December Newsletter

President’s Letter


It’s hard to believe, but we are almost into a new year. After all we’ve seen this year - the Derecho, Hurricane Sandy, flip-flops in our weather patterns - what can possibly happen in 2013? Well, one thing will be the CarFit program to insure that “Vintage Virginians” are safer on the road in their vehicles. This program will give us a better understanding of the many new-fangled gadgets in our cars; it can be confusing to get them all to work together.

Another Shredder Event is in the offing, probably in the spring. If there is enough need, maybe another Vin Etching effort also.

But before we jump into 2013, let’s have a real big time at the Chapter’s Christmas Pot Luck Luncheon on December 17. It will be, as usual, at the Community Center. Bring your friends and family, each of course with an entrée or dessert and enjoy the camaraderie of just kibitzing, making new acquaintances, renewing the old, and learning from our peers.

Whether your celebration will be Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanza, let’s all rejoice in the beauty of the season and look forward to a Happy New Year.

But speaking of holidays, my brother, even when he was younger, was always a ditz. One year he wanted to buy his grandma a box of handkerchiefs for Christmas. He didn’t do it because he said he didn’t know her nose size.
Dick Bradie, President

AARP Celebrates Christmas
by Charlotte Baker, Publicity

AARP members and friends will gather for our traditional potluck Christmas luncheon at 11:30 PM on December 17 at the Community Center. Members are asked to bring a main dish, a vegetable dish, or dessert to serve approximately eight people. Food should be delivered no later than 11:15 AM so everything can be in place when we will start the luncheon. The tables will be set up ahead of time. Eating utensils and napkins will be furnished.

In addition to celebrating the season, we will welcome Amber Nightingale, an AARP state officer, to preside over the installation of 2013 officers. The new slate of officers for AARP Chapter 5239 for 2012, recommended by the Board of Directors and approved at the November 19 AARP meeting, will be installed: President Dick Bradie, Vice President Tony Aris, Secretary Joan Albertella, Treasurer Joe McEuen, Directors Dwight Mottet, Dick Durphy, Lucille Churchill, Sandy McNeilly, and Bob Johnson.

Our 2012 charitable donations will be awarded to the recipients selected by the AARP Board members at their November meeting.

SUNSHINE REPORT
Get-well or Thinking-of-you cards were sent to Marie Barrett, Bonnie Boelke and Ralph Scheuermann, and Jody Zogran; a Sympathy Card was sent to Barbara Rueckert to acknowledge the death of her sister.

If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.

December Birthdays (Sagittarius and Capricorn)
Dick Berra, Betty Collins, Donna Crawley, Nola Davidson, Ray Dickinson, Marion Doherty, Judy Fahy, Nancy Grogan, Paul Gunther, Robert Haring, Jackie Hill, Ruth Hood, Marion Jacobeen, Joan King, David Kovarik, Hank Lewis, Judy Minzes, Pat Phillipo, James Protiva, Florence Ramey,
Ed Rowan, Gail Sauro, Kathleen Stephens, Joseph Wascalus, and Elaine Witcher

New Members
Welcome to new members Ned and Linda Sotzing who joined the chapter in November.
TRIPS AND TOURS
Three extended trips will be offered for the year 2013:
*May/June (exact dates TBA) to St. Michaels and Maryland’s Eastern Shore, including a river cruise and visits with buffalo and alpaca;
*October 7-9, Ride the Rails of West Virginia (2 train trips during peak “leaf season” and 2 nights at the Canaan Valley Resort) now taking reservations;
*For the Christmas season (exact dates TBA) a 2-night visit at the five-star Greenbrier Resort Hotel, old world elegance with afternoon tea and concert and a Christmas musical.
Info: Roxanne Kessler at 972-8364.

NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
AARP to Match Hurricane Contributions
President Bradie reported that we collected $1200 from the donation box for the victims of Sandy at the Chicken BBQ and at the November meeting to send to the AARP Foundation. The AARP Foundation has pledged to match the donated funds.

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! Several members have volunteered to run a shuttle service for those who need it. Contact Larry Ervin at 972-0652 or Dick Bradie at 308-5507 if you need to use this service.

Volunteers Needed
The coffee cliff is coming!

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.

We still have not had any couples volunteer to take on the responsibility of starting the coffee at our monthly meetings and other gatherings starting January 1, 2013.

Getting volunteers for refreshments is not usually a problem. If no one steps up to help with the coffee, a big part of our Chapter popularity will go down the tubes, We all enjoy the goodies, drinks, and yakking with our buds.

