July 2012 - Southeast Michigan Mensa

July 2012 Page 1 

M-Pathy 

THE NEWSLETTER OF 

SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN MENSA 

VOL. 48 NO. 7 July 2012 MensaDetroit.com 

Inside This Issue 

Editors’ Page 2 

LocSec: Monthly Musings 3 

RVC: reMARK 4 

From the GCC 5 

Riley’s Reviews 

Precis of May ExComm Meeting 

6 

Illinois 7 

Just Joking 

Puzzles 

Word Search: Geographical Stuff 

And the winners are… 

8 

9 

Strange Superstitions 10 

Pictures from SEMMantics XXXIII 11 

On the Web 12 

Scholarship Winners and their Essays 13 

FAQs about YMembership 16 

SEMM Balance Sheet 17 

Membership Notes 18 

Events: The SEMM Calendar 20 

SEMMantics XXXIII was a “howling” success! Kristina Porcalla and Rachel Hendrian love 

all the dogs brought by Beth Duman, a certified professional dog trainer, to SEMM’s RG 

for her presentation on The Evolution of Charlie Darwin. More RG photos inside! 

Be sure to join us on Saturday, July 21 for the SEMMerBash, a great way to celebrate 

summer with your fellow Mensans. Registration information is on the back page. 

Our regularly scheduled speaker program, led by Vice President Harley Berger, will return 

on Saturday, August 18. Program details will be forthcoming in next month’s M-Pathy. 

Monthly Calendar 22 

Directory: Executive Committee 23

M-Pathy Page 2 

m-pathy 

(ISSN 0744-9763) is published monthly 

for $6 per year for local members and 

members-by preference and $12 per year 

for non-local members by Southeast 

Michigan Mensa at 13521Stahelin Road, 

Detroit, MI 48223-3525. Subscription 

cost for local members and members-bypreference 

is included in national dues. 

Publisher 

Brenda Lewis 

13521 Stahelin Road 

Detroit, MI 48223-3525 

publisher@mensadetroit.com 

Editor-in-chief 

Kathleen Giesting 

2947 Philadelphia Dr. 

Ann Arbor, MI 48103-6813 

Mpathy@mensadetroit.com 

Assistant Editor 

Toby Berger 

7269 Creeks Bend Court 

West Bloomfield, MI 48322 

Mpathy@mensadetroit.com 

Calendar Editor 

Calendar@mensadetroit.com 

Membership Editor 

Iana Questara Boyce 

ianaqb@ameritech.net 

Circulation Manager 

Marilyn McZip 

P.O. Box 510056 

Livonia, MI 48151-6056 

Phone: 734-459-3884 

mmczip@wowway.com 

Distribution Manager 

Tom McClure 

41765 Onaway Dr. 

Northville, MI 48167-2411 

(248) 348-3603 

atmcclure@earthlink.net 

Jokes & Riddles 

Humor@MensaDetroit.com 

Allegra Louth 

Puzzles: 

Joan Rayford, Tom Shaw, Jim Szirony 

From the Editor’s Desk - Kathleen Giesting 

July – named for Julius Caesar, by Julius Caesar – or his calendar scientists to curry 

favor (mmmm… curry!). If you had all the months in the year to name, why not put 

your name on one of the hottest (in your hemisphere) and one of the most fulsome 

and beneficent? Also a great time for those northern campaigns. So, now how many 

parts of Gaul do we need to conquer? 

July days are long and bright (again, in the Northern hemisphere), and the first crops 

of summer are coming into the market. Life is teeming. 

Be sure to take advantage of July. Join a team. Get outdoors. Play in the sunshine. 

Dig in the garden. Sit on the porch and talk to your neighbors. And do join us at the 

SEMMerBash to share picnic food, games, fun, and conversation. See you there! 

From the Assistant Editor - Toby Berger 

I always look forward to the month of July; it’s a great month from start to end. Since I 

have the month of July off from work to rest and relax, I love to go to the Annual 

Gathering, or AG. An AG (Annual Gathering) is like an RG (Regional Gathering) but 

on a much larger scale. What a great way to meet new people and catch up with old 

friends, while visiting a different host city each year. I have never been to Reno, so I 

am looking forward to see what this city has to offer. I had a wonderful time at 

SEMMantics XXXIII, and hope to have a great time at the AG too! 

After all the travelling and summer fun, I can’t think of a better way to end the month 

of July, then by celebrating my birthday on the 29 th ! My twin brother lives in Sydney, 

Australia, and I plan to visit him in December to celebrate our birthday, during their 

summer. Just another opportunity to have more summer fun! 

Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other, 'You stay here; 

I'll go on ahead.'


Monthly Musings 

Yay! The SEMMer Bash is here! The SEMMer 

Bash is here! 

On Saturday, July 21, I will see you 

at Kensington Metropark in the 

Spring Hill picnic area which is on 

an arc about midway between the 

Farm Center and the Nature Center. 

Kensington is one of the larger 

Metroparks and has many things to do including 

visiting with the farm animals and walking the 

nature trails. Bicycling is another popular activity – 

helmets must be worn. There is also swimming. 

The SEMMer Bash is our most popular family 

activity. We'll have picnic fare and lots of 

opportunity to meet, talk with and play games with 

fellow members of SEMM. For more info on 

Kensington, go to www.metroparks.com. If you 

haven't already registered, you can save money by 

doing so BEFORE the day of the Bash. The info 

and form is elsewhere in the M-Pathy. If you plan 

on mailing your registration, please do so by the 

Monday or Tuesday before, so that I will have 

received it and know that you pre-paid. Otherwise, 

PayPal your registration up to two or three days 

before. 

SEMM is not the only Region 3 local group with a 

picnic. We have all been invited to join CAM 

(Cleveland Area Mensa) for their picnic on 

Saturday, August 4 th . Here's the details: 

Saturday, August 4, 2012 –1:00pm, Annual Picnic. 

Cleveland Area Mensa is Having A Picnic! 

13213 Arlington Road, Norwalk, Ohio. Far West 

CAM coordinator Kelley Georgiafandis and her 

husband Nick have once again offered their lovely 

home and six-acre property for our summer picnic 

for Mensans and family and/or guests. Pets also 

welcome. No need to come alone. We had a 

GREAT time last year; let’s make this one even 

better! We’ll be hiking, grilling, playing games 

(bring your favorite), fishing is available in the 

pond (bring your stuff), we’ll have a Trivia Contest 

and a Garden Tour, and we hope you can join us. 

by John Voymas, President (LocSec) 

CAM will be furnishing hot dogs, burgers, buns, 

water, soda pop, juices and paper goods. 

Kelley will provide sweet corn, melons and garden 

vegetables. Please bring a side dish to share. 

There will be electric available to plug in. From 

store-bought items to the fanciest of home-made 

dishes, Mensans love all kinds of food. RSVPs not 

required, but appreciated, to help determine the 

amount of food to purchase. RSVP to Kelley at 

419-499-2991 or 

farwestcoordinator@cleveland.us.mensa.org 

I recommend that you take advantage of other 

local group activities, be they picnics, Regional 

Gatherings, or just a games night, when you are in 

the area. I've had fun in St. Louis and Las Vegas 

as well as Hawaii by contacting a local group and 

joining in on a games night or dinner out. 

The Annual Gathering this year is in Reno, 

Nevada. It's never too late to decide to meet 

Mensa folk from around the United States. This 

year it runs from July 4 to 8. 

On a more local note, there are always 

opportunities for members to get involved. We 

need a new S.I.G.H.T. Coordinator. That person 

is the local contact for other Mensans who are 

visiting SEMM from anywhere else around the 

world. It's really easy and you are the first local 

person they will call to inquire about activities, or if 

a local Mensan has a few hours to show them 

around. 

Members are always welcome to host an activity. 

Just send your info to the M-Pathy Calendar editor 

so it can be listed in the Calendar of Events. I am 

looking forward to attending some of these new 

and innovative happenings in the near future. 

Speaking of activities, our next Brewery Circuit 

get-together is at Granite City in Troy on 

Wednesday, July 11. See you there! 

Until next time … Cheers! John


reMARK 

It’s the Annual Gathering! I hope you are in Reno, 

Nevada, with me. I will be hosting a Region 3 Meet and 

Greet on Wednesday, July 4, from 6 to 7:15pm and I 

hope to see you there – plenty of time afterwards for the 

fireworks! Region 3 Meet and Greets are 

great ways to connect with members from 

our wonderful Region. Touch base with 

members who share your interests. Are 

you on your ExComm? Do you volunteer 

for a specific something for your local 

group? Meet others who do the same and who might 

benefit from your experience. I have actually met 

members from my own local group who hadn’t been at 

any local function and whose first event was the AG. 

When you sign in your local group gets points towards 

the Group of the Year Award. What a great way to make 

new acquaintances and friends! 

