President’s Letter
Wow, here we are entering the last third of the year! It’s been a good two thirds of a year for most of us, aside from the usual aches, pains and other assorted ailments of “Vintage Virginians.” But, as I have said before, we are blessed to have a Program Committee peopled by Tina Aris and Bonnie Boelke to bring us such wonderful programs at our general meetings. John Amos, our August speaker, read some of his essays that he writes for local newspapers under the title of “Every Now and Then.” His readings touched most if not all of us, both in our hearts and our minds. This type of presentation helps to ease some of our “tsouris.” (heartache or trouble)
Fall is around the corner and maybe not far away is our winter. Who knows what our weather will be. All we can do is grin and bear it, and make sure that the third Monday of each month is set aside for our wonderful social gatherings.
We are now getting ready for Volunteer days, Food Pantry Drive, and CarFit
We are also looking for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Veterans Day, and Christmas. Once again we get the opportunity to eat good old fashioned “Grandma’s Cooking” at our Annual Christmas Luncheon.
Speaking of speakers, look for Charlotte Baker’s write-up concerning our September meeting and presenter. An eye doctor will be talking to us re: Senior eye issues. It should be very informing and topical.
Oh, I mustn’t forget a story about my brother and eyes. He phoned his boss one day and said “I need a day off today, something is wrong with my eyes.” His boss asked “What’s wrong with your eyes?” My brother said, “I don’t know, but I can’t see myself coming in to work today.” Dick Bradie, President
Dr. Garth Stevens to Speak on Eye Care
by Charlotte Baker, Publicity
Dr. Garth Stevens, an ophthalmologist who practices in Fredericksburg and Richmond, will discuss new technology and new options in eye care and treatments at our September 17 meeting. If you have noticed your vision changing in the last few years and listened to friends and relatives introducing “cataracts” and “macular degeneration” into conversations, you will appreciate the timeliness of the topic.
Take the time to bring a friend as everyone is welcome. Come to the Great Hall in the Cluhouse at 9:30 AM on September 17 for coffee, sweets, and an opportunity to chat with old and new friends. The program begins at 10 AM.
SUNSHINE REPORT
Get-well cards were sent to Joe Davidson, Karen Kovorik, Jane Tobin, and Bonnie Boelke and a Thinking-of-You card to Carolyn and Boyce Wray.
Sympathy cards were sent to Arthur & Patricia Lieb to acknowledge the death of their son, and to William and Marilyn Mason on the death of their grandson.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
September Birthdays
(Virgo and Libra)
John Barnes, Ellen Bearden, Ken Bentz, Gerda Binotto, Charles Brewer, Stephen Capps, Gil Churchill, Jean Cooke, Susan Costanzo, Barbara Davidson, Ruth Downs, Carolyn Durphy, Nick Duy, Ralph Gardner, Carolyn Gerndt, Christina Holliday, John Hughes, Kathleen Martin, William Nowers, Alan Patnode, Irene Payette, Walter Piotrowski, Joy Poole, Jean Purificato, JerrySchrage, Elaine Shirkey, Marcia Shorten, Robert Silliman, Carolyn Spero, John Stutz, Dee Tilliman, George Webb, and Ann Wood.
New Members
Welcome to our new members who joined the chapter in August: Michael and Brenda Rugless.
Report Email Address Changes AARP Chapter 5239 uses emails to alert members to upcoming events and happen- ings. To avoid being “out of touch,” please pass along your new email address whenever you change it. Send an email to: aarp5239@gmail.com with a note giving your name and that it is a new address.
TRIPS AND TOURS
Contact Pierre Payette if you are interested in seeing The Producers in Richmond. Tentative dates are December 2 or 5 (2 PM matinees)
Contact Norma Ervin if you wish to go on the one-day bus trip (October 9) to Lancaster, PA to see the show, Jonah. Cost is $103.50. Sponsored by LOW Church.
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 AARP5239@gmail.com or call Carla 972-3436. Give the months you will be away and we will restart your Perspectives at the LOW address.We mail during the first two weeks of the month.
Nominating Committee
by Dick Bradie, President
Our Nominating Committee comprised of Carla Wascalus, Ann Wood, Katherine Causby and Dick Durphy has been formed. They are or will be searching for replacements for openings in the Directorship, and contacting all others to determine who will stay on for another term. Please contact one of the above (or two or more) if you have issues, questions or would like to be on the board).
