August 14th, 2022 Minutes

MINUTES OF MEETING – SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2022 at 10:30am
Present: Harry Fullerton, Coley Kelly, Helder Lemos, Peter Mandeau, Swift Lane, PT Consultant David Clark. Worldwide President Mark Hatten and and Vice=President Charles Koehler,  Excused Absence: Vernon Diannah PorterHarry called the meeting to order @ 11:05 am.
Open discussion
Discussion of Helping Hands.  Decision to start it up again.  Members needing assistance should show proof of need with Mass Health Card, Disability Card or some other method.  Discussion whether it should be ‘give what you can’ or to have a standard discount.  No further discussion or decisions took place on this topic.Discussion of accounting software and on how to transfer existing information to new method.  Should PT use Quicken Desktop or Quicken Online.  Accounting will be set up by Coley and David over the next 30 days. Harry will purchase two laptops for use in creating accounting, Prologue and other club-related purposes.  David is to be paid for his time monthly.  He will submit a proposal to the Board outlining the scope of his work. .Discussion of Halloween event in PTown.  Helder to write up an ‘invitation’ with details.  He will post on website, FB page, sending out a member email and by sending a physical mail to those who do not use computers.Mark discussed Worldwide topics including a video called ‘Sex and the Silver Gays.  Charles suggested edits to PT Membership Application.Coley motions to end meeting.  Agreed upon by unanimous consent.  Meeting edjourned at 12:40pm.Transcription by: Peter Mandeau, Board Member-at-Large

Motion to delete paragraph 3 under open discussion of Aug. 13th, motioned by Coley Kelly, 2nd Swift Lane, Helder Lemos, Vernon Porter, excused absences, Harry Fullerton, Peter Mandeau. Yeah 4, Nay 0.

Please add to minutes:  The next Board meeting will be held by Zoom at 5:30pm on Sept. 1 prior to weekly Monday Zoom meeting.

35th Anniversary Weekend

Meet & Greet, Club Cafe, Friday, Aug 12th.

Club Cafe 11am to 4pm, meet and greet, *No RSVP required.

Come welcome members from the Prime Timers Worldwide  and enjoy a Free Brunch, off their menu.  And they say there is no such thing as a free meal. No Reservations required, just show up and have a good time.

Anniversary Dinner, Club Cafe, Saturday, Aug 13th.

Dinner will be served about 1:00pm,

 Awards ceremony around 3:00pm

*Choice of Prime Rib, Statler Chicken(breast with wing portion),

Baked Cod or Veggie Lasagna 

  House Salad or Clam Chowder

Boston Creme Pie for dessert

Cost is $35 at the door.

Boston Duck Tour

Sunday, August 14th at 1:00pm from Club Cafe

Obituary for Norman Pelletier

Norman Pelletier, 78, a resident of Andover, MA, passed away on Monday, July 11, 2022. The son of the late Gerard and Alice (Demers) Pelletier, he was born and raised in Lawrence, MA, graduating from Lawrence High School with the class of 1961. Norman was the loving husband of Charlotte (Adams) Pelletier to whom he was married for almost 50 years. He was also loving father to his son Andy of Lawrence and predeceased by his sons Stephen and Jason Pelletier. Norman is also survived by his siblings Raymond Pelletier of Las Vegas, NV and Therese Stevens and her husband Alan of Milford, NH and was predeceased by Roland and Jackie. Norman is also survived by three grandchildren who reside in South Carolina.

After high school, Norman worked at Malden Mills before he began a career in banking. He first worked at Lawrence Savings Bank and then several other local banks for many years. He was also a carrier for the Eagle Tribune Newspaper in his neighborhood where he made great friends with most all of his newspaper customers. That’s the type of person Norman was, easy to talk to and happy to help anyone in need. More recently he was employed by the Andover Thrift Shop for Christ Church for over 10 years where he served the community and also made great friendships with such an amazing group of loving people.

