It’s Time to Say, “Goodbye”
Nothing is forever. Bill and Rosemary Walker will be moving from the Lake on September 22 and leaving Chapter 5239. The Walkers were the founders of our AARP Chapter back in May 1998, along with 40 others from LOW who were Charter Members.
(Other founding members still active in the Chapter include Harvey and Nancy Miler, Jack and Marion Dougherty, Bette Blood, Dick Roso, and Harriet Brennan.)
Today, our Chapter is 400 members strong and one of the leading Chapters in Virginia. We all say an enthusiastic “Thank You!” to Bill and Rosemary for their many years of devoted service to AARP activities in Lake of the Woods and surrounding area.
“We love you, Bill and Rosemary…and God go with you both in your new life.”
September also means the special Food Collection Drive by AARP Chapter 5239 for our local Wilderness Food Pantry. Our Collection day is Saturday, September 24, with AARP volunteers and a truck in the parking area across from the Main Entrance Gate. Drop off your food donations there from 9 AM to 1 PM.
Needed food items include canned tuna, canned meats, rice and pasta, peanut butter, crackers, hot and cold cereal, chunky soups, and canned fruits and vegetables. We collect-ed some 700 pounds last year and aim this time for more than 1,000 pounds.
Donations by check should be made pay-able to Wilderness Food Pantry. AARP members donated $700. in the 2010 drive.
Finally, a man walking on the beach finds an old lamp. He rubs some sand off it—and out comes a genie. The genie says, “I will grant you three wishes, but your ex-wife will get double.”
The man agrees, and asks for a huge expensive mansion. The genie grants it, and the ex-wife gets two mansions. The man then asks for a million dollars in cash. Granted—and the ex-wife gets two million dollars. Then the man says to the genie, “Now scare me half to death.”
Dick Martin, President
‘Golden Age of Radio’ Is Topic for AARP by Carolyn Wray
The next AARP, Chapter 5239 meeting will feature Bill Kovarik, currently Professor of Media Studies at Radford University. He will speak about the ‘Golden Age of Radio.’ We did not have TV, the internet, or any other social networks to get current news back in the 30s and 40s. We only had radio, and we depended on that to stay informed. The grim news from Europe was a factor in World War I and II. Many of us can remem-ber both wars.
Radio required imagination, and people who grew up with it understood that. Bill’s topics will include FDR’s Fireside Chats, Edward R. Murrow from London, Mae West in the Garden of Eden, and other great moments.
Bill has taught journalism and media history since 1985 at Virginia Tech, the University of Maryland, and Radford University. He has also worked for the Baltimore Sun, Charleston (SC) News and Courier, and the Associated Press.
This should be a most interesting pro-gram for all of us. The meeting will begin at 9:30 AM with sweets and coffee followed by the program at 10 AM. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy another excellent program.
September BIRTHDAYS
(Virgo and Libra)
Tina Aris, Nancy Arnold, John Barnes,
Ellen Bearden, Ken Bentz, Gerda Binotto,
Charles Brewer, Stephen Capps, Gil Churchill, Jean Cooke, Bea Cornell, Susan Costanzo, Barbara Davidson, Ruth Downs, Carolyn Durphy, Nick Duy, Ralph Gardner, Carolyn Gerndt, Wilda Getman, Ruby Horvath, John Hughes, Barbara Lacks, Kathleen Martin,
Mary E. Merrell, William Nowers, Alan Patnode, Irene Payette, Joy Poole, Jerry Schrage, Elaine Shirkey, Marcia Shorten, Robert Silliman, Carolyn Spero, Joan Staab, Art Sunkel, Dee Tilliman, Doris Velona, Rosemary Walker, George Webb, and Ann Wood
Thanks to all our members who contributed school supplies for our Locust Grove Schools. There has been a delay in getting the supplies to the school because of the earthquake damage, but whenever they get there, they will be appreciated.
SUNSHINE REPORT
by Carolyn Durphy
A sympathy card was sent to Lee Anne & Tom Hamilton on the loss of Lee Anne’s mother.
Get well cards were sent to Jane Tobin and Betty Scheuermann.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
Nominating Committee
The chapter nominating committee is still seeking potential candidates to run for chapter office. Candidates are needed for vice president, secretary, treasurer, and one director. If you are interested, or know of someone who is interested in running, please contact Pierre Payette at 972-0519, Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306, or Pam Nalls at 972-5253. Remember, an organization, such as our AARP Chapter, cannot continue to function unless it has members willing to step up and be leaders. We need your support and commitment.
Election Day Barbeque Planning
by Dwight Mottet, Chair, Chicken BBQ
The November 8 Election Day barbeque is AARP’s annual fundraiser, which supports Chapter 5239’s various local charities and community service projects.
The 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. In addition to raising funds, the Election Day barbeque provides an added incentive for folks to get out and vote.
Again this year, the ticket price will be $9/meal, which includes the usual 1/2 chicken enrobed in “secret sauce,” coleslaw, baked beans, and a homemade brownie. Lemonade and water will be available for diners in the lower level Clubhouse.
We need more than 120 hardworking AARP members to make this project successful. The sign-up lists for volunteers will be available at the meeting. We expect the 700 tickets to sell out.
AARP members will soon have tickets to sell. Return the ticket proceeds to Jim Moore at 972-9355, Bill Lanier at 972-3219, or Carla Wascalus at 972-3436. You may also return the money at the September meeting.
AARP Community Food Drive
by Pat Berry, Co-chair
If you attended the August 15 meeting, you probably left carrying empty brown paper bags with writing on the side. AARP Chapter 5239 is again partnering with local Ruritan clubs to sponsor a community food drive on Saturday, September 24, in support of the Wilderness Food Pantry.
Chapter members will be collecting contributions across from Security at the front entrance between 9 AM and 1 PM. Just look for the smiling faces and the truck filled with food. If you haven’t been shopping and didn’t get an official AARP brown bag, never fear. Donations by check are welcome. Please make checks payable to “Low Lions/Lioness Wilderness Food Pantry.” They will be collected and taken to a Lions representative. You may also bring food to the meeting on September 19. Questions? Call either Kathi Martin at 972-5242 or Pat Berry at 972-3763.
“Screen Wrangler” Still Needed
George Webb, the Chapter’s Movie Screen Custo-dian, had an accident that broke his kneecap. This has forced George to give up bringing the screen to our monthly meetings for the foreseeable future.
So we need a replacement. What’s involved is simple enough: You store the screen in its box in your garage or some other handy place; the Program Committee will alert you to bring the screen to the meeting when it’s needed. And you take it back home after the meeting for storage.
If you can help out your fellow Chapter members by doing this, please call Dick Martin at 972-5242 or email him at Doodoo1066@Verizon.net to volunteer. We will appreciate your help.
Silent Auction
by Patti Batten
We still need your donations of new or slightly used item for our Silent auction for September, October, and November. While doing your fall cleaning, look for items that you are not using to donate to our auction. Please make sure that the items are clean, with no tears or chips.
