Address:
Mature Friends
PO Box 21203, Seattle, WA 98111-3203E-mail:
info@maturefriends.org
II hope this finds you all safe and warm after our big snow events in the Puget Sound. Due to safety concerns, we felt it was wise to cancel some of our regularly scheduled events in mid-January. If we are experiencing snow, please contact the Activity Head by email or phone before heading out for one of our events.
Our February 24th Potluck will kick off our fundraiser for the scholarship program run by the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA), the area's LGBT small business organization. Mature Friends did this last year, raising a substantial amount of money through your generous contributions. Since its inception in 1990, the scholarship program has granted scholarships totaling in excess of $800,000 to deserving LGBT students and students focused on serving the LGBT community. This is particularly important to LGBT students, who often lack support from their families and the general community at large. Given the continuing economic turmoil we are experiencing and declining governmental support of higher education, contributing what you can this year can have a big impact on the future of a deserving student
Jessica Wooten, head of the GSBA scholarship program, will be attending the February Potluck, along with some recent scholarship recipients. They will have a chance to mingle with us that evening and will give a short presentation after dinner. Mature Friends will be donating the door receipts from that night's potluck to the club's total contribution
If you can't attend or aren't prepared to donate that night, you can send a check to our post office box made out to Mature Friends, with an indication that you are contributing to our GSBA Scholarship Fund drive. We will accept donations through the end of March. Don Moreland, one of our founding members and past President, whom we lost suddenly in January, was a strong supporter of this program and I know he would like to see Mature Friends continue to donate generously to the scholarship fund. PLEASE GIVE WHAT YOU CAN!
— Mark J., President, e-mail President
In Memoriam
Don Moreland, 75, long-time member of Mature Friends and activist for social causes in the Seattle area, died at Valley Medical Center on January 7, 2012. He was surrounded by members of his immediate family and his partner, Tad I. A 1954 graduate of West Seattle High School, Don graduated from the University of Washington and completed two years at the UW Law School. Realizing that the social and political climate of the times prevented him from being an openly gay man and practicing law, he withdrew in good standing one year before graduation, and devoted his spare time to a wide range of progressive social activism for the remainder of his life. Along with his now-deceased first partner, Harold Mick, Don was a founding member of Mature Friends. In the 1980's, he was chair of the Seattle chapter of the Dorian Group; was president of the Lesbian and Gay Democrats of Washington; was on the national board for the Human Rights Campaign; and in the 1990's, was active with the Seattle Human Rights Commission. His activism ranged from raising funds for homeless teens at Lambert House to working for housing for LGBT seniors. In DC in 2011 Don was awarded the older volunteers' Silver Honoree for “Community Champions” by MetLife. Although he may have left the legal field because of his being gay, the arc of Don's work reached, ironically, to raising funds this year to promote full legal marriage equality in the State of Washington.
Don worked for various local businesses during his life, retiring from Skyway Luggage. He served in the US Navy, reaching the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. At his request, there was no funeral following cremation. In spring, however, a plaque in his honor will be commemorated in Mt. Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, followed by a gathering at a nearby location. Specifics for the commemoration and memorial gathering are yet to be determined, but will be announced in the Mature Friends newsletter. For a comprehensive coverage of Don's life, go to the Seattle Times article at: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017216218_morelandobit12m.html
— Charlie F., Sec'y
Goings On
Eating Date and Time Playing Date and Time Lunches Out Wed., Feb. 8 and 15, at 12:30 PM A Better Investment Club Mon., Feb. 27, at 7:00 PM Monthly Potluck Fri., Feb. 24, at 6:30 PM Book Club Tue., Feb. 14, at 7:oo PM Dinner Out Tue., Feb. 21, at 6:30 PM Board Meeting No board meeting this month Wine Tasting Nothing scheduled this month Walk/Hike Tue., Feb. 14. at 9:30 AM Annual Banquet Sat., Jun. 16, 2012, at 5:30 PM Garden Tours Dormant until April Annual Picnic Sat., Aug. 2012, at noon Theater and Music Silent Movie Mondays
Dinner for Six Dinners in homes in rotation Travel News Check Our Destinations Bridge Club Every Wed. at 7:00 PM Pinochle Club Wed., Feb. 1 and 15, at 7:30 PM Camera Club Wed., Feb. 8, at 7:00 PM Exercise Group Every Wed. at 10:00 AM
Knife and Fork Club
Check out the lunches and dinner scheduled for this month. Then sign up and join the fun.
