Christ the King 50+ Club

 

The mission of the 50+ Club is to foster friendships with other people in the parish community in various activities that provide satisfying social, spiritual and cultural experiences for those “over 50” in the greater Mashpee area.

The 50+club welcomes new members.  To become a member click "registration form" to print. Fill in and mail to the address included. For additional information please call Dick and Peg Fraser, co-presidents, at 774-521-3309 or email richloveski@aol.com or Pegrteach@aol.com 

 

Upcoming Event...

 

Latest posted event...

Author, Storyteller Jim Coogan Entertains 50+ Club

Members and friends of  Christ the King's 50+ Club enjoyed an afternoon Cape Cod folklore by noted storyteller, Jim Coogan. Acknowledging that he was a "wash-a-shore" himself at an early age, Mr. Coogan recounted about his idyllic life growing up, in a Huckleberry Finn setting, that was the Cape in the 1940's. Having a passion for history and the stories regarding the Cape's colorful past, he has published numerous books- "The Cape Cod Companion", "Cape Cod Voyage", and his most current, "Cape Cod Harvest", to insure that the Cape's heritage will not be forgotten. Among the many stories he shared with his audience, this one garnered the greatest response and captured the essence of what a Cape Codder was all about:
 
" In the 1920's a Cotuit farmer named Crosby,  lost all his property in a devastating fire. Totally distraught, he wrote a letter to God asking for $1000. Not knowing where to send it, the post office clerk put it in the dead letter box where it eventually was forwarded to the main office in D.C. A clerk there, opened it and was so moved that he collected $750 from his fellow workers and sent it to farmer Crosby. Upon receiving the money, farmer was somewhat pleased but was reported to have said, "Those crooks in Washington stole $250!"
 
The hearty laughter to this story was indicative of the many  Mr. Coogan received to his wonderful stories.  He was a refreshing respite from a cold winter's day.

 

 

 

 2012 Calendar

February 26, 2012 Publick House in Sturbridge Luncheon and Show “Don’t Drink the Water”   March 17, 2012  St. Patrick’s Day Dinner in Parish Hall cosponsored with the Catholic Women’s Club and the Knights of Columbus. Catered by Chef Roland, Entertainment by Liz Saunders   April 3, 2012 1:00 PM in Parish Hall Lisa Manning & Friends A return visit, for her “Farewell N.E. Tour”   May – Overnight  Trip (date TBD, waiting for details from tour company) Trip will include a Broadway Show and a visit to the new 9/11 Memorial, Statue of Liberty

June 12, 2011 1:00 PM   Annual Lobster Roll Luncheon   July 11, 2012 Narragansett Bay R.I. Lighthouse Cruise – High speed Catamaran  with lunch at Capt. Jack’s   August 16, 2012 “Harvard Highlights”  Harvard University tour Harvard Museum of Natural History Lunch   September 4, 2012 1:00 PM in Parish Hall Entertainment - Scamps Comedy Production   October 1 to 3, 2012 3 day, 2 night foliage trip to the “Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania”

 

50+ Club NEWS and REVIEWS...

Christmas Luncheon at Coonamessett

The members of the Christ the King 50+ Club held their recent annual Christmas luncheon at William Zammer's Coonamessett Inn. Amidst the inn's wonderful holiday decorations, a welcoming table of hors d'oeuvres, the tinkling glasses of holiday cheer,  and the piano reditions of Ken Watson, all became engrossed in the festivities. The culminating activity, however, was a surprise to all- so much so, that tears of laughter rung out among the gathering. Twelve of our members displayed their thespian talents by acting out " The Twelve Days of Christmas". Never to be forgotten were the performances of Jack Donovan (Partridge in a pear tree), Joe Curran (Turtledoves), Fran Parsons (French Hens), Joan Hoffman (Calling birds), Leslie Zuanelli (Gold rings), Eleanor Howard (Geese a laying), Joan Levesque (Swans a swimming), Elizabeth Donovan (Maids a milking), Dorothy Duffey (Ladies a dancing), Peter Levesque (Lords a leaping), Carl Zuanelli (Pipers a piping), and Rick Hoffman (drummer a drumming).  The afternoon's festivities were concluded with a raffle for dinner at a number of the area's restaurants.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Noted Balledeer Entertains 50+ Club

Jim Barnes, a noted balladeer from New Hampshire, recently entertained over 200 members and friends of the 50+ Club. With his rich baritone voice and assortment of instruments, ranging from the six and twelve string guitar to the mandolin and banjo, his music elicited his audience to much toe tapping and sing alongs.Whether he put on the brogue of an Irish singer,or performed the music of noted folk artists, or sang his own original tunes, his audience was totally engrossed with the performance. As a singer, song writer, and storyteller, Mr. Barnes' talents found a way to touch his entire audience.

