In This April Edition…
Message from the Big Sir p1
Special Event – Ladies Dinner p4
Our April Speaker p5
Birthdays p6
Quick reference for Br 77 contacts p7
Notice about photography p7
Bowling and Theater p8
Update on Dues? P9
Calendar of Events p9
How is Sirs working for you? P10
Men of Integrity p11
Weekly and Monthly Sir Activities p12
State Sir Happening Newsletter Attached as a separate file
Message From the Big Sir, Donald Ronalter
Membership Updates
No new members so far this month.
Some branches have advertising or promotional recruiting events. We haven’t
and we don’t. We trust our members to invite their friends and that’s how we get
great candidates.
New MeeVng and Lunch ReservaVon Updates:
As reported in our monthly bulleVn, email noVces, and meeVng discussions we
are moving to a new meeVng reservaVon system. There are 3 phases:
Phase #1 IN PROCESS
We deployed a TEST ReservaVon Form. It is important that every member
responds to this test to ensure the system works properly for all members. You
immediately get a confirmaVon email when you submit your form. No issues have
been reported.
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With 53 members responding to the test so far, here is the survey results:
Phase #2 Deploy the ReservaVon Form for a simple Y/N meeVng opVon
This is a simple registraVon with an opVon to register guest names.
Example: Are you aaending the next meeVng? Select one
O Yes
O No Sorry
Phase #3 Deploy Updated ReservaVon Form with 3 entrée opVons
Example: Are you aaending the next meeVng? Select one
O YES $25 Regular Entree
O YES $25 Fish Special
O YES $15 Dinner Salad
O NO Sorry
New Menu
I think that we all can agree that the lunches provided by the caterer are both
excellent and a very good value. For our Branch to break even we must have at
least 64 paid lunches. (So, when I send out a reminder email with only 45 or so
confirmed lunches you will know why I’m worried!)
We also have some new menu opVons:
- $25 Regular Entrée
- $25.00 Fish Special
- $15.00 Dinner Salad
Please note that “orders for” or “changes in” menu items must be requested in
advance as part of your lunch registraVon. Do not request any changes ajer our
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order cut-off date, which is the Friday before the luncheon. Please also do not ask
the Caterer for any changes as well. If you request anything other than the
regular meal, please noVfy the servers as to where you are seated.
May is our Lady’s Day Dinner
Please read John’s updates in the newsleaer about our upcoming Lady’s Day
Dinner. This is the 7th year that we are inviVng our ladies to aaend. For extra fun,
we encourage them to join our annual Ladies Hat Contest (and what lady doesn’t
enjoy wearing a Fascinator or similar hat?). 1st place is two Vckets to our
December Holiday Dinner ($90 value), 2nd place is two Vckets to the September
Picnic ($60 value), and 3rd place is a boale of premium wine ($20 value).
We need a Big Sir for 2027 and for our Branch to ConBnue
In August each year Branches send Sir State a list of the next year’s Officers and
selected Commiaee Chairs. Most significant are next year’s Big Sir, Secretary, and
Treasurer. As Sir State is the agent for all Branches (501(c)4 CorporaVons), they
file all our state/federal documents. Most significant for branches to retain their
corporate status with the CA SOS is the SI-100. This document records the
President, Secretary, and Treasurer. This must be filed for a corporaVon to exist
and must be reported to Sir State in August for them to file the reports for the
next year. If we haven’t idenVfied a Big Sir, we will not qualify as a California
corporaVon.
Donald is not leaving our Branch, he just can’t conVnue as the Big Sir. That’s great
news in that Donald will be available to assist his replacement. Moreover, Donald
has strived to reduce the Vme involved in serving as the Big Sir to make it much
easier for his replacement. As already noted, we are in the process of
implemenVng a new registraVon system for lunch so that this Vme will be
minimized.
Now is not the Bme to keep your head
down when your Branch needs you. If you
have a few available hours a week, have
leadership skills, enjoy public speaking, and
working in a team environment, this could
be your opportunity! Please see Donald
for further details
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Special Event – Ladies Dinner
Are you ready to treat that special person in your life to an absolutely wonderful
event? Please bring your checkbook so that you can purchase your tickets at the
April luncheon from Craig Hempler or contact Craig at 209-588-1096 if you need
tickets and can’t attend the luncheon. We plan on this event being sold out.
Schedule of Events
Date: May 14, 2026
Place: Elks Lodge, Sonora, CA
Time: 3pm No host cocktail hour, proudly featuring the voice and talents of
Mindy Lancaster
Raffle selection on silent auction items
4pm Dinner will be served
6pm Ladies Hat contest. Ladies, please bring whatever hat you would like
to wear and present for the judging. All hats are appropriate…Bonnets,
Fascinators, Caps, Cowboy, creative designs, etc.