Lunches and Dinners Out
Activity Date and Time Place and Address Lunch Wednesday, February 8, at 12:30 PM Charlie's on Broadway Dinner Tuesday, February 21, at 6:30 PM Robb's 125th Street Grill
12255 Aurora Ave. N.Lunch Wednesday, February 22, at 12:30 PM Charlie's on Broadway Dining out has been a regular activity of Mature Friends for a long time. If you have any suggestions, comments, or ideas about the monthly dining out experience, please bring them to the next monthly dinner at Robb’s 125th Street Grill. Hope to see you all there!
For questions about lunches out, contact Jim R., and for dinners out, contact Walter J. Or e-mail questions to the Knife and Fork Club.
Monthly Potluck
Please join us for our monthly potluck at the Ballard Odd Fellows Hall, the last Friday of every month at 6:30 PM, except for June and August. Here’s your chance to bend elbows and rub elbows with friends and meet new ones during our social hour and to enjoy some of the great food we all contribute.
Ballard Odd Fellows Hall
1706 N.W. Market Street
Seattle, Washington 98107The monthly potluck begins promptly at 6:30 PM with appetizers and the social hour. The only penalty for arriving fashionably late is that you might miss some of the delicious hors d’oeuvres. Doors open to the main dinner at 7:30 PM. After dinner at every other potluck, we often have a guest speaker.
Members who bring a dish pay $3.00 at the door. If for some reason you don’t feel like cooking, please be prepared to contribute $10.00 instead.
Note: A non-member attending a potluck for the first shall be admitted free as a guest. On subsequent attendance, the non-member is subject to a $10.00 door charge.
Potluck Contributions
Please bring the type of dish assigned to your last-name initial below so that we will have enough food from each category.
Food Assignments (servings for 6 people)
Dish Last-Name Initial Appetizer (Arrive early please) F, L, O, S Hot Dish C, H, K, P, W, Y Vegetable E, G, N, R, T, Z
Salad A, B, M Dessert D, I, J, V Please indicate on a note with your dish if you have a vegetarian dish for our vegetarian members and friends.
In the interest of reducing garbage at the Odd Fellows Hall, members are requested to take home any leftovers of food they brought to the potluck including take-outs from delis, etc.
Thank you!
Door Monitor
For better security, the management of the Odd Fellow’s Hall has instituted a new door policy. Renters must monitor the Market Street door and admit only people who have legitimate concerns in the Hall.
Therefore, before food is served, someone from Mature Friends will be at the door to admit guests. When food is served, the door will be locked. Anyone arriving after 7:30 will have to ring for entry by pushing the “U” (upstairs hall) button at the main door. Members of the bridge and exercise groups should consult with your respective group leaders for entry arrangements.
(Note: It has been brought to our attention that some members are having getting to Potlucks because of the stairway. On the back stairway of the hall, there is an electric chair lift. It is available by entering the building at the alley entrance across from the parking lot in the rear. At present it would be necessary to let the person at the front door know of the need and they would call upstairs to the person with the key who would meet you at the back door to bring you up. — Paul S.)
For any questions, please e-mail Monthly Potluck.
A Better Investment Club
Our meeting this month will take place on Monday, February 27, at 7:00 PM at the Michoacan restaurant.
For any questions, please e-mail Investment Clubs.
— Ray B.
Book Club
February Meeting
Our next meeting will be Tuesday, February 14, when we will discuss Arthur and George, by Julian Barnes, at the home of Joe S. It's based on a true story, more or less. The Arthur of the title is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who turned detective, like his creature Sherlock Holmes, to clear the name of a solicitor named George Edalji, son of an East-Indian immigrant Anglican vicar and a Scottish mother (i.e., not quite “British” enough), who was wrongly convicted of a series of slashings of horses, cattle, and sheep. It also deals with Conan Doyle's (heterosexual) love life.
