiting the building of a new home. Is enjoying the leisure life style of Florida. Change of address noted together with the "hello" to Elaine C. Montgomery - good to hear from you Mike.

Robert W. O'Steen: Sends appreciation and says "Gimme a holler!" - lives in Fairfax, VA - E-Mail address noted.

RECENT RETIREES: (as of l/3l/02) Dr. David L. Bertsch (66l) Inadvertently omitted in last publication.

GRAA HOMEPAGE: Hackers have been disrupting the GEWA server. New security rules precluded placing the March Newsletter on our homepage until mid-month. Alternative ways of displaying our newsletter promptly are being worked.

OBITS:

Alfred K. Stober of Falls Church, VA died January 7, 200l.

Ray Kruger of Washington, D.C. died January l, 2002

John Brahm of New Carrollton, MD died February l8, 2002John Shawhan, Ellicott City, MD, died on March 6, 2002. Worked in Code 500.

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                                                                     SPECIAL ADMITTANCE

                                                                 TICKET TO G.R.A.A. LUNCH

                                                            You must be accompanied by a GRAA   
                                                           member or GSFC employee with a badge.  

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