It’s not too late to register for the 2012 Columbus Area 

Mensa RG, The London (Ohio) Games to be held July 

27-29. Tournaments will reign supreme as in any Col-M- 

Pic year, but there will also be a full slate of speakers, 

activities, Friday night kids, British-themed food and 

drink, and much more! Registration is $70 until July 9 

and $75 at the door. Friday only is $30, Saturday only is 

$50 and kids 11-18 are half price. Kids 10 and under are 

free. MP (5): included. Checks payable to Columbus 

Area Mensa. Hotel: Ramada East Airport, 4801 E. Broad 

St., Columbus, OH 43213; 614-861-0321. Room rates 

($69) guaranteed until July 1. Contact Julia Ashley, PO 

Box 292557, Columbus, OH 43229; 614-448-6023; 

psibernaut@yahoo.com if you have questions, check out 

the RG’s website: http://columbus.us.mensa.org/2012- 

rg.pdf 

Western Pennsylvania Mensa takes you around the world 

in 80 hours this Labor Day weekend. See the world 

without pesky airport lines! Registration for adults and kids 

ages 4-9 is $90 and $45 until July 8 (the AG), $95 and $48 

until Aug. 1 (Columbus RG), $99 and $50 postmarked by 

Aug. 26, and $115 and $58 at the door. Single-day 

registration rates for adults and kids ages 4-9 are $30 and 

$15 for Friday, $50 and $25 for Saturday, $50 and $25 for 

by Betsy Y. Mark, Regional Vice Chair 

Sunday, $25 and $13 for Saturday or Sunday evening 

only, $25 and $13 for Monday. MP: all included. Checks 

payable to WPAM RG. Hotel: Doubletree (formerly 

Radisson), 101 DoubleTree Dr., (aka 101 Radisson Dr.), 

Pittsburgh, PA 15205; 800/445-8667; 

http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/PITGTDT- 

DoubleTree-by-Hilton-Hotel-Pittsburgh-Green-Tree- 

Pennsylvania/index.do. Room rates ($89) guaranteed until 

Aug. 11. CD 9 and under, H RP Aug. 20 cutoff DT SA CP 

H/AS. Contact Jamie Fritz, 345 Thompson Run Rd., Penn 

Hills, PA 15235; 412-612-0634; jlongstreth@comcast.net. 

Cincinnati Area Mensa is in an excited state (any of the 

energy levels of a physical system – like an RG 

committee) as you are invited to the HyperchaRGed 

gathering. (Hypercharge: the quantum number equal to B 

[baryons] + S [strangeness] + C [charmed].) Gravitational 

attraction and radiant energy brings you to the Doubletree 

in Sharonville starting Nov. 30, and inertia takes you to a 

half-life of the event on Dec. 2. The natural frequency of 

this event is 30! Yes, the 30th Regional Gathering! 

Positronically assured of a periodic table of entrees, 

Quark's bar, luminosity in the programs and momentum in 

the tournament track. Quanta rates are (all postmark 

dates) $60 through June 1, $65 through Aug. 1, $70 

through Nov. 24, $75 thereafter. Children under 5 are free. 

Ages 6-10 are $15. Ages 11-20 are half the full rate. 

Partial rates are available at the door. Friday only = $30; 

Saturday only = $65. Saturday dinner and dance (after 5 

p.m.) = $40. No rollovers. Refunds must be requested by 

Nov. 29, 2012. Checks payable to Cincinnati Area Mensa 

RG. Hotel: Doubletree, 6300 E. Kemper Rd., Sharonville, 

OH 45241; 513-489-3636; 

http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/ohio/doubletree- 

suites-by-hilton-hotel-cincinnati-blue-ash- 

CVGKRDT/index.html. Room rates ($99) guaranteed until 

Nov. 15. S CD 10 and under, H RP 11/29/12 cutoff DT. 

Contact Cassie Ryle, 7270 West Chester Rd., West 

Chester, OH 45069; 513-755-6322; cassier@fuse.net. 

I am looking forward to seeing you soon. 

LLAP and Peace, 

Betsy 

Betsy Yvonne Mark 

rvc3@us.mensa.org 

3674 Oak Drive - Ypsilanti, MI 48197 

734-434-5757 (Home) or 313-530-2055 (Mobile) 

Region 3 Website - http://www.region3.us.mensa.org/ 

Yahoo group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AMR3/ 

Facebook group - 

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=71515809887


From the GCC 

It was so nice to meet many of you at the Regional 

Gathering last month, and reacquaint myself with those I 

had met before! We had a big crowd of families, 30 

children in all, and many took the opportunity to make 

new friends and plan to keep in touch. My family met 

another family with which we have much in common. 

This is a rare occurrence for my family! The older boys in 

both our families are very advanced in math, and we plan 

to get together soon so that they may share their common 

passion! 

Many children enjoyed the Cirque Amongus speakers 

(and acrobats!) One family commented: “The kids loved 

the circus demonstration!” The unicycling, juggling, etc. 

were very entertaining! After the circus demonstration, 

the kids got to come up and practice tightrope walking 

and other circus arts. 

The Backyard Brains talk was both entertaining and 

informative. Andre’ Snellings, a biomedical engineer, 

explained the various neurology experiments possible 

with his Spiker Box. He performed a neurology 

experiment in the room and the kids helped him do it! 

Andre’ also told the kids about the wonderful applications 

of neuroscience techniques such as biomechanical 

devices to help the visually impaired see better and a 

brain implant technique called Deep Brain Stimulation 

(DBS), used to treat patients with movement disorders 

such as Parkinson’s disease and dystonia. My sevenyear-old 

son has dystonia and may be treated with DBS 

in the future, so I could clearly see the importance of 

Andre’s work! 

The kids’ Build ‘N Break room was busy all day with 

parents talking and kids playing. The kids really enjoyed 

the legos, jenga blocks, foam shooters, toobers and other 

toys there. I also put lots of useful info out for the parents 

to peruse, such as lists of local psychologists who 

routinely IQ-Test gifted children, lists of local 

makerspaces, info about local gifted schools, info about 

the Michigan Association for Gifted Children, etc. Much 

by Melissa Jenkins, Assistant Gifted Children Coordinator 

of this info can also be found on our Gifted in Michigan 

website: www.giftedinmichigan.com and on the Michigan 

Association for Gifted Children’s website: 

www.migiftedchild.org. 

I was fortunate that my three-year-old Emile pooped out 

just in time for the nanotechnology talk. As Emile slept on 

my lap, my seven-year-old Dakota and I really enjoyed 

the talk and Dakota lasted for quite a bit of it, until he 

pooped out too! 

After that we went straight to the Charlie Darwin talk, and 

both boys woke up almost immediately for that! How 

could they not for Charlie, the skateboarding dog and his 

three dog pals? Beth Duman did a fantastic job of 

explaining her very effective dog training techniques. 

Then she proceeded to allow the kids to participate in 

giving the dogs training commands! She even included 

Dakota! That is a rare event, and I was very impressed. 

Turns out Beth regularly works with special needs kids! 

After that was the Italian dinner followed by many kids 

heading for the kids’ room for a fun ice cream social! The 

kids then packed the pool for the kids’ pool party and 

exhibited a lot of exuberance and energy! 

The winner of the Greenfield Village ticket raffle was Dr. 

Leslie Hosey, and she is looking forward to her free visit! 

I heard many comments that families really enjoyed 

themselves at the RG this year! 

Did you miss the RG, but still want to meet up with likeminded 

families? Don’t despair! The SEMMer Bash is 

coming up on July 21 st . We are planning a nature walk 

and beach party for families at this event, so don’t forget 

to bring your field guides and bathing suits! 

There are also other picnics and events happening this 

summer. Check out the calendar in this newsletter or the 

www.giftedinmichigan.com events menu item for details. 

Night watchmen never work a day in their lives.


This is an offthe-beatenpath 

Pokémon 

game, 

because it’s 

on a console 

system! It’s 

in 3D! There are 0 wild Pokémon! Wait, no 

wild Pokémon? But that is how you get more 

Pokémon! So how do you get more? Easy, 

you steal them from other trainers! No, really, 

hear me out. You play as an ex-member of 

team Snagem, the FIRST evil team you hear 

about (don't worry if you've never heard of 

them before, this is the only game they have 

appeared in so far). Yes, first. There are 2 of 

them, which, in reality, work together. You 

start out with an Espeon and an Umbreon, 

and every battle is a double battle (each 

By Riley Grossman-Lempert 

trainer uses 2 

Pokémon at once). 

Anyway, Snagem 

and Cypher have 

closed the door to 

Pokémon’s hearts 

which means they 

can attack humans. 

You have to use your snag machine to 

capture these shadow Pokémon from the 

trainers that have been given them during the 

battle. To open the doors to their hearts, you 

need to battle with them after you've captured 

them. Oh, and make sure that you capture 

EVERY one of the shadow Pokémon. Even 

after the ending of the main story, you want to 

catch them all and open their hearts. If you 

do, you get a REALLY rare Pokémon. 

Specifically, Ho-oh. 

