LocSec Lowdown

Volume 32, Issue 4 May 2015

Hello, fellow Plains & Peaksters! I tell you what, it’s absolutely true what they say. After you retire, you wonder how you ever found time to work! I’ve been busier than ever and am enjoying every minute of it! I still have all my hobbies, plus I’m trying to carve out some time for other things, like brushing up on my German and eventually trying to learn another language (Spanish? Russian? Probably Spanish; more practical!) Given I’ve got all this time on my hands now (NOT), I’m setting a goal of attending as many Mensa events as I can – starting with going to Give In To Beer Pressure as much as possible! With so many new breweries opening, Sean is having a hard time keeping up with them, but, by golly, I’ll be in there swinging and helping his assessing their worthiness! Unfortunately, I had to miss the Gifted Youth event in April – the trip to Serenity Springs. If you get the chance, do take a Saturday morning and visit them. They do good work and being that close to so many big cats is really … well … a bit eerie and wonderful at the same time!! Another fun event we held in April was Poker/Games night. Chris did a wonder-ful report on this event in the Plains &

Peaks Patter … but I have to tout myself a bit. I was the big winner at poker that night – a whole $4.45! Almost doubled my money! We hadn’t had a Poker night in a long time and had fun reviewing our old favs like Baseball, High Chicago, Three Toed Pete … and teaching John and George a couple of new games! Coming up in May – not to be missed – lots of great events! GITBP, Cinco De Mayo Minus Three (only the White’s could come up with that!), ExComm din-ner at Leon Gessi’s, BurgerQuest (which just gets bigger and better!), Trivial Pur-suits (we all try to beat Jim but have had little success), Scrabble and USS. We’re also finally starting up our bi-monthly Travel Night, starting with Jim & Louise’s recent trip to Russia. For some of us, travel to Russia has been impossible due to our jobs (military), so this is a good time to get a peek behind that Iron Curtain and see what there is to see! After Russia, we’ve got Mensa travelers who can talk about European river cruis-es, Ireland, a float trip down the Grand Canyon, Australia and New Zealand, Ca-nadian Rockies … and African safaris! Let’s see the world! That’s about all for now – take a look at our calendar and see if there’s an event

http://www.plainsandpeaks.us.mensa.org/

The Newsletter of Plains and Peaks Mensa, Southern Colorado

In This Issue

What’s Up in our Region………...……..2

Plains and Peaks Officers……............2

Plains & Peaks Patter....……..............3

Welcome & Farewell……………….…….3

Cryptogram.………………….....…………..3

Trivia……………………………………..……..4

BurgerQuest………………………………….4

Birthdays……………….………........……..5

Treasurer’s Report………………………..5

Mensaversaries...............................5

May Events……………...……...…….......6

May Calendar……………………............7

or two you think you’d like – and come join in! As always, if you have an idea for an event or activity, let me know and we’ll try to scheduling it!

~Sandy

Page 2 PlainsPeaking

What’s Up In Our Region

Greg Kontz

Regional Vice Chair

Heartland Region 7 RVC7 – LocSec 07/585 North Dakota

grjk@fisherind.com 701-290-0743

Plains and Peaks Mensa Officers

Sandy Halby (LocSec/President) 6066 Del Rey Dr., COS 80918 719-528-5483 mandshalby@comcast.net Chris Cooper (2nd Vice Pres. for Membership) 1105 Bowstring Rd. Monument, CO 80132-8595 (719-646-4456)

Shedonist@Cooperplace.net George Cooper (treasurer) 1105 Bowstring Rd. Monument, CO 80132-8595

719-646-4456 Srikant Mantravadi (Gifted Youth Coordinator) 6433 Jules Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80923 (719) 352-5074 srikant_mantravadi@yahoo.com Betsy Ogan (PlainsPeaking Editor) 1061 Hummingbird Ct, COS 80921 719-481-1199 Bogan54@aol.com Windy Adoretti (Webmaster) 1465 Stella Dr. COS 80921 719-201-4743

windy@adoretti.com Al Ackerson (Past President) 5102 Galley Road, #430AW, COS 80915 719-465-3747 Alackerson@msn.com

