January Newsletter

President’s Letter
     Can this be true? Are we into a new year already? So many events and efforts kept us busy in 2012 and now we start all over again. Good! It keeps us off the streets. I hope all of you had an enjoyable Holiday-Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, whatever gives you peace and tranquility.
     This New Year we will be looking forward to CarFit, a program to fit you to your car and your car to you. This pro- gram is particularly important to us “Vintage Virginians” as cars nowadays are more like computers on wheels. And, we can’t always get our grand- children to follow us and help with the numerous gadgets on these fancy, schmancy vehicles.
     Another Vin Etching event could take place in the spring along with a much needed Shredder Event. We are talking to the bank to set up the shredding effort that helps us stave off ID Theft by allowing us to rid ourselves of no longer needed documents that contain too much personal data.
     New and varied speakers and activities from our Events Committee and exciting trips and tours promoted by our Trips and tours folks are in the offing.
     Let us continue on the path to being the best Chapter in Virginia, or maybe the entire U.S. and volunteer when the call goes out.
     See you all on January 21, 2013.
     Oh, speaking of New Year’s my brother was in the local Pub on New Year’s Eve. He stood up and said that it was time to get ready. At the stroke of midnight he wanted every wife in the pub standing next to the one person who made her life worth living. Well, it was kind of embar-rassing. As the clock struck midnight the bartender was almost crushed to death.
Dick Bradie, President
Rehabilitation Specialist to Focus on Area Options for Seniors
by Charlotte Baker, Publicity
     Liesa T. Dodson, Admissions Director for the Culpeper Health and Rehabilitation Center, will be the featured speaker at the January 21 AARP meeting at the Clubhouse. Her remarks on rehabilitation options for senior citizens will focus on options in the Fredericksburg/ Culpeper area, the differences between the options, available educational resources, and the impact of insurance coverage on therapy. Ms. Dodson works with local hospitals, home health agencies, outpatient rehabilitation centers and local physicians to evaluate and coordinate services for patients in our area. We look forward to her timely presentation.
     Everyone is welcome to come to the Great Hall in the Clubhouse at 9:30 AM on January 21 to chat with old and new friends and have a cup of coffee and enjoy some sweets. The program begins at 10 AM.
SUNSHINE REPORT
Get-well or Thinking-of-you cards were sent to Ed Keesler and Donna Stanford. Sympathy Cards were sent to Kathy Fisher on the death of her husband and to Agatha Mucciacciaro to acknowledge the death of her sister.
     If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
January Birthdays
Joan Albertella, Billy J. Bearden, Richard Bergmann, Chris Burr, Katherine Causby William Charest, Alberta Diamondstein, Joan Duy, Rosalind Gantz, Linda Gunther, Mary Hannon, Carol Hein, Marie Johnson, Karen Kovarik, Angelo Laviano, Judith McCann, Jim Moore, Toby Musatow, Olga Patnode, Dick Phillipo, Sandra Plummer, Skip Poole, Alice Quattromani, Richard Stephens, Bill Wemmerus, Carolyn Wright, and Lucille Yery
New Members
No new members joined in December.

Report Email Address Changes
AARP Chapter 5239 uses emails to alert members to upcoming happenings and events. 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.

NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
DUES, DUES, DUES
You should find an addressed envelope in this mailing. Please use it to send in your 2013 Chapter dues of $7 per person or bring it to the January meeting. Also, if your email address has changed include that.
Because each newsletter must weigh the same, everyone must get the envelope. Those people who receive complimentary copies and the people listed below who have paid their dues for 2013 can just ignore the envelope:
Gerlinde Carmona, Philip Carmona, Sally Denton, Barbara Ehlen, Linda Gunther, Paul Gunther, Lee Anne Hamilton, Thomas Hamilton, John Lacey, Rina Lacey, Clive Louden, Walter Piotrowski, Barbara Rakes, Noah Rakes, Brenda Rugless, Michael Rugless, Linda Sotzing, Ned Sotzing, Bernard Van der Vliet, Dayle Young, and Gerald Young.
NOTICE
The Post Office does not forward bulk mail even if you have your mail forwarded to an alternate address. If 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. We will forward if you want and restart your Perspectives at the LOW address when you return.
We mail during the first two weeks of the month.
AARP NEEDS TO BE “REGIFTED”
     AARP’s silent auction raised over $1000 in 2012, which was added to the kitty benefiting local beneficiaries including our Food Bank and Fire and Rescue. But we are running out of goodies to auction. So, if you received gifts you are thinking of re-gifting, but haven't decided whom to bless, consider donating them to AARP’s silent auction committee. Other small goodies are welcome as long as they are in good condition. Contact Mary Hudak at 972-8042 or Karen Kovarik or 972-7866.
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.
Medical News
by Sandie Frame
     Should you take blood pressure medicine in the morning or at night? Two recent studies suggest that taking medications at night might be more beneficial. An analysis of 21 trials involving a total of nearly 2,000 patients concluded that taking a once-daily dose of medication at bedtime provided better blood pressure control. In the other study patients who took at least one of their medications at night not only had better blood pressure control, but were also about one third as likely to experience a heart attack, stroke or heart failure as those who took all their blood pressure medications in the morning.
     One possible explanation for the findings is that medications taken in the morning will have worn off by the time people awaken the next day, and many people experience blood pressure surges that raise their risk of heart attack or stroke in the first few hours after awakening.
     Ask your doctor if you should take your blood pressure drug at bedtime or, if you are on more than one medication, if you should take at least one at night. Do not change your routine without first consulting with your physician.
     Taken from the Women’s Health Reporter, Volume 13/Number 10, October 2012.