Precis of May 19 ExComm Meeting 

by Billie Lee, Secretary 

In attendance: 8 voting, 10 non-voting. Next meeting: June 16, 2012 at 6:00pm, Northwest 

Unitarian Universalist Church, 23925 Northwestern Highway, Southfield 

Finances: Ended the fiscal year 2011-12 with $6,700 in profit. This fiscal year 2012-13, budgeting 

$4,000 profit. A2 Sub-Group met at Ayse Turkish Cafe. Next month at La Marsa. NE Sub-Group 

11 Gastronauts met April 25 at Lucky's Steakhouse. Next month at Frankenmuth Brewery. Testing 

We tested 4 people at the RG. M-Pathy Articles for the August issue must be submitted by July 1. 

Brewery Circuit met at the RG with 32 in attendance. Meeting June 14 at Dragonmead in Warren. 

2012 Regional Gathering Final report on finances coming soon. Received good feedback that it 

was a lot of fun. Already in contract negotiations with the hotel for next year. Will purchase a lapel 

mic for speakers. Leftover items from the RG are stored in a warehouse so we can use them again 

next year. 2012 SEMMer Bash Pricing will remain as is. $5 in advance, $10 at the door. Same rate 

for adults, children and guests. MAGC will be invited to attend. SEMM Bylaws and ASIEs update 

Progress is being made. 

My train of thought was just derailed.


Illinois 

Recently, I passed through Illinois and was simply 

amazed. I had heard for a good part of my life that 

Illinois was just about the blandest state one could 

possibly imagine, and that I should avoid it if at all 

possible. 

Well! Let me say, HOGWASH, PSHAW, PTOOEY and 

PNEUMONIA! 

Illinois has history and sights to see that will almost 

boggle some people’s minds, maybe. For starters, 

almost everyone knows 

about Abe Lincoln and 

Steven Douglas, the guys 

who might have been 

illegitimate brothers and, 

who argued about who got 

the right to leave and go to Washington D.C. 

Well, as you history buffs know, Lincoln won, went to 

D.C., and was awarded a front row seat to a terrific canon 

show. He failed to see any humor in exploding bodies so 

he decided to take in a comedy show. He liked it very 

much and all turned out well except for an unusual twist 

that got him on the edge of his seat. 

And that’s not all the history. How about Al Capone and 

Frank Nitti? And sights? How many people are 

privileged to see mounds of dead people? Illinois has 

dead people mounds galore! 

Now, you can’t exactly see dead people just driving by, 

but with a little imagination, you can visualize bones 

sticking out of mounds which are approximately 15 feet 

high and very noticeable, if you happen to be looking in 

the right direction when you drive by. 

People, many years ago (some who might have been 

Abe and Steve’s illegitimate ancestors), piled up their 

dead and are now lauded for their space-saving efforts, 

unlike Hitler who is still severely criticized for doing 

approximately the same thing. And, the state of Illinois 

should be praised for their efforts in replicating Abe and 

Steve’s possible illegitimate ancestor’s edifices by 

building a new and much larger pile of dead people, 

which by the way, has created a new and thriving 

industry. 

It is actually called a garbage dump, which looks very 

much like the Grand Canyon in reverse without a river 

flowing over it, but as most people know, a dump can be 

a bonanza for those who know what to look for. 

By Tom Shaw 

Those who found bones in the ancient dumps were soon 

prohibited from mining bones because the sites were 

protected by the Feds, sooo--- Chicago decided to start 

their own people dump site. 

The future of Chicago and the whole state of Illinois lies 

southwest of Chicago and has become a major source of 

income and sustenance for a fortunate few. Though illegal 

to most of the population, recycling by mining city dumps is 

however not illegal for those who have a right to be at the 

dump in the first place, like city workers, who can enhance 

their incomes substantially by mining for various throw-aways 

like, not-so-fresh french-fries, Tater Tots and various 

bent bicycles. Making a major strike of fries or tots is 

exactly like mining for gold and hitting the mother lode, 

almost, except that not-so-fresh french-fries and Tater Tots 

do not glitter as much as gold, they can be eaten on the 

spot and one doesn’t need an assayer to tell you the quality 

of the strike. 

It is these very miners who very often stumble upon the 

remains of poor departed souls. Most remains are deemed 

victims of clan violence since they are primarily from the 

same ‘Doe’ family. (And, in the dump of the state’s capitol 

city, Springfield, they have uncovered members of the ‘Doh’ 

family; possible victims of the notorious Simpson clan.) 

All in all, I say there are many things to see which might 

keep you awake. Other folks say we should just do away 

with the state entirely but then, how would one travel from 

Indiana to Iowa? --- And, what about the many bridges 

spanning the mighty Mississippi? Without Illinois to hold up 

their end, the bridges would almost certainly collapse. And, 

with few escape routes, most would be doomed to live in 

South Chicago and have to take up knife fighting for a 

living. 

They can’t all be as lucky as young Ronnie who swam the 

Mississippi, (that was before bridges were invented) 

thumbed his way to Hollywood and monkeyed around. He 

also got to go to Washington and was invited to an 

inauguration party. His wish was to show people a trick, 

called trickle, but the monkeys had tired him out so he 

decided to sleep instead. 

There is, however, a method to smuggle those people out 

who dare to take the risk. It’s called the ‘Underground 

Railroad’ which ironically starts above ground in Chicago. 

Therefore, I say ‘NO’! And to all the ‘Down with Illinois’ 

advocates, just try a little harder while driving through the 

state to imagine what could be. It is truly a great state for 

that.


#1 

Submitted by Allegra Louth 

Please send your jokes and comments to: humor@mensadetroit.com 

The Fourth of July weekend was approaching, and Miss Pelham, the nursery 

school teacher, took the opportunity to tell her class about patriotism. "We 

live in a great country," she announced. "One of the things we should be 

happy is that, in this country, we are all free." 

Trevor, who was a little boy in her class, came walking up to her from the 

back of the room. He stood with his hands on his hips and said loudly, "I'm 

not free. I'm four." 

--- 

On the first day of school, Mrs. White advised her first grade class that each 

school day starts with the "Pledge of Allegiance." She instructed them to put 

their right hand over their heart and repeat after her. 

As Mrs. White began the recitation she looked around the room and spied 

Andy who had his hand over the right cheek of his bottom. She asked, "Why 

do you think that's your heart, Andy?" "Well," he said, "because every time 

my Grandma comes to visit she pats me there and says, "Bless your little 

heart," and my Grandma never lies." 

--- 

What kind of tea did the American colonists thirst for? Liberty! 

What did King George think of the American colonists? He thought they were 

revolting! 

Why did the British cross the Atlantic? To get to the other tide! 

What did one flag say to the other flag? Nothing. It just waved! 

What was General Washington's favorite tree? The infantry! 

What would you get if you crossed a patriot with a curly-haired dog? Yankee 

Poodle! 

What would you get if you crossed George Washington with cattle feed? The 

Fodder of Our Country! 

Puzzles 

By Tom Shaw 

#1 

In every supermarket 

You’re sure to see this name 

If your corn and peas are wilted 

You won’t have him to blame 

#2 

Copperfield makes things disappear 

He seems to do it all 

But can he throw a stick down 

And somehow make it crawl 

#3 

He exposed it to the nation 

The secret he had sought 

And wanted information on 

The thing that had been wrought 

#4 

Was it fact or fiction 

The method that he chose 

To show the troupes the wisdom of 

How far a dollar goes 

#5 

His daddy would endorse of course 

His untapped use of innate force 

Use the might behind the light 

When you are right you’ll win the fight 

Answers on page 19 

I used to work as a trapeze artist, until I was let go.


Geographical Stuff – Cities, Countries, Mountains** 

by Joan Rayford 

M I L E M A R K E R C Y T I C 

O S A D A O R B U R G H A Y E 

U L T Y T O W N S H I P R E N 

N A I H L N E D G E Y A Y V S 

T N T P A M K N T Y D R R R U 

A D U A N O A I A N N G T U S 

I S D R D E L W U T A O N S N 

N E E G C L L O R U T P U W O 

T A E O E I B O L L I O O Y I 

S S E T A L P C I N O T C E T 

T P A R I V E R M E N W H L A 

R S A A E R N O I T A C O L V 

E D E C O N T I N E N T S A E 

E M I A E D U T I G N O L V L 

T Z W O R L D M S T R E A M E 

Word List 

Boundary, Edge, Map, Road, Topography, Burgh, 

Elevation, Mile Marker, Satellite, Town, Cartography, 

Islands, Mountain, Seas, Township, Census, Lake, Nation, 

Space, Vale, City, Land, Ocean, Stream, Valley, 

Continents, Latitude, Port, Street, World, Country, 

Location, Railway, Survey, DMZ, Longitude, River, 

Tectonic Plates 

Solution: 20 letters, answer on page 19 

** Note: This month’s topic provided by Randie Jo Evans, 

2 nd place winner of the SEMMAntics RG XXXIII Puzzle 

And the winners are….. 

by Joan Rayford, SEMMantics Tournament Chair 

SEMMantics XXXIII 1/3 is history. The tournaments were fun and the winners are: 

Poker: 1st - Joyce Bevic; 2nd - David Brown; and 3rd - Mike Johnson. 

Carnelli: 1st - Bill Meyer; 2nd - Davonna Patch. 

Cribbage: 1st - Brenda Taylor; 2nd - Tim McGough; 3rd - Sash Munjal. 

