December 10, 2015 - Bob Bloom - person of the year
It has been said time and again “What would we do if we didn't have Bob Bloom?" He has been a member of our club since 2006 and has served in the position of Vice President since 2008.
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On Thursday afternoons, he is often the presenter at least twice a month, sharing valuable computer information with a mix of levity in the middle to keep us on our toes.
On Monday afternoons when members come into the lab for help, Bob is like the Energizer Bunny scurrying from one computer-related problem to another – nothing seems too complicated for him. He also makes himself available after Thursday afternoon classroom sessions. Bob has also taught classes in the lab on subjects ranging from PowerPoint to the latest version of Windows. |
Besides being technical, he is also compassionate; for example: a woman with MS came into the lab without an appointment but Bob helped her anyway. He set her up with a special mouse so she could go online. He has a good nature and is knowledgeable and patient.
The Club is proud of the lab which Bob oversees. He has taught a few people how to update all computers monthly but he is the one who troubleshoots when problems arise. He always has his eye out for the best equipment suited for our lab, especially the larger monitors welcomed by our senior users.
The Club is proud of the lab which Bob oversees. He has taught a few people how to update all computers monthly but he is the one who troubleshoots when problems arise. He always has his eye out for the best equipment suited for our lab, especially the larger monitors welcomed by our senior users.
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At our spring and fall socials Bob, mike in hand, starts our functions in a lively manner as the drawing for the prizes proceeds. |
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In preparation for the Senior Center fall and spring sales, Bob makes sure all computer-related equipment is in working order before he sets the sale price. The Senior Center also benefits from Bob's talent calling upon him from time to time for his technical skills as the needs arise.
In 2011 Bob received the Jefferson Award for his time and dedication to the Club. He is also a member of the Volunteer 50+ organization.
DASEF (Delaware Aerospace Education Foundation), founded in 1989, is an independent non-profit organization that functions to raise visibility and value of K-12 STEM (Science, Technology, Education and Mathematics) is of special interest to Bob. He has been on the advisory Council since 1992 and is the Technology Advisor and Instructor for DASEF as well. He averages around 250 hours a year of donated time fixing and updating computers and teaching classes and helping with their Family Day programs.
In 2011 Bob received the Jefferson Award for his time and dedication to the Club. He is also a member of the Volunteer 50+ organization.
DASEF (Delaware Aerospace Education Foundation), founded in 1989, is an independent non-profit organization that functions to raise visibility and value of K-12 STEM (Science, Technology, Education and Mathematics) is of special interest to Bob. He has been on the advisory Council since 1992 and is the Technology Advisor and Instructor for DASEF as well. He averages around 250 hours a year of donated time fixing and updating computers and teaching classes and helping with their Family Day programs.
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Bob also has time to work with his grandson who has a like interest in computers. Ryker gave a well-received classroom presentation on Windows 10 and answered questions after the class about upgrading to Windows 10. |
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We call Bob our “guru” and “geek” but he is truly the oil that keeps the machine running. We are so fortunate to have such a knowledgeable, dedicated and devoted person who strives for the success of our club. We cannot thank him enough.
November 24, 2015 - John Bray
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John joined the club in 2001. He served as a Senior Surfers board director from 2007 to 2009. John was elected President and served in that capacity from July 2009 until July 2012.
He is currently chairman of the Education Committee. While coordinating the Club’s education program, John has conducted many classes that were very popular, especially his classes on file management and Google. |
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In 2011 John received the Jefferson Award for his outstanding volunteerism at the center, has been active in his community’s homeowners association and the Lions Club.
John taught computer related subjects at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (http://www.lifelonglearning.udel.edu/wilmington/). Over the years the Club has greatly benefited from John's leadership and special teaching gift. |
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Thank you, John, for being the person you are. And especially thanks for all your support and the part you have played in the growth of our Club.
September 18, 2015 - Ed Wirth
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We salute an extraordinary person, Ed Wirth.
Ed has been a member of the Club since 2000 and elected Treasurer each year since 2001. He provides monthly financial reports and spearheaded the memorial fund for Dick Scott. A hard-working Board member with his finger in many pies, Ed has served for a number of years on the Nominating Committee, the Social Committee, the Grievance Committee and the By-Laws Committee. |
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Every fall Ed offers weekly sessions with any member of the senior center in need of help with Medicare Part D. Not only is Ed always willing to help anyone he can, he is instrumental in seeing that other club members receive recognition for their services.
