From the President
Joyce Szulc
Your Board is already working on summer activities for the club! Plans are under way for tennis, pickleball, golf and bike rides to name just a few of our upcoming events.
Will you be in shape and ready to participate? Maybe you have been sitting more in front of the TV or computer, snacking more and not getting any exercise? The pandemic might have hindered your normal exercise and diet habits. Be sure to sign into our virtual March General Meeting, where our own Vagabond Dr. Bill Gaertner will share his tips for losing the dreaded COVID-15.
I anticipate that some (but not all) of the COVID restrictions will be relaxed this summer as the vaccine becomes more accessible. The club will continue to follow all health and safety guidelines to ensure a safe and fun experience for participants. Expect changes in event protocol as we move into the summer months. Once again, some venues may not hold events since they are not appropriate for larger groups at this time.
On another note, the club continues to recruit volunteers to lead individual events and to oversee activities such as the summer biking program and the Wednesday walks. We cannot run events without volunteers and will be forced to cancel if no one steps up. Being an event leader is one of the best ways to interact with other club members. Do you have an idea for a new or different event that you are willing to lead? Contact a Board member for more details on how you can keep the club moving forward.
Before you know it, it will be time for our annual May election. If you have any interest in running for a Board position, please contact me. There might be an opening for you!
Joyce
Payment Options for all events (unless otherwise noted):
1. Online Registration with Credit Card payment
2. In person with completed Event Coupon and credit card or check
3. By mail, send completed Event Coupon with check to Event Leader
Jan Breitbach
WELCOME NEW OR RETURNING MEMBERS!
If you have any questions or are willing to volunteer, contact Jan at jan. breitbach@gmail.com or (414) 732-9749.
Printed copies of the 2021 Vagabond Directory are still available.
Send a $5 check to Jan Breitbach 7809 W. Mt. Vernon Ave,. Milwaukee, WI 53213.
Are you a member of AARP Wisconsin?
If so, click to connect with AARP every Thursday from noon to 12:30 p.m. without leaving your home.
Stay up to date on topics related to healthy living, fraud prevention, volunteering and more.
Facebook: facebook.com/aarpWisconsin Visit aarp.org/wi for more information.
(Reminder: Ensure that your computer is up to date and has the necessary software loaded.)
From the vice president
Linda Horn
Don’t Get Scammed!
An AARP study shows that people are more likely to respond to threatening email messages than to those that promise rewards. That might explain the growth of email extortion scams that threaten to publicize compromising information about you – true or not – if you don’t make a quick payment.
They claim they’ve implanted malware on your computer that lets them capture your keystrokes, watch through your webcam and amass embarrassing evidence about you (such as evidence that you visit adult websites), even if it isn’t true.
They threaten to share the information with all your email and social media contacts unless you pay hush money.
They may refer to one of your passwords, obtained on the black market after a big corporate data breach. Don’t panic. It’s unlikely that the cyber blackmailer has actually invaded your computer.
Warning Signs
• The message seems generic and doesn’t cite any specific websites.
• The threat is poorly worded and includes grammatical errors.
• You are given a short deadline to respond, typically a day or two – a classic high-pressure tactic.
DO
• Do change the password you use for a website you’ve learned has been hit by a data breach.
• Do use two-factor authentication when it’s available.
• Do keep your operating system, web browser and antivirus programs up to date.
• Do cover the lens on your computer’s webcam with a piece of opaque tape when you’re not using it, to block a hacker who might actually use it to spy on you.
• Do check that security settings on your social media accounts are activated.
DON’T
• Don’t reply to an extortionist’s email.
• Don’t pay up in hopes that the blackmailer will go away. He or she may just ask for more money.
• Don’t keep using the password the scammer mentioned in the email. Change it immediately.
• Don’t use the same password for multiple sites.
• Don’t click any links or open any attachments in an extortion email.
Excerpted from: www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2019/extortion.html
Tech Tip
A New Way to Add a Photo to Your Vagabond Profile Page
Have a photo on your smartphone that would be great on your Vagabond profile? Here’s a new way to add that photo from the Wild Apricot app on your smartphone.
1. Open the Wild Apricot app.
2. Below your name you will see the club’s name in blue. Tap it. You are in the Members Only Section of the website.
3. Tap VIEW PROFILE.
4. Tap EDIT PROFILE.
5. Scroll down a little and tap Choose File under the Photo heading.
6. Tap Photo Library.
7. Tap the photo you want to add. Tap Choose at the bottom of the screen. (May differ depending on the phone being used.)
8. Tap SAVE.
Helpful hints:
• Turning your phone to landscape view makes seeing the website easier.
• Don’t have the Wild Apricot app on your phone?
— Go to VagabondSkiClub.com.
— Tap Members Only Access in the Popular Links box on the right-hand side of the screen.
— Continue with Step 3 above. Now your Vagabond friends will see your photo when they go to your profile page!
