Welcome to ALL

• - Winter Residents - Transplants -

and even Native Arizonans!

GENERAL CLUB MEMBERS MEETING AGENDA:

 Our monthly meeting agenda:

Welcome

Recognition of New Attendees

Door Prizes

Announcements

News

Secretary's Report

Treasurer's Report

President's Report

Guest Speaker or Presentation

Auction

Close of Business

NOT A MEMBER?

Honestly?  Visit one of our monthly meetings and see why we've been around for over 5 decades!   Heck - we'll even throw in free coffee and sometimes a cookie or two!  If you decide to join us it's only $6.00 a year for 12 fun packed meetings including a Christmas Potluck Party to boot!

THESE ARE OUR MONTHLY CLUB MEETING INVITES

YES!  We meet - FAITHFULLY - each and every month

even through a meeting invite or meeting notes were not uploaded here!

2025 Invites

Emailed on Jan 13 - Jeff Bushman's Club Members Meeting Invite

G'day. Though we normally send a 3-day reminder, this is that reminder, but it's your 3-day reminder, 2 days ahead. I hope that's clear. The next meeting of the Mesa Stamp Club will be two days from now, Wednesday January 15, 2025.

Ted Jacobson will be doing the Balboa and Chinese Gordon program and the meeting at the clubhouse of Alma Meadows Mobile Home Park will start at 7:00 P.M.

Missing from our note last week was a reminder (that omission resolved here) that there will be, at the same location, starting at 6:00 P.M., a meeting of all those who've been participating - and anyone who wants to - in planning for the stamp show that the club is putting on next month.

Come on down.

Jeff

One More Thing -- After sending the note you received a few minutes ago, Tom Reyman was kind enough to remind me that I forgot to send a proposed logo for the club to all of you so it could be discussed at the meeting. That's now attached. (Logo is viewable at top of this section. Ed)

I obviously just proved that good help is hard to find.

Jeff

Emailed on Jan 4 - Jeff Bushman's Club Members Meeting Invite

Hello one and all (or most). As hard as it is to believe, the first meeting of the Mesa Stamp Club for 2025 is happening in a mere 11 days. As always, the meeting is scheduled to start at 7:00 P.M., on Wednesday, January 15 at Alma Meadows Mobile Home Park, in the clubhouse. They say that as you get older, time seems to pass more quickly. That explains why all the members of our club thought 2024 was a long year, i.e., we're all so young.

Ted Jacobson will be doing a program on stamps relating to Balboa (about whom, a story in a moment, for your historical edification) and "Chinese" Gordon, along with the history surrounding both.

As you know Balboa was a major explorer, and when he and his sailors came to the termination of their expedition he was at a major body of water, and he proclaimed, "I name you Major Body of Water That We Came To At The End of Our Journey." One of his sailors is reported to have said, "Balboa, you need to be more specific."

Balboa thought for a moment and turned toward the water and said, "I name you the Specific Ocean."

We'll see you there (at the meeting, not at the ocean).

Jeff

2025 Invites

Emailed on Dec 17 - Jeff Bushman's Club Members Meeting Invite

Hello All - Or At Least all those who read this.....

I was asked to inform everyone that at the Pot Luck Stamp Club Meeting tomorrow evening, about which you've already been informed there will also be a gift exchange. If you bring a gift you'll get a gift and at the risk of sounding pedantic - which I am - the converse is true. Later we can discuss whether Converse makes a good running shoe.

See y'all 2morrow. Thanks.

Jeff

Emailed on Dec 12 - Jeff Bushman's Club Members Meeting Invite

G'day.

If you're paying attention to these notes, and no one can blame you if you're not, you've noticed that they usually go out on Sundays and today's Saturday (it is?) but it's going out early because I'm supposed to be tied up tomorrow (though I'm told torture isn't part of the plan).

In any event, on Wednesday, 12/18 is the annual stamp club meeting pot luck. If you still wish to volunteer to bring something, please get in touch with Marsha. Otherwise, come one come all. That meeting will be at 7:00 P.M., or as soon thereafter as Tom can get everyone to sit down and pay attention.