Euchre: 1st - Peter Brown; 2nd - John Sim; 3rd - Genevieve Patterson. 

Song Burst: The White Team composed of Gary Rimer, Marie Brucker, Mark Hoover, Rick Sheff, Joyce Bevic, 

Mark Heffernan, and Pauline Averbach. 

Paper Airplanes: Adult 1st - Paul Day, 49 feet; Adult 2nd - Steve Nagar, 43 feet; Child - John Nowak, 28 feet. 

Joke-Off: Whitney Hopkins. 

Triple Deck Cancellation Reactivation Go Fish Hearts: 1st - Bruce Hartman; 2nd – Fred (derF) Bosick; 

3rd - Kelley Georgiafandis. 

MensaBowl: Loyal Order of the Water Buffaloes team composed of: Ed Becker, Jean Becker, Peter Brown, 

Pete Weldon, Judy Webber, and Rich Woltersom. 

Seek & Find: 1st - Kim Horger; 2nd - Randie Jo Evans. 

Mensalympics: The Wrong Side team composed of: Diane Kingsley, Paul Day, Brenda Taylor, Ken Lawrence, and 

Bill Meyer. 

See you all next year at SEMMantics XXXIV - May 3-4-5, 2013!


Strange Superstitions 

2012 Jim Szirony 

Superstitions can be seen as an attempt of exerting some control over a capricious world. Some superstitions have practical 

origins. The dangers of being hit by a falling object, for instance, clearly explains why walking under a ladder may 

be unlucky. Other superstitions can arise through a much simpler mechanism. In an experiment using pigeons, B. 

F. Skinner demonstrated that when given rewards at fixed intervals, pigeons would repeat whatever behavior had 

previously ‘caused’ that reward. The same conditioning process results in the many ritualistic behaviors exhibited 

by pro athletes. Cross your fingers for luck and complete the following quiz to test your knowledge of some 

unusual superstitions. 

A. A baseball player must never: 

A. Step on the foul line when coming on or off the 

field. 

B. Talk about a no-hit or perfect game while in 

progress. 

C. Shave after the first postseason win. 

D. All of the above. 

B. Which of the following is not considered bad luck in 

the theatrical world? 

A. Whistling backstage. 

B. Mentioning the name of the play Macbeth 

anywhere within a theater. 

C. Having the author of the play attend the first 

performance. 

D. Wishing an actor “good luck.” 

3. In Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s The Rime of the 

Ancient Mariner, a ship is beset by a storm and 

blown to Antarctica. A bird appears and leads the 

ship to safety. The narrator of the tale then kills the 

bird, unleashing a curse upon the crew. The dying 

crew forces the Mariner to wear the dead bird around 

his neck. In sailing lore, as in Coleridge’s poem, this 

bird represents both good fortune and bad. Said to 

embody the souls of sailors returning to the sea, this 

bird is the: 

A. Pelican 

B. Albatross 

C. Erne (Sea Eagle) 

D. Seagull 

4. To feed soldiers in combat, the U.S. military 

developed the MRE (Meal, Ready-to-Eat.) In the 

1980’s the military began including this candy in each 

MRE package. Soldiers now consider this candy 

cursed. Military forums are replete with stories of 

misfortune due to eating this sweet. This cursed 

candy is: 

A. Mars bar 

B. Gobstoppers 

C. Charms 

D. Skittles 

5. In Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s The Rime of the 

Ancient Mariner, a ship is beset by a storm and 

blown to Antarctica. A bird appears and leads the 

ship to safety. The narrator of the tale then kills the 

bird, unleashing a curse upon the crew. The dying 

crew forces the Mariner to wear the dead bird around 

his neck. In sailing lore, as in Coleridge’s poem, this 

bird represents both good fortune and bad. Said to 

embody the souls of sailors returning to the sea, this 

bird is the: 

A. Pelican 

B. Albatross 

C. Erne (Sea Eagle) 

D. Seagull 

6. Because of an ancient superstition, the British 

government pays to keep at least six of these birds in 

the Tower of London. It is believed that if the birds 

ever leave the Tower, disaster will befall England. A 

Tower guard (Yeoman Warder) is assigned to hand 

raise and care for these birds from fledglings. 

Among most other cultures, however, this bird is 

considered an ill omen. Identify this creature. 

A. Raven 

B. Owl 

C. Robin 

D. Catbird 

7. The number 13 is the unluckiest of all numbers. The 

Mayans hated this number. The last 13 year cycle of 

the Mayan calendar ends on December 21, 2012, 

supposedly signifying the end of time. Tall buildings 

and elevators commonly do not have a marked 13th 

floor. Hotels omit a room 13. Even Friday the 13th 

has negative connotations. The fear of Friday the 

13th or the number 13 in general is called: 

A. Agoraphobia 

B. Demonophobia 

C. Amaxophobia 

D. Triskaidekaphobia 

Answers 

1. D, 2. C, 3. B, 4. C, 5. B, 6. A, 7. D


Just a few pictures from SEMMantics XXXIII -- always a fun event for all ages! 

The only thing missing from these photos is you! 

Reserve your spot now for next year’s RG, May 3-4-5, 2013! 

Everyone was captivated by the presentation on Charlie Darwin. 

Some of the players taking part in the Euchre tournament. 

Bill Rapai gave a detailed presentation 

on “The Kirtland’s Warbler”. 

The winning team from this year’s Mensa Bowl, The Loyal Order of the Water 

Buffalo, work together to answer a challenging question. 

One of the team activities 

performed at Mensalympics. 

Biomedical engineer Andre' 

Snellings, the Backyard Brains 

speaker, conducted a neurological 

experiment on a cockroach leg. 

What’s a Mensa event without 

chocolate?! Bonnie & Pete Mulliner 

created all the delicious and decadent 

desserts for the Chocolate Orgy.


On the Web 

by Kathleen Giesting 

In this occasional piece, we will try to help you better navigate Mensa on the web, in the social 

media, and around Southeast Michigan. There are lots of ways to connect with other Mensans and 

their passions outside of the events listed in the calendar. This month, 

we look at where SEMM is NOW on the web. 

A lot of changes have been going on. With the election of new officers 

this year, we welcomed Billie Lee as our Secretary AND our new 

Webmaster. 

Southeast Michigan Mensa’s (SEMM’s) public web presence has a new 

look and more info than ever. You -- and your friends -- can learn about SEMM and Mensa 

through our website at www.MensaDetroit.com and find links to many other resources. These 

include links to the websites of other nearby Mensa groups, American Mensa, Mensa International, 

Mensa for Kids, and more. 

There are photos from SEMMantics, (it was great fun, wasn’t it?), you can subscribe to our feeds, 

learn about what’s coming up at our monthly meeting, and comment on our blog posts. 

Questions? Check out our FAQs, contact a local officer or link to M-Pathy online [Note: To view M- 

Pathy online DOES require you to login to the American Mensa site. M-Pathy is for members only.] 

If you previously bookmarked our site with any variant of “localsemm” -- .com, .net, .org, .info, for 

example – you have/will see a page that tells you the domain name expired. Please update your 

bookmarks. 

Something you want to see that’s not there? Other web topics/mysteries you’d like to see 

explored? Let us know at webmaster@mensadetroit.com


Congratulations to our Scholarship Winners! 

Submitted by Scholarship Chair, Phyllis Voorheis 

For the 2012-2013 School Year there were 7 winners from Michigan - 3 from our area: 

Mensa Member: $1,000 Stacy Kirsch Scholarship: Whitney Hopkins, Warren 

Regional: Grosswirth-Salny $500 Scholarship: Claire Carpenter, Brighton 

Local: Karen Cooper $300 Scholarship: Wendy Ernzen, Bloomfield Township 

Their winning essays follow. 

By Whitney Hopkins 

Winner of the $1,000 Stacy Kirsch Scholarship 

Some people are called to entertain, others to teach, and yet others to comfort. I’m called to heal. 

Ever since I was a child I wanted to improve life for others, when I carried around a makeup kit full of 

band-aids, candy, and a thermometer; I called it my doctor’s kit. I recorded myself singing happy music 

and stuck the tape in my kit, I then went from family member to family member, asking if they need to 

be cheered up, or “made better”, even pestering my older sister’s friends with the same questions. I 

still remember being embarrassed that they laughed, but I just wanted to make people feel better, so I 

figured laughter was a good first step. 

Fast forward to my first paramedic clinical, sitting at station. The boredom was broken by a call for an 8 

year-old boy who had been held in boiling water—by his parents. They then left him that way for 

weeks, and he lay in a bed with his legs contracted backwards until his rotten toes touched his ears. 

As we rushed his emaciated body to the emergency room, full-thickness burns covered by burn sheets 

and blankets, moved aside by futile attempts to palpate his blood pressure under his tiny biceps, he 

looked me in the eyes and said, “I’m not a bad boy—my mommy said I was bad, but I’m not bad. I was 

just hungry, ma’am”. The staff at the ER came out to check on the paramedic student who had brought 

in what they called the “worst case of child abuse [they had] ever seen”. With tears in their eyes, they 

asked me if I was doing okay. I sat on the back of the ambulance and realized that I was better than 

okay—I was finally doing what I was meant to do. 