Hi Guys – It’s Mensa national/international election season. One of the ways you can tell is that you’ve received election materials via snail mail or email. Another way is that you’ve read about it the last few issues of the Bulletin or your local group newsletter. Another way you can tell is that, if you follow social media (and I do), a few people seem to have flipped their ‘nasty’ switch on. The last one is a bit disappointing, and I’d like to comment: We all come from different perspective – perception – reality – cognitive pro-cess backgrounds. Therefore, two people can look at the same thing and see two different things. Good, sincere (and high IQ) people can disagree. It does not have to mean that one is telling the truth and the other is lying. It does not have to mean that one is good and the other is evil. It does not have to mean that one is informed and the other is misinformed or ignorant. It simply means that they see two different things. Are there times that someone is lying, evil, or ignorant? Of course there are. Have we all, at some point, been guilty of one of those things? Yup (my hand’s raised). Are there times it’s just a “Look at me! Look at me!” deal? Same answer. Point being: Other than the most extremely obvious situations, why not cut the other person some slack? Cut them at least as much slack as you expect from them. I have lots of conversations where I know early on that: We disagree, and the odds of either one of us changing the other’s opinion are slim to none. What I try to do at that point is figure out what I can learn from them. What do they know that I don’t? What perspective/perception is driving their opinion? Are they looking at it from an angle that I hadn’t considered? Is there something about their opinion that is based on a foundational value that I agree with? Sometimes I walk away without anything new, but – most times I do learn something new. When I do, I’m better for it. That’s what I love about conver-sations in Mensa. You usually are able to glean something new from inter-acting with someone. That is, and should be, one of the things that makes us different. You can have conversations that you usually can’t have in your everyday life. Usually, they’re non-competitive – it’s not about ‘winning’ – it’s about learning something. Some general comments about Mensa governance (from my perspective/perception): Nobody’s doing it for Fame or Fortune. As far as Fame – I know how much I get in western North Dakota, working in heavy construction. I suspect that most are getting about the same amount. As far as Fortune – even if you are able to turn in some expenses, it always costs money and time. These are all volunteer positions – up to, and including, the Chair of the AML Board itself. You do it because you want to help, you believe in the concepts of the organi-zation, you’re willing (and able) to spend the time and money, and you’ve got thick skin. Nothing that you do is going to be perfect. There’s always a “down” side and an “up” side. There will always be “unintended consequences”. If someone

tells you they have the “secret formula” – I suggest you be wary. I’ve been looking for a long time – ain’t found it yet. Don’t know anybody who has. Nothing is so good it can’t be better. Nothing is so bad it can’t be worse. Mensa is both a social organization and a corporation. You can argue about how far it has, or should, go in either direction, but you can’t ignore the corpo-rate aspect of it. And – somebody’s gotta drive the bus. Important side note: Very little of the vitriol that I see is from R7 – and, for that, I’m grateful. PS: August 7th – 9th is the RG in Mandan, North Dakota – presentations, tours, shared meals, socializing – hope to see you there. Want to see where the government elite are going when the Zombie Apocalypse hits? That would be the underground shelter tour – been there – kind of interesting; might come in handy someday. For more details: http://www.ndrg2015.org/?page_id=57

Later,

~ Greg

Volume 32, Issue 4 Page 3

Plains & Peaks Patter

WELCOME: Tyler Prescott, who moved here from Massachusetts. Welcome! WELCOME BACK: Stephen Strigel, who is re-joining us! FAREWELL: David Casteel and Christopher Lowe, who both moved back east to Virginia. Good luck!

