November Newsletter

President’s Message
I hope that everyone had a fun Halloween and that you didn’t forget to turn your clocks back. It is now time to get ready for Thanksgiving. For those of us going on the Nashville trip and returning late the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, it is going to be a busy holiday if we are cooking; but then what fun are the holidays if we are not busy?
Our November 3 Election Day BBQ will be over by the time you are reading this newsletter. I just want to add my thanks to everyone who purchased tickets and who helped before or on the actual day. I know that we had plenty of brownies because so many of you signed up to bake. Thank you.
The slate of new officers/directors was presented at the October meeting, and they will be voted in during the next meeting. There will be four new officers and one new director to go along with four of the current Directors who will serve another year. All positions are one-year positions with officers allowed to serve two one-year terms and directors three one-year terms. The outgoing president also serves.
I am still looking for someone to completely take over the membership duties. A working knowledge of Excel and the ability to print mailing labels is essential. If interested please contact me.
We will continue to encourage you to bring food for the Wilderness Food Bank. See the list of items needed on page 4. They will not be collecting toys and having a party this year. They just have too many families and are getting more each time they are open. Sheltering arms will not be collecting toys either, but donations of money are always welcome to both groups.
Have a great Thanksgiving and remember we will be having our holiday pot luck luncheon on December 21 at the Community Center.
Carla Wascalus, President

LOW Residents to Discuss Peace Corps Experiences
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity, AARP Chapter 5239
The next meeting of AARP Chapter 5239, will take place on Monday, November 16, at the LOW Clubhouse. The featured speakers will be former members of the Peace Corps, Bobbie Prees, Sandi McNeeley, and Ed Scoon.
Bobbie Prees will share her experiences as a Peace Corp volunteer in Morocco and staff in Yemen. She is a retired federal employee.
Sandra McNeeley always wanted to help others, which led her to join the Peace Corps. She spent over two years as a volunteer in Kabul, Afghanistan teaching English and business subjects. Sandra will share slides of her experiences. She is a retired Department of State employee.
Casimir “Ed” Scoon is a former Regional Peace Corps Director in the Eastern Caribbean from 1970 to 1974. He has 15 years plus in International Labor Affairs for Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean. He will talk about his personal experiences in the Peace Corps. He is a retired federal employee.
The speakers are all residents of Lake of the Woods. It should be a most interesting program. Most people do not know a lot about the Peace Corps, and we should enjoy having speakers who are our neighbors.
The meeting will begin at 9:30AM with sweets and coffee followed by the program at 10AM. Everyone is invited to attend and if you can bring a friend.

2010 Slate of Chapter Officers and Directors
President, Richard Martin
Vice President, Richard Bradie
Secretary, Jennifer Zukowski
Treasure, Richard Durphy
Directors:
Roxanne Kessler
Ruth Hood, Incumbent-3rd term
Ruby Horvath, incumbent-3rd term
Dwight Mottet, incumbent-3rd term
Pierre Payette, Incumbent-2nd term

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
(Scorpio and Sagittarius )

Charlotte Banas, William Bauer, Ellie Baughman, Dick Bradie, Ellie Brown, Tony Brown, Laurel Buongiovanni, Marilyn Buttimer, Pat Cassese, Sheila Clark, Joe Davidson, Carol Dionne, William Grogan, Mary Hudak, Don Larsen, Helen Markart, Richard Martin, Joe Sauro, Ken Tilliman, Laurie Wares, Carla Wascalus, Elizabeth Wiley, Karen Wood

NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to the following new member: Sylvia Lyngle

SUNSHINE REPORT
No cards were sent this month.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.

NOTES, BITS AND PIECES

Monthly Silent Auction
We always need new and gently used items for the auctions. We would really like to have nice giftable items for the November auction since we will not have an auction in December. This could be a great "shopping trip." We need to have all items by November 10 to ready them for the meeting on November 16. Thanks for your help. Among the items up for bid will be some very collectible Elvis Presley dolls and a working Elvis watch. Pass the word to your collector friends! At the October meeting the auction netted $139.
Please remember: All bids are made in dollar increments only, no coins (i.e., 25¢, 50¢, or 75¢)
Call Roxanne at 972-8364), Patti at 972-1370 or Carla at 972-3436 for pickup. Any donation will be greatly appreciated.

Legislative Report
by Pat Berry
National: Because we are all keeping a watchful eye on the economic situation, news about legislative action in the House Financial Services Committee to protect consumers is worth sharing. On October 22, the Committee approved legislation to create what would be the first single federal agency with the power to examine and enforce rules for mortgages, credit cards, payday loans and other lending products and services. Of course, the measure must still win approval of the full House before moving to the Senate, but feeling is quite strong among all segments of the population that we must see some regulation of the financial services industry.
Another action in Congress includes expected changes in the federal estate tax law. As part of a major tax overhaul enacted in 2001, Congress created a schedule designed to decrease the inheritance tax incrementally until in 2010 the estate tax would be abolished entirely. Unfortunately, the law was designed to “sunset” after 10 years; and the old top rate of 55% would suddenly be back in place. Congress is likely to step in before the end of the year, but we can expect numerous amendments and prolonged debate before any final change in passed into law. That’s especially true if legislators agree to a one-year extension and punt the issue into 2010, because the entire House and a third of the Senate will be up for election next year.
In the event that anyone would like further information on Congress and legislation currently being considered, you can visit http:/thomas.loc.gov and do a quick review of bills that are in various stages of deliberation.