It is also time to look at your holiday decorations: maybe you now have more than you need. Tablecloths, napkins, lights, novelties, plates, etc., sell very well.
You may bring your items to the meeting or call Patti at 972-1370 to have your items picked up. Thank you for your generous donations.
We made $116 at our August meeting.
Senior Driver Safety Course Offered
by Bob Sherba, LOW Lions Club
The LOW Lions are again sponsoring AARP’s Driver Safety Program on September 29-30. This course for older drivers discusses rules of the road and handling emergency situations and provides a number of tips on how to survive in the difficult driving environment of today.
The two-day course will be held in the Community Center Teen Room from 9 AM to 1 PM each day. The cost is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. Checks should be made payable to “AARP.” Persons completing the course are eligible for a discount on their auto liability insurance, which is good for three years. Therefore, the course should be retaken at the end of that time in order for the discount to continue. For reservations, call Vic at 972-1928 or Bob at 972-0783.
Medical News
by Sandy Frame
We are getting to the end of summer, but there may still be hot days ahead. If you exercise or work in hot weather, beware of signs of heat-related illness, such as headache, dizziness, rapid pulse, nausea and confusion. The number of heat-related, exertional injuries treated in emergency rooms more than doubled in the last decade, according to a recent study in the American journal of Preventive Medicine. Men are more than twice as likely as women to be affected. Rates for older groups have been rising with yard work, exercise and golf the riskiest activities. Best advice: Don’t overdo it, drink plenty of water, take breaks to rest in the shade, and schedule activities during cooler times of the day if possible.
Source: University of California, Berkeley: Wellness letter. Volume 27. Issue 11. August 2011
Highlights of the August Meeting
by Pam Nalls
Dick Bradie, TRIAD, advised that the next Citizens Police Academy starts SEP 20. Contact the Sheriff’s Office if interested at (540) 672-1200.
Kathi Martin updated the membership on this year’s Food Drive for the Wilderness Food Pantry. The event will be held on SAT/SEP 24; participants can also bring donations to the SEP 19 AARP meeting. Check Perspectives and Lake Currents for more details.
Chicken BBQ Committee Chair, Dwight Mottet. reported that this year’s plans for the TUES/NOV 8 Chicken Dinner were well under way. Ticket prices will remain at $9. Each Chapter member will receive four tickets which they are urged to make every effort to sell. Proceeds from this annual event benefits local charities.
Woods Cares Co-Chair, Marion Jacobeen, advises volunteers are needed. Please contact Marion or Jeanette Embrey if you can help.
The Silent Auction results were announced by Patti Batten. The Auction took in $116 during the AUG meeting and $112 at the JUL meeting.
Dick Martin conducted the 50/50 drawing and Dick Durphy was winner.
Congratulations to the seven AARP Chapter 5239 members who were presented with awards at the Annual Membership Meeting: Jim Buongiovanni, Carolyn and Dick Durphy, Ruth Hood, Frank Jacobeen, Margaret Thode and John Trach. See Lake Currents, September 9 issue.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
August Newsletter
If you have not received any e-mails in the last week from “aarp5239@gmail.com” sent a note with your name to aarp5239@gmail.com, We are creating an email list just for our chapter. In the future if you change your email, send changes to aarp5239@gmail.com
Will Social Security/ Medicare Benefits be Cut?
If the current threats by Congress to cut Social Security and Medicare in order to trim the Federal deficit make your blood boil, then you can take action to make your voice heard through National AARP.
AARP has prepared petitions to our Virginia Federal representatives—Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb, and Congressman Eric Cantor—that says in part: “As one of your constituents and as a member of AARP, I urge you to oppose legislation that makes harmful cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits as a means of trimming the Federal deficit.
“There are many forms of ineffective government spending that can be cut, from tax loopholes to pork-barrel spending, but Social Security and Medicare are not among them.”
Barry Rand, AARP Chief Executive Officer, says, “This is undoubtedly one of the most important issues ever addressed by AARP. Return your petitions to AARP, and we will deliver them at the best opportunity.”
You can obtain the petitions by calling National AARP at 1-888-OUR-AARP. You then just sign them and return them to AARP.
In another option, you can call Congress directly to voice your opinion. You can call Congress directly toll-free at 1-888-722-8514. AARP says, “Make your voice heard. Let’s stop Congress from making harmful cuts to Social Security and Medicare as part of a deal to pay the nation’s bills. Call Congress today…”
Finally, an elderly man is stopped by Police at 1 AM and is asked where he’s going at this time of night. The man says, “I’m going to a lecture about alcohol abuse and the effects it has on the human body.”
The officer asks, “Really? Who is giving that lecture at this time of night?” The man replies, “That would be my wife.”
New Members
Welcome to new members: Barbara Davidson, Martha Keys, Tina Critzer, Betty Soedler, and Helen Jo Cates.
Silent Auction
by Patti Batten
The silent auction netted $112 last month for our charities.
We still need new or gently used items to sell. You may call me at 972-1370 if you need items picked up, or you can bring them to the meeting. The ENTIRE committee will meet at my house for pricing on Wednes-day, August 10, at 10 AM.
My special thanks to the following for their outstanding work on this committee: Jean Molanari, Sharon Webb, Margaret Thode, Karen Kovarik, Ruth Wallace, and Diane Weller. They are there early and arrange the items on the tables, etc., and to the gentlemen who set up the tables and take the items to and from my van. You all are very special, and much appreciated.
For those of you, for whatever reason, cannot come to the meetings, you miss out on a great opportunity to enjoy our great programs, the FUN SILENT AUCTION, and the opportunity to greet old friends and make new ones. Also, you missed my appeal for a NEW CHAIRPERSON, to take over the Auction. Roxanne Kessler and I have done this, in one form or another, for at least 7 years. I love this committee, but I must take the next year off.
The Refreshment committee needs bakers for the next several months. See Alice Grgas at the refreshment table to sign up. Thanks for all your past delicious goodies.
New Yorkers Club activities
9/11 T-shirts are on sale to benefit Sheltering Arms. In honor of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attack, “In Remembrance” T-shirts are on sale for $15 each by the New York Picnic Committee. Contact John at 972-4883 or at JoJanT@verizon.net
Tickets for the September 10 NY Club Picnic can be obtained from the following: John at 972-4883, John at 972-6216, Tony at 972-2016, and Dick at 308-5507. The $15 ticket includes the meal, souvenir booklet, and all supplies. Proceeds will be donated to Sheltering Arms.
Medical News
by Sandy Frame
10 Ways to Boost Your Fruit and Vegetable Intake: With the abundance of summer fruits and vegetables available, now might be a good time to take advantage of the bounty.
Fruit:
1. Blend frozen berries and make your own sorbet. Frozen fruit is always available.
2. Add chopped apple or grapes to salads, or orange
slices to spinach salad. You get your vegetable and your fruit at the same time.
