April 2006 President's Corner

Steve Frederick '72, USNAAA Atlanta Chapter President

As the Dark Ages end and spring arrives, the weather has taken a serious turn for the better. The Masters started this week, and plans are being made for the Lobster Fest on 3 June. Please watch this space, and the website for further information on that great event.

The month of March saw two events: the monthly luncheon on 17 March, and the Vernal Equinox party in Tyrone, Georgia on 25 March. The monthly luncheon featured Tony Docal, director of the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing at Georgia Tech. This organization conducts the Summerscape camps for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. These camps include classes and practical exercises on the Georgia Tech campus. Our Army Navy Golf Classic has raised funds to help with the tuition for the camp for underprivileged kids for the past several years, so the program is near and dear to our hearts. (See the Current News & Info page for the great write up provided by Bob Schultz ’71 on Mr. Docal’s presentation.)

Attendees at the luncheon included:
Jim Ravenel '45, Walt Sheffield '51, John Stark '51, Perry Stephens '51, Bill Rentz '55, Reggie Vachon '58, his daughter Marie Vachon, Don Thompson '59, Joe Peek '60, Ed Hux '61, Bob Bush '65, Joe Frazar '65, Bill Williams '65, Jon Barton '66, Jim Slemenda '66, Will Wood '66, Paul Borer '70, Tom Galloway '71, Bob Schultz '71, Lee Whitfield '71, Mike Lores '74, Mario Maddox '85, Tony Yonnone '98, Karlton Holston '02, and Nick Yonnone '04.

The Vernal Equinox party in Tyrone, held annually for the purpose of engaging our southern brethren, was well attended and a great success. Mitch Rowland ’71 and his wife Carole did a great job of organizing and promoting the event and the results were excellent. The food was excellent and it was great to see some new faces of members that we hope will join us at more events. Attendees included: Glenn Brewer ’51, Bill Rentz ’55, Ross Cook ’56 and his wife Pat, Don Thompson ’59 and his wife Doodle, Charles Gardner ’61 and his wife Diane, Joe Frazar ’65, Larry Harton ’68, Paul Borer ’70 and his wife Jody, Dick Click ’70 and his wife Heather, Frank Regan ’70, Mitch Rowland ’71 and his wife Carole, Lee Whitfield ’71 and his wife Sharon, and Steve Frederick ’72 and his wife Karen.

Next month we have our usually scheduled monthly luncheon, but even more important, we will have an additional luncheon scheduled on 11 April at the 1420 Club in Dunwoody. The special guests at the event will be VADM Rodney Rempt, Superintendent of the Naval Academy and George Watt ’73, CEO of the Naval Academy Alumni Association. The Supe will give a presentation on the state of the Academy and then open the floor to questions. ALL ARE INVITED, AND WE WANT TO HAVE A STRONG SHOWING. Please consider joining us for lunch that day and get the most informative Academy update available. As always, see the website for the most complete and up to date information.

Between the Supe’s visit and the monthly luncheon on 21 April (at Jock’s and Jill’s Sports Bar in Brookhaven, as always) we will have a social hour and dinner on 15 April at Babbette’s Café at 457 North Highland Avenue (404-523-9121) We have held this event before and get great treatment at from the folks at Babbette’s. It’s a great way to spend a Saturday night, and if you can make it – you guessed it – see the website for specifics about the time, place, cost, etc.

As the summer approaches our activity level as an organization increases. Visit our website often to stay up to date on opportunities to spend time with former shipmates and classmates. If you are interested in becoming involved with our Chapter please let a member of the Board of Directors know as we are developing our slate of officers for next year’s elections. I hope to see many of you at the Supe’s luncheon and at our other events over the coming months.

BEAT ARMY!

Steve Frederick ’72
Chapter President