Thursday, July 11, 2013

BJ lunches died off as retirees died

BY JOHN OLESKY (BJ 1969-96)

Tom Moore may be right that it's time to retire the BJ retirees luncheon. The interest just isn't there. Too many of the regulars have passed away. 

There haven't been more than 10 show up at 1 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month at Papa Joe's Restaurant since 2008 when 23 attended a memorial lunch for Sandy Levenson and Bob Pell, who was a faithful attendee.

Gene McClellan, who had attended 87 out of 88 lunches before his illness, also passed away.

The last 13 months no more than 7 ever showed up. 

I confess that I forgot to put it on my calendar; if it's not staring at me on my calendar, I forget to go. 

It's too bad because I always enjoy myself when I do show up. There's plenty of laughter, some talk about the BJ going to hell since we left the building, and chatting about family and travel. 

Tom is away every fall in Florida to work with former BJ sports editor Tom Giffen's seniors baseball tournament. I'm away frequently with my travels to 52 countries and 43 states. 

It was a good time. A time whose value has passed for nearly everyone. Except Tom and I. And I forget to go too often. 


July 10, 2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    no one stayed

June 12, 2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    2 (Mike Williams, John Olesky)

May 8, 2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3

April 10, 2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    2 (John Olesky, Don Roese)

January 9, 2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    4

December 12, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . .   4

November 14, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . .   3 (Rosetta Blanton, Lonnie Thomas, Al Hunsicker)

October 10, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . .    6 (Tracy McClellan, Rosetta Blanton, Lonnie Thomas)

September 12, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . .      7 (including Tracy McClellan, cousin Lonnie)

August 8, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       6 (including Tracy McClellan, Steve Mace)

July 11, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      3 (including Tracy McClellan)

June 13, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     3  (including Tracy McClellan)

May 9, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    4

April 11, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   10 (including Gene McClellan’s 3 
                                                                    children and 2 grandchildren)
March 14, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    5

February 8, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     3

January 11, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    6

December 14, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . .    4

November 9, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    4

October 12, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6 (including Rosetta Blanton)

Sept. 14, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4

August 10, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7

July 13, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    5

June 8, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     6

May 11, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    4

April 13, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     6

March 9, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    7

February 9, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5 including Denzil Parker

January 12, 2011 . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . 0 heavy snowstorm

December 8, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3

November 10, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

October 13, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . .  . 5 (including Cal Deshong’s daughter)

September 8, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

August 11, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6

July 13, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7

June 10, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7

May 12, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    7

April 14, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5

March 10, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12

February 10, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . 2 (Engraving’s Pat Dougherty, Composing’s
                                                         Gene McClellan)

January 13, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . .  5

November 11, 2009 . . . . . . . . .  4

September 9, 2009 …………….  8

August 12, 2009 ……………….   7

July 8, 2009 …………………….   10

June 10, 2009 ………………….  10

May 14, 2009 …………………..  8


April 8, 2009 …………………… 5

January 14, 2009 …………… 3

December 10, 2008 …………… 8

November 12, 2008 …………… 6

October 8, 2008 ……………… 8

August 13, 2008 ……………… 9

July 9, 2008 …………………… 23
(Sandy Levenson, Bob Pell memorial)

June 12, 2008 ………………… 8

May 14, 2008 ………………… 12

Feb. 13, 2008 ………………… 11

Dec. 12, 2007 ………………… 8

Sept. 12, 2007 ………………… 16

August 8, 2007 ……………… 7

June 13, 2007 ………………… 12

May 9, 2007 …………………… 14

April 11, 2007 ………………… 15

March 15, 2007 ……………… ??
(no story & photos no longer available)

January 10, 2007 …………… 14

December 13, 2006 ………… 18

November 8, 2006 …………… 13

October 12, 2006 …………… 11

September 13, 2006 ………… 12

August 13, 2006 …………… 15

July 12, 2006 ………………… 10

June 15, 2006 ……………… 12

May 11, 2006 ………………… 11

April 12, 2006 ……………… 11

March 8, 2006 ……………… 13

February 8, 2006 …………… 11

January 11, 2006 …………… 13

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