Friday, November 8, 2013

October 2013 Newsletter

President’s Letter

Wow! What happened? We went from Summer to Winter and I either forgot Fall or it didn’t happen. Be that as it may, let’s look forward to October with good weather and anticipation for November: Veterans’ Day and Thanksgiving. But don’t leave October yet. Why, you say? Because BOO!! The witches and goblins will be out for Halloween. Let’s be careful on the dark and moonlit nights for the tykes in their costumes.

This part of the year is also prime time for the scammers: “We’ve got some driveway sealer left from your neighbors’ driveway, (BS) and we’ll do yours for a good deal.” You will get some detritus or other worthless material and not a “good deal.” Another type of scam is one where Medicare (uh-uh) calls and says, “With the new Health Care Act you need to sign up in the Health Exchange.” Baloney. # 1, Medicare wouldn’t call anyone and 2, Medicare will not be effected for those already enrolled.

So be careful. Pay attention to what our September speaker told us about fires and falls in the home for senior. Check those Smoke Detectors and don’t climb shaky ladders.

Okay, I’m finished preaching. Start thinking of those delicious BBQ Chicken lunches/dinners that will be available on Election Day on November 5th. Pass the word to friends and neighbors re: BBQ CHICKEN. Not only do you get a good tasting Chicken (1/2) but there are baked beans, coleslaw, and brownies, plus any profit the Chapter reaps goes into our donation bin towards the end of the year. There are lots of folks out there who benefit from our largesse.

Our speaker coming up will talk about Alzheimer’s, its appearance, effects on the individual and their loved ones. Hope to see all of you on October 21 for a very important and critical treatise on this subject.

Speaking of memory and confusion issues, my brother was recently driving on Route 95 when his wife called. She said, “Be careful, Martin, I just heard there is a car going the wrong way on 95.” He replied “Heck, it’s not just one, there are dozens of them!”

Dick Bradie, President            
 Alzheimer’s Highlighted by AARP
by Charlotte Baker, Publicity
Have you signed up for the October 19 “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” ® in Culpeper or pledged to support one of the participants? Mary Pat Hanson hopes the answer is, “Yes.” She will be discussing this health issue at the October 21 AARP meeting. Mary Pat is the Walk Director for the Central and Western Virginia Alzheimer’s Association. She plays a key role in the Walk, the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
Mary Pat, like many of our residents and friends, knows Alzheimer’s not only from the research available but also from the experience of having been a caregiver. She will discuss the ten signs of Alzheimer’s, and emphasize the importance of early detection.
Come to the Clubhouse at 9:30 AM for coffee and sweets and the opportunity to chat with old and new friends. The meeting begins at 10 AM. Everyone is welcome.

SUNSHINE REPORT
A Thinking of you card was sent to Kathleen Stephens.
Get well Cards were sent to John Hughes, Vi Liberti, and Carla Wascalus.
 A Sympathy Card was sent to Stephanie Sloan on the death of her son-in-law.
 If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
(Libra and Scorpio)
Marilyne Anderson, Patricia Arnold, Charlotte Baker, Boyd Bowers, Joyce Bowers, Janet Buccola, Judy Carter, Tina Critzer, James Fargo, Kathleen Fisher, Chris Grimley, Lee Anne Hamilton, Dave Kraus, Grace McEuen, Nell Meador, Agatha Mucciacciaro, Eleonore Palowitch, Joseph Pfeifer, Thomas Plummer, Bobbie Prees, Ruth Price, Spruce, Gail, Delores Wiberg, and Marti Williams

NEW MEMBERS
There were no new members in September:

BBQ Tickets, Tickets
by Carla Wascalus
If you have not sent in the money for your chicken dinner tickets, please do so as soon as possible. Please return any unsold tickets as we need to account for all tickets. We will email and call after the October 21 meeting.
You may pay at the meeting or send your checks/tickets to AARP 5239, PO Box 945, Locust Grove, VA 22508. A return envelope was provided with the tickets. If you didn’t get your tickets or need more contact Carla at 9972-3436.

BBQ Volunteers Still Needed
by Gil Churchill, BBQ Coordinator
Advertising and ticket sales are moving along for our largest fundraiser of the year. To make this event work, we need all hands on deck. The committee could use 10 more brownie bakers, four people on the serving line, six people on the grills, and a two-person clean-up crew the day after the BBQ. The more we net on this event, the more donations we can give to charity. Please help where you can.
To volunteer contact Gil l at 972-7452 or glchur@comcast.net

AARP Food Drive for Wilderness Food Pantry
by Kathi Martin and Pat Berry
LOW residents came through with nearly 1000 pounds of food, and $1,500 plus in cash and checks when AARP sponsored a food collection drive to benefit Wilderness Food pantry in early September. 
We are extremely grateful to volunteers Ruth Pavlik, Sandy Wemmerus, Grace and Joe McEuen, Kathleen and Dick Bradie, Lucy and Gil Churchill, Ruth Hood, and Alan Berry for their time and muscle in collecting, weighing and stocking!

