President's Letter
LOW AARP Needs YOU
We “spring” into April with two member-volunteers stepping forward to fill two key Chapter 5239 openings:
Bob Johnson is the new Director of our Day of Service activities. He is working now with former-Director Joe Wascalus to map our Chapter plans for the Thursday, May 20, Day of Service. We’ll be back to you-all shortly with full details of what charity groups we’ll be working for that day and whom to contact to sign up.
Pam Nalls is the new Chapter Secretary charged with taking the Minutes of Board Meetings and preparing short reviews of the monthly meeting business sessions for Perspectives.
Thank You!, Bob and Pam, for volunteering to help our Chapter move forward in its goal of doing what we can for those in our area who need assistance.
What this volunteer spirit means, of course, is that all our members should become active and participate in every-day Chapter activities and special events. AARP means “volunteering.” Our AARP motto is “To Serve, not to be Served.” Our aim is to have every Chapter 5239 member active and participating on at least one Committee or in some event. We want to take advantage of each member’s particular talents, abilities, and life-experience by having each person serve in some group of mutual-interest.
An accompanying table lists some of the “Volunteer Opportunities” available for our members. If some activity on the list sparks your interest, let us know at Doodoo1066@Verizon.net or 972-5242, and we’ll have the appropriate committee head contact you to discuss your participation.
Meanwhile, let’s keep in mind the importance of humor in life. If you come across a good, funny joke, plan to share it with other members at the monthly meeting.
For example, John totally forgot his wedding anniversary. His wife was furious. She told him, “tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift on the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in less than 10 seconds.”
The next morning, after John left for work, his wife looked out the window and saw a gift-wrapped box on the driveway. She got the box and brought it back into the house to open it.
She found a brand-new bathroom scale!
Let’s hear your best joke at the April 19 meeting.
Dick Martin, President
Monroe Museum Head to Speak
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity, AARP, Chapter 5239
The next meeting of AARP Chapter 5239 will take place at 9:30 AM on Monday, April 19, at the LOW Clubhouse. The featured speaker will be John Pearce, Director of the James Monroe Museum in Fredericksburg.
Mr. Pearce has 50 years of education and experience in museum work, historic preservation, and related fields. He has been director of the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library, under the University of Mary Washington for 17 years. He will provide information about his more than 50 years of service and will appoint you “ambassadors for Monroe.” James Monroe was the fifth president and served from 1817-1825. There is a special exhibit entitled, “Our Face to the World, Clothing of James and Elizabeth Monroe” at the Museum. This is a first-time exhibit for most of these items. It has been extended through April 30, 2010, after which the items must be returned to protective “rest” to conserve them. He will encourage you to go see the exhibit and learn more about President James Monroe.
Everyone is invited to come to hear this most interesting program at 9:30 AM on Monday, April 19, at the Lake of the Woods Clubhouse.
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
(Aries and Taurus )
Ginny Bayer, Betty Danley, Josephine Danziger, Peggy Dowd, Nancy Downie,
Bob Fahy, Flo Hanlin, Joyce Hardman, Gia Heffernan, Mary Lee Hensel, Paula Hornaday, Frank Jacobeen, Terri Kalbacher, David LeMay, Carolyn Lewis, Maynard Matthies, Joseph McEuen, Bob McFarland, Marge Meskunas, Dwight Mottet, Billie Patterson, Sheri Petersen, Noah Rakes, Joyce Richter, Sue Silliman, Jane Tobin, David Witmer, Jennifer Zukowski, and Alfred Grella
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome the following new members who joined in March: Barbara R. Ehlen, Thomas Curry, and Helen "Carol" Curry
SUNSHINE REPORT
A sympathy card was sent to Bill Rauch who had hip surgery.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
AARP Plans Day of Service
by Bob Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator
Thursday, May 20, 2010 is our “Volunteer Service Day.” First, thanks to all of you who volunteered over the past few years. You have made a big, positive impact on our community.
Our goal is 10% of over 430 members in the chapter. Consider giving anywhere from two to six hours of your life to help with the project. For those projects that will span the lunch hour, the chapter will provide a sack lunch (just like good old Mom made when you were in school) and bottled water.
The projects are designed so everyone can participate. Some are inside and provide much-needed assistance for those jobs that don’t seem to ever get done. Some require skills (painting, plumbing, minor carpenter work, etc.). Some require physical exercise such as yard work etc. We also have a pressing need for photographers.
I will have sign-up sheets at the April 19 and May 17 meetings. If you can’t make a meeting to sign up, contact Bob Johnson at 972 4358 or email at bjohn913@comcast.net.
OC TRIAD 9th Art of Aging Expo
by Dick Bradie, Orange County TRIAD
It’s time again for seniors and older adults 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!
Also, keep in mind that TRIAD’s main goal in its everyday function is to get information to seniors on issues to protect them from crimes of all sorts and to keep them safe and comfortable in their natural environment—their homes. TRIAD works closely with law enforcement to insure these goals are met.
Legislative Report
by Pat Berry
As an update on the Legislative column in the last issue of Perspectives, three of the five bills that were “in play” in the Virginia General Assemble at that time have been signed by both the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House. Overall budget cuts were significant, but these bills are of note to homeowners.
House Bill 552: Prevents local governments from changing their minds about zoning by strengthening “vested rights” laws.
House Bill 430: Requires additional education for real estate assessors and ensure that members of the board that hears an appeal have expertise in appraisal and home valuation. Upon request, the assessor must disclose information about the assessment, and the homeowner's standard of proof will be lowered.
House Bill 191: Allows the ombudsman for the Common Interest Community board to set a single procedure for all home- and property-owners associations in order to standardize complaint procedures.
House Bills 570 (assessors) and 205 (insurers) were referred to their respective committees. Senate Bill 164 for transportation funding was also referred to committee. This bill, as introduced, would have created additional sources of revenue for transportation by increasing the motor vehicle sales and use tax by one-half percent and the motor vehicle rental tax by one percent, and by imposing a five-percent tax on the wholesale price of gasoline. The budget wars continue.
