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Pride Guide 2008 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

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Prime Timers come from all walks of life

by James L. Williams

Cleveland-Prime Timers Cleveland provides mature gay and bisexual men opportunities to gather in a supportive atmosphere for social, educational, and recreational activities.

Prime Timers are mostly older gay or.. bisexual men. There is, however, no membership age restriction except men are over twenty-one. It is difficult to define a Prime Timer, as they come from all walks of life. Prime Timers are involved in their community with volunteering, advocacy of gay issues, arts, entertainment, and every facet of healthy living. Prime Timers are fathers and singles. They are businessmen and laborers, working or retired. Some are on the go and others enjoy the quiet of friends at home. But all Prime Timers have opportunities for new friendships and unique activities of a worldwide organization.

Prime Timers was founded in 1987 by a retired professor, Woody Baldwin. He felt an unhealthy gap existed in today's gay culture because of an emphasis on eternal youth. Woody began the Boston chapter by placing ads in local newspapers and soliciting friends. He expected a handful of men and was surprised when over 40 showed up. Today this organization has seventy chapters in many nations.

The Prime Timers Worldwide convention is held in odd-numbered years. Conventions have been in Provincetown, Vancouver, Dallas, Palm Springs, Washington, D.C., Houston and Orlando. The 2009 convention is in Toronto. Three regional events are held in even-numbered years. Hopefully, a Prime Timers chapter will soon be in every metropolitan area.

The Cleveland chapter meets the third Sunday of each month starting at 4 pm.

Meeting locations vary from members' homes to a church reception hall and occasionally area restaurants. The monthly gettogethers involve an educational program,

Woody Baldwin felt an unhealthy gap existed in today's gay culture because of an emphasis on eternal youth.

and a pot-luck dinner. Guests are always welcome and the first timer does not contribute to the pot-luck.

Cleveland Prime Timers publishes a monthly newsletter giving information about the upcoming meeting. Members and guests can call the chapter phone at 216556-0019 at least three days before any meeting to confirm attendance and get directions. The website www.PTCleveland.org also posts the newsletter. The membership and mailing lists are never shared and members use first names.

For links to Prime Timers chapters in Columbus, the Miami Valley and Hocking areas and Cincinnati, go to www.primetimers ww.org.

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James L. Williams is the president of Prime Timers Cleveland.

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In The Sun

Silent Auction, Raffles, Volleyball, Music, Entertainment, Food and Beer

Tickets $10 presale $13 gate

Ticket sales begin in May at most Akron/Canton GLBT bars & businesses or at www.akronpridecenter.org

Ohio Sportsman's Club,

1775 Jacoby Road in Copley

(only 15 mins. from downtown Akron!)

Trinity Cathedral

An inclusive community of faith

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Sunday Worship

at 8 am 9 am and

11:15 am

Education for all ages

at 10:10 am

Wednesday Evensong

at 6 pm October-May

Thursday Healing Eucharist at 12:10 pm

TRINITY

CATHEDRAL

CHURCH IN

CLEVELAND

DOMANITOWAN

Visit www.trinitycleveland.org

for a complete listing of

upcoming speakers, arts events,

social opportunities and

education programs.

E 22nd and Euclid Avenue Parking off Prospect⚫ Visit the shops and cafél

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Sunday June 29th 2008 12-9pm