TRIPS AND TOURS
October 7-9, Riding the Rails 3 days - 2 night trip to WVA in the fall; $420 p/p (dbl). Participants in the Ride The Rails trip on October 7 are asked to meet in the LLCH parking lot at 6:30 a.m. The return on October 9 is planned for after 6 p.m. Contact Kathi Martin for details.
December 3, 4, 5. trip to Greenbrier Resort Hotel. in White Sulpher Springs, WV. Cost $760 per person, (dbl occup; $1060 per person single). Balance must be paid in full by Oct. 4. There are still some openings for anyone interested. This package will not be offered by Greenbrier next year, so this is your chance to experience a stay there for a reasonable price. .Info: Pierre Payette at 972-0519 or 540-226-2871, or at pierre114@verizon.net.
Join the Travel Committee - we could use another person who is willing to take on the responsibility of organizing and leading a day trip or two.

NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
E-mail, E-mail, E-mail-Are you Receiving?
   If you have not been receiving the Chapter emails, please send a note to: AARP5239@gmail.com include your full name.  
Woods Cares
If you or someone you know is in need of a ride or if you are willing to help, please contact Gail Henderson at 972-7436, Judy Schrage at 972-4028 or Carla at 972-3436 

Silent Auction: Donate Today!
by Karen Kovarik, Silent Auction
AARP will participate in the Community yard sale on Saturday, October 12 at the Community Center, but we need your forgotten treasures. Surely some of your vacation purchases were a mistake? Or, have you Halloween goodies stored away? (No, not last year’s candy.)
We do hope that the lovely crystal items you have donated in the past, and some of the Christmas items we have stockpiled will find a good home. But, the more we have to offer, the more AARP stands to make for our charities. 
Phone Mary Hudak at 972-8042 or Karen at 972-7866 for pick up, or to arrange a delivery. We will also be in business at the regular AARP meeting on October 21.
All of the funds raised are donated to local charities, such as the Wilderness Food Bank and the Humane Society.

 AARP’s Driver Safety Course for Senior Drivers
     The LOW Lions are sponsoring AARP’s Driver Safety Course for Senior Drivers on October 31 and November 1 from 9AM – 1PM in the Community Center. The cost is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. Make check payable to “AARP” and mail to instructor: Su Bielmeier, 310 Eastover Pkwy, Locust Grove. Please mail check along with your name, address, telephone number, and email address. For questions, contact Lion Su at or call Su at 540-208-1914 (cell) or driversafetyclass@gmail.com. Persons completing the course are eligible for a discount on their auto liability insurance that is good for three years. Learn defensive driving techniques, new traffic laws, and rules of the road. Discover ways to handle highway traffic, right-of-ways, and blind spots. This course does not reduce points on license.

Calcium Study in Women
by Sandie Frame
If you are a woman who takes a calcium supplement and is concerned about its safety, here is reassuring news. A large new Canadian study has linked them to reduced mortality rates. In recent years several studies suggested that calcium supplements increase the risk of heart disease, though this link has been much debated. In contrast, the new observational study in the Journal of Clinical and Endocrinology and Metabolism, found that women who took up to 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day had an 22 percent lower death rate over a ten year period than nonusers; factors such as age, weight, and medical conditions were controlled for.
There was no statistically significant effect on mortality rates in men, with higher doses of calcium or from Vitamin D.
University of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter, Volume 29, Issue 14, Sept. 2013

Official Information for OC Voters
by Donna L. Jenni, General Registrar, OC
Tuesday, October 15, is the last day to register to vote or notify the general registrar of a change of address before the Tuesday, November 5, 2013 general election. If you are not sure of your registration status, please call 540-672-5262 before October 15, for more information.
The office of voter registration located at Sedwick building, 146 Madison Rd, Suite 204, Orange, Virginia will be open the following dates and times for the purpose of in person absentee voting:
Monday – Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM
Saturday, October 26, from 9 AM to 5 PM
Saturday, November 2, from 9 AM to 5 PM
Our regular office hours are 8 AM to 5 PM Monday to
      Friday.
  • The last day to request an absentee ballot to be mailed is Tuesday, October 29, 2013.
  • The last day to vote in person absentee is Saturday, November 2, 2013.
You are encouraged to register and exercise your right to vote.

Exercise your rights as a citizen – Vote

Highlights of the September Meeting
 by Joan Albertella
   * Bob Johnson relayed a website to access information on scams: www.scamawareness.org.  He stated members should document scams they receive and then report them to the police. The non-emergency number for the Sheriff’s office is 672-1200.
   * Election Day Chicken Barbecue – volunteer sign-up sheets were available for members to sign up to help with this event. Assistance is needed with cooking, serving food, making brownies, taking trash to the dumpster, cleaning grills the next day and selling tickets at the October 12 flea market.
   * Bob Johnson reminded members that Volunteer Day will be held September 19.  Sign-up sheets were available for various facilities.  He asked that volunteer hours on that day be given to him.
   *  Tours and Travel:  Pierre Payette reminded everyone of the upcoming trip to Greenbrier, December 3-5 and that there are still openings. Payment due October 5.
  
*  Dick Martin, Nominating Committee Chair, announced that the 2014 slate for new officers is filled.  He also asked members to consider volunteering to support
the various activities and events put on by the Chapter.
   *  The 50/50 was won by Dick Durphy.
   *  The next chapter meeting will be held on Monday, October 21,  2013.