Folks, step up to help our Chapter, which has been awarded “2012 Chapter of the Year” by the state AARP. Thanks from your president.

Medical News
by Sandie Frame
Reusable grocery totes are good for the environment, but keep them clean to prevent bacterial contamination. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics warns that they may harbor harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning if, for instance, juices leak from raw meat, the bacteria can linger and multiply and then contaminate other foods. That’s good reason to wrap your meat, fish, and poultry in plastic bags before placing them in the totes. Of course that defeats the purpose of using the totes over the plastic bags provided by the store. Better yet, separate totes, using one for raw meats and a different one for ready-to-eat foods, such as greens and bread, marking them clearly so they don’t get mixed up. Wash your bags in hot soupy water (either by hand or in the washing machine), let them dry completely and store them in a clean, dry place.
Have a wonderful and safe Holiday Season.
Information found in the University of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter, Volume 29 - Issue 1 – October 2012

Legislative News
by Toni Quattromani
The election will be history by the time you read this – I hope everyone voted. Now we all wait to see what happens at the end of the year when the Bush tax cuts and the reduced payroll taxes expire. New provisions of the Affordable Care Act will take place, and we wait to learn how they may affect each of us.

With these actions and the possible effects of sequestration on our already fragile economy some of us are anxious. There will be new legislation, locally and at the state and federal levels, that will affect all of us. I will do my best to get news to you as fast as I can. I certainly hope that the Congress and the administration can get over their differences and act for the best of the country.

In the meantime if you have a question on any local, state, or federal action, or even if you hear a rumor or read something on the internet that is of concern, please send me an email. I will try to get a reply to you in a reasonable time. If your question might be of interest to the entire community, I will write a note in this column. I wish you all a happy holiday season.

Thanks for your contributions to the Wilderness Food Pantry. The pantry is truly grateful to AARP for your donations. There will be no collection at the December luncheon, but members are encouraged to send a monetary donation if they wish. Make checks out to “Wilderness Food Pantry” and send them to Kathi Martin at 101 Windy Lane. I’ll see that they get to the pantry.

Bring your used (cardboard only) 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 November 19, 2012, Meeting
by Joan Albertella
* President Bradie reminded members that a donation box for the victims of Sandy is available. He stated that $795 was collected at the Chicken Barbecue site. We sent $1200 to the AARP Foundation. This was mostly Chapter money with others mixed in.
* President Bradie recognized Roxanne Kessler, Pierre Payette, and Kathi Martin for their service as event and trip coordinators.
* Gil Churchill stated $2462 was earned at the Chicken Barbecue. He thanked all the section leaders.
* Carla Wascalus presented the 2013 slate of new officers and directors. Sandy McNeilly was nominated to replace Roxanne Kessler. Slate was approved by the members. Installation will be held at the Chapter Christmas luncheon.
* Carla Wascalus stated that volunteer facilitators are needed for the Tax-Aid Program. Facilitators review clients’ paperwork to ensure it is correct before they move on to the tax preparer. Contact Carla if you can help. The sessions are Friday and Saturday, 9 AM to 2 PM. (February-April).
* Kathi Martin stated she has reserved the facility for the West Virginia Train Ride. Interest lists for future trips were provided for members to sign up on: Pittsburg, PA; Cape May, NJ; St Michaels, MD; Bethlehem, PA; Greenbrier Christmas, WV; Renfro Valley, KY; and Ride the Rails, WV.
* Skip Poole provided information on a September 2013 cruise (7 nights) from New York to Bermuda. It is a fundraiser for the Chapter.
* Refreshments – new committee members are still needed, starting January 2013. Please contact Dick Bradie if you can help in any capacity.
* The 50/50 was won by Boyd Bowers.
* The next chapter meeting will be Monday, December 17, 2012. It is the Chapter Christmas luncheon and will be held at the Community Center.

Treasurer’s Report for November 2012
Check book balance as of November 30 is $4,853.20.

THE 2013 DUES WILL BE DUE IN JANUARY. IN THE JANUARY PERSPECTIVES YOU WILL RECEIVE AN ENVELOPE TO MAIL YOUR CHECK TO THE CHAPTER. WE WILL NOT COLLECT AT THE DECEMBER. MEETING, BUT WILL COLLECT AT THE JANUARY MEETING.DUES ARE $7 EACH MEMBER.