We Need Your Help!
Would you believe that the pesky, irritating, time-consuming problem of AARP Chapter 5239 monthly meeting “Set-Up/Take-Down” is once again the “big blip on our radar?”
LOWA Administration suddenly let Otis go a week or two ago, for a variety of reasons. This means that chair and table set-up, along with sound systems, must be done by the groups holding the meetings.
Sylvia Zelinsky, the Activities Director at the Community Center, has been charged with handling the sound system there, but the extent of her training and experience with the system seems to be in question.
The Chapter faced this sudden problem promptly at its Monday, November 15, meeting. I had made arrangements with Joey Welsh, Clubhouse Manager, to have the microphone and speaker podium left out for our use. They weren’t—we had to hold the meeting without any sound system.
Fortunately, Bill Walker and five other members showed up to handle the meeting chair/table set-up and take-down. This great crew prepared the room and then returned it exactly to what it was.
I say enough of this stupid foolishness. We must make our meetings totally self-sufficient, so we don’t have to rely upon the dubious cooperation from other people month after month.
First, let’s set up a rotating group of men to meet at 8:30 AM before each monthly meeting to do the necessary room arrangement and chair/table set-up. This work can be done in less than an hour and teams of six men works well. They would also handle “take-down” after the meeting, but many hands are then available, and it is completed quickly.
We’re not talking the same men month after month. Please sign up for several months you know you’ll be around and can help. Call me to register at 972-5242 or email Doodoo1066@Verizon.net .
Second, we can permanently solve the sound problem by buying our own microphone and cords. I’ll be presenting a purchase proposal to the Board of Directors in the near future.
Dick Martin, President
Holiday Luncheon Planned
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity, AARP Chapter 5239
AARP members and friends are invited to join us at the Community Center for our annual holiday luncheon on Monday, December 20, 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. Serving tables will be set up ahead of time.
A short business meeting will follow the luncheon.
The following members will be installed as the AARP Chapter 5239 Officers for 2011:
President Richard Martin, Vice President Richard Bradie, Secretary Pam Nalls, and Treasurer Richard Durphy.
Directors: Pierre Payette—3rd Term; Roxanne Kessler—2nd Term; Katherine Causby—1st Term; Lucille Churchill—1st Term; Bob Johnson—1st Term.
Join us at the Community Center on Monday, December 20, and enjoy the fellowship and the holiday entertainment with a very friendly and active group of senior citizens.
The Post Office charges AARP for all returned mail. If you have your mail forwarded to an alternate address during the year, and you want to receive your copy of Perspectives at that address, send your new/temporary address to Carla at cpw_low@yahoo.com or call 972-3436. Give the months you will be away and Carla will restart your Perspectives at the LOW address.
We mail during the first two weeks of the month.
December BIRTHDAYS
(Sagittarius and Capricorn)
Otis D. Adgerson, Joan Bassford, Dick Berra, Donna Crawley, Nola Davidson, Ray Dickinson, Jim Dionne, Marion Doherty,
Nancy Grogan, Robert Haring, Jackie Hill, Ruth Hood, Marion Jacobeen, Joan King, David Kovarik, Ruth Lemmerman,
Hank Lewis, Judy Minzes, Ron Moffa, Hong Ha Nguyen, Pat Phillipo, James Protiva, Ed Rowan, Gail Sauro, Sue Schafer,
Kathleen Stephens, and Joseph Wascalus.
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to new member: William Mason
SUNSHINE REPORT
A get-well card was sent to Sandy Wemmerus and Thinking-of-You cards were sent to George Lenwell and John Hughes.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES:
AARP CHAPTER 5239 WINS!
Kathi Martin and Pat Berry, Co-Chairs, Community Food Drive
A prize of $200 has been received from AARP Virginia, as a result of the great effort we made with our Community Food Drive in September. Congratulations and THANKS to everyone who contributed!
Monthly Silent Auction
There will not be an auction at the December meeting. If you have new and gently-used items in great shape to donate, call Patti at 972-1370, Carla at 972-3436, or Ann at 972-3326 for pickup, or bring your donations to the meeting. Many, many thanks. The November auction earned $143 toward our charity donations.
Legislative News
by Pat Berry
Well, the hoopla surrounding the November elections has receded to a dull roar and the new legislators are quickly trying to find their bearings in Washington before the next legislative session begins. Things are also quiet down in Richmond until the 2011 Regular Session of the Virginia General Assembly convenes on Wednesday, January 12, 2011. Looking forward to the coming year, there is some pre-filed legislation for the 2011 Regular Session which is of special interest to AARP members.
Both the Senate and the House will consider a long-term care insurance tax credit. As proposed, this bill will increase the amount of the long-term care insurance tax credit from 15 percent to 30 percent of the amount paid by the individual during the taxable year in long-term care insurance premiums.
HB 778, Publication of House and Senate Voting Records, provides that beginning with the 2011 Regular Session of the General Assembly the voting records of members of both the House and the Senate will be available electronically as public information. I think this is what politicians mean when they talk about “transparency.”
December 17 is the last day of the current year for scheduled committee meetings and then both the House and Senate take a long winter’s nap. However, when the General Assemble convenes in the New Year there will be a total of 372 bills and resolutions on the docket waiting for their consideration. Let’s hope Santa brings a bag full of cooperation and good cheer in 2011.
Highlights of November 15, 2010, Meeting
by Pam Nalls, Secretary
· Election of the AARP’s 2011 Officers/Directors took place during our November meeting. Three Directors will finish their terms in office in 2010; special thanks were extended to outgoing Directors Ruth Hood, Ruby Horvath and Dwight Mottet for their dedicated time and effort in support of AARP. Selected to join the Board of Directors were: Katherine Causby, Lucy Churchill, and Bob Johnson. The membership also voted to have the currently serving officers and remaining Directors continue their terms in office.
· Joe McEuen is the new Chairperson responsible for handling room setup/takedown in support of our monthly meetings at the Club House. This involves setting up the chairs/tables/microphone, etc. as well as performing a general clean up afterwards. FOLKS WE NEED YOUR HELP!!! We all need to pitch in and take a turn in assisting with this work. Sign-up sheets will be available at the meetings and members be receiving an email on this subject.
· Dwight Mottet reported that this year’s BBQ Chicken Dinner on Election Day had raised $2,918.40 for charity. (Since 2004, our BBQ Chicken Dinner event has donated over $20,208.78 to charity. Our auctions during the past few years have provided over $9,000 to charity.)
· Patricia Batten announced the Silent Auction had taken in $143.
· Paul Tobin conducted the 50/50 drawing and the winner of $55 was Marie Barrett.
· Our next meeting will be the AARP Christmas Party. t will be held at the COMMUNITY CENTER beginning at 11:30AM. Please bring any hot dishes a little early.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
November Newsletter
President's Letter
“The Coming ‘Holiday Time”
November opens the annual joyous “Holiday Time”—Thanksgiving in November and Christmas in December.
AARP Chapter 5239 will finalize its participation in National AARP’s “Keep Social Security Strong” program during the second week of November. This is a drive to collect signatures decrying the idea by some Congressional members to cut Social Security in order to reduce the Federal deficit.
If this makes your blood boil—especially after the recent announcement that no Cost of Living increase will be given Social Security beneficiaries for the second year in a row—you should sign our Chapter’s signature list. We must return our signatures by November 10, so they will NOT be available at our Monday, November 15, monthly meeting.
You must contact Chapter Secretary Pam Nalls (972-5253 or email pnalls@Verizon.net ) to work out how best to quickly sign our list.
In other news, we want to give a sincere “Thank You!” tip of the hat to George Webb, who stepped forward at the October meeting to volunteer to take over from Joe Davidson as “Transport Custodian” of the Chapter’s large projection screen. Joe handled these duties for the past four years or more and also earns our hearty “Thank You!” for his past service.
Finally, two friends who hadn’t seen each other for some months, were chatting over coffee. One said, “this morning, I waded across a raging river, escaped from bears in the woods, marched up and down a mountain, stood in a patch of poison ivy, crawled out of quicksand, and climbed up an enormous tree!”
“Wow!” said the impressed friend, “you must be a great outdoorsman.”
“No, I’m just a lousy golfer.”
Dick Martin, President
Dr. Peter Rainey, to Speak About Early LOW History
by Carolyn Wray,
Dr. Peter G. “Pete” Rainey will be the guest speaker at the November 15 AARP, Chapter 5239 meeting in the Clubhouse. A Lake of the Woods resident, Mr. Rainey spent two sea tours on U.S Navy destroyers and a 20-year career as an Engineer Duty Officer. He has now written and published Germanna Road, it is a three-hundred year history of Eastern Orange County.
He became interested in his Virginia roots when the Navy assigned him to Arlington in 1974. He is a self-taught amateur historian of Virginia History. After he moved to Lake of the Woods, his neighbors, one a retired college professor of history, started researching why anyone would want to start a recreational community in the Wilderness. His program will review the first 20 years at LOW. Oral history has been collected from early members and staff. The memories of those no longer living here have been recorded in club newsletters and association files. This should be a most interesting presentation whether you are a newcomer to Lake of the Woods or a long time resident. Dr. Rainey will bring a copy of his book Germanna Road for the silent auction.
The meeting will begin with sweets and coffee at 9:30 AM with program at 10 AM. We encourage you to come and bring a friend.
Election of 2011 Officers and Directors
The elections of the 2011 Officers and Directors will be held during the November 22 meeting the following are the nominees:
President: Richard Martin—Incumbent
Vice President: Richard Bradie—Incumbent
Secretary: Pan Nalls—Incumbent
Treasurer: Richard Durphy—Incumbent
Directors:
Pierre Payett—Incumbent 3rd term
Roxanne Kessler—Incumbent 2nd term
Katherine Causby—1st term
Lucille Churchill—1st term
Bob Johnson—1st term
SUNSHINE REPORT
George Lenwell and Ruth Hood - Thinking of You. Ralph Scheuerman, Dick Bradie, Marion Jacobeen and Hank Lewis - Get Well. Ruth Lenwell - Sympathy
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
(Scorpio and Sagittarius)
Ellie Baughman, Dante Binotto
Dick Bradie, Ellie Brown
Tony Brown, Laurel Buongiovanni
Marilyn Buttimer, Joe Davidson
Carol Dionne, Daniel Ferguson
Ruth Fraser, William Grogan
Mary Hudak, Don Larsen
Helen Markart, Richard Martin
Mary Nolan, Joe Sauro
Ed Scoon, Ken Tilliman
Ann Walker, Laurie Wares
Carla Wascalus, Karen Woods
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to new members:
Daniel and Coralaine Ferguson
Hong Ha Nguyen
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
If you shop at Office Depot and do not use a Worklife Rewards Card, please give your receipt or a copy to Ruth Hood, Jim Moore or Carla Wascalus and they will enter the appropriate information (no personal information) in our account. We earn cash back which we use towards the printing of this newsletter.
TRIAD News
RAD Class by Dick Bradie
R.A.D. Seniors is a unique safety program for senior men and women who want to take charge of their lives. There are many dangers out there that target seniors, and R.A.D. is designed to give seniors confidence and skills to face everyday challenges.
R.A.D. is not physical ed or self defense and it’s not boring lectures. However , after the classes, seniors feel better physically and mentally because it teaches seniors about real life situations, such as frauds, scams, home invasion, physical attacks, out and about safety and many other issues. Physical defense is taught based on seniors’ balance and lack of mobility.
Classes are free and the Instructor is certified and sponsored by the Sheriff’s Department and TRIAD.
Each “class” consists of seven (7) sessions on Thursdays from 7:00 PM to 8:45 PM. Only 5 seniors to a class, and couples are encouraged. We have already had 1 “class”, and there is one ongoing right now. A third “class” is already full for the new year. Sign up now for the spring sessions: all sessions are held in LOW. We don’t want to miss this opportunity to protect our seniors. Call Dick/Kathleen Bradie at 308-5507 for more info and to sign up.
Monthly Silent Auction
We are accepting any donations that you may have for the auction on November 15th, especially holiday items, or items that are suitable for holiday gift-giving.
Please remember to donate your new and gently-used, clean items in good shape,and no missing parts: Call Patti at 972-1370, Ann at 972-3326, or Joyce at 972-4176 for pickup, or bring your donations to the meeting.
Thanks to your generous donations, the October auction earned $177.00 toward our charity donations. We will not have a silent auction in December.
Legislative News
by Pat Berry
By the time you read this copy of “Perspectives” the voting will be over and candidates will be packing their signs and closing down their election operations. However, casting your vote for a particular candidate shouldn’t be the end of your civic participation. The first step to being involved is obviously to keep informed. The second step is to let your opinion be known. The State of Virginia has made it easier for you to share that opinion with our representatives in the General Assembly in Richmond by providing a link on their website: http://legis.virginia.gov/. Once you are there, you can choose the link to “Who’s My Legislator” for information on how to identify the proper representative. Who's My Legislator also gives you the ability to email your Delegate or Senator as well as contact information for your representatives in the US House of Representatives and US Senate. In addition, a biographical page on each delegate and senator is available from the General Assembly's homepage. With a few simple clicks of the mouse, you can contact your representative about a particular issue before the Legislature takes action on it. The 2011 Regular Session of the Virginia General Assemble will convene on Wednesday, January 12, 2011. Why not become an active participant in the legislative process?
Medical News
by Sandie Frame
Another set of exercises for men and women to strengthen and tone your upper arm triceps.
1. Overhead triceps extension: Sit in a chair with a pillow or rolled towel behind your lower back. Start with a light weight (a two pound dumbbell or a 28 oz. can of food) and hold with both hands. Raise your hands over your head and keeping your upper arms close to your head bend your elbows and lower your hands down behind your head. Slowly raise your arms back up over your head towards the ceiling. Hold for two seconds. Work up to 3 sets of ten done three times a week on non-consecutive days. Gradually increase the weights also. You can use change in a sock, closing off the end with a safety pin or rubber band, as a substitute for a weight. Use lots of change to make it heavier and heavier over time.
2. Triceps dumbbell kickback: This is done best with a real dumbbell but the sock with coins can work too. Kneel on a bed or bench (or two non armed dining room chairs placed side by side to form a bench. Place you left leg on the back of the bench, left arm towards the front so you are leaning over part way. Do not lock your standing leg, relax. Take a two to three pound weight in your right hand. Bend your elbow 90 degrees and hold close to your side. Now straighten that arm backwards. Hold for one or two seconds and return to the starting position. The goal is 3 sets of ten three times a week on non-consecutive days.
If this is too confusing I will have pictures at the Health Table for our next meeting.
