The SurferThe Surfer DECEMBER 2019 2 PRIME GENTLEMEN A social club of mature men and those who enjoy...

The Surfer DECEMBER 2019 1

APRIL 2018

Our mixers started as soon as our organization started. They were held at Tropics and occasionally at Alibi. Our size increased, as did our numbers. We no longer fit in Alibi. We then alternated between Tropics and Scandals.We left Tropics when the then owner relegated us to the patio bar... in August. Goodbye Tropics. Every Tuesday at Scandals became our home for a few years. Just as we figured out that the cost of pizzas every week had become untenable, two members, Godfrey and Alex, bought Tropics. They invited us to move the Mixer there and they would feed us. Hello Tropics! We stayed there until it closed down.Just when things looked their bleakest,

(see MIXERS, page 3)

The SurferDecember 2019

Fort Lauderdale Prime Gentlemen, Inc.

About two years ago your board decided to donate funds to local organizations that served the gay c o m m u n i t y a n d o u r m e m b e r s specifically. We have donated money to The Pride Center, offset the cost of tickets for a Gay Men's Chorus Holiday concert, and gave to Sun Serve . We generously contributed to the Poverello Holiday Food Drive in the past. This year will be the third time in 3 years. During this time of year, Poverello distributes Thanksgiving baskets to over 1500 needy individuals and families. Our board of Directors voted at a recent meeting to donate $1500 to Poverello to help offset the cost of frozen turkeys for the baskets.

(see PRESIDENT, page 3)

7

CALENDAR Join in on the fun and

camaraderie!

11

GENTLEMAN OF MONTH Get to know another

great Prime Gentleman

5

FOOD & DRINK When and where we’ll

be this month

4

MOVIE The White Crow

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE ● Henry Penas

MIXERS ● Henry Penas


PRIME GENTLEMEN

A social club of mature men and those who enjoy their company

The Surfer DECEMBER 2019 Volume 16, Issue 12

Published byFt. Lauderdale Prime Gentlemen, Inc.

PO Box 100666Fort Lauderdale, FL [email protected]

web FtLPrimeGentlemen.orgEDITORIAL STAFFEditor

John Velasco (773) 782-1647 [email protected]

ContributorsGary Forman: Card GamesDick Huitema: Calendar, DesignDoug Kent: Diner Lunches,

Informal Dinners, EventsRic Lenzi: Upscale Lunches

Monthly DinnersEd Slough: Monthly MoviesKen South: Gentleman of MonthKaz Takahashi: PhotographyMike Trask: Photography

Please submit all materials to the Editor by the 10th of the month before publication.

DistributorsEddie Green: PaperHenry Penas: Digital

© 2019 by Fort Lauderdale Prime Gentlemen, Inc.

BOARD MEMBERSPRESIDENT Henry Penas(954) 971-6514 [email protected]

Buddy Berardi(646) 732-4969 [email protected]

TREASURER Jim Flora(646) 208-8092 [email protected] Lou Wangberg(954) 327-9860 [email protected]

Eddie Green(954) 557-5485 [email protected]

Ron Grassullo (516) 670-7799 [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT Carl Hill(954) 557-7794 [email protected]

Richard Lefebvre (401) 474-9242 [email protected]

Stew Pepper(954) 532-5451 [email protected]

TREASURER EMERITUS Mike Trask

To join, go to: FtLPrimeGentlemen.organd click on: Membership

http://FtLPrimeGentlemen.org

http://FtLPrimeGentlemen.org


(MIXERS from page 1) Jason and Carl invited us to come to Matty’s and we've been there ever since.The Mixers have never been better. It is the most well-attended event of the month. The camaraderie is great and visitors and new members feel at home right away. This is due in large part to how they are treated once there. You can feel the positive vibe as soon as you walk into the place.When they enter they are greeted by Buddy Berardi, Scott Jensen and myself. We welcome everyone and give them their name tag. Between the three of us we know about 95% by first name, which makes them feel special.And then there's Ron Grassullo! He walks around the bar non-stop and talks to EVERYBODY! He also leads a group of a dozen or so to a restaurant for dinner. This is in addition to the weekly after-mixer dinner which is led by Doug Kent.The mixer officially runs from 5:30 - 7:00 every Monday, but some members arrive at 4:30 and others stay until after 7:00.