Please refer to paper or electronic copy of the newsletter for directions to Joe's home.
The March meeting will be at the home of Lou M. and Gordon L. on Tuesday, March 13. Directions will be printed in the March newsletter. The book for March is Waterland, by Graham Swift, which is considered so important a post-war British novel that it's a “set text” in the English Lit A-level syllabus in British schools. In other words, if you want to see what English educators think their brightest students should be reading in secondary school, this is it. It also sounds very intriguing if you're interested in history, high school, scandal, and/or eels.
All are welcomed to join in any of the discussions. The club usually selects its books from a list supplied by the Seattle Public Library’s special book club collection. Unfortunately, since we take a vacation in January, the February books will not be available at the December meeting. Get in touch with Dick N. early January, if you would like to borrow a library copy.
For any questions, please e-mail Book Club.
— Dick N.
Board Meeting
There will not be a board meeting in February
For any questions, please e-mail Board Meeting.
Walk/Hike — Magnuson Park
In January people think about resolutions, healthy living, doing something new. Looking at the hike log back to the year 2000 I see that we have never hiked the trails in Magnuson Park at Sand Point.
To remedy that omission we will hike there in January. Do something new, healthy and resolute — join us for a walk and to see the new developments at Magnuson Park.
Officially known as Warren G. Magnuson Park, it includes pieces of Seattle’s military past and eco-friendly future. The park sits on a mile-long stretch of Lake Washington’s shoreline in northeastern Seattle. At 350 acres, it is Seattle’s second largest park. This former Navy airfield has been transformed into a combination of features and activities: boating, swimming, walks, kite flying, sports fields, natural areas, and a historic campus.
In the past decade Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation has restored a wetland at the south end of the park, and made other improvements. There are several miles of level trails to explore. Metro bus routes 74 and 75 serve the park along Sand Point Way N.E.
We will meet at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, January 10, at the parking lot at the east end of the NE 65th St. entrance to the park. After you enter the park on NE 65th Street continue going straight east to the parking lots near the boat launch, where the road turns north. A map is available online at
Check Out the Pictures of Some Previous Hikes!
Hikers Jack, Ted, Dale, Darwin, Gene, Doug, Ken, Craig, Garry at Cougar Mountain
Hikers Larry and Gene on the Big Four Ice Caves Trail
Stephen, Garry, Gene, and Dale at Talapus Lake
Rodger, Jim, Garry, Jerry, John, and Dale at Heather Lake
— Dale J.
If you have any questions or suggestions, email Walk/Hike.
Wine Group
Our last wine tasting occurred on November 21. Fourteen of us met at Boyd B.’s home to taste Gewürztraminer wine. We had the good fortune to be led by Eric Davis, a trained wine specialist. It was interesting to discover the subtleties of a wine when you are given expert guidance. Various fruit and floral flavors and bouquet were discussed and appreciated. It seemed that the wines, anywhere from $7 to $30, all were enjoyed and valued. Our nine selections were from super markets, specialty shops and producers. Generally thought of as somewhat sweet, these selections were dry and occasionally off dry. Clearly many of the wines were not just for summer days but a good accompaniment for light dinners and Asian foods.
January 16 Tasting
We will meet on Monday at 7:00 PM at Don McK.’s home. At the last meeting the group chose Oregon Pinot Noir for this evening. Burgundy, France, is home of this grape and producer of its finest wines. The name is thought to derive from its shape, like a pine cone, and the dark color of its thin skin. One of the great wine producers likened it to the “Devil” due to the difficulty in making quality wine from this vulnerable grape. Generally grown in cool climates and now produced around the world, Oregon’s Willamette Valley is ranked among the best. Wikipedia quotes the following: Pinot noir wines are among the most popular in the world. Joel Fleischman of Vanity Fair describes Pinot noir as "the most romantic of wines, with so voluptuous a perfume, so sweet an edge, and so powerful a punch that, like falling in love, they make the blood run hot and the soul wax embarrassingly poetic." Master Sommelier Madeline Triffon calls Pinot "sex in a glass." Peter Richardsson of OenoStyle christened it "a seductive yet fickle mistress!" (Well, maybe not “mistress”).
