Parker and Lisa Ryan and family would like to take this time to announce
the sale of our restaurant- Widow Fletchers Tavern. For the past 26 years, 'Widow's' has been the place
for friendship, camradarie and celebration. Please join us, for one last time, on Wednesday evening, March
11 to reminisce on "all the good times" that we have shared.
We Thank You for your friendship and loyalty!
If you are not
able to make it on Wednesday evening, feel free to stop in, anytime over the next week!
Tuesday January 20, 2009
RSBC Member Joe Biden sworn in as Vice-President
of the United States of America
Joe Biden was sworn in as Vice-President of the United
States ahead of the inauguration of Barack Obama as President, in a scene eerily familiar of his experience at the RSBC.
Royal Society Bridge Club members across the world,
and Hampton, NH, come together in the spirit of celebration on this cold January day. Once again, member pride swells
with the inauguration of Joe Biden as Vice-President of the United States. It is expected that Mr. Biden experienced
a strong sense of 'Deja-vu' as he once again pledged to "respect and uphold" his position.
Bridge Club Chairman and WFT Owner Parker Ryan summed
up the meaning behind Biden's previous induction into the RSBC. "The recitation of the oath of induction into
the RSBC has obviously not only proven to be a valuable preparation in member Biden's acceptance of power, but has given
him the opportunity to understand the scope of responsibility that now is before him." Ryan added, "It is sure
to be said, Biden's induction ceremony has given him a trial run for today. It is with his confidence in his recitation
of the RSBC oath, he may now pledge his oath to his country with enthusiasm and firm knees."
Parker Ryan congratulates Joe Biden at his RSBC Induction
MINNEAPOLIS- Democrat and esteem ROYAL SOCIETY BRIDGE CLUB MEMBER
Al Franken beat Republican incumbent Norm Coleman to win the U.S. Senate seat from Minnesota, officials conducting a
final recount said on Monday, though the loser promised to challenge the result.
The
outcome found Franken edged Coleman by 225 votes out of nearly 2.9 million votes cast, but Coleman's lawyers complained
the recount was conducted unfairly and promised a court contest that could take weeks to resolve.
RSBC Member Franken
had this to say on his website Alfranken.com, about the victory -
“This victory is incredibly humbling –
not just because it was so narrow, but because of the tremendous responsibility it gives me on behalf of the people of Minnesota."
“While the recount process played out, the challenges facing our state and our nation have only grown. With
tensions in the Middle East reaching the boiling point, our economy facing its worst crisis since the 1930s, and Minnesota’s
middle class families being squeezed harder than ever, it’s clear that we have a lot of important work to do."
“I want you all to know that I’m ready to go to Washington and get to work just as soon as possible. And
I look forward to joining President-Elect Obama and Senator Klobuchar in getting our country moving in the right direction
again."
A general sense of euphoria spread throughout the halls
of the Royal Society Bridge Club this week. Normally accepting the reality of the long cold New England winter
upon them, and twisted with the feeling of post holiday blues, the RSBC members found themselves invigorated and inspired
by fellow member Frankens victory. 'Commissioner' Jim Kennedy was heard to exclaim "Bigbooy, That's
just great, Biggie."
Gerry Dignam, a grand
member of the RSBC, remembers "I swore him into the RSBC when he made an appearance at Widow's one Sunday
afternoon in 2000 when he was campaigning for then Vice-President Gore (another RSVP member).
I was the MC that day and introduced Al to the gathered crowd...at the conclusion
of his remarks. I swore him in to membership in the RSBC with all dignity, propriety, pomp, tradition, ceremony and circumstance
accorded such occasions ( and a few well placed "Zingers").
I am sure that the Royal Minister of the Exchequer (Brother Ryan) will attest to Franken's
continued status as a member in good standing and his right to all privileges, benefits and responsibilities thereof!!..."
A funny thing happened on the way to the polls Comedian Al Franken stumps
for Gore in Hampton
By Steve Jusseaume Staff
Writer
HAMPTON - Comedian/author Al Franken brought his uniqu, somewhat skewerred brand of humor
to Hampton this weekend while stumping for Al Gore for President. During a one-hour stop at Widow Fletcher's Tavern,
Franken, a former cast member of Saturday Night Live, urged more than 50 patrons in the bar at Widow Fletcher's to vote
for the Gore/Leiberman ticket, and took a few shots at Gore's opponent Texas Gov. George W. Bush. He was also sworn
in as the newest member of the Royal Society Bridge Club. Introduced by Gerry Dignam, Franken recalled his past support
of (former Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot, "until I saw (the movie) "The Killing Fields." Franken then started
in on Bush, noting his record of support og education in his home state. "The Governor has improved education in
Texas. Now 60 percent of high school seniors read a t ahigher level than that of the Governor." Franken said.
He the recalled one Bush speech. "The Governor said
'Rarely is the question asked is our
children learning." He's right. I never heard that particular question asked." Franken joked. Relaxed in a red sweater, blue jeans and sneakers, Franken sat on top of a bar table while delivering his remarks, noting
his pride that a "fellow" Jew might be in the White House, and his support of Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura (Frankens
Home State). Among the local notables in the impromptu crowd (Franken's visit was set up only Saturday Night) were
Hampton Beach Area Chamber of Commerce President Doc Noel, Selectman Brian Warburton, Jim Demers, state senators Beverly Hollingsworth
and Burt Cohen, Bill Kennedy and Police Chief Bill Wrenn. During his stop, Dignam nominated, and Widow Fletcher owner
Parker J. Ryan swore in Franken to the Royal Society Bridge Club. "The club has no dues, no regular meetings, no
officers, to be truthful, we don't know who the officers are. In summary we just don't give a damn."
Dignam said about the quasi-social club that has been in existence since 1983. Al's kind of club. "I will
cherish this for five or so minutes then I'm leaving." Franken responded.
On a more serious note, Franken urged everyone to get out
the vote. Stressing that New Hampshire is one of perhaps a dozen crucial states, he said a vote for Ralph Nader could
throw the state, and the election, to the Republicans. "This is an important race, and not a state to vote for Nader."
Franken said, noting other "battleground states as Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan. There is too much at
stake in terms of the environment, worker's rights, a woman's right to choose, and appointments to the Supreme Court,
to throw a vote to Nader and possibly the election to Bush, Franken said. Then he ended his brief talk by reminding all
Democrats to remind their Republican friends to remember to vote. "If your friends say I'm voting for Bush,
just remind them of the rule change. That Republicans get to vote on Wednesday Nov. 8. Democrats vote on Tuesday and
Republicans vote on Wednesday. That's what I'm telling my Republican friends, and I think they believe me."
Franken ended.
RSBC prepares to open chapter in Washington DC with election
of Obama and Biden to White House
RSBC member Joseph Biden elected to Vice President
of the United States of America
The Royal Society Bridge Club proudly congratulates
one of their own, with his historic and commanding win in the 2008 United States Presidential election. Joseph Biden, inducted Decenber 2007 into the RSBC, will be inaugurated as Vice President of the United States on
January 20, 2009. Vice President elect Biden and his entire family will be moving into Number One Observatory Circle,
the official residence of the Vice President of the United States. Located on the grounds of the United States Naval Observatory
in Washington, D.C., the house was built in 1893 for its superintendent, later becoming the Vice Presidential mansion.
