Meeting Schedule

2026 RMC Meeting Schedule

Monthly Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of the month (no meetings in July, August or December)
in St, David's Episcopal Church (Nelson Hall) at 1:00 PM
Click here for directions.

2026 Schedule
January 8	April 9	September 10
February 12	May 14	October 8
March 12	June 11	November 12

2026 Speakers & Entertainment

We are excited to showcase our monthly meeting speaker schedule for 2026. All speakers have been confirmed. This is a great opportunity to set reminders for these dates and speakers in your personal calendars so you don't miss a meeting. If you have any questions or suggestions for engaging other speakers, please send us an email at [email protected].

Videos of the monthly meetings: The monthly meetings are recorded and available by copying the passcode, clicking on the meeting video link and pasting the passcode into the form to start the video.

January 8	*Guest Speaker: Reid Oslin,* U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Staff Officer- Communications - THE COAST GUARD’S GREATEST SMALL BOAT RESCUE The SS PENDLETON rescue mission was highlighted in the best-selling book, The Finest Hours, written by famed Cape Cod author Casey Sherman, and later was made into a Disney-produced feature-length movie of the same name. Reid, a Cape Cod resident, has done extensive research on the PENDLETON rescue and will present a factual presentation on this fascinating and remarkable event.	Video Link
February 12	*Guest Speaker: Leo Cakounes, Harwich Organic Cranberry Bog* Leo & Andrea Cakounes operate their beautiful, 17 acre cranberry bog on Cape Cod. Located in Harwich, MA, learn about the 12 month operation of a cranberry bog and the business of farming cranberries here on Cape Cod. Leo and Andrea have received a 4.8 rating (81 reviews) on TripAdvisor for their bog tours. Here is a recent review: "The Cakounes family is the heart and soul of this working cranberry bog and Farm. Their love for what they do shines through with their hard work and dedication. A great learning experience to the precious ecosystem of the cranberry bog and all it takes to keep it that way. Not only an educational experience but also a lot of fun" https://www.cranberrybogtours.com/ *Article on Leo Cakounes from Edible* https://ediblecapecod.ediblecommunities.com/shop/shop-leo-cakounes/
March 12	*Guest Speaker: Gregory Hischak - Director and Curator- Edward Gorey House* Greg is a poet, playwright, designer and book-artist. He is a guardian of the Gorey legacy with a focus on deepening public understanding of Gorey's creative universe. In 2025, Hischak authored a major book titled E Is for Edward: A Centennial Celebration of the Mischievous Mind of Edward Gorey. The book is a lavish illustrated compendium of Gorey’s work, drawing on the House’s archive and highlighting recurring themes, styles, and the breadth of Gorey’s creativity. https://edwardgoreyhouse.org/ Gregory Hischak Bio: https://chatgpt.com/s/t_6931ed0cf4a08191838d7b9e616335d3
April 9	Guest Speaker: Rick Bishop Executive Director of Friends of Bass River ( FOBR) The Friends of Bass River (FOBR) is a community-driven nonprofit dedicated to restoring the health, beauty, and ecological vitality of Cape Cod’s largest estuary. As Executive Director, Rick Bishop has spearheaded a number of important efforts to restore and protect the health of the region’s largest estuary: He created and directs the Upper Bass River Headwaters Restoration Project, aimed at restoring about 57 acres of retired cranberry bogs into functional wetlands — improving water quality, habitat, and tidal exchange. Restore America's Estuaries+2Friends Of Bass Rive+2 Under his leadership, FOBR has established a volunteer-based water-testing program (with seven volunteer water-testing teams) to regularly monitor nitrogen levels and other water-quality indicators across the river estuary. Restore America's Estuaries+2capecodtimes.com+2 He has coordinated with municipal, state and federal agencies to identify areas of ecological need along Bass River, develop restoration planning, and advocate for infrastructure improvements (for example, culvert/bridge replacements to enhance tidal flow and fish passage). lowercapenews.org+2capecodtimes.com+2 Through his advocacy — and with support for FOBR — a substantial grant of US$ 4.75 million was awarded (as of 2024) to support restoration efforts on Bass River, including wetlands restoration and bridge/culvert improvements. lowercapenews.org+2Massachusetts Government+2 By restoring wetlands, improving water flow, reviving shellfish beds, and empowering the community, FOBR is laying the groundwork for the river’s long-term recovery and resilience. https://www.friendsofbassriver.org/