Highlights of the October 18, 2010
Meeting by Pam Nalls
-Dick Martin urged all to sign petitions supporting the National AARP Chapter’s Challenge to KEEP SOCIAL SECURITY STRONG. The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, which was appointed by President Obama, will provide recommendations by December 1st for reducing the Federal deficit. Everything is on the table including Social Security. Petitions supporting no reduction in social security benefits have been provided at our past two meetings. Visit www.aarp.org/stregthensocialsecurity for more information.
-Carla Wascalus presented the Nominating Committee’s list of candidates to fill three openings on the Board of Directors for 2011. The nominees are: Katherine Causby, Bob Johnson and Lucy Churchill. Voting for the three Director positions will occur at the November meeting with installation to occur at our December meeting.
“The Coming ‘Holiday Time”
November opens the annual joyous “Holiday Time”—Thanksgiving in November and Christmas in December.
AARP Chapter 5239 will finalize its participation in National AARP’s “Keep Social Security Strong” program during the second week of November. This is a drive to collect signatures decrying the idea by some Congressional members to cut Social Security in order to reduce the Federal deficit.
If this makes your blood boil—especially after the recent announcement that no Cost of Living increase will be given Social Security beneficiaries for the second year in a row—you should sign our Chapter’s signature list. We must return our signatures by November 10, so they will NOT be available at our Monday, November 15, monthly meeting.
You must contact Chapter Secretary Pam Nalls (972-5253 or email pnalls@Verizon.net ) to work out how best to quickly sign our list.
In other news, we want to give a sincere “Thank You!” tip of the hat to George Webb, who stepped forward at the October meeting to volunteer to take over from Joe Davidson as “Transport Custodian” of the Chapter’s large projection screen. Joe handled these duties for the past four years or more and also earns our hearty “Thank You!” for his past service.
Finally, two friends who hadn’t seen each other for some months, were chatting over coffee. One said, “this morning, I waded across a raging river, escaped from bears in the woods, marched up and down a mountain, stood in a patch of poison ivy, crawled out of quicksand, and climbed up an enormous tree!”
“Wow!” said the impressed friend, “you must be a great outdoorsman.”
“No, I’m just a lousy golfer.”
Dick Martin, President
Dr. Peter Rainey, to Speak About Early LOW History
by Carolyn Wray,
Dr. Peter G. “Pete” Rainey will be the guest speaker at the November 15 AARP, Chapter 5239 meeting in the Clubhouse. A Lake of the Woods resident, Mr. Rainey spent two sea tours on U.S Navy destroyers and a 20-year career as an Engineer Duty Officer. He has now written and published Germanna Road, it is a three-hundred year history of Eastern Orange County.
He became interested in his Virginia roots when the Navy assigned him to Arlington in 1974. He is a self-taught amateur historian of Virginia History. After he moved to Lake of the Woods, his neighbors, one a retired college professor of history, started researching why anyone would want to start a recreational community in the Wilderness. His program will review the first 20 years at LOW. Oral history has been collected from early members and staff. The memories of those no longer living here have been recorded in club newsletters and association files. This should be a most interesting presentation whether you are a newcomer to Lake of the Woods or a long time resident. Dr. Rainey will bring a copy of his book Germanna Road for the silent auction.
The meeting will begin with sweets and coffee at 9:30 AM with program at 10 AM. We encourage you to come and bring a friend.
Election of 2011 Officers and Directors
The elections of the 2011 Officers and Directors will be held during the November 22 meeting the following are the nominees:
President: Richard Martin—Incumbent
Vice President: Richard Bradie—Incumbent
Secretary: Pan Nalls—Incumbent
Treasurer: Richard Durphy—Incumbent
Directors:
Pierre Payett—Incumbent 3rd term
Roxanne Kessler—Incumbent 2nd term
Katherine Causby—1st term
Lucille Churchill—1st term
Bob Johnson—1st term
SUNSHINE REPORT
George Lenwell and Ruth Hood - Thinking of You. Ralph Scheuerman, Dick Bradie, Marion Jacobeen and Hank Lewis - Get Well. Ruth Lenwell - Sympathy
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
(Scorpio and Sagittarius)
Ellie Baughman, Dante Binotto
Dick Bradie, Ellie Brown
Tony Brown, Laurel Buongiovanni
Marilyn Buttimer, Joe Davidson
Carol Dionne, Daniel Ferguson
Ruth Fraser, William Grogan
Mary Hudak, Don Larsen
Helen Markart, Richard Martin
Mary Nolan, Joe Sauro
Ed Scoon, Ken Tilliman
Ann Walker, Laurie Wares
Carla Wascalus, Karen Woods
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to new members:
Daniel and Coralaine Ferguson
Hong Ha Nguyen
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
If you shop at Office Depot and do not use a Worklife Rewards Card, please give your receipt or a copy to Ruth Hood, Jim Moore or Carla Wascalus and they will enter the appropriate information (no personal information) in our account. We earn cash back which we use towards the printing of this newsletter.
TRIAD News
RAD Class by Dick Bradie
R.A.D. Seniors is a unique safety program for senior men and women who want to take charge of their lives. There are many dangers out there that target seniors, and R.A.D. is designed to give seniors confidence and skills to face everyday challenges.
R.A.D. is not physical ed or self defense and it’s not boring lectures. However , after the classes, seniors feel better physically and mentally because it teaches seniors about real life situations, such as frauds, scams, home invasion, physical attacks, out and about safety and many other issues. Physical defense is taught based on seniors’ balance and lack of mobility.
Classes are free and the Instructor is certified and sponsored by the Sheriff’s Department and TRIAD.
Each “class” consists of seven (7) sessions on Thursdays from 7:00 PM to 8:45 PM. Only 5 seniors to a class, and couples are encouraged. We have already had 1 “class”, and there is one ongoing right now. A third “class” is already full for the new year. Sign up now for the spring sessions: all sessions are held in LOW. We don’t want to miss this opportunity to protect our seniors. Call Dick/Kathleen Bradie at 308-5507 for more info and to sign up.
Monthly Silent Auction
We are accepting any donations that you may have for the auction on November 15th, especially holiday items, or items that are suitable for holiday gift-giving.
Please remember to donate your new and gently-used, clean items in good shape,and no missing parts: Call Patti at 972-1370, Ann at 972-3326, or Joyce at 972-4176 for pickup, or bring your donations to the meeting.
Thanks to your generous donations, the October auction earned $177.00 toward our charity donations. We will not have a silent auction in December.
Legislative News
by Pat Berry
By the time you read this copy of “Perspectives” the voting will be over and candidates will be packing their signs and closing down their election operations. However, casting your vote for a particular candidate shouldn’t be the end of your civic participation. The first step to being involved is obviously to keep informed. The second step is to let your opinion be known. The State of Virginia has made it easier for you to share that opinion with our representatives in the General Assembly in Richmond by providing a link on their website: http://legis.virginia.gov/. Once you are there, you can choose the link to “Who’s My Legislator” for information on how to identify the proper representative. Who's My Legislator also gives you the ability to email your Delegate or Senator as well as contact information for your representatives in the US House of Representatives and US Senate. In addition, a biographical page on each delegate and senator is available from the General Assembly's homepage. With a few simple clicks of the mouse, you can contact your representative about a particular issue before the Legislature takes action on it. The 2011 Regular Session of the Virginia General Assemble will convene on Wednesday, January 12, 2011. Why not become an active participant in the legislative process?
Medical News
by Sandie Frame
Another set of exercises for men and women to strengthen and tone your upper arm triceps.
1. Overhead triceps extension: Sit in a chair with a pillow or rolled towel behind your lower back. Start with a light weight (a two pound dumbbell or a 28 oz. can of food) and hold with both hands. Raise your hands over your head and keeping your upper arms close to your head bend your elbows and lower your hands down behind your head. Slowly raise your arms back up over your head towards the ceiling. Hold for two seconds. Work up to 3 sets of ten done three times a week on non-consecutive days. Gradually increase the weights also. You can use change in a sock, closing off the end with a safety pin or rubber band, as a substitute for a weight. Use lots of change to make it heavier and heavier over time.
2. Triceps dumbbell kickback: This is done best with a real dumbbell but the sock with coins can work too. Kneel on a bed or bench (or two non armed dining room chairs placed side by side to form a bench. Place you left leg on the back of the bench, left arm towards the front so you are leaning over part way. Do not lock your standing leg, relax. Take a two to three pound weight in your right hand. Bend your elbow 90 degrees and hold close to your side. Now straighten that arm backwards. Hold for one or two seconds and return to the starting position. The goal is 3 sets of ten three times a week on non-consecutive days.
If this is too confusing I will have pictures at the Health Table for our next meeting.
Highlights of the October 18, 2010
Meeting by Pam Nalls
-Dick Martin urged all to sign petitions supporting the National AARP Chapter’s Challenge to KEEP SOCIAL SECURITY STRONG. The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, which was appointed by President Obama, will provide recommendations by December 1st for reducing the Federal deficit. Everything is on the table including Social Security. Petitions supporting no reduction in social security benefits have been provided at our past two meetings. Visit www.aarp.org/stregthensocialsecurity for more information.
-Carla Wascalus presented the Nominating Committee’s list of candidates to fill three openings on the Board of Directors for 2011. The nominees are: Katherine Causby, Bob Johnson and Lucy Churchill. Voting for the three Director positions will occur at the November meeting with installation to occur at our December meeting.
October Newsletter
President's Letter
Another Month of Outstanding Chapter Success
AARP Chapter 5239 racked up success after success during September.
· Our September 11 AARP Food Drive was a rousing success—Full details are given elsewhere in this issue.
· On September 6, our immediate Past President Carla Wascalus won the prestigious Warren K. Lodge Award for Outstanding Service at the LOWA Annual Meeting.
· And at our September 20 monthly meeting, we began working on AARP’s “National Chapter Challenge to keep Social Security strong.”
This is a signature-gathering project to “send a message to Washington” that “Social Security shouldn’t be used to reduce a deficit it didn’t cause.” It seems that many members on the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform “are talking about cutting Social Security to reduce the deficit.” Commis-sion recommendations are due by December 1. AARP is asking chapters all across the country to collect signatures on “Keep Social Security Strong” petitions for presentation to members of Congress and the President by November 15.
Chapter Secretary Pam Nalls is in charge of our drive. She collected dozens of signatures at our September meeting and will be on hand again at our October 18 meeting. If you can’t make the next meeting, but want to add your name to this important effort, contact Pam at 972-5253 or email pnalls@Verizon.net to arrange your signature contribution.
Finally, a man walks into a bar and orders a dozen drinks to be placed in a row in front of him. He shook his head and wept loudly as he drank. Suddenly he cried out to the bartender, “I shouldn’t be drinking this with what I’ve got!”
The sympathetic bartender said, “Oh, you poor man, what have you got?” The man answered: “Only one dollar.”
Dick Martin, President
AARP to Hear Discussion on Estate Planning
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity, AARP, Chapter 5329
The guest speaker at the Monday, October 18, AARP Chapter 5239 meeting will be Attorney James P. Seidl, who will be speaking on Estate and Tax Planning. Attorney Seidl has practiced Estate Planning for fifteen years and has prepared over 2,500 estate plans to date.
Mr. Seidl holds a degree in Master of Laws in Taxation from the College of William & Mary and a Juris Doctorate degree from the Antioch School of Law in Continuing Legal Education in Estate and Tax Planning. Mr. Seidl is also a graduate of the Living Trust Educational System and a member of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys. He has completed many advance courses on Life Insurance Trusts and Family Limited Partnerships and an approved instructor for Estate Planning for insurance professionals. He is licensed to practice law in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia and before the United States Tax Court.
The meeting will begin with sweets and coffee at 9:30 AM and the program will begin at 10 AM. This should be a very interesting and educational program. We encourage you to come.
The Chicken Bar-B-Q Is Coming
Our Illustrious Chicken-In-Chief (with Oak Leaf Clusters), Dwight Mottet, reports that ticket sales have been brisk for the Election Day Bar-B-Q. Please bring ticket sale proceeds to the October 18 meeting or contact Jim at 972-9355 for ticket information.
As you probably know, the barbeque is our major fundraiser. Your annual dues pay for the Chapter's administrative expenses, while our annual fundraiser supports various local charities and community service projects.
We still need about six volunteers to spend about an hour on the phone to determine the wishes of members who were sent tickets but have not responded by October 22. Additional member volunteers are needed to help with the site/table preparations, food service, post-event clean up activities, brownie baking, and particularly with the chicken cooking. Although historically, it is usually the men who are the chicken chefs, women are invited to share the outside BBQ grill cooking duties. These folks are critical to having the delicious chickens available in an adequate and timely manner. It is not a simple task, although Master Chefs Harvey Miller and Mike Pulice make it look easy.
More than 100 volunteers are needed to cover this event. The activities begin at 7:30 AM with receiving and storing the pre-cooked chickens and are completed with the 6 PM cleanup activities.
Volunteers are encouraged to sign up at the October 18 membership meeting, or contact me directly at 972-3204 or at dwightmottet@aol.com. In my absence, please contact Tom Hamilton, at 972-9779 or leeanneh68@msn.com
AARP Chapter 5239 racked up success after success during September.
· Our September 11 AARP Food Drive was a rousing success—Full details are given elsewhere in this issue.
· On September 6, our immediate Past President Carla Wascalus won the prestigious Warren K. Lodge Award for Outstanding Service at the LOWA Annual Meeting.
· And at our September 20 monthly meeting, we began working on AARP’s “National Chapter Challenge to keep Social Security strong.”
This is a signature-gathering project to “send a message to Washington” that “Social Security shouldn’t be used to reduce a deficit it didn’t cause.” It seems that many members on the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform “are talking about cutting Social Security to reduce the deficit.” Commis-sion recommendations are due by December 1. AARP is asking chapters all across the country to collect signatures on “Keep Social Security Strong” petitions for presentation to members of Congress and the President by November 15.
Chapter Secretary Pam Nalls is in charge of our drive. She collected dozens of signatures at our September meeting and will be on hand again at our October 18 meeting. If you can’t make the next meeting, but want to add your name to this important effort, contact Pam at 972-5253 or email pnalls@Verizon.net to arrange your signature contribution.
Finally, a man walks into a bar and orders a dozen drinks to be placed in a row in front of him. He shook his head and wept loudly as he drank. Suddenly he cried out to the bartender, “I shouldn’t be drinking this with what I’ve got!”
The sympathetic bartender said, “Oh, you poor man, what have you got?” The man answered: “Only one dollar.”
Dick Martin, President
AARP to Hear Discussion on Estate Planning
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity, AARP, Chapter 5329
The guest speaker at the Monday, October 18, AARP Chapter 5239 meeting will be Attorney James P. Seidl, who will be speaking on Estate and Tax Planning. Attorney Seidl has practiced Estate Planning for fifteen years and has prepared over 2,500 estate plans to date.