Ed's service to the Club is only one small part of his extensive current volunteer and community activities. These include Volunteer Delaware 50+ (Advisory Council, Communications Commissioner Chairman and Programs Committee); Pencader Heritage Area Association (Original Founding Member, Board Member, Past President, Special Events Photographer and Museum Procurer); City of Newark-Board of Elections (Board Member and Back-up Record Keeper).
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His past activities include the Delaware Academy of Science (DAS) Iron Hill Museum (Board member, past President, New Building Committee Co-Chairman, Maintenance Committee Co-Chairman and Endowment Committee Co-Chairman); City of Newark (Conservancy Committee Member); Arbour Park Civic Association (past President - 2 separate terms and Special "Action" Committee); Persimmon Creek Swim Club (Board Member, Operations Committee Co-Chairman, Special Events, Swim Team Parents and Events Timer); Chestnut Hill Iron Mine Preserve (AHIPP) (Original member/co-founder and Board Member); Election support committees for state, county and local representatives; Building inspector/Zoning Officer for the Borough of Trappe, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Plant Engineers Society.
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Ed served in the Army from 1954 - 1956. |
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(Click on image below to see larger)
Ed Wirth is "a man of many hats" and an invaluable asset to the Club. Thank you, Ed, for all your years of service.
August 13, 2015 - Jim Kniskern
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Celebrating his 90th birthday this month, Jim joined the Club in 2000 and quickly put his technical background to work. When the club had only 5 PCs, Jim started teaching classes in the art room, covering six topics over a 6-week period. It was his suggestion to call our group the "Senior Surfers."
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Jim has served as chairman of the Hardware/Software Committee. He was also on the Newark Senior Center Newsletter Committee, where he wrote monthly articles about the Club. He also served as a "Senior Surfer" director for quite a few years.
For many years he has welcomed and worked with members of the Center on Mondays, and helped staff the lab on Wednesday afternoons. His dedication to teaching continued as he conducted classes for computer "newbies" every other month, developing and constantly improving helpful handouts for beginners. He also presented many programs at the Thursday afternoon sessions. For his outstanding volunteer contributions to the Club, Jim was honored with the Newark Senior Center Jefferson Award.
For many years he has welcomed and worked with members of the Center on Mondays, and helped staff the lab on Wednesday afternoons. His dedication to teaching continued as he conducted classes for computer "newbies" every other month, developing and constantly improving helpful handouts for beginners. He also presented many programs at the Thursday afternoon sessions. For his outstanding volunteer contributions to the Club, Jim was honored with the Newark Senior Center Jefferson Award.
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As a long-time member of Volunteer DE 50+ (formerly RSVP), Jim has generously contributed his time and talents to a variety of other organizations and projects; for example, working with the Delaware Mental Coalition and participating in a Delaware Aging Network/University of Delaware study of aging and mental fitness.
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Jim could be the "poster child" for how to stay mentally fit: maintaining physical fitness, expanding our minds and engaging socially and volunteering. In a News Journal article published April 10, 2009, Jim said that "brain fitness is what keeps me going".
Jim's volunteer activities extend well beyond the Senior Center. He is an active member of Head of Christiana Presbyterian Church, where he has served on a variety of committees. He is involved with the Trail Dawgs annual fund raising race at White Clay Creek Park for the benefit of programs for the needy in the Newark area and for the nature center at the park. He is a member of the Hope Dining Room.
Jim's volunteer activities extend well beyond the Senior Center. He is an active member of Head of Christiana Presbyterian Church, where he has served on a variety of committees. He is involved with the Trail Dawgs annual fund raising race at White Clay Creek Park for the benefit of programs for the needy in the Newark area and for the nature center at the park. He is a member of the Hope Dining Room.
