2009

    After a shaky start to Programs at the beginning of the year, the chapter finally held its first luncheon of 2008 at The Oaks Golf Links in Somersworth, NH, on April 12, 2008.  It started out as dark and gloomy but turned into a sunny spring day by the time the luncheon began.  This was our first visit to The Oaks, and the staff was exceptionally helpful and very friendly!  120 members and guests assembled to enjoy a tasty meal and an educational program.  We were pleased to have Colonel Donald C. Davidson, US Civil Air Patrol, Commander New Hampshire Wing, as our guest speaker.  He gave a very thorough and interesting briefing, complete with video and PowerPoint presentation, on an overview of the organization, structure and mission of the Civil Air Patrol.  Everyone came away with a much better appreciation of what the CAP does!  Chapter president Joan Huber presented your humble Webmaster with a certificate from MOAA in recognition of the MOAA-NH website winning 1st Runner Up for a large chapter (600+ members) in national's annual Communication Award.  Bravo Zulu!  We were joined by five first time members:  Philip & Judy Chesley of Jackson, Joseph Fleck of East Wakefield, Judith Joy-Clark of Newport and Barbara Gale of Nashua.
 

The Oaks Golf Links	Please Check In Here	April Luncheon
The Head Table	Enjoying The Meal	Speaker's Gift

    It was hot and humid on June 7, 2008 when the chapter held its second meeting of the year at Diamond's Edge North Restaurant in Waterville Valley.  Unfortunately the restaurant had no air conditioning so it was jackets off for the gentlemen!  107 members and guests braved the heat to attend the luncheon.  While some did enjoy their meal, the service was so slow that desert was served after the speaker had finished!!  However, we were treated to a delightful presentation by our guest speaker, Mr. Adrian Cronauer, of "Good Morning, Vietnam" fame and currently Special Assistant to the Director, Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office.  He totally entertained us with stories of what it was really like during his time in Vietnam as opposed to the Hollywood version!  He then moved on the very serious subject of POW's and MIA's.  He briefed us on the extensive and exhausting work done by DoD to locate, retrieve, identify and return remains of US military personnel from WWII through the Gulf Wars.  It was an excellent program!  We were joined by one first time member: William Gall of Bradford.  Two potential members were also introduced - Bob & Janet Fortnam of Pembroke and Ray & Bonnie O'Hara of Waterville Valley.  Let's hope they join the chapter!!!
 

Diamond's Edge North Restaurant	Socializing before lunch	Speaker w/ Bob Fortnam, WWII POW
June Luncheon	The Head Table	Speaker's Gift

    It was a gray and overcast day on August 2, 2008, when the Chapter held it's Annual Clambake at Jamaica Island on the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY).  However, that did not dampen the spirits of the 453 members, families and guests who thoroughly enjoyed our traditional feast of clam chowder, lobster, clams, steak, wurst, corn-on-the-cob, potatoes, onions and watermelon.  The cookie lady, Mary Beth Moran, was back selling home baked (by her) cookies in support of the Scholarship Loan Fund.  Again they were a hit of the event and sold out!  It must be an election year because all of our Congressional Delegation who are up for reelection were in attendance shaking hands and working the crowd - Senator John Sununu,  and Representatives Paul Hodes and Carol Shea-Porter.  Even some of their opponents were there as guests of chapter members - definitely an election year!!

    Again this year we extended invitations to neighboring MOAA chapters to join us for our now famous Clambake.  Our western cousins from Vermont in the Green Mountain Chapter along with cousins from "south of the border" Massachusetts chapters Nashoba Valley and Worcester County joined the best chapter of MOAA at our Clambake.  We were joined by four new chapter members in attendance for their first MOAA-NH event:  Joe & Carol Puffer, Jr. of Center Ossipee and Bob & Janet Fortnam of Pembroke.  We even had one guest of a member join on the spot - Roger Bergevin of Concord.

    The main benefit of the Clambake, other than to enjoy a great home cooked clambake, is to support the Chapter's Scholarship Loan Fund.  This locally run program helps children and grandchildren of the New Hampshire Chapter members with college expenses by awarding interest free loans of $2000.00 to $3000.00 per academic year.  This year SIX students will receive loans.  Thank you to all who contributed!!

    Finally, a special Bravo Zulu to all those who made this event as successful as it was.  It could not have been done without all the hard work of the chapter volunteers!!

Please Check In Here	Volunteers Hard At Work	Shuck That Corn
The Chow Line	The Lines Stretches Forever	Finally, Food!
Sernator Sununu	Representative Hodes	Representative Shea-Porter

    The Fall Meeting and Luncheon was held at Bistro Nouveau at the Center at Eastman in Grantham on September 27, 2008.  Unfortunately, the weather was foggy and raining all day, otherwise the drive to Grantham would have been very scenic.  However, this did not deter the 126 stalwart members and guests who made the trek to the western part of the state.  This was our first vist to this establishment - the staff was friendly and the food tasty.  We were pleased to have as our guest speaker COL Christopher O'Connell, USAR, Chief Nurse, 325th Combat Support Hospital, Tikrit, Iraq.  He presented a very interesting slide presentation covering his recent deployment to Iraq, having just returned from there this summer.  It was very informative and definitely well received!  We were joined by one first timer - Thomas Keily of New London.
 

The Center at Eastman	Check In Here	Socializing Before Lunch
September Luncheon	The Head Table	Speaker's Gift

    The day started off dark and dreary, but by the time the festivities started, the day had become very pleasant, with "Indian Summer" like temperatures!  The chapter held our Annual Meeting and Luncheon, as usual, at the Manchester Country Club in Bedford on November 8, 2008.  While the members' business meeting was going on, the spouses and friends received a very informative, allbeit somewhat eye-opening, presentation on the costs of long term health care and assisted living. 146 members and guests participated in the traditional playing of all the service marches.  As always, the staff of the Country Club served a delicious meal and provided outstanding service!  We were pleased to have RADM Daniel A. Neptun, USCG, Director of Personnel Management, US Coast Guard as our guest of honor and speaker.  He gave us a very extensive presentation on Maritime Domain Awareness and the role the Coast Guard plays in it.  RADM Neptun also presided over the installation of this year's officers and Board of Directors for the chapter.  The results of the annual elections can be found on the "Chapter News" page.  We were joined by one first time member:  Mark Spear of Concord.
 
 

Business Meeting

Spouses' Program

November Luncheon	Head Table	November Luncheon
Swearing In	Speaker's Gift	Out With The Old, In With The New