June 2008
The most interesting items we can report are those things which our members are doing and I encourage you as strongly as I can to send us items about yourselves. If you caught a record trout, appeared on “Dancing With the Stars” or won the Nobel Prize, let us know, send us a picture. (Ed. note: anything that would be of interest to our readers will be just fine.)
By the time you get this issue, the Democratic nominee will have been chosen and a four month period of intense campaigning will have commenced. Hopefully the campaign will focus on issues, not the irrelevant trivia that the media seems to be obsessed with. I wouldn’t bet on it.
What we hear from our members. The current and next issue’s notes were gleaned from comments sent in with the annual dues payment. Julie Tsui reports that she will be retiring soon. Julie, I’m sorry to report to you that we don’t sponsor trips as there is insufficient interest at this time. Have a wonderful retirement...Robert Morphis expects to sell their home and move to a local home for the elderly but still remain in Flemington. When the dust settles he hopes to resume his volunteering at the local medical center. Robert, I hope all goes well. Keep us informed...Kenneth Urgovitch sent us some kind words and sends his regards to his Teterboro colleagues on our Board. Thanks, Ken, we appreciate that...Tom O’Connell was appointed to Wayne Township’s Mayor’s Senior Advisory Board representing the Pine Lake Senior Citizens, an active group of approximately 100 members of widely diverse backgrounds. Last year they published the “Senior Citizen Handbook of Tradespeople for Wayne, N.J.” The tradespeople and contractors listed in the book are highly recommended by Wayne senior citizens and were reviewed and sanctioned by the Passaic County Division of Consumer Protection and the NJ Office of the Attorney General, Division of Consumer Affairs...Fred Silva together with Ray Landzetti and Larry Kaffko started an outsourcing procurement company called HTF Components, Inc. (HTF – Hard To Find) www.HTFComponents.com, Good luck, guys.... Frank Bresnahan writes “I’m 92 now, so I have to take it easy, take it slow. My old bones don’t move as fast as they did a few years ago, so now if I want to go on a run, I simply don’t go.” Frank, though your old bones don’t move as fast, it sure seems that your mind does...Thomas Mercier wishes everyone the best life has to offer for 2008 and beyond and pray for a true leader for the US of A. Amen, Tom...Gordon DeHaven is wondering if any other retirees set up family trusts with the help of Karlene Mitchell about 9 years ago. Perhaps others have questions about a second to die life insurance policy that was made a part of our trust. He says it might be helpful to have an estate expert give our group a presentation of life insurance and family trusts. Gordon, we’ll consider it...Edward Norin is working as the head of the Process Engineering department for E I Associates, a medium size, N.J. consulting engineering firm. He says it is “my second life after AlliedSignal”. That’s great, Ed, way to go...William English writes, “My wife and I are directors of the Wayne Seniors Swing Band. I manage the music and she manages the refreshments. The Band is composed of 17 professional musicians who donate their time to a once a month dance at the Wayne Elks. We are sponsored by the Wayne Elks Lodge #2181 and the Coldwell Realty Agency manager Patt Tahar. February 2008 started our 11th year...Robert Feucht is 82 and walks his dog three to four times a day. He and his wife visit St. Thomas several times a year as they have a place there...Frank Hardalo has lunch from time to time with Rick Schile, Chuck Brancati, Bill Theofanus, Dave Robbins and Nina Short. I wouldn’t want to be a waitress who made a mistake on the bill with that group ...Genevieve Wilmar sent us some very kind remarks about our columns. Modesty prevents our printing them but thanks a lot, Genevieve.
March 2008
Wow! What a great issue of the NEWSLETTER this is. I say that because the editor, after having demoted me to page 2, threatened to put me on page 6 or 7 if I didn’t go along. Kidding aside, it is a great issue. Normally when I get the NEWSLETTER, I try to get the staple out with my fingers. Lacking manual dexterity and having short and stubby fingers, I usually manage to tear the front page in half while sticking the now half bent staple into my thumb, thereby withdrawing a copious quantity of blood. I then can either withdraw the staple completely so the pages can be turned, mixed and/or lost, or I can leave the mangled staple in, making reading it extremely difficult. Don’t ask me why I don’t get a staple puller. I have a whole drawer full, but the drawer is in the other room. If we go with this new format we can include pictures. If I can get a large enough picture of me on the front page of each issue it can really reduce my writing chores. I have often said, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch”. Until all the costs come in, we won’t know, but there’s the possibility that if we were to keep this trial format we might have to increase the annual dues by one or two dollars. It’s up to you. Let us know at area.mto@honeywell.com whether it’s worth the extra cost to go with this format. I wanted to say that if we didn’t hear from you that we would assume it was OK with you to raise the dues. The editor wouldn’t let me get by with that, so let us know one way or the other.