Mr. Seidl holds a degree in Master of Laws in Taxation from the College of William & Mary and a Juris Doctorate degree from the Antioch School of Law in Continuing Legal Education in Estate and Tax Planning. Mr. Seidl is also a graduate of the Living Trust Educational System and a member of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys. He has completed many advance courses on Life Insurance Trusts and Family Limited Partnerships and an approved instructor for Estate Planning for insurance professionals. He is licensed to practice law in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia and before the United States Tax Court.
The meeting will begin with sweets and coffee at 9:30 AM and the program will begin at 10 AM. This should be a very interesting and educational program. We encourage you to come.
The Chicken Bar-B-Q Is Coming
Our Illustrious Chicken-In-Chief (with Oak Leaf Clusters), Dwight Mottet, reports that ticket sales have been brisk for the Election Day Bar-B-Q. Please bring ticket sale proceeds to the October 18 meeting or contact Jim at 972-9355 for ticket information.
As you probably know, the barbeque is our major fundraiser. Your annual dues pay for the Chapter's administrative expenses, while our annual fundraiser supports various local charities and community service projects.
We still need about six volunteers to spend about an hour on the phone to determine the wishes of members who were sent tickets but have not responded by October 22. Additional member volunteers are needed to help with the site/table preparations, food service, post-event clean up activities, brownie baking, and particularly with the chicken cooking. Although historically, it is usually the men who are the chicken chefs, women are invited to share the outside BBQ grill cooking duties. These folks are critical to having the delicious chickens available in an adequate and timely manner. It is not a simple task, although Master Chefs Harvey Miller and Mike Pulice make it look easy.
More than 100 volunteers are needed to cover this event. The activities begin at 7:30 AM with receiving and storing the pre-cooked chickens and are completed with the 6 PM cleanup activities.
Volunteers are encouraged to sign up at the October 18 membership meeting, or contact me directly at 972-3204 or at dwightmottet@aol.com. In my absence, please contact Tom Hamilton, at 972-9779 or leeanneh68@msn.com
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
(Libra and Scorpio)
Charlotte Baker, Rose Bianco,
Janet Bloom, Boyd Bowers,
Joyce Bowers, Janet Buccola,
Judy Carter, Irene Daehnke,
Theresa Danoy, Sherman Embrey, James Fargo, Richard Fisher, Bobbie Gordon, Chris Grimley,
Lee Anne Hamilton, George Lenwell,
Grace McEuen, Nell Meador,
Agatha Mucciacciaro, Eleanor Palowitch,Thomas Plummer,
Bobbie Prees,Ruth Price,
James Taylor Brian Wares,
Marti Williams
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to new members: Zoila Ortega, Marthaellen Hoffman,
Barbara Drumheller, Walter Piotrowski,
Richard & Wilda GeltmanArt Sunkel,
Marilyn Gramm, Nora Simpson
SUNSHINE REPORT
A get-well card was sent to Sandy Wemmerus and Thinking-of-You cards were sent to George Lenwell and John Hughes.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
(Libra and Scorpio)
Charlotte Baker, Rose Bianco,
Janet Bloom, Boyd Bowers,
Joyce Bowers, Janet Buccola,
Judy Carter, Irene Daehnke,
Theresa Danoy, Sherman Embrey, James Fargo, Richard Fisher, Bobbie Gordon, Chris Grimley,
Lee Anne Hamilton, George Lenwell,
Grace McEuen, Nell Meador,
Agatha Mucciacciaro, Eleanor Palowitch,Thomas Plummer,
Bobbie Prees,Ruth Price,
James Taylor Brian Wares,
Marti Williams
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to new members: Zoila Ortega, Marthaellen Hoffman,
Barbara Drumheller, Walter Piotrowski,
Richard & Wilda GeltmanArt Sunkel,
Marilyn Gramm, Nora Simpson
SUNSHINE REPORT
A get-well card was sent to Sandy Wemmerus and Thinking-of-You cards were sent to George Lenwell and John Hughes.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
AARP/Ruritan Food Drive
by Kathi Martin and Pat Berry, Co-Chairs
We held a very successful food drive, resulting in the collection of over 60 bags of groceries, plus several cases of cereal and vegetables. This equaled about 700 pounds of food! Also, $705 was donated.
We are very appreciative of the help we received from Sandie Frame, Pam Nalls, Grace McEuen, Ruth Pavlik, and Dick Martin at the collection point, the Getmans for the use of their truck, Alan Berry for driving and unloading, and Karen Cakouros for help with sorting.
This was community action at its most powerful!
AARP Election Guidelines
With the coming of Election Day on Tuesday, November 2, Chapter members should remember some rules and guidelines regarding AARP-member activities in political activities:
· AARP, both national and local, identifies itself as being non-partisan and does not give money to candidates or parties.
· If you are known locally as an AARP leader, you must not participate in political events that may be construed as an AARP endorsement of a particular candidate.
· You may not wear a campaign button, sticker or T-shirt or speak in support of a given candidate at an AARP event or while wearing AARP clothing.
· Without AARP identification, members may give money, post a yard sign or bumper sticker, and volunteer to work in campaigns.
Want To Help “Scare” Trick-Or-Treaters?
Do you enjoy dressing up in scary costumes on Halloween? Do you get a kick out of dressing as a witch or monster to give the little darlings a nice “shiver” when they come to your door Trick-Or-Treating?
LOWA Activities Director Sylvia Zelinsky wants groups of residents to set up a scary setting inside portable canopies or tents, which she plans to put together in a “Haunted Trail” for the annual Treats for Kids Halloween event on the Clubhouse Point. The “Haunted Trail” will be a dark walk-through area that the kids will follow to get candy treats…while hopefully being scared out of their wits by mysterious spooks.
Sound like fun? Want to be a part of it? If so, call Sylvia at 972-9680 Ext. 2 or email her at activities@LOWA.org to let her know of your participation and to get full details.
TRIAD News
Free Shredding Event on Saturday, October 16, from 9 AM to 12 PM at StellarOne bank across Route 3. This is a great way to destroy sensitive papers that are no longer needed. Call Dick/ Kathleen Bradie at 540-308-5507 for more information.
Monthly Silent Auction
We are accepting any donations that you may have for the auction in September.
Please remember to donate your new and gently-used items in great shape: NO missing parts, clean (no dirt or grease), and no tears or ragged edges. Call Patti at 972-1370, Carla at 972-3436, or Ann at 972-3326 for pickup, or bring your donations to the meeting. Many, many thanks. The September auction earned $172 toward our charity donations.
Legislative News
by Pat Berry
Registered Voters who will be voting on November 2—just a reminder that federal and state law require all voters to provide some identification (ID) at the polls, or sign a statement, in order to vote at the polls. Please come prepared to show that you are you. Also, we would like for you to become familiar with the three constitutional amendments appearing on the ballot in November:
HB16 provides for a referendum on the approval of a proposed constitutional amendment relating to property exempt from taxation. The proposed amendment allows the General Assembly to authorize localities to establish their own income or financial worth limitations for purposes of granting property tax relief for the homeowners not less than 65 years of age or permanently and totally disabled. The Constitution presently requires a showing that the homeowners granted property tax relief bear an extraordinary tax burden on the property in relation to their income or financial worth as provided by the General Assembly by state law.
HJ33 provides property tax exemption for certain veterans. It directs the General Assembly to exempt from taxation real property that is the principal residence of a veteran (or widow or widower of a veteran) if the veteran has been determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its successor agency pursuant to federal law to have a 100 percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability.
HJ34 places a limit on taxes or revenues and the Revenue Stabilization Fund. It increases the permissible size of the Fund by 50 percent; i.e., from 10 percent to 15 percent of the Commonwealth’s average annual tax revenues derived from income and sales taxes for the preceding three fiscal years. By way of explanation, the more common name for this fund is the “rainy day fund” which was created to counter shortfalls in revenues.
Hopefully this information will help you make your decisions and pull the right lever or press the right button on November 2.
Medical News
by Sandie Frame
I just received three new publications from AARP. These are all related to The New Health Care Law:
· Protect Against Health Care Fraud
This scam is another that falls along the lines of those covered by our last speakers and offers many of the same cautions but related to insurance type scams and other health care issues.
· The $350 Doughnut Hole Rebate
This is for people who have Part D and reach the gap in their prescription drug coverage discussing the $250 rebate.
· Improvements to Preventive and Wellness Benefits.
Previously no benefits were available for overall well examinations. New benefits will be available for Medicare enrollees.
Stop by and pick up the flyers from the Health Table. I also have some flyers left from the series of How The New Health Care Plan Can Work For You.
AARP/Ruritan Food Drive
by Kathi Martin and Pat Berry, Co-Chairs
We held a very successful food drive, resulting in the collection of over 60 bags of groceries, plus several cases of cereal and vegetables. This equaled about 700 pounds of food! Also, $705 was donated.
We are very appreciative of the help we received from Sandie Frame, Pam Nalls, Grace McEuen, Ruth Pavlik, and Dick Martin at the collection point, the Getmans for the use of their truck, Alan Berry for driving and unloading, and Karen Cakouros for help with sorting.
This was community action at its most powerful!
AARP Election Guidelines
With the coming of Election Day on Tuesday, November 2, Chapter members should remember some rules and guidelines regarding AARP-member activities in political activities:
· AARP, both national and local, identifies itself as being non-partisan and does not give money to candidates or parties.
· If you are known locally as an AARP leader, you must not participate in political events that may be construed as an AARP endorsement of a particular candidate.
· You may not wear a campaign button, sticker or T-shirt or speak in support of a given candidate at an AARP event or while wearing AARP clothing.
· Without AARP identification, members may give money, post a yard sign or bumper sticker, and volunteer to work in campaigns.
Want To Help “Scare” Trick-Or-Treaters?
Do you enjoy dressing up in scary costumes on Halloween? Do you get a kick out of dressing as a witch or monster to give the little darlings a nice “shiver” when they come to your door Trick-Or-Treating?
LOWA Activities Director Sylvia Zelinsky wants groups of residents to set up a scary setting inside portable canopies or tents, which she plans to put together in a “Haunted Trail” for the annual Treats for Kids Halloween event on the Clubhouse Point. The “Haunted Trail” will be a dark walk-through area that the kids will follow to get candy treats…while hopefully being scared out of their wits by mysterious spooks.
Sound like fun? Want to be a part of it? If so, call Sylvia at 972-9680 Ext. 2 or email her at activities@LOWA.org to let her know of your participation and to get full details.
TRIAD News
Free Shredding Event on Saturday, October 16, from 9 AM to 12 PM at StellarOne bank across Route 3. This is a great way to destroy sensitive papers that are no longer needed. Call Dick/ Kathleen Bradie at 540-308-5507 for more information.
Monthly Silent Auction
We are accepting any donations that you may have for the auction in September.
Please remember to donate your new and gently-used items in great shape: NO missing parts, clean (no dirt or grease), and no tears or ragged edges. Call Patti at 972-1370, Carla at 972-3436, or Ann at 972-3326 for pickup, or bring your donations to the meeting. Many, many thanks. The September auction earned $172 toward our charity donations.
Legislative News
by Pat Berry
Registered Voters who will be voting on November 2—just a reminder that federal and state law require all voters to provide some identification (ID) at the polls, or sign a statement, in order to vote at the polls. Please come prepared to show that you are you. Also, we would like for you to become familiar with the three constitutional amendments appearing on the ballot in November:
HB16 provides for a referendum on the approval of a proposed constitutional amendment relating to property exempt from taxation. The proposed amendment allows the General Assembly to authorize localities to establish their own income or financial worth limitations for purposes of granting property tax relief for the homeowners not less than 65 years of age or permanently and totally disabled. The Constitution presently requires a showing that the homeowners granted property tax relief bear an extraordinary tax burden on the property in relation to their income or financial worth as provided by the General Assembly by state law.
HJ33 provides property tax exemption for certain veterans. It directs the General Assembly to exempt from taxation real property that is the principal residence of a veteran (or widow or widower of a veteran) if the veteran has been determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its successor agency pursuant to federal law to have a 100 percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability.
HJ34 places a limit on taxes or revenues and the Revenue Stabilization Fund. It increases the permissible size of the Fund by 50 percent; i.e., from 10 percent to 15 percent of the Commonwealth’s average annual tax revenues derived from income and sales taxes for the preceding three fiscal years. By way of explanation, the more common name for this fund is the “rainy day fund” which was created to counter shortfalls in revenues.
Hopefully this information will help you make your decisions and pull the right lever or press the right button on November 2.
Medical News
by Sandie Frame
I just received three new publications from AARP. These are all related to The New Health Care Law:
· Protect Against Health Care Fraud
This scam is another that falls along the lines of those covered by our last speakers and offers many of the same cautions but related to insurance type scams and other health care issues.
· The $350 Doughnut Hole Rebate
This is for people who have Part D and reach the gap in their prescription drug coverage discussing the $250 rebate.
· Improvements to Preventive and Wellness Benefits.
Previously no benefits were available for overall well examinations. New benefits will be available for Medicare enrollees.
Stop by and pick up the flyers from the Health Table. I also have some flyers left from the series of How The New Health Care Plan Can Work For You.
AARP Chapter 5239 Board Meeting
Monday, September 13, 2010
by Pam Nalls, Secretary
OLD BUSINESS:
· Dick Martin extended congratulations to Carla Wascalus for being the recipient of this year’s prestigious Warren K. Lodge Community Service Award. The award was presented at the LOWA Annual Meeting on September 6.
· Following discussions related to the Travel Committee’s Proposed Policies, it was decided that the Travel Committee would continue to review/ finalize this documentation for presentation to the Board at its next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
· This year’s Nomination Committee members were selected and are as follows: Carla Wascalus, Pierre Payette, Dick Bradie, Pam Nalls. Carolyn Wray will also be asked to serve on the committee and Dwight Mottet will serve in an advisory capacity. Among its duties, the committee will be working on selecting nominees for three new Directors to replace Ruth Hood, Ruby Horvath and Dwight Mottet.
· The Board discussed a request received from the Rapidan Better Housing Agency for AARP’s financial support ($200) to provide a wheelchair ramp at the home of an individual living in LOW. The Board voted to table consideration of this matter until further information could be obtained. Dick Martin will follow-up on this subject.
· Hank Lewis presented a request received from Connie Buttimer and Sylvia Zelinsky for AARP’s participation (members dress up/operate a candy give-away table) at the Halloween party on the Clubhouse Point on Sunday, October 31. The Board elected to have Hank present this at the general AARP meeting on September 20 where he could ask for those interested to volunteer to help at this event.