Welcome

&

Farewell

JOIN PLAINS & PEAKS MENSA ON FACEBOOK! See photos of recent activities and meetings and get to know some of your fellow Mensans via this popular social site! It’s a “closed” group so you have to ask to join. Search FB for “Plains & Peaks Mensa.” BLOGS AND WEBSITES: If you have a blog or website that you think might interest other Mensans, send the link to Betsy at bo-gan54@aol.com so she can put it here. E-MAIL AND ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER: If you’re receiving this via “snail mail,” consider changing your preferences to electronic news-letter and correspondence. It’s easy! Either go to the American Men-sa web-site or contact American Mensa to change your preferences! GET PUBLISHED! If you’d like to contribute to the PlainsPeaking news-letter, submit your article, poem, photo, puzzle, whatever to Betsy at bogan54@aol.com . WORDS WITH FRIENDS PLAYERS: Can’t get enough Words with Friends? Look Sandy up on Facebook (Sandra Lynn Halby) and start a game with her!

If you have an announcement or news item, please forward it to PlainsPeaking Editor Betsy Ogan (bogan54@aol.com) for inclusion in PlainsPeaking! And, don’t forget, you can advertise your business in PlainsPeaking. The current rates are: business card size $6, quarter page $10, half page $25 and full page $50. POKER/GAMES NIGHT! Poker/Games Night, Saturday on April 18th was a big success. Seems Plains and Peaks Mensa folk like to play poker! Attendees were Al Ackerson, Susan Creager, Sandy Halby, Nan-cy and Larry Lukenbill, John Roberts, Trudy Roberts, Jeremy Roberts, and Parker Roberts. Rumor has it that Sandy was the big poker win-ner. [She was; a whopping $4.45.] Chris, Nancy, Trudy, Jeremy and Parker played “Smallworld”. It’s a sad thing to have to admit. Chris had no idea what she was doing. Nancy won that game. The Coopers feel that the night was such fun that they will continue to offer poker as well as games. Thanks go to Susan for her wonderful hummus and Nancy for her delicious artichoke squares.

TRIVIA RESULTS! Seven Mensans gathered at Buffalo Wild Wings for Buzztime Trivia for our usual Trivial Pursuits night and were joined by two Mensa visitors: Jen Owens & Dave Syndergaard! As usual, we swept the six round game, with Jim Hunter dominating. In fact, Jim was so “dominating” that night, he placed #10 nationwide and had the highest Buzztime score ever at that location! Way to go, Jim! Here’s the final finishing order of our rounds of trivia: Jim Hunter (of course), Al Ackerson, Sandy Halby, Mike Halby, George Cooper, Dave Syndergaard, Jay and Susan Ridge and Jen Owens! We took all top 8 places and placed #23 nationwide! Good job, Trivial Pursuit players! HELP WANTED! Do you have a Media or Publicity background? May-be that’s something you’d like to try? If so, consider helping Plains & Peaks Mensa with Admissions Testing publicity! We’re looking to in-crease our testing numbers and really need a hand with the publicity – ideas, contacts, someone to take this particular bull by the horns and wrestle around with it! And, bonus – this would look good on your resume or annual job appraisal! If you’d be interested in volun-teering to be our Publicity person, contact Sandy at manshal-by@comcast.net!

Cryptogram

NOG WNZBG ZX ZP PVQZUK,

HUR GUSOL XNG YGPX

HUXZIZVHXZOUP. ZX ZP UOX

JFIN JHXXGQ ZT XNZUKP RO

UOX XFQU OFX WGBB.

~INHQBGP RFRBGL WHQUGQ

Trivia by RC Timm State Fairs

1. Where and when was the first state fair held?

2. Which four states do not have state fairs?

3. Which state has the current world record cabbage of 138 lbs.?

4. The Iowa fair has an unusual sculpture, what is it?

5. Which state fair has the oldest beauty pageant?

6. The record in the Maine fair eating contest is 37 of what in 8

minutes?

7. How many entries are in the California fair wine tasting event

each year?

8. Which state held a Territorial Fair in 1886 because it was not

yet a state?

9. Which state fair holds a Rotten Sneaker Contest?

10. Which state fair has an Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging)

contest?