What we hear from our members. I always look forward to when the dues come in because at that time we get so many comments from our members. It will take me a couple of issues to cover them all, so let’s get started. Fred Vodde is looking for dental insurance. He has checked out AARP, Delta Dental, MetLife and others. He finds that premiums are high, deductibles are high, co-payments are high and payouts limited. Fred wonders if any of our members have found dental insurance with good coverage at a reasonable premium. If so, please let Fred know . He will summarize the responses and report back to the NEWSLETTER for all to see. George Forsythe suggests a general meeting in Southern N.J. or Delaware as it’s a 4+ hour drive for him. George, it would be a 4+ hour drive for us and we haven’t enough members in your locale to justify the expense in having a meeting there. I am truly sorry about that. We’ll try to keep you updated in the pages of our NEWSLETTER. Ira Soller asks if we have a one time lifetime membership fee. Ira, if you send me a check for $ 100.00, made out to Lew Bohn, I guarantee you’ll get our NEWSLETTER for as long as I live. (Editor’s note: Ira, ignore the foregoing. No we don’t offer a lifetime membership.) Johannes Homburg is a published author of novels, a short story collection and an autobiography. His pen name is Jay Bern and he writes articles for newspapers and magazines. That’s great Johannes (or should I call you Jay?) how about doing a pro bono article for the NEWSLETTER? Johannes volunteers on the Water Board (no, that’s not where they do water boarding) (Editor’s note: Lew, how tasteless can you get?) and also serves on the Home Owners Ass’n. Al Gesler says he gets his money’s worth with the NEWSLETTER. Thanks, Al. How about if it were $6 a year? Al volunteers in the Stephen Ministry, an extended one on one support ministry. Pam and Tony Omelian have become very active volunteers for numerous functions of St. Luke’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Because of their training at Honeywell, Tony and Pam spearheaded the Christmas Bake sale – perogies, stuffed cabbage rolls, babkas, sweet breads and cookies. It was the most successful sale ever. Tell me, Pam, in what Honeywell dept. did you learn to bake babkas and stuffed cabbage rolls? Jim Higgins was appointed Dean, School of Business, at Holy Family University in Phila,, PA. Jim was voted MBA teacher of the year by faculty and students. Way to go, Jim. He is also on the Board of Directors of GESU School. Joe Moore Jr. notes that AIRESEARCH/AlliedSignal/Honeywell are the greatest group of people to work for in the USA. Bob Miller and wife, Sara, are grateful for the continuing friendship of other Allied retirees who write to them and come to visit Bob in long term care. Bob is slowly making progress to move again, after suffering a grave injury in a fall, and they are hopeful. Andrew Bilodeau asks that we assign a member number and provide a mailing address for electronic dues payments. Andrew, to us you’re a name, not a number. You’re the only Bilodeau we have on our membership list. Just have your bank make out the check, with your name on it, to H/AREA and send it to the contact point which is listed elsewhere in this NEWSLETTER and you will continue to be enlightened by the insightful, entertaining and informative content for another year. Comments from many more members will appear in subsequent issues.
