Tips on Keeping Warm
As you know, energy costs continue to rise. But you can do something to help others. Operation Energy Save was created for individuals and community groups to help friends, family, and neighbors conserve energy by sharing a checklist of tips that have been proven to reduce energy costs. That way, those you care about can save money and stay warm.
· Close the heat vents and the doors in rooms that aren’t being used.
· Make sure all windows are fully closed. Lock double-hung windows to minimize drafts coming through older windows.
· Shut fireplace dampers to prevent heated air from going up the chimney when you’re not using the fireplace. Be sure all embers are out.
· Clean registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators, and be sure that they’re not blocked by curtains, furniture, or carpeting.
· Lower the temperature on the water heater to 120 degrees. Reducing the temperature by 20 degrees can save you nearly $50 a year.
· Replace or clean furnace air filters. A clogged, dirty filter forces your furnace to work harder. A clean filter can save you 10 percent on your bill.*
· Remove window air conditioning units when the summer is over to prevent heat from escaping. If the unit can’t be moved, cover it to prevent drafts.
· Use expanding foam (available in spray cans) to seal the gaps around pipes that connect to the house from the outside.
· Install weather stripping or caulk around doors and windows and place foam gaskets behind outlet plate covers on exterior walls. If there’s a large gap at the bottom of an exterior door, install a door sweep.*
· Seal and insulate ducts and joints with a non-hardening sealant. Ducts running through unfinished spaces (attics, crawl spaces, and garages) that aren’t properly sealed and insulated can add 25 percent to your home’s heating bill.*
· Thank you for helping out and making a difference in your community. Please visit AARP.org/VA to discover more ways AARP can help you give back and to tell us about your experience with Operation Energy Save.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Operation Energy Save
December Newsletter
Thanksgiving is over, and we are all in the midst of preparing for a rash of holiday parties—the least of which will be our AARP holiday potluck luncheon. We will not only be celebrating the holiday season, but the end of a very successful year.
Our chapter was named Virginia AARP Large Chapter of the Year; we had a very successful Chicken BBQ raising $3194.42 for charity; and over 60 members participated in the AARP Volunteer Day in May.
Several of our members are participating in the AARP Protective Money Management Program, which is a new program for our chapter, as well as the Tax Aid program, both of which are part of the AARP Foundation.
We have continued to help Sheltering Arms not only with money but also with donations of needed items and monthly help at the shelter cleaning and repairing the building. These are just some of the many projects our members participate in. I want to thank you very much, and I look forward to another great year of service and fun.
At the last meeting I mentioned AARP’s Project Energy Save. This is a program to help you and your friends and family to conserve energy and save money. There are tips for everyday living and a lend-a-hand check list for you to use in your home and with your neighbors. To find our more about this program, and to print copies of each list, go to the chapter website to find the link or to http://www.aarp.org/states/va/ articles/project_energy_save.html.
AARP has also produced a booklet on questions that you should ask if you are thinking about changing to a Medicare Advantage plan from the original Medicare plan. They want you to be aware that under an advantage plan you are no longer covered directly by Medicare. Your Medicare Advantage provider receives a set amount of money yearly from Medicare to take care of your health needs. I have about 50 copies of this information and will bring to the meeting, or you can contact me and I will get you a copy before the meeting.
Our January 19 meeting will be probably be held at the Community Center because the floor in the Great Room is being resurfaced and in all likelihood will not be finished by then. Please check the front board and Channel 18 to make sure. We will also send out an email notice. And speaking of next year, January is dues month.
I hope that you are checking out our blog/website as there are pictures from the Chicken BBQ and more information on the AARP Recondition Banquet that Joe and I attended.
I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Chanukah or just a special holiday, and a may the new year bring health and happiness to all of you. See you at the party!
Carla Wascalus, President
AARP Holiday Luncheon
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity
AARP members and friends are invited to join us at the Community Center for our annual holiday luncheon on Monday, December 15 at 11:30 AM. Members are asked to bring one of the following: a hot entrée, a vegetable or a dessert to serve approximately eight people. Food should be delivered no later than 11:15 AM. Tables will be set up ahead of time by some of the members. Drinks, paper products and plastic ware will be furnished.
The following members will be installed as the Chapter 5239 Officers for 2009: President, Carla Wascalus; Vice President, Dick Martin; Secretary, Helen Markart; Treasurer, Linda Wight; Directors; Dick Bradie, Ruth Hood, Ruby Horvath, Dwight Mottet, Pierre Payette and Jim Danoy, Past President.