Cryptogram Hoe while it is spring, and enjoy the best anticipations. It is not much matter if things do not turn out well. ~Charles Dudley Warner Trivia 1. New York, 1841 2. Nevada, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, & Connecticut 3. Alaska 4. A life-size cow is sculpted from 600 pounds of butter each year. 5. Trick question. Colorado crowns a Silver Queen each year, competitors must be residents of a nursing home. 6. Lobster rolls 7. Over 2800 8. Wyoming 9. Utah 10. South Carolina Source: Mensa Brainwave article Sept 2013

Answers to Trivia/Cryptogram

Page 4 PlainsPeaking

April 12th found 16 Plains & Peaks burger-seekers gathering at Bingo Burger, diagonally across from Uncle Wilbur’s Fountain (Acacia Park) next door to Starbucks. Bingo Burger started in Pueblo several years ago, and they expanded to Colorado Springs last summer. The drill is that you line up to order, find a place to sit, and place the Bingo Number they pro-vide in front of you so your food can be delivered. If you order a beer from their nice selection of local brews, you can bring it to your seat skipping the waitress delay. They also had a nice selection of “adult” milkshakes. We also discovered a benefit of meeting on Sunday – metered parking downtown is free. Attendees were Al, Brian, Christine, Chuck, Doug, George, Jeff, Jennie Jo, Jeremy, Linda, Mike, Susan, Trudy, Wayne, and two people who did not fill in their names, so cannot be counted in the scoring. If that’s you, and you filled out your score sheet in blue or red crayon, take note, so your ratings can be counted next time. Scores, based upon the fourteen attendees who provided their first names, were:

Hamburger & Toppings 4.0 Service 3.5 Cleanliness 4.0 Side Dishes 3.5 Value for Price 3.5 Ambiance (1=Very Casual, 5= Classy) 3.0

Comments: “Seems very overpriced. Did not care for the French fries and the organic ketchup was horrible.” “Vanilla malt was short on malt and icy, replaced and was OK” “Unusual catsup (Elevation Organic Catsup – made in Denver), liked it. Rosemary mushroom topping – Good!”

The rest of us apparently concentrated on enjoying the burgers and not on filling out the back of the form. Nobody provided recommendations for future BurgerQuest locations this month, so we consulted the Gazette’s “Best Of The Springs” and looked at the “Burger” category. BurgerQuest has already visited and rated the first place and third place venues, but Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews was in second-place, so let’s visit there. It is near Chapel Hills Mall, at the corner of North Academy and Jamboree: 1410 Jamboree Drive, Colorado Springs (719-598-2473). The corpo-rate website is http://www.redrobin.com/ (be sure you’re looking at the correct location, there are three in the Springs…) Some interesting things on the menu: Bottomless fries with every burger (many beverages are bottomless as well), SIXTEEN different gourmet burgers, wraps, etc. The website even has an interactive allergen menu (including provisions for allergies to Milk, Gluten, and seven other allergens). There is a small but adequate selection of beers, as well as other adult beverages (including shakes!) See you there on May 10th, and be sure to bring the rug rats. BurgerQuest is a kid-friendly event.

BurgerQuest 2015

Mensaversaries Stephen Louis Andreorio Deirdre Bauer Mark Berte William C Bricking Eric Burton

Susan Creager William G Ebersohl Jeffrey Allen Jensen Scout T Wallace Joan Elizabeth Welsh

Sean F McCormick May 1 Susan Morris Mellow May 1 Dion R Dixon May 6 Art Cartwright May 10 Mike Dulaney May 12 Susie Coble May 14 Scout Wallace May 15 Morris C Bealmer May 16 Tony O’Brien May 16 David Barnett May 22 Jonathan D Grobstein May 25 Freda A Thompson May 28 Gregg Mills May 31 NOTE: If your birthday isn’t here, it’s probably because that information is marked “non-releasable” on our ros-ters. To check your personal infor-mation release status, please contact American Mensa (1-800-66-MENSA) or go to www.us.mensa.org and under Member Resources, select the PDQ section.