3. Mix peaches, blueberries, or apricots with hot cereal in the morning instead of buying the pre-sweetened varieties.
4. Add raisins or currants to rice dishes, couscous, or stir fries. Cranberries in couscous taste good too.
5. Freeze melon balls or grapes for a healthy snack
instead of potato chips.
Vegetables:
1. Add vegetables when making eggs. Great in omelets.
2. Chop up greens like kale and Swiss chard and add to pasta sauce or meatloaf.
3. Use Bibb lettuce as the “bread” for sandwiches to make a wrap. It’s also a great way to cut calories.
4. Hungry while making dinner? Munch on raw vegetables such as sugar snap peas, green beans or raw broccoli. Much better than crackers or other junk food.
5. Blend vegetable like spinach into smoothies. If you have enough fruit in there, you won’t notice the added green.
From suggestions by Lynn Goldstein, RD found in Food and Fitness Advisor reprinted in Women’s Health Reporter, Volume 12, Number 7, July 2001. eHHH
AARP DRIVE TO END HUNGER
by Kathi Martin and Pat Berry
On Saturday, September 24, LOW AARP, in conjunction with the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, Ruritan, and other organi-zations will hold a food collection, which will benefit the Wilderness Food Pantry.
Last year, LOW AARP donated over 700 pounds of food, and over $700 to the Food Pantry, and this year we have set a goal of 1000 pounds of food.
The need is great; there are more than 100 families using the Pantry, which means about 300 individuals. With summer con-struction jobs and other summer employ-ment winding down in the fall, more people will be needing assistance.
At the August and September meetings, we will be handing out specially marked grocery bags; we hope our members will take two bags each, and fill them up with canned goods and boxed grocery items.
Items needed include peanut butter, jelly, “helpers” and other meal makers, canned vegetables, soups (chicken noodle is a favorite), canned meats (such as tuna, Spam and hash), cereals, and sides (such as boxed potato and pasta dishes).
AARP members wishing to donate money should make checks out to Wilderness Food Pantry, but please turn them in to our committee, so they can be counted and donated all at once.
The actual collection will be at the Club-house lower level parking lot September 24, between the hours of 9 AM and 1 PM. VOLUNTEERS are needed at this location; we’ll work in 2 shifts – 9 -11 AM and 11 AM-1 PM. Volunteers may be needed for other jobs; we’ll let you know! If you have questions, or want to volunteer, please call Kathi (5242) or Pat (3763)
Highlights of the July Meeting by Pam Nalls
· Roberta “Bobbie” Prees will again be leading the AARP team for the July 23 Cardboard Boat Race. This event benefits the Lake Youth Foundation.
· Dick Bradie,TRIAD, advised that the next Neighborhood Watch meeting is scheduled for August 29.
· Kathi Martin spoke regarding this year’s Food Drive for the Wilderness Food Pantry. The event will be held on Saturday, September 24, and participants can also bring donations to the September AARP meeting. Check Perspectives and Lake Currents for more details.
· Ruth Hood is again coordinating the August School Kids Supplies drive. Check Perspectives for more details.
· Alice Grgas announced that volunteers are needed to provide refreshments for the September to November meetings. Sign-up sheets are available on the refreshment table at the monthly meetings.
· The Silent Auction results were announced by Patti Batten. Patti also advised that the Silent Auction Committee is looking for a new Chair person. If interested, please contact members of the Silent Auction Committee.
· Paul Tobin conducted the 50/50 drawing: Dave Kovarik was the winner of $53.50.
Will Social Security/ Medicare Benefits be Cut?
If the current threats by Congress to cut Social Security and Medicare in order to trim the Federal deficit make your blood boil, then you can take action to make your voice heard through National AARP.
AARP has prepared petitions to our Virginia Federal representatives—Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb, and Congressman Eric Cantor—that says in part: “As one of your constituents and as a member of AARP, I urge you to oppose legislation that makes harmful cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits as a means of trimming the Federal deficit.
“There are many forms of ineffective government spending that can be cut, from tax loopholes to pork-barrel spending, but Social Security and Medicare are not among them.”
Barry Rand, AARP Chief Executive Officer, says, “This is undoubtedly one of the most important issues ever addressed by AARP. Return your petitions to AARP, and we will deliver them at the best opportunity.”
You can obtain the petitions by calling National AARP at 1-888-OUR-AARP. You then just sign them and return them to AARP.
In another option, you can call Congress directly to voice your opinion. You can call Congress directly toll-free at 1-888-722-8514. AARP says, “Make your voice heard. Let’s stop Congress from making harmful cuts to Social Security and Medicare as part of a deal to pay the nation’s bills. Call Congress today…”
Finally, an elderly man is stopped by Police at 1 AM and is asked where he’s going at this time of night. The man says, “I’m going to a lecture about alcohol abuse and the effects it has on the human body.”
The officer asks, “Really? Who is giving that lecture at this time of night?” The man replies, “That would be my wife.”
Dick Martin, President
Orange County Tourism is Topic
Orange County Tourism is Topic
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity
Leigh Mawyer, Orange County Services Coordinator, will be the speaker at the next AARP, Chapter 5239 meeting, which will take place on Monday, August 15, at the LOW Clubhouse. Leigh has worked in event planning and coordination for the past 10 years and as the Tourism Services Coordinator at the Orange County Visitors Bureau for over a year. She will bring you up-to-date on tourism in Orange County. If you would like to be a volunteer at the Visitors Bureau, she will let you know how to sign up.
The meeting will begin at 9:30 AM with sweets and coffee followed by the program at10 AM. Everyone is invited to come to another very interesting and informative program.
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS
(Leo and Virgo)
Marie Barrett, Pat Berry, Al Bisset, Anne Boyd, Helen Brewer, Gerlinde Carmona, Kasee Charest, Philip DeSimone, Larry Ervin, Coralaine Ferguson, Lee Frame, Mary Hadley, Carroll Hamilton, Lynn Hein, Betty Hughes, Robert Johnson, Martha Keys, Gloria Kidwell, Connie LeMay, Ruth Lenwell, Virginia Lynch, Marilyn McKay, Vera Moody, Gerald Mueller, Margaret Ostlund, Joan Parnell, Larry Petersen, Mike Pulice, John Rueckert, Ralph Scheuermann, Darlene Seyler, James Shorten, Emily Slunt, Charles Taylor, Harold Thompson, Patricia Watterworth, and Beverly Zabka
SUNSHINE REPORT
by Carolyn Durphy
Get well cards were sent to Doris Velona, Marion Jacobeen, and June Romedy.
Thinking-of-you cards were sent to Delma & Ed Roessler.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
New ‘Screen Wrangler” Needed
George Webb, the Chapter’s Meeting Movie Screen Custodian, had an accident that broke his kneecap. This has forced George to give up bringing the screen to our monthly meetings for the foreseeable future. So we need a replacement.
