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Editors Note: This page is the work of Chapter member Bob Jaffin who is planing to add diversity to Chapter events.

THE ONLY CONSTANT IS CHANGE

Folks, lots of changes coming with regards to chapter activities and payment methods. Two important points to keep in mind: (1) if the chapter does a trifold mailing for any sort of event it costs us roughly $600, (2) meal costs continue to skyrocket and many other organizations have adapted by going to catered buffets, the only real issue with this is that small number of chapter members would have to volunteer to get involved with set up and oversight of the buffet line.

We are hoping to coordinate/sponsor many more events in the next couple of years realizing that many may be regional in nature or simply too far for the entire membership to travel so we will be depending much more heavily on this space within our webpage, a few hardy individuals to help coordinate individual events in their areas, and your willingness to provide emails and/or cell phones so we can message/text/email you to get the word out. Below is the current list of planned activities in some cases we need to make reservations for space months in advance and in many cases, we will need to collect monies earlier than ever before. Our entire approach is evolving but we really depend on members who want to participate in events giving us a way to contact them other than US mail which has become extremely expensive.

Lots to report this go-round and request for feedback directly to my phone or email. We had a very successful Granite State Warriors Award luncheon at Fratello’s in Manchester with 93 people in attendance including a couple of walk-ins, a first since COVID. We also have a number of events scheduled and are looking at a couple more depending on the feedback we get. A small group got together little earlier at this year jazz brunch Festival at Wentworth by the sea on Feb 15. Events already scheduled or being worked at the current time include all of the following:

April 25 at the Common Man restaurant in Plymouth.
Speaker: Dr. Edmond Russo, Jr. the Acting Director of the US Army’s Cold Region Research and Engineering Lab in Hanover, NH. He will make a PowerPoint presentation on the latest Army research on cold weather operations & equipment.

May 8 at 1700 hours, NH Veterans Cemetery: MOAA organized military spouse event in line with the presidentially declared day. This will be a first and we just started working on this after the GSWA luncheon, and Senator Hassan and Congresswoman Goodlander expressed interest in participating.

June: date TBD, possible Isle of Shoals cruise if we get enough positive feedback from membership

August 1: 43rd annual MOAA NH clambake, with support from the Maine Chapter. MG (Ret) April Vogel, MOAA’s VP of Government Relations will be joining us for the event as well as Dena Kilgore from MOAA Councils & Chapters.

Late October/early November Chapter annual meeting due to recent fire at the Nashua Country Club

December 5, 2026 Western NH Christmas get together

January/February 2027: Sunday Jazz brunch in the seacoast area for those interested.

February 27, 2027: Granite State Warriors Award luncheon, location TBD.

June 2027: Possible boat or train ride depending on member feedback.

We REALLY NEED 2-3 members to stand up and take over some of the tasks for these luncheons. We need folks specifically to take over check-in and set up at these luncheons as Michael McLean and Roby/Sharon Day have done this at almost every luncheon event for over two decades!

If prices are listed it is not too early to make your chapter reservations

For MOAA-NH events, see the Program Notes Page.

Military Blues will meet at 12:30 pm on the third Friday of each month at the Old Salt Restaurant in Hampton, NH. The Three-course Menu will have a ballpark price of about $34.00 to $36.00 per person which includes food, non-alcoholic drinks, state tax, and gratuity. Select your entree when you arrive at the Old Salt. Substitutions are not allowed to this Three-course Menu: however, you may also order, for an additional charge, any items you choose from the A La Carte menu. Or you may order your entire meal from the A La Carte menu. Pay the waitstaff at the end of the meal with either cash or card. Please let Tom & Heather Kyle know by noon on the third Wednesday prior to the Friday if you will attend. Feel free to bring guest(s) but let them know their name(s) along with yours so they can give the restaurant a head count for seating. Thank you and we hope to see you there!

Tom and Heather Kyle email: tkyleh@yahoo.com
Military Blues Coordinators tele: (603) 679-8687