SPACE COAST RETIREE CLUB MINUTES

June 18, 2008

President Dan Postupack welcomed the 87 attendees and opened the meeting on June 18, 2008 at Suntree Country Club by leading everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.   Sergeant At Arms, Ed Romano, offered a moving invocation. Our Scholarship Chairperson, Angela Romano, was introduced to make the first of two scholarship presentations, as one of our candidates was receiving another scholarship award and had to leave. Everyone gave a warm and enthusiastic welcome to Jason Panzarino and his father, Mr. Frank Panzarino.    Jason is a Melbourne High School graduate, who is the recipient of the very first $1,000 George M. Skurla Scholarship Award, and who plans to attend the University of Florida at Gainesville to study aerospace engineering. Jason’s outstanding academic achievements placed him First in a class of 503 students. Jason is a licensed pilot and a member of several associations geared towards aircraft and pilots. He is a perfect choice for our George Skurla Scholarship, and as we know, George Skurla joined the Grumman Corporation in 1944 and rose through the ranks to become president and chief operating officer, and was the director of operations at Kennedy Space Center from 1965 to 1970. It is our honor and privilege to have Mrs. Marie Skurla with us today to assist in this presentation.   In addition to the $1,000 scholarship, a $250 award from the Bethpage Federal Credit Union is given to defray the cost of books and supplies contingent upon completion of the Sophomore, Junior and Senior years of college. We are extremely grateful to Bethpage Federal Credit Union for their contribution to our scholarship program. Mrs. Skurla presented Jason with some personal mementos and clothing items, and told the group that she was a graduate of UF and a “Gator” fan. Thanks, Marie, for helping us to honor your husband’s memory and his contributions to the Grumman Corporation, by offering a scholarship in his name. Jason warmly thanked everyone for his award, and President Dan Postupack presented Jason with some Grumman and Northrop Grumman memorabilia, and we all wished Jason continued success in his upcoming college career.

Mrs. Marie Skurla and Jason Panzarino

Our club has another reason to celebrate, as Natalie Hughes, from Manorville, N.Y., granddaughter of Sal & Ruth Rubino, members from our Space Coast Chapter, submitted the Bethpage Scholarship Form sent by her grandparents and qualified her for and will receive $2,000 from the Bethpage Chapter through their Open Scholarship Awards Program. Her awards ceremony in N.Y. will take place on June 25^th at the Crest Hollow Country Club. Natalie held a 4.0 GPA, is interested in Computer Science and will attend Binghamton State College in upstate N.Y. Congratulations, Natalie.

A delicious buffet lunch was served and the meeting continued with a video presentation of some treasured memories of the formation of the Grumman Corporation. The following committee reports were given:

Treasurer - Bill Waldron stated we have 210 paid members and 87 in attendance today. We welcomed visitors Jim and Gloria Flynn. There are four 50/50 winners, and a grand prize of Brunch for Two at the Suntree Country Club   Bill reminded us that the website is available for comments and a show of support for the KC-45 tanker contract, which is being contested by Boeing.   Please visit www.americastanker.com.

Travel – Ed Romano told us that Rita Francesco was involved in an auto accident, is doing o.k. and will be back in September. Flyers, including prices, will be available in Sept., regarding a seven day cruise to the Eastern Caribbean on the Mariner of the Seas on Nov. 9^th, 2008, sailing out of Port Canaveral..

Historian – Fred Wilms reported that the TA4J is ready for paint We are getting some new wheels and brakes for the landing gear and a new forward right-hand windshield has been found and will be installed.   We are hoping to get a new canopy made for the F11F, and are preparing the frame for the new canopy. We are waiting for some forward main wheels. Work is continuing on the main frame, the cockpit is being cleaned out, and we want to thank Nelson Ruiz for the excellent job he is doing making repairs to the instrument panel and painting it.