What’s involved is simple enough: You store the screen in its box in your garage or some other handy place; the Program Committee will alert you to bring the screen to the meeting when it’s needed. And you take it back home after the meeting for storage.
If you can help out your fellow Chapter members by doing this, please call Dick Martin at 972-5242 or email him at Doodoo1066@Verizon.net to volunteer. We will appreciate your help.
Nominating Committee
by Pierre Payette, Director
The chapter nominating committee is seeking potential candidates to run for chapter office. Candidates are needed for Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Directors. If you are interested, or know of someone who is interested in running, please contact Pierre Payette at 972-9519, or 540-226-2871, or Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306, or Pam Nalls at 972-5253.
Donate School Supplies for Needy Kids
by Ruth Hood, Coordinator, School Supplies
Orange County schools will be opening September 6, so what could be a more perfect time to donate school supplies so all of our local students have everything they need to further their education? This is the time to shop—the stores are having “Back to School” sales right now, and many things are available at reduced prices. Guidance Counselors distribute donated items using the free-and-reduced lunch list to identify appropriate students.
Supplies needed in multiples across all grade levels 1 through 6 include: 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; packages of loose-leaf paper (wide ruled, three-hole punched); and hand sanitizer. The supply lists for OC Schools are available at http://www.ocss-va.org/, click on supply lists on right.
Supplies can be brought to the August 15 meeting and will be distributed to OC schools. If you need more information, contact Ruth Hood at 972-3249 or email rhhood@verizon.net.
NOTES, BITS AND PIECESLeigh Mawyer, Orange County Services Coordinator, will be the speaker at the next AARP, Chapter 5239 meeting, which will take place on Monday, August 15, at the LOW Clubhouse. Leigh has worked in event planning and coordination for the past 10 years and as the Tourism Services Coordinator at the Orange County Visitors Bureau for over a year. She will bring you up-to-date on tourism in Orange County. If you would like to be a volunteer at the Visitors Bureau, she will let you know how to sign up.
The meeting will begin at 9:30 AM with sweets and coffee followed by the program at10 AM. Everyone is invited to come to another very interesting and informative program.
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS
(Leo and Virgo)
Marie Barrett, Pat Berry, Al Bisset, Anne Boyd, Helen Brewer, Gerlinde Carmona, Kasee Charest, Philip DeSimone, Larry Ervin, Coralaine Ferguson, Lee Frame, Mary Hadley, Carroll Hamilton, Lynn Hein, Betty Hughes, Robert Johnson, Martha Keys, Gloria Kidwell, Connie LeMay, Ruth Lenwell, Virginia Lynch, Marilyn McKay, Vera Moody, Gerald Mueller, Margaret Ostlund, Joan Parnell, Larry Petersen, Mike Pulice, John Rueckert, Ralph Scheuermann, Darlene Seyler, James Shorten, Emily Slunt, Charles Taylor, Harold Thompson, Patricia Watterworth, and Beverly Zabka
SUNSHINE REPORT
by Carolyn Durphy
Get well cards were sent to Doris Velona, Marion Jacobeen, and June Romedy.
Thinking-of-you cards were sent to Delma & Ed Roessler.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
New ‘Screen Wrangler” Needed
George Webb, the Chapter’s Meeting Movie Screen Custodian, had an accident that broke his kneecap. This has forced George to give up bringing the screen to our monthly meetings for the foreseeable future. So we need a replacement.
What’s involved is simple enough: You store the screen in its box in your garage or some other handy place; the Program Committee will alert you to bring the screen to the meeting when it’s needed. And you take it back home after the meeting for storage.
If you can help out your fellow Chapter members by doing this, please call Dick Martin at 972-5242 or email him at Doodoo1066@Verizon.net to volunteer. We will appreciate your help.
Nominating Committee
by Pierre Payette, Director
The chapter nominating committee is seeking potential candidates to run for chapter office. Candidates are needed for Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Directors. If you are interested, or know of someone who is interested in running, please contact Pierre Payette at 972-9519, or 540-226-2871, or Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306, or Pam Nalls at 972-5253.
Donate School Supplies for Needy Kids
by Ruth Hood, Coordinator, School Supplies
Orange County schools will be opening September 6, so what could be a more perfect time to donate school supplies so all of our local students have everything they need to further their education? This is the time to shop—the stores are having “Back to School” sales right now, and many things are available at reduced prices. Guidance Counselors distribute donated items using the free-and-reduced lunch list to identify appropriate students.
Supplies needed in multiples across all grade levels 1 through 6 include: 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; packages of loose-leaf paper (wide ruled, three-hole punched); and hand sanitizer. The supply lists for OC Schools are available at http://www.ocss-va.org/, click on supply lists on right.
Supplies can be brought to the August 15 meeting and will be distributed to OC schools. If you need more information, contact Ruth Hood at 972-3249 or email rhhood@verizon.net.
New Members
Welcome to new members: Barbara Davidson, Martha Keys, Tina Critzer, Betty Soedler, and Helen Jo Cates.
Silent Auction
by Patti Batten
The silent auction netted $112 last month for our charities.
We still need new or gently used items to sell. You may call me at 972-1370 if you need items picked up, or you can bring them to the meeting. The ENTIRE committee will meet at my house for pricing on Wednes-day, August 10, at 10 AM.
My special thanks to the following for their outstanding work on this committee: Jean Molanari, Sharon Webb, Margaret Thode, Karen Kovarik, Ruth Wallace, and Diane Weller. They are there early and arrange the items on the tables, etc., and to the gentlemen who set up the tables and take the items to and from my van. You all are very special, and much appreciated.
For those of you, for whatever reason, cannot come to the meetings, you miss out on a great opportunity to enjoy our great programs, the FUN SILENT AUCTION, and the opportunity to greet old friends and make new ones. Also, you missed my appeal for a NEW CHAIRPERSON, to take over the Auction. Roxanne Kessler and I have done this, in one form or another, for at least 7 years. I love this committee, but I must take the next year off.
The Refreshment committee needs bakers for the next several months. See Alice Grgas at the refreshment table to sign up. Thanks for all your past delicious goodies.
New Yorkers Club activities
9/11 T-shirts are on sale to benefit Sheltering Arms. In honor of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attack, “In Remembrance” T-shirts are on sale for $15 each by the New York Picnic Committee. Contact John at 972-4883 or at JoJanT@verizon.net
Tickets for the September 10 NY Club Picnic can be obtained from the following: John at 972-4883, John at 972-6216, Tony at 972-2016, and Dick at 308-5507. The $15 ticket includes the meal, souvenir booklet, and all supplies. Proceeds will be donated to Sheltering Arms.
Medical News
by Sandy Frame
10 Ways to Boost Your Fruit and Vegetable Intake: With the abundance of summer fruits and vegetables available, now might be a good time to take advantage of the bounty.