· Perspectives:
Staples will continue to be used to seal the newsletter prior to mailing. A recommendation to switch from using staples to stick circles was deemed to be too expensive and labor intensive. It was decided that a new member will be added to the AARP’s committee listing which appears in the monthly newsletter – the Silent Auction Committee will now be included.
· Ruth Hood advised that school supplies collected by the AARP had been delivered.
· Eastern Piedmont Regional VOAD (Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster) – The Board voted to table discussion regarding AARP working with VOAD and other organizations to create a shelter within LOW until the next Board meeting.
Monday, September 13, 2010
by Pam Nalls, Secretary
OLD BUSINESS:
· Dick Martin extended congratulations to Carla Wascalus for being the recipient of this year’s prestigious Warren K. Lodge Community Service Award. The award was presented at the LOWA Annual Meeting on September 6.
· Following discussions related to the Travel Committee’s Proposed Policies, it was decided that the Travel Committee would continue to review/ finalize this documentation for presentation to the Board at its next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
· This year’s Nomination Committee members were selected and are as follows: Carla Wascalus, Pierre Payette, Dick Bradie, Pam Nalls. Carolyn Wray will also be asked to serve on the committee and Dwight Mottet will serve in an advisory capacity. Among its duties, the committee will be working on selecting nominees for three new Directors to replace Ruth Hood, Ruby Horvath and Dwight Mottet.
· The Board discussed a request received from the Rapidan Better Housing Agency for AARP’s financial support ($200) to provide a wheelchair ramp at the home of an individual living in LOW. The Board voted to table consideration of this matter until further information could be obtained. Dick Martin will follow-up on this subject.
· Hank Lewis presented a request received from Connie Buttimer and Sylvia Zelinsky for AARP’s participation (members dress up/operate a candy give-away table) at the Halloween party on the Clubhouse Point on Sunday, October 31. The Board elected to have Hank present this at the general AARP meeting on September 20 where he could ask for those interested to volunteer to help at this event.
· Perspectives:
Staples will continue to be used to seal the newsletter prior to mailing. A recommendation to switch from using staples to stick circles was deemed to be too expensive and labor intensive. It was decided that a new member will be added to the AARP’s committee listing which appears in the monthly newsletter – the Silent Auction Committee will now be included.
· Ruth Hood advised that school supplies collected by the AARP had been delivered.
· Eastern Piedmont Regional VOAD (Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster) – The Board voted to table discussion regarding AARP working with VOAD and other organizations to create a shelter within LOW until the next Board meeting.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
September 2010 Newsletter
September 11: AARP National “Food Pantry” Donation Day
The major “blip” on the Chapter 5239 radarscope right now is the National AARP/Ruritan “Food Pantry Donation Day” on Saturday, September 11. We’ve been pointing toward this important event for the past several months.
Helping the Wilderness Food Pantry serve their Orange County clients is especially important these days of high unemployment within young families. Many fathers and mothers, who have always had jobs that enabled them to feed their growing families, have now been out of work for months. We must help them in this distressing time of their need.
Specifics on how you can help are detailed elsewhere in this issue of Perspectives. Or you can contact Food Committee Chair Kathi Martin at 972-5242 (Kak1066@Verizon.net) or Co-Chair Pat Berry at 972-3763 (berrypat@AOL.com) for delivery of donation food bags and checks made out to Wilderness Food Pantry.
In other news, Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman Lee Frame told the August meeting of a recent example of how our “Woods Cares” operation can have meaningful impact throughout Orange County. It seems a Town of Orange resident had to get to Culpeper to get his driver’s license renewed, but no one in Orange could be bothered to help him.
When Lee heard of the problem, he contacted “Woods Cares”…and Frank Jacobeen responded. He picked up the man in Orange, stayed with him at DMV (!), and then took him back home. Lee told the August meeting attendees: “I’ll be sure to tell the Mayor of Orange about this, how Lake of the Woods is helping Town of Orange residents, too.”
Finally, many Chapter members say they are suffering from the dreaded disease of FAGO—Falling Apart Growing Old. And unfortunately, there seems to be only one cure for it!
Dick Martin, President
AARP to Discuss Identity Theft and Fraud
by Carolyn Wray, AARP Chapter 5339 Publicity
Representatives from StellarOne Bank will be on hand at the AARP Chapter 5239 meeting in the Clubhouse on Monday, September 20, to discuss identity theft and fraud. The program will cover what identity theft is, how it happens, how to protect yourself from becoming a victim, and how to respond if you have become a victim. Linda Caporali, Financial Center Manager for StellarOne Bank, will be the guest speaker. Linda, who has 24 years of Banking Management experience, is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania Finance and MIS and Virginia Bankers Association – School of Management. Accompanying Linda will be Serena Marks, Information Security Officer and Christi Marion, Compliance Coordinator.
We are very fortunate to have these speakers, who are all from our local StellarOne Bank. It should be a very informative program and of special interest to AARP members. We encourage everyone to attend. This is a very lively and friendly group.
The meeting will begin with sweets and coffee at 9:30 AM and program will begin at 10AM.
AARP/Ruritan Food Drive
by Pat Berry
The combined AARP/Ruritan Food Drive in support of the Wilderness Food Pantry will take place on Saturday, September 11, with just a few minor changes. The lower level of the Clubhouse will serve as the collection point for donations on that day. Anyone wishing to participate in the drive can drop off bags with AARP volunteers anytime between 9 AM and 1 PM. Food items can also be brought to the meeting on September 20 and be added to our grand total.
If you prefer to donate money, please make checks payable to “LOW Lions/Lioness Wilderness Food Pantry.” These will be collected and taken to a Lions representative. If you are unable to bring your donations on either September 11 or 20, please call Kathi Martin at 972-5242 or Pat Berry at 972-3763 to make other arrangements.
Plans Going Forward For Election Day BBQ
This year's Election Day BBQ Chicken Dinner will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, at the LOW Clubhouse from 11 AM to 6 PM. Our Chief Chicken in Charge, Dwight Mottet, reports that the ticket price will be $9/meal, which includes the usual 1/2 chicken, coleslaw, baked beans, & brownie. Iced tea and lemonade will be available for diners in the Lower Level Clubhouse.
The ticket letters will be mailed to members shortly. Jim Moore is in charge of distributing tickets and tracking sales, but our AARP members are asked to do their part by selling the tickets they have received. If you have not received your tickets by the meeting date, contact Jim at 972-9355.
The major “blip” on the Chapter 5239 radarscope right now is the National AARP/Ruritan “Food Pantry Donation Day” on Saturday, September 11. We’ve been pointing toward this important event for the past several months.
Helping the Wilderness Food Pantry serve their Orange County clients is especially important these days of high unemployment within young families. Many fathers and mothers, who have always had jobs that enabled them to feed their growing families, have now been out of work for months. We must help them in this distressing time of their need.
Specifics on how you can help are detailed elsewhere in this issue of Perspectives. Or you can contact Food Committee Chair Kathi Martin at 972-5242 (Kak1066@Verizon.net) or Co-Chair Pat Berry at 972-3763 (berrypat@AOL.com) for delivery of donation food bags and checks made out to Wilderness Food Pantry.
In other news, Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman Lee Frame told the August meeting of a recent example of how our “Woods Cares” operation can have meaningful impact throughout Orange County. It seems a Town of Orange resident had to get to Culpeper to get his driver’s license renewed, but no one in Orange could be bothered to help him.
When Lee heard of the problem, he contacted “Woods Cares”…and Frank Jacobeen responded. He picked up the man in Orange, stayed with him at DMV (!), and then took him back home. Lee told the August meeting attendees: “I’ll be sure to tell the Mayor of Orange about this, how Lake of the Woods is helping Town of Orange residents, too.”
Finally, many Chapter members say they are suffering from the dreaded disease of FAGO—Falling Apart Growing Old. And unfortunately, there seems to be only one cure for it!
Dick Martin, President
AARP to Discuss Identity Theft and Fraud
by Carolyn Wray, AARP Chapter 5339 Publicity
Representatives from StellarOne Bank will be on hand at the AARP Chapter 5239 meeting in the Clubhouse on Monday, September 20, to discuss identity theft and fraud. The program will cover what identity theft is, how it happens, how to protect yourself from becoming a victim, and how to respond if you have become a victim. Linda Caporali, Financial Center Manager for StellarOne Bank, will be the guest speaker. Linda, who has 24 years of Banking Management experience, is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania Finance and MIS and Virginia Bankers Association – School of Management. Accompanying Linda will be Serena Marks, Information Security Officer and Christi Marion, Compliance Coordinator.
We are very fortunate to have these speakers, who are all from our local StellarOne Bank. It should be a very informative program and of special interest to AARP members. We encourage everyone to attend. This is a very lively and friendly group.
The meeting will begin with sweets and coffee at 9:30 AM and program will begin at 10AM.
AARP/Ruritan Food Drive
by Pat Berry
The combined AARP/Ruritan Food Drive in support of the Wilderness Food Pantry will take place on Saturday, September 11, with just a few minor changes. The lower level of the Clubhouse will serve as the collection point for donations on that day. Anyone wishing to participate in the drive can drop off bags with AARP volunteers anytime between 9 AM and 1 PM. Food items can also be brought to the meeting on September 20 and be added to our grand total.
If you prefer to donate money, please make checks payable to “LOW Lions/Lioness Wilderness Food Pantry.” These will be collected and taken to a Lions representative. If you are unable to bring your donations on either September 11 or 20, please call Kathi Martin at 972-5242 or Pat Berry at 972-3763 to make other arrangements.
Plans Going Forward For Election Day BBQ
This year's Election Day BBQ Chicken Dinner will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, at the LOW Clubhouse from 11 AM to 6 PM. Our Chief Chicken in Charge, Dwight Mottet, reports that the ticket price will be $9/meal, which includes the usual 1/2 chicken, coleslaw, baked beans, & brownie. Iced tea and lemonade will be available for diners in the Lower Level Clubhouse.
The ticket letters will be mailed to members shortly. Jim Moore is in charge of distributing tickets and tracking sales, but our AARP members are asked to do their part by selling the tickets they have received. If you have not received your tickets by the meeting date, contact Jim at 972-9355.
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY
(Virgo and Libra)
Tina Aris, Nancy Arnold, John Barnes,
Ellen Bearden, Ken Bentz, Gerda Binotto,
James Bloom, Anne Brown, Gil Churchill,
Jean Cooke, Bea Cornell, Susan Costanzo,
Jack Curnow, Carolyn Durphy, Nick Duy,
Ralph Gardner, Carolyn Gerndt, Ruby Horvath,
John Hughes, Barbara Lacks, Kathleen Martin,
Tina Aris, Nancy Arnold, John Barnes,
Ellen Bearden, Ken Bentz, Gerda Binotto,
James Bloom, Anne Brown, Gil Churchill,
Jean Cooke, Bea Cornell, Susan Costanzo,
Jack Curnow, Carolyn Durphy, Nick Duy,
Ralph Gardner, Carolyn Gerndt, Ruby Horvath,
John Hughes, Barbara Lacks, Kathleen Martin,
Nicoletta Maselli, Mary Merrell, William Nowers,
Alan Patnode, Irene Payette, Joy Poole,
Linda Reed, Jerry Schrage, Elaine Shirkey,
Marcia Shorten, Robert Silliman, Carolyn Spero,
Alan Patnode, Irene Payette, Joy Poole,
Linda Reed, Jerry Schrage, Elaine Shirkey,
Marcia Shorten, Robert Silliman, Carolyn Spero,
Joan Staab, Dee Tilliman, Doris Velona,
Rosemary Walker, George Webb, and
Ann Wood
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to new members:
Richard Dowd, Ralph Ericksen, and Gloria Kidwell.
SUNSHINE REPORT
Get-well cards were sent to Helen Markart, Theresa Danoy and Helen Bera. If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
Rosemary Walker, George Webb, and
Ann Wood
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to new members:
Richard Dowd, Ralph Ericksen, and Gloria Kidwell.
SUNSHINE REPORT
Get-well cards were sent to Helen Markart, Theresa Danoy and Helen Bera. If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
TRIAD News
· Free Shredding Event on Saturday, October 16, from 9 AM to 12 PM at StellarOne bank across Route 3. This is a great way to destroy sensitive papers that are no longer needed.
· The second RAD (Resisting Aggression with Defense) set of classes will start in October (date to come). This is a TRIAD and Sheriff's Office spon-sored program for seniors, male and female, to keep them safe while in their natural environment and away from home. The program runs for eight Thursday nights from 7 PM to 8:45 PM. Participants attend all eight sessions. Only five people are in the program at any given time. If we get five for the Oct/Dec program, it will be run right here at LOW. You will not be beating up the instructor or falling asleep from boring lectures. It is very informative and interesting. Call Dick/Kathleen Bradie at 540-308-5507 for more information and to sign up.
Monthly Silent Auction
We are accepting any donations that you may have for the auction in September.Please remember to donate your new and gently-used items in great shape: NO missing parts, clean (no dirt or grease), and no tears or ragged edges. Call Patti at 972-1370, Carla at 972-3436, or Roxanne at 972-8364 for pickup, or bring your donations to the meeting. Many, many thanks. The August auction earned $162 toward our charity donations.
Legislative News
by Pat Berry
Where health and legislation intersect:
Haven’t you heard the old adage, “You are what you eat?” In recent years, more people have become convinced that putting organic foods in your refrigerator and on your shelves will have a positive effect on a person’s overall health. For example, last year, Americans spent nearly $25 billion on organic food—as much as the gross domestic product of the entire nation of Estonia.
And now, many meat and dairy producers must change the way they do business to earn the organic label. In February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) finalized a new set of rules, which took effect in June. Producers seeking organic certification must prove that their ruminant animals, like cows, spend at least 120 days per year, or the duration of the grass-growing season, grazing on pasture. Moreover, grass must account for at least 30 percent of their food.
Why the change? Because the public perception of what organic means and the reality aren't necessarily the same. Since 2000, any food labeled organic must be produced according to a set of rules called the National Organic Program. These standards ensure, for example, that organic blueberries haven’t been treated with any of the chemicals on a long list the USDA maintains. They also specify that organic livestock never be treated with hormones or antibiotics or eat any feed that wasn’t itself organic, too. However, there’s nothing in the USDA standards that says organic lettuce can’t be grown by industrial-scale producers in giant greenhouses. (Only small farmers - those who sell $5,000 or less worth of agricultural products a year - are permitted to label food “organic” without certification under the national law.) The rules also haven’t prevented organic livestock from living in dusty, grassless pens as long as they have access to pasture. And here’s another old adage: “buyer beware.” For example, an organic dairy cow could be kept in a dry feedlot eating grain, as long as the grain was organic.