Volume 32, Issue 4 Page 5

Plains & Peaks Financial Report as of 31 March 2015

Notes concerning the Plains and Peaks Treasurers Report:

1. The Local Group Annual Financial Report was filed with American Mensa

Limited in April, as required, and reflected the same numbers as above, although

presented in a different format.

2. Over the past two years, the Certificates of Deposit have been restructured.

There are now four 12-month certificates, each roughly $1,800, one of which

matures each three months (i.e. a “ladder”).

3. Income has roughly equaled expenses over the past year. If the executive com-

mittee determines that additional funds are needed, several options are available.

Funds can be withdrawn from the CDs upon maturity (which occurs every three

months), or newsletter expenses can be reduced, most easily by convincing more

members to receive the newsletter electronically, or an investment scheme with a

higher return can be found.

4. Future increases in expenditures might, for example, include establishing a

scholarship or contributing to an existing scholarship fund, contributing to MERF,

or funding programs locally for gifted children, or subsidizing activities at the

annual mini-RG. Suggestions can be made to the executive committee during

regularly scheduled meetings.

5. “Events” include the Holiday Party, Beer Pressure at private homes, Culture-

Quest registrations, and the Summer Party at RC’s.

Respectfully submitted,

George A. Cooper, Treasurer

Biannual Treasurer’s Report

Cash Balances April 1, 2014

Savings 100.11

Checking 1,074.13

CDs 7,209.78

Total Cash 8,384.02

Income

Mensa Dues & Testing 2,300.20

Investment Income/Interest 34.34

Other (Ent FCU Dividend) 26.38

Total Income 2,360.92

Expenses

PR (Shirt Embroidery) 180.00

Events 1,411.53

Newsletter expenses & Postage 822.35

Total Expenses 2,413.88

Starting Cash Plus Income Less Expenses 8,331.06

Cash Balances March 31, 2015

Savings 126.61

Checking 960.45

CDs 7,244.00

Total Cash 8,331.06

Tuesday, May 12th, 7:30pm: Trivial Pursuits. We’re playing Show-down, a 6-stage trivia contest featuring a wide variety of topics, at Buffalo Wild Wings, 2905 Geyser Drive (at I-25 and Lake, next to Out-back Steaks and Tinseltown) – they claim to have 45 players and Wi-Fi so everybody should be able to play this month! We’re drinking some adult beverages (if you want to) and noshing on wings and other Buffalo Wild Wings specialty foods like burgers and sandwiches! The game starts at 8, but if you want a game player you probably should get there earlier! Call or e-mail Al (465-3747, alackerson@msn.com) to let him know you’ll be there! Saturday, May 16th, 6:30pm: Travel Night! Let’s visit with Jim & Louise Hunter for a review of their recent travels: Russia and Australia

being among them! If you’re thinking about a trip or cruise, or just interested on travel trips, this is the event for you! Jim & Louise live at 2353 Collegiate Drive (in University Park area, off Austin Bluffs and Academy). Please bring a snack to share and some-thing to drink! For directions, call 719-598-1401 for directions.

Sunday, May 24th, 2pm: Scrabble®! Meet at Sandy’s house, 6066 Del Rey Drive (near Flintridge and Dub-lin, call 528-5483 or email mandshalby@comcast.net for directions) for an afternoon of just-for-fun Scrab-ble®. Sodas, wine and snacks provided. Adults only, please! Allergy alert – cats and dogs! Thursday, May 28th, 8pm: RSVP for USS! Call or e-mail Al (465-3747, alackerson@msn.com) to let him know you're coming to USS on Sat-urday! Saturday, May 30th, 6pm: Ultimate Saturday Supper! Off for some authentic Mexican fare in May. We'll be heading up to Carlos Mi-guel's Mexican Bar & Grill, 9605 Prominent Point. If you've got a fa-vorite south of the border dish, chances are pretty good that Carlos Miguel's serves it, so come out and join us! Call or e-mail Al (465-3747, alackerson@msn.com) to reserve a seat at the table. Advance Notice: Friday, June 5th, 5pm: This month we’ll be visiting Gold Camp Brewing, one of the newest breweries in this area! Gold Camp’s address is 1007 S Tejon St., but even though they have a Tejon address, they are located on Mill St. next to Continental Cleaners. Their motto is “We aim to serve fantastic beer in a relaxed atmos-phere.” Let’s see if we agree!! Remember, if you have an idea or new pub for Give In To Beer Pressure, let Sean know! By email: sean.mccormick.us@member.mensa.org, by cell: (719) 651-6706. Advance Notice: Thursday, June 11th, 6pm: ExComm Meeting & Dinner. Let’s pretend we’re in France as we dine at La Baguette, 4440 North Chestnut in Colorado Springs (near Garden of the Gods and Chestnut). Consistently touted for its excellent bistro cuisine, we’ll have a short (very short) ExComm meeting and then we’ll eat dinner. All Mensa members and guests are welcome at this event. If you can, please let Sandy know if you’ll be there by RSVPing by Wednesday evening, 719-528-5483 or mandshalby@comcast.net

