President’s Message
Summer has finally arrived, a little wet but definitely hot. First of all, I want to thank you all for the cards, words, thoughts and prayers on the death of my father. They have meant a lot to me. It just goes to show that AARP and LOW people are the best around. Thank you.
At our April board meeting we approved donations to the Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development. We have received three notes from children thanking us for helping to send them to camp this summer. We also made a $100 donation to the OC Citizen’s Police Academy. We also received a thank you note from them.
Our June 15 meeting will be our picnic. It is a good time to sit and visit with all our friends. Bring your side dish or dessert and your appetite for hamburger and hot dogs.
I have not received the final report on our Day of Service, but I know that 54 people participated. Thank you all for your dedication and service. We really do have a wonderful chapter.
Now for a little fun! At the April meeting Hank Lewis challenged me to enter the cardboard boat race in July. I said, “If you build me a boat, I will do it!” Oh what a fool am I. He is going to do it. I am going to call it the “AARP Gray Power.” I am going to need your support. You must come and laugh at me when I sink, flip over or just generally make a fool of myself, but that is OK. It is for the kids.
If anyone has a double paddle or hand paddles that I can borrow, I would be most grateful. Call me at 972-3436. Be sure to
mark your calendars for July 25 to come out and cheer me on. After all I will be representing our Chapter.
Carla Wascalus, President
AARP Schedules Annual Picnic
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity
It's again time for our annual picnic. We will meet at the Lion George Lewis Pavilion in Sweetbriar Park on Monday, June 15. The picnic is held in place of our regular meeting.
The picnic will kick off at 11:30 AM. Hamburgers, hot dogs, lemonade and water will be provided. As usual, we ask everyone to bring their favorite potluck dish to share. Come earlier than 11:30 AM because it takes time to set up the tables. We suggest that you put your name on a label on the side or bottom of your dish or utensils so that nothing will get lost.
When the picnic is over, your assistance in cleaning up would be appreciated. As in the past, there is no charge for attending our picnic. Bring a friend, neighbor or relative with you. We look forward to seeing you there.
JUNE BIRTHDAYS
(Gemini and Cancer)
Elizabeth Blood, Sal Buccola, Connie Buttimer, Ida Cangelosi, Lucille Churchill, Robert Cooke, Ralph Daehnke, Richard Durphy, Eileen Estrella, Nell Grimley, Sibyle Jenks, Roxanne Kessler, Chuck King, Rina Lacey, Nancy Miller, Jan Moore, Eugene Ostlund, June Pataky, John Purificato, June Romedy, Bonnie Rowan, Judy Schrage, Bob Simpson, Sheila Souther, Shirley Thompson, Ginny Thoms, John Trach, Sandy Wemmerus, and Carolyn Wray,
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to the following new members:
Emily T. Slunt and Robert W. Walker
SUNSHINE REPORT
A get-well card was sent to Arlene DeSimone.
A sympathy card was sent to Carla and Joe Wascalus on the death of Carla’s father.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
Notes, Bits and Pieces
2009 Volunteer Day, Was a Great Success
by Roxanne Kessler Coordinator and
Sibyle Jenks assistant coordinator
Fifty-four members of AARP Chapter 5239 spread out over Orange County on May 14 to volunteer at various sites. Some people painted or did yard work; others talked to nursing home residents, prepared flyers, made lunches or took photographs. As always, our chapter made a good showing. Thank you all for your continued support for charitable organizations in our area. The names of the volunteers are listed below. Don’t miss the photographs on page 5.
Orange County Nursing Home—Corky Thomas, Team Leader, Charlotte Baker, Violet Liberti, Jan Moore, Jim Moore
Ellwood House— Bob Johnson, Team Leader, Harvey Miller, Nancy Miller, Ron Moffa, Lee Huminick, Gil Churchill, Lucille Churchill, Lee Anne Hamilton, Thomas Hamilton, Joy Poole, Skip Poole, Ed Roessler,
Orange County Historical Society— Bill Walker, Team Leader, Rosemary Walker, Joe Davidson, Nola Davidson,
Sheltering Arms (Homeless Shelter)—Marian Jacobeen, Frank Jacobeen, Bill Nowers, Carolyn Durphy, Bud Diminick, Harold Thompson, Judy Carter, Grace McEwen,
Orange County Animal Shelter—Sibyle Jenks, Team Leader, Pamela Nalls, Gay Grant,
TRIAD—Dick Bradie, Team Leader, Kathleen Bradie, Pat Lieb, Judy Schrage, Jerry Schrage, Ed Brown, Linda Wight, Ed Rowan,
Lunch Makers—Carla Wascalus, Team Leader, Millie Nowers, Pat Logan, Delma Roessler, Bonnie Rowan
Photographers Dick Durphy, Orange County venues; Ralph Scheuermann, Ellwood House, TRIAD & Lunch Makers
Others—Margaret Thode does gardening at Wilderness Library; Betty Hughes volunteers at Mary Washington Hospital; John Hughes does bookkeeping for the Humane Society; Bob and Shirley Pfile volunteer at the Graffiti House.
LEGISLATIVE REPORT
by Pat Berry
The economic stimulus package, or American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, has several sections of specific interest to members of AARP. This piece of legislation calls it a priority for health information systems across the nation to communicate with each other. In the state of Virginia, this improvement in managing patient records is already underway. Several health organizations in Hampton Roads, Norfolk, and Newport News are already putting electronic systems in place. Health care providers are converting patient charts on paper to patient charts online. In one system hospitals cut the time it took for patients to get a new medication from an average of 137 minutes to 30 minutes.
While speed and communication are the benefits to be gained with this technological advance, the security aspects of such new systems still cause concern. The recent breach of a prescription drug database at the Virginia Department of Health Professions highlights potential risks. In that instance, a hacker broke into the system and is allegedly holding the database ransom for $10 million.
And you thought text messaging was the newest invention to challenge us senior citizens. It will be interesting to watch as these innovations move into health care and mainstream medical practices.