So, the moral of this little story, for all AARP members, is that organic food is supposed to be pesticide and antibiotic-free. Keep reading labels and keep being healthy.
by Pat Berry
Where health and legislation intersect:
Haven’t you heard the old adage, “You are what you eat?” In recent years, more people have become convinced that putting organic foods in your refrigerator and on your shelves will have a positive effect on a person’s overall health. For example, last year, Americans spent nearly $25 billion on organic food—as much as the gross domestic product of the entire nation of Estonia.
And now, many meat and dairy producers must change the way they do business to earn the organic label. In February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) finalized a new set of rules, which took effect in June. Producers seeking organic certification must prove that their ruminant animals, like cows, spend at least 120 days per year, or the duration of the grass-growing season, grazing on pasture. Moreover, grass must account for at least 30 percent of their food.
Why the change? Because the public perception of what organic means and the reality aren't necessarily the same. Since 2000, any food labeled organic must be produced according to a set of rules called the National Organic Program. These standards ensure, for example, that organic blueberries haven’t been treated with any of the chemicals on a long list the USDA maintains. They also specify that organic livestock never be treated with hormones or antibiotics or eat any feed that wasn’t itself organic, too. However, there’s nothing in the USDA standards that says organic lettuce can’t be grown by industrial-scale producers in giant greenhouses. (Only small farmers - those who sell $5,000 or less worth of agricultural products a year - are permitted to label food “organic” without certification under the national law.) The rules also haven’t prevented organic livestock from living in dusty, grassless pens as long as they have access to pasture. And here’s another old adage: “buyer beware.” For example, an organic dairy cow could be kept in a dry feedlot eating grain, as long as the grain was organic.
So, the moral of this little story, for all AARP members, is that organic food is supposed to be pesticide and antibiotic-free. Keep reading labels and keep being healthy.
Medical News
by Sandie Frame
Last month we talked about foot flexibility; this month there are exercises from the Arthritis Foundation to boost hand flexibility.
Finger Os: Open your hand fingers apart. Touch the tip of your thumb to the tip of your index finger to make an O shape and repeat with each finger against your thumb, opening your hand wide after each O.
Finger Curls: Open your hand with your fingers straight. Bend each joint slowly to form a loose fist. Hold the fist for three seconds before straightening your fingers out again.
Thumb Bends: Open your hand fingers relaxed. Reach your thumb across your palm towards the base of your little finger and hold for three seconds before stretching your thumb out again.
Repeat each exercise with each hand five times.
Highlights of the August 16, 2010, Meeting
by Pam Nalls, Secretary
· Kathleen Bradie provided the month’s TRIAD report. Included was an announcement of the next scheduled shredder event on Saturday, October 16, from 9AM to 11 AM at the Stellar One Bank on Route 3. Here’s an opportunity to dispose of your old documents in a secure way.
· September 11 is the date for the AARP/Ruritan Wilderness Food Pantry event. Kathi Martin and Pat Berry are spearheading our efforts and advise a few more volunteers are needed for this worthy cause.
· We’re awfully proud! The Cardboard Boat Race on July 24 was a big success. Our very own Roberta “Bobbie” Prees was in charge of this year’s AARP boat entry which took first place. A CD of the boat race will be provided to Nola Davidson for the AARP’s scrapbook.
· Volunteers are needed for AARP’s annual November 2 Election Day BBQ chicken dinner. Dwight Mottet provided an update, advising there will be 800 tickets to sell and requesting members to please sign up to help make this another successful BBQ Chicken day.
· Lee Frame, Orange County District 5 Supervisor, gave an account of our Woods Cares providing assistance for an Orange County individual who needed transportation to VDOT. When no one else could assist, Lee Frame contacted Marion Jacobeen, Woods Cares Co-Chair, who volunteered her husband, Frank. Our thanks to Marion and Frank Jacobeen for their efforts.
· The next meeting is Monday, September 20, 2010.
by Sandie Frame
Last month we talked about foot flexibility; this month there are exercises from the Arthritis Foundation to boost hand flexibility.
Finger Os: Open your hand fingers apart. Touch the tip of your thumb to the tip of your index finger to make an O shape and repeat with each finger against your thumb, opening your hand wide after each O.
Finger Curls: Open your hand with your fingers straight. Bend each joint slowly to form a loose fist. Hold the fist for three seconds before straightening your fingers out again.
Thumb Bends: Open your hand fingers relaxed. Reach your thumb across your palm towards the base of your little finger and hold for three seconds before stretching your thumb out again.
Repeat each exercise with each hand five times.
Highlights of the August 16, 2010, Meeting
by Pam Nalls, Secretary
· Kathleen Bradie provided the month’s TRIAD report. Included was an announcement of the next scheduled shredder event on Saturday, October 16, from 9AM to 11 AM at the Stellar One Bank on Route 3. Here’s an opportunity to dispose of your old documents in a secure way.
· September 11 is the date for the AARP/Ruritan Wilderness Food Pantry event. Kathi Martin and Pat Berry are spearheading our efforts and advise a few more volunteers are needed for this worthy cause.
· We’re awfully proud! The Cardboard Boat Race on July 24 was a big success. Our very own Roberta “Bobbie” Prees was in charge of this year’s AARP boat entry which took first place. A CD of the boat race will be provided to Nola Davidson for the AARP’s scrapbook.
· Volunteers are needed for AARP’s annual November 2 Election Day BBQ chicken dinner. Dwight Mottet provided an update, advising there will be 800 tickets to sell and requesting members to please sign up to help make this another successful BBQ Chicken day.
· Lee Frame, Orange County District 5 Supervisor, gave an account of our Woods Cares providing assistance for an Orange County individual who needed transportation to VDOT. When no one else could assist, Lee Frame contacted Marion Jacobeen, Woods Cares Co-Chair, who volunteered her husband, Frank. Our thanks to Marion and Frank Jacobeen for their efforts.
· The next meeting is Monday, September 20, 2010.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
August Newsletter
NOTICE
The Post Office charges AARP for all returned mail. If you have your mail forwarded to an alternate address during the year, and you want to receive your copy of Perspectives at that address, send your new/temporary address to Carla at cpw_low@yahoo.com or call 972-3436. Give the months you will be away and Carla will restart your Perspectives at the LOW address.
We mail during the first two weeks of the month.
President's letter
“She Dun Us Proud”
Bobbie Prees “brought home the bacon” for Chapter 5239 in the Cardboard Boat Regatta July 24. She paddled “Pingu III - AARP” to a run-away First Place in the Category 5 segment of the races, easily beating USS LOW Veterans and Luau (Fun Bunch) entries.
Bobbie built the cardboard boat herself, with some design and construction help from several other AARP members. This was her third entry in the annual races and her first win.
Congratulations, Bobbie! And you did it in record time…in scorching 103-degree heat! We’re all very proud of you.
Our Chapter’s next “Volunteer Event” will be the Saturday, September 11, Special Food Drive. This is the Second Annual Food Drive to help stock local food pantries, sponsored by AARP and Ruritan Clubs. Food Bank Chairperson Kathi Martin and her assistant, Pat Berry, will be asking for volunteers to help out, for special food donations, and for cash donations at the August 16 regular monthly meeting.
Cash donations are needed by the Food Banks we serve to purchase meats and other supplies as needed from their suppliers. It’s important that you make the checks out to the Wilderness Food Pantry or Sheltering Arms or whichever group you prefer—but then give our AARP Food Committee the checks for distribution. This will give our Chapter a September 11 “Cash Donation Total” which could help us win even more money for charity from sponsors AARP/Ruritan.
Our August meeting (Monday, July 19) will be another “Don’t Miss” event. Guest Speaker is Jim Foote, the founder of Lake of the Woods. Foote is a very humorous and factually-informed speaker about how he put together the idea for Lake of the Woods and how it developed during the early development days of the late 1960’s and ‘70’s. Read the speaker article which follows for more details.
Finally, Old Age is when you still have something on the ball, but you’re just too tired to bounce it!
Dick Martin, President
Searching for LOW’s Roots
by Ruth Hood, Editor, Perspectives
If you have ever wondered how a community the size of LOW came to life in the midst of the Wilderness of Orange County, you won’t want to miss the August meeting. Jim Foote, the point man in 1966 for U. S. Land, Inc., will be speaking about the development of Lake of the Woods. He researched both Spotsylvania and Orange Counties for an area of natural valleys, which also had a stream that could be dammed up to create a lake, providing a valuable recreation area. He ultimately selected Orange County, and the rest is history.
Mr. Foote had already created a recreational lake property, when a chance meeting at a Cadillac dealership in the Midwest with 35-year-old Thomas A. Perine, Board Chairman of U. S. Land, Inc., led to his involvement with the founding of Lake of the Woods. Mr. Foote went on to purchase the 15 properties comprising Lake of the Woods and oversaw the early years of intense construction to provide roads, the Clubhouse, the Pro Shop, pools, and other amenities. Mr. Foote’s sense of humor and storytelling ability will make this program memorable.
Join us in the Great Hall of the Clubhouse on Monday, August 16, to hear Mr. Foote’s presentation about the history of LOW at 10 AM. Everyone is invited to attend.
THIS MONTH’S BIRTHDAYS
(Leo and Virgo)
Marie Barrett, Pat Berry, Al Bisset, Gerlinde Carmona, Kasee Charest,
Jim Danoy, Philip DeSimone, Larry Ervin, Lee Frame, Mary Hadley,
Carroll Hamilton, Lynn Hein, Betty Hughes, Robert Johnson,
Connie LeMay, Ruth Lenwell, Virginia Lynch, Eileen McFarland,
Marilyn McKay, Vera Moody, Dorothy Mosso, Gerald Mueller,
Margaret Ostlund, Joan Parnell, Larry Petersen, Mike Pulice,
John Rueckert, Ralph Scheuermann, Sarlene Seyler, Marcia Shorten,
Emily Slunt, Charles Taylor, Harold Thompson, and Patricia Watterworth
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to new members: Joann Batten and Ruth Wallace.
SUNSHINE REPORT
Get-well cards were sent to Carolyn Lewis, George Lenwell, and John Hughes. A card was sent to the Beardens on the death of Bill’s dad.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
FALL FOOD DRIVE PLANNED
by Kathy Martin and Pat Berry
AARP Chapter 5239 is partnering with local Ruritan clubs to sponsor a community food drive on Saturday, September 11, in support of the Wilderness Food Pantry. This project is part of an AARP initiative entitled “Create the Good,” helping improve peoples’ lives in as little as five minutes, five hours, or five days. Chapter members will be collecting contributions for those families in Orange County who rely on the services provided by the Food Pantry. If you prefer to donate money, please make checks payable to “Low Lions/Lioness Wilderness Food Pantry.” These will be collected and delivered to a Lions representative.
On Monday, July 19, individual members took home a grocery bag with the suggestion it could be gradually filled with non-perishable items in time to be returned at the September meeting. Volunteers will also make the bags available to shoppers at Bloom on September 11 for additional donations. A clip board will be sent around at the meeting on August 16 asking people to sign up for a one-hour shift on that day from 10 AM to 2 PM. If you weren’t able to attend the meeting on July 19, look for Kathi Martin or Pat Berry in August and get your very own plain brown wrapper. Questions? Call Kathi at 972-5242 or Pat at 972-3763.
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
BBQ Tickets Coming Soon
by Jim Moore, BBQ Ticket Chair
Election Day is just around the corner on November 2. Once again AARP members will be asked to sell four tickets for our Chicken BBQ Dinner. Since this is our club’s biggest fundraiser, everyone needs to pitch in and help get all 800 tickets sold. Selling tickets should be easy, since most residents know what a good dinner they will be getting. All pertinent information is included on the tickets, which will arrive by mail in early September. If you need more than four tickets, they will be available at the September 20 meeting. For information contact Jim at 972-9355,
Donate School Supplies for OC Kids
by Ruth Hood
Orange County schools will be opening September 7, so what could be a more perfect time to donate school supplies so all our local students have everything they need to further their education? This is the time to shop—the stores are having “Back to School” sales right now, and many things are available at reduced prices. The supply lists for OC Schools are available at http://www.ocss-va.org/, click on supply lists on right. Guidance Counselors distribute donated items using the free-and-reduced lunch list to identify appropriate students.
You could supply needed items for one elementary student: a plastic school box containing a glue stick, scissors, a pink eraser, a box of 24-count Crayola crayons, and two #2 pencils.
Or you can supply multiples of those items or other things needed in bulk by either elementary or middle school students: black “marble” notebooks (stitched); large glue sticks; 3x5 cards; colored pencils; handheld pencil sharpeners; yellow highlighters; pocket folders with fasteners; 1” three-ring binders; packages of loose leaf paper (wide ruled, three-hole punch).
Supplies can be brought to the August 16 meeting and will be distributed to OC schools. If you need more information, contact Ruth Hood at 972-3249 or email rhhood@verizon.net.
Monthly Silent Auction
We are accepting any donations that you may have for the auction. Please remember to donate your new and gently-used items in great shape: NO missing parts, clean (no dirt or grease), and no tears or ragged edges. Call Patti at 972-1370, Carla at 972-3436, or Roxanne at 972-8364 for pickup, or bring your donations to the meeting. Many, many thanks. Proceeds from July auction $119.
Legislative News—“Webinar”
by Pat Berry
Do you say that you’ve never sent a text message? Do you say that “tweeting” is for the birds? What would you say if I asked if you would be interested in attending a “webinar” on what you need to know about the new Health Care Law? AARP will be hosting 60-minute webinars through December 1 to provide information about the law and resource materials you might need for making personal decisions. Here is the up-coming schedule for programs of interest—and all you need is a computer with Internet access, a mouse and a little confidence.
· Things You Need to Know About the Health Care Law
· Getting Coverage Through High-Risk Pools
· Deciding What to Do This Medicare Open Season
· Improvements to Long-Term Care
Pre-registration is required for participation and you begin that process by going to http://www.aarp.org/. Click on “Health,” then “Health Care Reform,” and scroll down to “Health Care Law Resources – Webinars.” Each webinar will include a question-and-answer period with experts. In addition, you can download resource materials and take online polls. Won’t your family be impressed?
Medical News
by Sandie Frame
Strengthening your foot muscles can lessen foot pain. A podiatrist offered these suggestions for simple stretching and flexing.
1. Sit on a chair with bare feet flat on floor. Raise the front of your feet off the floor with toes high, then move your toes to the right dropping them back to the floor. Now raise your heels up and swing them to the right dropping them back to the floor even with your toes. Next repeat those actions moving to the middle then to left. Repeat five times ending with your feet back at the middle.
2. Place a washcloth flat on the floor with you feet on it. Pull the cloth up by curling your toes. Release the cloth and spread your toes as wide as you can. Repeat five times.
