No December Newsletter

Because of the Holiday Season is a busy one for all, the November-December Newsletter will not be published this year. Instead the next Newsletter will be published in January 2013.

Book and Movie Reviews

Helmut Erxleben reviews the book: Mrs. Kennedy and Me by Clint Hill is a fascinating look at what it was like to be the Secret Service agent whose job it was to guard one of the most famous women of the 20th Century. He describes his years of service from 1960 to 1964 with tenderness and great respect for a lady who was reluctant to be in the spotlight and wanted privacy more than anything else.

She would always address him as Mr. Hill, but he was the man she could count on to help her with difficult situations at home, in Washington and in her many travels thus he became her friend as well as protector. There are dozens of photos in this book, many with Clint Hill and the Kennedys. At the end of this revealing book you will understand why it took him almost 50 years to write about his time with Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy.

Harold Erlendson reviews the movie: Hope Springs

This film is aimed at the over fifty audience.  After 30 years of marriage Kay, beautifully played by Meryl Streep, is deeply unhappy  with her non- existent sex life. Her marriage is in a deep rut. She signs up for a week long counseling session in Hope Springs, Maine. Her husband,  played by Tommy Lee Jones, doesn’t want to attend but at the last minute, reluctantly shows up.

The movie is billed as a romantic comedy drama, but it is not as light hearted as it would  seem. The scene where  Kay is rebuffed in her attempts for intimacy arehard to watch. The counseling did finally work and there were a few laughs along the way leading to a very happy ending.

Harold Erlendson reviews: The Bourne Legacy

his was one of the worst movies I have seen in a long time. There is no coherent plot. The action was non-stop and the filming and scenery were excellent. But if you would like a real story to go along with the action, you will not find it in this movie.

Pleasant Experiences

On a recent Friday, John Bartrem spent an enjoyable day close to home at the Hamilton Warplane Heritage Museum, adjacent to Hamilton Airport. With virtually every type of war and training aircraft produced since the late ‘30’s and early ‘40’s on display, there was much to see; 12 of the planes, including a Lancaster bomber, are flyable.  Rides in each aircraft are offered for a fee. The ability to wander around the new, large hanger with access to all planes was a bonus.

Three World War II planes are currently in progress of being rebuilt; each can take from a few years to 15 to 20 years to make them airworthy. Volunteer guides, knowledgeable on all aspects of each plane, with interesting stories about who flew these planes – anecdotes and hero stories – completed a great day, close to home.

Perhaps a Probus Tour in the future would be of interest to members.