A short business meeting will follow the luncheon. Come join us.
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to the following new members: Bernard J. Arnold, Patricia J. Berry, Gilbert and Lucille Churchill,
BIRTHDAYS FOR DECEMBER
(Sagittarius and Capricorn)
Dick Berra—Phyllis Bubeck
Donna Crawley—Nola Davidson
Ray Dickinson—Marion Doherty
Nancy Grogan—Robert Haring
Jackie Hill—Ruth Hood
Marion Jacobeen—Joan King
Millie Lane—Ruth Lemmerman
Hank Lewis—Ron Moffa
Pat Phillipo—James Protiva
Ed Rowan—Nancy Sandford
Gail Sauro—Sue Schafer
Diane Sibley—Kathleen Stephens
Richard Stohr—Beverly Stohr
Joseph Wascalus—Erlinda Wight
Elaine Witcher—Boyce Wray
Paul Zacheis
SUNSHINE REPORT
Get Well cards were sent to: Don Crawley, Theresa Danoy, Debbie Fleagle, Mary Hudak, and Kathleen Martin
TRIPS AND TOURS
Mediterranean Cruise—July 3-15, 2009. From $4156 pp/double occupancy. Price includes Round-trip airfare from Dulles, 12-day cruise on the Ruby Princess from Venice to Barcelona via Athens, Istanbul, Mykonos, Naples, Capri, Rome, Florence, Pisa and Barcelona. Info: Ruby at 727-7579.
Coming in 2010: Oberammergau Passion Play, Tour of Germany and Austria. $2,759 pp/double occupancy (plus airfare) Info: Ruby at 727-7579.
Other tours offered to AARP members by outside groups:
Six-day Norfolk to Bahamas Cruise on Carnival, May 31. 6 days. Double Occupancy: Inside $658, Ocean view $828, Balcony $978; plus $9 fuel supplement/day/person. Enjoy pristine beaches and international shopping in Nassau, Freeport. Info: Bob Johnson at 972-4358.
Alaska Discovery Cruise Tour August 16-28, 2009. Twelve-nights Holland America Line. Cabin prices from $3,748 to $6,078. Price includes: round trip air from Dulles to Anchorage and back from Vancouver, 3-day, 2-night stay in Anchorage allowing tour of city, visit to Alaska Native Heritage Center; a 2-night experience in Denali National Park, Tundra Wilderness Tour. Info: Skip Poole at 972-7354
Chapter's 2008 Election Day Chicken Barbeque Event
by Dwight Mottet, Project Chairman
On November 4 one hundred and eight chapter volunteers again produced a very successful Chicken BBQ event, which raised $3,197.42 for charities. We cooked and served 797 chicken dinners on Election Day from 11 AM to 6 PM at the LOW Clubhouse. The volunteers displayed outstanding results and fellowship in selling over 800 tickets and producing the delicious meals for members and guests in the greater LOW community. Thanks to all for your generous support.
Our chapter was named Virginia AARP Large Chapter of the Year; we had a very successful Chicken BBQ raising $3194.42 for charity; and over 60 members participated in the AARP Volunteer Day in May.
Several of our members are participating in the AARP Protective Money Management Program, which is a new program for our chapter, as well as the Tax Aid program, both of which are part of the AARP Foundation.
We have continued to help Sheltering Arms not only with money but also with donations of needed items and monthly help at the shelter cleaning and repairing the building. These are just some of the many projects our members participate in. I want to thank you very much, and I look forward to another great year of service and fun.
At the last meeting I mentioned AARP’s Project Energy Save. This is a program to help you and your friends and family to conserve energy and save money. There are tips for everyday living and a lend-a-hand check list for you to use in your home and with your neighbors. To find our more about this program, and to print copies of each list, go to the chapter website to find the link or to http://www.aarp.org/states/va/ articles/project_energy_save.html.
AARP has also produced a booklet on questions that you should ask if you are thinking about changing to a Medicare Advantage plan from the original Medicare plan. They want you to be aware that under an advantage plan you are no longer covered directly by Medicare. Your Medicare Advantage provider receives a set amount of money yearly from Medicare to take care of your health needs. I have about 50 copies of this information and will bring to the meeting, or you can contact me and I will get you a copy before the meeting.
Our January 19 meeting will be probably be held at the Community Center because the floor in the Great Room is being resurfaced and in all likelihood will not be finished by then. Please check the front board and Channel 18 to make sure. We will also send out an email notice. And speaking of next year, January is dues month.