6:15pm Raffle winners announced
Dress: Casual or business attire
Menu: Choice of prime rib and baked potato (it’s a big portion); Salmon with rice
pilaf (delightful); Chicken Picata. All choices are made at the purchase of
your ticket.
Cost: $45 per person. We also ask our members to bring a gift for our silent
auction with a value of $20 or more. Alternatively, you may want to
create a gift basket with a selected theme (ie movie night, gardening,
etc).
A “vintage vocalist” from a time gone by.
Mindy learned many of the “standards” from her
aunt and grandmother, both of whom instilled in
her a love of music from the 1930’s, 40’s, and 50’s.
Blue Moon, All of Me, and so many others remind us
of good times gone by. Mindy was discovered as a
“singing waitress” and began traveling around
California performing at restaurants, clubs, and
private parties. We are so very fortunate to have
her for our Ladies Dinner. Check her website out at
mindyvintagevocalist.com. Please come early
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Our April Speaker
We are so pleased to have Tuolumne
County Sheriff David Vasquez join us
for our April luncheon.
Sheriff Vasquez began his career in law
enforcement in 2001 when he enlisted
into the United States Marine Corps as
a Military Police Officer. He served as a
patrol officer until being selected to the
specialized K9 unit for explosive
detection. He volunteered to serve
forwardly in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He was assigned to the infantry and
various teams in the special operations
community as a K9 handler; their mission was to locate and facilitate the
destruction of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED’s) used against American troops.
He served on President George W. Bush’s security detail for multiple west coast
operations assisting the United States Secret Service.
Sheriff Vasquez came to Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office in December of 2009.
He was hired as deputy sheriff and assigned to patrol. After completing field
training, he was assigned to the patrol division, where his peers selected him for
the award of “Deputy of the Year.” He was selected to join the Special Weapons
and Tactics Team (SWAT) and served in all roles of the SWAT team including
Commander. Sheriff Vasquez was promoted to detective in late 2012 where he
served Tuolumne County as a Narcotics Detective.
Sheriff Vasquez was promoted to Sheriff’s Sergeant in 2015 and was assigned to
lead deputies in the patrol division. He was selected by his fellow deputies to
represent the Deputy Sheriff’s Association as their Vice President. Sheriff Vasquez
was selected to lead the Boating Enforcement Division before being promoted to
Lieutenant in 2018. He was entrusted to command the Professional Standards
Division as a Lieutenant. He was promoted to Captain in 2021 where he was
entrusted to command the bureau of Professional Standards and General
Investigations.
If you know of someone who would make a good speaker, please contact our
speaker chair, Joe Domogalia at (209) 532-6295.
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From 31 Life Skills That Will Make You a Better Man
Become a Disciplined Reader. Think before you speak; and read before you
think. Develop the discipline to read more. It will help you relieve stress, get a
better night’s sleep, improve your memory, educate you, increase your empathy,
and entertain you. What book are you reading now? If you don’t have one, well
then, that’s my point.
Happy Birthday to You
Please join the BEC in wishing the following SIRS a very happy April birthday.
Mike Bowers, 4/3, 74
Rocky Carothers, 4/23, 75
Alan Dahl, 4/15, 77
Joe Domogalla, 4/14, 77
Dennis Land, 4/14, 74
Felix Ledbetter, 4/17, 92
Dean Lindberg, 4/4, 70
Jim Nolan, 4/30, 81
Jim Roeber, 4/10, 74
Donald Ronalter, 4/28, 79
Bob Squaglia, 4/24, 79
Rick Wilson, 4/3, 83
From 31 Life Skills That Will Make You a Better Man
Learn to dress well. Every piece of clothing you decide to wear transmits
something about you. Learn how to dress for your body type. Then throw away
those unstylish things you’ve been wearing. You don’t have to wear expensive
clothing. Just neat and stylish clothes. I wear a sports jacket when I go out and I
find that people treat me better. With dignity and respect. I like that.
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Quick Contact Reference for Sirs Branch 77
Big Sir, Donald Ronalter, 209-984-9383
Treasurer & Newsletter, John White, 408-355-5991
Secretary, Mike Coe, 209-769-3413
Propane Chair, Craig Hempler, 209-588-1096
Golf Chair, David Siudzenski, 925-915-9877
Bowling Chair, Rick Bronner, 408-318-4826
Speaker Chair, Joe Domogalia, (209) 532-6295
Branch Relations Chair*, Derle Davis, 925-234-5742 & email goldcoin3@aol.com
Postal address: 222 Barretta St., #14, Sonora, CA 95370
Sirs email: Sierrasir77@gmail.com
- The Branch Relations Chair is responsible for reaching out to our Sir members
who are experiencing something unfortunate in their life and upon request will
send a sympathy notice or get-well card.
