September Newsletter

It’s Time to Say, “Goodbye”
Nothing is forever. Bill and Rosemary Walker will be moving from the Lake on September 22 and leaving Chapter 5239. The Walkers were the founders of our AARP Chapter back in May 1998, along with 40 others from LOW who were Charter Members.
(Other founding members still active in the Chapter include Harvey and Nancy Miler, Jack and Marion Dougherty, Bette Blood, Dick Roso, and Harriet Brennan.)
Today, our Chapter is 400 members strong and one of the leading Chapters in Virginia. We all say an enthusiastic “Thank You!” to Bill and Rosemary for their many years of devoted service to AARP activities in Lake of the Woods and surrounding area.
“We love you, Bill and Rosemary…and God go with you both in your new life.”
September also means the special Food Collection Drive by AARP Chapter 5239 for our local Wilderness Food Pantry. Our Collection day is Saturday, September 24, with AARP volunteers and a truck in the parking area across from the Main Entrance Gate. Drop off your food donations there from 9 AM to 1 PM.
Needed food items include canned tuna, canned meats, rice and pasta, peanut butter, crackers, hot and cold cereal, chunky soups, and canned fruits and vegetables. We collect-ed some 700 pounds last year and aim this time for more than 1,000 pounds.
Donations by check should be made pay-able to Wilderness Food Pantry. AARP members donated $700. in the 2010 drive.
Finally, a man walking on the beach finds an old lamp. He rubs some sand off it—and out comes a genie. The genie says, “I will grant you three wishes, but your ex-wife will get double.”
The man agrees, and asks for a huge expensive mansion. The genie grants it, and the ex-wife gets two mansions. The man then asks for a million dollars in cash. Granted—and the ex-wife gets two million dollars. Then the man says to the genie, “Now scare me half to death.”
Dick Martin, President
‘Golden Age of Radio’ Is Topic for AARP by Carolyn Wray
The next AARP, Chapter 5239 meeting will feature Bill Kovarik, currently Professor of Media Studies at Radford University. He will speak about the ‘Golden Age of Radio.’ We did not have TV, the internet, or any other social networks to get current news back in the 30s and 40s. We only had radio, and we depended on that to stay informed. The grim news from Europe was a factor in World War I and II. Many of us can remem-ber both wars.
Radio required imagination, and people who grew up with it understood that. Bill’s topics will include FDR’s Fireside Chats, Edward R. Murrow from London, Mae West in the Garden of Eden, and other great moments.
Bill has taught journalism and media history since 1985 at Virginia Tech, the University of Maryland, and Radford University. He has also worked for the Baltimore Sun, Charleston (SC) News and Courier, and the Associated Press.
This should be a most interesting pro-gram for all of us. The meeting will begin at 9:30 AM with sweets and coffee followed by the program at 10 AM. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy another excellent program.

September BIRTHDAYS
(Virgo and Libra)
Tina Aris, Nancy Arnold, John Barnes,
Ellen Bearden, Ken Bentz, Gerda Binotto,
Charles Brewer, Stephen Capps, Gil Churchill, Jean Cooke, Bea Cornell, Susan Costanzo, Barbara Davidson, Ruth Downs, Carolyn Durphy, Nick Duy, Ralph Gardner, Carolyn Gerndt, Wilda Getman, Ruby Horvath, John Hughes, Barbara Lacks, Kathleen Martin,
Mary E. Merrell, William Nowers, Alan Patnode, Irene Payette, Joy Poole, Jerry Schrage, Elaine Shirkey, Marcia Shorten, Robert Silliman, Carolyn Spero, Joan Staab, Art Sunkel, Dee Tilliman, Doris Velona, Rosemary Walker, George Webb, and Ann Wood

Thanks to all our members who contributed school supplies for our Locust Grove Schools. There has been a delay in getting the supplies to the school because of the earthquake damage, but whenever they get there, they will be appreciated.
SUNSHINE REPORT
by Carolyn Durphy
A sympathy card was sent to Lee Anne & Tom Hamilton on the loss of Lee Anne’s mother.
Get well cards were sent to Jane Tobin and Betty Scheuermann.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES

Nominating Committee
The chapter nominating committee is still seeking potential candidates to run for chapter office. Candidates are needed for vice president, secretary, treasurer, and one director. If you are interested, or know of someone who is interested in running, please contact Pierre Payette at 972-0519, Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306, or Pam Nalls at 972-5253. Remember, an organization, such as our AARP Chapter, cannot continue to function unless it has members willing to step up and be leaders. We need your support and commitment.

Election Day Barbeque Planning
by Dwight Mottet, Chair, Chicken BBQ
The November 8 Election Day barbeque is AARP’s annual fundraiser, which supports Chapter 5239’s various local charities and community service projects.
The BBQ will be served from 11 AM to 6 PM in the lower level of the Clubhouse. Dinners are also available as carry-out meals. In addition to raising funds, the Election Day barbeque provides an added incentive for folks to get out and vote.
Again this year, the ticket price will be $9/meal, which includes the usual 1/2 chicken enrobed in “secret sauce,” coleslaw, baked beans, and a homemade brownie. Lemonade and water will be available for diners in the lower level Clubhouse.
We need more than 120 hardworking AARP members to make this project successful. The sign-up lists for volunteers will be available at the meeting. We expect the 700 tickets to sell out.
AARP members will soon have tickets to sell. Return the ticket proceeds to Jim Moore at 972-9355, Bill Lanier at 972-3219, or Carla Wascalus at 972-3436. You may also return the money at the September meeting.