Fruit:
1. Blend frozen berries and make your own sorbet. Frozen fruit is always available.
2. Add chopped apple or grapes to salads, or orange
slices to spinach salad. You get your vegetable and your fruit at the same time.
3. Mix peaches, blueberries, or apricots with hot cereal in the morning instead of buying the pre-sweetened varieties.
4. Add raisins or currants to rice dishes, couscous, or stir fries. Cranberries in couscous taste good too.
5. Freeze melon balls or grapes for a healthy snack
instead of potato chips.
Vegetables:
1. Add vegetables when making eggs. Great in omelets.
2. Chop up greens like kale and Swiss chard and add to pasta sauce or meatloaf.
3. Use Bibb lettuce as the “bread” for sandwiches to make a wrap. It’s also a great way to cut calories.
4. Hungry while making dinner? Munch on raw vegetables such as sugar snap peas, green beans or raw broccoli. Much better than crackers or other junk food.
5. Blend vegetable like spinach into smoothies. If you have enough fruit in there, you won’t notice the added green.
From suggestions by Lynn Goldstein, RD found in Food and Fitness Advisor reprinted in Women’s Health Reporter, Volume 12, Number 7, July 2001. eHHH
AARP DRIVE TO END HUNGER
by Kathi Martin and Pat Berry
On Saturday, September 24, LOW AARP, in conjunction with the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, Ruritan, and other organi-zations will hold a food collection, which will benefit the Wilderness Food Pantry.
Last year, LOW AARP donated over 700 pounds of food, and over $700 to the Food Pantry, and this year we have set a goal of 1000 pounds of food.
The need is great; there are more than 100 families using the Pantry, which means about 300 individuals. With summer con-struction jobs and other summer employ-ment winding down in the fall, more people will be needing assistance.
At the August and September meetings, we will be handing out specially marked grocery bags; we hope our members will take two bags each, and fill them up with canned goods and boxed grocery items.
Items needed include peanut butter, jelly, “helpers” and other meal makers, canned vegetables, soups (chicken noodle is a favorite), canned meats (such as tuna, Spam and hash), cereals, and sides (such as boxed potato and pasta dishes).
AARP members wishing to donate money should make checks out to Wilderness Food Pantry, but please turn them in to our committee, so they can be counted and donated all at once.
The actual collection will be at the Club-house lower level parking lot September 24, between the hours of 9 AM and 1 PM. VOLUNTEERS are needed at this location; we’ll work in 2 shifts – 9 -11 AM and 11 AM-1 PM. Volunteers may be needed for other jobs; we’ll let you know! If you have questions, or want to volunteer, please call Kathi (5242) or Pat (3763)
Highlights of the July Meeting by Pam Nalls
· Roberta “Bobbie” Prees will again be leading the AARP team for the July 23 Cardboard Boat Race. This event benefits the Lake Youth Foundation.
· Dick Bradie,TRIAD, advised that the next Neighborhood Watch meeting is scheduled for August 29.
· Kathi Martin spoke regarding this year’s Food Drive for the Wilderness Food Pantry. The event will be held on Saturday, September 24, and participants can also bring donations to the September AARP meeting. Check Perspectives and Lake Currents for more details.
· Ruth Hood is again coordinating the August School Kids Supplies drive. Check Perspectives for more details.
· Alice Grgas announced that volunteers are needed to provide refreshments for the September to November meetings. Sign-up sheets are available on the refreshment table at the monthly meetings.
· The Silent Auction results were announced by Patti Batten. Patti also advised that the Silent Auction Committee is looking for a new Chair person. If interested, please contact members of the Silent Auction Committee.
· Paul Tobin conducted the 50/50 drawing: Dave Kovarik was the winner of $53.50.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
July Newsletter
New Chapter Email
If you have not sent a note with your name to aarp5239@gmail.com, please do so. We are creating an email list just for our chapter. In the future if you change your email, send changes to aarp5239@gmail.com.
Let the Good Times Roll!
What a great get-together and fun time was had at the Chapter’s Annual June Picnic on the 20th. Because of the rain, the event was moved from the Sweetbriar Pavilion to the LOW Community Center…and despite the rain, a record crowd of members showed up to mix-and-mingle and share fellowship time and great food with each other.
Our thanks once again go to Gil and Lucy Churchill, our outstanding Refreshment Chairs…to the hamburger and hot dog chefs who braved the mist and rain to provide the mouth-watering hot meats…to Joe McEuen for smoothly handling the last-minute table-and-chair setup change from outside to inside…and to the many, many volunteer-helpers and dish-sharers for putting on such a relaxed, enjoyable, and tasty Chapter picnic. Great work, all, and well done!
Looking to upcoming events, the AARP Board Meeting will be held Monday, July 11, starting at 10 AM at the Wilderness Library. Chapter Officers and Directors and Committee Heads are encouraged to attend these Board Meetings. The meetings are also open for any members who may want to bring problems or service opportunities to the attention of the Board for possible action.
Then plan to come to Sailboat Beach by the Clubhouse on Saturday, July 23, to watch Bobbie Prees once again represent AARP Chapter 5239 in the Lake Youth Foundation’s annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. The fun starts at 11:30 AM. Bobbie won First Place for us last year in our race category, so she’s the early odds-on favorite to win again this year. Let’s all plan to show up to cheer Bobbie on to another watery victory.
Finally, our neighbor is a pretty blonde who can be quite dense about things. She complained the other day that her internet provider had rejected her password, even though she had followed the rules. What password did you use? we asked.
“MickeyMinniePlutoHueyLouieDeweyDonald GoofyRichmond.”
Why did you submit such a long, long password?
“They said it had to be eight characters long and include at least one capital.”
Dick Martin, President
McKees Discuss Conservation Program
by Carolyn Wray
The next meeting of AARP Chapter 5239 will take place on Monday, July 18, at the LOW Clubhouse. The meeting will begin at 9:30 AM with sweets and coffee followed by the program at 10 AM. The speakers will be Lynn and Dave McKee, volunteers at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), a 3,200-acre facility located in Front Royal, Virginia.
They will be presenting an overview of the Institute, which supports the Smithsonian’s effort to conserve species and train future generations of conservationists. Staff at this location facilitate and promote research programs at Front Royal, at the National Zoo in Washington, DC, and at field-research and training sites around the world.
The SCBI houses about thirty endangered species of animals, and Lynn and Dave will be discussing the breeding programs and survival plans for Black Footed Ferrets, Clouded Leopards, Red-Crowned and White-Naped Cranes, Scimitar Horned Oryx, Przewalski’s Horses, and Cheetahs.
This should be a most interesting program and everyone is invited to come.