(PRESIDENT from page 1) Poverello has already sent us (you) this thank-you:

“Re: $1500 Check for Holiday Meals On Behalf of Poverello Board of Directors, Management, Staff and Volunteers, I would like to say thank you. It will be a pleasure utilizing the donation of $1500 by Fort Lauderdale Prime Gentleman to fulfill the needs of our 2600 chronically ill HIV and AIDS, Heart Healthy, Diabetic and food insecure population here at Poverello Inc. This will enable us to place extra meals on the tables of our clients especially throughout the holidays. Sincerely, Shanel Pamphile Eat Well Manager”

FOOD & DRINK

GENERAL MEETING

DINER LUNCH

December 1, 2:00 pm

Pride Center, 2040 N Dixie Highway, 33305

Pot Luck Meal served after the meeting program. Please bring a dish to share!

December 12, 1:00 pm

Copans Cafe, 1951 W Copans Rd, Pompano Beach 33064 See full description on page 6. To reserve a place, please text, call or email Doug Kent at [email protected] or (305) 495-2978. You’ll pay your server.

HOLIDAY DINNER

UPSCALE LUNCH

December 12, 6:00 pm

Tropical Acres, 2500 Griffin Rd., Ft. Lauderdale 33312 Holiday Dinner and White Elephant Exchange. Bring a gift if you want to exchange it for another one!

No event this month!

We’ll be back in January 2020.

MIXERS Every Monday, 5:30 pm Matty’s Bar, & Grill, 2100 Wilton Dr, 33305 Drinks followed by free hot food No reservations; just pay for your drink(s).

INFORMAL DINNERS

Every Monday, 7:00 pm

12/02 - Miller’s Ale House, 2861 North Federal Hwy., 33306

12/09 - Chuck’s Steak House, 2824 E. Commercial Blvd., 33308

12/16 - Tee Jay Thai Sushi, 2254 Wilton Drive, 33305

12/23 - California Pizza Kitchen, 2301 N. Federal Hwy., 33305

12/30 - Ferdo’s Grill, 4300 N. Federal Hwy., 33308 No reservation needed. Just show up, eat and pay!


mailto:[email protected]


In 1953, Dwight D. Eisenhower was the new POTUS, Hugh Hefner published the first issue of Playboy magazine for 50¢ each, and Swanson introduced the TV dinner. The average cost of new home was $9,550.00, while the average wage per year was $4,000.00. You could buy a car for $1,650.00, and fill it up for 20¢ a gallon!

And, on December 11th, Mr. December was born to his family while they were living and working in Caracas, Venezuela. His father, Lionel, moved to Venezuela to work for his friend, Winthrop Rockefeller, supervising various Standard Oil camps. As a young man, Lionel met Winthrop when they both served in the US Army in WWII.

Mr. D’s siblings included four brothers and two sisters.

Thirteen years later, the family was living in New York City where Lionel was the maître d’ at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Mr. Rockefeller, then Governor of Arkansas, met him again and encouraged him to move his family to Little Rock.

There, Mr. D’s father opened a liquor store and later had a laundromat business.

Mr. D spent his early years of elementary and high school in L i t t l e R o c k , graduating in 1972. Following high school, he p u r s u e d t h e

trade of electronics, earning his master electrician license as well as a heat and air conditioning license. Also, during this period, following high school, Mr. D married his first wife and while they only stayed together for one year, they celebrated a daughter together. That daughter is now the mother to his three grandsons. Mr. D re-married his first wife, but they were again divorced and he married another women for a six year relationship. During this t ime, and between marriages, Mr. D met other gay men in various places, including responding to his interested customers! Next, he moved to Hot Springs, AR, where he worked at a friend’s company as an electrical supervisor. By 1979 he (see MAN, page 6)

