G.R.A.A.

Goddard Retirees and Alumni Association

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

MAY 2005 http://graa.gsfc.nasa.gov 21^st Year of Publication

IMPORTANT DATES:

May 10	GRAA Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at the Barney and Bea Recreation Center. Bob Phillips, self-styled super adventurer, will describe his solo bicycle ride across the United States. Many will remember his vivid stories at a prior luncheon about walking the entire Appalachian Trail. Reservations are required, so please call Alberta Moran at 301-937-7762 in advance (but after May 1).
June 14	Mark your calendar for the GRAA Luncheon at 11:30 a.m.
July 12	Mark your calendar for the GRAA Luncheon at 11:30 a.m.
August 9	Mark your calendar for the GRAA Luncheon at 11:30 a.m.
September 29 – October 3	Trip to the Country Music Capital of Branson, MO. Contact Alberta Moran to sign up or for more information. The cost will be published in the June issue.
Early December	Holiday shopping trip and music theater event in Lancaster, PA (date TBD). Contact Alberta Moran for details.
August 2006	GRAA Travel is currently planning a cruise and land tour in Alaska. Details will be forthcoming.

COMMENTS FROM RON BROWNING, GRAA PRESIDENT: John Dalton, Deputy Director of the new Science and Exploration Directorate, described the rationale, process, and resultant organizational structure that occurred when the Space and Earth Sciences directorates were recently combined. The merger of Codes 600 and 900 was prompted by the reorganization and realignment of NASA Headquarters in July 2004 to reflect new priorities and emphasis on Lunar/Mars exploration. Goddard formed three teams to work the transformation process by reviewing results from the Aldridge Commission, looking at four science domains (sun-earth, solar system, astrophysics, and earth applications), and keeping an unconstrained perspective. The resulting new directorate is composed of three science divisions: Earth-Sun Exploration, Solar System Exploration, and Exploration of the Universe. The directorate also includes support offices for engineering, data collection and archiving pursuits, and administrative purposes. A nationwide search is ongoing to select a director.

On another note, there seems to be growing interest in hosting a reunion of the Delta Project at a future GRAA Luncheon. Several individuals have expressed a willingness to help organize the event, but we’re seeking someone to take the lead and launch the mission. Volunteers should contact me at arkabee@comcast.net or 301-927-1209.

FROM THE GODDARD ARCHIVES-IT HAPPENED IN MAY:

May 29, 1965: Delta launched Explorer 28/IMP 3.

May 7, 1975: Scout launched Explorer 53/SAS 3, which studied X-ray sources discovered by SAS 1, from the San Marco Station platform off the coast of Kenya.

May 14, 1990: Atlas launched NOAA-12, the 3^rd generation operational weather satellite.

ENVELOPE STUFFERS FOR APRIL: Marj Gallagher, Marge Gustafson, Rose McChesney, Dave Moulton, Bill Shields, Agnes Smith, Bob Wigand, and Frank Wrigley.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Bob Wigand reports that donations were received last month from Evelyn Baumann, Charles Katz, H. K. Lee, Chet Shaddeau, Marjorie Townsend, and Frank Wood.

REMEMBERING OUR FORMER COLLEAGUES:

William C. Miller passed away on April 11 at his home in Cumberland, MD. He retired in 1980 from the Plant Operations and Maintenance Division.

William J. Schiavone passed away on April 16 following complications from a stroke. Still employed at the time of his passing, he was Deputy Program Manager for Resources in the Earth Observing System (EOS) Program Office (Code 420).

Sanford W. Hinkal passed away on April 20 after a brave fight with cancer. Prior to retiring, he worked as a Systems Engineer in the Optics Branch and for the GOES Project. Friends wanting to celebrate his life may attend a party being hosted by his family on Monday, May 9, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Folk Art Café located in the rear of the Hilltop Shopping Center in Bowie (call 301-809-0193 for directions).

Leland R. Murphy passed away on July 11, 2004. He worked as Head of the Accounting Branch from 1963 to 1984.

E-MAIL ADDRESS CHANGES: Lloyd Carpenter (klcar@digitalusa.net); Joanne Lodowski (JLodowski@msn.com); Lawrence Skiscim (lpskiscim@atmc.net); and Robert Warren (bpwarren@earthlink.net).

LETTERS, WE GET LETTERS:

Frank Wood wrote, “Thanks for always sending out the newsletter. For seven years, Rita and I have lived in Carson City, NV. We love the slowed-down pace of life, reduced traffic and crime (compared to the DC area), and the lack of humidity. We still make frequent trips back to MD to visit our families. We stay busy bowling and volunteering at our local hospital. I am also taking lessons to play classical guitar.”