Scholarship – Angela Romano enthusiastically introduced our second scholarship winner, Brittany Grant, and her mother, Mrs. Donna Grant. Brittany received a certificate from our club at her Awards Night on May 22^nd at Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School, and today we are officially recognizing her at our third Retiree Club Space Coast Chapter Scholarship winner.   Brittany held a 4.0 GPA, with many outstanding academic accomplishments, and will be attending the University of South Florida at Tampa, to pursue a degree in Computer Engineering. She plans to participate in the 5 year Masters program and hopes to intern with an engineering company. Upon graduation, Brittany plans to join the work force and pursue her Ph D. Brittany will also receive the additional $250 from the Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Bethpage, N.Y. to help defray the cost of books and supplies over the course of her Sophomore, Junior and Senior years. We are proud to present Brittany with the Grumman Retiree Club Space Coast Chapter Scholarship Award in the amount of $1,000. Over 60 years ago, Mr. Leroy Grumman, founder of the Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, was a true supporter of education through scholarships, and we, at Space Coast Chapter, have embraced the continuance of this educational spirit and have chosen to create our own successful scholarship program for local high school students. Brittany Grant and Jason Panzarino are wonderful examples of this accomplishment. Brittany thanked everyone for her award, and President Dan Postupack presented Brittany with some Grumman and Northrop Grumman memorabilia and extended warm wishes from our group for continued success in her upcoming college years.

Angela Romano, Marie Skurla, Jason Panzarino, Brittany Grant, and Dan Postupack

We all would like to thank Angela Romano for her tireless efforts and her contributions to ensure that our scholarship program has been so successful.

Community Relations - Chet Emery reported that condolences and our sympathies were sent out to the family of Thomas Marino on Thom’s passing, to Ernie Randall’s family on Ernie’s passing, and to the family of George and Peggy Graefe, on the passing of Peggy’s mother, Mrs. Bertha Underhill. Get well wishes were sent to Jerry Ernst during his recent illness. Please contact Chet Emery at 321-254-2562 if a card needs to be sent.

Communications – President Dan Postupack thanked Don Powell and all of the callers who notify members of our meetings each month. No meetings will be held in July and August, but plans are in the works to recognize the callers at our September 17^th meeting.

Old Business - We are still waiting for comments and acceptance of the Space Coast Chapter Constitution and By Laws that were sent to New York.

Joe Mullings reported on the 2^nd annual combined Space Coast/Treasure Coast Picnic at Sebastian Inlet Park on Oct. 1^st. 2008. Sonny’s BBQ will cater the food and cost will be $11.00 per person. Checks may be made payable to Grumman Retiree Club-Space Coast Chapter and mailed to Ron Stinton, 147 Oxford Ct., Indialantic, FL 32903, or Joe Mullings, 469 Renaissance Ave., Melbourne, FL 32940. Tickets will also be available at the Sept. 17^th meeting. Hope you make plans to attend.

President Dan Postupack shared with the group that he received an e-mail from Barbara Nilsen, President of the Grumman Club, which stated that our chapter was inadvertently reported as sending a $500 contribution to their scholarship fund for FY 2008, when in fact; the contribution was from First Coast/FL chapter.

President Dan Postupack announced that he will meet with his committee to finalize plans for the Space Coast yearly Golf Tournament to be held on Sept. 27^th, 2008 at the Suntree Country Club. Please mark that date on your calendar and plan to participate in the golf tournament.

New Business - Bill Waldron asked the group to consider the possibility of arranging day trips, cruises and long trips with a travel agent or agency so that we can make travel plans available to discuss at future meetings.

Employee Birthdays – (for June) George Moletz, Belford Carter, Nelson Ruiz, Jerald Ernst, Louis Klein, Larry Pike, Laurence Andersen, Gene Burgess, Joseph Guttadauro, Tom Ivory, Franklin O’Brien, Arthur Hudson, Marie Latsko-Gorofsky, Joseph Grusauskas, Charles Farrell, Albert Gagliano, Eli Landau.

Spouse Birthdays – Claire Manley, Amy Ruiz, Jennifer Carrasco, Gene Latsko-Gorofsky, Angie Cheslack, Terry Harris, Jeanne Jacob, Judy Felber.

Anniversaries – Bill & Barbara Waldron, Carl & Ruth Hofmann, Heinz & Gloria Schreiber, James & Barbara Leahy, Rosemarie & Tony Mirabito Bain, Stephen & Katherine Petrovits, Joseph & Janet Grusauskas, Peter & Barbara Gelpi, Robert & Dorothy Beck, Richard & Angie Cheslack, Gary & Ginny Sines, Richard & Marie Passarella.

There will be no meetings in July and August and the next meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 17^th, 2008 at the Suntree Country Club. The meeting was adjourned and President Dan Postupack wished everyone a happy and healthy summer.