Norman loved life and enjoyed visiting the beaches of Maine in the summer. He was always attending social events with his best friend James Garrity who passed away in June of 2022. Norman loved to dance. Years ago, he was a dance instructor at Fred Astaire Studios. He was also a parishioner and Eucharistic minister at Saint Michaels Parish in North Andover MA. Norman will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, July 18, 2022, at 11:30 A.M. in St. Michael’s Church, 196 Main St., North Andover, MA. Burial will take place at a later date. Relatives and friends are invited to call prior to the Mass from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 35 Merrimack St., North Andover, MA. To send an online condolence or for more information, please go to breenfuneralhome.com.

Wake (9-11 A.M., Monday, July 18th)

Funeral Mass (11:30 A.M., July 18th)

Life celebration review, info

Gentlemen: Last Saturday, May 21st, we had a wonderful celebratory dinner and toast to Peter and Michael who had provided a free luncheon to members via their estate. We have learned that they had a long life together and their passings occurred about a year apart a couple of years ago. Harry Fullerton and his nephew Nathan (and David Clark?) created a really nice slide review of Peter’s and Michael’s life together as a couple from a young age to the times shared with the PTers. Jan Peters was our performer along with her longtime accompanist. Of our membership, 70 members enjoyed this bittersweet celebration and Harry offered up a toast to them. It is gracious of the couple to keep us in their good graces as well as to assign funds to the BPT in their estate. It was also wonderful to have a free meal (salmon, roast beef, or vegetarian entrees).

Please remember, that if you want to come, you must sign up; AND please remember to contact us: (617) 286-4440 if you need to cancel. Any advance notice helps in the preparation of the meal and seating. Eleven people of the 81 RSVP’s did not appear. Would any of us wish to waste 11 cuts of prime rib or salmon and have 1+ prepared—dining tables remain empty?!

Next dinner- to honor the life and membership of Philip Findlay. June 18, Club Café, 1-5 PM

Philip was a long time member and participant of the Prime Timers, and he was Harry Fullerton’s partner for 32 years! Philip and Harry are providing a free meal for the members for Saturday, June 18th. Some of Philip’s and Harry’s family will be joining us at this celebration. Please RSVP by June 11th, by calling: (617) 286-4440 or email: contact@bostonpt.org, and leave your info. Entree choices are roast pork, baked cod and vegetarian (no, I don’t know the contents).

June 3-5th weekend in Ogunquit

Are you going to this event with the Prime Timers? Have you reserved your room? If you have decided to go, and you still need to reserve, you need to call either motel directly to reserve as the deadline has passed for a discounted room. Studio East at 267 Main St, Ogunquit: (207) 646-7297. Ogunquit Tides, 548 Main St., (800) 422-3341. Many rooms have been rented at Studio East, and fewer at the Tides.

Pizza Party: Friday, June 3rd, at 5 PM on the Patio at Studio East. Pizza and soda will be free, courtesy of the Boston Prime Timers. Other libations are BYOB.

June Gay Pride events (not discussed at the party, but added by this author)

As you have come to know, Gay Pride has normally been celebrated in Boston on the 2nd week in June with the parade on the 2nd Saturday. There is no parade this year as the organization that has run it for many years, has closed. There are other party events that are occurring in Boston June 10-12, not to be listed here, but one being a “Pop-up Pride” on the Boston Common on June 12th, 11-5 PM. North Shore towns are having festivities and Pride flag raisings everywhere, and I have a complete list created for the NS LGBT Social Network (of which I am an administrator). If you want info about the NS, I can provide it. NS Pride parade is June 25th at noon, walking about a mile and ending at Salem’s Common, where there are vendors, music and food. The afterparty is at the Marina Beer Garden. Are you attending Pride flag raisings in your communities?!

Boston Gay Mens Chorus is performing “Disney in Concert”; at Symphony Hall June 25/26, with 45 pieces from Disney movies being sung and a 25-piece orchestra, along with graphics and clips of movies. This is the 1st time that Disney has allowed a gay group to sing their music. (Tix $39-149 each, BGMC.org). If you want to see an abbreviated form of the concert performed—June 5th, at 3 PM, at Lynn Auditorium, without the orchestra and less members (there are 230 singers) and without the graphics/clips, get tix at ticketmaster.com for $30. You will need to scurry back to Boston from Ogunquit for this 1 performance.