There won't be a stamp auction that evening because of the pot luck, so you can hold on to your vast fortune for one more month.

Also, for those who are already on the committee to plan the 2025 stamp show with Tom Reyman (and for anyone else who wants to participate), there'll be a meeting at the same location starting at 6. And speaking of location...

Both meetings take place at Alma Meadows Mobile Home Park on Alma School in lovely Mesa.

See you there. Thanks.

Jeff

Emailed on Dec 7 - Jeff Bushman's Club Members Meeting Invite

This is your 10-day reminder about the stamp club meeting. If you're paying attention to these notes, and why would you, you'll notice that this one is a day early, therefore making it an 11 day reminder. Wow, a full extra day to prepare. I hope you're at least as excited about that as I am.

At least.

The meeting will be on December 18, which is 8 days before the start of Kwanzaa. It will start somewhere around 7:00 and will occur at the Alma Meadows Mobile Home Park clubhouse

Two "sub-reminders" are appropriate. First, an hour before the meeting Tom Reyman and his Band of Renown Stamp Show Planners will be meeting one hour before that in the same location. You can be part of that group, if you aren't already. Come with your ideas or just your enthusiasm. All are welcome.

The second - but no less important - reminder is that the evening will be the occasion for the annual holiday (Kwanzaa?) pot luck. If you've signed up, please remember to bring the dish for which you signed up.

Last year, there was a rumor that Little Oscar was going to show up in the Weiner-mobile. That turned out to be a scurrilous canard. Someone had just seen a dachshund through misfocused binoculars.

This year, there was a rumor that a large cake would be wheeled in and someone was going to jump out of it. Considering what happened last year I wouldn't bank on that, but you should show up to find out for sure. See you there.

Jeff

Emailed on Nov 11 - Jeff Bushman's Club Members Meeting Invite

Hola, Hello, Howdy, G'day.

This is your 9-day reminder of the next meeting of the Mesa Stamp Club, scheduled for November 20 at 7PM at Alma Meadows Mobile Home Park.

A couple of additional items (unless I think of silly stuff to add). First, Tom Smith will be providing the program on the subject of Arizona Postal History.

Added to that, Tom Reyman wants to remind all who are participating in preparation for the 2025 Stamp Show, that there will be a meeting of "y'all" at 6 (an hour before the regular meeting if you're keeping track). Also, if you haven't already participated in the show's planning and prep, you're still welcome to come to that meeting and participate, and you're invited to do so.

OK, I heard a slightly amusing, but clean joke the other day, I'll share with  you now, especially since I hear so few clean jokes that are amusing at all. Did you hear about the king who was only 12 inches tall?  Lousy king, but a great ruler.

Thanks for reading and see you at the meeting.

Jeff

Emailed on Oct 12 - Jeff Bushman's Club Members Meeting Invite

Not to criticize but have you ever noticed how many people use the wrong pronunciation for "reiterate" by adding an "n" in the middle? That has nothing to do with this note except that it reiterates our earlier notice that the Mesa Stamp Club monthly meeting will occur this coming Wednesday at 7:00 P.M. That's October 16 of course and it will take place at Alma Meadows Mobile Home Park.

Prior to the actual meeting and during "schmooze" time (no one would ever mispronounce that one, right?), starting at 6, Tom Reyman will be holding a meeting with any and all who wish to participate in the planning of the club's participation in the 2025 stamp show. As those who attend regularly know, 2024's was a success and we'd all like to build on that. Tom has specifically requested that all of us think of any ideas that could work in marketing the show.

Also I was wrong about something. I said it would probably be substantially cooler by October 16. I was premature (which could explain my low birth weight). But by November.....

Marsha will be the featured program speaker and she'll be talking about mining stock certificates.In the old days, the owners of the excavation companies would sing a love song to their workers. Can you guess the title? Time's up. It was "Please Be Mining." Try not to groan too loudly.