3. Lay on your back and loop a towel under one foot. Keeping your knee straight, pull your toes toward your head, hold for five seconds. Now push you toes against the towel and hold for five seconds. Relax. Next pull the side of the cloth on the outside of your foot so your foot bends inward; hold for five seconds. Then, pull the cloth on the inside of your foot and bend your foot in that direction; hold for five seconds. Repeat five times. Repeat all actions with the other foot.
Highlights of the July 19, 2010, Meeting
by Pam Nalls, Secretary
· Volunteers are needed for AARP’s annual November 2 Election Day BBQ Chicken dinner. Dick Martin has a sign-up sheet.
· The Chapter received a thank you note from Sheltering Arms thanking our members for their continuing support to the Wilderness Food Pantry. Lee Frame announced later in the meeting that Sheltering Arms grants are significantly down this year; continuing support for their activities is greatly needed.
· Thank you to Sandie Frame for providing handouts on the new Health Care Program.
· The Cardboard Boat Race is scheduled for July 24 at 1 PM. Roberta “Bobbie” Prees is leading the way for this year’s AARP entry – it’s a Penguin boat!
· September 11 is the date for the AARP/Ruritan Wilderness Food Pantry event. Kathi Martin and Pat Berry are spearheading our efforts.
· Nola Davidson appealed for scrap book pictures of AARP activities. She reminded us that this will provided a historical record of our Chapter. Dick Martin advised that the Chapter continues to need a photographer. If interested, please contact Dick.
· Carolyn Durphy announced two chairs (one red, one blue) were left behind at the June AARP picnic. Contact Carolyn if they belong to you.
· The next meeting is Monday, August 16, 2010.
Monday, July 5, 2010
July Newsletter
President's Letter
In the Good Old Summer Time
It seems like “last week” that we were all suffering through record snowfall and low temperatures. And now we’re huffing and puffing our way through record high temperatures! It just doesn’t seem fair…
The 90-degree heat didn’t dampen member spirits at the June Annual Picnic. Our thanks go to Gil and Lucy Churchill and their many, many volunteer-helpers for putting on such a relaxed, enjoyable, and tasty Chapter picnic.
Although July and August are traditional “Summer Vacation” months, we’ve got to keep up our meeting schedule for those members who are still around and to continue planning for Chapter 5239 activities coming up later this year.
· The AARP Board Meeting will be held Monday, July 12, starting at 10 AM at the Wilderness Library. Chapter Officers, Directors and Committee Heads are encouraged to attend these Board Meetings. The meetings are also open for any members who may want to bring problems or service opportunities to the attention of the Board for possible action.
· And our July meeting will be held Monday, July 19, at the LOW Clubhouse, starting as usual with coffee and sweets fellowship at 9:30 AM.
· Then plan to come to the Sailboat Beach by the Clubhouse on Saturday, July 24, to watch Bobbie Prees represent AARP Chapter 5239 in the Lake Youth Foundation’s annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. The fun starts at 11:30 AM. Let’s cheer Bobbie on to a watery victory.
Finally, summer is also the traditional time for going on diets in order to look better in a swimming suit. Wanting to lose weight, one woman placed a picture of a shapely and very attractive pinup model inside her refrigerator to remind her of her goal. The reminder worked so well, she lost 10 pounds during the first month.
Unfortunately, her husband spent so much time going into the fridge to look at the picture that he gained 15 pounds!
Dick Martin, President
Sing-Along with Ralph Scheuermann
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity, AARP, Chapter 5239
Ralph Scheuermann, a resident of Lake of the Woods, will be the guest speaker at the Monday, July 19, AARP, Chapter 5239 meeting. This will be a fun and relaxing program that all will enjoy. We may not have Mitch Miller and his bouncing ball, but we do have the talented Ralph Scheuermann, who will provide music and words, and we will sing along with him. Mr. Scheuermann is a retired printer from New York.
He has entertained at the New York picnics
and also plays with a local group of musicians.
The meeting will begin with sweets and coffee at 9:30 AM. The program will begin at 10 AM. Come and join us for a fun and relaxing program. Everyone is invited. This is summer, and the living is easy.
Call For BBQ Volunteers
by Dwight Mottet, Chicken Dinner Project Chairman
The planning for our 2010 Election Day annual Chicken BBQ Dinner event has begun. Many of our Chicken BBQ chairs feel the need to have backup for the work that they have been doing. To ensure another very successful event for charity, we need one or two volunteers to learn how one facet of the planning is done and to share in the early organization of the following activities:
· Selling Tickets—Jim Moore, -9355;
· Cooking Chickens—Mike Pulice, -0814;
· Cooking Beans—George Lenwell, -0326;
· Serving Dinners, Joyce Bowers, -9325;
· Brownie Bakers, Carla Wascalus, -3436;
· Table Decorators Replacement needed for
Rosemary Walker -1375.
Last year's event served 720 dinners which gained $ 2,375 for thirteen local charities. We would greatly appreciate your assistance this year. If you want to volunteer, please sign up at the July 19 meeting. It is not just work, it is a social event—another way of interacting with your LOW neighbors and friends.
NOTICE
The Post Office charges AARP for all returned mail. If you are planning to be out of the area for a long vacation or move, please notify Carla at -3436 or at CPW_LOW@yahoo.com, and she will send the notice to your alternate/new address.
THIS MONTH’S BIRTHDAYS
(Cancer and Leo)
Tony Aris, Bernie Arnold,
Julia Barnes, Bonnie Boelke,
Richard Costanzo, Judy Curnow,
Gayle Fargo, Sandra Frame,
Carol Greeney, Gene Jacobs,
Janet Jacobs, Bob Jenks,
Rima Laviano, Ursula Medwid,
Carol Moffa, Bernie Palowitch,
Ruth Pavlik, Delma Roessler,
Patrick Rowland, Doris Schluter,
Elizabeth Tabor, Sharon Webb,
Diane Weller, Verna Wescott,
Henry Wright, Margaret Thode, and
Len Weeder
NEW MEMBERS:
Welcome to new members: Joanne Hewitson, Linda Reed, and James Taylor
SUNSHINE REPORT
Get-well cards were sent to Dwight Mottet,Joe Nolan, George Lenwell, Charles Taylor. If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
Monthly Silent Auction
We are accepting any donations that you may have for the auction in July.
Please remember to donate your new and gently-used items in great shape: NO missing parts, clean (no dirt or grease), and no tears or ragged edges. Call Patti at 972-1370, Carla at 972-3436, or Roxanne at 972-8364 for pickup, or bring your donations to the meeting. Many, many thanks
There was no auction in June.
What is Woods Cares?
by Janet Terry, Co-Chair of AARP’s Woods Cares
Woods Cares is a group of AARP volunteers helping individuals within the Lake of the Woods who are shut-ins, caregivers of shut-ins, or those in need for some other reason. We have been serving our community members for the past 10 years. There are approximately 45 AARP members who have volunteered their time and/or talents. These individuals are all over the age of 50. Most of them are 60-, 70-, and 80-year-olds, who continue to be of service to their neighbors.
Services provided in the past have consisted of transporting people to doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping, taking people to beauty appointments, picking up prescriptions, or running other errands. Other helpful tasks have included simple plumbing repairs, small appliance repairs, raking leaves, and transporting trash to the compactor. We have also visited with shut-ins to give their caregivers a break. This list represents a sample of what you may need us to do for you. Remember, this is a free service.
If you would like to be a volunteer or know of someone has need of our services, please contact one of our committee chairpersons, and they will endeavor to find a person to help. For information call: Marion at 972-4085, Janet at 972-1957, or Jeanette at 972-0726.
Our AARP motto is, “The Power to Make it Better.”
Legislative News
by Pat Berry
On March 25, 2010, the 111th Congress approved Public Law 111-152, the “Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010.” Affectionately known as the “Doughnut Hole Closure” law, H.R. 4872 improved the Medicare drug benefit by closing the coverage gap that forces million of seniors to pay thousands of dollars out of their own pockets for their prescriptions. It also included provisions to strengthen Medicare for current seniors and future generations by cracking down on waste, fraud and abuse in our health system.
Want to know more about how Virginia Senators and House members voted on this bill and how they are representing you in Washington? One suggestion is to try the website at http://aarp.org/politics-society. AARP puts you into a front row seat for tracking voting in both the Senate and the House, along with the option of voicing your opinion on major National and State issues. After connecting to the AARP site, scroll down, keeping your eyes on the left side of the screen, and choose either “Key Vote Summary” or “Legislative Action Center” for access to further information on what’s happening just up I95. The first link provides access to elected state and national officials via email so you can make your opinions known. The second link will take you to a state map where you can follow voting around the country, including Virginia.
And by scrolling down just a little further on the politics and society site, you can find a link to “Government Watch” which takes you directly to information on other current legislation, such as H.R. 4173, a bill that will put in place new financial rules to protect consumers. All of this can make you a more formidable voter next November.
Oh, and by the way, the two Senators from Virginia and four of the Representatives voted for Public Law 111-152; seven of the state Representatives voted against it.
Medical News
by Sandie Frame
This is the first medical report from our new contributor, Sandie Frame. If you would like information on a specific topic, please let Sandie know.
I have been trying to cut down on salted foods, so I have been really reading the labels more carefully. I was surprised to see how much salt was contained in 1 to 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. Labels listed any where from 60 to 300 mg. Bloom’s peanut spread had the most, and heaven only knows what the “spread” actually contained besides sugar products, peanuts and salt.
This month’s Diabetes Forecast let me know that I could make my own peanut butter with a little bit of patience and a food processor.
· Take one cup of unsalted roasted peanuts with or without skins (also works with almonds, hazel nuts or other nuts),
· Grind them to a fine powder.
· Add 1 Tbsp. of peanut oil (canola oil will work just fine)
· Add up to 1 Tbsp. of honey if you absolutely have to have more sweetness.
· Store in the refrigerator in a clean jar.
This does not make a lot, but home-made peanut butter should be used in about two weeks. For an added flavor try toasting the nuts in a fry pan until golden brown before grinding. Happy salt-free eating.
Did You Know...
Peel a banana from the bottom and you won’t have to pick the little ‘stringy things’ off of it. That’s how the primates do it. Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.
Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!
Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.
Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.
To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.
For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.
Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic and at the end of the recipe if you want a stronger taste of garlic.
Reheat Pizza—Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.
Easy Deviled Eggs—Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.
Expanding Frosting—When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.
Reheating refrigerated bread—To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.
No More Mosquitoes—Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.
Squirrel Away! To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn’t hurt the plant and the squirrels won’t come near it.
Goodbye Fruit Flies—To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it ½’ with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid.
In the Good Old Summer Time
It seems like “last week” that we were all suffering through record snowfall and low temperatures. And now we’re huffing and puffing our way through record high temperatures! It just doesn’t seem fair…
The 90-degree heat didn’t dampen member spirits at the June Annual Picnic. Our thanks go to Gil and Lucy Churchill and their many, many volunteer-helpers for putting on such a relaxed, enjoyable, and tasty Chapter picnic.
Although July and August are traditional “Summer Vacation” months, we’ve got to keep up our meeting schedule for those members who are still around and to continue planning for Chapter 5239 activities coming up later this year.
· The AARP Board Meeting will be held Monday, July 12, starting at 10 AM at the Wilderness Library. Chapter Officers, Directors and Committee Heads are encouraged to attend these Board Meetings. The meetings are also open for any members who may want to bring problems or service opportunities to the attention of the Board for possible action.
· And our July meeting will be held Monday, July 19, at the LOW Clubhouse, starting as usual with coffee and sweets fellowship at 9:30 AM.
· Then plan to come to the Sailboat Beach by the Clubhouse on Saturday, July 24, to watch Bobbie Prees represent AARP Chapter 5239 in the Lake Youth Foundation’s annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. The fun starts at 11:30 AM. Let’s cheer Bobbie on to a watery victory.
Finally, summer is also the traditional time for going on diets in order to look better in a swimming suit. Wanting to lose weight, one woman placed a picture of a shapely and very attractive pinup model inside her refrigerator to remind her of her goal. The reminder worked so well, she lost 10 pounds during the first month.
Unfortunately, her husband spent so much time going into the fridge to look at the picture that he gained 15 pounds!
Dick Martin, President
Sing-Along with Ralph Scheuermann
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity, AARP, Chapter 5239
Ralph Scheuermann, a resident of Lake of the Woods, will be the guest speaker at the Monday, July 19, AARP, Chapter 5239 meeting. This will be a fun and relaxing program that all will enjoy. We may not have Mitch Miller and his bouncing ball, but we do have the talented Ralph Scheuermann, who will provide music and words, and we will sing along with him. Mr. Scheuermann is a retired printer from New York.
He has entertained at the New York picnics
and also plays with a local group of musicians.
The meeting will begin with sweets and coffee at 9:30 AM. The program will begin at 10 AM. Come and join us for a fun and relaxing program. Everyone is invited. This is summer, and the living is easy.
Call For BBQ Volunteers
by Dwight Mottet, Chicken Dinner Project Chairman
The planning for our 2010 Election Day annual Chicken BBQ Dinner event has begun. Many of our Chicken BBQ chairs feel the need to have backup for the work that they have been doing. To ensure another very successful event for charity, we need one or two volunteers to learn how one facet of the planning is done and to share in the early organization of the following activities:
· Selling Tickets—Jim Moore, -9355;
· Cooking Chickens—Mike Pulice, -0814;
· Cooking Beans—George Lenwell, -0326;
· Serving Dinners, Joyce Bowers, -9325;
· Brownie Bakers, Carla Wascalus, -3436;
· Table Decorators Replacement needed for
Rosemary Walker -1375.
Last year's event served 720 dinners which gained $ 2,375 for thirteen local charities. We would greatly appreciate your assistance this year. If you want to volunteer, please sign up at the July 19 meeting. It is not just work, it is a social event—another way of interacting with your LOW neighbors and friends.
NOTICE
The Post Office charges AARP for all returned mail. If you are planning to be out of the area for a long vacation or move, please notify Carla at -3436 or at CPW_LOW@yahoo.com, and she will send the notice to your alternate/new address.
THIS MONTH’S BIRTHDAYS
(Cancer and Leo)
Tony Aris, Bernie Arnold,
Julia Barnes, Bonnie Boelke,
Richard Costanzo, Judy Curnow,
Gayle Fargo, Sandra Frame,
Carol Greeney, Gene Jacobs,
Janet Jacobs, Bob Jenks,
Rima Laviano, Ursula Medwid,
Carol Moffa, Bernie Palowitch,
Ruth Pavlik, Delma Roessler,
Patrick Rowland, Doris Schluter,
Elizabeth Tabor, Sharon Webb,
Diane Weller, Verna Wescott,
Henry Wright, Margaret Thode, and
Len Weeder
NEW MEMBERS:
Welcome to new members: Joanne Hewitson, Linda Reed, and James Taylor
SUNSHINE REPORT
Get-well cards were sent to Dwight Mottet,Joe Nolan, George Lenwell, Charles Taylor. If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
Monthly Silent Auction
We are accepting any donations that you may have for the auction in July.
