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



December 2000                            http://gewa.gsfc.nasa.gov/~graa           16th Year of Publication

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Dec. 9, 2000          Children's Xmas Party featuring Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus. Noon to 5:00am, Building 8 Auditorium. The party is for                                children, 0 to 8 years of age. $7.00 per child. Older children & adutls attending $1.00 each. Call 301 937-7762, Mrs.                                Claus to make reservations for GRAA.
Dec. l2, 2000         NO LUNCHEON
May 2001             Bermuda Cruise from Baltimore-date to be announced-Call GRAA. travel 301 937-7762
May l3-23, 200l   CANADIAN TRAIN RIDE - Vancouver to Toronto - l0 days from $2000 -Call 301 937-7762 for details and                               brochure -(Make reservations asap-many people are planning on rail roading!
Sept. 27- Oct. l    Branson, MO Tour - details later. If you are interested, call GRAA. travel 301-937-7762

MAIL STUFFERS FOR NOVEMBER: Mary & Bob Wilson, Bob Wigand, Eloise Tarter, Agnes R. Smith, Marty Eiband, Roland VanAllen, Frank Wrigley, John Krehbiel and Elaine Montgomery.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Donations were received from H. K. Lee, Jim Faris, Dick Hockensmith, Mary Adkins, Tony Grandi, Dick Austin, Will Huston, Ray Hartenstein, Barbara Shavatt, Dick Falwell, and Gary Dennis.

COMMENTS FROM GRAA'S PRESIDENT, DR. PIEPER; Last month our GRAA. mailing list of some 2500 received the biannual update of our member directory, the compilation of which is a labor of love carried out by Bob Wilson, to whom we should all be very grateful. Last month's speaker, Kim Toufectis, GSFC Facilities Engineering Div., gave us an excellent view of the plan for reshaping the Center's physical facilities in the future. The plan contemplates regrouping various elements of the Center, rerouting Soil Conservation Rd around the northern periphery and placing some current buildings "outside the fence" to make them available for contractor and cooperative usage. He also used a computer driven visual aids system that allowed him to make changes in "slides" while they were on the screen. Things have really changed since my day of five minutes and three slides for SRT reports.
We are also looking for nominations for GRAA. officers as mentioned last month. New blood would be welcome.

LOST GRAA. MEMBERS!!!: We need your help - where people move and neglect to send us their new address, we have no choice but to delete them from our mailing list - Newsletters for the following members were returned by the Post Office as undeliverable and stamped "FOE: (Forwarding Order Expired). If you have a current address for the following, let us know: Laurence Shanahan and Robert Wettingfeld.

GEWA ITEM: Christmas Poinsettia Plants - One Delivery - Thursday, l2/l4/00 - Orders must be placed by Friday, l2/8/00 - Pickup Bldg 8 Lobby between l0:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Please mark you calendar - there will be no reminder. Prices: 5" Pot $5.95, 7" pot $l4.50, 8" pot $24.00.

Direct from Georgia - Calhoun pecan halves = l lb. $5.95 - Selection of Russell Stover Christmas candy and Claxton fruit cakes (dark and light) - Selection of single Christmas cards and gift wrap.

MARYLAND SENIOR OLYMPICS: On October 5-7, 2000, MD residents ages 50 & older came from throughout the state to take part at Towson University in the 2lst Anniversary Celebration of competition and camaraderie. This sporting event, the largest of its kind for seniors in Maryland, promotes physical fitness by proving a forum for serious minded competition. Seniors can choose from a range of events including aquatics, archery, badminton, basketball, billiards, bowling, cycling, golf, horseshoes, line dancing, racquetball, shuffleboard, softball, table tennis, tennis, track and field and volleyball. They compete for gold, silver and bronze medals. Medals are awarded to the top three male and female finishers in each age category. All participants are rewarded for their efforts with a commemorative Maryland Senior Olympics souvenir. The primary goal of Maryland Senior Olympics is to conduct an athletic event that will promote physical fitness and healthy active living among seniors.
If interested in this event, you may call 4l0-830-4456 or visit web site at: www.towson.edu/solympics. GRAAwas represented by the following participants showing the event/award: CONGRATULATIONS:
                      Tom Page                 100m Dash(Silver)                    400m Dash(Gold)
                                                         200m Dash(Silver)                     l mile race walk (Silver).
                                                         Also participated in the Walk/Run/Bike/Swim across Maryland     
                      Charlie Boyle            1500m Race Walk (Gold)
                      Roland VanAllen      l mile Race Walk (Gold)
                      Peter Hui                    l500m Race Walk (Gold)
Also, Tom and Charlie participated and won medals in the Nationals held in l0/99 in Orlando, Florida.

