The OSDA held their annal meeting and summer social at the Flying Bridge on Sunday, 08/11/24.  Ninety members and guests were in attendance.  Terry Saunders welcomed members and guests and identified present and past officers and board members.  The luncheon consisted of chowder, hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, Caesar salad, pasta salad, corn on the cob, watermelon and cornbread.  Desert of mud pie was served at the table.

Following the luncheon Terry Saunders introduced the guest speakers:  Jim Fox, Barbara Schneider, Police Chief Jeff Lourie and Deputy Chief Brian Loewen.

The tuition assistance committee approved 5 students to each receive $500.  Four of them and their families were able to attend the meeting and accept their checks.  The 5th was not able to attend but his grandparents did.  See separate story and pictures of the worthy recipients.  Terry Saunders highlighted all of the 2024 activities along with each of the volunteers that made these events happen.  Below is the presentation for those who were not able to be with us.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2024

Membership mailing and renewals – chaired by Terry Saunders

ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2024

  1. Membership mailing and renewals – chaired by Terry Saunders
  • The stuffing and mailing committee consisted of: Terry & Steve Saunders, Bob & Cindy Lehtinen, Brian Callanan, Jack Driscoll, Carol Mendoza and Paul Smith
  • We sent a letter and renewal form to 284 families 226 were current members.
  • Thus far we have 210 renewing and new members with a few forms and checks still coming in each week.
  • 43 members provided additional funds. Most said to use as needed.  Others stated to go towards, tuition, flowers, beach cleanup and gatherings.
  • When sales are listed in the Friday Falmouth Enterprise new families receive the current years renewal letter and a renewal form.
  1. Flower Boxes – Chaired by Steve Saunders
  • 16 flower boxes were brought to Soares Gardens mid-May and were picked up and put in place before Memorial Day. Steve watered the flowers as needed in May and June until the bathhouse was open and staffed.
  • We had 2 major sponsors and plaques were purchased and installed to recognize them. Denis and David Crocco in memory of their parents, Laura Crocco a past treasurer of the OSDA and Michael Crocco.  The other was from Christine Huber in memory of her parents George & Anna Creighton.
  1. Beach Cleanup – chaired by Terry Saunders
  • On Saturday June 8th 20 members and guests cleaned up the parking area and around the Ellen T Mitchell Bathhouse and neighboring streets.
  • Assistant Beach Superintendent Brooke McMillan spoke briefly thanking us for the things we have done and continue to do for the beaches. She thanked the OSD for their donation of funds for the flower boxes.  Beach Committee members Barbara Schneider and Nancy Quigg mingled with members and assisted in the clean up as well.
  • Volunteers included: Ed Jackson, Alan Leary, Bill Lee, Bob & Cindy Lehtinen, Greg & Carol Mills, Pat & Bill O’Connell, Catherine Offinger, Emeline, Nancy & Otis Porter, Steve & Terry Saunders, Paul Smith, Dean Sullivan, John & Charlene Pastore and Paul Skudder
  • A membership promotion and logo wear table was manned by Steve Saunders and Cindy Lehtinen. Items were sold to members and were also available to those who passed by in line to purchase their beach stickers.
  1. Gifts for beaches – Metal Water Bottles & Crosswalk signs – purchased by Terry Saunders
  • 150 Metal Water Bottles were purchased for and distributed by the beach committee and beach staff to all the Falmouth Beach workers late June. We ordered an extra 25 and they are available to members today for $10 each at the logo table.
  • You may have noticed 3 new crosswalk signs in place on Surf Drive which we purchased and donated to the Falmouth Beaches on July 6th.
  1. Tuition Assistance – Chaired by Terry Saunders and Ed Washecka
  • In July, Terry and Ed reviewed the applications to be sure they were completed properly, included their high school transcripts and that their sponsors were current on their dues.
  • Terry corresponded with each student and their sponsor and requested ‘headshots’ which will be posted on the OSD web site. Ed prepared the initial recap of each student and Terry edited a bit before doing the presentation.
  1. The Beach Worker Appreciation Breakfast was held on Monday July 29th – Cochaired by Brian Callanan and Terry Saunders
  • Brian purchased all the food at local markets and Steve purchased the bagels at Cape Cod Bagel. The bagels were provided at a substantial discount thanks to owner Jamie Schuh.
  • Terry & Steve Saunders, Brian Callanan, Pat Antonellis and Bill Lee packaged and organized all the food the day before the breakfast.
  • On Monday that crew plus Anne Prior, Carole Mendoza, Scott & Laura Puopolo gathered at 7:00 am to set up for the breakfast inside at the Ellen T Mitchell Bathhouse. We were cleaned up and cleared out by 9:00 am.
  • We served bagels, pastries, breakfast bars, fruit and a variety of beverages to about 80 beach workers before they checked in for their daily roll call.
  • We were joined by Beach Superintendent Maggie Clayton, Assistant Beach Superintendent Brooke McMillan, Beach Committee Chair Barb Schneider, Select board Beach Liaison Heather Goldstone, DPW Director Peter McConarty and Highway Superintendent Jim Grady.
  • There was a posting with pictures on the Falmouth Beaches Facebook page the following day which thanked the OSDA for their continued support. There was also a story on Tuesday, July 30th in the Falmouth Enterprise Electronic Version and in the printed paper on Friday, 08/02/24.
  1. Annual Meeting & Summer Social, Presentation to Tuition Assistance Recipients – Cochaired by Rich Sherman, Kathy Sherman and Terry Saunders
  • Last year a deposit was made with the Flying Bridge to save the date. Invitations were sent via email to 350+ current and past members.
  • Rich graciously volunteered himself and his wife Kathy a couple of months ago to track the returns and coordinate with the Flying Bridge. Also helping today is Brenda Campanella.
  • Bob and Cindy picked up the replies and checks and passed the information onto Rich. Steve Saunders continues to lug the logo wear to all of our events.
  1. Sunshine – Laura Puopolo
  • Laura is a committee of one. She has sent several cards to members the past few years.  Cards are sent if we hear about a member or close family member passing or if someone hasn’t been well.
  • I know these notes are appreciated by those who have received them.
  1. Logo wear sales – Chaired by Steve Saunders
  • Canvas bags, note cards, OSD Etchings and newly added metal water bottles are available for $10 each. Baseball caps, winter knit caps and T-shirts are $15.  Sweatshirts and vests – regularly $30 are on sale today for $15.  We have a few Bicentennial sweatshirts and T shirts, on sale for $5 today
  • If you haven’t purchased any logo wear today, please stop by and help us clear out some old stock today so we can purchase new items for next year.
  1. Holiday parade and after the parade Holiday Party – Sunday, 12/08/24
  • We’ll likely discontinue walking in the holiday parade with our banner due to lack of volunteers. If you or your family are interested, please let us know.
  • We will consider scaling back the holiday party due to lack of volunteers.
  1. Town committee Liaison and Town Employee Liaison – several members needed
  • Committees include: Beach Committee Meetings, Select board Meetings, Bike & Pedestrian Committee, Traffic Committee, Town Meeting Member Committee Meetings and/or Annual Meetings.
  • Attend various committee meetings that are typically held monthly and remit a short report to the President / Secretary which may be shared with the board or the full membership.
  • Meet with or speak to town officials a few times a year. To include DPW, Police, Fire, Town Hall, etc.

