2005 12 12 Meeting Notes

Indian Mound Amateur Radio Society (IMARS)

#2005 12 12

Check out the IMARS web site at http://www.imarsflorida.com Joey 8-toes N9LQ has been busy adding interesting things to the site and you'll find plenty to look at there. Check out Joey's recipes page.

The photos I took at the last meeting are available to look at, download or print at:

Link starts here => http://www.photoworks.com/share/shareLanding.jsp?shareCod
e=A78A4C2BF8B&cb=PW <== Link ends here
As you see the link “wraps around” and so you will have to “cut and paste” it into your browser's address box if you can't just “click and go.”
Don't forget the Deltona Computer Club page at http://www.dcc.byethost4.com  and check out Kim Komando's site for lots of goodies concerning computing and reliable links to freebies, shareware and the like http://www.komando.com 
 Here it is Wednesday afternoon and I'm blogging along behind the curve, as usual. We had a good turnout on Monday to hear Jack Barker talk about his “My First Clock” project.  Jack brought “Wally” and “Denny” and several other of his “friends” the names he calls his wall clock, den clock etc.  He was an animated speaker and we all had a good time with him.  Something more may develop from this meeting as Jack WD8QYU may be able to help Mr. Barker market this clock.  Good luck to both of you guys.  We'll keep up with the process.
 We were happy to see Frank KK4RW back in the pink and holding down his usual chair this week.  We also had a great good surprise when Chuck W5IW, who has not been around for a very long time, came in.  Chuck is looking good.  He seemed to enjoy the IMARS History notebook where his own write up is preserved for posterity.
 The above reminds me, please sit down and write up something of your own to submit for inclusion in the IMARS History notebook.  Don't let the first mention of you be in the Obituary section.
 We asked for a little more generous donations to the Roster and Donut Fund and were rewarded.  Thanks to all who gave a little extra.  We need to build that fund up a little so we can follow through with our promise to the firemen to buy them a television set, and soon.
 I spent around $12 total for the Christmas Picnic.  I've misplaced the receipt but will find it, I don't throw anything away, it's just mixed up in all of my other “to scan” box of junk.  I've been working on scanning all of our important documents and putting them on a DVD that I can copy and send to my daughter for safe keeping in case of a fire or flood that wipes me out some day.
 I hope I haven't forgotten something important.  See ya all on Monday.  After the meeting Margot and I will head to Charlotte, NC to spend Christmas with our daughters and their families.  We'll be back about the 6th of Jan.

73   Jerry KØJH 

Christmas Picnic 2005

Check out the club web site which is a work of art and kept up to snuff by Joey N9LQ.
URL; http://www.imarsflorida.com

Christmas Picnic 2005
Notes – by Jerry KØJH 2005 12 08

Hello all,

We lucked out again, the weather was perfect for the picnic and we had a good turnout. Hank N4TJO and Dotty were waiting for me when I got there. I think they were a little afraid that nobody was going to show up ;-) I was late because my old van (140K miles) acted up and threatened to leave me stranded. Fortunately it normalled up and I didn’t have to put my thumb out to get to the fire house. Hank had coffee on and before Carlos arrived and we started getting set up.

We sorely missed a lot of the people who have been with us in the past. Those include Bill N4ZZO and Charlotte, Tom KB2JZX and Phyllis, Merle K8ESC & Marion, Frank KK4RW & Dotty, Grant N3CJJ & Margarete and also Dick K4ANT, Bob KC4LXW, Don, KC4UUM, Margaret KD4OPQ and Richard KD4CTJ. They were in our thoughts and we hope they are all healthy and well and will rejoin us soon. What a crowd we would have had if they all could have made it.

We had some welcome visitors too. John G4VMR and Terry G4VSL were there. Keith Mattison “SOCIAL” brought a friend, the widow Carol Seelinger. Margot and I have known Carol and her husband for quite a while and were as surprised as she was to discover we had a mutual friend in Keith.

