Spotlight on Joseph and Desi A.

We will feature here stories of our members and officers who have made an outstanding contribution to our Club. Any member can recommend an officer or another member for being honored by the Spotlight page. Those making the recommendations should email their reasons for making this recommendation to rtc@gordonrichard.com To read of members who have been spotlighted in the past for their contributions to our group, see our archives. And now the spotlight turns to Joseph and Desi.

Joseph and Desi have been active members in our Club for over a decade now.

Nominating Committee

Joseph has served on the nominating committee, helping every two years to select and encourage members to run for leadership positions as president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary. We know how challenging it is to get people to volunteer for responsible jobs that will require much time and effort, and yet Joseph with his committee has always managed to come up with outstanding candidates who have led our organization to grow and thrive. No doubt his friendly, warm smile and sparkling sense of humor have endeared him to our members and made him such an cheerful friend and colleague that he is difficult to refuse when he asks, "Will you run for office?"

Retired high school physical education teacher and now generous volunteer

Joseph is a retired high school physical education teacher from the Valley Stream School District on Long Island where he coached teams in soccer, wrestling and baseball. In his retirement years in Highland Lakes, he has been in the Neighborhood Watch that requires him to spend hours monthly driving through the retirement community at night, looking for and reporting any signs of suspicious activity. His hard work has helped to keep Highland Lakes a safe retirement haven. But his volunteer work at Highland Lakes doesn't stop there. He also --

• delivers the Highlander newspaper to the residents on his block,
• checks on three neighbors' houses while the owners are on extended vacations,
• serves in the Men's Club by setting up for Club dinners and cooking for the pancake breakfasts.

Desi's work on the phone-call committee

Joseph's lovely wife Desi, although not a retired teacher herself, has played an active, helpful role in our Club. As a homemaker and retired bank administrator, she brings her skills and warmth to our Club by serving on the phone-call committee. Before each meeting, Desi makes personal phone calls to our members, reminding them of the coming meeting and encouraging them to make a reservation. Her pleasant, warm voice on the telephone reflects her loving and warm personality. Joseph is a lucky man to have Desi by his side -- and he is happy to admit it.

Married on a TV show in 1952

The couple was married in 1952 on a television show called "Bride and Groom". As a prize for being on the show, they won a vacation-honeymoon to the Poconos. Joe and Desi have a film of their marriage on the show. I saw the film at their home and was delighted at the poise. confidence and love the couple so obviously shared. If you're ever lucky enough to visit the couple at their home, be sure to ask to see the film in which Joseph looks so young and handsome, and Desi -- as beautiful as any starring actress -- reflects all the talent she has shown so many years singing and acting in theatrical productions, including many performances in the Little Theater group at Highland Lakes.

So helpful to RTC

Joseph and Desi are a special couple. They have done much to help our organization, Joseph as a key person in the nominating committee and Desi as a devoted, reliable member of the phone committee.

Thank you Joseph and Desi for your contributions to our Club. And thank you for sharing a love and devotion for one another that is an inspiration to all who get to know you -- and a source of friendship that nourishes any organization you belong to.

Your devoted friend who is a better person for having known you,
Richard Gordon