Sometimes my patients die. Sometimes they live, and I do my best to make sure that the pain they’re 

feeling is mostly from horrible puns, not the narrowing of vital carotid arteries. No matter the outcome, I 

realize more and more every day that my calling is helping people. 

I tutored in college and high school to help my peers in French and math. I became an RA in college 

to provide support to students, and then became an emergency medical service instructor to instill that 

helping spark into new generations of paramedics. I didn’t receive my Critical Care certification for a 

pay raise or a new patch on my work shirt—I just wanted to be the best paramedic I could be. My 

hearty belief is that if I’m going to serve others, it must mean doing so without complacency. 

Complacency might mean remaining a paramedic and using my seniority and experience to guarantee 

a fairly easy life. Instead, I’m heading back to school almost 8 years, during which I’ve seen first-hand 

the harsh comparisons between just treating symptoms, or treating the patient as a whole. True patient 

care lies in being aware of their anxieties, their habits, their loved ones, and their lives. Becoming a 

medical student isn’t just the next step in a career; it’s the second step in a life-long goal of helping 

people.


By Claire Carpenter 

Winner of the Grosswirth-Salny $500 Scholarship 

During my freshman year of college, I took my first linguistics course. In the course, I was introduced 

to a new world of language in which sounds, words, and sentences are units to be broken down, strung 

together, and analyzed in every way imaginable. I was in awe of the beauty and complexity of 

language, something that most of us take for granted, but that is so integral to the human experience. 

Later, I learned of speech-language pathology as a practical means of turning my love of linguistics into 

a career, so I declared Communicative Sciences and Disorders (CSD) as my major and never looked 

back. 

Through my studies, I have learned that speech-language pathology is a quickly growing profession 

and also wonderfully diverse. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work in a variety of settings, 

including everything from children with difficulties producing the /t/ sound, to stroke patients who have 

lost their agility to effectively communicate. Every setting is unique and captivating. Eventually, I will 

have to narrow my focus to a specific client population and work setting, but for now I am content 

gathering as much knowledge as possible about the different branches of speech and language 

services so that I can eventually find the niche that is most suitable for me. Therefore, my current goal 

is to prepare myself for success in a highly ranked graduate program. Also, I hope to someday open a 

private clinic to provide low-cost services to clients who need speech and language therapy but lack 

the resources to receive it. I believe that every person deserves access to needed services in order to 

maximize communication abilities. If clients have no other options, I would be honored to provide them 

with their right to services, regardless of insurance policies, socioeconomic status, or other financial 

considerations. 

In order to achieve my goals, I have adopted many success-driven strategies. First, beyond majoring 

in CSD, I am a member of the Honors College with minors in Spanish and linguistics and a 

specialization in health promotion. My extra degrees have expanded my knowledge of fields related to 

CSD and they will make me more marketable to graduate schools and future employers. I am also a 

research assistant in the MSU Speech Lab and an active member of the National Student Speech 

Language and Hearing Association. Being a member of those profession-focused groups allows me to 

increase my career-based knowledge and skills, volunteer, and become more involved in CSD 

research. 

Additionally, as the world continues to globalize, it is increasingly important for SLPs to understand the 

multicultural aspects of communication. In order to prepare myself for the global demands of the 

modern world, I have been involved in several multicultural and international experiences including: 

serving as co-chairperson of La Organizacion de Logopedia y Audiologia (a student group that 

promotes multicultural awareness in the field of CSD), tutoring international teaching assistants through 

the Technology Enhanced Accent Modification program, and participating in the Communications 

Disorders United Kingdom study abroad trip. While I still have much to learn and experience, I believe 

that my involvement in research, clubs, and cultural experiences will allow me to broaden my horizon, 

become more well-rounded, and increase my success in the future. Not to mention, I am having the 

time of my life in the process!


By Wendy Ernzen 

Winner of the Karen Cooper $300 Scholarship 

Descriptions of Detroit, Michigan include a ghost town, a third world city, and the murder capital of the 

world. Its population has plummeted from two million to less than 800,000 since 1950. Of the people 

left, more than one quarter is unemployed and half of the city’s children live in poverty. Common 

images show burnt out buildings and homes, closed businesses and schools, and vacant land. 

However, there has been progress in recent years 

Through innovative partnerships of foundation, government, nonprofits, and the private sector, new 

ideas are taking shape: neighborhood revitalization, regional mass transportation, equitable distribution, 

and downsizing the city. With your support, I can finish my Masters in Public Administration and 

become a foundation program officer who forges these partnerships, funds Detroit nonprofits making a 

difference, and helps turn the city around. 

I grew up in Detroit, and for the last ten years, I have worked and volunteered in the city’s nonprofit 

sector. I started as the Community Relations Manager and later the Development Director of NPower 

Michigan, an organization helping nonprofits use technology. This experience exposed me to the 

myriad of problems the city faced. 

In 2006, I left NPower Michigan to stay home with my children when my first child was diagnosed with 

autism, and my second child was born. I continued to help Detroit and volunteered my fund 

development skills. I served on the Intense Mentoring board, an organization that empowered female, 

high school dropouts in Detroit to finish school, and wrote winning grants including the 2008 Avon Hello 

Tomorrow Fund. I also wrote the second-place, winning 2010 Drucker Institute Nonprofit Innovation 

Award to Urban Farming, an organization that planted over 500 community gardens across Detroit using 

vacant land. I kept my skills sharp by training with the Center of Philanthropy at Indiana University, the 

Grantsmanship Institute, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. 

After a decade of working and volunteering in the nonprofit sector, I realized I wanted to become a 

program officer because foundation investment could be credited with some of Detroit’s most successful 

projects in recent history. Whether it was reclaiming the riverfront, greening vacant land, or cutting 

through “the city versus suburb” mentality plaguing progress, foundation involvement was found at the 

heart of each effort. 

The average foundation requires a program officer has at least five o more years of nonprofit 

management experience and an advanced degree. I acquired a Bachelors Degree in Finance from 

Oakland University and graduated Cum Laude with a 3.65 GPA. I have nonprofit experience but limited 

leadership experience. I decided to enroll in the Masters of Public Administration Program with the 

University of Michigan in January of 2011 to build the skills I needed. 

Currently, I am a full-time graduate student carrying a 4.0 GPA and a member of the Golden Key 

International Honour Society and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. I plan to finish my 

program and a foundation internship by May of 2013. Your support of my last year will allow me to 

graduate with honors, gain the leadership experience I need, and become a foundation program officer 

committed to community service and the dream to rebuild Detroit. Thank you for your generous 

consideration of my application.


FAQs about YMembership 

Reprinted by permission by Lisa Van Gemert, National Gifted Young Specialist 

Mensa® is a social organization for anyone who has scored in the top 2% on accepted intelligence tests, regardless of age. 

Mensa offers support to parents of gifted children and services to Gifted Children through two avenues: American Mensa and the 

Mensa Foundation. To find out if your child qualifies for membership in Mensa, please visit www.us.mensa.org/join. 

American Mensa® is the organizational, membership-based organization that provides the following benefits specific to young 

members: 

FRED: The Magazine for 

Young Mensans, by Young 

Mensans 

Discounts 

Young Mensan 

BookParade 

Contests 

FRED is a quarterly e-zine with a different topic each issue. Mensa members are welcome 

to submit material for inclusion. For more information, email: ymmagazine@us.mensa.org. 

Stanford’s EPGY program offers a significant discount under the BrightKids group for YMs of elementary 

age. The fee for participation is $135 a year for both math and language arts. Contact 

GiftedYouth@americanmensa.org for more information. 

YMs can take advantage of all other member discounts at places like ThinkGeek and Edmunds Scientific. 

There are other discounts for products and services as wide-ranging as car insurance, hotels, and 

magazines like Mental Floss, Scientific American, and more. For a complete list, visit 

www.us.mensa.org/benefits. 

YMs are eligible to participate as reviewers of books sent by publishers from Random House to 

Candlewick to National Geographic to Harvard University Press and beyond. The YMs review the books, 

send the review to Mensa, and then donate the books to the library of their choice. 

Quarterly contests open to YMs offer youth the opportunity to share their talents and interests, as well as win 

cool prizes. Contests are advertised in FRED, the Mensa Bulletin, and through email to YMs. For information on 

the current contest, see one of the sources listed or email GiftedYouth@americanmensa.org. 

Mensa Bulletin 

Bright Kids 

Scholarships 

All Young Mensans receive the Mensa Bulletin, the Mensa magazine published ten times a year. At least 

twice per year, there is a significant article/information addressing the needs of gifted youth. 

The Bright Kids listserv is an e-list for parents and other interested in issues relating to raising and 

educating gifted youth. Mensa membership is not required. It is a fairly busy list, so signing up for the digest 

version may suit your needs. For more information, please visit 

http://www.lists.us.mensa.org/mailman/listinfo/brightkids 

Some scholarships offered through the Mensa Foundation are available only to members of Mensa. For 

more information, please visit http://www.mensafoundation.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Scholarships1 

Social Interaction 

Young Mensans can connect with others of similar interests at local, regional and national events. The 

number of events varies by location, and parents of Young Mensans are invited to attend with their 

YM. Young Mensans are welcome at virtually all Mensa events, unless specifically excluded from 

activities inappropriate for children. Special programming for children is provided at many Regional 

Gatherings, and several days of excellent activities for kids are provided at each Annual Gathering. 