As usual there was more good food than we could consume, even with the help of the two on duty firemen who helped all they could! Barbara Kesler made her famous fish chowder. Joel N9LQ brought a big jar of home made peanut brittle. Margot Hale did her German cusine, Weiner Schnbitzle and Kartofel Salad. Everyone outdid themselves and it was a really wonderful meal. The desert was too good to believe. Keith and Carol brought a gallon of ice cream and two key lime pies! Someone else had a big fluffy chocolate cake to die for! Many other equally super deserts were there and I didn’t try to figure out who brought what, I just dug in! Too bad one can only hold so much. Somebody asked whether I had tried the dish she brought and was justifiably proud of. My reply was that I started at one end, took a little of everything until I ran out of room on my plate. That got me about half way down the table!

Carlos, WA4ZKV, had a stack of certificates that he made to show appreciation for the people who keep IMARS going. He called out the names, many were not present, and presented the certificate to everyone, shook their hand and posed for a picture. We all appreciate the effort that Carlos went to and I, for one, have my certificate on the wall beside by license. Thank you Carlos.

I gathered all of the IMARS pictures I could find and set up my newest toy, a digital projector. I was afraid there would be too much ambient light but I sat the screen in the shade of the firehouse and we could see the pictures pretty well.

Russ, W4ZIP brought his digital camera and you know I’m NEVER without mine. Between us we took 75 pictures. I have posted them all to an album on Photo Access (actually it’s now Photo Works.) The URL is:

http://www.photoworks.com/share/shareLanding.jsp?shareCode=A62FBF1BF76&cb=PW

You can view, download, or print these pictures. Photo Works will send you prints and you would be supporting this free service. Their prices are low and I think you get the first several prints free on your first order. Give them a try.

Toward the end of the festivities Jean Maxwell read a letter from Joe Chaput’s grand daughter. It’s the second letter Joe has shared with us and Jean gave it all of the flair she is famous for. It got really quiet around the tables as everyone began to realize what a great experience this young lady is having. She is teaching English in a small town and is keeping her grandfather up to date with all of her adventures. She is a very good writer and has a sense of humor that makes her letters a joy to listen to.

Today (Wednesday) I finally made it to the Deltona Computer Club. Our own Bob Cook WB9SOE spent a couple of hours answering questions for people who wanted to buy their first computer or who needed help getting their pictures attached to an eMail and such. None of the people attending had much experience so don’t be bashful, if you need to know anything about computing, from basics through expert level, go over to the Deltona Library on the 1st or 3rd Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. They have a web site, also generated by Bob, URL at the end of this, and a Yahoo eMail list to allow the club members to communicate. You won’t find a better deal, no dues, no officers, a structure much like that of IMARS without the donuts and coffee ;-) I had a good time and at the end was able to get some advice on a networking problem I’ve been having.

Deltona Computer Club http://www.dcc.byethost4.com/

Well gang, it’s after 3 a.m., I’m bleary eyed and can’t decide whether “normalled” up or “normaled” up is correct, the spell checker says they are both wrong. Margot’s long since in bed and I can’t find my German/American dictionary to see whether I’ve spelled Kartofel Salad correctly but you’ll just have to live with the mistakes, it’s time to bail out.

73 & 88
See ‘ya on Monday

Jerry KØJH .- .-. …-.-

IMARS information

This BLOG is for the information between and among the members of the Indian Mound Amateur Radio Society. We meet EVERY Monday morning. Please join us. There are no dues, we provide coffee and donuts and you can contribute whatever you can/want to. We are also called "The Old Farts Club" and often talk about everything under the sun, often never mentioning Ham Radio. A lot of our members are pilots, many are veterans, some have no amateur radio license and we are interested in anything and everything. Our Christmas Party is held on the first Monday in December. Everyone brings a covered dish and anything else they care to share. COME AND JOIN US. Contact Jerry Hale KØJH RandyOSailor@hotpop.com or call 386 / 532-6224

Visit to Frank KK4RW

I went to Fish Memorial tonight. I took Frank a notebook computer he could use while confined there, maybe they have a "hot spot" wireless connection to the web? I also brought Frank a copy of the latest World Radio and the book "The Advocates Devil" by Alan Dershowitz.
Fortunately Frank left earlier this afternoon! ;-)

Way to go Frank! Hope you are feeling well and hope we'll see you again soon on the front row at the meetings.

