We all know how important it is to make a good first impression. At a recent monthly membership meeting someone who accompanied the speaker shared what he observed.

He was visibly moved by what he referred to as the "energy and vitality of the room.” He was impressed by the camaraderie and friendliness that was evident before the meeting actually began.We are impressive!

He commented on how people at every table were engaged in spirited conversation

and laughter. He remarked that there were, "so many guys walking around and (continued on next page)

( P r e s i d e n t ’s M e s s a g e ,

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APRIL LUNCHES When and where we’ll

be this month.

2

MAN OF THE MONTH Get to know another

great Prime Gentleman

4

NEW LOGO New Prime Gentlemen

logo

6

CALENDAR Join in on the fun and

entertainment!

11

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE ● Henry Penas

GENERAL MEETING RESCHEDULED TO 4/8

In case you missed it…. the Pride Center will be closed on April 1 when we would normally have our monthly G e n e r a l M e e t i n g , s o w e ’ v e rescheduled the meeting to Sunday, April 8. Please update your calendar.

The Ballet group will not meet on April 8, as it normally would.

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Fort Lauderdale Prime Gentlemen, Inc.

continued from page 1) visiting different tables and chatting with the members who were standing behind the tables waiting to serve the food.” His admiration was palpable.

We are impressive!

He was impressed by the style and knowledge of the members who came up to the microphone to encourage others to attend our group meetings. He told me that he looked through the Surfer and was impressed by the layout, the articles and the variety and number of choices we offer.

We are impressive!

He was clearly taken by the fact that we sang Happy Birthday to our members and that we show respect for our eldest members by letting them eat before the rest of us.

You are impressive!

Before then I had never heard as lengthy a description and as much an appreciation for what we have all come to take for granted. And that came from a casual observer.

You make a helluva great first impression!

Diner Lunches - 1st Thursday of the month, April 5 at 1:00 pm - The diner this month will be held at the Moonlite Diner on Andrews Ave at Cypress Creek, near the Regal theaters.  The address is 6201 N Andrews Ave, Ft Lauderdale 33309.   It is a classic diner and looks like an old railroad car.  Lots of fun, has great fountain drinks and a good classic diner menu.  Should be fun. If you will go, please call me (305-495-2978) or email me (dutchwood@att.net).DINNER - (see flyer on Page 9)Upscale Lunches - 4th Thursday of the month, at 1:00 pm The regular luncheon for the fourth (last) Thursday in April is the Sea Watch, 6200 N. Ocean Blvd, Lauderdale by the Sea 33308.  Great place, we have been there many times.  Always a big hit.That will be my last upscale luncheon to be involved with, but I’ll still handle diner lunches. Rick Lenzi will be in charge for the upscale luncheons, starting in May.

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DINING OUT ● Doug Kent

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

The Surfer APRIL 2018 Volume 15, Issue 4

Published byFt. Lauderdale Prime Gentlemen, Inc.

(formerly Ft. Lauderdale Prime Timers, Inc.)PO Box 100666Fort Lauderdale, FL 33010FtLPrimeGentlemen@gmail.comFtLPrimeGentlemen.org

EDITORIAL STAFFEditor John Velasco

(773) 782-1647 HJVelasco@comcast.net

Contributors Dick Huitema: DesignDoug Kent: LunchesKen South: Mr. MonthKaz Takahashi: PhotographyMike Trask: PhotographyTed Verdone: Dinners

Distributors Eddie Green: PaperHenry Penas: Electronic

© 2018 by Fort Lauderdale Prime Gentlemen, Inc.

Prime Gentlemen

In 1955, Disneyland opened in California, the first McDonalds opened in Des Plaines, Illinois. The FDA approved the Jonas Salk, polio vaccine, “Rock around the Clock” was the first rock and roll song to make #1 on the charts, and on the 27th of April of that year, Mr. April came into this world in Louisville, Kentucky.

He was the 2nd child in the family that included his parents, his older brother, two younger brothers and a sister. Mr. April lost his father when he was just 21 years old, but he still enjoys the company of his mom to this day.

Evansville, Indiana is where Mr. April spent his grade school, high school and community college years. He graduated in 1976 with an Associates Degree in Business Management.

Mr. April was a kind of “Jack of all trades” finding work in diverse types of employment. He worked as a builder of homes for several years, before he started a career in the railroad industry. This required his moving to various cities to “work.” As a brakeman and later a flagman, he worked for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad in Nashville, St. Louis, and Chicago. These engagements were very limited as they were all temporary, the railroad was constantly hiring and then laying off its employees.

In 1982 Mr. April moved to Florida for the first time with his “friend-partner-wife” and her daughter and son. From the beginning of their relationship, they struggled with many serious problems, most involving the behavior and personalities of the children. After several years of trying, they decided to go their separate ways.

By 1983 Mr. April discovered the advantages of joining into a wholesale candy business. As a broker, he arranged sales of candy in the US and across the world. He

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GENTLEMAN OF THE MONTH ● Ken South, interviewer

(continue on next page)

(Man of the Month, continued)

got to travel internationally and then even became a partner in the company. He continues to broker the sale of literally tons of candy all over the world from the comfort of his own home in Coral Springs.