These difficult, low-production vineyards result in more costly wines than most. If you are planning to come to the tasting it was suggested “teaming up” to control the cost. Please contact me if you plan to attend.
— Ed K.For any questions, please e-mail Wine Tasting.
Garden Tour Goes Dormant
Just as bears hibernate in winter, some plants as well as the Mature Friends’ garden tours go dormant. Therefore, no garden tours are scheduled until next spring!
But don’t fret. You can catch up with us in April 2012, when hope, as well as horticulture, once again springs to life.
Six Mature Friends Touring the Soos Creek Botanical Garden
— John A. W. For any questions, please e-mail Garden Tours.
Camera Club
The camera club members had a fun outing on December 14, taking night-light pictures of downtown Seattle. We met at Pacific Place and watched as the “snow” inside came down. It did make for some interesting shots with lots of people watching this event along with us, taking pictures. Then we went out into the streets and walked around finding lots of great shots.
Then, at our Wednesday meeting we all brought our best to show the group, and everyone was pleased with our results — though we don’t ever show our bad ones. Check out the examples of our handywork:
The Conservatory
Macy's Star
Pacific Place Christmas Tree
Merry-Go-Round at Westlake
So if anyone would like to join the Camera Club, come and join us on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm at the Odd Fellows Hall in Ballard.
For any questions, please e-mail Camera Club.
— Don K.
Travel News
This section tells you all about upcoming trips planned for Mature Friends. Everybody who has gone on one of these trips has had a great time and was well taken care of. So, what are you waiting for? Sign up and join the fun!
Laughlin, Nevada March 17 — 21
We are finally confirmed for 4 nights in the Riverside Hotel. We will depart March 17 at 2:05 PM arriving Laughlin at 4:00 PM and return March 21 departing Laughlin at 9:40 AM arriving Seattle at 12:20 PM. 23 Mature Friends are off to Nevada to make their fortune. If anyone is interested in joining us on this trip, it is possible that Marlyce could add a few more. If you are interested call her.
Memorial Day in Chicago May 26 — 30
If anyone is interested that has not made their reservation with Jerry, I would suggest you give him a call. I do not know if his confirmed air fare is still available, however I am sure space is still available at the Seneca Hotel. Contact Jerry.
Christmas in NYC and Caribbean Cruise December 2 — 13, 2012
We are still working on hotel space and plans. Space is already confirmed New York to New York, we will be on the Norwegian Gem. If you have any questions, you can contact Jerry J.
We will be making some additional plans when the Travel committee meets in February. We welcome your ideas.
For any questions, please e-mail Travel News.
— Bob McQ.
Bridge Club
The bridge group is open to anyone who has a basic knowledge of rules and playing. We play every Wednesday night, beginning at 7:00 PM. Many of the current members played years ago then dropped playing but now have found out that all those past bridge skills are still usable. Because the evenings are organized so there are an equal number of players and tables please call me or e-mail for details as to how we operate. If you have played in the past give it some thought and call. We can find a place for you.
Note: You do not have to be a member of Mature Friends to join the bridge club!
You can find us at our usual location, the Odd Fellows Hall in Ballard, 1706 NW Market St.
— Paul S. and Page B.
For any questions, please e-mail Bridge Club.
Pinochle Group
We meet the first and third Wednesday of the month to hone our card-shark skills. This month, we’ll meet on February 1 and 15, beginning at 7:30 PM.
We invite all club members with an interest in card playing to come join our fun-loving group. If you are new to Pinochle, we can help get you started. Please contact us, and we will discuss how to proceed.
For any questions, please e-mail Pinochle Club.
— Bil B., Kent H., and Walter J.
Theater and Music
Tired of TV, the endless commercials, and the growing plague of reality shows? Then this is the place for you. But unfortunately, this month we have no group-scheduled outings to theater or concert events. If you would like to organize a group outing to one of our many theatrical or musical performances in the area, please contact President Mark J., or send e-mail to the following link.