Friday, May 1st, 5pm: Give In To Beer Pressure! This month we’ll be visiting Rocky Mountain Brewery, 625 Paonia St (near Powers and Platte). Their motto is "It's all about the beer" and their brews prove they believe in that motto! Join us for a brew or two and if you’re hungry, there’s usually Bz’s BBQ truck right outside! Remember, if you have an idea or new pub for this event, let Sean know! By email: sean.mccormick.us@member.mensa.org, by cell phone: (719) 651-6706. Friday, May 1st, 8pm: RSVP for Cinco De Mayo Minus Three Party! See party description below! For RSVP and/or directions call Wayne or Jennie-Jo at 719-495-0433 or e-mail Wayne: waynewhite@q.com Saturday, May 2nd, 4pm - whenever: Cinco De Mayo Minus Three Party! The Whites are hosting a potluck Open House in honor of Cinco De Mayo (minus three days!). They will have Pollo & Carne Asada on the grill, beer on ice, etc. Come ready to have a great time (costumes are optional, but not clothes [sigh]); bring food to share, and what you want to drink if it's other than beer or water. An RSVP would be

nice....to insure enough consumables. This party is at The Briargate Whitehouse, 9908 Paonia Park Place (in Cordera off Briargate Parkway, east of Powers Rd). For RSVP and/or directions call Wayne or Jennie-Jo at 719-495-0433 or e-mail Wayne: waynewhite@q.com

Wednesday, May 6th, 8pm: RSVP for ExComm Meeting and Dinner. Let Sandy know you’ll be at the ExComm Meeting and dinner at Leon Gessi Pizza, 1806 Palmer Park (Palmer Park and Union area). Sandy can be reached at 719-528-5483 or e-mail mandshalby@comcast.net. Thursday, May 7th, 6pm: ExComm Meeting & Dinner. Let’s check out Leon Gessi Pizza, located at 1806 Palmer Park. The reviews have been great – if you like authentic NY-style pizza. Let’s check them out! There will be a short (very short) ExComm meeting and then we’ll eat dinner. All Mensa members and guests are welcome at this event. If you can, please let Sandy know if you’ll be there by RSVPing by Wednesday evening, 719-528-5483 or mandshal-by@comcast.net Saturday, May 9th, 6pm: RSVP for BurgerQuest 2015-04! Please RSVP to George by today for BurgerQuest 2015-4, which will be at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers on Sunday! If we expect a big crowd, we need to let them know. Forgot to reply? You’re welcome anyway. Leave a phone message at 719-418-6073 or send an e-mail to gcooper@cooperplace.net. Sunday, May 10th, 1pm: BurgerQuest 2015-04 at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers! For our May outing, we visit Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, 1410 Jamboree Dr., in Colorado Springs, CO 80920. They have three

locations the Springs; this is the northern-most one (near Chapel Hills Mall). See you there on the 10th at 1pm. Be sure to bring the rug rats; BurgerQuest is a kid-friendly event.