Please remember to donate your new and gently-used items in great shape: NO missing parts, clean (no dirt or grease), and no tears or ragged edges. Call Patti at 972-1370, Carla at 972-3436, or Roxanne at 972-8364 for pickup, or bring your donations to the meeting. Many, many thanks
There was no auction in June.
What is Woods Cares?
by Janet Terry, Co-Chair of AARP’s Woods Cares
Woods Cares is a group of AARP volunteers helping individuals within the Lake of the Woods who are shut-ins, caregivers of shut-ins, or those in need for some other reason. We have been serving our community members for the past 10 years. There are approximately 45 AARP members who have volunteered their time and/or talents. These individuals are all over the age of 50. Most of them are 60-, 70-, and 80-year-olds, who continue to be of service to their neighbors.
Services provided in the past have consisted of transporting people to doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping, taking people to beauty appointments, picking up prescriptions, or running other errands. Other helpful tasks have included simple plumbing repairs, small appliance repairs, raking leaves, and transporting trash to the compactor. We have also visited with shut-ins to give their caregivers a break. This list represents a sample of what you may need us to do for you. Remember, this is a free service.
If you would like to be a volunteer or know of someone has need of our services, please contact one of our committee chairpersons, and they will endeavor to find a person to help. For information call: Marion at 972-4085, Janet at 972-1957, or Jeanette at 972-0726.
Our AARP motto is, “The Power to Make it Better.”
Legislative News
by Pat Berry
On March 25, 2010, the 111th Congress approved Public Law 111-152, the “Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010.” Affectionately known as the “Doughnut Hole Closure” law, H.R. 4872 improved the Medicare drug benefit by closing the coverage gap that forces million of seniors to pay thousands of dollars out of their own pockets for their prescriptions. It also included provisions to strengthen Medicare for current seniors and future generations by cracking down on waste, fraud and abuse in our health system.
Want to know more about how Virginia Senators and House members voted on this bill and how they are representing you in Washington? One suggestion is to try the website at http://aarp.org/politics-society. AARP puts you into a front row seat for tracking voting in both the Senate and the House, along with the option of voicing your opinion on major National and State issues. After connecting to the AARP site, scroll down, keeping your eyes on the left side of the screen, and choose either “Key Vote Summary” or “Legislative Action Center” for access to further information on what’s happening just up I95. The first link provides access to elected state and national officials via email so you can make your opinions known. The second link will take you to a state map where you can follow voting around the country, including Virginia.
And by scrolling down just a little further on the politics and society site, you can find a link to “Government Watch” which takes you directly to information on other current legislation, such as H.R. 4173, a bill that will put in place new financial rules to protect consumers. All of this can make you a more formidable voter next November.
Oh, and by the way, the two Senators from Virginia and four of the Representatives voted for Public Law 111-152; seven of the state Representatives voted against it.
Medical News
by Sandie Frame
This is the first medical report from our new contributor, Sandie Frame. If you would like information on a specific topic, please let Sandie know.
I have been trying to cut down on salted foods, so I have been really reading the labels more carefully. I was surprised to see how much salt was contained in 1 to 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. Labels listed any where from 60 to 300 mg. Bloom’s peanut spread had the most, and heaven only knows what the “spread” actually contained besides sugar products, peanuts and salt.
This month’s Diabetes Forecast let me know that I could make my own peanut butter with a little bit of patience and a food processor.
· Take one cup of unsalted roasted peanuts with or without skins (also works with almonds, hazel nuts or other nuts),
· Grind them to a fine powder.
· Add 1 Tbsp. of peanut oil (canola oil will work just fine)
· Add up to 1 Tbsp. of honey if you absolutely have to have more sweetness.
· Store in the refrigerator in a clean jar.
This does not make a lot, but home-made peanut butter should be used in about two weeks. For an added flavor try toasting the nuts in a fry pan until golden brown before grinding. Happy salt-free eating.
Did You Know...
Peel a banana from the bottom and you won’t have to pick the little ‘stringy things’ off of it. That’s how the primates do it. Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.
Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!
Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.
Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.
To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.
For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.
Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic and at the end of the recipe if you want a stronger taste of garlic.
Reheat Pizza—Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.
Easy Deviled Eggs—Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.
Expanding Frosting—When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.
Reheating refrigerated bread—To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.
No More Mosquitoes—Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.
Squirrel Away! To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn’t hurt the plant and the squirrels won’t come near it.
Goodbye Fruit Flies—To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it ½’ with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
June Newsletter
President's Message
June…June…June
AARP Chapter 5239 enters the warmth and sunshine of “the wonderful month of June” with some significant advancements notched during the past month.
First, what a sensational “Day of Service” our Chapter turned in on May 19 and 20! Some 69 Chapter members volunteered to give up a day or more of their time to help needy people and charitable organizations in our area. This year, organized and guided by “Day of Service” Director Bob Johnson, we had groups of volunteer-helpers at eleven different locations throughout Orange County and in Fredericksburg and Culpeper.
Bob is sending a detailed report packet on the event to Amber Nightingale, our Chapter’s AARP Virginia coordinator in Richmond. Bob’s truly impressive report packet is an instruction manual on how to organize and put together such an event.
Our congratulations to Bob for his outstanding work—and our sincere thanks to all the volunteers for their efforts and dedication.
Second, a crew of volunteers handled the May 17 meeting setup and takedown work with only a minor hic-cup here and there. Hopefully, we’re now back in our meeting routine and won’t have any more problems and complaints with the Association.
Looking to the future—Saturday, July 24, to be exact—we need some volunteers to put together our Chapter’s cardboard boat for the Lake Youth Foundation’s 6th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. Construction materials can only be cardboard, duct or sealing tape, and paint. A challenge? Sure—but interesting and fun. (Remember Carla dragging the AARP boat back to shore in last year’s Regatta?) If you’re interested in giving something different a try, get on the “Titanic Construction List” at Doodoo1066@ Verizon.net, and we’ll call an idea-and-action meeting to get started.
Finally, Why do AARP members always use valet parking?
Because the valets don’t forget where they parked the car.
Dick Martin, President
AARP Prepares for Annual Picnic
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity Chairman
LOW AARP Chapter 5239 of will hold its annual picnic on Monday, June 21, rain or shine, at the Lion George Lewis Pavilion in Sweetbriar Park. This popular event will start at 11:30 AM. Hamburgers, hot dogs, beverages, paper goods and utensils, will be provided by the AARP. Members are requested to bring their favorite potluck dishes, casseroles, salads or desserts by 11:15 AM to share with everyone.
This is a very special social event for all to enjoy—meeting and greeting old friends and meeting new ones. It is fun to share stories and jokes and to enjoy good food. Come and join us.
THIS MONTH’S BIRTHDAYS
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
New Chapter Medical Chair
Sandie Frame is the new Chapter Medical Chairperson, replacing Frank Jacobeen. Sandie is a retired nurse with extensive experience in both clinical hospital and medical insurance company operations. She will keep Chapter members aware of new developments in the medical and general health fields.
Monthly Silent Auction
There will not be a silent auction at our June meeting. We will, however, accept any donations that you may care to bring to the June picnic meeting, and they can be put up for auction in July.
Please remember to donate your new and gently-used items in great shape: NO missing parts, clean (no dirt or grease), and no tears or ragged edges. Call Patti at 972-1370, Carla at 972-3436, or Roxanne at 972-8364 for pickup, or bring your donations to the meeting. Many, many thanks
We raised $116 at the May silent auction.
Legislative Report
by Pat Berry
A new rule proposed by the Treasury Department would close loopholes to protect social security benefits from illegal bank freezes. One case that came to light involved a 59-year-old woman who added her son to her checking account when her husband died so there would be someone to pay her bills if she fell ill. Funny thing. Recently she was notified that her account was frozen and all money in it was being sent to pay an old debt of that son even though he had never used the account. What followed was a lengthy process to hire a lawyer and file legal papers to get her money back.
The “Garnishment of Accounts Containing Federal Benefit Payments” would require banks to review the deposits in an account before freezing it in response to a court order. According to current law, Social Security retirement and disability benefits and veterans benefits are exempt from seizure by private debt collectors. But banks, if presented with a court order, can freeze accounts containing these benefits if a court order is issued to pay an outstanding claim. One attorney who was involved in a similar case feels that judgments that sat dormant for years are now being collected on as a way for banks and other creditors to offset other losses they had over the last few years.
If you are interested in the future of this rule, please send comments to the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the heading “Garnishment of Accounts Containing Federal Benefit Payments.” Send to the attention of Gary Grippo, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Fiscal Operations and Policy, U.S. Dept. of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Room 2112, Washington, D.C. 20220.
Highlights of March 15, 2010, Meeting
by Pam Nalls
· The goal for the second annual AARP/Ruritan Food Drive on September 11 is to collect 20 bags of food for donation to local food pantries. POC: Kathi Martin, 972-5242
· The Saturday, July 24 Cardboard Boat Regatta event is quickly approaching. Volunteers are needed to create the AARP boat and participate in the event. COMCAST CH18 will be broadcasting instructions on how to build a cardboard boat during the month of June.
· The LOWA Honor Awards Committee is accepting nominations for their awards program. Dick Martin requests that if AARP nominees are submitted, please let him know. Nominations are due by June 28 and forms can be found at the www.lowa.org website.
· Reminder: Help is needed to set up/take down chairs/tables for the monthly AARP meetings. Hank Lewis has sign-up sheets available at the monthly meetings.
· Bob Johnson, coordinator for AARP’s Day of Service on 19/20 May, provided a final update and advised sign-up sheets were still available for those interested in this worthy cause.
· Roxanne Kessler announced the Silent Auction winners. The amount raised at May’s auction was $116. Roxanne advises there will be no Silent Auction at the June meeting. You may bring donations to the June picnic for the July auction. Give donations to Patti, Carla or Roxanne.
· Paul Tobin announced the results of the 50/50 drawing which netted $41.50. The winner was Millie Wieser, who was visiting from the Culpeper AARP chapter.
· Next month’s meeting on Monday, June 21, will be the annual AARP picnic. See you at the Sweetbriar Pavilion at 11:30AM. Everyone is asked to bring a potluck dish to go with the hot dogs and hamburgers. Also, more folks are needed to serve on the clean-up committee for this event.
June…June…June
AARP Chapter 5239 enters the warmth and sunshine of “the wonderful month of June” with some significant advancements notched during the past month.
First, what a sensational “Day of Service” our Chapter turned in on May 19 and 20! Some 69 Chapter members volunteered to give up a day or more of their time to help needy people and charitable organizations in our area. This year, organized and guided by “Day of Service” Director Bob Johnson, we had groups of volunteer-helpers at eleven different locations throughout Orange County and in Fredericksburg and Culpeper.
Bob is sending a detailed report packet on the event to Amber Nightingale, our Chapter’s AARP Virginia coordinator in Richmond. Bob’s truly impressive report packet is an instruction manual on how to organize and put together such an event.
Our congratulations to Bob for his outstanding work—and our sincere thanks to all the volunteers for their efforts and dedication.
Second, a crew of volunteers handled the May 17 meeting setup and takedown work with only a minor hic-cup here and there. Hopefully, we’re now back in our meeting routine and won’t have any more problems and complaints with the Association.
Looking to the future—Saturday, July 24, to be exact—we need some volunteers to put together our Chapter’s cardboard boat for the Lake Youth Foundation’s 6th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. Construction materials can only be cardboard, duct or sealing tape, and paint. A challenge? Sure—but interesting and fun. (Remember Carla dragging the AARP boat back to shore in last year’s Regatta?) If you’re interested in giving something different a try, get on the “Titanic Construction List” at Doodoo1066@ Verizon.net, and we’ll call an idea-and-action meeting to get started.
Finally, Why do AARP members always use valet parking?
Because the valets don’t forget where they parked the car.
Dick Martin, President
AARP Prepares for Annual Picnic
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity Chairman
LOW AARP Chapter 5239 of will hold its annual picnic on Monday, June 21, rain or shine, at the Lion George Lewis Pavilion in Sweetbriar Park. This popular event will start at 11:30 AM. Hamburgers, hot dogs, beverages, paper goods and utensils, will be provided by the AARP. Members are requested to bring their favorite potluck dishes, casseroles, salads or desserts by 11:15 AM to share with everyone.
This is a very special social event for all to enjoy—meeting and greeting old friends and meeting new ones. It is fun to share stories and jokes and to enjoy good food. Come and join us.
THIS MONTH’S BIRTHDAYS
(Gemini and Cancer)
Margaret Thode, Len Weeder
Sal Buccola, Connie Buttimer
Ida Cangelosi, Philip Carmona
Lucy Churchill, Robert Cooke
Marva Culp, Ralph Daehnke
Richard Durphy, Nell Grimley
Marian Hamilton, Sibyle Jenks
Roxanne Kessler, Chuck King
Rina Lacey, Marilyn Lucero
Nancy Miller, Jan Moore
Eugene Ostlund, June Pataky
John Purificato, June. Romedy
Bonnie Rowan, Judy Schrage
Bob Simpson, Sheila Souther
Donna Stanford, Shirley Thompson Ginny Thoms, John Trach
Sandy Wemmerus, Carolyn Wray
SUNSHINE REPORT
A get-well card was sent in May to Delma Roessler. If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
Day of Service Report
by Bob Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator
Chapter 5239 designated Wednesday May 19 and Thursday, May 20, 2010 as “Volunteer Service Days.” Members and other citizens worked at eleven locations in Orange, Fredericksburg, and Culpeper. Sixty nine person-days racked up 295 hours of service. Here are some of the things we did:
· Orange County Nursing Home (Dogwood). We visited residents and helped them plant flowers in their outside flower beds.
· Carriage Hill nursing home (Fredericksburg). We went in the morning as the recreation supervisor suggested, but they were not ready with the planned bingo game. Some went back in the afternoon to assist with the game and provide prizes the team had accumulated.
· Orange County Homeless Shelter (Sheltering Arms). We painted, cleaned and reorganized a detached garage and laid carpet/rugs.
· Orange County Animal Shelter. About half the team worked at the shelter and the other half prepared fund-raising/raffle mailings. These tasks should substantially assist the Animal Shelter take care of its animals.
· Wilderness Food Pantry. We set up shelves and prepared for the Thursday distribution day.
· Orange County Historical Society. We worked on the areas around the building by pulling weeds and trimming the yard areas.
