I hope that everyone had wonderful Fourth of July. The activities at the Lake were very nice. The LOW VETS did a great job taking charge and many of those Vets are AARP members.
Dick Martin and I went to the Southeastern area of AARP Chapters (SEVAC) meeting in Williamsburg to exchange ideas and learn about what AARP is working on that will be of interest to us. We learned about the AARP Foundation Grandparenting Program, a one-stop shop with reference materials and contacts for first-time grandparents and for those raising their grandchildren. Check out www.AARP.org to learn more. Note also that Grandparents Day happens during the 3rd week of September.
The AARP “Operation Energy Save” program, which VA AARP introduced last year is going national. Part of that program consisted of a checklist of things you can do in your home to reduce energy costs and also to help your neighbors.
AARP Virginia and the League of Women Voters of Virginia announced that they have joined forces to produce the first announced gubernatorial debate, slated for October 12. The statewide broadcast of the debate will be moderated by Judy Woodruff, veteran political reporter and senior correspondent for “The News Hour with Jim Lehrer,” and will be broadcast live across the state by all PBS television and radio stations and most commercial networks.
on July 25 I will be manning the ”AARP Gray Power” boat and probably sinking in the cardboard boat race. I need your support. Not only must you must come and laugh at me
when I sink, flip over, or just generally make a fool of myself, but you need to put money in my jar. Remember the money goes to the Lake Youth Foundation, and we want to collect the most money. I am still looking for hand paddles that I can borrow for this race. I would be most grateful if you could lend me a pair. Call me at 972-3436. So, be sure to mark your calendars for July 25th to come out and cheer me on. After all, I will be representing our Chapter.
Carla Wascalus, President
Honor America Corps Heritage Presentation of Flags of our Nation
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity
The next meeting of AARP Chapter 5239 will take place on July 20 at the Clubhouse and will feature guest speaker Francis S. Connors, Knights of Columbus, Honor America Corps. The Mission of the Corps is to reinforce, through education and by example, a broader knowledge and a deeper understanding of the heritage and traditions represented by the officers and the historical and special flags of our Nation.
Captain Connors was a member of the U.S. Navy Medical Service Corps for 35 years. He has been the Commander, Honor America Corps for six years.The meeting will begin at 9:30 AM with sweets and coffee, followed by the program at 10 AM. This is a program that should be of interest to all. Come for the meeting and perhaps become a member of this very active and friendly group. The meeting is Monday, July 20, at the LOW Clubhouse
JULY BIRTHDAYS
(Cancer and Leo)
Karen Anderson, Tony Aris, Bernie Arnold, Alice Bauer, Bonnie Boelke, Frank Cangelosi, Richard Costanzo, Judy Curnow, Sue Dickinson, Gayle Fargo, SandraFrame, Shelley Gravel, Carol Greeney, Gene Jacobs, Karen Jameson, Bob Jenks, Libby Kridler,
Rima Laviano, Ken Martin, Sandra McNeilly, Ursula Medwid, CarolMoffa, Eleonore Palowitch, Ruth Pavlik, Bob Pfile, Harry Ridge, Delma Roessler, FlorenceRose, Patrick Rowland, Doris Schluter, Sharon Webb,Diane Weller, Verna Wescott, Margaret Thode, and Len Weeder,
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to the following new members:
Ellie Baughman and Patrick Rowland
SUNSHINE REPORT
A get-well card was sent to Nancy Downie.
A sympathy card was sent to Ann Hartzel on death of husband Al.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
Silent Auction
As you may be aware, we have been holding a silent auction during our social time prior to the start of the meetings, from 9:30 to 10 AM. A few years ago, our Chapter purchased a microphone and speakers, which we no longer use and which have received little wear. Come to the meeting and bid on this and many other items of interest.
Get Your Tickets, Empire Staters(Cancer and Leo)
Karen Anderson, Tony Aris, Bernie Arnold, Alice Bauer, Bonnie Boelke, Frank Cangelosi, Richard Costanzo, Judy Curnow, Sue Dickinson, Gayle Fargo, SandraFrame, Shelley Gravel, Carol Greeney, Gene Jacobs, Karen Jameson, Bob Jenks, Libby Kridler,
Rima Laviano, Ken Martin, Sandra McNeilly, Ursula Medwid, CarolMoffa, Eleonore Palowitch, Ruth Pavlik, Bob Pfile, Harry Ridge, Delma Roessler, FlorenceRose, Patrick Rowland, Doris Schluter, Sharon Webb,Diane Weller, Verna Wescott, Margaret Thode, and Len Weeder,
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to the following new members:
Ellie Baughman and Patrick Rowland
SUNSHINE REPORT
A get-well card was sent to Nancy Downie.