73

Jerry KØJH

The Face on the Barroom Floor

Here is the poem that I keep referring to. It's my favorite. It was made into a very good story/song by Tex Ritter which is where I first heard it. Although I have this on tape and in "The Best Loved Poems of the American People" I actually stole this from:
http://www.robertwservice.com/modules/library/article.php?articleid=1088 /H/


The Face On The Barroom Floor

by Hugh Antoine D'Arcy

'Twas a balmy summer evening and a goodly crowd was there
Which well-nigh filled Joe’s barroom on the corner of the square,
And as songs and witty stories came through the open door
A vagabond crept slowly in and posed upon the floor.

"Where did it come from?" Someone said. "The wind has blown it in."
"What does it want?" another cried, "Some whisky, rum or gin?"
"Here, Toby, seek him, if your stomach's equal to the work --
I wouldn't touch him with a fork, He's as filthy as a Turk."

This badinage the poor wretch took with stoical good grace;
In fact, he smiled as though he thought he’d struck the proper place.
"Come, boys, I know there's kindly hearts among so good a crowd --
To be in such good company would make a deacon proud."

"Give me a drink -- that's what I want -- I'm out of funds, you know;
When I had cash to treat the gang, this hand was never slow.
What? You laugh as if you thought this pocket never held a sou:
I once was fixed as well, my boys, as anyone of you."

"There, thanks; that's braced me nicely; God bless you one and all;
Next time I pass this good saloon, I'll make another call.
Give you a song? No, I can't do that, my singing days are past;
My voice is cracked, my throat's worn out, and my lungs are going fast.

"Say, Give me another whiskey ,and I'll tell you what I'll do --
I'll tell you a funny story, and a fact, I promise, too.
That I was ever a decent man, not one of you would think;
But, I was some four of five years back. Say, give me another drink.

"Fill her up, Joe, I want to put some life into my frame--
Such little drinks, to a bum like me, are miserably tame;
Five fingers --there, that's the scheme -- and corking whisky, too.
Well, here’s luck, boys; and, landlord, my best regards to you.

"You've treated me pretty kindly, and I'd like to tell you how
I came to be the dirty sot you see before you now.
As I told you, once I was a man, with muscle , frame, and health,
And, but for a blunder, ought to have made considerable wealth.

"I was a painter -- not one that daubed on bricks and wood
But an artist, and, for my age, was rated pretty good.
I worked hard at my canvas and was bidding fair to rise,
For gradually I saw the star of fame before my eyes.

"I made a picture, perhaps you've seen, 'tis called the 'Chase of Fame.'
It brought me fifteen hundred pounds and added to my name.
And then I met a woman -- now comes the funny part --
With eyes that petrified my brain, and sunk into my heart.

"Why don't you laugh? 'Tis funny that the vagabond you see
Could ever love a woman and expect her love for me;
But 'twas so, and for a month or two her smiles were freely given,
And when her loving lips met mine it carried me to heaven.

"Did you ever see a woman for whom your soul you'd give,
With a form like the Milo Venus, too beautiful to live;
With eyes that would beat the Koh-i-noor, and a wealth of chestnut hair?
If so, 'twas she, for there never was another half so fair.

"I was working on a portrait, one afternoon in May,
Of a fair-haired boy, a friend of mine, who lived across the way,
And Madeline admired it, and much to my surprise,
Said that she’d like to know the man that had such dreamy eyes.

"It didn't take long to know him, and before the month had flown
My friend had stolen my darling, and I was left alone;
And, ere a year of misery had passed above my head,
The jewel I had treasured so had tarnished, and was dead.