I hope that you are checking out our blog/website as there are pictures from the Chicken BBQ and more information on the AARP Recondition Banquet that Joe and I attended.
I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Chanukah or just a special holiday, and a may the new year bring health and happiness to all of you. See you at the party!
Carla Wascalus, President
AARP Holiday Luncheon
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity
AARP members and friends are invited to join us at the Community Center for our annual holiday luncheon on Monday, December 15 at 11:30 AM. Members are asked to bring one of the following: a hot entrée, a vegetable or a dessert to serve approximately eight people. Food should be delivered no later than 11:15 AM. Tables will be set up ahead of time by some of the members. Drinks, paper products and plastic ware will be furnished.
The following members will be installed as the Chapter 5239 Officers for 2009: President, Carla Wascalus; Vice President, Dick Martin; Secretary, Helen Markart; Treasurer, Linda Wight; Directors; Dick Bradie, Ruth Hood, Ruby Horvath, Dwight Mottet, Pierre Payette and Jim Danoy, Past President.
A short business meeting will follow the luncheon. Come join us.
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to the following new members: Bernard J. Arnold, Patricia J. Berry, Gilbert and Lucille Churchill,
BIRTHDAYS FOR DECEMBER
(Sagittarius and Capricorn)
Dick Berra—Phyllis Bubeck
Donna Crawley—Nola Davidson
Ray Dickinson—Marion Doherty
Nancy Grogan—Robert Haring
Jackie Hill—Ruth Hood
Marion Jacobeen—Joan King
Millie Lane—Ruth Lemmerman
Hank Lewis—Ron Moffa
Pat Phillipo—James Protiva
Ed Rowan—Nancy Sandford
Gail Sauro—Sue Schafer
Diane Sibley—Kathleen Stephens
Richard Stohr—Beverly Stohr
Joseph Wascalus—Erlinda Wight
Elaine Witcher—Boyce Wray
Paul Zacheis
SUNSHINE REPORT
Get Well cards were sent to: Don Crawley, Theresa Danoy, Debbie Fleagle, Mary Hudak, and Kathleen Martin
TRIPS AND TOURS
Mediterranean Cruise—July 3-15, 2009. From $4156 pp/double occupancy. Price includes Round-trip airfare from Dulles, 12-day cruise on the Ruby Princess from Venice to Barcelona via Athens, Istanbul, Mykonos, Naples, Capri, Rome, Florence, Pisa and Barcelona. Info: Ruby at 727-7579.
Coming in 2010: Oberammergau Passion Play, Tour of Germany and Austria. $2,759 pp/double occupancy (plus airfare) Info: Ruby at 727-7579.
Other tours offered to AARP members by outside groups:
Six-day Norfolk to Bahamas Cruise on Carnival, May 31. 6 days. Double Occupancy: Inside $658, Ocean view $828, Balcony $978; plus $9 fuel supplement/day/person. Enjoy pristine beaches and international shopping in Nassau, Freeport. Info: Bob Johnson at 972-4358.
Alaska Discovery Cruise Tour August 16-28, 2009. Twelve-nights Holland America Line. Cabin prices from $3,748 to $6,078. Price includes: round trip air from Dulles to Anchorage and back from Vancouver, 3-day, 2-night stay in Anchorage allowing tour of city, visit to Alaska Native Heritage Center; a 2-night experience in Denali National Park, Tundra Wilderness Tour. Info: Skip Poole at 972-7354
Chapter's 2008 Election Day Chicken Barbeque Event
by Dwight Mottet, Project Chairman
On November 4 one hundred and eight chapter volunteers again produced a very successful Chicken BBQ event, which raised $3,197.42 for charities. We cooked and served 797 chicken dinners on Election Day from 11 AM to 6 PM at the LOW Clubhouse. The volunteers displayed outstanding results and fellowship in selling over 800 tickets and producing the delicious meals for members and guests in the greater LOW community. Thanks to all for your generous support.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Myrtle Beach Trip - December 1-4, 2008
We had a great time on our trip to Myrtle Beach. Ruby Horvath and White Star designed a wonderful trip. We saw three shows, visited La Belle Winery (enjoyed a taste of wine, had some fruit and cheese and shopped). On the bus tour of Charleston we learned that Charleston was founded long before the Revolutionary war and is full of Revolutionary War history, not Civil War history. We also did a lot of shopping. Our guide Grace and the bus driver Charles were great. A fun time was had by all 50 of us.
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