July Birthdays (Cancer and Leo)
Karen Anderson, Tony Aris, Bernie Arnold, Julia Barnes, Joann Batten, Bonnie Boelke, Richard Costanzo, Sue Dickinson, Barbara Drumheller, Gayle Fargo, Sandra Frame, Gene Jacobs, Janet Jacobs, Bob Jenks, Rima Laviano, Jim Lemieux, Sandi McNeilly, Ursula Medwid, Bernie Palowitch, Ruth Pavlik, Delma Roessler, Patrick Rowland, Doris Schluter, Margaret Thode, Sharon Webb, Diane Weller, and Verna Wescott
SUNSHINE REPORT
by Carolyn Durphy
Sympathy cards were sent to twins Sandy McNeilly & Sharon Webb on the loss of their mother.
Get well cards were sent to Virginia Bayer, Joe Noland, and Joyce Richter.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
A good time was had by all…
by Bob Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator, Day of Service
Wednesday May 18 and Thursday, May 19, 2011, were our “Volunteer Service Days.” First, thanks to all of you who volunteered and accomplished a huge service to our community. My count shows 70 people contributed 292 hours of service. This is slightly ahead of last year and well over our goal of 10% of the members and almost as many hours as last year.
I am including the contact information for the organizations. These organizations need help all year long—not just the two days we work as teams. If you are interested, call them directly and arrange a time to volunteer. Some of the reports I’ve received:
TRIAD: Dick and Kathleen Bradie (aceboggs@ comcast.net). Seven volunteers were able to complete all of the admin work (yellow dots), and a good time was had by all!
Dogwood Village/Orange County Nursing Home. (Patti Talley, Director, ptalley@dogwoodvillageocva. org). Barbara Ehlan, Skip and Joy Poole, Peggy Grella, and Joyce Breeden assisted residents in planting geraniums on the facility’s patio and terrace.
Orange County Animal Shelter (Betty Hughes hughesbj@comcast.net). Seven people (Ann Walker, Chris Grimley, Peggy Cooke, Bobbie Prees, John and Betty Hughes created 900 mailings for fundraising. This is the second year a vital task was completed. A “job well done.”
Wilderness Food Pantry (Betty Beck bbmarlpat@ aol.com).
Orange County Historical Society Paul Carter (pjlitterbox@peoplepc.com )
Sheltering Arms: Marian and Frank Jacobeen (jacobeen@juno.com). Eleven volunteers accomplished quite a bit: boarded up a broken window in the men's bedroom, organized the cabinet in the upper hall by contents, and reorganized and purged the freezers. Three of the men did outside work—grass cutting, trimming bushes and other needed work. It was a good day’s work! Frank Jacobeen shared that he still has carpenter work to do.
Wilderness Battlefield Shelter. Bob Johnson (bjohn913@comcast.net) The National Park Service spent quite a few dollars to paint the original Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) building (ca. 1930) and replace the roof. John Trach, Dorse Counts, Wade Aylor, Aggie Mucciacciano, and I cut weeds and raked leaves to make it safer (from brush fires) and more beautiful (can an old brown building be beautiful?).
Services to Abused Families (SAFE). Karen Brown (kbrown.safe@gmail.com) Pam Nalls, Dorse Counts, and Bob Johnson removed and painted 26 kitchen cabinet doors and drawers, installed new hardware, and reinstalled the fronts.
Photography: Thanks to Dick Durphy and Ralph Scheuermann for picking up and delivering lunches, and for taking pictures of the teams.
Lunches: Bonnie Boelke took charge of the lunch project. Bobby Prees, Vi Liberti, and Jane Tobin were done by 8:30—well before the deadline. As a consumer of one of the lunches, I can attest they were delicious, nutritious, and very welcome in the field.
Another note about the AARP picnic on June 20. We had hamburgers, hot dogs, and buns left over. Kathleen Bradie asked me if I could take them to the Germanna Heights Apartments (I help with a Sunday service there). Darlene Sayler added her pot of wonderful home-made beans. Due to your generosity, they had a wonderful cookout. Those who missed our picnic missed the best hamburgers made fresh by Lucy Churchill and her team of burger busters.
I’ve tried to get all volunteers and contacts names as best I can, but this task is like herding cats—you all are so busy and so talented, it is hard to get all the facts straight. If I’ve made a mistake or omission, please forgive me. Until next year.
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
New Members
We welcome Florence Ramey and Lee Mintz who joined as new members in June.
Silent Auction
by Patti Batten
The Silent Auction Committee has benefited from two recent “LIVING ESTATE SALES.” We will meet shortly after July 4 to price and prepare for the July Silent Auction.
The tables are set up at 9:30 AM to give you time to select the items before the meeting starts. If you have any new or gently used, clean items you want to donate, you may bring them to the meeting or call Patti at 972-1370, Jean at 972-8310, Margaret at 972-5540, Diane at 972-2078 or Karen at 972-7866 for pick up
The Refreshment committee needs bakers for the next several months. See Alice Grgas at the refreshment table to sign up. Thanks for all your past delicious goodies.
New Yorkers Club activities
9/11 T-shirts are on sale to benefit Sheltering Arms. In honor of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attack, “In Remembrance” T-shirts are on sale for $15 each by the New York Picnic Committee. Contact John at 972-4883 or at JoJanT@verizon.net
Tickets for the September 10 NY Club Picnic can be obtained from the following: John at 972-4883, John at 972-6216, Tony at 972-2016, and Dick at 308-5507. The $15 ticket includes the meal, souvenir booklet, and all supplies. Proceeds will be donated to Sheltering Arms.
Medical News
by Sandy Frame
Are you always tired? Not getting enough quality sleep can be one of the reasons. For most people seven or eight hours is ideal. If you have trouble getting enough sleep, these are some of the suggestions from Focus on Healthy Aging.
· Set a designated sleep and wake time and stick to that schedule every day of the week.
· Avoid stimulants such as caffeine especially after dinner.
· Create a quiet, peaceful sleep environ-ment. Do not watch television in the bedroom.
· Get regular exercise during the day (at least 30 minutes most days) but not heavy in the evening. You can find exercises to do in a chair if you are limited in mobility.
· If you take medication that makes you drowsy, take it in the evening if you can.
· Do not use alcohol as sleep medication.
From “Focus on Aging,” Women’s Health Reporter, Volume12, #6, June 2011.
Legislative News
by Pat Berry
Last month I wrote that the State of Virginia was preparing to launch an online registry for Advance Directives. Well, I guess you all know that the legislative process is slow and deliberative. I asked for status and found that the regs are waiting for approval from the Governor’s office. Once that is done they will need to be approved by the Registrar and be placed into a public comment period. That period is 30 days in duration. Can we all say maybe September?
Meanwhile, I’d like to mention a database sponsored by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that allows consumers for the first time to view safety complaints that other people have filed against specific products. After major recalls of children’s products and toys in 2007, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 granted the CPSC authority to make the information it collects available to the public. The result was the creation of an online resource of comments from real people, not just company public relations departments. For example, if you type in "refrigerator," you will get a list of formal recalls and also specific complaints that previous buyers have filed concerning the appliances. To review a product, go to www.SaferProducts.gov. Consumers who visit the database can also file safety com-plaints of their own against a wide range of products. To register a complaint, you must provide your name, the name of the manu-facturer and model number, as well as other key information. Become an active partner in consumer affairs by sharing your comments with this national audience.