Many Local Groups have Gifted Children Coordinators who volunteer to serve the needs of gifted 

youth in their groups. Often, Local Group newsletters will publish items of interest or resources for 

Young Mensans. 

Special Interest Groups 

Special Interest Groups (called SIGs) offer Mensans of all ages to connect with other Mensans 

who share similar interests. Many SIGs are open to and welcome Young Mensans. For a full 

listing with descriptions, please visit www.us.mensa.org/sigs. FAQs continued on page 17


Intangibles 

Lesson Plans 

FAQs continued from page 16 

In addition to the tangible benefits of membership, Young Mensans enjoy the hard-to-quantify benefits 

such as prestige, legitimacy, and the feeling of belonging. Mensa is a place where highly gifted kids can 

develop their identity within and without their brains. 

The Mensa Foundation is the philanthropic education and research arm of Mensa that provides the 

following benefits to all children, regardless of Mensa affiliation or location: www.mensaforkids.org 

The MensaforKids Web site offers games, a monthly feature, a blog, and other resources geared to gifted 

children. The site is geared to children under 12, although many older children (and adults) will enjoy the 

content as well. Resources for parents and teachers are on the site as well. 

At the www.mensaforkids.org site under “parent/teacher resources”, there are many lesson plans geared 

to gifted children. The grade levels listed are not restrictive; they are the grade levels at which a child 

should be able to complete the lesson plan without adult assistance. 

Excellence in Reading 

Through its Excellence in Reading program, the Mensa Foundation offers children around the 

world the opportunity to read a list of age-appropriate books identified by juvenile librarians as 

excellent and earn a certificate and a free t-shirt. For more information, please visit 

http://mensaforkids.com/ReaderAward/intro.pdf. 

Scholarships 

Activity Plans 

The Mensa Foundation gives tens of thousands of dollars a year away in scholarships. The scholarships 

are based only on an essay. For more information, please visit 

http://www.mensafoundation.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Scholarships1 

At the same location as the lesson plans on the www.mensaforkids.org site, the Foundation provides 

Activity Plans geared to families or groups with gifted children. These resources vary in topic and are 

added to regularly. 

Southeast Michigan Mensa 

Balance Sheet 

As of April 30, 2012 

ASSETS 

Current Assets 

Checking/Savings $28,445.60 

Other Current Assets 432.57 

Total Current Assets $28,878.17 

Fixed Assets 805.45 

TOTAL ASSETS $29,683.62 

Profit & Loss Statement 

May 1, 2011 to April 30, 2012 

Funds from National $9,907.92 

Testing 397.29 

Newsletter -7,379.50 

Membership Expenses 84.00 

General Meeting -352.63 

Events 2,804.90 

Administration/Misc. 1,295.11 

Net Income $6,757.09 

LIABILITIES & EQUITY 

Total Liabilities $50.00 

Equity 29,633.62 

TOTAL LIAB. & EQUITY $29,683.62 

The above are summary documents for SEMM’s first half of the current fiscal year. Anyone interested in detailed 

information may contact Jerry Breuer, Treasurer.


July Membership Notes 

Compiled by Iana Questara Boyce from National Office Data 

WELCOME 

Venar Ayar 

5305 Elmgate Bay Dr 

Orchard Lake, MI 48324-3021 

(248) 910-5572 

venarayar@gmail.com 

Isabella Mastantuono 

Farmington Hills, MI 48336-2055 

Alexander Pace 

Livonia, MI 48152-3590 

WELCOME BACK 

David Warren Gerathy 

960 Harlequin Ct 

Highland, MI 48357-3930 

(313) 531-6593 

sgerathy@comcast.net 

Kenneth R. Gorris 

7169 Polk St Apt 308 

Taylor, MI 48180-2559 

(313) 383-6248 

Robert E. Knop 

330 Chidester St Apt 215 

Ypsilanti, MI 48197-5509 

(734) 547-1964 

Ansted Moss 


Harry Skrdla 

1952 Traver Rd Apt 204 


(734) 994-5144 

hubboard@aol.com 

MENSA MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES 

[Number of years of continuous membership. Years 25 or more listed for each year; years less than 25 listed for 5-year milestones.] 

25+ 

47 Years 

L. Ray Bishop* 

Janet L. Kreger* 

40 Years 

Paul Anthony Cullis 

38 Years 

Tom K. Clough 

Lynwood R. Dee* 

34 Years 

Dennis Wayne Dickinson* 

33 Years 

Richard E. Buck 

Oakley Reynolds 

WELCOME BACK (Continued) 

David Keith Smith 

7088 Meldrum Rd 

Fair Haven, MI 48023-2426 

(586) 648-6149 

marchoc350@yahoo.com 

Richard Wayne Waddell 

34829 University St 

Westland, MI 48185-3668 

(734) 595-0423 

waddellrw@yahoo.com 

Angela Carol Zrull 

23015 Maple Ave 

Farmington, MI 48336-3958 

(248) 478-7222 

azrull@earthlink.net 

MOVED IN 

Kelly Armstrong 


bkarmstrong@comcast.net 

MOVED OUT 

Robert J. Buison 

To Carmel, CA 

Stephen E. Gregory Jr. 

To Palm Coast, FL 

Niranjan Hanasoge 

To Decatur, GA 

MOVED OUT (Continued) 

Joshua Handell 

To New Haven, CT 

Gwansik Yi 

To Seoul 140 833, [KOREA] 

DIRECTORY UPDATES 

Peter M. Brown 

4667 Windswept Dr 

Milford, MI 48380-2778 

Anne R. Laperriere 

1360 Buckingham Rd 

Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230-1140 

Allan Marshall Leib 

7289 Colchester Ln 

West Bloomfield, MI 48322-3186 

Van W. Maxwell 

van.maxwell777@gmail.com 

James M. Pawlusiak 

16142 Fairlane Dr 

Livonia, MI 48154-2566 

Amy Probst 

3434 Russell St Ste 103 

Detroit, MI 48207-2065 

Cheryl Thomason* 

Richmond, CA 94804-4800 

5555cheryl@gmail.com 

*indicates a Life Member As of May 1, 2012 

SEMM had 1,073 members 

30 Years 

Barbara Joan Kalbfleisch 

Betsy Yvonne Mark* 

Eugene O. Mauch 

29 Years 

Murdoch Thomas Campbell* 

Susan Jane Chalom 

Cecile T. Frogh* 

28 Years 

Sonee Spinner Lapadot 

26 Years 

Gregory C. Jeppesen 

25 Years 

Bruce Douglas Grant 

20 Years 

Daniel Biedzen 

John Nicholas Furkioti 

10 Years 

Eriq Frommert 

Mary Ann Golin 

Silke Kraus 

5 Years 

Mark Edwin Blazevic 

Terrence Brooks Jr. 

Andrew G. Celeski 

Karl V. Hauser 

Ann P K Marks 

Jentry Speck


HAPPY JULY BIRTHDAYS! 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

Michael V. Dean* 

Andrew G. Celeski 

Michael B. Courtney 

Chester L. Kloss 

Janet L. Kreger* 

Barbara Jean McCaffery 

Virginia H. Quezada 

James T. Kurdziel 

Andrew W. Mayoras 

Ed Paddock III* 

Mark Roy Bendure 

Kenneth W. Clark 

Robert Ward Pearce 

Mark Edwin Blazevic 

Kevin E. Norris 

Clarke Cunningham 

Steven Linn 

Jean M. Rauchholz 

David Kleinberg 

Justin Casagrande 

Joseph P. Seledotis 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

19 

20 

22 

Arthur George Applegate 

James Blumberg 

Jenny Deason Copeland 

Robert Wellington Fisher 

Don Siefkes 

Kevin A. Williams 

William Luker 

Jim Newtown 

Harry Pianko 

David Schankin 

Anne Marie Baer 

Elizabeth M. Furuhjelm 

Jonathan M. Isbell 

Sherri L. Loweke 

Kyle T. Tertzag 

Robert E. Brooks* 

Ann P. K. Marks 

Michael David Turner 

Venar Ayar 

Eric Brouwer 

Richard Cook 

David Max Evans 

Sharon A. Suhrie* 

23 

26 

27 

28 

29 

30 

31 

Min Su Seo 

Robert D. Wade 

Rudolph Bates III 

Kenneth A. Haller* 

Nicole Sherard-Freeman 

Gerald S. Clarke 

Thomas Powers III 

Karen Minturn Brown 

Daniel F. Mawby 

Jeffrey R. Neese 

C. M. Novess III 

Ray M. Beall 

Scott A. Kudirka 

Derald R. Schnepp 

Richard G. Singletary 

William H. Wiebrecht 

Diane D. Constable* 

David Michael Vincent 

*indicates a Life Member 

Puzzle Answers 

#1 Clarence Birdseye, #2 Moses, #3 Samuel Morse, #4 George Washington, #5 Luke Skywalker 

Word Search: Can you tell me where I am


SEMM Events Listing 

Events are listed by Category: Dining, Social Gatherings, Movies, Brain Food (Discussion/Working Groups), Games, 

and Children’s Events. Events are also listed by date in a Monthly Calendar view at the end of this section. 

