WARM

WARM is an acronym for Windward Area Retired Men. WARM meets 8:00 AM every Monday for breakfast at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church fellowship hall (map below).  A full breakfast is served by a professional chef who knows his way around a commercial kitchen. Although there are more than one hundred members on the WARM membership role, about 40 members attend on any given Monday.   

WARM began in 1989 by a handful of retired men who were very early residents of the Windward neighborhood of Alpharetta GA.  The small group founded by Tom Evans, Marly Blickstein and Walt Hardcastle grew through the decades to include scores of men of varying backgrounds and interests. 

Today WARM, in addition to including men of varying backgrounds and interests, includes men who live in neighborhoods other than Windward although the majority call Windward home.  Several have moved from Windward after becoming empty-nesters and downsized in other neighborhoods nearby.  Some WARM members who never lived in Windward (or even Alpharetta) joined because they knew other WARM members.

The WARM breakfast meetings' agenda often includes speakers from the various departments of Alpharetta's city administration, including the mayor.  Speakers also include sports enthusiasts, announcers and scouts; professionals from financial, health, real estate and construction industries.  On Mondays when no outside speaker is scheduled, WARM members present their own biographies or other subjects of interest.

WARM is an informal group with no "officers" and no dues.  Those who show up for breakfast pay a very reasonable price for their plentiful meal.  WARM's only two rules have endured since inception, no talking about politics and religion.    

In addition to its growth in membership, another change in WARM since its inception is the number of younger members.  Originally WARM members were all retires but, through the years, semi-retired men and men who own their own businesses and/or work from home have joined.

If you are interested in learning more about WARM contact Eric Hempelman hempwasl@gmail.com or Leland Carawan lcarawan@me.com.  More information will be added to this website in the coming weeks.