In closing, if you want the OSDA to continue, we need several individuals to step forward to be on the board of directors and for each to take responsibility for a specific event or task with the assistance of others. We also need to fill the role of vice president and president.  If you only want to serve on a committee that would also be appreciated.  

  • We meet monthly, presently on the 1st Wednesday of each month from April to December from 7 pm to 8 pm (8:30 at the latest).
  • Without these positions filled we will not be able to continue to offer the programs and services that we do now.
  • If you have not already done so, please stop at the table by the registration table and fill out a form indicating what you are willing to do, or help with, going forward. If you already remitted the form with your renewal this past May or earlier today, we have it on hand and will continue to reach out to those that want to help.

Tuition recipients and families gathered for some photos.   Thanks to everyone who took time out of their day to be with us today.  You are welcome to continue to mingle with friends and neighbors, purchase another cocktail and enjoy the view on the deck.

           

         

          

Speakers:  Police Chief Jeff Lourie, Deputy Chief Brian Loewen, Barbara Schneider, Jim Fox

           

Tuition Assistance Families:
Emerson Yaffee – Member Family Janet & Clay Matthews with Melinda’s mom Melinda
Kelly & Lauren Devine – Member Family Jeanne & John Devine with their son
David Wilson – Member Family Anne Prior with family Katherine and Brian Wilson and sister Anna
Michael Todaro – (was not able to attend meeting so no family picture)