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Newsletter
June 17, 2008
by Tim Sheeper
In this edition:

Menlo Masters/Dick Bennett Memorial Swim Meet

Menlo Masters did it again!

Just 8 short days before the meet we were thinking of canceling the meet due to low registration because fewer than 40 team members had registered to swim in the meet.  The thinking was that maybe people just didn't want to be bothered by a swim meet.

Then, in a flash and a bang, accompanied with a flurry of power and anxiety more than 80 swimmers rose to meet the team challenge, and save the fate of our meet.  In the end, over 120 Menlo Masters swam in our home meet.  That accomplishment alone was one of our team's greatest successes

I personally had a fantastic experience at this meet. 

Reflecting back on the day there were five highlights for me that I will remember for many years to come.

1. Vinay Chaudhri-100 Meter Free-2 minutes and 33 seconds in his first ever swim meet.  This was outstanding considering that at the end of last year Vinay came to the team with a fear of water. He would only swim in a lane where he could stand on the bottom.  He demonstrated with that with bravery and tenacity we can overcome.
2. David Mauney-100 Free and 50 Fly.  It was a short 5 years ago when David started swimming for fitness for the first time in his life.  On Saturday he knocked off a 50 fly in 30 seconds and then an equally impressive 100
free in 63 seconds.
3. Barbara Jones-A veteran swimmer with notoriously sore and tender shoulders that have experienced their share of reparative surgeries from her many years as a swimmer and water polo player.  She logged the fastest 50 Free of the entire meet for females with a time of 29.0 seconds flat.  Did I mention she is 51?
4. Judy Strauss-2 years ago while we were setting up for this same meet she got a call on the pool deck from her doctor informing her that she had cancer.  Judy helped set up for the meet this year experiencing superior cancer-free health.
5. Our Clean up Crew- The average age of our clean up and break down crew after the meet was 60 years old.  After a long day in the sun and competing the senior break down crew demonstrated yet again the vitality that this sport lends to our lives.  It is definitely NOT about the times in the pool. 

It is necessary to thank the people who made sure this thing was done right. 

Judy Strauss-Meet Director, calm and cool under pressure
Rebecca Pinto-Meet Director, partnering people with action
Terry Jollymoor-Snack bar, we always need food to make things happen
Wallace Holland-Chasing down sponsors so we could all have fun without losing our shirts.
Deanna Lin, Program layout and design
Tasha Capen-Stroke and turn, went out and got certified so it could be a legal meet
Peter Shepherd-Stroke and turn judge along with logistics
Heidi  Renner-Goody bags, yes they were.
Mary Posey-Announcer, clear and professional
Joan Caldwell-Hospitality, it was all in the pasta salad
Marc Simon-Communications outreach and logistics
Karin Riley-Meet and marketing logistics
Stacey Frederickson-Professional food shopper
Whitney Wood-Race day registration-dealing with everyone's problems and issues.
Scott Ray-Head timer, pressing the button when others forget
Ann Young-Swim caps, great as a meet momento
Rick Peterson-Head Marshall and set-up, lead roadie.
Eduardo Llach-Head photographer-4000 pictures were taken
Ann Kay-Meet inspiration

Then there are the "blue-collar" workers who were the backbone of our labor force:

Lorie Callaghan, Charlie Ammanns, David Andeen, Bill Dawson, Carl Mortensen, Kim Freitas, John Goldman, Sarah Eisner, John Collin, Lorie Ausserer, Scott Marshall, Mike Fero, John Sulzbach, Kathleen Barcos, Lindsay Holland, Michael Leon, Jan Brennan and the many others who volunteered their time as timers to make certain the meet ran properly.

I believe I speak for most when I say that it was truly a healthy, friendly, inspiring, and fulfilling day.

I thank everybody who aided in continuing to make Menlo Masters a leader in United States Masters Swimming.

Results can be found at:

http://www.pacificmasters.org/comp/08/08melolcm.html


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Building Futures Now

Something equally exciting happened this past weekend.  Fourteen third graders were selected to be our first class of students in our Building Futures Now Foundation. 

These will be the students we will see graduating from college in another thirteen years.

These are the same students who will begin summer school this July 1, with a bright new future. 

These are the kids who will begin the fall school year with our teams after school tutors.

These are the same kids who are looking forward to meeting some of you as their mentors for the next year.

These are the kids who caught at break because we are giving them the assistance and the tools they need to succeed.

We as Menlo Masters are the sole source of labor for tutors and mentors to steer these kids through their early development that will end up playing a large role in the foundation of their lives.

This is what is needed:

1. Summer Reading Buddies-This is a 45 minute commitment 1 day per week. 12:15-1:00pm. We have 10 people and are looking for 10 more.
2. After School Tutors this Fall-1 day per week for 1 hour.  We have 5 and are looking for 5 more.
3. Mentors-2-3 hours per month.  We have 5 mentors and are looking for 9 more.  These people "hang out" with the kids and do "life" things with them.
4. Amazon Wish List-These are the items that are needed to operate the program.  You can help by filling these needs on line at:
http://buildingfuturesnow.org/index.php?page=donate

Thanks for looking into our foundation at www.buildingfuturesnow.org and considering how you can play a role.


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Dual Meet with Mountain View Masters

Mark the date on your calendar.

In the effort to bring the exhilaration of swim meets right to your doorstep with very little drama and effort, we have scheduled a dual meet with Mountain View Masters at our own Burgess Pool on Sunday morning July 27, 2008 from 8:00-11:00 am.

The meet will be a casual but competitive endeavor that will include the events:
500 Free
200 Free
100 Free
50   Free
100 Fly
100 Back
100 Breast
100 IM (Random Order, picked out of a hat)
200 Relay (Special Test, unknown until minutes before the start)

We will host Mountain View to a brunch following the meet under the big oak trees on the pool lawn area.  More specific information on this will be delivered closer to the meet.

I hope to carry the momentum of the Dick Bennett meet right into the meet with our Mountain View swim neighbors.


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