Chet Shaddeau wrote, “I seldom see a name I recognize [in the newsletter] anymore, but I enjoy it when I do. I seem to be fine now, and feel good, following surgery for a cancerous lesion on my lung. I was in Texas a few weeks ago to help celebrate the 50^th wedding anniversary of an ex-BFEC friend, John Bennett, with other BFECers (e.g., John Laverty and Ed Briggs). There was a lot of ‘where is he now’ talk!”

Jessica Dunne wrote, “Thank you for sending me your monthly publication over the years, as I have enjoyed reading about the people with whom I used to work.”

Charles Katz wrote, “Like so many retirees, I have enjoyed reading about my former colleagues at GSFC. I also got a wake-up call in the last few issues when other retirees indicated they enjoyed the GRAA Newsletter but had forgotten to support it. Enclosed is my check and thanks to all of the members who support its publication.”

RECENT RETIREES: Peter Abel, Robert Abell, Bruce Bromberg, Mary Caraker, Allan Cohen, Thomas Collinson, John Cook, Mary Dant, Richard Drachman, Dean Duffy, Sara Elliott, Charles England, John Griggs, Gene Guerny, Dianne Hagerty, Arthur Hasler, Frank Jones, Peter Kenny, Charles Korb, Rudolph Larsen, Richard Linton, Charles Lipsett, Joanne Lodowski, Anthony Miller, Lee Nearhoof, Brenda Parkinson, Donald Rector, George Reinhardt, Marrion Richardson, Frederick Schamann, John Stewart, Kathryn Stoner, Barbara Sweeney, Granville Taylor, Aaron Temkin, Mary Trimble, Son Truong, John Watson, Linda Werneth, and Peter Wetzel.

GRAA NEWSLETTER MAILINGS: If you no longer wish to receive GRAA mailings, please send a note to our Seabrook address or an e-mail to Dave Moulton at davidlmoulton@comcast.net. If you have moved or want to correct the mailing address we use for you, please write to our Seabrook address or send an e-mail to Strat Laios at stratlaios@comcast.net.

GEWA EXCHANGE STORE:

Do you like to catch fish, but don’t like baiting a hook? Well, don’t fret. Now you can catch some PEPPERIDGE FARM Goldfish!!! Yes, those same little Goldfish crackers that help you make it through a rough day are now available at the GEWA Exchange Store. Along with them come the buttery-tasting Chessmen, Milano, and Brussels, in MINI’s!!! This way you can get more of the great taste you love in their cookies without finishing the bag before you know it. The wafer stick Pirouettes have a rich crème filling and come in Chocolate Hazelnut, French Vanilla, and Chocolate Mint. These great tasting fancy cookies come in round cans to help keep them fresh and crisp, and are great with coffee. If you’re a Milano lover, they why not try the Raspberry, French Vanilla, Orange, Double Chocolate or Milk Chocolate varieties along with the regular Dark Chocolate and Chocolate Mint versions. This way you can still have the same great cookie taste with a different filling. For those who are watching their sugar intake, but still like something a little sweet, Pepperidge Farm now has their Milano cookies in plain Chocolate or Mint Chocolate, both sugar free!!! So why not stop by the store and “catch” a couple bags of your favorite cookies along with some Goldfish.

Have you ever heard of Scharffen Berger Chocolates? This unique gourmet chocolate is made right here in the United States in Berkeley, CA. Scharffen Berger has introduced a new treat called Nibby Bars. The Nibs in the bar are actually pieces of roasted cocoa beans that they add to the chocolate to give it its own unique taste. In fact, there was an article about Scharffen Berger Chocolates in the Washington Post during the first week of April. So, if you read the article, then you’ve heard of the Nibby Bars and of the company that makes them. If you didn’t see the article, don’t worry, as GEWA now has these tasty bars in stock.

With the temperatures finally on the increase, if you don’t want chocolate because you’re afraid it will melt, then why not try some toffee? The store has England’s finest made by Walkers Nonsuch, with its pure taste. They come two ways: 1) Olde English Toffee, which is rich and creamy without a chocolate coating; or 2) Assorted Royal Toffee, which is a selection of toffees and éclairs, both with and without a chocolate coating.

Along with the chocolates and toffee comes some new gourmet cookies from Brent & Sam’s Cookies in Arkansas. These are available in three different flavors: 1) Key Lime White Chocolate, which is a combination of tangy key lime with the smooth taste of white chocolate; Caribbean Crunch, which includes chocolate chips, almonds, and coconut; and White Chocolate & Macadamia, which has white chocolate chips and pieces of macadamia nuts. All of these cookies are made from scratch with no added preservatives.

If you’re readying your grill for summer cookouts, drop by the store and pick up a Propane Tank Gauge for only $1.25, marked down from $2.00. It’s easy to install and will last for years.