January 2008
To make a deadline, this was written before the Iowa caucuses. As I look back on the grueling year-long primary campaigns of those seeking to be the leader of the free world, I have my concerns about the criteria we voters use when casting a vote. The negative comments are a real put-off. Can you imagine criticizing Barack Obama for saying he wanted to be president when he was in grade school, or for smoking pot or trying cocaine over 20 years ago when he was a young turk? I hope nobody shows up around here who knew me sixty years ago. I would be ostracized, excommunicated and run out of town. I matured and grew up to be respected in the community and by my family and even became President of H/AREA. How about zinging Mike Huckabee for warning people years ago about those with AIDS? At that time no one knew how AIDS was spread and everyone felt that way. We don’t feel that way any longer, nor does he. Poor Rudy Giuliani’s own kids don’t support him. So what? Does that have any bearing on what kind of president he would be? How about John Edwards’ $400 haircut ? Is that germane ? Does divorce, infidelity, drinking, gambling or being a born again Christian impact presidential performance? I don’t think so. Mitt Romney is a Mormon, Hillary is a woman, Obama is black. Again I say, “So what”. A number of candidates are cited for lack of foreign diplomacy experience. I think a far more important factor is his foreign policy. The new president will have an experienced State Department and Secretary of State to advise him. I think the key ingredient for deciding for whom to vote is the philosophy of the president as it relates to governing our country.. The future president knows and should clearly state in effect that, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch”. The more programs the government has, the more it will cost and that means more taxes. When will candidates stop pandering to the voters by pledging, “No new taxes” when they know we will just be going deeper into debt ? The candidates track record, their managerial ability, the people they choose to be around them are all key factors as well. Social Security, Medicare, Head Start, the defense establishment, all must all be paid for. If we want more government, we must realize there will be more taxes. When will we get serious about our energy policy? Who will admit that ethanol production is just a gift to the corn farmers in states like Iowa ? I admit it is good symbolism if nothing else. Who will admit that more nuclear plants are needed until that day when the nuclear fusion puzzle is solved (not in my lifetime)? How about a radical new tax system which eliminates the thousands of pages of loop holes? A flat tax? A value added tax? Whatever, but make sure there is a sufficient safety net for the lowest rung of the ladder. Some would pay less and some would pay more as it is a zero sum game but an enormous sum would be saved by Americans in tax preparation expense.. Businesses and markets would change reflecting true values rather than values skewed by tax considerations. Food prices and energy would go up if subsidies were be removed, but the cost of government would go down.
I have mixed feelings about the debates which really aren’t debates. To see six or seven candidates standing in a row like puppets answering yes and no questions is somewhat demeaning of them, but, on the other hand, you get an impression of what type of person they are. But, does it really make a difference whether your candidate is a “nice” person? After the primaries, our choices will be simplified. I recommend that you vote for the party which most closely reflects your personal philosophy and not for the personality of the candidate.. It’s somewhat simplified to say, but I’ll say it anyhow, the Democratic party represents those with liberal leanings who want more government programs and are willing to pay for them. The Republicans are more conservative and want less government and want to reduce the size and cost of the government. Don’t let it bother you that both parties fail to follow these principles more often than not.
One belief I have is that after the candidates are chosen, Mike Bloomberg will open up his check book and emerge as an independent candidate with the most expensive campaign in history. It would make for one of the most exciting elections in our history.
Let me know your thoughts bearing in mind that this is a family newsletter.
April 2007
I always look forward to this time of year when all of our membership renewals come in. We’re delighted that many of our members include personal notes making suggestions, praising us, criticizing us or just updating us on themselves. If your name or anything else about you is spelled wrong it’s because my flea market glasses don’t work well with retirees’ handwriting.
In random order, we learned that: Teterboro retiree, Elliot Brooks, has moved into an assisted living home. He has been ill the last six months and he would appreciate hearing from any old friends from Bendix. ....John Markuson, Analytical Research, Morristown, suggests either multi-year or lifetime memberships. Good idea, John. I’ll suggest it to the Board. I don’t know whether our volunteer bookkeepers are up to that or not. I’ll find out. I doubt that we will go the lifetime route. You may live longer than we do....Rich Wisneski, Contracts Dept, Teterboro, reported on a 10 day trip with his wife, daughter and son-in-law, Rev. Steven Everett and 20 members of his church. They went to Gulfport, MS to help rebuild homes damaged by Katrina. Rich noted that the damage was devastating and much more needs to be done. Rich, we’re proud of what you and many other of our members are doing to ease suffering