News!
In Memoriam
We are very sorry to have to report that
we have lost longtime Round Table member Steve Gaffe. He
passed away of heart failure on April 19, 2008 after a
rough time dealing with problems with his legs and other
complications.
Steve, who was, of course, our club
photographer and raffle master for years, never met a
stranger for long. If you ever sat near him at a
meeting, you know that within a few minutes of meeting
you, he would have much of your life story - where you
were from, what kind of music you liked, what your
interests were - and would be telling you a joke that
would make you laugh and wince at the same time
He loved coming to Round Table meetings
and when physically able, taking trips with Rae, his
much-loved wife (our former Club Secretary) both to
Civil
War sites and all over the world. He was
as interested in the cab driver's or waiter's story as
the CEO's. He loved to take photos, of course,
especially of animals, and frequently won awards at
photography shows, when he wasn't judging them himself.
Steve was the most generous of people;
if he could share something with a friend, music, a
favorite World War II movie, a drink, a story - his day
was made.
He and Rae were moving down to Florida
to be near daughter Claudia and her family. He also
leaves his son Aaron and his family in New York and
another daughter, Lauren, in Germany with her family,
and while we were resigned to seeing them less often, it
will be hard indeed to know we won't see Steve again. He
will be much missed.
Major New Gift!
OUR BENEFACTOR - DR. MARK
ZIMMERMAN, D.O.
The
next 5 recipients of The Barondess/Lincoln Prize will
receive a bronze Lincoln sculpture. Dr. Mark Zimmerman
of Vero Beach, Fla. has generously pledged to donate the
sculptures cast from the April, 1860 Life Mask of
Lincoln taken by Leonard Volk. Dr. Zimmerman, the owner
of the mold, has established a foundry to make castings
for sale to the general public. The sculpture sells for
$5,200 and may be seen on the web at:
www.touchingthefaceofhistory.com.
Dr.
Zimmerman will attend our February meeting to explain
the history of the Lincoln Life Mask. The Round Table is
profoundly greatly for both the suitability and
generosity of this gift. Our Prize now has a symbol
worthy of it.
OUR
FIRST ENDOWMENT!
Dr. Jeremiah Barondess
The
Benjamin Barondess Lincoln Prize has received a matching
endowment grant from Dr. Jeremiah Barondess, President
Emeritus of the NY Academy of Medicine. In existence since
1962, the Barondess/Lincoln Prize has become one of the
nation's most coveted and honored awards for Lincoln studies.
In order to keep its future bright, Dr. Barondess has
pledged matching funds to enhance and double our own endowment
efforts. The Round Table's founding funds were increased
by generous gifts from Director, Harold Holzer, Treasurer,
George Hornburg and our Corporate friend, The Ridgewood
Savings Bank. Bravos all around.
THANK
YOU!
Tawani
Foundation
Edward
C. Tracy the Executive Director of Chicago’s Tawani
Foundation forwarded a sponsorship grant to develop our
speaker program in the amount of $1,000. The Foundation
is dedicated to supporting efforts to commemorate the
services to the nation of the citizen-soldier. It is most
gratifying to receive such a vote of confidence when our
club has no track record in receiving institutional support.
We know that this trust will not be misplaced given our
stellar speaker programs. Perhaps, too, the record of
this sponsorship will encourage others to support our
passionate endeavors to not let slip into oblivion the
memory of our nation’s Civil War Thank you again
Tawani Foundation for your generosity!
Jackson / Lee
Meeting on Jan 9, 2008
Artist: Mort Kunstler, President Patrick Falci, Actor
Stephen Lang
Library!
What Library? Our Library.
Yes
indeed, the CWRT/NY has a library and it now has a permanent
home.
Officially
called "The Library Collection
of the Civil War Round Table of NY"
the beautiful subscription library of The General
Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen at 20 West 44th Street,
Manhattan, has given our club valuable shelf space
within its general library.
Located
along "club row" in midtown, our membership
can now access their own collection along with that of
the general library. For our members only, $25.00 per
year gives you a library and a great place to break up
a busy day with quiet, beauty and a good read.
Also,
you get the world's most beautiful library card!
Jonathan
- VIP
for his work on this website. Thanks!