Thanks for putting up with this and we'll see you there.

Jeff

Emailed on Oct 6 - Jeff Bushman's Club Members Meeting Invite

To no one's surprise, here's your reminder that the next meeting of the Mesa Stamp Club will take place in 10 days on 10/16 at 7:00 P.M. at Alma Meadows Mobile Home Park, in the clubhouse.

But wait, there's more.

The program will be Marsha presenting a discussion of mining stock certificates.

Still more: Tom Reyman has asked that we notify all of you that there will be a meeting at the same location, on the same evening, regarding next year's Stamp Show. That meeting at 6 P.M. is for anyone who wants to attend and participate.

Tom mentioned that those planning to attend the 6:00 meeting should be thinking about and presenting  marketing ideas for the show - both local and national.

By October 16, the weather should be a touch cooler and you might want to bring a sweater. Even if it's not cooler outside, it'll probably be freezing in the clubhouse. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Anyway, see you there.

Jeff

Emailed on Sep 8 - Jeff Bushman's Club Members Meeting Invite

Good Sunday Night To Y'all.

This is your monthly 10-day warning and notice of the September 18 Mesa Stamp Club meeting. It will occur at 7 and will include an auction. As it happens, I won't be there and because of that it's likely to be a better meeting, but that aside, I hope you all attend and have a great time. So no one asks (would anyone actually do that?!), this traveling keyboard will be in Los Angeles and unlike Arlo Guthrie, the only keys I"ll be carrying will be the metal kind.

Take care and enjoy. I'll try to give you reminder on 9/15, but please remember from this one as that's the day I'll be getting ready to go. Thanks.

Jeff

Emailed on Aug 19 - Jeff Bushman's Club Members Meeting Invite

By now if you're not tired of hearing from me, you certainly should be.

After the last notice went out to you, Tom Reyman reminded me that at the last meeting, he asked for volunteers to help with the stamp show we'll be doing in '25, and asked that anyone who'd like to do that to please show up at this coming meeting at 6 PM, i.e., an hour before the regular meeting so he can discuss volunteer opportunities with them.

In the absence of circumstances beyond my control, I'll stop bothering you until September. Thanks.

Jeff

Emailed on Aug 18 - Jeff Bushman's Club Members Meeting Invite

Gooooooooood Evening (if you read that with the voice of Alfred Hitchcock, you're showing your age, and mine too). This Wednesday night will be the meeting of MSC (Mesa Stamp Club). We could probably all come up with other things that could stand for e.g., Mentally Secure Citizens, Moronic Silly Cucumbers, and Mischievous Senior Citizens.....

But as you've come to know, I occasionally digress a little. This Wednesday at 7 PM, at Alma Meadows MHP (Magnificently Hirsute Persons?) will be the meeting of MSC where Tom Smith will hold forth (as well as third and second) on the subject of stamp errors. So come one, come all and enjoy. See you there.

Jeff

Emailed on Aug 14 - Jeff Bushman's Club Members Meeting Invite

OK fellow geeks (meant in a good way). A week from this writing will be August 21, the third Wednesday of the month, and therefore and thus, the evening (7pm) for the Mesa Stamp Club Meeting - Whoo-whoo, if you know what I mean.

The scheduled program will be Tom Smith talking about stamp errors, aka Postal Boo-boos. Soi be there if you dare (Alma Meadows Mobile Home Park) and bring a friend. See you there and thanks for your attention.

Jeff

Emailed on July 16 - Jeff Bushman's Club Members Meeting Invite

With apologies for not sending this Sunday, as per usual, this is your semi-official reminder that the Mesa Stamp Club will be meeting on Wednesday July 17 at 7pm at Alma Meadows Mobile Home Park (Wednesday? That's tomorrow!)