AARP Plans Day of Service
by Bob Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator
Thursday, September 20, is “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 to involve 10% of the 344 members in the chapter. Consider giving anywhere from two to six hours of your time to help with the projects.
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. Examples of the organizations we intend to support are: Orange and Fredericksburg nursing homes, Orange County Animal Shelter, Orange County Historical Society, TRIAD, Services to Abused Families (SAFE), Wilderness Food Pantry. Some projects will be during the week because special approval is needed to volunteer
We have “official” photographers, but feel free to bring a camera to help document our success. Sign-up sheets will be at the September 17 meeting. If you know of other organizations we could help or if you can’t make a meeting to sign up, contact Bob Johnson at 972 4358 or e-mail bjohn913@comcast.net
Plans for Election Day Barbeque
by Charlotte Baker, Publicity
Gil Churchill and John Trach have plans well underway for this year’s chicken barbeque, our major fundraiser for the year. The menu will be the same as in previous years – ½ chicken, coleslaw, baked beans, and a homemade brownie. The ticket price will also be the same, $9.
Sign-up sheets will be ready for the September 17 meeting. As usual we will need everybody to pitch in: chicken grillers, food line servers, brownie makers, and people to set up and clean up. We also are in need of someone with a pickup truck to go and collect the chickens at Wegmans early that morning. Your four tickets will be mailed to you at the same time Perspectives is placed in the mail.
If you have not received your tickets by the middle of September, please contact Carla. We need everyone to sell tickets in order to make the BBQ the success it has been in the past. If you need additional tickets, contact: Carla Wascalus at 972-3436, Bill Lanier at 972-3219, or Jim Moore at 972-9355
Food Drive Date Set
by Kathi Martin and Pat Berry, Co-Chairs
Come to the Security Parking Lot (across from the entrance gate) on Saturday, September 15, from 9 AM to 1 PM, for the annual AARP Food Drive to benefit the Wilderness Food Pantry. Last year AARP was able to donate over 1300 pounds of food, thanks to the generosity of our members and other residents of LOW. With over 300 families to serve, the Pantry is in need of such items as: peanut butter, jelly, canned meats (spam – hash – little hams), cereal, “helpers” and other meal makers, canned tuna, canned soups (chicken noodle is a favorite but all are welcome, and the cream soups are great meal makers) dry pasta, canned chili and stew, canned beans of all kinds, sides (pasta and potato), canned veggies (canned peas are a favorite, but all are welcome)
Some of our members prefer to donate cash or checks; which enables Pantry volunteers to purchase fresh meat and dairy from the Food Bank in F’burg. Make your checks out to “Wilderness Food Pantry,” but please turn them in to us so that our chapter can get credit. Checks can also be mailed to Kathi Martin or Pat Berry, or call one of us to pick up your check, or your bag of groceries, if you’re unable to make it to the drop-off.
Remember that all donations to Wilderness Food Pantry, whether groceries or money, are tax deductible. Sorry, but we don’t have room in our truck for egg cartons or plastic bags at the Food Drive; please save those items for the monthly meeting. Also, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, no personal items.
Stop by for a chat on September 15 from 9-1 and bring your donations. We’re looking forward to seeing all of our wonderful AARP chapter members!
Donate School Supplies for OC Kids
by Ruth Hood, Coordinator, School Supplies
Thanks to our members for the school supplies donated at the August meeting. They were delivered on August 30. Donations will also be collected at the September meeting.
Supplies needed in multiples across all grade levels 1 through 6 include: wide-ruled, black “marble” notebooks (stitched); large glue sticks; 3x5 cards; colored pencils; handheld pencil sharpeners; yellow highlighters; solid color pocket folders with fasteners; 1” and 2” three-ring binders; and hand sanitizer. The supply lists for OC Schools are available at www.ocss-va.org, click on supply lists on right.
If you need more information, contact Ruth Hood at 972-3249 or email rhhood@verizon.net.
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
Volunteers Needed
We need your help. Our chapter cannot operate efficiently without member volunteers. The more volunteers there are for a job, the easier that job is to complete. Volunteers are still needed to
* help with set-up and break down for the chapter meetings.
* keep TRIAD running for the safety of seniors.