M-Pathy is published monthly and reflects info as of the 1 st of the preceding month. For the latest events information, 

see www.MensaDetroit.com. To sponsor an event, give feedback on events, or to suggest a new activity, email 

Calendar@MensaDetroit.com NOTE: Mensans lead busy lives; it is advisable to call ahead to confirm events. 

Dining 

DOWNRIVER MENSANS 1 st SATURDAY BRUNCH 

1 st Saturday, 11:00am 

Optional: A movie after at nearby theater. 

RSVP to join the distribution list, for location details -- or 

to suggest a movie. 

Host: Pauline Averbach 734-281-2726, 

semmtest@paverbach.us 

A3M DINNER AND "NOT SO CHEAP" MOVIE NIGHT 

2 nd Wednesday, 5:30pm 

Holiday's Restaurant, 2080 W. Stadium, Ann Arbor, 

between Liberty and Pauline, across from the P.O. 

Movie at Quality 16, 3686 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor. 

RSVP to reserve a place or for movie details. 

Hosts: Karen Smith 734-449-2359, Mike LaMoreaux 

734-971-2242. Email Karen karenls@ameritech.net to 

join her Ann Arbor distribution list. 

A3M BRUNCH (and a movie?) 

2nd Saturday, 9:30am 

Guy Hollerin's in the Holiday Inn, 3600 Plymouth Rd. 

Ann Arbor, West off Rt. 23 at Plymouth Rd. 

Enter through main door to the hotel. Equidistant from 

both movie theaters. Buffet is $9.50 but ends at 

11:00am Can order from menu after. 

Optional: A3M 2 nd SATURDAY MOVIE (see below) 

RSVP to reserve a place or for movie details. 

Hosts: Karen Smith 734-449-2359, cell phone 248- 

444-3813. Email karenls@ameritech.net to join the 

distribution list. 

FLINT AREA GASTRONAUTS 

Odd Months: 4 th Tues/Even Months: 4 th Wed, 6:30pm 

We move around frequently as we sample local and 

sometimes not so local cuisine. At each monthly 

dinner, we decide where to go the next month, 

preferably within 25 miles of Flint. 

Hosts: Lynne & James Draper 810-744-1252. Email 

paradyme4@comcast.net to join the distribution list. 

A3M EATOUT 

4 th Wednesday, 6:30pm, Wed, July 25th 

Join us at Red Rock Downtown Barbecue in Ypsi for 

what everyone says is the new champ of BBQ! Delicious 

smoky tender meats, sweet potato fries, greens, creamy 

mac 'n' cheese, heavenly cornbread and cherry apple 

coleslaw you can eat on the side or put on a sandwich. 

For those wanting beer with their BBQ, note they have 

about 20 on draft (mostly MI) including Arrogant Bastard 

Ale and Brainless On Peaches. 

Hosts: Bob Strauch, 734-973-6522, cell 734-604-3791; 

bstra2012@aol.com and Ann Garvin agarvin224@aol.com. 

Movies 

A3M 1 ST WEDNESDAY ART FILM (QUIRKY MOVIE) 

1 st Wednesday, 5:30pm 

Mr. Greek's Coney Island, 215 South State, Ann Arbor. 

Movies at Michigan Theatre and/or the State Theatre, 

State & Liberty, Ann Arbor. RSVP to reserve a place or 

for details on the movie. 

Hosts: Rich Bury 734-929-2066, rdbury@gmail.com & 

Karen Smith 734-449-2359, karenls@ameritech.net 

A3M DINNER AND "NOT SO CHEAP" MOVIE NIGHT 

2 nd Wednesday, 5:30pm (see Dining, above) 

A3M 2 nd SATURDAY MOVIE 

2 nd Saturday, after the Brunch (see Dining above) 

Quality 16, 3686 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. Discount 

prices are in effect at this time. 

RSVP to reserve a place or for details on the movie. 

Hosts: Karen Smith 734-449-2359, Mike LaMoreaux 

734-971-2242. Email Karen karenls@ameritech.net to 

join her Ann Arbor distribution list. 

FRIDAYS AT THE DETROIT FILM THEATRE 

Currently suspended due to repairs. Reopening Fall 2012.


Social Gatherings 

SOTS—SOUTH OAKLAND TAVERN SOCIALIZERS 

Every Friday, 6:00pm 

Help audition new taverns. Lively conversation, 

entertaining company -- wrap up your long week. 

Host: Lee Helms 248-895-6389, 

leehelms@wideopenwest.com. 

Call Lee for tavern name and directions. 

THE BREWERY CIRCUIT 

Thursday, May 31, 2012 11:57 PM 

Wednesday, July 11 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM 

Granite City Food & Brewery 

699 West Big Beaver Road 

Troy, MI 48084 

on south side of Big Beaver just west of I-75 

Dates and places vary. The beer is always fresh and 

at its best. Email John to join his distribution list. 

Host: JohnVoymas 313-434-6750, 

johnvoymas@yahoo.com 

Brain Food - (Discussion/Working Groups) 

RAM—ROCHESTER AREA MENSA 

2 nd Sunday, 5:00pm 

Somewhere in the Rochester area. 

Let’s talk about science! 

Host: John Blinke 248-659-8438, 

johnb44221@cs.com 

Call for location and directions – or to suggest a topic. 

U of M SATURDAY MORNING PHYSICS 

LECTURES/BRUNCH: Off for the summer; back in 

October 

Games 

GAMES IN HIGHLAND (Shelby Township) 

4th Saturday, 1:00pm to whenever 

1950 Crystal Lake Court West, Bldg C, Apt. 46, 

Shelby Township. RSVP appreciated. Smoke and 

alcohol-free, fun for all. Are you a games person? 

Just want to socialize? Please stop by. We have a 

variety of games to play, such as Outburst, Quirkle, 

Word on the Street, Settlers of Catan, or cards for 

Hearts and Euchre, or BYOG (Bring Your Own 

Game). Non-alcoholic beverages and snacks 

provided or BYO to share. 

Host: Phyllis Voorheis 313-719-1696, 

PhyllisVoorheis@yahoo.com 

LONDON, ONTARIO GAMES NIGHT 

2nd Saturday, 7:00pm 

Drop by anytime after 7:00pm to play games or just 

socialize. Hosts have a wide variety of games, but feel 

free to bring your own favorites. Location: 35 Scottsdale 

Street in Lambeth (SW area of London). Hosts: Lois and 

Pete Fuchs 519-652-0282, petefuchs@bell.net 

Warren Festival of the Nations 

Sunday, July 1, 2012, 10:00am, Warren, MI 

Kid’s Events 

Please Note: Events listed here may or may not be sponsored by Ms. 

Gifted In Michigan Picnic 

Saturday, July 7, 2012, 11:30am, Farmington Hills, MI 

Build ‘N Break Drop-In Play 

Saturday, July 14, 2012, 10:00am to 1:00 PM, Novi, MI 

Hosts: Melissa Jenkins and Amy Simko, gifted_in_mi@sbcglobal.net See www.giftedinmichigan.com for more details. 

Learn about Puzzle Parties for Kids, see https://sites.google.com/site/puzzleparty2011/ 

Host: Hiren Bhatt, ghbhatt@gmail.com 

Southeast Michigan Mensa’s SEMMerBash 

Saturday, July 21, 2012, 11:00am, Milford, MI 

Mt. Elliott Makerspace Open Shop 

Sunday, July 22, 2012, 1:00pm, Detroit, MI 

Henry Ford Maker Faire 

Saturday, July 28, 2012, 10:00am, Dearborn, MI


1 

July 2012 

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 

2 3 4 

5 6 

7 

10:00am Kids 

Warren Festival of 

Nations 

8 

5:00pm Rochester 

Area Mensa 

AG ends in Reno 

5:30pm A3M 

Art/Quirky Movie 

AG begins in Reno 

9 10 11 

15 16 17 18 

22 

1:00pm Kids Mt. 

Elliott Makerspace 

23 24 

6:30pm Flint 

Gastronauts 

5:30pm A3M 

Art/Quirky Movie 

5:30pm A3M Dinner & 

NSC Movie 

25 

6:30pm A3M EatOut 

12 13 

19 

5:30pm 

Brewery 

Circuit 

6:00pm SOTS 

6:00pm SOTS 

20 

26 27 

6:00pm SOTS 

6:00pm SOTS 

29 30 31 August 4 

11:00am Downriver Brunch 

14 

10:00am Kids Build’n’Break 

7:00pm London Games Night 

9:30am A3M Brunch (& movie) 

7:00pm London Games Night 

21 

11:00am SEMMerBash 

2:00pm ExCom Meeting 

28 

10:00am Kids Henry Ford 

Maker Faire 

1:00pm Games - Highland 

(Shelby Township) 

1:00pm Cleveland Area M 

Picnic, 13213 Arlington Road, 

Norwalk OH. Complete details 

on page 3, Monthly Musings. 