He began his early retirement from the railroad in 1986.

Mr. April’s unfolding gay life began when he was still in his troubled marriage and found gay friends in his local church groups. He and his wife even tried marriage counseling, but nothing seemed to be able to save their 10-year relationship.

On Derby Day at the old Chardees, a friend set him up on a blind date. Mr. April has always been attracted to older guys, so when he met Jim Kinley and took a gander of

his deep blue eyes, history was made. They were lovers, (though they lived separately, two blocks apart) from 1993 to 2002. On Jim’s 80th birthday they took a wonderful cruise together, but just weeks later, Jim passed away.

Once again at Chardees, he met his second lover, Cy Matthews, a retired principal. They had a beautiful partnership for 13 years until Cy passed away on August. 15, 2016.

Mr. April has found it advantageous to keep his professional life and his personal life separate. Following Cy’s passing and looking for new ways of

connecting with gay men, Mr. April joined Prime Timers after attending a social at Tropics. Mr. April’s nickname in the community of “The Candy Man” may help you identify him. We reveal his identity on page 8.

★★★

I just realized that I haven’t done the “Hokey Pokey” in over 40 years. I guess when you get older, you just forget what it’s all about

The Surfer APRIL 2018 5

As you know, we had a contest to select a new logo to replace our old one. We received 8 creative entries and had a vote. Thanks to Art Donley, Carl Hill, John Valentino, Ron Grassullo, Lou Wangberg and Tony Golladay for their designs. The design that received the most #1 votes and the most votes overall was choice B – submitted by Carl Hill. And here it is!

I have a list of Prime Timer birthdays and anniversaries. I always know when they are, so it’s easy for me to send out the greeting cards. However, I don’t always know when someone is sick or in the hospital and I have all those get well cards sitting here waiting to go out. If you know of any member who would be cheered up by getting a get well card from the Prime Timers, please let me know by calling me at (954) 978-3057 (the answering machine is always on) or writing an email to my partner at philrandpompano@aol.com.

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THE OFFICIAL PRIME GENTLEMEN LOGO ● Henry Penas

CARDS AND LETTERS ● John Wood

Our Prime Gentlemen’s APRIL, 2018 Special Event Will be held at

LIPS 1421 East Oakland Park Blvd. 33334

Sunday, April 22, 2018 Please plan to arrive no later than 10:45 AM

Doors will not be open until 11:00am Brunch & Show start promptly at 11:00 AM

Meal Choices: Are ordered on site, and include the following 10 choices: Lips Omelet, Eggs Benedict, Extreme Chicken Sandwich,

Chicken Penne a la Vodka, Grilled Steak Kabobs, Curried Chicken Salad, Grilled Salmon Cakes, Tuscan Veggie Stack, Steak & Eggs, Chicken Parmesan,

also Bloody Marys, Mimosas, Champagne and soda

Members are restricted from ordering anything with an extra charge

$33.00 per Member & $38 for Guests (Meal, Show, Tax & Tip Incl.)

Member’s Name _______________________________

Member’s Name _______________________________

Guest’s Name _______________________________

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

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

If you have to cancel, notify Richard Lefebvre (401-474-9242) or Eddie Green (954-557-5485) no later than 5 PM the day before the event or you will not get a refund. All dinners will be served at the time listed above.

Please try to arrive at least 15 minutes before dinner is scheduled to be served.

Cut Off date for reservations is April 17

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MR. APRIL MIKE COCHRAN

Speaker Dr. Clifton Ables at our March General Meeting

with the topic Medical marijuana as it relates to PTSD

Some of our members enjoying a special dinner during our 2nd annual cruise

Our Prime Gentlemen’s April Dinner Will be held at

Outback Steakhouse 6201 N Fed. Hwy. Ft Lauderdale

Wednesday April 18, 2018 Cash Bar @ 5:00 PM – Dinner served at 6:00 PM A Cash Bar will be conveniently available at “Happy Hour” prices

**** Caesar Salad **** 1. Sirloin Steak (9 oz)

2. Grilled Chicken (8 oz) 3. Grilled Salmon Fillet

*** Dessert will be Crème Brulee ***

Choice of Coffee, Iced Tea or Soft Drinks Incl.

$27 per Member / $32 per Guest (Soup, Salad, Entree, Dessert, 6% Tax % & Gratuity Included)

Member Name _______________________________ Entrée _______

Member Name _______________________________ Entrée _______

Guest Name _________________________________ Entrée _______

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

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

If you have to cancel, notify Richard Lefebvre (401-474-9242) or Eddie Green (954-557-5485) no later than 5 PM the day before the event or you will not get a refund. All dinners will be served at the time listed above.

Please try to arrive at least 15 minutes before dinner is scheduled to be served.