· TRIAD. We assembled TRIAD material including the File of Life which has been given to over 4,000 residents of the county and has saved lives because it lists medications and medical information for emergency response personnel.
· National Park Service, Wilderness Exhibition Shelter. We trimmed trail pathways in Saunders Field removing vines, and cutting small trees.
· Services to Abused Families (SAFE). We cleaned the carpet on two floors of the shelter and repaired screens on several windows.
· Mary Washington Hospital. We assisting with duties for patients during the week with certified volunteers.
· Photography. We transported the lunches and took pictures of the activities. Look for a group of photos at the picnic.
· Lunch preparation. We provided life-saving water and delicious bag lunches for all participants.
· Wilbur Gardens Assisted living. We performed Dulcimer concert for residents.
Remember, if you liked to volunteer at these facilities, keep on doing it! Thanks for all you do.
Protective Money Management Volunteers Needed
by Carla Wascalus
Volunteers are needed to help low-income persons manage their money. AARP’s Protective Money Management Program is in partnership with RRCSB in conjunction with the Social Security Administration. The Protective Money Management Program helps older people with limited income who are having difficulty paying their bills or managing their money. The program is sponsored by AARP, which insures funds in the client’s bank account up to $35,000.
As a volunteer you will receive a direct deposit from Social Security into a bank account, which is set up for the client, and use this money to pay the client’s bills, manage their daily expenses, etc. This may require one or two visits a month with the client. This is an ongoing commitment, not a one time volunteering opportunity, but one that will be very satisfying.
For information go to www.rrcsb.org. Click on Protective Money Management link, then on the last paragraph for volunteer details. Or contact Doug Schiffman, Coordinator for PMMP, at (540) 825-3100 x3159, on his cell (301) 370-4210 or by email at dschiffman@ rrcsb.org. He will come to LOW to do the two-hour training that is required.
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
New Chapter Medical Chair
Sandie Frame is the new Chapter Medical Chairperson, replacing Frank Jacobeen. Sandie is a retired nurse with extensive experience in both clinical hospital and medical insurance company operations. She will keep Chapter members aware of new developments in the medical and general health fields.
Monthly Silent Auction
There will not be a silent auction at our June meeting. We will, however, accept any donations that you may care to bring to the June picnic meeting, and they can be put up for auction in July.
Please remember to donate your new and gently-used items in great shape: NO missing parts, clean (no dirt or grease), and no tears or ragged edges. Call Patti at 972-1370, Carla at 972-3436, or Roxanne at 972-8364 for pickup, or bring your donations to the meeting. Many, many thanks
We raised $116 at the May silent auction.
Legislative Report
by Pat Berry
A new rule proposed by the Treasury Department would close loopholes to protect social security benefits from illegal bank freezes. One case that came to light involved a 59-year-old woman who added her son to her checking account when her husband died so there would be someone to pay her bills if she fell ill. Funny thing. Recently she was notified that her account was frozen and all money in it was being sent to pay an old debt of that son even though he had never used the account. What followed was a lengthy process to hire a lawyer and file legal papers to get her money back.
The “Garnishment of Accounts Containing Federal Benefit Payments” would require banks to review the deposits in an account before freezing it in response to a court order. According to current law, Social Security retirement and disability benefits and veterans benefits are exempt from seizure by private debt collectors. But banks, if presented with a court order, can freeze accounts containing these benefits if a court order is issued to pay an outstanding claim. One attorney who was involved in a similar case feels that judgments that sat dormant for years are now being collected on as a way for banks and other creditors to offset other losses they had over the last few years.
If you are interested in the future of this rule, please send comments to the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the heading “Garnishment of Accounts Containing Federal Benefit Payments.” Send to the attention of Gary Grippo, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Fiscal Operations and Policy, U.S. Dept. of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Room 2112, Washington, D.C. 20220.
Highlights of March 15, 2010, Meeting
by Pam Nalls
· The goal for the second annual AARP/Ruritan Food Drive on September 11 is to collect 20 bags of food for donation to local food pantries. POC: Kathi Martin, 972-5242
· The Saturday, July 24 Cardboard Boat Regatta event is quickly approaching. Volunteers are needed to create the AARP boat and participate in the event. COMCAST CH18 will be broadcasting instructions on how to build a cardboard boat during the month of June.
· The LOWA Honor Awards Committee is accepting nominations for their awards program. Dick Martin requests that if AARP nominees are submitted, please let him know. Nominations are due by June 28 and forms can be found at the www.lowa.org website.
· Reminder: Help is needed to set up/take down chairs/tables for the monthly AARP meetings. Hank Lewis has sign-up sheets available at the monthly meetings.
· Bob Johnson, coordinator for AARP’s Day of Service on 19/20 May, provided a final update and advised sign-up sheets were still available for those interested in this worthy cause.
· Roxanne Kessler announced the Silent Auction winners. The amount raised at May’s auction was $116. Roxanne advises there will be no Silent Auction at the June meeting. You may bring donations to the June picnic for the July auction. Give donations to Patti, Carla or Roxanne.
· Paul Tobin announced the results of the 50/50 drawing which netted $41.50. The winner was Millie Wieser, who was visiting from the Culpeper AARP chapter.
· Next month’s meeting on Monday, June 21, will be the annual AARP picnic. See you at the Sweetbriar Pavilion at 11:30AM. Everyone is asked to bring a potluck dish to go with the hot dogs and hamburgers. Also, more folks are needed to serve on the clean-up committee for this event.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
May Newsletter
President's Letter
May Blooms With Volunteer Opportunities
May is blossoming with all kinds of projects and activities that demand the full participation of our AARP Chapter 5239 membership to truly succeed. For example:
· Monthly meeting “setup/takedown” crews—We goofed at the April 19 meeting. We have promised the Clubhouse we would return the Ballroom and President Room that we use for our meetings to exactly how we found them. Well, through a combination of missteps and oversights, we didn’t. We’ve got to plan and make advance arrangements so this doesn’t happen again—or we could well lose our Clubhouse meeting privileges.
The obvious first step is to create a group of volunteers to be at the Clubhouse by 8:30 AM the morning of the monthly meeting, to set up the necessary chairs and tables, and then return them all to storage after the meeting. The work isn’t too hard and demanding; it just needs member commitment and consistency.
Bill Walker is our Meeting Committee Chairman (972-1375 phone or email wowrewLOW@AOL.com). Sign up with Bill for the months you can help. It doesn’t have to be every month, just the months you think you’ll be free—once a quarter, twice a year, whatever. If we can get 6-8 volunteers each month, we’ll be on our way to solving this problem. Please help. Don’t just dismiss this as “let somebody else do it.”
· Wednesday and Thursday, May 19, 20, “Day of Service”—Bob Johnson, our Chapter’s new Director of Day of Service activities, is doing a bang-up job. He’s lined up about a dozen charitable groups that will welcome help from our volunteers on May 19 and 20. The list and sign-up sheets will again be circulated at May’s meeting. The duties run a wide gamut, from inside paperwork to outside light exercise.
Our goal is to have at least a total of 50 member-volunteers work at the charity of their choice for the day. See Bob’s article on page 2 for further details.
· And long-term, we have the AARP/Ruritan/Food Pantries “Day of Giving” on Saturday, September 11. This is the Second Annual such day of donating food to local food pantries, to help the poor and unemployed in our local and surrounding area. Last year, Chapter 5239 donated 10 bags of food to the Wilderness Food Pantry. This year, we hope to at least double that number to 20 bags.
Chapter Food Chair Kathi Martin is developing a work-committee, which will solicit and gather appropriate food items and cash donations especially for September 11. To serve on this special food-gathering committee, volunteer to Kathi Martin at 972-5242 or email kak1066@Verizon.net.
Dick Martin, President
The Subject: Challenges of Aging
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity, AARP Chapter 5239
Chris Miller, Aging Together Resource Project Manager, will be the speaker at the May 17 AARP meeting in the Clubhouse. Ms. Miller has 25 years of experience in community services for adults and children with disabilities. She is responsible for coordinating the efforts of the partnership’s locally-based county teams, and regional workgroups, and for supporting the efforts of individual partners working to enhance or expand services for older adults in the region
By 2020 one in every four persons will be over the age of 60 and will face both benefits and challenges. Older adults have a wealth of experience, skills, talents, resources, and good common sense, which can benefit the entire community. There are challenges to address as we consider what will make our communities supported and nurturing places as we grow older. Orange County is taking the time to get feedback from a broad sampling of local citizens and organizations to help in planning for 2010 and onward.
Not only are we in LOW aging together, but we have grown children who will be entering this group soon.
THIS MONTH’S BIRTHDAYS
(Taurus and Gemini)
Patricia Batten, Pat Bisset, William Bradford, James Buongiovanni, Evadine Cooper,
Joe Diamonstein, Larry Eiben, Robin Farrell,
Linda Fisher-Kavanagh, John Gamble,
Alice Grgas, Gloria Hutt, Ramona Lamon, Arthur Lieb, Clive Louden, Rani Manhard,
Harvey Miller, Linda Ogletree,Pierre Payette, Val Protiva, Edwin Roessler, Barbara Rueckert, Kathy Saladino, Albert Sanborn,
Doris Scoon, Michele Smith, Bob Spencer, Lillian Thompson, Lucille Tompkins, and Susan Wright.
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome new member Kathy Saladino, who joined in March:
SUNSHINE REPORT
Get-well cards were sent to get wells: Barbara Rueckert, Thomas Curry, Noah Rakes, Helen Markart and Rose Bianco
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
Day of Service Plans for May 20
by Bob Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator
The American Association of Retired People (AARP) has designated Thursday, May 20, 2010 as “Volunteer Service Day.” Members of LOW Chapter 5239 will participate, but we invite others to join us.
This year we will have two days of service. Wednesday May 19:
· Services to Abused Families (Culpeper), Chair Bob Johnson. Volunteers will help with yard work, replace screens in windows and doors, and clean carpets with a steam cleaner (supplied). We need several volunteers with “tool belts.”
· Wilderness Food Pantry, Chair Betty Beck,
Thursday, May 20
· Dogwood Village (OC Nursing Home), Chair Barbara Ehlen. Volunteers will assist residents with normal tasks and plant flowers in raised flower beds. It would be nice for us to bring annuals or perennials to plant.
· OC Animal Shelter, Chair Betty Hughes. Volunteers will wash bowls and towels, walk dogs, try to convince cats they are not in charge. The shelter is closed to the public on Thursdays but there still is work to be done. Volunteers are still needed.
· OC Historical Society, Chair Paul Carter. Volunteers will tend the yard by pulling weeds and trimming. One or two more volunteers would be nice.
· Sheltering Arms, Chair Marion Jacobeen. Volunteers are needed for light tasks (wash windows, organize tool shed, organize pantry), medium tasks (paint two rooms and heavy duty tasks (Carpet installed in basement (carpet is there), fix lawn mower (broken). We need many more volunteers—with “tool belts”.
· Carriage Hill Nursing Home, Chair Ann Howard. Volunteers will coordinate Bingo for residents. We need to be there 9-11:30 AM. Bring small things for the residents to win (stuffed toys, etc.).
· Wilderness Battlefield Shelter, Chair Bob Johnson. Volunteers will be cutting and pulling vines and brush around the Wilderness shelter and Saunders field. Gloves and eye protection are required but will be provided if needed. Wear heavy shoes (no flip-flops) and long pants (and shirt if cool).
· We have ample volunteers for TRIAD, Chair Bradies; photographers; and lunch preparation Chair Carla Wascalus.
If you have questions or would like to volunteer, contact Bob Johnson at 972 4358 or email bjohn913@comcast.net
Monthly Silent Auction
Please remember to donate your new and gently-used items in great shape: NO missing parts, clean (no dirt or grease), and no tears or ragged edges. Call Patti at 972-1370, Carla at 972-3436, or Roxanne at 972-8364 for pickup, or bring your donations to the meeting. Many, many thanks!
OC TRIAD 9th Art of Aging Expo
by Dick Bradie, Orange County TRIAD
Be sure to head out on Tuesday, May 18, to the Orange Assembly of God Church on Route 15, just south of Orange for the 2010 Expo! There will be exhibitors from all over our area, who will be able to answer your questions about senior issues and to supply you with literature and give-aways. There will be door prizes, and a free lunch. The doors open at 9:30 AM; festivities begin at 10 AM, and the EXPO ends at 1 PM.
At 1 PM the Community Conversation begins and goes until all senior issues have been discussed and noted. Remember that the conversation is for older adults to let their voices be heard. It’s all free and open to the public!
Legislative Report
by Pat Berry
I know most of us have just finished sending off tax documents for 2009 and are breathing a sigh of relief that the process is over for the fiscal year. However, it’s never too early to be thinking about how to be smarter for next year’s exercise. The U.S. Department of Energy has a great website for you to explore at http://www.energy savers.gov/ with information on how to save money and energy at home. There are a lot of general money-saving information on appliances, lighting, and water heating, and also a link to residential incentives specifically in Virginia. Go to the DOE website and click on the box that shows a map of the USA with the legend “Rebates for Energy Star Appliances.” Proceed to click on the state of Virginia. There you’ll find information on the state plan to implement a mail-in rebate program to help residents replace old, inefficient appliances with new, efficient ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances.
Another valuable site is http://www.dsireusa,org. Again you select the state of Virginia from the map on the screen to find information on other state programs. For example:
“Virginia allows a four-day sales tax exemption on Energy Star products of $2,500 or less per product, purchased for non-commercial home or personal use. Beginning in 2007, this exemption—a 100% exemption from the state sales and use tax—applies to sales occurring during the four-day period that begins each year on the Friday before the second Monday in October and ends at midnight on the second Monday in October. “
A little knowledge can lead to additional savings next tax season.
Highlights of March 15, 2010, Meeting
by Pam Nalls
· Carla Wascalus provided the following:
--details on the DAR May 22nd Ft. McHenry trip
--if your monthly Perspectives arrived with a red address label, then your yearly local AARP dues have not been paid
--presented Ruth Hood the AARP 2009 Volunteer of the Year award for her service to the AARP as editor of Perspectives.
· Hank Lewis has a sign-up sheet for those able to help in setting up/taking down chairs/tables for the monthly AARP meetings.
· Gil and Lucille Churchill led a discussion regarding the AARP’s June picnic.
· Bob Johnson, coordinator for AARP’s Day of Service, provided an update. Sign-up sheets are available for volunteers to work on May 19 or May 20.
· The goal for the second annual AARP Ruritan Food Drive on September 11 is to collect 20 bags of food for donation to local food pantries.
· Paul Tobin announced that Marie Barrett won $48.50 in the 50/50 drawing.
· Roxanne Kessler announced the silent auction produced $118 for charity.
· Next month’s AARP meeting will be held on Monday, May 17.
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