If you have not sent a note with your name to aarp5239@gmail.com, please do so. We are creating an email list just for our chapter. In the future if you change your email, send changes to aarp5239@gmail.com.
Let the Good Times Roll!
What a great get-together and fun time was had at the Chapter’s Annual June Picnic on the 20th. Because of the rain, the event was moved from the Sweetbriar Pavilion to the LOW Community Center…and despite the rain, a record crowd of members showed up to mix-and-mingle and share fellowship time and great food with each other.
Our thanks once again go to Gil and Lucy Churchill, our outstanding Refreshment Chairs…to the hamburger and hot dog chefs who braved the mist and rain to provide the mouth-watering hot meats…to Joe McEuen for smoothly handling the last-minute table-and-chair setup change from outside to inside…and to the many, many volunteer-helpers and dish-sharers for putting on such a relaxed, enjoyable, and tasty Chapter picnic. Great work, all, and well done!
Looking to upcoming events, the AARP Board Meeting will be held Monday, July 11, starting at 10 AM at the Wilderness Library. Chapter Officers and Directors and Committee Heads are encouraged to attend these Board Meetings. The meetings are also open for any members who may want to bring problems or service opportunities to the attention of the Board for possible action.
Then plan to come to Sailboat Beach by the Clubhouse on Saturday, July 23, to watch Bobbie Prees once again represent AARP Chapter 5239 in the Lake Youth Foundation’s annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. The fun starts at 11:30 AM. Bobbie won First Place for us last year in our race category, so she’s the early odds-on favorite to win again this year. Let’s all plan to show up to cheer Bobbie on to another watery victory.
Finally, our neighbor is a pretty blonde who can be quite dense about things. She complained the other day that her internet provider had rejected her password, even though she had followed the rules. What password did you use? we asked.
“MickeyMinniePlutoHueyLouieDeweyDonald GoofyRichmond.”
Why did you submit such a long, long password?
“They said it had to be eight characters long and include at least one capital.”
Dick Martin, President
McKees Discuss Conservation Program
by Carolyn Wray
The next meeting of AARP Chapter 5239 will take place on Monday, July 18, at the LOW Clubhouse. The meeting will begin at 9:30 AM with sweets and coffee followed by the program at 10 AM. The speakers will be Lynn and Dave McKee, volunteers at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), a 3,200-acre facility located in Front Royal, Virginia.
They will be presenting an overview of the Institute, which supports the Smithsonian’s effort to conserve species and train future generations of conservationists. Staff at this location facilitate and promote research programs at Front Royal, at the National Zoo in Washington, DC, and at field-research and training sites around the world.
The SCBI houses about thirty endangered species of animals, and Lynn and Dave will be discussing the breeding programs and survival plans for Black Footed Ferrets, Clouded Leopards, Red-Crowned and White-Naped Cranes, Scimitar Horned Oryx, Przewalski’s Horses, and Cheetahs.
This should be a most interesting program and everyone is invited to come.
July Birthdays (Cancer and Leo)
Karen Anderson, Tony Aris, Bernie Arnold, Julia Barnes, Joann Batten, Bonnie Boelke, Richard Costanzo, Sue Dickinson, Barbara Drumheller, Gayle Fargo, Sandra Frame, Gene Jacobs, Janet Jacobs, Bob Jenks, Rima Laviano, Jim Lemieux, Sandi McNeilly, Ursula Medwid, Bernie Palowitch, Ruth Pavlik, Delma Roessler, Patrick Rowland, Doris Schluter, Margaret Thode, Sharon Webb, Diane Weller, and Verna Wescott
SUNSHINE REPORT
by Carolyn Durphy
Sympathy cards were sent to twins Sandy McNeilly & Sharon Webb on the loss of their mother.
Get well cards were sent to Virginia Bayer, Joe Noland, and Joyce Richter.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
A good time was had by all…
by Bob Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator, Day of Service
Wednesday May 18 and Thursday, May 19, 2011, were our “Volunteer Service Days.” First, thanks to all of you who volunteered and accomplished a huge service to our community. My count shows 70 people contributed 292 hours of service. This is slightly ahead of last year and well over our goal of 10% of the members and almost as many hours as last year.
I am including the contact information for the organizations. These organizations need help all year long—not just the two days we work as teams. If you are interested, call them directly and arrange a time to volunteer. Some of the reports I’ve received:
TRIAD: Dick and Kathleen Bradie (aceboggs@ comcast.net). Seven volunteers were able to complete all of the admin work (yellow dots), and a good time was had by all!
Dogwood Village/Orange County Nursing Home. (Patti Talley, Director, ptalley@dogwoodvillageocva. org). Barbara Ehlan, Skip and Joy Poole, Peggy Grella, and Joyce Breeden assisted residents in planting geraniums on the facility’s patio and terrace.
Orange County Animal Shelter (Betty Hughes hughesbj@comcast.net). Seven people (Ann Walker, Chris Grimley, Peggy Cooke, Bobbie Prees, John and Betty Hughes created 900 mailings for fundraising. This is the second year a vital task was completed. A “job well done.”
Wilderness Food Pantry (Betty Beck bbmarlpat@ aol.com).
Orange County Historical Society Paul Carter (pjlitterbox@peoplepc.com )
Sheltering Arms: Marian and Frank Jacobeen (jacobeen@juno.com). Eleven volunteers accomplished quite a bit: boarded up a broken window in the men's bedroom, organized the cabinet in the upper hall by contents, and reorganized and purged the freezers. Three of the men did outside work—grass cutting, trimming bushes and other needed work. It was a good day’s work! Frank Jacobeen shared that he still has carpenter work to do.
Wilderness Battlefield Shelter. Bob Johnson (bjohn913@comcast.net) The National Park Service spent quite a few dollars to paint the original Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) building (ca. 1930) and replace the roof. John Trach, Dorse Counts, Wade Aylor, Aggie Mucciacciano, and I cut weeds and raked leaves to make it safer (from brush fires) and more beautiful (can an old brown building be beautiful?).
Services to Abused Families (SAFE). Karen Brown (kbrown.safe@gmail.com) Pam Nalls, Dorse Counts, and Bob Johnson removed and painted 26 kitchen cabinet doors and drawers, installed new hardware, and reinstalled the fronts.
Photography: Thanks to Dick Durphy and Ralph Scheuermann for picking up and delivering lunches, and for taking pictures of the teams.
Lunches: Bonnie Boelke took charge of the lunch project. Bobby Prees, Vi Liberti, and Jane Tobin were done by 8:30—well before the deadline. As a consumer of one of the lunches, I can attest they were delicious, nutritious, and very welcome in the field.
