December Newsletter

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.