Tech Tip
Print your directory
The 2021 Vagabond Directory printable (pdf) version, including member listings and ads, is on the Members Only website. To access it:
• Go to VagabondSkiClub.com and click or tap Members Only Access on the right-hand side of the screen.• Click the PUBLICATIONS tab.
• Click ‘2021 Vagabond Printed Directory.’
• From this screen, you may view or print the directory. Print it the same way you would any PDF:
• Either right-click anywhere in the document and click PRINT.
• Or hover the cursor over the top part of the screen and click PRINT.
Please remember that the most up-to-date information is online using the DIRECTORY tab on the Members Only section of the website or the Wild Apricot App on your smartphone.
Tech Tip
Add an APP to access the Vag website from your smartphone or tablet
Previous Tech Tips explained how to add the Wild Apricot app to your smartphone or tablet. I hope you did, so that you can take advantage of accessing the Members Only section. This is where you can view the member directory, view/update your profile and access many other features with just a few taps on the screen.
You also can create an app for the Vagabond main website at www.VagabondSkiClub.com. A single tap of the icon will display the main web page. Tap the tabs going across the top to see full-color pages about sports activities including skiing, walks, hikes, tennis/pickleball, Social Activities and more. You can access the Members Only website, like you would from a computer, view the current issue of the Vagabond Life, and the photo library which is updated frequently with pictures from recent club activities.
Instructions for an iPhone or iPad:
• Using the browser on your smartphone, go to the Vagabond website by entering www.VagabondSkiClub.com.
• In the shaded line at the top, find the box with an upward- pointing arrow and tap it.
• Scroll down until you see the icon that says “Add to Home Screen” and tap it.
• Touch the word “ADD” on the top right (usually in blue)
• Look at your home page and tap your new Vagabond app to go directly to the Vagabond website.
Instructions for an Android phone or tablet:
• Using the browser on your smartphone, go to the Vagabond website by entering www.VagabondSkiClub.com.
• At the top right hand side of the screen, find the three vertical dots and tap there.
• On the dropdown menu, tap “Add to Home Screen.”
• Look on your home screen to find your new Vagabond app and tap it to go directly to the website
If you need help, contact Linda Horn at (262) 707-1450.
P.S. You may have already guessed that you can add an app for any website using these instructions.
Tech Tip
Do you have the Wild Apricot app on your smart phone?
The Wild Apricot App gives you access to several terrific features, and one of the best is access to the Vagabond Member Directory using your smart phone.
To add the App to your phone:
• Go to the app store you use (Apple app store, google play, etc.) Search for “Wild Apricot – Member” and download it.
• Open the Wild Apricot app and log in to Wild Apricot using the email and password you established previously.
• If you have not yet established a password, you will need to do so using a different device OR,
• Call Linda Horn at 262-707-1450 for assistance.
Once you have the app on your phone and you have logged in, click “remember me” so that you do not need to enter your password each time you want to use the app.
To access the online directory:
• Look at the bottom of the screen. You’ll see four icons:
• Tap “Members” to see the member directory. Tap the magnifying glass to search for a specific member.
• Type in a few characters of the last name, or
• Type in a few characters of the first name
• Then tap Search, or Go or Enter (it varies with the type of phone being used.)
• Tap the name of the person you are looking for to see their public profile page, including their phone number, email address, etc.
Other features available with the App:
• Tap “Event List” to view events open for registration. Tap a specific event to register for it.
• Tap “My Tickets” to view a list of events you have registered for.
• Tap “Profile” to view your profile and make changes as necessary.
Please don’t hesitate to call Linda Horn for assistance at (262) 707-1450.
Tech Tip
How to use zoom
The use of Zoom video and phone conferencing is skyrocketing as families, friends and businesses rely on it more to safely communicate and stay in touch with others. The club is using Zoom for board meetings, committee meetings, and general meetings, too. Below are instructions for using Zoom. Give it a try. It really is fun!
To join a meeting using your computer, tablet or smart phone
• If you haven’t done so already, place the Zoom app on your device.
• Using a computer, go to zoom.us and download Zoom Meetings.
• Follow the instructions and Allow Zoom to run on your computer
• Using a smart phone or tablet, go to the apple store or google play and download the Zoom meetings app.
• When it is time for the meeting, open the email you were sent a day or two prior to the meeting:
• Using a computer
• Click the link to the meeting
• Click Open Zoom Meeting.
• Using a smart phone or tablet
• Open the Zoom app
• Click Join Meeting
Or, if you don’t have the email or the link …
• When it is time for the meeting
• Click or tap the Zoom app.
• Fill in the Meeting ID: 837 335 6215 and Password: 8242 2663.
• DO NOT ENTER ANY SPACES – JUST THE NUMBERS.
- or -
• Dial In using any cell phone or land line
Dial (312) 626-6799 Meeting ID: 837 3356 215 Password: 8242 2663
Please contact Linda Horn at (262) 707-1450 if you need help. She will help you download the app and set up a practice meeting if you would like so all the kinks are worked out before the real meeting.