APPALACHIAN TRUCK; Frank Martin will again pick up clothes/toys/etc. (preferably new or in good condition) - at GSFC on l2/5 and l2/l2 - 7:30 am to 3:00 pm. Besides donations, volunteers are needed to assist Frank with the loading of the truck. PLS CONTACT FRANK 30l-384-7788 - LET'S MAKE THIS THE GREATEST YEAR EVER

LETTERS WE GET LETTERS!

TONY GRANDI: Sends thanks from Lutherville, MD - for all those responsible for getting out the Newsletter each month - really enjoys receiving it.

RAY HARTENSTEIN: Finally got to a GRAA. Luncheon last summer and enjoyed it immensely - "except for having to listen to Jack Lawrence's sick Texas jokes! - Ha! Just kidding Jack"- Mentions that the small contribution sent can never repay the guys for all the joy the GRAA. brings to 'far flung' folks. (Houston, Texas)

BARBARA SHAVATT: Living in Annapolis, MD - Sends thanks for receiving the Directory - also says hello to all of her friends in GRAA. (would love hearing from some of them) - gives thanks to the hardworking members who put out the directory and newsletter - greatly enjoys.

MARY B. ADKINS: Lives in Arnold, MD - sends thanks for the Directory and continued good work done by GRAA.

RICHARD C. FALWELL: Now living in Lynchburg, VA - enjoys receiving the monthly mailings - it is very interesting learning about and following the present GSFC happenings.

DICK AUSTIN: Living in Millersville, MD - enjoys receiving the Newsletter and thanks the officers and volunteers for the good work. Enjoys retirement doing many things put aside or postponed during years at Goddard - Spent some time this summer and fall forming the Severna Park High School Hockey Club - part of the MD Scholastic Hockey League. Dick's youngest son, a sophomore at Severna Park, plays defense on the team.

RICHARD P. HOCKENSMITH: Lives in Harrisonville, PA - sends thanks for receiving the Newsletter and members activities - everything great - converting residence into a Bed and Breakfast - "you'all come" -

BILL HUSTON: Presently living in Arizona - recently moved to a new house - a little easier to find - Leaves next week for three weeks divided between Hong Kong and Bangkok. His interest connection has not yet made the change from old to new - sends best regard to Barney and Bea. Had his 88th birthday last month. (Happy Birthday)

EDWARD J. EISELE: Former Station Director of Fairbanks, Alaska - Sends E-mail mentioning he's presently living in Wisconsin - Has two daughters and 5 grandchildren in Alaska - continues having ties in Alaska.

OBITS:

BARBARA M. WALKER: Died January 28, 2000 in West Virginia. Retired in l995 - worked as an employee development specialist.

GEORGE WHITE: Died recently - worked in NASA Communications Division.

WILLIAM H. (BILL) EYSTER: Died in July in Florida.

KATHLEEN GRACE WILLIAMS: Died October 3l, 2000, in Englewood, Florida -

GERALD ALAN SOFFEN; Goddard's University Programs Director - died ll/22/00 at George Washington University Hospital of a heart ailment - worked for NASA for 3l years.

INNIS RANDOLPH (RANDY) SKINNER: Died November 5, 2000 - lived in Gaithersburg, MD.

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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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