Cut Off date for reservations is April 13

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Bill Nissen 3/31 Rick Hurd 4/2 Bruce Williams 4/2 Edward Black 4/2 Lamond Smith 4/2 Danny Olinger 4/4 Edward Kunofsky 4/4 Leon Rzewnick 4/4 Dick Sabol 4/5 Joe DiMartino 4/5 Stanley Lou 4/5 Gary Miller 4/7 James Futch 4/8 Rick Kirby 4/10 Donald Lehrman 4/13 Kenny Silverman 4/13 Carl Hill 4/14 Eliot Cohen 4/14 Gibson Smith 4/15 Michael Roussell 4/15 Gerald Dean 4/16 MD Hussain 4/17 John Gilliem 4/18 Ted Verdone 4/18 Joe Labbe 4/18 Robert Hess 4/18 Kaz Takahashi 4/20 Ronald Richmond 4/20 Robert Adams 4/20 Ralph Escudero 4/20 Michael Keller 4/21 Norman Okroy 4/21 William Farrington 4/21 Tom Pence 4/23 James Restrick 4/23 Edward Burnham 4/23 Richard Mariano 4/24 Gregg Bennett 4/25 Bobby Lashley 4/26 Taylor French 4/26 Emile Dufour 4/27 Michael Cochran 4/27 Jerry Moss 4/28

Donald Richards 4/28 Edward Green 4/28 Bob Daugherty 4/29 Jack Coonrod 4/29 Eddy Linton 4/29 Anthony Kalil 4/29 Larry Scholl 4/30 Mathew Liegey 4/30 Jerry Kasden 4/30

Frank Struck & Frank Corbett4/17/1977 41 years

Peter Gavigan & Thomas Mack4/19/1979 39 years

Bill Sandrik & Henry Smith4/30/1983 35 years

Mel Beluscak & Garland Warren4/19/1984 34 years

Mike Freeman & Jim Gaffney4/18/2003 15 years

Jorge Hernandez & Danny Oberg 4/17/2010 8 years

John Sorrell & Alex Zapata 4/22/2014 4 years

Robert Adams & Steve Ellis 4/4/2015 3 years

Danny Olinger & Ken Flavin 4/22/?? ? years

Dennis HamannPaul NixDennis St. JeanJim Woodworth

BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES

MILEPOSTS

NEWMEMBERS

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APRIL 2018 CALENDARSUN MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT

1 (Pride Center Closed)

2 10:00 Tennis @BP* 2:30 Round Table @ PC* 5:00: Mixer @ MT*

3 10:00 Tennis @ BP* 11:30 Cards @ PC* 7:00 Walking @ SC*

4 1:00 Bowling @ ML*

5 10:45 Bowling @ AL* Tennis @ BP* 11:00 Collectibles@SL* 1:00 Diner Lunch, see p 2

6 10:00 Bocce @ BP*

7

8 Noon Cards @ PC*

2:00 General Meeting @ PC*

9 10:00 Tennis @BP*

5:00: Mixer @ MT*

10 10:00 Tennis @ BP* 11:30 Cards @ PC* 7:00 Walking @ SC*

11 1:00 Bowling @ ML*

12 10:45 Bowling @ AL* Tennis @ BP*

13 10:00 Bocce @ BP* 2:00 History @ PC*

14

15 Noon Cards @ PC*

16 10:00 Tennis @ BP* 2:30 Round Table @ PC* 5:00: Mixer @ MT*

17 10:00 Tennis @ BP* 11:30 Cards @ PC* 4:00 Board Meeting @ PC* 7:00 Walking @ SC*

18 1:00 Bowling @ ML* 6:00 Dinner, see p 9

19 10:45 Bowling @ AL* Tennis @ BP*

20 10:00 Bocce @ BP*

21

22 10:00 Beach @ HB* 10:45 LIPS p 7 Noon Cards @ PC* 12:30 Opera @ PC*

23 10:00 Tennis @ BP*

5:00: Mixer @ MT*

24 10:00 Tennis @ BP* 11:30 Cards @ PC* 7:00 Walking @ SC*

25 1:00 Bowling @ ML*

26 10:45 Bowling @ AL* Tennis @ BP 1:00 Upscale Lunch, see p 2

27 10:00 Bocce @ BP* 2:00 History @ PC*

28

29 Noon Cards @ PC*

30 10:00 Tennis @BP*

5:00: Mixer @ MT*

*LOCATIONS AL = AMF Margate Lanes, 2020 N. State Rd 7, Margate 33063 HB = Haulover Beach, 10800 Collins Ave, Bal Harbour 33154 BP = Brummer Park, 3500 W Palm Aire Dr, Pompano 33069 ML = Manor Lanes, 1517 NE 26th St Ft Lauderdale 33305 MT = Matty’s, 2100 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors, 33305 PC = Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors 33305 SC = Skolnick Center, 800 SW 36th Ave, Pompano 33069 SL = Stonewall Library, 1300 Sunrise Blvd, Ft Lauderdale 33311

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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

April’s birthday Prime Gentlemen

March General Meeting

History GroupThe Roundtable Group on “The Evolutionary Origins of Homosexuality” had the largest group attendance this year, 26