President’s Letter Well, they have done it again.
Our fantastic Program Committee, staffed by Tina Aris, Bonnie Boelke, and in the background, our publicity writer, Carolyn Wray, presented us with a highly interesting and thought-provoking guest at our May general meeting. Nancy Noel, a teacher at Germanna Community College and an expert on training therapy dogs and the benefits that accrue from what these dogs accomplish was truly an inspiration. Please keep up the good work, Program/Publicity folks.
May was a very busy month for our chapter. The VIN Etching (see p. 3) was a great success and the Sheriff and State Police Rep were pleased at the turn-out, thanks to Bob Johnson. The Shredder Event was also very successful (see p. 2) with three-thousand pounds of possible ID theft materials being done away with. CarFit never came to fruition due to a number of issues (none related to our efforts), and Tony Aris will be following this program for its debut in the fall.
The next big thing for our Chapter will be the June 18 annual picnic at the Lion George Lewis Pavilion at Sweetbriar. (see p. 2). I mentioned in the May Letter that the entertainment would be a surprise. Well, it is a surprise. Surprise!!! We are the entertainment, yakking, kibitzing, and making a joyous noise. So start making up stories to tell your friends and neighbors that you couldn’t talk about at the meeting because the bald guy did all the talking. Seriously, let’s just have a get-together and enjoy each other and the camaraderie.
Speaking of entertainment, we all watch TV to be entertained. My brother’s wife came home from shopping to find him in front of the TV, switching back and forth between a fishing show and an erotic movie. After a few minutes she said, “Honey, you might as well watch the erotic movie, you already know how to fish.”
Remember folks, we always need volunteers so our busy and hectic workload can be shared amongst our members.
Dick Bradie, President
Annual Picnic Planned for June 18
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity
Our AARP Chapter will hold its annual picnic on Monday, June 18, 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 AARP. Members are requested to bring their favorite potluck dishes: casseroles, salads or desserts by 11:15 AM to allow for set up time. This is a very special event for all to enjoy. You will be meeting and greeting old friends and new ones too. All senior citizens are welcome. please come and bring a friend on June 18 at 11:30 AM and join in the fun.
Email reminder: If you have not been receiving the Chapter emails please send a note with your full name to aarp5239@gmail.com. There have been several undeliverable emails in the past two weeks. If you change providers, you need to send a note with your name from the new provider that is all that is necessary.
June Birthdays
(Gemini and Cancer)
Sal Buccola, Connie Buttimer, Ida Cangelosi, Lucy Churchill, Robert Cooke, Ralph Daehnke,Richard Durphy, Nell Grimley, Marian Hamilton, Sibyle Jenks, Roxanne Kessler, Chuck King, Stanley Lasover, William Mason, Nancy Miller, Jan Moore, Eugene Ostlund, John Purificato, Craig Rains, June. Romedy, Bonnie Rowan, Alex Salustri, Madeline Salustri, Judy Schrage, Sheila Souther, Donna Stanford, Ginny Thoms, Marilyn Gramm Sunkel, John Trach,Sandy Wemmerus, and Carolyn Wray.
SUNSHINE REPORT
A Get well card was sent to: Noah Rakes.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
New Members
There were no new members in June.
Report Email Address Changes
AARP Chapter 5239 uses emails to alert members to upcoming events and happenings. To avoid being “out of touch,” please pass along your new email address whenever you change it. Send an e-mail to: aarp5239@gmail.com with a note giving your name and that it is a new address.
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
Volunteers Needed
Our chapter cannot operate efficiently without member volunteers. The more volunteers there are for a job, the easier that job is to complete. Please consider volunteering where you can.
* Kathleen and Dick Bradie have retired from TRIAD, effective April 30. Volunteers are needed to take over as liaisons to TRIAD. A list of various duties is available and volunteers can choose one or more. Contact the Bradies at 308-5507.