Vinnie is scheduled to present the second part of his program on space stamps and someone will announce that first-class postage is increasing to 73 cents. The earliest first-class stamp I remember being in use was the 4 cent purple/magenta Lincoln stamp. I'm guessing some of you remember the 3 cent liberty stamp. They weren't Forever stamps, but Forever was a lot longer then, than it is now.

Anyway, be there for the stamps, the camaraderie and the freezing air conditioner. Hasta mañana.

Jeff

Emailed on July 4 - Jeff Bushman's Club Members Meeting Invite

Good News first. Today is July 4 and as I read earlier this morning the number of photos that are taken on July 4 spikes more brazenly than a 7 foot volleyball player. Please be careful if your day includes outdoor activities. The high in Phoenix is predicted to be 114, so even in the early evening, getting sick or worse from the heat is possible. Stay as cool as possible and hydrate. Especially as some people age, they don't get thirsty as readily and can become dehydrated as a result.

The next meeting of the Mesa Stamp Club at 7:00 P.M. will occur at that time on July 17 at Alma Meadows mobile home park. Vinnie will present the 2nd part of his presentation about space travel on stamps. A magic carpet would provide more room, but I digress. Be there to find out more about what's been presented on stamps about space.

By the way, if anyone is interested, our email mailing list is now up to 45 of you. Those who are spending their summers out of state aren't expected to attend, but for the rest of us, think about showing up. We miss you.

Sad news is next.Bill Woytowich died on June 23. HIs daughter wrote a lovely tribute which is printed below my sign-off. See you all on July 17.

Jeff

Emailed on June 14 - Jeff Bushman's Club Members Meeting Invite

Hola, and for our English-only friends, Hi.

Today is Flag Day, and in 5 days is the June meeting of the Mesa Stamp Club at Alma Meadows Mobile Home Park at 7 with "Schmooze Time"  30-60 minutes ahead of that.

Apologies for not sending out this notice on the 9th but I've been a little ill with first Covid, then the flu. No fun, but I'm finally up to my usual semi-human status.

There was going to be a continuation of Vinnie's program on stamps related to space, but he's got to be away on the 19th so come to the meeting and be surprised with the rest of us regarding what could happen. I know. The excitement is almost overwhelming. See you there.

Jeff

Emailed on May12 - Jeff Bushman's Club Members Meeting Invite

Good Afternoon.

You're probably counting the hours already, without this reminder, but just in case, there are 74.5 of them until 7:00 P.M. Wednesday when the meeting of the Mesa Stamp Club will take place at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday 5/15.

The scheduled program will be Vinnie discussing stamps relating to space. Of course bigger stamps take up more space than smaller ones, but I expect that's not the focus of the presentation.

In response to an earlier mailing someone asked for the location of the meeting. While almost everyone who receives this will have been to at least one such meeting, for anyone who hasn't, the location is the clubhouse at Alma Meadows Mobile Home Park.

To finish, I'll peasant an interesting factoid. When surveys are taken to reveal what people's greatest fears are, fear of public speaking ranks higher than fear of death. That's always stricken me as amazing. I'm even scared of a bad cold.

See y'all there.

Jeff

Emailed on May 5 - Jeff Bushman's Club Members Meeting Invite

Good Evening. In ten days on May 15 the Mesa Stamp Club will hold the May-sa stamp club meeting, at Alma Meadows Mobile Home Park.

For this month's program, Vinnie will be presenting a discussion of stamps relating to the exploration of space - the Final Frontier as they say. As a linguistic side note, the word frontier in Spanish, is "frontera" which also means "border." I'm not sure if there's any significance to that but now you know something you didn't know before, demonstrating that not all knowledge is useful.

So please show up to hear and see Vinnie's presentation. You'll be glad you did.

Jeff

Emailed on Apr 9 - Jeff Bushman's Club Members Meeting Invite

Good Evening.

April 17 is the next stamp club lollapalooza (aka meeting) for the Mesa Stamp Club to be held at Alma Meadows Mobile Home Park. The program will be a stamp trivia quiz and there will be - I'm told - prizes so good that no mere mortal will be able to stand the excitement.