(New) Notice of Photography, Recording, and Filming
By your presence at our luncheon and other Sirs activities and events, you
acknowledge that you are aware that you may be photographed, recorded, or
filmed for advertising and other purposes. By your presence you acknowledge
that you have given us your consent for your likeness and voice to be included
without compensation, credit, or other consideration. If you do not wish to be
photographed, recorded, or filmed, then you should leave the event immediately.
Thank you for your cooperation.
From 31 Life Skills That Will Make You a Better Man
Keep fit. If you want to live a long and healthy life, it’s a skill you have to both
develop and maintain. Adopt a wellness plan and see your doctor often and on a
regular basis. Women generally live much longer than men. Why? They take care
of themselves and share their health with others too.
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Time to Go to The Theatre
Any SIR 77 member interested in getting
on the” Sierria Repertory Theater” group
email list please send your email address to
Dave Tibbets at tibbetsdavid2@gmail.com.
We always reserve 40 seats for our
members at $32 a ticket. Regular price is
$57. We mostly go to 2:00 o’clock
matinees on a Thursday or a Sunday. The
plays are performed at either the East Sonora Theater on Mono Way or The Fallon
House in Columbia. When you get on my list I will send all the information
regarding times, location, payment procedures and cut-off dates. All payments
are run through Twain Harte SIR 172. I have been facilitating this activity for the
last three years so and it is an absolute blast. Please join us and enjoy the best
entertainment value in the motherlode.
From 31 Life Skills That Will Make You a Better Man
Become better with women. Chivalry is not dead. Learn to treat a woman with
respect and value. Become a better listener. Women want empathy from their
partner. They don’t need to be told how to” fix a problem,” they need to work out
their feelings first before acting. Ask yourself, “Is she just sharing her emotions, or
does she really want me to fix this?” Be patient. Don’t talk over a woman when
they are speaking.
The SIR SUMMER BOWLING LEAGUE
starts on Monday April 27th at Black Oak Lanes.
League starts at noon each Monday and
will go thru August 3rd. Entry Fees are $20
per. Those interested should show up Moy
the 27th for team assignments. Any
questions contact Rick Bronner at 408-318-
4826 or Dave Sudzinski at 925-915-9877
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Update on Annual Dues?
Thank you for the over 100 members who have renewed their annual dues. For
those who have not paid, late dues is now $45. Also, Craig Hempler is taking
unpaid dues members off the propane discount list. If that happens, you will not
be eligible to continue on the program until 2027. So please keep your dues
current and renew through mail to: Sirs 77, 222 Barretta St. #14, Sonora, CA
95370.
From 31 Life Skills That Will Make You a Better Man
Interact with children. My father repeatedly told me “that children should be
better scene than heard.” As a result, it was very hard, frightening in fact, to be
around older adults. Remember that cool uncle that always had an interesting story
to tell or who taught you something? Be that uncle to a younger person. You have
more to share with young people than you think. And they want to know. Children
don’t want to be judged and neither do you. So avoid judgement in your
conversation.
Calendar of Events for April 2026
April 9 BEC Directors and officers meeting, Elks Lodge at 10am
All members Luncheon Meeting, Elks Lodge at 12 noon
Bowling Every Monday at Black Oak Casino, 12:30pm to 3:30pm
Pinochle Every Monday at the Sonora Senior Center at noon, contact Bill Lewis,
(209) 604-6304 for further information
Hiking Every Friday, date and place to be determined see Weekly & Monthly
Activities
Golf Once a month, see Weekly & Monthly Activities or contact the golf
chairman for further details.
Please refer to the Weekly & Monthly Activities section for more events and
details.
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How is Sirs Working for You?
There is so much more to Sirs than just
attending a monthly luncheon. Sirs mission
statement: “SIR, Inc. exists to enrich the lives
of its members through fun activities,
luncheons and events while making friends
for life.” Here are some tips for men on
making new friends:
- Take the Initiative: Don’t wait for others to reach out; initiate
conversations by calling a friend or inviting them for coffee or an activity. - Be Vulnerable: Open up about your life and share personal experiences to
foster deeper connections. - Show Value: Express how much your friend means to you and express your
desire to invest more in the friendship. - Be Direct: Ask direct questions about their life and listen actively to your
friend. - Make Time: Schedule regular contact and shared experiences to strengthen
your bond. - Get Involved in an activity. We have so many wonderful activities. Find one
that interests you and contact the leader of that group. - Reconnect with Old Friends: Reach out to old acquaintances and rekindle fr
iendships. Invite them to join us for lunch and possibly join our Sirs
branch. - Email and Text: This is how the world communicates. Get an email address.
