Oldest Photomapper Committee Report, AFPMA
Seattle, WA; October 2012

Jimbo Kinter, who is Chairman of the Oldest Committee, couldn’t make it this year and he asked me to stand-in for him and present this report.

Since the last Reunion, two new members have joined the Oldest Club and we have lost six members to death.  The number on the Active Roster is now 164.

As with the Association itself, the other way the Oldest Club loses members is thru non-payment of Association dues.  In the past this has not been a problem.  It seemed those who joined the Club, paid their dues.  This past year, however, has shown a disturbing trend.  Of the seven guys who are in danger of being dropped from the Association at the end of this year for non-payment of dues, five of them are Oldest Club members.  What a shame!!  These guys have more to lose than other members in that they will now have no chance to win the tontine by being the last-man-standing and they will have no chance of ever holding the trophy or plaque that goes with being the Oldest Living Photomapper.

That brings us to our current Oldest guy.  Rollie Taff is still alive and well at the age of 97.  When I recently asked him for his secret of longevity, he replied, “My wife’s cooking!”  Although his wife is a good cook, she has to depend on Rollie to get her to the grocery to shop, as her eyesight is failing.  Fortunately, Rollie’s isn’t and he still is driving at 97!!  That is just great and we hope to hear a similar report next year.

Barry Anderson is still our Diaper Dandy at a youthful 65.  Just think, before our next Reunion he will be eligible for full Social Security!!  Does it seem possible that our YOUNGEST member is about to reach that milestone?

As always, we are looking for new members in the Oldest Club.  It is FREE, and you can’t beat that!  If there is anyone here who is not a member and would like to join, there are enrollment forms in the Hospitality Room or you can see me and I’ll get you signed-up. 

Finally, as is our custom, the Oldest Club would now like to award a bottle of our rare 2007 vintage Old Fart wine to the oldest member present at this Reunion.  Actually there is another caveat.  You must be the Oldest who has never previously been awarded a bottle.  If my records are correct, this year’s Oldest is our peerless leader, Bob Cross.  He is a youthful 83.  Hell, the REAL oldest guy here is Jim Wells and he has kids older than Bob; but he won the wine last year and Rules is Rules!! It almost seems a travesty to award it to Bob because not only is he a mere child, but he only had to walk across the street to get here!  Can anybody beat his 83?  If not, Bob, you Old Fart, come on up and get your wine; and thanks for coming all this way!