October 2012 Newsletter

President’s Letter
     Well, we are just a hoot and a holler away from some real exciting fine times. We have Halloween next month (Boo!), Election Day (BBQ), Veterans Day (solemn remembrance) and Thanksgiving (gobble, gobble) all in November. Then of course it’s time for Christmas, Hannukah, and Kwanza. We’ll be celebrat-ing and rejoicing with family and friends. LOW is starting to look different with the change of colors. Let’s hope that the only colors we see are bright fall colors, no white covering the ground.
     Our Food Drive led by Kathi Martin was a huge success and our Days of Service captained by Bob Johnson accomplished its goals by serving LOW and other Community organizations. Speaking of Bob, he was the recipient of the Warren J. Lodge Award for Service excellence for LOW and Orange County. It is always a pleasure to see Chapter 5239 members recognized for their efforts and achievements.
     In signing off, let me remind everyone to vote for the Candidates of your choice on November 6. After voting come down to the Lower Level of the Club House and pick up your Chicken BBQ, beans, cole- slaw and brownie.
     Luckily, my brother is not supplying the chickens. Recently he decided to start a chicken farm by buying 100 chickens. A month later he returned to the dealer to buy 100 more because all his chickens had died. A month after that he was back for 100 more. “I think I know where I’m going wrong,” he said, “I think I’m planting them too deep.”
Dick Bradie, President

Geriatrics Specialist to Address AARP
by Tina Aris, Program Chair, AARP Chapter 5239
     Geriatrics specialist and internist Dr. Samuel Umesegha will be the featured speaker at our October meeting at the Clubhouse. He will discuss commonly encountered geriatric symptoms and quality of life issues. Board-certified in both geria-trics and internal medicine, Dr. Umesegha has been a member of our region's medical community since 2010. He sees patients at the Senior Care Geriatric Medical Center in Fredericksburg, provid-ing services for cognitive skills and diagnostic testing, diagnosis and treatment of illness, manage-ment of chronic conditions, and comprehensive care for complex geriatric syndromes. Dr. Umesegha has recently been appointed as Medical Director for Heritage Hall Nursing & Rehabilitation in King George, Virginia.
    Come to the Great Hall in the Clubhouse at 9:30 AM on October 15 for coffee, sweets, and an opportunity to chat with old and new friends.

SUNSHINE REPORT
     Get-well cards were sent to Bonnie Boelke, Larry Pederson and Maynard Matthies; and a Thinking-of-You card went to Roxanne Kessler. A sympathy card was sent to Ruth Lenwell to acknowledge the death of her sister.
     If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.

October Birthdays
(Libra and and Scorpio)
Charlotte Banas, Ellie Baughman, Dick Bradie, Laurel Buongiovanni, Marilyn Buttimer, Joe Davidson, Carolyn Dionne, William Grogan, Mary Hudak, Don Larsen, Jan Lemieux, Helen Markart, Richard Martin, Mary Nolan, Brenda Rugless, Joe Sauro, Ken Tilliman, Ann Walker,
Carla Wascalus, and Karen Woods

New Members
Welcome to our new members who joined the chapter in September: Bernard Van der Vliet, Gerald and Dayle Young, Paul and Linda Gunther

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
     Dec. 5, The Producers, at 2 PM in Richmond at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre (formerly the Empire) at Virginia Rep Center. $65/person Includes ticket, bus and driver’s gratuity. This record-breaking winner of 12 Tony Awards, was written by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, with music and lyrics by Mel Brooks. Bus leaves LOW at 11:30 AM.
Make checks out to AARP 5239 and mail to Pierre Payette, 114 Parliament St. Info: 972-0519.
     Do you have any interest in trips to: Pittsburg, PA; Cape May, NJ; St. Michaels, MD; Bethlehem, PA; and Christmas at the Greenbrier, WV? Info: Roxanne Kessler at 972-8364.