AARP Community Food Drive
by Pat Berry, Co-chair
If you attended the August 15 meeting, you probably left carrying empty brown paper bags with writing on the side. AARP Chapter 5239 is again partnering with local Ruritan clubs to sponsor a community food drive on Saturday, September 24, in support of the Wilderness Food Pantry.
Chapter members will be collecting contributions across from Security at the front entrance between 9 AM and 1 PM. Just look for the smiling faces and the truck filled with food. If you haven’t been shopping and didn’t get an official AARP brown bag, never fear. Donations by check are welcome. Please make checks payable to “Low Lions/Lioness Wilderness Food Pantry.” They will be collected and taken to a Lions representative. You may also bring food to the meeting on September 19. Questions? Call either Kathi Martin at 972-5242 or Pat Berry at 972-3763.

“Screen Wrangler” Still Needed
George Webb, the Chapter’s Movie Screen Custo-dian, had an accident that broke his kneecap. This has forced George to give up bringing the screen to our monthly meetings for the foreseeable future.
So we need a replacement. What’s involved is simple enough: You store the screen in its box in your garage or some other handy place; the Program Committee will alert you to bring the screen to the meeting when it’s needed. And you take it back home after the meeting for storage.
If you can help out your fellow Chapter members by doing this, please call Dick Martin at 972-5242 or email him at Doodoo1066@Verizon.net to volunteer. We will appreciate your help.

Silent Auction
by Patti Batten
We still need your donations of new or slightly used item for our Silent auction for September, October, and November. While doing your fall cleaning, look for items that you are not using to donate to our auction. Please make sure that the items are clean, with no tears or chips.
It is also time to look at your holiday decorations: maybe you now have more than you need. Tablecloths, napkins, lights, novelties, plates, etc., sell very well.
You may bring your items to the meeting or call Patti at 972-1370 to have your items picked up. Thank you for your generous donations.
We made $116 at our August meeting.

Senior Driver Safety Course Offered
by Bob Sherba, LOW Lions Club
The LOW Lions are again sponsoring AARP’s Driver Safety Program on September 29-30. This course for older drivers discusses rules of the road and handling emergency situations and provides a number of tips on how to survive in the difficult driving environment of today.
The two-day course will be held in the Community Center Teen Room from 9 AM to 1 PM each day. The cost is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. Checks should be made payable to “AARP.” Persons completing the course are eligible for a discount on their auto liability insurance, which is good for three years. Therefore, the course should be retaken at the end of that time in order for the discount to continue. For reservations, call Vic at 972-1928 or Bob at 972-0783.


Medical News
by Sandy Frame
We are getting to the end of summer, but there may still be hot days ahead. If you exercise or work in hot weather, beware of signs of heat-related illness, such as headache, dizziness, rapid pulse, nausea and confusion. The number of heat-related, exertional injuries treated in emergency rooms more than doubled in the last decade, according to a recent study in the American journal of Preventive Medicine. Men are more than twice as likely as women to be affected. Rates for older groups have been rising with yard work, exercise and golf the riskiest activities. Best advice: Don’t overdo it, drink plenty of water, take breaks to rest in the shade, and schedule activities during cooler times of the day if possible.
Source: University of California, Berkeley: Wellness letter. Volume 27. Issue 11. August 2011

Highlights of the August Meeting
by Pam Nalls
Dick Bradie, TRIAD, advised that the next Citizens Police Academy starts SEP 20. Contact the Sheriff’s Office if interested at (540) 672-1200.
Kathi Martin updated the membership on this year’s Food Drive for the Wilderness Food Pantry. The event will be held on SAT/SEP 24; participants can also bring donations to the SEP 19 AARP meeting. Check Perspectives and Lake Currents for more details.
Chicken BBQ Committee Chair, Dwight Mottet. reported that this year’s plans for the TUES/NOV 8 Chicken Dinner were well under way. Ticket prices will remain at $9. Each Chapter member will receive four tickets which they are urged to make every effort to sell. Proceeds from this annual event benefits local charities.
Woods Cares Co-Chair, Marion Jacobeen, advises volunteers are needed. Please contact Marion or Jeanette Embrey if you can help.
The Silent Auction results were announced by Patti Batten. The Auction took in $116 during the AUG meeting and $112 at the JUL meeting.
Dick Martin conducted the 50/50 drawing and Dick Durphy was winner.
Congratulations to the seven AARP Chapter 5239 members who were presented with awards at the Annual Membership Meeting: Jim Buongiovanni, Carolyn and Dick Durphy, Ruth Hood, Frank Jacobeen, Margaret Thode and John Trach. See Lake Currents, September 9 issue.