* Volunteers are still needed to help with set-up and break down for the chapter meetings. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Free Shredder Event
The Shredder Event sponsored by Chapter 5239, OC TRIAD and the good folks at Stellar One was a huge success. Even though the Cintas Shredder truck was an hour late due to Cintas communication with the Driver/Operator, 3000 pounds of paper was shredded and disposed of safely to keep it from falling into the wrong hands. Our thanks go out big-time to Pam Nalls, Dolores Wiberg, Kathleen Bradie, and the StellarOne staff-Claudia Stinnie, Linda Caparelli, and especially to John Turner who never stopped moving and unloading vehicles. The Cintas Driver/Operator was extremely helpful, particularly in showing folks how the shredder worked (on the little TV attached the Shredder controls). We talked about doing it again next year so start storing up the no-longer useful data.
AARP VIN Etching Success
by Bob Johnson, Coordinator
AARP 5239, in cooperation with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police successfully etched the windows of 60 cars on May 8, 2012. This is part of the “Help Eliminate Auto Theft (HEAT) program. Most auto thefts occur so the thief can take the car apart and sell the parts. By etching the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on car windows, the prospective thief will recognize that this car is dangerous to steal and try to sell parts. In other words, it tells the thief to go to some other car!
Telling your insurance agent about VIN etching as a preventative may get you an additional discount on your car insurance.
The four-hour program in the lower level of the Lake of the Woods Clubhouse was led by Carl J. Fisher, JR, Senior Special Agent, Virginia State Police. He is the second from the left in the picture. Also shown (from left to right) are Paul Tobin, Deputy Shannon Dixon, Jane Tobin, Deputy Seth Boyd, Kathleen Bradie, Dick Bradie, Sheriff Mark Amos, and Bob Johnson.
NY Club Picnic Fundraisers Needed
by John Trach
Volunteers are needed to help raise charity funds for the upcoming NY Club Picnic on September 8. For information call John at 972-4883.
Medical News
by Sandie Frame
Professional Dental Cleanings May Reduce Heart Risks
Regular teeth cleanings by a dentist or dental hygienist can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in November, 2011. The study included more than 100,000 adults, none of whom had a history of heart attack or stroke at the start of the study. Half of the participants had regular dental cleanings (at least twice in two years) and about half had a professional teeth cleaning one time or not at all I two years. After following the study participants for seven years, researchers found that those participants who had the more frequent dental cleanings had a 24 percent lower risk of heart attack and a 13 percent lower risk of stroke. Researchers believe that professional teeth cleaning reduces inflammation causing bacteria growth that can lead to heart attack and stroke.
Excerpted from Women’s Health Reporter, Volume 13/Number 5, May 2012
Highlights of the May 21, 2012, Meeting
by Joan Albertella, Secretary
* President Dick Bradie recognized individuals who have contributed so much to the activities of the chapter. He presented certificates to Carla Wascalus who has served as Past President and is currently membership chair and does email notifications for the chapter. A certificate of appreciation was also presented to Dwight Mottet for his years of service as the director for the chicken barbecue fund raising event.
* Nominations are needed for LOWA Awards. See Lake Currents for further information. Send your nominations to Dick Bradie. He is nominating the Chapter Newsletter for an AARP award at the state level. You can send additional nominations to him.
* Nancy Noel was the guest speaker and spoke on therapy dogs. Access her site: www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm or contact her at 540-371-9694.
* Roxanne Kessler stated the Hudson Valley trip is scheduled for September 4-7. She asked for a $25 reservation commitment for this trip.
* Nell Meador has agreed to take over the TRIAD table at chapter meetings.
* A volunteer is needed to take over Legislative Reporting on issues appropriate to seniors.
* The AARP picnic will be held June 18. Volunteers are needed. Please contact Lucille Churchill at 972-7452.
* The 50/50 was won by Kathi Martin.
The next meeting will be a picnic on Monday, June 18.