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Jim also served our country by his naval service from 1944 to 1946. As an Electronic Technician's Mate, he joined the USS Appalachian in Hawaii as it came back from the Pacific War. While stationed in Hawaii, he volunteered to go to teletype school there, where he enjoyed luaus and "surfing" the waves at Waikiki. He also managed to hitch plane rides over to the Big Island, staying overnight at the Volcano House overlooking Kilauea Volcano, and to the "Garden Island" of Kauai. He still has the stub of his theater ticket from a show in Hanapepe.
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We salute you, Jim, for all your years of giving; may you continue to be a vital part of the "Senior Surfers".
July 12, 2015 - Dan Sclafani
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For many years, every Thursday Dan set up the class room rolling in the computer cart, getting the audio going and even moving and folding tables and setting up the chairs. He also performed other services as requested.
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Dan Sclafani has been a member of the Club since 2004. His contribution to the lab is obvious as you enter the room. All the black lacquered boxes that our monitors sit on were made by Dan. He also made the locked coin box for printer copy monies. Thanks to Dan we also have a file cabinet in the closet.
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Dan was instrumental in setting up the Alzheimer Association of Delaware, being involved in the financial aspect of this organization. Dan was also on the board of the Institution for the Development of Human Resources and for a time served as the Treasurer.
Retired from the aircraft maintenance industry, he was an active member of the Professional Aircraft Maintenance Association. Dan served in the U. S. Air Force from 1942-1945. |
Dan is celebrating his 92nd birthday this year. Thank you, Dan, for all you do.
February 2015 - Bob philhower
Bob Philhower has been a member of the Club since 2002 and has served on the Board of Directors from 2006 to 2008. He has served as the club webmaster from October 2006 to October 2014.
Born in Madison, New Jersey, Bob was recruited by the DuPont Company which brought him to Delaware in 1968. He retired with 46 years of service.
A member of the First Presbyterian Church in Newark, he set up a database for the membership and provides ongoing support.
Further serving our community, at the Newark Senior Center he participates on the Meals on Wheels committee and has been delivering meals for the past 8 years.
Traveling is Bob’s passion -- on a recent trip to Spain and Portugal, he took over 1800 pictures.
A hobby since 1985 has been square dancing; he puts animated posters on line advertising the 2X4's Square Dance Club of Newark. His current interest is in genealogy.
Bob’s wife, Lois, is also an active volunteer at the center. You can see her at the reception desk on a regular basis.
Bob is a constant contributing member of the Club and a valued asset to the Newark Senior Center.
Born in Madison, New Jersey, Bob was recruited by the DuPont Company which brought him to Delaware in 1968. He retired with 46 years of service.
A member of the First Presbyterian Church in Newark, he set up a database for the membership and provides ongoing support.
Further serving our community, at the Newark Senior Center he participates on the Meals on Wheels committee and has been delivering meals for the past 8 years.
Traveling is Bob’s passion -- on a recent trip to Spain and Portugal, he took over 1800 pictures.
A hobby since 1985 has been square dancing; he puts animated posters on line advertising the 2X4's Square Dance Club of Newark. His current interest is in genealogy.
Bob’s wife, Lois, is also an active volunteer at the center. You can see her at the reception desk on a regular basis.
Bob is a constant contributing member of the Club and a valued asset to the Newark Senior Center.
November 2014 - Phyllis Edwards
Phyllis Edwards joined the Senior Surfers in 2000. She has been an invaluable member of our club and her smiling face always brightens any room.
Phyllis has become the Club’s key person for the ProShow Gold media presentation program. Besides heading up the Special Interest Group for ProShow Gold and conducting monthly training sessions in the lab, she also will make special appointments to meet with members on Monday afternoons to help with their individual projects.
Phyllis has become the Club’s key person for the ProShow Gold media presentation program. Besides heading up the Special Interest Group for ProShow Gold and conducting monthly training sessions in the lab, she also will make special appointments to meet with members on Monday afternoons to help with their individual projects.
Phyllis has also given presentations to the club on other subjects on Thursday afternoons. In addition, Phyllis has created an “Exit Plan” presentation and compiled materials for a program she has presented to not only our club, but the entire senior center. She has also worked in concert with other aging organizations to present the information she put together for this sensitive area.
The ProShow Gold Special Interest Group's next meeting is Monday, November 10 at 9:30 in the computer lab. All members are welcome to come out and see how it's all done.