Forklift operators do not care for puns - they find them unpalletable.

June 2012 Page 23 

Executive Committee of Southeast Michigan Mensa 

Elected Officers 

President (LocSec) John Voymas locsec@mensadetroit.com 313-434-6750 

Vice President Harley Berger VP@mensadetroit.com 248-210-3563 

Secretary Billie Lee Secretary@mensadetroit.com 248-535-8524 

Treasurer Jerry Breuer Treasurer@mensadetroit.com 734-459-1886 

Co-Vice Presidents 

Ann Arbor Area 

Co-Vice Presidents 

Northeast Michigan 

Kathleen Giesting AnnArbor@mensadetroit.com 734-327-4884 

Betsy Y. Mark AnnArbor@mensadetroit.com 734-434-5757 

Bob Strauch AnnArbor@mensadetroit.com 734-973-6522 

James D. Draper Flint@mensadetroit.com 810-744-1252 

Lynne A. Draper Flint@mensadetroit.com 810-744-1252 

Judy Johnson Flint@mensadetroit.com 810-240-3801 

Derald R. Schnepp Flint@mensadetroit.com 810-694-3560 

General Representative Pauline Averbach genrep1@mensadetroit.com 734-281-2726 

General Representative Katie Jeffries genrep2@mensadetroit.com 248-961-1444 

Appointed Officers-Voting 

Regional Gathering Co- Jean Becker 

810-229-2113 

semmantics@mensadetroit.com 

Chairs 

Whitney Hopkins 

586-995-9448 

Membership Kurt Love membership@mensadetroit.com 586-293-1456 

Newsletter Editor Kathleen Geisting Mpathy@mensadetroit.com 734-327-4884 

Appointed Officers—Non-Voting 

Arbitrator and Ombudsman David Brown ombudsman@mensadetroit.com 734-458-1194 

Archivist Edward Becker Archivist@mensadetroit.com 810-229-2113 

Chuck McQueen AuditCom@mensadetroit.com 586-468-7096 

Audit Committee 

Geoffrey Vasquez AuditCom@mensadetroit.com 248-346-1614 

Felecia Studstill AuditCom@mensadetroit.com 

Budget Committee 

Jerry Breuer BudgetCom@mensadetroit.com 734-459-1886 

James D. Draper BudgetCom@mensadetroit.com 810-744-1252 

Community Volunteer 

Coordinator 

Lynn Broniak-Hull Volunteers@mensadetroit.com 734-451-7278 

Dues Subsidy Administrator Spencer Wolff DuesSubsidy@mensadetroit.com 734-327-4884 

Gen-X/Gen-Y Coordinator Katie Jeffries genxy@mensadetroit.com 248-961-1444 

Gifted Children Coordinator Melissa Jenkins GiftedCoord@mensadetroit.com 248-586-9926 

Music In the Schools Pauline Averbach MusicInSchools@MensaDetroit.com 734-281-2726 

National Testing Day 

Coordinator 

Pauline Averbach Testing@mensadetroit.com 734-281-2726 

Newsletter Publisher Brenda Lewis publisher@mensadetroit.com 313-835-3454 

Parliamentarian Edward Becker Parliamentarian@mensadetroit.com 810-229-2113 

Proctor Coordinator Pauline Averbach Testing@mensadetroit.com 734-281-2726 

Project Inkslinger Vacant Inkslinger@mensadetroit.com 

Publicity Vacant PR@mensadetroit.com 

Recruitment Officer Gary Rimar Recruitment@mensadetroit.com 248-338-7867 

Scholarship Chair Phyllis Voorheis Scholarships@mensadetroit.com 248-437-1509 

SEMMer Bash Chair John Voymas SEMMerBash@mensadetroit.com 313-434-6750 

SEMM Forum Moderator Steve Goodhall ForumMod@mensadetroit.com 248-334-9073 

SIGHT Judy Johnson SIGHT@mensadetroit.com 810-695-5553 

Web Master Billie Lee webmaster@mensadetroit.com 248-535-8524 

Winter Bash Chair Harley Berger winterbash@mensadetroit.com 248-210-3563 

Assistant Editor Toby Berger Mpathy@mensadetroit.com 248-851-3563 

editorial policy 

Mensa, as a group, holds no opinion on 

any subject. Its members do. All 

opinions expressed in M-pathy are those 

of the individual authors. The editor will 

consider for publication all materials 

submitted by SEMM members. 

Anonymous material will not be printed, 

but names will be withheld upon request. 

Anything libelous and/or obscene will not 

be printed. The editor reserves the right 

to edit any submission for length or 

clarity. Other Mensa publications are 

granted permission to reprint any 

material that does not contain a 

copyright notice. Attribution to M-Pathy 

and the author are required. A courtesy 

copy to the M-Pathy editor is requested. 

Written permission to reprint must 

accompany all copyrighted materials. 

advertising 

M-Pathy accepts prepaid ads either 

digitally or in camera-ready format. 

Please contact the editor for ad 

dimensions. Copy and payment must 

arrive at the editorial office no later than 

the first day of the month preceding the 

target issue. Rates for members: fullpage 

$55; half page $30; quarter-page 

$16; business card $7. For nonmembers: 

full page $75; half-page $42; 

quarter-page $22; business card $10. 

Make checks payable to SEMM. 

membership 

Mensa is an international society whose 

only membership requirement is a score 

at or above the 98thpercentile on any of 

several, standard IQ tests. Mensa is notfor-profit 

and its only purpose is to serve 

as a means of communication and 

assembly for its members. Mensa is not 

affiliated with any other organization. 

For membership information, call (800) 

66-MENSA, write to American Mensa, 

Ltd., at the address below, or email 

AmericanMensa@mensa.org.Prospectiv 

e members can arrange for local, SEMM 

testing by calling (810)939-2560. 

postmaster 

Send address changes to: 

M-Pathy c/o American Mensa, Ltd. 

1229 Corporate Drive 

West Arlington, Texas 76006-6103

M-Pathy M-Pathy Periodicals Postage Page Rates 24 

(ISSN 0744-9763) 

Paid at Detroit, Michigan 

C/O American Mensa, Ltd. 

1229 Corporate Drive West 

Arlington, TX 76006-6103 

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED 

SEMMer Bash 

Kensington Metropark 

2240 W. Buno Road 

Milford, MI 48380 

Saturday, July 21, 2012 

11:00am until dusk 

Join us for picnic fare (hamburgers, hot dogs, associated side dishes, snacks and beverages) will be provided. We just 

need you to make it complete! We will meet at Kensington Metropark at the Spring Hill “C” picnic area to celebrate our 

annual rite of summer. Come early, stay late, bring plenty of sunscreen and be ready to have a great time! There is 

swimming, boat rental, hiking and biking paths, and nature and farm centers, so bring any accoutrements you might need. 

Don’t forget to also bring your favorite board or card games! 

Admission fee to picnic: 

$5.00 PER PERSON IN ADVANCE 

$10.00 PER PERSON AT THE DOOR 

Park entry fee: $5.00 - day pass, $25.00 - yearly pass 

DIRECTIONS TO KENSINGTON METROPARK 

From Detroit: Take I-696 west to I-96 west to exit #153, Kent Lake Road. 

Follow the curve to the right and enter the park. 

From Lansing: Take I-96 east to exit #151, Kensington Road. Turn right 

on Kensington Road, go over the expressway. Park entrance will be on 

the right on the north side of I-96. 

From Flint: Take U.S. 23 south to I-96 east. Get off at exit #151, 

Kensington Road. Turn right on Kensington Road, go over the 

expressway. Park entrance will be on the right on the north side of I-96. 

From Ann Arbor: Take U.S. 23 north to I-96 east. Get off at exit #151, 

Kensington Road. Turn right on Kensington Road, go over the 

expressway. Park entrance will be on the right on the north side of I-96. 

From Pontiac/East M-59 Area: Take M-59 west to Hickory Ridge Road 

south. Take Hickory Ridge Road south approximately 3-4 miles to 

General Motors Road. Turn left (east) onto General Motors Rd., go 

approximately 2-3 miles. Turn right onto Milford road (1st traffic light). 

Travel approximately 1.5-2 miles south on Milford Road. The park 

entrance will be on your right (Dairy Queen on the corner). 

Be aware of road construction at some 

of the exit ramps from I-96. 

============================================================= 

Or use PayPal, go to semmantics@sbcglobal.net. Tell us 

SEMMer BASH 2012 REGISTRATION 

your name and how many people are coming with you! 

COMPLETE AND MAIL THIS PORTION BY JULY 16 TO: 

John Voymas 

$5.00 per person in advance. Checks made payable to “SEMM” 

25620 Dartmouth St. 

Dearborn Hts., MI 48125-1117 

YOUR NAME: 

# OF TICKETS: 

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED: $

July 2012 - Southeast Michigan Mensa

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