GENTLEMAN OF THE MONTH ● Ken South, interviewer


(MAN, from previous page)

had formed his own business, “Arkansas Service Co.” Providing heating, electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, and refrigeration repair services covering Pulaski County and Bryant Area residents of Arkansas. He headed this business for the next 29 years. After selling his business, he became a county electrical inspector for four years. After a while, he became disenchanted with elements of the position, and retired. During this time, he spent his “time off” singlehandedly constructing his own home. In 2008, while in Hot Springs, he decided to build another house, on the popular, lake Hamilton. There he met his neighbor, Mark, who helped him with the construction, and low and

behold, became his life partner! In 2011 he and Mark moved to Pompano Beach, FL and bought a condo in The Breakers Condo building. Using all his construction skills, Mr. D “gutted” the place and re-modeled it from front to back. They then purchased their current single-family home, also in Pompano Beach, in 2014. Mr. D is an avid tennis player, sometimes playing six days a week! He and Mark continue to enjoy their friends at Prime Gentlemen. They also enjoy the periodic visits from his former wife and his grandchildren! Now that you have read this brief but exciting description of his life, do you know the identity of Mr. December?

Find it out by turning to page 10!

Our Diner experience for Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 1:00pm, will take us to festive Pompano Beach, where we will dine at the famous Copans Café, located at 1951 West Copans Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33064. This will be our second full year of Diner Runs, and the Copans Café looks like it will be a very fine diner experience for us. Book your seat by texting or calling Doug Kent at 305-495-2978 or simply e-mail him at [email protected] to enjoy this outing. If you enjoy the diner experience you certainly will enjoy the Copans Cafe.

DINER LUNCH AT COPANS CAFE ● Doug Kent




MONTHLY MOVIE ● Ed Slough

This month’s SAGE/Prime Gentlemen Free Movie will be “The White Crow” on Friday, December 20, at 1:30 P.M. Free popcorn and sodas will be served during the movie. It runs 2 hours, 7 minutes and has an IMDB rating of 6.5 (of 10).

Rudolf Nureyev, who was gay, and who died of AIDS, is considered by most to be the greatest male ballet dancer of all time, with an exuberant, vagabond personality and passion for all that was rare and beautiful. In periodic flashbacks, we see Nureyev’s impover ished past . Before he ever experiences stage glory, he spends day after day and year after year in drab studios, working longer and harder than any of his peers. Everything with him is a struggle — to

stand up for himself against bad training, to find the right teacher. He tells everyone that he’s great, and his teachers tell him that he’s clumsy. Yet his brilliance must have been apparent, because in scene after scene, he gets away with nasty behavior, mostly directed at his superiors. The tension in “The White Crow” concerns whether Nureyev will achieve the renown he deserves or whether his career will be killed in the crib. The defection scene is worth the price of admission — it’s always surprising how suspenseful something can be, even when you know how it will all turn out. This was the first defection of a Soviet artist during the Cold War, and it created an international sensation. The movie provides a historical perspective for Nureyev, Russian ballet and the Cold War’s impact on the arts at midcentury.

Join us for lunch beforehand! There’ll be an optional lunch before the movie at Galanga Thai Restaurant, 2389 Wilton Drive (corner of NE 9th Avenue), starting at noon. It offers a 2-for-1 lunch menu with around 20 items priced between $10 and $13 (i.e., $5 - $6.50 per person + beverage).

Nureyev as Albrecht in “Giselle”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_War

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_War


Our Prime Gentlemen “Holiday Dinner and White Elephant Exchange”

at Tropical Acres

2500 Griffin Rd, Fort Lauderdale 33312

Thursday, Dec 12, 2019 Cash Bar @ 6:00 PM – Dinner served at 7:00 PM

A Cash Bar will be conveniently available in the same room at regular prices

**** Caesar Salad ****

1. Chicken Française - $25 Member / $33 Guest

2. Prime Rib - $30 Member / $38 Guest

3. Seabass - $30 Member / $38 Guest

4. Fillet Mignon - $35 Member / Guest $43 Main courses will include salad & loaded/stuffed Baked Potato

*** Desert: New York style Cheese Cake with cherries ***

Bottomless Ice Water, Coffee, Iced Tea Included

Member Name _______________________________ Entrée _______

Member Name _______________________________ Entrée _______

Guest Name _______________________________ Entrée _______

Please complete the above information & send the bottom half with your payment for “Holiday Dinner” to Fort Lauderdale Prime Gentlemen - P. O. Box #100666, Fort Lauderdale 33310 or go to our web page

(ftlprimegentlemen.org) and click on Reservations to pay with a credit card.