"That's why I took to drink, boys. Why, I never saw you smile,
I thought you'd be amused, and laughing all the while.
Why, what's the matter, friend? There's a teardrop in your eye,
Come, laugh like me; 'tis only babes and women that should cry.

"Say, boys, if you give me just another whiskey, I'll be glad,
And I'll draw right here a picture of the face that drove me mad.
Give me that piece of chalk with which you mark the baseball score --
And you shall see the lovely Madeline upon the barroom floor."

Another drink, and with chalk in hand the vagabond began
To sketch a face that well might buy the soul of any man.
Then, as he placed another lock upon the shapely head,
With a fearful shriek, he leaped and fell across the picture -- dead.

Meeting Notes 2005 11 28

CHECK OUT THE IMARS WEB SITE: http://www.imarsflorida.com/

(cut and paste this link if you cannot click on it)
SEE PHOTOS FROM TODAYS MEETING AT:
link starts here ==>http://www.photoworks.com/share/shareLanding.jsp?shareCode=A4EA252BF50&cb=PW<== link ends here IMARS ARCHIVE ALBUM OF PHOTOS FROM THE PAST link starts here ==>http://www.photoworks.com/share/shareLanding.jsp?shareCode=AE218C1B41B&cb=PW <== link ends here SEE MAMA'S "NEW" MERCEDES link starts here ==>http://www.photoworks.com/share/shareLanding.jsp?shareCode=A4D7A32BF4D&cb=PW<== link ends here


(FIRST MEETING NOTES TO THE WEB)

Hi all,

Perhaps this BLOG will be the answer to the large file problems some have when I attempt to send these notes as an attachment to your eMail. If you want to see the photos I took today check out the links to PHOTO ACCESS (PHOTO WORKS) above.

We had 18 valiant members in attendance today. We had no program scheduled but some say it turned out to be one of our best meetings in recent times.

Bill N4ZZO brought us up to date on the condition of Frank KK4RW. Frank is stable and improving. He is at Fish Memorial Hospital on Saxon Blvd in Orange City Room 237. I can say from experience that you can visit at about any reasonable hour. Frank has a phone in his room but I haven't learned what the number is.
I reported that the Roster & Donut fund balance was $334.66. We took in $10 and change and I spent $2.64 on a half dozen donuts, we didn't need the usual dozen because we had a box of cookies left over from last week.
I received a thank you letter from Catholic Charities and one from the Salvation Army. We gave them each $50 for hurricane Katrina relief about a month ago.
We were happy to see John Weber WB2JIR while missing the Maxwells and the Washingtons.
Hank, N4TJO, gave us a great talk about how one should improvise when an electronics problem crops up. I posted the pictures of Hank giving his talk and pictures of his drawings, take a look.
Jack WD8QYU read a two page letter from the granddaughter of Joe Chaput N9ZGU. She is teaching English in mainland Communist China and wrote a very interesting and entertaining letter relating her life and some of the unusual things she has witnessed in the last big Red Republic.
One of her humorous experiences was when she went to the bakery and asked them if they could make unsweetened bread. They said they could not. She wondered why they could not just skip the step that says "Add sugar!" ;-)

NEXT WEEK IS THE CHRISTMAS PARTY.

Set up tables and chairs (do we have enough since the firehouse went full time? Bring some comfortable lawn chairs and a fold up table if you have them, just in case.

Table covering (I will bring this.)

Coffee (Joey will brew a pot as usual ;-)

Tea, I'll get ice tea, lemonade and water

Napkins (we have them in our supplies, right Joey?)

Cups (we have them) and plastic glasses (I have club's supply)

Jack will bring Barbara who will bring fish chowder ;-)

Everyone bring a covered dish, a little extra to feed the firemen whom we have invited to eat with us, probably 3 people max.)

Bring table service, I'm told there are some for the firemen in firehouse.

If you cannot bring anything please don't let that dissuade you from coming, we always have more than we can eat and we never examine arrivals to see what they are bringing ;-)

Throw extra "stuff" in your car "just in case."

73, 88

Jerry KØJH