Since it is close to Veterans Day, you can see a sample of Phyllis’ creative work in a show she created and has shared on her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk5VkNa0COU&list=UUr5tZXK7ksjnECwHDkWoUyA
Thank you, Phyllis, for all of your volunteer work!
The ProShow Gold Special Interest Group's next meeting is Monday, November 10 at 9:30 in the computer lab. All members are welcome to come out and see how it's all done.
Since it is close to Veterans Day, you can see a sample of Phyllis’ creative work in a show she created and has shared on her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk5VkNa0COU&list=UUr5tZXK7ksjnECwHDkWoUyA
Thank you, Phyllis, for all of your volunteer work!
October 2014 - Barbara Greer
Barbara joined the Senior Surfers in February 1999 and has remained an active member. Within a few months of joining, Barbara became vice president, a position which she held until 2005. In 2007, she made ProShow Gold shows of the History of the Senior Surfers. She has also given presentations at our regular meetings as well as teaching classes.
She has served on several board committees and has been membership chairperson for more than 10 years. She also sends the weekly email meeting reminders, which are enhanced by graphics pertaining to the subject being presented each week, and any special notices (socials, elections, etc.) that are of interest to our members. Keeping the master list of members updated continually throughout the year, her experience and longevity has given us valuable information for the decisions the board must make.
She has served on several board committees and has been membership chairperson for more than 10 years. She also sends the weekly email meeting reminders, which are enhanced by graphics pertaining to the subject being presented each week, and any special notices (socials, elections, etc.) that are of interest to our members. Keeping the master list of members updated continually throughout the year, her experience and longevity has given us valuable information for the decisions the board must make.
September 2014 - Dave Rudy
One day there was a strange man in a rain hat sitting at the Senior Surfers table in the cafeteria. It wasn’t until the end of lunch that I realized who it was. When you mention Dave Rudy many Senior Surfers won’t know who you are talking about. That’s why at a recent RSVP luncheon he wore his name tag on his forehead. It also personifies his sense of humor.
David was one of nine volunteers recently nominated for the RSVP Outstanding Senior Service Volunteer Award. David has been delivering Meals on Wheels for over 11 years for the Newark Senior Center! Dave delivers his regular route once a week every Thursday to 8-12 homebound seniors. Last year, Dave delivered 49 times for a total of 1,082 miles and 50 hours. He also helps to fill in and substitute any route whenever needed. He always takes the time to see how the client is doing even if they aren’t on for that day. If he sees that someone is off, he gets concerned and always asks about them or even stops by their house to make sure everything is okay. Dave never misses a delivery and always has a funny story to tell when he returns back to the senior center to drop off the bags. He is always positive and always has a smile on his face. You know you are in for a good laugh with Dave when he delivers. For a lot of the clients, this is the only means on human interaction for that day.
He is also very involved with the Newark Senior Center and other various groups and clubs and in the community. He is involved with the Project Consultants for Nonprofits (PCN) a group that makes program suggestions to the Senior Center. He is involved in our genealogy groups. There are very few Thursday Senior Surfer meetings that Dave is not in attendance and actively participating.
David was one of nine volunteers recently nominated for the RSVP Outstanding Senior Service Volunteer Award. David has been delivering Meals on Wheels for over 11 years for the Newark Senior Center! Dave delivers his regular route once a week every Thursday to 8-12 homebound seniors. Last year, Dave delivered 49 times for a total of 1,082 miles and 50 hours. He also helps to fill in and substitute any route whenever needed. He always takes the time to see how the client is doing even if they aren’t on for that day. If he sees that someone is off, he gets concerned and always asks about them or even stops by their house to make sure everything is okay. Dave never misses a delivery and always has a funny story to tell when he returns back to the senior center to drop off the bags. He is always positive and always has a smile on his face. You know you are in for a good laugh with Dave when he delivers. For a lot of the clients, this is the only means on human interaction for that day.
He is also very involved with the Newark Senior Center and other various groups and clubs and in the community. He is involved with the Project Consultants for Nonprofits (PCN) a group that makes program suggestions to the Senior Center. He is involved in our genealogy groups. There are very few Thursday Senior Surfer meetings that Dave is not in attendance and actively participating.
A big THANK YOU to our volunteers. You are all appreciated!