Silent Movie Mondays
STG presents Trader Joe’s Silent Movie Mondays First Academy Awards at The Paramount Theatre featuring TEMPEST on January 23, STREET ANGEL on January 30, LAST COMMAND on February 6, and WINGS on February 13, 2012. This all-classic film series, First Oscars, is accompanied by live music from the historic Mighty Wurlitzer organ, one of the last three remaining organs of its kind to reside in its original environment, played by critically acclaimed organist Jim Riggs.
For any questions, please e-mail Theater and Music.
Exercise Group
The exercise group, which meets every Wednesday morning at 10:00 AM, continues to grow. Come and join us and have a good time with our group. We meet at:
Ballard Odd Fellows Hall
1706 NW Market StreetAfter an hour of light aerobics and stretching, those who want more of a workout meet at the Green Lake Aqua Theater at 11:00 AM for a 2.8-mile walk around Green Lake and followed by a well-earned lunch just after noon at the Blue Star on Stone Way just a bit north of 45th Street.
To get an idea of what we do in the class, one of the group leaders has prepared a fine exercise video for your enlightenment.
For any questions, please e-mail Exercise Group.
... or call Len T., Don McK., or Don K.
— Len T.
Dinner for Six
The next round of Dinner for Six will start in March. If you would like to be included in Dinner for Six, in 2012, please contact me. Single? No problem. We will match you up with a dinner partner!
— Dan F.
For any questions, please e-mail Dinner for Six.
Annual Picnic
Each August, in lieu of the Friday potluck, Mature Friends organizes a picnic. This year, the picnic was held on Saturday, August 13, beginning at noon. We again took over a shelter in Woodland Park, and again the weather turned out gorgeous. Luckily, this year we were able to get a bigger shelter than last year. The picnic was open to members only and their guests.
We had a great time as usual this year, under sunny skies, of course. But don't take my word for it, read about it and check out the pictures:For any questions, please e-mail Annual Picnic.
Annual Banquet
On June 11, 2011, Mature Friends once again got duded and dolled up and went out on the town for a special dinner. The 2011 banquet was held once again in a superb location, the Women’s University Club. We had such a great time and enjoyed the food so much that we’re going back next year.
Speaking of next year, a date has already been selected, Saturday, June 16, beginning with cocktails at 5:30 PM. Same location, the Women’s University Club.
If you want to read all about the last banquet or relive the experience and check out some pictures, the following link will take you directly to an eye-witness report.
— Curt Johnson
For any questions, please e-mail Annual Banquet.
Articles
The dedicated writers of the following articles have tailored what they say to specific needs of our group. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy them. Who knows? Something in here may strike the right chord and improve your life!
Health and Wellness
Successful aging is often defined as avoiding disease, maintaining a high level of cognitive and physical functioning, and being actively engaged in life. The American Society on Aging (ASA) proposes that successful aging depends on our financial security, good health care, and good community and social support.
Senior LGBT Aging
Older lesbians and gays are often considered “at risk,” that is, we experience challenges that reduce the likelihood of aging successfully. We are a socio-economically diverse group and many of us do not experience financial security. For those of us on Medicare – especially if we have supplementary insurance – we can presume good health care but for those not yet in Medicare or without supplemental coverage, good health care may prove elusive.
Beyond our financial situation, we experience other challenges that are more unique to a lesbian and gay way of living. These include a history of social stigma and more limited sources of social support.
Stigma: Past and Present
Most of us were raised in a period when homosexual conduct was considered a psychiatric disorder and, if caught doing it, often carried a criminal penalty. We also can remember what it was like to live in a closet. Unfortunately some of us continue to live in a closet, especially in the context of family, work, and the healthcare industry. According to the ASA, around 50% of gay and lesbian Baby Boomers believe that health care professionals would treat them with disrespect and a lack of dignity if they were to learn of our sexual orientation. Older lesbians express even less confidence in the treatment they expect from the health care industry. Although the state of Washington affords legal recognition to domestic partners, those that must rely on friends can only hope that hospitals and other social services will acknowledge these significant others.
