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2008
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Contacts

David Mann

American Mensa

International Mensa

May FS&M

   The May FS&M will be held Saturday, May 24th (Memorial Day Weekend)  at 4:30pm at Katherine Levine's house, followed by a picnic at approx. 6:00pm (if we finish newslettering early, we may start eating early). We're doing Saturday just to be different.  Katherine's address is: 1215 Blevins Gap Road, Huntsville.  This is located off Bailey Cove Road - just north of Grissom High School.  She can be reached at 256-881-4809 if you need directions or more info.

   Since she can't use her almost new 1200 sq. ft. building as an office (built another one by the house) she's going to have cookouts there instead. It's free of bird feathers, bird dust, bird noise and aggressively friendly cats, although Tasha the dog will be in the area. There is indoor seating for about 15 folks; but only a few outdoor chairs. If you want to enjoy the outdoors, we recommend bringing yard chairs.  

  The yard is not fenced, but if anyone wants to bring their dog(s) to play with Tasha, they are welcome as well. Tasha will be on a tie-out, since she tends to chase squirrels, rabbits and hot dogs if left to her own devices.

  Katherine will provide hot dogs (and buns), tea, ice, plates and flatware, and basic condiments for the hot dogs. If you don't want hot dogs, you can bring your own meat. Also, bring a dish to share, like beans, potato salad, dessert, chips, veggies, and all that kind of stuff.

Birmingham RG

   North Alabama Mensa was well represented at the April 4-6 Birmingham RG as expected and, of  course, Birmingham provided another outstanding weekend packed with food, entertainment and opportunities for relaxing with friends, both old and new.  Thanks to the efforts of Ed Wright of Cookville, TN there were lots of photos which, when added to my own, provide some great memories for those of us who attended.

     One highlight for many of us was the performance by Hueytown Magician, Keith Barton and his wife Donna, who perform as Mort the Mystifying and Donna.  

After the show they graciously spent a couple of hours with us relating the story of one of their claims to fame, Matilda. Matilda is recognized in the Guinness book of World Records as the worlds longest living chicken, which earned the Bartons an appearance on The Tonight Show a couple of years ago.. 

Although Matilda died a few years ago at the age of 16, she still remains fresh in Keith and Donna's memories and her successor, Miss Scarlet, is carrying on the tradition. 

The Bartons also produced their laid back rabbit for us.  Lots of photos are now online in two pages.  Either click on Hospitality or Magic to get started.  If you see one you just MUST have, contact me at bward@hieaay.net.

North Alabama Mensa
Bylaws

   At the direction of our national office we are revising our bylaws.  Mike Wilkinson, who is leading this effort, has incorporated changes required by the national office as well as changes requested by the ExCom into a revised version. Both our ExCom and the national bylaws committee have carefully considered and approved the proposed revisions.  The final step in this process is for our membership to vote on the revised version before May 30.  A majority of those voting is needed for passage.  We encourage you to download the current Bylaws as well as the proposed Revised Bylaws (with changes marked in color) and submit your vote by downloading and mailing your ballot to Travis Hardin or providing the following information.   

NAME ___________
MEMBERSHIP NUMBER _____________
SHALL THE ENCLOSED PROPOSED BYLAWS BE ADOPTED?
    YES______ NO_______

Return Ballot to:
Travis Hardin
PO Box 485
Meridianville, AL 35759

Roger Williams Chosen for Honor Flight

   North Alabama Mensa's very own Roger Williams, a World War II veteran, was chosen as one of 125 veterans to participate in the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. on Saturday, April 19.  Those who know Roger, who has served North Alabama Mensa for years as treasurer, find it easy to believe he served his nation as well with distinction in World War II.    

Monthly Dinner Meeting
May 18, 2008 

From:  Cristina Hinkle   chinkle@cohesionforce.com

   This month’s dinner meeting will be at Hyun's Korean Garden Restaurant, 7500 Memorial Pkwy Sw Ste 115-A, Huntsville.  489-8888  

   This month’s speaker is Woodrow (Woody) A. Williams and the topic is: "HATS STEDTRAIN - Investing in our Students Together we can make a real difference in K-12 education!"

   Woody has been involved with education efforts over 40-years. His many K-12 efforts include PTAs, Huntsville City Schools (HCS) Center for Technology (HCT) Advisory Committee member 1989-95 and Chair 1994-95, HCS Computer Advisory Committee member 1990-2000 and Chair 1990-98, Huntsville Association of Technical Societies (HATS) Science and Technology Education and Training (STEDTRAIN) Committee member 1994-Present, HATS involvement 1969 - Present.  He is retired from the Dept of Army and President of Image Factor South, Inc.
   Woody will be assisted by John Young of HATS.

     If you're interested in becoming a member of Mensa, you are welcomed to attend the next scheduled, supervised test on July 8, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  The test will be held at the Huntsville Madison County Public Library Main Branch, 915 Monroe St., Huntsville, AL, on the first floor, rooms A&B.

     The Mensa admission tests takes two hours to complete and are composed of two tests featuring questions involving logic and deductive reasoning. If you score at or above the 98th percentile on either of the two tests, you'll qualify and be invited to join Mensa. 

     Please note that American Mensa cannot test individuals younger than 14 years of age.  Also, if English isn't your primary language, American Mensa offers a battery of culture fair, non-language tests.  The culture fair battery is available by appointment only.

     Further, please note that individuals can only take a test or test battery once.

     Registration and testing will take approximately 2 hours.  Walk-ins will be accepted, but in order to reserve a spot, please send a check for the amount of $40 made out to American MENSA to cover the cost of the test.  Picture identification (i.e. drivers license) is required to register and take the test.  

     Children under the age of 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at registration.  

     For further information, contact Rich Randall, north Alabama MENSA Testing Coordinator, 114 Shoalford Rd., Huntsville, AL 35806, r2rplus4@bellsouth.net.