Legislative News
by Toni Quattromani
Happy New Year!
     The following comments are from a summary: “New Taxes in 2013” published on the AARP web page last month.
The following changes appear fairly certain:
* Standard deductions will rise (amounts have not been announced).
* Personal exemptions will increase, reportedly to $3,900.
* If you work, maximum earnings subject to Social Security tax will increase to $113,700.
* Contributions to defined plans (ex. 401K) will climb to $17,500 plus $5,500 to catch-up for those 50-plus.
*Higher threshold on medical deductions (making it harder to qualify).
*Deductions for long-term care insurance premiums will rise. This is a deduction that many people do not know about – but it will save you taxes!
*Health Care Affordability tax increases that I wrote about in September Perspec-tives will take effect.
We will have to wait for the result of congressional decisions and Presidential approval on new tax rates, taxes on capital gains and dividends, and a host of other issues. Just be sure to consult your tax advisors when you start your tax returns this year.
     One more item from the AARP web site about SCAMs:
     If you receive an email or a telephone call advising you to call a number in area codes 284 (British Virgin Islands), 649 (Turks and Caicos), 809 (Dominican Republic), or 876 (Jamaica) – do not follow the instructions. These codes may connect you to international phones that will charge you very high phone rates. Instead, file a complaint by calling 1-888-225-5372.

AARP FREE TAX SERVICE
     The AARP Foundation sponsors a free tax preparation program open to anyone. There are some restrictions: if you own a business and have inventory or expenses over $5,000 we cannot help you or if you own rental property it is beyond our scope.
     We will do taxes February 2 through April12, Fridays 10-1 and Saturdays 9-1 in the lower level of the Clubhouse by appointment only. Call Joan Duy at 972- 0350 to make an appointment. You must have your Social Security card and the card of each dependent. Please have all your papers. Some of the papers that you will need are all 1099s (R, INT, DIV,MISC. G) W2s brokerage statements, Unemployment Compensation, Mortgage Interest and Insurance, Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes. Medical Insurance and Long Term Premiums, Mileage to and from Dr appointments, hospitals, physical therapy. Mileage should be broken down Jan to July and July through Dec and separated for each spouse. Charitable contributions by checks or receipts. Non-cash donations up to $500 with receipts. If you itemized in 2011 then please bring in a copy of your paperwork. This is not the complete list, but gives you an idea of what you need to bring. Don’t forget to bring the copy of the previous year’s tax from especially if you itemized.

    Thanks for your contributions to the Wilderness Food Pantry. The pantry is truly grateful to AARP for your donations. We will collect your donations at the January meeting. Members may also to give a monetary donation if they wish. Make checks out to “Wilderness Food Pantry” and send them to Kathi Martin at 101 Windy Lane.

     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.

     The Food Bank also needs your used egg cartons as well as plastic grocery bags. Bring your used (card-board only) egg cartons as well as plastic grocery bags to the meeting.

     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 December 17, 2012 Meeting
by Joan Albertella
* A wonderful Holiday luncheon was held thanks to the support, delicious dishes, and desserts provided by the members.
* Amber Nightingale from the AARP Virginia State Office attended and swore in all the Chapter officers and new director, Sandra McNeilly.
*President Bradie announced the organizations that received the 2012 Chapter donations for their community activities: Lake Youth Foundation, LOW Lions Wilderness Food Pantry, OC Sheriff’s Office, LOW Fire and Rescue, OC Head Start site in Locust Grove Primary School, SAFE House, AARP Foundation, OC Animal Shelter, OC Free Clinic, LOW Fun Bunch, and TRIAD.
* Gil Churchill provided entertaining “age-related” games for the members who received beautiful Poinsettias as prizes.
* The 50/50 was won by Russ Williams, who donated his winnings to Head Start.
* The next chapter meeting will be on Monday, January 21, 2013.