PlainsPeaking

May Events

Page 6

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

RSVP for

Cinco De Mayo

Minus Three Party

by May 1

1

5:00 PM

Give In To

Beer Pressure

@ Rocky

Mountain Brewery

2 4:00 PM

Cinco De Mayo

Minus Three Party

@

the White’s

3

4 5

6

RSVP for

ExComm

Meeting/Dinner

7

6:00 PM

ExComm

Meeting/Dinner

@ Leon

Gessi Pizza

8

9

RSVP

for

BurgerQuest

10

1:00 PM

BurgerQuest

@

Red Robin

Gourmet Burgers

11

12

7:30 PM

Trivial Pursuit

@

Buffalo Wild Wings

13 14

15

16

6:30 PM

Travel Night

@

the Hunter’s

17

18

19

20

21

22 23

24/31

2:00 PM

Scrabble®

@Sandy’s

25 26 27 28

RSVP for

Ultimate

Saturday

Supper

29 30

6:00 PM

Ultimate

Saturday Supper

@ Carlos Miguel’s

Mexican Bar&Grill

MAY

Volume 32, Issue 4 Page 7

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED TO:

PlainsPeaking AMERICAN MENSA, LTD.

1229 CORPORATE DRIVE WEST

ARLINGTON, TX 76006-6103

Mensa® is an international organization made up of people who have

scored in the top 2% on standardized IQ tests. Mensa is non-profit and

has no political or religious affiliations. The purpose of Mensa is to serve

as a means of communication for its members and to foster intelligence.

PlainsPeaking is the official publication of Plains & Peaks Mensa (#808).

Mensa itself has no opinions; any opinions expressed in PlainsPeaking, if

not otherwise designated, are those of the individual contributor or of the

editor. The appearance of any paid advertisement, should such an unlikely

event occur, in PlainsPeaking does NOT imply any endorsement of prod-

ucts, services, or anything else mentioned in said ad by either Plains &

Peaks Mensa, PlainsPeaking, American Mensa, Ltd., or Mensa International.

Mensa® is registered at the U.S. Patent Office as the collective mark of an

international membership organization.

PlainsPeaking is published monthly by Plains and Peaks Mensa Editor, 1061

Hummingbird Ct, Colorado Springs, CO 80921-5696. All material within

is copyright©2013 by Plains & Peaks Mensa, except where otherwise indi-

cated. Masthead photo copyrighted 2009 by Betsy Ogan. Subscriptions are

$6.00 (12 monthly issues) for non-Mensans and for Mensans who are not

members of the Plains&Peaks local group. Single issues are available on a

first-come, first-served basis at no charge (but please include SASE).

Editorial Policy: We (deliriously) welcome your letters, articles, poems,

artwork, and puzzles. Items submitted to PlainsPeaking should be the

ORIGINAL work of the author, and should be emailed if possible. If

previously published, please include where and when. MS Word , RTF,

and plain text formats are especially encouraged for articles, JPG or GIF

for artwork. Equations should be typeset with MS Equation Editor. Type-

written work signed by the author and submitted by surface mail is also

welcome. Handwritten items may be accepted, but we cannot guarantee

accuracy in publication. The editor’s e-mail address is Bogan54@aol.com.

Please check with the editor about other acceptable media and formats.

Artwork will be reproduced as black and white or grayscale (drawings or

photographs). The Editor reserves the right to refuse to publish submitted

material and to edit as necessary.

Note to Contributors: By contributing material to Plains and Peaks Men-

sa, you are giving permission for your material to be published in both the

newsletter and the web-based newsletter archives. You MAY withhold

your name, email address, or any other address from the web-based ver-

sion; simply request this from the Editor. Other Mensa publications may

reprint PlainsPeaking material if the author/artist and PlainsPeaking are

credited and the material is not individually copyrighted. Letters (and

letter-like emails) to the Editor will be considered for publication unless

the author specifically requests otherwise.

Note to Reprinting Editors: a courtesy copy indicating the material re-

printed would be greatly appreciated. To: PlainsPeaking Editor, 1061 Hum-

mingbird Ct, Colorado Springs, CO 80921-5696