If you must cancel, notify Richard Lefebvre (401-474-9242) no later than December 8 by 5 PM to get a refund. All dinners will be served at the time listed above. Please arrive before 6:40 PM.

Holiday Dinner Cut Off date for reservations is December 8 by 5 PM

http://ftlprimegentlemen.org



Special EventsDoug Kent

JANUARY: Our long awaited trip to Miami will become a reality on January 15th, 2020. Those who are interested in going will congregate at the Fort Lauderdale Brightline Train Station at 10:30 am, to catch the 11:09am train to Miami. We will arrive in Miami at 11:45 am, then catch the People Mover to Bayside Park. Once at Bayside Park we will walk to Lombardi’s Italian Restaurant to have a spectacular lunch with a view of the Bay. We can dine inside if the weather is not conducive to outside seating. After lunch we can walk around the Shop’s and enjoy an ice cream or gelato, or just enjoy the surroundings, which ever your prefer. We will catch the 4:40 pm train to Fort Lauderdale and will arrive at 5:10 pm. Everyone who is interested in the trip will be responsible for their own train ticket, their own lunch, and be responsible to arrive in sufficient time to join the group in Fort Lauderdale. Call or text Doug Kent at 305-495-2978 or e-mail him at [email protected] to let him know that you will be making the trip. This is very similar to our trip to West Palm and it was very popular, and this trip to Miami should also be lots of fun.SPOILER ALERT: This trip does require lots of walking, so if you are concerned about your ability to walk you should NOT consider this activity. Call Doug if you have any questions. FEBRUARY: Our next special event will be on Sunday, February 23, 2020. We will visit the iconic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables Florida and have lunch pool side. For those of you not familiar with the Biltmore Hotel, its pool is one of the largest pools in the country, where 5 movies have been shot in the past 10 years. In the 1920's and 30’s, the Biltmore Hotel hosted elaborate water performances in its Olympic-size pool. These Sunday aquatic galas featured synchronized swimming and alligator wrestling. The shows were known as “Alexander Ott’s Water Follies.” The pool has been meticulously preserved and has become the gathering place of the Who’s Who in South Florida’s social scene. We will gather in Fort Lauderdale at the Pride Center Parking Lot in Wilton Manors at 11:00 am on Sunday morning, February 23rd, rain or shine. We will wait about half an hour and match up car pools as much as we can, then drive on to the Biltmore in Coral Gables. On Sunday morning the traffic should be light and it is estimated that the trip will take about one hour and 20 minutes.Parking is very easy at the Biltmore and it will be a short walk to lunch. The hotel will seat us pool side if the weather cooperates or inside if it is raining. Either way it should prove to be a very exciting and interesting afternoon. After lunch we will take our time and return to Fort Lauderdale. If interested in the trip, call or text Doug Kent at 305-495-2978 or e-mail him at [email protected] to reserve your place. Everyone going will be responsible for their own lunch ordered from the Biltmore menu. Of course if you ride with another person, a donation for their gas expense will be appreciated. Anyone who is interested in older, elegant hotels, will certainly enjoy a visit to the Biltmore. Anyone who has never been to Coral Gables will also enjoy seeing one of South Florida’s most elegant neighborhoods. You’ll be delighted with this adventure. Don’t miss out.






BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES

MILEPOSTS

Peter Kelly 12/1Raymond Patterson 12/3Harvey Dagen 12/3Donald Carbon 12/3Leonard Roche 12/6Tom Sluberski 12/7Howard Paris 12/7Mike Golin 12/8Sebastian Barbosa 12/9Bob Copping 12/11Gerry Zaebst 12/11Jerry Sullivan 12/11Philip Santomaso 12/13Robert Ottman 12/13William Taylor 12/14Lewis Shena 12/14Juan Bujosa 12/14William Sarnowski 12/14Scott Rand 12/14Jerry Ganz 12/14Ellis Squires 12/15Arthur Brown 12/15

Alan Cook 12/16Ken South 12/16Jimmy Carden 12/16Mark Kight 12/16John Pancone 12/17Robert Goodrich 12/19Dan Fountaine 12/19Anthony Janik 12/19Frederiick Paiz 12/19Richard Huitema 12/20Henry Penas 12/20Sean Phou 12/21William Sandrik 12/22Richard McNany 12/23Joel Cyr 12/24Marshall Nanninga 12/25Don Roofener 12/28August Azzarello 12/28Mark Britton 12/29Richard Keaton 12/29Cesar Arquelles 12/31

Auggie Azzarello & Stew Pepper 12/20/1999 20 yearsBernard Donohue & Bob Blazina 12/13/2017 2 years

MR. DECEMBER BOB COPPING

DECEMBER 2019 CALENDAR

SUN MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT

1 Noon Cards @ PC*

2:00 General Meeting @PC*

2

5:30 Mixer @ MT* 7:00 Informal Dinner, see p 4

3 10:00 Tennis @ BP*

11:30 Cards @ PC*

4

11:00 Bowling @ ML*

5 10:00 Tennis @ BP* 11:00 Bowling @ AL* Collector*s @ SL

7:00 Walking @ SC*

6 10:00 Bocce @ BP*

7 10:00 Tennis @ BP*

8 9 10 11 12 10:00 Tennis @ BP* 11:00 Bowling @ AL* 1:00 Diner Lunch, p4 6:00 Holiday Dinner, p9 7:00 Walking @ SC*

13 14

Noon Cards @ PC*

12:30

Ballet @ PC*

2:30 Roundtable @ PC*

5:30 Mixer @ MT*

10:00 Tennis @ BP*

11:30 Cards @ PC*

11:00 Bowling @ ML*

10:00

Bocce @ BP*

2:00

10:00 Tennis @ BP*

7:00 Informal Dinner,

History @ PC*

see p 4

15 16


17 10:00 Tennis @ BP* 11:30 Cards @ PC* 4:00 Board Mtg @ PC*

18 19 20 10:00

Bocce @ BP*

1:30 Movie @PC* p7

21 Noon 10:00 10:00

Cards @ PC* 11:00 Bowling @ ML*

Tennis @ BP* 11:00 Bowling @ AL* Collectors @ SL*

Tennis @ BP*

7:00

Walking @ SC*

22

Noon Cards @ PC*

23 2:30 Roundtable @ PC* 5:30 Mixer @ MT* 7:00 Informal Dinner, see p 4

24 10:00 Tennis @ BP* 11:30 Cards @ PC

25 11:00 Bowling @ ML*

26 10:00 Tennis @ BP* 11:00 Bowling @ AL*

7:00 Walking @ SC*

27 10:00

Bocce @ BP*

2:00

History @ PC*

28 10:00 Tennis @ BP*

29 10:00 Beach @ HB* Noon Cards @ PC*

30


31 10:00 Tennis @ BP* 11:30 Cards @ PC*

*LOCATIONS AL = AMF Margate, 2020 N. State Rd 7 33063

BP = Brummer Park, 3500 W Palm Aire Dr 33069

HB = Haulover Beach,10800 Collins Ave 33154 ML = Manor Lanes, 1517 NE 26th St. 33305 MT = Matty’s, 2100 Wilton Dr 33305 PC = Pride Ctr, 2040 N. Dixie Hwy 33305 SC = Skolnick Center, 800 SW 36th Ave 33069 SL = Stonewall Lib,1300 Sunrise Blvd 33311

Please send updates by the 10th of the month to: [email protected]



Here’s What You May Have Missed… If you did, see this month’s activities on page 11 and go this month!!

If you don’t see your picture go to the galleries at ftlprimegentlemen.org

December’s birthday Prime Gentlemen

Kristie Linehan of John Knox Village spoke about life plans

A view of our November monthly meeting

Clark Raby and Joe Placucci setting up for our pot-luck



The SurferThe Surfer DECEMBER 2019 2 PRIME GENTLEMEN A social club of mature men and those who enjoy...

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