Your assistance would be greatly appreciated. Please consider volunteering where you can.
Contact the Bradies at 308-5507 or aceboggs16@yahoo.com
Assistance for Handicapped Members
For those members who wish to go to chapter meetings but cannot get a parking place in the handicapped area, help is here! From 9:30-9:45 AM the Ervins have organized transportation from the parking lot to the Clubhouse door for those who need assistance. Park your car near the Fitness Center, stand by your car, and look for Larry Ervin. Info: 972-0652.
Medical News
by Sandie Frame
Uncooked Cookie Dough
Don’t eat uncooked cookie dough, including “ready to bake” commercial products. It is well-known that homemade dough can pose a risk from raw eggs, but commercial products can also be a source of food borne illness, according to a recent DCD report, which implicated them in a multistate E. Coli outbreak in 2009 that sickened 77 people. Ready to bake dough is not ready to eat. The flour was the prime suspect in the outbreak because¸ unlike other ingredients in commercial cookie dough (such as pasteurized eggs) it does not undergo processing to kill pathogens. Though package labels warn that cookie dough should not be eaten raw, some people – teenage girls especially – buy the dough with no intention of actually baking the cookies. A thought for those of us with granddaughters in that age range. Another thought for those of us who take a taste while we are baking these cookies.
Excerpts taken from an article found in the University of California, Berkley Wellness Letter, Volume 28, Issue 6, March 2012
Legislative News
by Toni Quattromani
Affordable Care Act (ACA)
The ACA was signed into effect in 2011, and it is now the law of the land. Last month I wrote about a provision of the ACA regarding taxing of medical devices. This month I cover a provision that has evoked much needless fear. The information below is based on a National Association of Realtors (NAR) article that I recently came across .
The ACA includes a new tax designed to affect upper-income taxpayers. The 3.8% tax is imposed ONLY on those with more than $200,000 of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) ($250,000 on a joint return). The tax applies to investment income, defined as interest, dividends, capital gains and net rents. These items are all included in an individual's AGI. The tax is NOT a transfer tax on real estate sales and similar transactions, so if you are planning to sell your home do not be alarmed.
The new tax does NOT eliminate the benefits of the $250,000/$500,000 exclusion on the sale of a principal residence. Thus, ONLY that portion of a gain above those thresholds is included in AGI and could be subject to the tax. Check with your tax advisor for more detailed information.
Thanks for your contributions to the Wilderness Food Pantry! The Pantry is truly grateful to AARP for your donations. No donations will be collected at the meeting this month, because we are having a neighborhood-wide food collection on September 15. However, you can bring your used egg cartons as well as plastic grocery bags to the meeting. Any and all items will be appreciated.
Betty Hughes needs the following items for the OC Animal Shelter: towels, blankets, canned cat and dog food and kitty litter. She is also seeking knitting yarn for a volunteer who is making cat beds.
Marie Barrett will now be collecting the Betty Crocker labels & the box top coupons for education. A special thank you goes to all those who save these items for charity.
EYE GLASS PROCESSING: Betty Hughes is looking for more volunteers to help on the 4th Wednesday of the month 9 AM to Noon. The work is not hard and the company is excellent. Even if you can’t come every month, you can still help; come when you can. If interested please call Betty at 972-3820
Highlights of the August 20, Meeting
by Joan Albertella, Secretary
* President Dick Bradie once again recognized individuals who have contributed so much to the activities of the chapter and LOWA. He presented certificates to Dick Martin for outstanding service to the chapter and the LOW community, to Carolyn Wray for her service as Public Relations Chair, and to Nola Davidson as Scrapbook Editor.
* President Bradie stated that installation of new officers will take place at the Chapter’s Christmas luncheon at the Community Center on December 17.
* Bob Johnson announced Days of Service will be September 19-20. Volunteers for September 19 will work at the Animal Shelter and the Food Bank only.
* Marion Jacobeen (Woods Cares) asked for male volunteers in getting a dialysis patient into and out of his car on treatment days. Contact her at 972-4085 if you can help.
* Gil Churchill stated that preliminary planning has started on the Election Day Barbecue. He asked for a truck in order to pick up the chickens which will save $805 on barbecue costs. Tickets will be $9 and will be mailed by early September.
* The 50/50 was won by Mary Hudak
* The next chapter meeting will be Monday, September 17, 2012.
