1983
The first issue of The Bean Pod, January, 1983, was printed on a single sheet of 8½”x11” paper and had a pod drawn across the top of the page with “a social club for tall people” typed in the pod. The purpose of the club was “to promote tall awareness and provide social, sports, and cultural activities for tall people in the Boston area.” Also listed were membership requirements: height 5’9” or taller for women and 6’0” or taller for men (this is the only documentation that noted the shorter height requirement); age; and dues. The one and only social function listed was the Charter Membership party, celebrated January 22, 1983.
The February, 1983, newsletter omitted the pod but continued with the same format except the “purpose” deleted “in the Boston area.” The membership requirements stated a height of 5’10” for women and 6’2” for men; age; and dues. An address and telephone number were added to call for information. One social event was scheduled: dinner and a sleigh ride in West Brookfield, MA. Attached to this newsletter was a letter from Mira Jacobs explaining who she was, why and how the club was started, plans for the BBTC to join Tall Clubs International, the different activities planned, and an application form to join BBTC as a charter member.
By March, 1983, the beanstalk shown on the left side of the newsletter was begun, a tradition that remains today. The event listed in the March calendar was a Charter Membership Pot-Luck Dinner in Norwood at the Windsor Garden Clubhouse. Also listed was a future event in April, an “All-You-Can-Eat Chinese Buffet Dinner” in Chestnut Hill. A membership application form was added to the bottom of the newsletter. On the back was an update from Mira Jacobs about the Charter Membership Party and the great response from so many people. Also included in the update were news about members, social events scheduled, TCI, and the need for volunteers for committee work and hosting events.
In April, 1983, the newsletter heading on the front sheet now included the current officers, a contest for the best club motto/logo, and an application form. On the back of the newsletter for the first time was a monthly calendar listing events scheduled for a specific date. Listed below the calendar were each event, directions, and the name of the person hosting the event. The events included happy hours: Hank Thoelke and Mary McEachern at Café Escadrille in Burlington; Fred Seagaard and Mira Jacobs at Bombay Bicycle Club in Randolph; Greg Hagopian at Tom Foolery’s in Westborough; and a Dinner-Dance and the vote for best motto/logo Contest Party at Boston Fish House, in Newton which drew 50 members.
The May, 1983, calendar was the first to have an application form and space for an address label on the outside sheet; this was folded in half, stapled and mailed. The newsletter now consisted of two full pages. Marcia Neil became Membership Chair while Social Chair was eliminated from the officers. The social calendar was expanded to include meetings for publicity, social, and membership; happy hours without a host/hostess: such as 33 Dunster Street, Bombay Bicycle Club, Café Escadrille, and Tom Foolery’s; a brewery tour to Anheuser-Busch in Manchester, NH; a party at Sterling’s at the Inn at Children’s; a radio broadcast at WTTP; and a coupon at Hajjar’s for 10% off your next purchase. By now membership had grown to 50+ people. A special ballot was mailed to members to vote for best motto/logo and a form to order T-shirts, a baseball shirt, Polo shirt, or hat with a choice of colors (green shirt with white lettering or white shirt with green lettering). Marcia Neil and John Clements became the first couple in the club to marry. The officers expanded to include Marcia Clements and Elaine Richmond in Membership, Lester Gardner as Social Chair and Susan McCarthy as Publicity Chair.
Events in June, 1983, started with Dick Syatt’s Hot Line on WRKO; a party at the Palace in Saugus; happy hours at the Café Escadrille in Burlington, Shenanigan’s in Canton, Michael’s Waterfront in Boston with Elaine Richmond and Jennifer Dixon, and Finnerty’s in Cochituate with Lester Gardner, and theater tickets to see Shear Madness in Boston. One of the three newsletter pages was a letter from Mira Jacobs writing about being tall, how she came to start the BBTC, and news that membership had grown to 93 members.
In July, 1983, the dues included a category for associate membership at $35 plus $5 initiation fee while new/renewal for a single was $30/$24 and for a couple $40/$35 respectively. Social events included Shenanigan’s in Canton with Paul Williams, Jr., Newton Marriott with James Jakobek, a Moonlight cruise in Boston Harbor, and the first annual BBTC picnic at Lars Anderson Park, Brookline. Mary Koppenal, who became editor, began a page in the newsletter called “Introducing” in which a new member would introduce him/herself. Several paragraphs outlined the person’s job, hobbies, and interests.
By August, 1983, the results of the motto/logo contest were finalized: the winners were “Elevated But Not Uppity” submitted by Hank Thoelke and “Tall People Reach Great Heights” by Pat Dahie. White T-shirts and golf shirts were available with the logos. Tall members gathered at places such as the Ship In Lynnfield, 33 Dunster Street in Cambridge, a bar-b-que in Marblehead at Steve Schmickrath’s, and Tanglewood on a Sunday afternoon. The last page included an “Introduction” with Mira Jacobs who described her job at Harvard School of Public Health as giving enemas and transplanting ovaries to mosquitoes.
Green was the theme for the September, 1983, newsletter. The front page contained “announcements” of T-shirts for sale, a treasury report, membership information, and future events. Richard Steeves was in charge of a survey of membership preferences. Scott Baril “Introduced” himself as a programmer/analyst who lived in the Back Bay and was a professional musician before moving from Maine. Rick Steeves also “Introduced” himself as an outdoor type who liked to rebuild cars and had been to most car racing tracks in New England. Socializing continued to expand to Jacob’s Ladder in Revere, The Comedy Connection in Boston, a house party at Marylou Koppenal’s in Marlborough, and happy hours at JC Hillary’s in Dedham, the Newton Marriott, Dandelion Green in Burlington, and Clarke’s Turn of the Century Saloon.
In October, 1983, members gathered to apple pick at Carver Hill in Stowe, canoe on the Concord River with Jeff Trubisz, go on a whale watch out of Boston Harbor, and mingle at happy hours at Stouffer’s Bedford Glen, Bombay Bicycle Club, and Michael’s Waterfront in Boston. Marylou Koppenal starred in “Four’s Company,” a quartet in which she was lead singer. The questionnaire was sent to the now 125 members again to select activities in which they would like to participate. Birgit Krumbiegel “Introduced” herself as German born who had joined a tall club in California, The Golden Gate Tip Toppers, and became their treasurer. When she transferred to Boston, she became a founding member of the BBTC.
The November-December, 1983, newsletter was mailed as one to give members time to plan their holiday parties. The front of the newsletter remained the same: the address, purpose, membership requirements, dues, officers, and announcements were listed. Dues had changed to $30 for a single person and $40 for a couple; renewal for a single person was $25 and $35 a couple. Mira Jacobs and Fred Seagaard became engaged. Richard Steeves became Social Chair and scheduled events that included a house party at Linda Pansire's in Boston, dancing at the Village Green in Danvers, and happy hours at the usual locations. December house parties were celebrated at Rhoda Channing’s in Newton, and Ann Golden’s in Woburn. Linda Pansire “Introduced” herself as a Data Processing Consultant who traveled to other states for her job. When she became editor, the sergeant at arms position was eliminated.