Learn to be proficient in both emails and texts and use it wisely. Those who
refuse to do so will isolate themselves from the rest of the world.
These strategies can help you build and maintain friendships effectively.
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“Men of Integrity” From Four Star Marine General Charles Krulak
The word integrity itself is a martial word that comes
to us from an ancient Roman army tradition. During
the time of the 12 Caesars, the Roman army would
conduct morning inspections. As the inspecting
centurion would come in front of each legionnaire,
the soldier would strike with his right fist the armor
breastplate that covered his heart. The armor had to
be strongest there in order to protect the heart from
the sword thrusts and from arrow strikes. As the
soldier struck his armor, he would shout “integritas”
(in-teg-ri-tas), which in Latin means material,
wholeness, completeness, and entirety. The
inspecting centurion would listen closely for this affirmation and also for the ring
that well-kept armor would give off. Satisfied that the armor was sound and that
the soldier beneath it was protected, he would then move on to the next man.
The armor of integrity continued to serve the Legion well. For over four centuries
they held the line against the marauding Goths and Vandals. But by 383 AD the
social decline that infected the Republic and the praetorian guard had its effects
upon the Legion. As a 4th century Roman general wrote, “When, because of
negligence and laziness, parade ground drills were abandoned, the customary
armor began to feel heavy since the soldiers rarely, if ever, wore it. Therefore,
they first asked the emperor to set aside the breastplates and mail and then the
helmets. So, our soldiers fought the Goths without any protection for the heart
and head and were often beaten by archers. Although there were many disasters,
which lead to the loss of great cities, no one tried to restore the armor to the
infantry. They took their armor off, and when the armor came off, so too came
their integrity.”
Point to remember – No one can take your integrity away from you. You and only
have to lay it down. Protect your integrity.
Why do I mention this? In 2026, the BEC made the decision to request payment
for lunches from those members who reserve a lunch and then for whatever
reason, are not able to attend the luncheon. When you reserve a lunch, you
obligate the Branch to pay for your lunch whether or not you attend. We have no
margin in our budget to pay for a missed lunch. I want to personally thank those
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members who when contacted for a missed lunch, pay for their lunch without
hesitation. That’s integrity.
Weekly and Monthly Sirs Activities
There are three Sirs branches in the Motherlode and we all share in common
activities with one another. All SIR members are welcome to join in any other
local branch activity. Many items are for couples and guests, so please contact the
Event Chair.
Area Big Sir’s
#77 Donald Ronalter 984-9383
Activity Branch Activity Chair
Biking 172 Steve Happel
2nd Tuesday each month
768-4250
Bowling 136 Rick Bronner 408-318-4826Car Club Yes 136 Rick Bronner 408-318-4826
Fishing 136 Chuck Simons 532-9550
Golf
Br 77 David Siudzinski
Br 136Raul Santana
925-915-987
925-451-7351
Hiking 77 Mike Clay (moderate hike)
Every Friday
588-1345
Horseshoes
172 Rich Brandau
Last Thursday each month
352 4320
Kayak 172 Steve Happel
4th Tuesday each month
768-4250
Pinochle No 172 Bill Lewis 209-604-6304
RV Travel 136 Eddie Toews 532-3970
Tech/Computer 172 Dick Chimenti 677-7070
Theatre 172 Dave Tibbets 532-2453
Travel
Charles Luke
Bill Stires (Modesto)
533-3686
988-5445
146 Glenn Breslin (Walnut Creek) 925-788-6520
Some notes about these activities relating to Branch 77
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Branch 77 HIKING: Chair Mike Clay (588-1345) A hike scheduled every week on a
Friday. It is a day hike of moderate difficulty, generally between 8 and 12 miles for
the full distance but shorter options are nearly always possible. Hikes are usually
somewhere along the 108 corridors. Details of the destination are not announced
until Monday or Tuesday beforehand.
Branch 77 GOLF: Chair Dave Siudzinski (925-915-9877) dayesudz@gmail.com
18358 Zeni Lane, Tuolumne CA 95379. A golf tournament scheduled each month
and the tournament is open to all players with a NCGA handicap.
For more information, please contact the Golf Chairman.
SIR Sonora Branch 77 