Do you have questions about the above printed info—contact me. (I submit this info to the extent of my understanding.)

April Meeting Minutes (Part 2)

Hello Gentlemen,

Sorry for the delay in sending more information from the minutes of the April meeting. An April prologue was sent out prior to the meeting and some of the information below was mentioned in Part 1 of the minutes.

CELEBRATION dinner for late members Peter Krause and Michael Healey is this coming Saturday, 1-5 PM. The RSVP period has passed, and no walk-ins will be possible. Greater than 80 of you have signed up. IF you cannot come or plan to be absent, please call the office at (617) 286-4440, and leave a message.

Spring Fling — June 3-5, Ogunquit, Maine. Much information was related in Part 1; hopefully you have already reserved. If you need more information, ask Michael Tobey and he will fill you in.

June 18, 1-5 PM at Club Café: CELEBRATION dinner to honor Philip Findlay, Harry’s lifelong partner. Remembering Philip’s membership in the group, Harry has offered this event to the members for free. Sign up on Saturday for this next dinner event, e-mail the office, or call (617) 286-4440 and leave a message to RSVP. No walk-ins are possible for this event.

July 16, 2-5 PM at Club Café: Meeting. Discussion of the board reformulation; events in August and October to be discussed. There may be further entertainment. Please note — we have the space at Club Café as of 2 PM, when the speakers present is determined by Harry.

August 12-14: 35th anniversary of the club. Prime Timers Worldwide is organizing the hotel stays as people are coming in from far and wide.

Anniversary Schedule

8/12, Friday, 11-4 PM: Welcome Brunch and mixer at Club Café (the club will be closed to non-members).

8/13, Saturday, 1-6 PM: Award Dinner at Club Café. Original founder-member award goes to Bill Calloway (who lives in Florida, but will not be able to join us). More details to follow.

8/14, Sunday: Possibly a Duck Boat tour of Boston. Details are still being worked out. Cost to members and RSVP will be determined.

September 17, Saturday, 2-5 PM: Meeting. Details being determined.

October 28-30: Halloween rendezvous in Provincetown at the Harbor Hotel, on the East End. Prices have gone up since we last were in town, details will be forthcoming. A Saturday night dinner and party will be created. The committee working on this event, is still working on the details.

Note: the best way for you to learn details is to attend the meetings, read the Prologue online, read the Facebook posts, and talk with other members; please do not call Harry and David (as they are overwhelmed). IF you think that you did not receive it in e-mail, check your SPAM (junk) folder. The club is attempting to send out a paper copy to those who do not have internet skills, but you need to request this.

June: Pride Month, as we used to call it Gay Pride, but is now LGBTQ+ Pride month. Rainbow flags are being raised in many towns on the North Shore (my area) and I presume where you live too! Boston Pride as an organization has closed and there is no parade, but there still is Boston Pride — right?! There are block parties run by “Boston Proud” on 6/10, and others 6/11: Chandler Street, and 6/12: St. James Street. Jamaica Plain is also doing a party?! The parades: 6/18: Providence, 6/25: NS Pride, Salem, MA.

If you want to know about the Pride events on the North Shore, just inquire with Michael Tobey.

See you Saturday!

April Meeting Minutes 4/16

Meeting 2-4 PM Club Café: Harry Fullerton, Pres.

Part 1

Due to COVID, the club has been closed since December. This meeting marks the 1st time that we have gotten together to chat and share much information this year. The office has been in Harry’s home office for the last 2 years because the church where the office had been closed. Harry has acquired computer hard drives and documents for taxes for the past 2 years (to be completed), much mail and applications for membership.

Board

The numbers of board members have dwindled considerably since the club was last really active in early 2020. Harry is President, his brother—Paul Cram is VP, there is no treasurer, clerk, or active board members except Swift Lane—Harry has been running the club with pop-up volunteers. He recognized, mentioned and thanked the men who have helped out in the last couple of years to keep the club intact: David Clark, Swift Lane, Helder Lemos, Coley Kelly, Michael Tobey and others. Harry requested help to maintain the integrity of the club. He has requested that if anyone has some extra time and energy and could be on the board, that it would be greatly appreciated. Can you help, to maintain a functioning club?