NOTES, BITS AND PIECES

AARP Day of Service
by Bob Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator
     We moved the local day of service from May to September this year to try to match the national organizations schedule. It did not work too well. Eleven members did serve at Greenfields Assisted Living (playing music and visiting with residents), SAFE House in Culpeper (painting windows), TRIAD (building information kits), and Wilderness Food Pantry (assisting with donated food). Several organizations we normally work with had scheduling problems so we actually cancelled several projects at the last minute. We will reconsider next year and probably schedule the day of service in May 2013.
     Remember our service to these local organizations is not just on the designated days. The nursing homes, animal shelter, TRIAD, Orange County Historical Society, and other organizations need help every week of the year. If you are interested, call them up and ask how you can help. Don’t forget Woods Cares and our other committees. Thanks for your service all year.

Plans for Election Day Barbeque Continue
by Charlotte Baker, Publicity
     Tickets are now available for AARP’s annual Election Day barbeque on November 6. The barbeque is our annual fundraiser, supporting the Chapter’s local charities and community service projects. If you haven’t already volunteered to help with the BBQ, see the sign-up sheets at the November meeting.
     The delicious 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. Again this year, the ticket price will be $9/meal, which includes ½ chicken enrobed in “secret sauce,” coleslaw, baked beans, and a homemade brownie. Lemonade and water will be available for eat-in diners. If you need extra tickets contact Carla Wascalus at 972-3436, Bill Lanier at 972-3219, or Jim Moore at 972-9355.
     From Carla: To avoid getting a phone call during the last week of October, please send in your money or turn it in at the October meeting. If you cannot sell all your tickets please return them by mail in the envelope that was provided, bring to the meeting, or give to one of the people whose name is in the letter. A big thank you to those of you that have turned in your money or tickets.

Volunteers Needed
     We need your help. Our chapter cannot operate efficiently without member volun-teers. The more volunteers there are for a job, the easier that job is to complete.
     Volunteers are desperately needed for the TRIAD program. Elaine Anderson in Orange and Dick and Kathleen Bradie in Locust Grove have resigned from the program after long service. Without new blood the program will disappear. Please consider volunteering for part of the duties so that the program can continue. Volunteer where you can.
Contact the Bradies at 308-5507 or aceboggs16@yahoo.com

Food Drive Successful
by Kathi Martin and Pat Berry, Co-Chairs
     Once again, AARP 5239 came through with flying colors, as the Food Drive for Wilderness Food Pantry was a huge success.
     A total of 1250 pounds of food and $700 was collected on September 15, and taken to the Pantry.
Our deepest thanks go to Judy and Jerry Schrage, Dick Martin, Alan Berry, Carolyn Durphy, Grace and Joe McEuen, Lucy and Gil Churchill and Sandy Wemmerus for their help in collecting, loading, unloading and storing LOTS of canned and dry goods to help people in our community and county. Great job, gang!

Medical News
by Sandie Frame
     Flu season is soon to be with us. If you have not had your annual flu shot, this is the time to get one. Call your family doctor, stop by your local drug store or the Health Department to ask about getting your immunization. Flu shots are covered by Medicare and almost all other insurances. It is not too early to get your flu shot now.
     Did you know that the number of Americans with Type 2 diabetes will double or triple by 2050 if current trends continue according to projections from the CDC? While today 1 in 10 American adults has diabetes, by 2050 this may rise to 1 in 3. The sharp rise is due to the aging population, increases in minority groups that are at higher risk for diabetes and continuing weight gain.
     While we cannot do much about the first two items we can do something about the weight gain. Smaller portions for meals at home, dividing your dinners into two portions (at least) when eating at restaurants, fewer high calorie fast food stops, and daily exercise are some ways to slow or stop unwanted pounds. While we will not be around in 2050 we need to encourage our families to be mindful of these statistics from CDC.
     Statistics on these numbers came from the CDC and were found in articles published in various newspapers and magazines.

