President’s Message – April 1993
Turquoise & Neon Yellow Out-Color The Field Of Colors

Kudos to Stan Gordon and Lonny Townley for producing the first ever GFTC April Fool’s Newsletter. Response was overwhelmingly favorable, except for a vocal minority that was outraged to learn I hadn’t resigned. Stan’s skillful blending of hoaxes (the “Golden Mile” race, the Terrible Ten Blizzard) with serious articles (Gerry Nearman’s theft of our treasury, Bob Smith’s marathon-a-week pledge) left many members in doubt for days about which articles were true and which were put-ons. Great Job Stan and Lonny! 

Speaking of great jobs, we should all give a hearty round of applause to Karen Lawrence, Tony Lee and Mary Tyler, our indefatigable GFTC Club Colors, Skiing and Wind Surfing Committee. On March 20, under their direction, the club finally selected its new colors. It was a festive morning, featuring sunshine and blue skies for our fun run from the Tyler’s home. During the run, Karen Lawrence taught us all to chant “Vivent la turquoise et le jaune brillant,” which means “How are you, I am fine” in French. Or so she said. 

Anyway, the vote was a lopsided 20- 19 landslide, to adopt turquoise and neon yellow as our colors. In the jubilation that followed, with high fives and popping champagne corks, many members felt curiously refreshed, as though awakening from a deep sleep. 

By now you should all have received order forms for purchasing shorts, singlets and wind suits in the new colors. To encourage the transition to the new colors, the club is underwriting this initial order by $5 on each shorts/singlet combination, and by $10 on each wind suit. This offer will apply only to this initial order. So belly up to the counter and lay your money down. Don’t get caught skulking around in maroon and gray when Rich Sullivan and Ted Tyler go flitting by in their turquoise and yellow ensembles. They’ll mock your gaucherie mercilessly. 

Be sure to complete the Order Form on Page 10 of this Newsletter. Be sure to return it to Tony Lee at 14 Brooks Rd., Wayland, MA 01778 by APRIL 25, 

Last but not least, I want to congratulate Phyllis Frothingham, who is the winner of the First Annual GFTC Quantum Chromodynamics and Humor Contest. By correctly and eloquently explaining the reference to quarks and GFTC members in the last Newsletter, she won a book on particle physics, a Chart of Fundamental Particles and Interactions, and a rawhide bone for her dog who assisted with unraveling the riddle. Her full response is printed elsewhere (I hope) in this Newsletter. Great work Phyllis! 

Art