in the world....William Grunstra, Test Systems, Teterboro, lives in Lakewood, NJ and reports that also living there is Fred Stroehman, Bill Skiff, Ernie Zorn, George Shalnow and others....Eleanor Macvicz, who now lives in Kissimmee, FL worked for Allied/Solvay in Solvay, New York. Eleanor wonders why we can’t say something about that branch of our ancestry. Eleanor, I’ll speak to our historian. Also, we would be glad to print any info you may have about Allied/Solvay....Richard Jamieson, Gyro, Teterboro, is a member of the Community Emergency Response Team and asks us how he can get rehired by Honeywell. I suggest going to the employment office and filling out an application....Donald Terkula, of Delaware notes that he read that the cost of Health Care was moderating but it doesn’t seem to be the case for “this Honeywell Retiree”.... Robert Sliwa , Park Ridge, NJ also wants of to discuss the cost increases. Don and Bob, we have addressed that at a retiree’s meeting and a follow-up article in the NEWSLETTER. I guess all we can do now is join you in wringing our hands... Dr. Philip Smith, Commercial Development, MTO, General Chemical/ICD, has been painting pictures (oil, acrylic, watercolor) for the past ten years. Over 90 have a Christian, Biblical orientation and have been exhibited at churches, high schools, nursing homes and at the Veterans Administration Hospital. Another 20 or so, based on secular themes, have been exhibited at local organizations, e.g. art association....Raymond Kecmer, Teterboro, engineering/procurement. Ray has worked for the last 11 years as a sales engineer for a private contractor who sells hardware, to carry electronics shipboard that meets vibration specs, to the Navy. He has been installed into the American Society of Naval Engineers.... Margaret Van Derlyn, HR Shared Services, works full time at the Clara Maass Medical Center. She volunteers on the decontamination team and also in St. Aloysius’ Baptism ministry.... Steve Belsky, MTO, Spec. Oximes R&D, worked for awhile as a contractor at the various oxime mfg. units. He expects to move to eastern PA. this summer...Mike Lorenzo, Bendix, Teterboro suggests a dinner-dance rather than a luncheon or dinner as it makes for better socializing. He suggests it be held in late April or early May. Mike, we agree with you. We have tried in the past to generate interest in this type of thing but we failed. We suggested that rather than a company wide affair that if identifiable groups (people who know each other) tried to set up an affair, we would help promote it and even underwrite some of the costs, but there was insufficient interest. We opined, at the time, that our retirees are so active and have so many interests that their schedules are full.... Art Hamm, MTO, accounting, tells us he is enjoying California weather, doesn’t miss the snow and sends his regards to his former co-workers....John Pfeiffer, York, Receiving Dept. works part time as the organist and choir director for the First St. John’s Lutheran Church in York, PA. where he has been a member for 35 years....Peg Fitton, Jerry’s widow, thanked us for the information and memories of the many people whom Jerry knew and worked with. Peg, you’re certainly welcome and we appreciate your thoughtful note....Peter Dubas, Allied/Signal, Guidance Systems Div., says if anyone is interested in contract work (full or part time) for extra income, please contact him.... Eileen Blieko informs us that she was widowed this past Nov. You have our sympathy, Eileen. Eileen tells us that her husband was one of the original 22 men who started there at Colles Garrett...Neal Draper tells us he has decided not to renew. We’ll miss you, Neal.... Tony Ciavatta, MTO, Corp. Tax, would like to see bus trips to Baltimore, D.C., Cape Cod, Wineries in NJ or NY, etc. So would we, Tony. Do you have any suggestions how we can set one up?...Irene (Renee) Carley, Teterboro, FSB, tells us that, in addition to being a Commander with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, that as of March 1, 2003, she is a “Founding Member of the Department of Homeland Security”. Wow!...Herman Van De Vaart, MTO, Corp Tech, recently moved to Massachusetts and will no longer attend our meetings, but will remain an H/AREA member. Good choice, Herman. Best wishes in MA....Jim Mc Killen, 17 years in Teterboro, 21 yrs. in Oklahoma City, Flight Systems Div., sent us a gracious letter together with a clipping from “The Oklahoman”, the local newspaper. It was a letter he had written under the headline “Let’s put patriotism above politics”. It was a great letter, Jim....
Dear reader, if you have gotten this far, congratulations. Be sure to remember to send us a note next year when you send in your renewal. If it’s not too insulting we may print it.
... We received two business cards from Mike Hartey. One shows him as Treasurer of “Burholme Town Watch”, subtitled “Serving Our Community”. The other, as Special Assistant to Philadelphia Councilman-at-large, Jack Kelly, for zoning & community affairs. They both sound fascinating, Mike, do you want to tell us more?...Pete Peterson’s card shows him to be CEO and Senior Director of “MAINELY WIRED” of Swanville, Maine.
April 2006
We really look forward to the annual receipt of dues for more reasons than just keeping solvent. When the annual dues get mailed in to us, many are accompanied by informative notes. It makes us feel closer to you. Bear that in mind next year when you renew. We spend a lot of time in putting out our NEWSLETTER and it is so gratifying to hear from “out there”. Note that there are a number of entries related to groups of retirees getting together at one place or another. Look to see if there might be one of interest to you .
