America's First Public Monument to Atheism

June 28, 2013, Bradford County Florida: Following a lawsuit and more than a year of controversy, at noon on Saturday a group called the American Atheists will unveil the United States’ first public monument to atheism in a square outside the County courthouse in Starke, Florida, near Jacksonville. The five-foot-long, grey granite bench and connecting pillar, which were built and engraved by local masons using granite quarried in Georgia, will feature secular quotes from the Founding Fathers as well as a statement from the organization’s founder, Madalyn Murray O’Hair, encapsulating the 50-year-old group’s views: Read more:

From HUSBAY Caring Committee:

As you know, HUSBAY has a weekly Wednesday lunch group at New Dynasty Restaurant in Sarasota.  After many years of meeting there, we have come to think of staff as friends and sometimes even family.  It is therefore, with sadness, that I must tell you of the death of the manager with the engaging smile, Andrew Tian, usually the first face we see at the entrance.

On a Sunday evening in July, he chased three men who fled the restaurant without paying and was attacked and beaten. He was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital where he lingered in critical condition until he died on following Friday.  New Dynasty staff as well as customers like us and the community have been grieving his loss.  We have sent cards with member messages to the hospital and to New Dynasty staff.   Many in HUSBAY wanted to memorialize Andrew.  The board had set up a memorial fund, to go towards his son's education. Thanks to those members who have contributed.

Link to the story as covered by mysuncoast news.

HUSBAY Past President Jacqui Kinnie
Spoke at the Memorial Service

In Memory of Andrew Tian

Andrew, as we knew him, was a kind, generous and caring man with a ready smile and a warm greeting for all.

For many years, he graciously hosted the lunch bunch at HUSBAY with joy and love. He knew each of us by name ... gave many of us hugs, asked about our lives and our children, and was always willing to change the setting for another meeting. We shall always remember him with a smile in our heart.

With apologies to John Donne, the English poet of the 16th century:

No Man is an Island entire of itself;

Every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main,

Any man’s death diminishes us, because we are involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know

For whom the bell tolls.

It tolls for thee, Andrew ... we shall miss you.

From HUSBAY Caring Committee:

We are saddened by the passing of member for many years, Jim Chastain. A message from Jim's son, Paul, appears below.

To paraphrase Bilbo Baggins –

"Today is my 92nd birthday. Alas, 92 is far too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable people.

"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. But I regret to announce — this is my Final Exit

"I am going now. I bid you all a very fond farewell. Goodbye."

I have had a full, happy life filled with interesting activities and friendly accomplished people. Thank you for the part you have played in making my life so good. HAVE FUN.

Jim died peacefully at home with his family nearby on his 92nd birthday, March 5, 2018.

A private memorial service will be held in Colorado this June.

HUSBAY 15th Anniversary Celebration

 

President Addresses the Crowd	Musical Entertainment	Meigs G. and Dave H.	Original Member, Bob Phillipoff
New Member Dan Dana speaks	Dave H. and Judith Collier	Trudy, Ursula & Noel listen intently	Karin G, Rhea, Jay and Mary C
Jack O, Penny, Ernie (hiding), Jack K	Joanne, Barry, Meigs, Chuck and Joyce	Mary, Bob and Barbara	A HUSBAY Just Dessert

L-R: Penny, Jack O, Ernie, Jack K, Lois and Trudy	Donna, David and Bob P	Barbara, Susan and Dan
Dave, Judy and Sandie	L-R: Susan, Dan, Chuck, Rhea, Mary, Bob & Barbara	Ellie, Karen & Kieth
L-R: Rhea, Mary M, Bob M & Barbara	Sandie, Roy & Judy W	Len, Francis, Lou and Ellie
Judy W, Meigs, Ingrid and Judith C	Harbor View from Marina Jacks	Sittin' on the dock of the bay

Smaller Photos

Introducing our Founder	Joyce P	Ingrid & Judy H	Trudy's dog asks, "We paid $25 for this?"	View of the Bay

Click here for a brief history of HUSBAY as read by founder Noel Smith at the event.

Replacement Meeting (Dec. 11, 2019)

Due to a last-minute cancellation, our normally held Philosophy Group meeting has been substituted with this:

With the historic struggle taking place between President Trump and Congress (i.e., impeachment, etc.), it's a good time to discuss these issues in a thoughtful and balanced way. We will try to accomplish this through a round-table approach where each member has the opportunity to present their personal views for about 5 minutes, followed by discussion to be facilitated by me, or by another member. A last round of discussion might occur, where each member spends a few minutes to summarize their thoughts about what has been accomplished in our meeting.

Another idea under consideration is holding, on the second Wednesday of each month, a meeting to discuss progress and issues associated with the Presidential and Congressional campaigns, as they proceed toward the November 2020 election. The format of these monthly meetings could resemble the one developed at this Wednesday's meeting.

Please attend and participate in this Wednesday's important meeting.