Limited Social Support
Spouses and children are the traditional modes of social support for older people. Yet surveys find that older gays and lesbians are twice as likely to be single and four times less likely to have children than their heterosexual counterparts. A full 75 percent of gay men between the ages of 65 and 74 are living alone, without a partner. Mature Friends, and other social clubs like it, is a great asset as it offers opportunities to socialize on our own terms. However, for a broader range of services we are more likely to be dependent on community-based programs, like senior centers and senior housing. In spite of this, lesbians and gays are five less likely than their straight counterparts to access senior services. Also, we are 20 percent less likely to use housing assistance, meal programs, food stamps, and other entitlements. Fear of prejudice and our own sense of “us” versus “them” probably accounts for why we are likely to shun organized services.
— Jeff G. and John L.
Member Profile
No profile this month. Evidently, our members are interview shy.
— Joe T.
Mature Friends History
Mature Friends owes its existence to Don Moreland, who passed away on January 7. In December of 2005, the Mature Friends History Committee, chaired by Wes N., interviewed Don. Here, in his own words, is what he told us about our very first days. For a more polished view, see the excellent summary on our website, written by Dan L., at http://www.maturefriends.org/#history
Wes: Why did you and others start Mature Friends?
Don: Well, actually, somebody came to us with the idea, and as with most organizations, there's always a spark plug. And the spark plug for Mature Friends – the person who had the vision of what we ought to do, to begin with – was John R. And John knew me from a lot of community activities . . . . At any rate, he knew that I had some organizational skills, so he came to me more with the idea of what he wanted to do and have happen within the gay community, and it had already started with a group called the Lavender Panthers.
And their very first event – the one that he got involved in, at least, was with a Christmas party at the Methodist church in Wallingford, down in the basement. And they'd invited a number of people . . . . John got us all to go the Christmas party and it was primarily this event put together by these women, and he went in [and] helped. And . . . he says, — I'll take care of the art work, everything — He had signs up. He had streamers on the table. He knew how to put a pot-luck kind of thing together, and everybody seemed to bring things. And there was a piano and we had Christmas carols and – it was just a really festive event.
Now, the Lavender Panthers were primarily women. He was the only man involved with it, and because of his personality, which was unique and sort of forceful, I think they figured out they couldn't really deal with him, [laughs] and that he would take things over, which of course, he would! And I remember going to some meetings of the Lavender Panthers and — There was an awful lot of, sort of, process issues going on all the time, and [I] was only at a couple of these meetings — . But it was clear that the vision that John had and the vision that the Lavender Panthers had were really quite apart. And I think – I'd have to be fair – I think I'd consider their orientation politically pretty far left, and maybe I'm mistaken on that, but I know it didn't seem quite as mainstream as the way we were talking.
So, it started by John coming to . . . where Mick, my partner, and I lived, on Northwest 65th and 15th – and we would talk, and then – He actually would come down and he would have an agenda of what he and I were to deal with [laughing] – and he was terribly organized – and things he was thinking about, in terms of what we could do with a gay organization. And he thought I had some organizational skills, which I probably did, but – and he had limitations with dealing with people, to be honest – I guess is the way I would put it. So he wanted somebody to handle that end, of dealing with people, and getting this thing moving.
So he envisioned – I think the very first event we had was not too long after this Christmas party, and it was a Valentine's party, and we did that in a church. And it was – we rented the basement of the Grace Gospel Church, and I don't know if we – we put the lists of people we knew together and sent out calls to these people and asked them to come. And I remember people that are no longer with us, that have passed away, that did all kinds of things and made all kinds — Because the vision seemed to catch hold right away. [Transcribed by Ruth Pettis]
Don became Acting President on January 13, 1989, between the Lavender Panthers Christmas Party and the Mature Friends Valentine's Party. He got the organization off the ground for its first year, until an elected President took office in March of 1990. Don served as President again in 2000 and 2001, but the truth is, he was a guiding hand throughout the entire life of the organization, until his death. We will miss him sorely.
— Dick N.
Things of Interest for Our Group
This section contains various articles to draw your attention to subjects that are important for members of our group. If you know of any subjects that would interest our members, please be sure and write an article and submit it.
