This newsletter is mailed to members without a working email address in our records. If you have an email address, please send it to webmaster@comara.org.
Please visit the www.comara.org/sent/newsletter-Sep2008.htm web page to view this newsletter and other news.

The COMARA Newsletter

September 2, 2008
________________________________________________________________________

Vote for 2008 Directors by September 26
http://www.comara.org/members/viewBallot.asp

The online ballot for the 2008 election for Directors is ready. No new nominations were received. Fortunately, Denis Curtin, Bob Kinzie, and Tom Kirkendall agreed to serve for a second term. Members who have paid dues, and are signed in can register their votes. You can also print the web page (or just write your votes on a piece of paper), sign it, and mail it to the address at the bottom of this page. Votes must be recorded using the online ballot, or received by mail by September 26, 2008.

The Nominees for the Class of 2008 Directors are:
   • Denis Curtin
   • Robert Kinzie
   • Tom Kirkendall

All three nominees are currently Directors, and have agreed to another three year term.

You will need your PIN to sign in. If you don't remember your PIN, you can request an email that includes your PIN.
1) Click the "Please Sign In" link on the COMARA home page.
2) Click "Send my PIN to my email address" on the form.
3) Enter your email into the resulting form.
    This must be the primary email address in your profile.
4) Enter the PIN from the email into the MIDDLE box on the sign in form.
If you have any problems, contact webmaster@comara.org for help.

__________________________________________________________________________

Social and Annual Meeting Sept. 28, 2008
http://www.comara.org/social/2008-social.htm

The 2008 Social will be held from 4-6:30pm at That's Amore just two blocks from the I-270 Shady Grove Road exit. The restaurant has free parking, with easy access from the DC area

Pass the word to others with COMSAT backgrounds. Note that although this social is being organized by the COMSAT Alumni & Retirees Association (COMARA), the event is open to all former COMSAT employees and spouses.

Irv Dostis has been hard at work negotiating with That's Amore for the 2008 COMARA Social. He was able to negotiate the same price as last year.

Menu items:
   • Prime Rib
   • Assorted Fruit and Cheese Platter
   • Chicken Wings Amore
   • Antipasto Platter

There will be a Cash Bar set up.
   • Soft drinks - free
   • Beer - $4.00
   • House Wine - $5.00/glass
   • Drinks - $5.00-$8.00
   • Premium Drinks & Martinis - $9.00

The price for members who have paid 2008 dues, spouses, and significant others by Sept. 21: $25.
The price for members who have not paid 2008 dues: $35.
    (The extra $10 will be applied to 2008 dues if you wish.)
The price at the door for Comsat Alumni: $35. Spouses, S.O are $25.

Mail your checks for the dinner by Sept 21 to:
    COMARA Social
    PO Box 34594
    Bethesda, MD 20827

You can include the cost for tickets ($39.20 each) for the February 28, 2009 COMARA Night at Strathmore with your 2008 Social reservation. You can also purchase concert tickets at the social.

Call Tom Kirkendall (301-299-4395) or Irv Dostis or e-mail Treasurer@COMARA.org by Sept 27 if you need to cancel after sending your check. We'll try to give a full refund.

That's Amore easily reached from most of the DC-MD-VA area. That's Amore is located just two blocks from I-270, Shady Grove Road exit. The Shady Grove Road exit is just a few miles north of I-495. Ample free parking is close to the first floor door where the social is held.

A brief Annual Meeting will be held at the beginning of the social.
    Results of election for 2008 Directors
    Board Officers for 2008-2009
    Treasurer Report
    Other business items.

_______________________________________________________________________

COMARA Night at Strathmore - Feb 28, 2009
http://www.comara.org/social/strathmore2009.htm

National Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra
Barrueco Plays Concierto de Aranjuez
Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Music Center at Strathmore

Celebrating one of the most popular works of the 20th century, the National Philharmonic presents internationally renowned guitarist Manuel Barrueco whose recording of Joaquín Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez was cited by Classical CD Magazine as the "the best recording" of the work.

Piotr Gajewski, conductor
Manuel Barrueco, guitar

Program:
    Prokofiev Symphony No. 1, "Classical Symphony"
    Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez
    Ravel Mother Goose Suite

Jack Hannon has reserved 40 tickets at the rear of the Orchestra section.
The cost of tickets by January 15 is $39.20 each.
The cost of tickets from January 16-31 is $42.50 each.
You can include the cost for tickets with your 2008 Social reservation.
You can also purchase concert tickets at the social.

We will once again have access to the wonderful VIP Lounge just off the concert hall

_______________________________________________________________________

Burt Falkofske Memorial Service - Aug 28

(From wife Carla). Burt passed away Aug 16, 2008 at the Reston Hospital from cardiac arrest. He had been re-hospitalized earlier this week with respiratory distress. The doctor had seen him earlier in the morning and said he had gotten a big smile from Burt. At that time he saw nothing imminent. Burt arrested at 11:15. His struggle on earth is over and that is a blessing. A nurse at the hospital, who had been at Cameron Glen, said it very well. "This is what he has wanted for a long time, he is in a better place now."

In lieu of flowers we are asking that folks who wish donate to any of the following, or to a charity of choice in Burt's name.

Thank you all for your love, prayers and support over the past eleven long months. Love, Carla

Note: A Memorial Service for Burt was held on Thursday, Aug. 28 at the Messiah United Methodist Church, 6215 Rolling Road, Springfield. Several COMSAT colleagues were in attendance.

_______________________________________________________________________

Tish Fonda - Aug 15, 2008

We received the following from George Fonda about his wife, Tish Fonda, passing Friday, Aug 15.

Tish Fonda

Letitia (Tish) Fonda died on Friday, August 15, 2008 at her home on Marco Island, Florida. Her husband George Fonda and her daughter Heather Moore were at her side. Tish was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. She was 63 years old at the time of her death.

As Manager of Exhibits and Special Events for Comsat Corporation in Bethesda, Maryland, she was afforded the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the world and work with colleagues, many of whom became lifelong friends. She was able to see her daughter, Heather grow up, graduate from college, get married to Timothy Moore, and enjoy her two beautiful and handsome grandchildren, Sophia and Anthony.

She married Navy Lieutenant George Fonda in Sydney Australia in 1968, while he was stationed there with the Vietnam R & R office. She was able to return every year to Sydney, sometimes twice a year, to continue her very close friendship with her childhood friends, particularly Susanne Matthews, Gay Humphries, and John Williams.

Graveside services will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in New York City and All Saints Church in Sydney, Australia at a time convenient to her family. In lieu of flowers, it is Tish's wish that those who would like to, make a contribution in her memory to the Marco Island Parks and Recreations Department, 1361 Andalusia Terrace, Marco Island, Florida 34145 USA.

George Fonda
1690 Orleans Court
Marco Island, FL 34145

Naples Daily News Death Notices

http://obits.naplesnews.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewobit&ID=65046

Please send us information about what you're doing for a future COMARA Newsletter!

-The COMARA Board of Directors

Copyright 2008 by COMSAT Alumni & Retirees Association. All rights reserved.
COMARA, PO Box 34594, Bethesda, MD 20827