A sympathy card was sent to Ann Hartzel on death of husband Al.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
Silent Auction
As you may be aware, we have been holding a silent auction during our social time prior to the start of the meetings, from 9:30 to 10 AM. A few years ago, our Chapter purchased a microphone and speakers, which we no longer use and which have received little wear. Come to the meeting and bid on this and many other items of interest.
by Frank Gatt, Member, New York Club
We’re getting closer to the New York Club Picnic on September 12, scheduled from noon to 4 PM at the Lion George Lewis Pavilion in Sweetbriar Park. There will be a catered lunch with two hot entrees, salad, bread and two sides. BYOD. The cost is $12 per kibitzer Our caterer needs to know by the middle of August how many meals to make, so come on and buy your tickets. Tickets: Frank Gatt, 972-9216; or Ed Roessler, 972-0436. Please get your tickets as soon as possible. Call John Trach at 972-4883; Ed Roessler at 972-0436; or Frank Gatt at 661-6141 to offer help in set-up and tear down
Health Care News
by Patti Batten
Long-Term Care—As lawmakers tackle health care, AARP is pressing them to improve the country’s long-term care system. Millions of older Americans rely on Medicaid for long-term care services and support they need, but this program prevents them from getting more affordable care in their own homes. On average Medicaid can pay for three older people in home and community based services for every one in a nursing home.
AARP has endorsed S.434—Empowered at home act. This legislation would provide incentives and greater opportunities for states to expand access to home and community based services.
AARP also endorsed the “Retooling the Health Care Workforce for the Aging Americans Act S. 245/HR468—which would provide training, support and information to family caregivers and improve the health and long-term care workers to better meet the needs of the aging population.
Tobacco Bill—US Senate issued an overwhelming 79-17 vote on a new bill that would grant the FDA “authority to regulate the content, marketing and advertising of cigarettes and other tobacco products.”
Swine Flu New—HHS has awarded a $ 35 M contract to a U.S. Company using “insect cell technology” to develop flu vaccine
Legislative Report
by Pat Berry
Intrepid Chapter 5239 members who are planning to travel to the Oberammergau Passion Plan (Germany and Austria) in 2010 probably already have their passports in hand and are brushing up on important German phrases. However, if your travel plans won’t be taking you quite so far, please be aware of the new passport laws that were put into effect on June 1. If you are going to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda, you now need a U.S. passport or passport card to re-enter this country by land or sea, courtesy of the new federal law resulting from the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. Previously accepted forms of identification, such as voter registration cards and birth certificates, are no longer acceptable.
Along with the new requirement came the option of a new type of travel document: the passport card. The card contains a radio-frequency identification chip which points to a stored record in secure government databases. Some travelers are interested in that option because it’s cheaper than a conventional passport, i.e., $45 for adult applicants rather than $100 for a traditional document. However, also know that though the card can be used on cruises to re-enter U.S. ports and at land travel border crossings, it isn’t valid for air travel.
Tricky, isn’t it? And here’s a trick that might save another few dollars as you travel. Now that airlines are charging for checked bags, you might want to consider shipping them ahead, using a ground service like FedEx or UPS. For example, a bag weighing 55 pounds shipped from New York to Miami Beach is about $39 on FedEx, $43 by UPS and $50 to $100 on some airlines. You’ll need to pack in advance if you want your things to be there when you arrive, but you might avoid some other headaches that can come with managing luggage in an airport. To calculate your own shipping costs, visit FedEx.com and UPS.com.
Highlights of theJune 15, 2009, Membership Picnic
The food, as usual, was fantastic and everyone ate as if they were starving. The hamburgers and hot dogs were cooked magnificently by our famous chefs. President Wascalus thanked the Churchills for their work in organizing the picnic and the members who set up the tables.
Don’t forget these important events: the July 4 celebration, the cardboard boat parade, and the NY party on September 12, and the Orange County Fair on July 23-26. The 50/50 of $72 was won Chris Grumby.