So put on your dancing boots (this is from a song lyric and if you ask me nicely, I won't sing it for you) and be there. That date of course, is a Wednesday 8 days from the date of this note. See you there.

Jeff

Emailed on Mar 13 - Jeff Bushman's Club Members Meeting Invite

G'day

We're a bit later than usual getting this note out, but better late than.... something. Anyway, the next meeting takes place on March 20 at Alma Meadows. Can you feel Spring in the air? Can you smell the pollution?

In any event, unless I'm mistaken, the program is Buy/Trade/Sell, so if you have something to sell (in the way of stamps of course) or trade, bring it/them. If you want to buy, bring dinero/money/dough/moolah, and I only know the word in two other languages so I'll stop there before showing how ignorant I am.

See you there and bring your stamps/money/and sunny disposition. Thanks.

Jeff

Emailed on Feb 18 - Jeff Bushman's Club Members Meeting Invite

Today is February 18 and the next meeting of the Mesa Stamp Club will be this coming Wednesday starting at 7:00 P.M.

Even though the weather has turned more comfortably warm since our last meeting, the a/c in our meeting room tends to work very well, so you might still want to bring a jacket for yourself. Actually I was thinking of gloves and ear muffs. I'd even consider a mukluk if I knew what one was or I knew how to spell it.

Beyond that, today (Sunday) ended the stamp show that the club sponsored and ran this weekend. If you didn't get a chance to come by, it was really amazing and Tom R. and the other people who worked on getting it done, did an incredibly great job.

So you'll get to hear more about it at the meeting, among other things, and feel free to show and tell, which is the program Tom Smith announced for this meeting at the last one (I'm just demonstrating that I still have a small semblance of a memory left).

Hope to see you there.

Jeff

Emailed on Feb 12 - Jeff Bushman's Club Members Meeting Invite

Greetings and Salutations (or maybe the other way around). The February meeting of the Mesa Stamp Club will be on February 21 (the second of the year if you're keeping track and don't know which month of the year February is) at Alma Meadows Mobile Home Park in the meeting room, and the official start time is 7:00 P.M.

By then the 2024 edition of the stamp show that the club is sponsoring and running will be history and we'll have the opportunity to hear how great a success it was. I hope I'll have seen you all there.

Also at that meeting, the program will either be Don't Ask, Don't Tell or Show and Tell (as I age, the memory begins to fade). So don't take a chance. Bring some stamps and Show them and Tell about them.

For those of you who are curious about such things, our email list now equals 40 people for these meeting notices which is about double what it was. For all the people who think stamp collecting is a dying hobby, there's some evidence to the contrary.

Further I sayeth not.

Jeff

Emailed on Jan 17 - Jeff Bushman's Club Members Meeting Invite

Top o' the day to y'all.

The next meeting - the first of 2024 - of the Mesa Stamp Club will occur on January 17 at the Alma Meadows Mobile Home Park. That, as always, will be  a Wednesday.

A respectful suggestion: wear a coat and a hat. Outside my home this morning it was 36 degrees, and lest anyone reading this think I'm reporting that in Celsius, it's not. I've been communicating with someone in Thailand over the last year and I have to keep converting temperatures and time zones. Actually 36 C would be around 83 degrees F. Greatly preferable in my book.

Anyway, see you there if no one in my family breaks any bones.

Jeff

2023 Invites

(Need additional information to place here)

2022 Invites

Nov 16 - John will talk about the history of swans on souvenir sheets

Feb 16 - (TBD) - presented by Ted

Jan 14 - Caribou and Codfish - The Stamps of Newfoundland - presented by Ted

2021 Invites

Dec 15 - Our Annual Christmas Party Pot Luck - no meeting, just meeting and greeting our philatelic friends and acquaintances!

Jul 21 - WELCOME BACK - First meeting post-covid

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Last Update:  13 Mar 25

Founded March 28, 1973..........................................................................................................................................................................Incorporated March 18, 2015

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