A sampling of this year’s notes follows in alphabetic order...Fred Bauer (Morristown) was honored with the Spirit Award this past October by the Boy Scouts of America’s Northern N.J. Council’s Black Bear District in recognition of his 70-plus year commitment to scouting. The ceremonies included a spirited barbeque. In addition to his Allied Chemical responsibilities, Fred served two stints on the Wayne, N.J. Township Council, one in the 60’s and one in the 80’s....William Berry (Teterboro and Morristown) was the breeder of both Scotties in the White House, Barney and Miss Beazley. He attended a White House Holiday Reception in the White House. ... Frank Callahan, after 27 years in northern NJ moved to an active adult community in southern N.J. The move was “anxiety laden, worrisome, exhilarating and took more time and energy than expected”. He doesn’t miss the snow and the grandchildren are not too far away....Tony Ciavatta (Morristown/Tax) runs an age 50 and over softball league comprised of 27 teams and an age 60 and over league comprised of 6 teams. He says, “ We’re always looking for additional players. Good opportunity to get some exercise, have fun and meet a lot of nice guys who all have the same aches and pains. Most games are in Lincoln Park, NJ”. If you’re interested, call Tony at (973) 539-0059... Renee Karski (Morristown Research) who volunteers at a day care center is interested in taking day trips to NYC and a dinner and show. ...Arlene Macchia (Morristown/Travel) informed us that, sadly, her husband passed away. Living in Boca Raton, FL. She dines occasionally with Dale Edwards and Louise Monahan...Tom Mercier (Up state NY) notes that he appreciates H/AREA’s services. Thanks, Tom!...R.W. Morphis, who is now in his mid nineties, has done a lot of volunteer activities, taken courses, worked as a consultant but is now cutting back to just volunteering at the local hospital where, with his wife, they have been doing volunteer work for over 25 years. They plan to continue “as long as they will have us”. In addition to living in 6 states, he worked at 40 Rector, 1415 Broadway and in Morristown... Curt Pickens (Morristown/Controllers – worked in six different Divisions ending in Chemicals) He’s now living in California but is an avid NEWSLETTER reader...David Semosky (Allied/Signal Stratford, Customer Support) volunteers at the Connecticut Air/Space Center and as a member of Boothe Park Friends. He attends a monthly luncheon of management personnel which usually 30 to 50 attend...Edgar Van Winkle (Bendix-Flight Data Electronics Design and Bendix Navigation & Control) is Chairman of the Endowment Board of the First Presbyterian Church of Rutherford as well as appearing in “Who’s who in-“ “America”,” the East”, ”the World”, “Finance & Industry” and “Science & Engineering”. And then there are others who would like to get together . .... : Ravi Bansal organizes a quarterly luncheon of retirees from Honeywell’s Industrial/Process Automation business in Fort Washington, PA. Anyone is welcome to attend these luncheons. If interested, call Ravi at 215-443-9437 or email him at bansalravi@msn.com ...If there are any Brooklyn H/AREA members who would like to get together, give Murray Fink a call at 718-282-9314... ....If there are any Mass. H/AREA members who would like to get together, give Charles Kramer a call at 781-934-0713...John Lawler (Morristown/Corp. Eng.) winters in New Port Richey, FL and is interested in meeting other former Allied people in that area...The B&A/Delaware Retirees Association meets for breakfast every second Tuesday of the month at the Crossroads Restaurant, I-95 and Naamans Road in Claymont, DE. For details, contact Leon Mattioli at mattioli2@comcast.net...Art Murphy spends from Nov. 1 to May 1 at a location between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. If you’re interested in getting together with other H/AREA members during that time give Art a call after May 1 at 973-398-0481... And then there are questions...Joan, there will be no driving course offered as an insufficient number of people applied. We needed twenty as a minimum...Fred, we’ll look into a financial seminar before our April meeting but it doesn’t look probable at this point... Janet, We couldn’t get the MED2006 School info out soon enough for registration. Thanks for the info. It sounds great, send it earlier next year.
Some of the information listed above is over 6 months old so it may not be up to date. Now that we’re publishing this type of info, we’ll try to be more timely. Again, please drop us a line when you send your dues in the next time, or do it now and we’ll print it sooner.