Helping Hands

A fund will be set up to assist members who cannot attend activities because they cannot afford to participate, due to their bills, meds, etc.

Tuesday Club Café Dinners

Tuesday evening dinners will start up again, with meeting at 5 PM, dinner at 6 PM. Unlike in past times, each member will just select meals off of the Club Café menu and pay your own way, recognizing that there is a CC discount of 20%. No RSVP is needed.

Member Info

Longtime member and supporter Norman Pelletier has been quite ill with his recent cancer diagnosis. His longtime partner, Jim, has moved into a nursing home as his dementia has grown much worse. Clerk adds—Elliot Katz has just returned home after 2 months in the hospital and rehab.

Specific Events and Dates

May 21st, 1 PM, Club Café: Celebration of Life and membership dinner contributed by the wishes of Peter Krause and Michael Healey. This is a free dinner for the members, but you must RSVP by May 11 to: contact@bostonpt.org, or call (617) 286-4440 (leave your name, entree choice—Prime Rib, Baked Salmon, Pasta Primavera—veggie). No walk-ins will be allowed.

June 18, 1 PM, Club Café: Celebration of Life for Philip Findlay, Harry’s partner, who passed away just before Christmas. Harry and Philip wished to honor the members as we honor Philip. This dinner is free to members, but you must RSVP by June 11, to the same contact info as above. There will be live entertainment.

July 16, 2 PM, Club Café: Meeting. Entertainment is being arranged.

Note: Pride Parade—June 25, Salem—North Shore Pride parade, 12 PM, set-off, walking in downtown Salem, ending on The Common, with tented vendors. Post-parade parties. To walk in the parade, register with North Shore Pride.

June 3, 4, 5—Ogunquit Spring Fling: Follow closely. Staying at 2 motel complexes.

  1. Studio East—which is downtown, has about 20 rooms, under a BPT reservation. if you want to stay there, you must reserve with Studio East and state that you are with the BPT. No pool there. There are a variety of room costs, starting at $129/night per room; there are many price options and details which were detailed at the meeting, but best if you call and learn those.
  2. Ogunquit Tides—once Studio East is filled up, OR, it does not matter for you to stay further out of town (about 3/4 mile), go to the Tides, where there are two pools, 1 inside, and 1 outside. Here, there are many price options, too, from $119-$200/night; the higher price is for a cottage that sleeps 5 people. BPT will reserve these rooms and you must call BPT: 617-286-4440 to express your room desire.

A Meet and Greet gathering and Pizza Party will occur on Friday night, 6/3, at 7 PM, at the Ogunquit Tides. Saturday night dinner TBA. Other clubs and members will be invited to this weekend. The trolley will run on this weekend, but now costs $5/ run. We thank Tony Soares and Stephen Larrett for organizing this event!

  • Mark August 13, 14, 15 in your calendars for the BPT’s 35th anniversary with Prime Time members coming in to Boston from all over the country—more details in Part 2 of the article.
  • Mark Halloween weekend into your calendar, Oct 28, 29, 30 for Provincetown at the Harbor Hotel, in the East End of P’town. (The P’town Inn has been sold and is not available to this group.) More to follow in Part 2 of this article.
  • May 12, 5-8 PM, Dinner and Dance for the LGBTQ+ public and Friends, 55+ at Tewksbury Senior Center. Cost is only $10pp, dinner 5-6, dancing 6-8 PM. RSVP by May 5th to Ron Bourque, (978) 946-1476. Absolutely no walk-ins will be accepted. Our own Tony Soares is the DJ for this event! Tewksbury Senior Center has started a monthly LGBT luncheon; there are not many senior centers doing the same! Let’s support them!!

End of Part 1. Part 2 will follow in a few days. submitted by Michael Tobey (if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask friends, fellow members, or the PT’s phone #.)