 

 

Newport Playhouse

Nearly one hundred members of 50+ Club enjoyed an outing to the Newport, RI and the Newport Playhouse. Our tour began with a drive along the famous Ocean Drive to view  the mansions built during America's "Gilded Age". Although awed by their size and architecture, few of us could readily fathom the oppulence of this era.

We then proceeded to the Newport Playhouse where we were treated to a lavish buffet luncheon, followed by viewing the play, "Social Security", a hilarious comedy of how love rekindles happiness regardless of aging. The afternoon's festivities were concluded by being entertained by the cast members in a cabaret setting of music and laughter. Returning to the Cape, all agreed that the laughter that we shared was an effective remedy for the aches and pains of our "Golden Years".

Magical Moment for the 50+ Club

For the approximately 150 members and friends who were seeking a change of pace, Boston magician , David Hall, did not disappoint. Whether you were seeking  laugther, or sought to be mesmerized by, "How did he do that?", or threw caution to the wind and joined Mr. Hall on the stage, this was an afternoon that few will soon forget.

Having honed his craft in some of New England's premier resorts, at corporate gatherings, as a street magician, or before such luminaries as Mick Jagger and  Curt Schilling, Mr. Hall thoroughly challenged his audience with a blend of witty comedy and amazing slight of hand tricks. Turning eggs into lemons, finding one's signed dollar bill inside a lemon, swallowing a three foot balloon, and reading the thoughts of audience participants, as well as pulling his pet rabbit, Hokus, out of his well-worn hat,  were but a few of his challenges to our imaginations. His best act, however, was leaving his audience wanting more.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

50+ Club Enjoys “Rail and Sail” to Lake Winnipesaukee

It was rise and shine early for members of the 50+ Club of Christ the King Parish recently, for their “Rail & Sail” trip to the Lake Winnipesaukee region of New Hampshire .  Sunny skies greeted the 53 travelers upon arrival in Meredith, as they boarded the rail cars of the Lake Winnipesaukee Railroad for the 90 minute ride along the beautiful shores of the Lake and Paugus Bay.

At the conclusion of the exciting rail excursion was arrival at “The Weirs” lakefront area, where members boarded the motor vessel M/S Mount Washington for a 3 hour luncheon cruise of New England’s largest Lake. The perfect weather blended nicely with the spectacular views of the lake and the surrounding mountains in the distance. Members were enthralled with the idyllic scene and the watercraft of all types plying the waters.

A delicious buffet lunch was served en route with live band dance music that was featured throughout the cruise. Docking back in “The Weirs”, members reloaded the bus for their Cape Cod homes and fond memories of a perfect day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Celebrate Boston

As the old adage states," Rarely does one take advantage of visiting the landmarks that can be found nearby." For 47 members and friends of the Christ the King Parish 50+ Club, they set out to dispel this notion. Indeed, for many, Greater Boston was a place where they formally worked and lived but did not truly visit.Many landmarks were simply taken for granted.
What better place to begin our visit than a guided tour of historic Fenway Park. Yes, for most of us loyal Sox fans, we've been to ball games but never were exposed to its wondrous storied history. We learned about the red seat in the right field stands- bless Ted Williams, Pesky's Pole, the old blue seats that fans must squeeze into, and of course, the Green Monster scoreboard and its popular seats.
Our group then proceeded to the Boston Gardens where the peace and quiet of a swan boat awaited us. For a moment in time, we could admire nature's beauty and forget we were in the midst of a urban setting. By now, we were all looking forward to our mid-day lunch at one of the North End's famous restaurants, Joe Tecce's. Whether one chose veal parmigiano, chicken marsala, or eggplant parmigiano, all promised to someday return to this marvelous dining experience. Satiated and somewhat tired, we then had a leisurely bus tour of Boston's many historical sites as well as, its' changing landscape.
The trip was concluded by a guided tour of our state capitol building. Surrounded by the portraits of our founding fathers, both for Massachusetts and for our emerging nation, we all felt a pride in our state's contributions to our its' growth.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LOBSTER LUNCHEON

Swaying to the Caribbean rhythms of the musical group, The X-Isles, a gathering of 150 members of the 50+ Club enjoyed a wonderful lobster luncheon catered by the Mad Hatter Restaurant. This festive annual event, which sells out within days of its' announcement, has everyone ready for another summer season of entertaining family and friends, sampling the Cape's new eateries, enjoying its' many summer theater and musical happenings, or merely anticipating days of sun and surf.