Legislative News
Senior Citizens Handbook
by Toni Quattromani
     The Senior Citizens Handbook is a resource for seniors, their families, and their caregivers to provide an overview of and contact information for opportunities and choices facing senior citizens today, with a summary of how specific laws affect Virginia's elder citizens and practical advice on issues such as Medicaid, Alzheimer’s Disease, landlord-tenant relations, and much more. There is also an extensive list of community-service organizations that detail the various services available to senior citizens.
     The Virginia State Bar publishes the Handbook. The current edition is dated March 2009, so some of the information may be a little out of date. The Bar does not have a planned date for a new edition at this time. Nevertheless the handbook contains a wealth of information.
     You may view and download a PDF version of the Handbook at www.vsb.org - Click on Publications. You may also order a paper copy for $4.00 by calling the Virginia State Bar at 804-775-0582. The website also has a wealth of information that may help you in your daily activities.
     Thanks for your contributions to the Wilderness Food Pantry! The Pantry is truly grateful to AARP for your donations. We will be collecting grocery items for the Food Pantry at the AARP next meeting. This month the Pantry needs cereals and sides (Hamburger Helper, pasta or potato side packets, etc.) Canned meats and sides are also a great choice. PLEASE no personal items.

Highlights of the September 17, 2012, Meeting
by Joan Albertella, Secretary
* President Dick Bradie recognized Lucille and Gil Churchill and Alice Grgas for the marvelous job they do in setting up the refreshments for all the Chapter meetings and for special events such as the Chapter picnic and Christmas luncheon.
* Roxanne Kessler announced several tentative trips and will put out interest sheets at the next meeting for trips to: Pittsburg, PA; Cape May, NJ; St. Michaels, MD; Bethlehem, PA; and Christmas at the Greenbrier, WV.
* Contact Pierre Payette if you are interested in seeing “The Producers” in Richmond on December 5 at 2:00 p.m. Cost is $65 per person and includes bus and ticket.
* Woods Cares is in need of volunteers. Contact Marion Jacobeen at 972-4085 if you can help.
* Car Fit has been cancelled and is rescheduled for April, 2013.
* Reminder: Purchase tickets for the Chicken Dinner Election Day Barbecue. Tickets not sold should be returned as soon as possible.
* The Food Drive, held on September 15, was a great success, providing food to stock the Food Pantry shelves.
* The New York Picnic raised $1000 which was donated to Child Help.
* The 50/50 was won by Lucille Churchill.
* The next chapter meeting will be Monday, October 15, 2012.

AARP FOUNDTION NEEDS VOLUNTEERS:      The Protective Money Management Program that is run by Doug Schiffman in Culpeper needs some more volunteers. In brief, the Protective Money Management Program (PMMP) recruits, screens, trains, and monitors volunteers who take over and manage the finances of low-income seniors and persons with a disability. PMMP is an all-volunteer program, and is sponsored by Rappahannock Rapidan Social Services and the AARP. Volunteers pay the client's bills, provide spending money, create and manage a budget, and visit with their client once or twice per month.
     Volunteers are provided with a copy of Quicken software, and are set up with online banking and online bill-paying.
www.rrcsb.org is the best place to find information about the program. (click on the link to the Protective Money Management Program)
     Please contact Doug Schiffman, Coordinator, Protective Money Management Program at 301-370-4210 for more information. He will also give any volunteers a one hour orientation about the program.

VOLUNTEERS are also needed to do Income Taxes for the AARP TAX AIDE program February to mid-April. Training will be provided. All taxes are done on a computer that is provided. Taxes that are prepared at LOW are done Friday’s from 10:00-2:00 and Saturday’s 9:00-2:00. It is a rewarding service, the people you work with and the clients you help are all great. Your schedule is flexible. You can contact Lew Sherman at 540.972.5339, cell number is 540.226.9971 or lewsherman@comcast.net for more information.

Treasurer's Report for September: Checkbook balance as of September 25 is $11,198.81.