May 14	Guest Speaker: Joseph Carr, founder of Josh Cellars, is a first-generation American who built one of the most recognized wine brands in the country by pairing entrepreneurial grit with a deep respect for family. Named in honor of his father, Josh—a U.S. Army veteran and volunteer firefighter—the brand reflects values of hard work, humility, and service. Carr began his career in the wine industry working with some of California’s most respected wineries before launching Josh Cellars in 2007 with a simple mission: to craft high-quality, approachable wines that bring people together. Under his leadership, the company grew from a small, family-inspired project into a nationally celebrated label, known especially for its Cabernet Sauvignon. His story resonates not just as a business success, but as a testament to honoring one’s roots, pursuing excellence, and building a legacy grounded in gratitude and perseverance—an inspiring message for any gathering, especially a Retired Men’s Club.
June 11	*Guest Speaker: Richard Johnson -* *Curator, Boston Sports Museum.* Richard A. Johnson is the longtime Curator of The Sports Museum at TD Garden and one of New England’s foremost historians of sport. For more than four decades, he has been responsible for preserving, interpreting, and showcasing the rich athletic heritage of Boston and New England—overseeing exhibits, archives, and educational programs that celebrate the region’s most iconic teams, athletes, and moments. A prolific author and researcher, Johnson has written or co-written numerous books on Boston sports history, including definitive works on the Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Fenway Park. He is widely recognized for his deep knowledge, engaging storytelling, and ability to bring the human side of sports history to life. In addition to his curatorial work, Johnson is a sought-after speaker and commentator, frequently featured in documentaries, museum events, and media productions exploring the cultural impact of sports in America.
Sept 10	*Guest Speaker: Anthony M Sammarco, Author, The History of the Christmas Tree Shops* Anthony M. Sammarco is a prolific New England historian and author known for his accessible, richly illustrated works documenting the evolution of Boston and surrounding Massachusetts communities. Based in the Greater Boston/Cape Cod region, he has authored more than seventy books covering neighborhood histories, urban development, cultural landmarks, and the businesses and institutions that shaped everyday life. His books—such as Lost Boston, Boston Back Bay, The History of Howard Johnson’s, The History of the Christmas Tree Shops and numerous titles in the “Through Time” series—blend archival photographs with narrative history to preserve the memory of places that have changed or disappeared. Sammarco’s research focuses on local heritage, immigrant communities, architectural change, and the social identity of Boston’s neighborhoods. Beyond writing, Sammarco is a frequent lecturer on Boston history and has contributed to the preservation of historical materials through his personal archives, which are held at the University of Massachusetts Boston. His work plays an important role in documenting and celebrating the cultural heritage of Massachusetts communities. https://www.through-time.com/collections/anthony-m-sammarco
Oct 8	Guest Speaker: David J. Zack, Director of Emergency Communications, Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office 9-1-1 Regional Emergency Communications Center Understanding how a 911 call works can be a lifesaver. This presentation will provide an inside look at how the Regional Communications Center operates, what happens behind the scenes when residents call 911, and how our technology helps accurately identify caller locations. We also offer guidance on how residents can store medical information on their smartphones to assist first responders during emergencies. Additional info https://www.bsheriff.net/184/Regional-Emergency-Communications-Center
Nov 12	Guest Speaker: Greg Quilty, Major USMC Ret MBA CRPC CFP JD - Director, Veteran Services, Barnstable District As a military helicopter pilot, Greg traveled to 32 different countries, including deployments to Beirut and Kuwait. By the age of 21, Greg was a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. After reaching 20 years of service, it was time for Greg to retire and explore new opportunities. In addition to completing his MBA and law degree, he became a certified financial planner and created a new career path. However, when Greg heard that there was a need for support working with homeless veterans, it struck a chord. Following his instinct to reconnect with veterans, he began helping at the Veterans Association. Before long he became a VA program manager, then director of the Cape & Islands Veterans’ Outreach Center. In our region, an area that encompasses 15 towns from Plymouth to Provincetown, the approximate number of veterans is an astounding 23,000. This is larger than the Boston district which numbers approximately 16,000 veterans. Greg will share his experiences in working with the many veterans in need of services.