 

The club's summer schedule of day trips commences with a "Celebrate Boston Trip" scheduled for Thursday, July 21st. This excursion will offer guided tours of Fenway Park, the State House and Public Gardens, concluding with lunch at the acclaimed Joe Tecce's restaurant. On Thursday, August 18th, a "Rail and Sail Adventure" to the Lake Winnipesaukee region is being offered. This day trip will combine an old fashion rail trip of one of New Hampshire's most scenic areas as well as a cruise/luncheon aboard the M/S Mount Washington. For more information, kindly contact Dick or Peg Fraser at 774-521-3309.

 

May 12th thru 15th Washington DC

On May 12th thru 15th, forty-four members of our 50+ Club toured Washington D.C. on an exciting 3 night, 4 day excursion to our nation’s Capital, arranged by Fox Tours.  Excitement ran high for this trip from the moment our bus departed Mashpee, because a highlight of the trip was a visit to the White House! 

Arrival in the Washington area was at the luxury Embassy Suites in Tysons Corner, Virginia and the accommodations couldn’t have been nicer.  First on our schedule was our White House visit.  As anticipated, security was tight for this tour, which consisted of a walk through many of its historic rooms, such as the red, blue, green, and yellow rooms as well as the great State Dining Room. A rich history of the furnishings and artwork of former Presidents surrounded us.  We were excited to see a member of the first family, Bo the family dog, who got close enough for some of us to pat.  Secret Service agents were aplenty, reminding us of the importance of this stately home called “The People’s House”.
Other sights and monuments visited were the Capitol, Lincoln monument and the WWII, Vietnam, FDR and Korean memorials as well as Arlington National Cemetery where we observed the changing of the guard ceremony. Especially memorable for many were the resting places of JFK and his brothers, Bobby & Ted.

Our free time was spent at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, Museum of Natural History and the American History Museum.  Two of our dinner meals were served at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and were delicious and enjoyed by all.  Departure day on Sunday was special with early Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, a magnificent edifice that was inspiring to everyone.

Indeed, it was a trip that had it all, as the tired but elated 50+ Club members dismounted the bus and one that will be remembered for some time by all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"April in Paris" Featuring soprano Ruth Harcovitz

Members and friends of Christ the King's 50+ Club were recently entertained by noted soprano Ruth Harcovitz. Ms. Harcovitz's program, "April in Paris" recalled an era when many American ex-patriots took up residence in this city on the Seine, where the arts flourished. Setting the stage for her listeners, she recounted the vibrancy of "Pigalle", the world famous area where artists and musicians gathered. "Pigalle Place" was the home of such world famous cabarets as, Moulin Rouge and Divan du Monde as well as artists Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, Vincent van Gogh, and Pablo Picasso. Through her medley of music covering four decades, her audience was reminded of music that has endured to the present. Among her repertoire, she performed were such classics as Maurice Chevalier's, "Paris, I Love You", Juliet Greco's, "September Song", and Edith Piaf's, "Le Vien Rose". She also reminded us of the Parisian influence on many young, aspiring American song writers as Cole Porter, ("I Love Paris in the Springtime") and Jrome Kerns/ Oscar Hammerstein- who penned the classic, "The Last Time I Saw Paris". On an early Spring afternoon, listening to Ms. Harcovitz's concert, her audience was given a vicarious trip back to this wonderfully creative time.

Author Martin Sandler

Noted historian and personality, Martin Sandler of Cotuit, kept his promise to his attentive audience, "to make history come alive" by giving a scintillating and insightful presentation on the United States presidency. In describing his latest work, Kennedy Through the Lens, the author detailed his search for little known anecdotal information that highlighted President Kennedy's quest for the executive office as well as his presidential decision making. Mr. Sandler shared with his audience little known but moving events as, JFK addressing the Houston Ministry to explain why a Catholic should be president and exchanging letters with Eleanor Roosevelt to ameliorate her concerns about accusations that JFK's father sought to "buy" the presidency for his son. The author further accounted that JFK was the first president to employ a fulltime photographer as well as recognizing the importance of the new medium, television. He asserts that Kennedy was quick to embrace television to communicate with the American populous via holding over 60 televised press conferences.

Most importantly, for Mr. Sandler, was his presentation's rekindling of his audience's interest in history. Yes, he kept his word, he made history come alive.

 

2010 -2011 Executive Board Members

Officers: Co-Presidents – Dick and Peg Fraser 774-521-3309 Vice Presidents - Rick and Joan Hoffman 477-1684 Recording Secretary – Betty Foley Corresponding Secretary – Kay Thissell Treasurer – Joan Levesque Advisors: Carl and Leslie Zuanelli

Committee Chairpersons: Hospitality – Claire Kilcommins Membership – Elizabeth Thompson Communication – Joe Didato Program Committee: Rick and Joan Hoffman (Interim Chairpersons)