Another note about the AARP picnic on June 20. We had hamburgers, hot dogs, and buns left over. Kathleen Bradie asked me if I could take them to the Germanna Heights Apartments (I help with a Sunday service there). Darlene Sayler added her pot of wonderful home-made beans. Due to your generosity, they had a wonderful cookout. Those who missed our picnic missed the best hamburgers made fresh by Lucy Churchill and her team of burger busters.
I’ve tried to get all volunteers and contacts names as best I can, but this task is like herding cats—you all are so busy and so talented, it is hard to get all the facts straight. If I’ve made a mistake or omission, please forgive me. Until next year.
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
New Members
We welcome Florence Ramey and Lee Mintz who joined as new members in June.
Silent Auction
by Patti Batten
The Silent Auction Committee has benefited from two recent “LIVING ESTATE SALES.” We will meet shortly after July 4 to price and prepare for the July Silent Auction.
The tables are set up at 9:30 AM to give you time to select the items before the meeting starts. If you have any new or gently used, clean items you want to donate, you may bring them to the meeting or call Patti at 972-1370, Jean at 972-8310, Margaret at 972-5540, Diane at 972-2078 or Karen at 972-7866 for pick up
The Refreshment committee needs bakers for the next several months. See Alice Grgas at the refreshment table to sign up. Thanks for all your past delicious goodies.
New Yorkers Club activities
9/11 T-shirts are on sale to benefit Sheltering Arms. In honor of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attack, “In Remembrance” T-shirts are on sale for $15 each by the New York Picnic Committee. Contact John at 972-4883 or at JoJanT@verizon.net
Tickets for the September 10 NY Club Picnic can be obtained from the following: John at 972-4883, John at 972-6216, Tony at 972-2016, and Dick at 308-5507. The $15 ticket includes the meal, souvenir booklet, and all supplies. Proceeds will be donated to Sheltering Arms.
Medical News
by Sandy Frame
Are you always tired? Not getting enough quality sleep can be one of the reasons. For most people seven or eight hours is ideal. If you have trouble getting enough sleep, these are some of the suggestions from Focus on Healthy Aging.
· Set a designated sleep and wake time and stick to that schedule every day of the week.
· Avoid stimulants such as caffeine especially after dinner.
· Create a quiet, peaceful sleep environ-ment. Do not watch television in the bedroom.
· Get regular exercise during the day (at least 30 minutes most days) but not heavy in the evening. You can find exercises to do in a chair if you are limited in mobility.
· If you take medication that makes you drowsy, take it in the evening if you can.
· Do not use alcohol as sleep medication.
From “Focus on Aging,” Women’s Health Reporter, Volume12, #6, June 2011.
Legislative News
by Pat Berry
Last month I wrote that the State of Virginia was preparing to launch an online registry for Advance Directives. Well, I guess you all know that the legislative process is slow and deliberative. I asked for status and found that the regs are waiting for approval from the Governor’s office. Once that is done they will need to be approved by the Registrar and be placed into a public comment period. That period is 30 days in duration. Can we all say maybe September?
Meanwhile, I’d like to mention a database sponsored by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that allows consumers for the first time to view safety complaints that other people have filed against specific products. After major recalls of children’s products and toys in 2007, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 granted the CPSC authority to make the information it collects available to the public. The result was the creation of an online resource of comments from real people, not just company public relations departments. For example, if you type in "refrigerator," you will get a list of formal recalls and also specific complaints that previous buyers have filed concerning the appliances. To review a product, go to www.SaferProducts.gov. Consumers who visit the database can also file safety com-plaints of their own against a wide range of products. To register a complaint, you must provide your name, the name of the manu-facturer and model number, as well as other key information. Become an active partner in consumer affairs by sharing your comments with this national audience.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
June Newsletter
Picnic…Honors…Swimsuit Time
The relaxed, easy-going “Sweet Summer” is at long-last about to be with us. This means it’s time for enjoying the daily warmth and “slow-down” attitude of our daily grind.
Our Chapter’s Annual Picnic is scheduled for Monday, June 20, in the Lion George Lewis Pavilion at Sweetbriar Park. The Chapter will again provide the hamburgers and hot dogs, and lemon-ade. Members will provide the side-dishes, salads, and desserts to be shared by all. Food lines will open at 11:30 AM, so please arrange to have your foods at the Pavilion some time before then for setting out on the buffet tables.
June is also the time for submitting our nominations of Chapter members and groups to LOWA for their annual Honor Awards, “designed to recognize individuals and groups for volunteer contributions to the welfare of Lake of the Woods residents.” We did an informa-tional emailing on the Honor Awards recently to members.
Nominations close Thursday, June 30, and awards are presented at the annual LOWA meeting on Labor Day weekend. Nomination forms (fully filled out with reasons why the nominee should be honored) are available at the Holcomb Building or online at www.lowa.org . Or you can email your nominations to me Doodoo1066@Verizon.net to coordinate through the Chapter Nominations Committee, and we’ll handle submitting everything to LOWA for their consideration.
And June means “Swimsuit Time” at our pools and lakes. And that brings an unhappy “oh-oh” from many of us when we first put on our swim suits. If re-adjusting your eating habits is in order to better fit a swimsuit, log on to www.mypyramid.gov and then click on “MyPyramid Plan.” Fill in the requested details to find the best amount of each food group you should eat daily to be slim, trim, and svelte.
Finally, a guy was sitting at the Fareways Snack Bar, looking sad as he sipped his coffee. A friend saw him and asked, “What’s wrong? Why are you looking so gloomy today?”
“My wife and I got into a fight and she said she wouldn’t talk to me for a month.”
“What’s wrong with that?” the friend asked.
“The month is up tonight!”
Dick Martin, President
AARP Annual June Picnic
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity, AARP Chapter 5239
AARP Chapter 5239 will hold its annual picnic on Monday, June 20, rain or shine at the Lion George Lewis Pavilion in Sweetbriar Park. This popular event will start at 11:30 AM. Hamburgers, hot dogs, beverages, paper goods, and utensils will be provided by the AARP Club. Members are requested to bring their favorite potluck dishes, casseroles, salads, or desserts to share with everyone.
This is a very special social event for all to meet and greet old friends and meet new ones. It is fun to share stories and new jokes and good food. Please come and bring a friend.
JUNE BIRTHDAY--(Gemini and Cancer)
Sal Buccola, Connie Buttimer, Ida Cangelos, Philip Carmona, Lucy Churchill, Robert Cooke, Marva Culp, Ralph Daehnke, Richard Durphy, Nell Grimley, Marian Hamilton, Joanne Hewitson, Sibyle Jenks, Roxanne Kessler, Chuck King, Rina Lacey, William Mason, Nancy Miller, Jan Moore, Eugene Ostlund, June Pataky, Craig Rains, June Romedy, Bonnie Rowan, Judy Schrage, Sheila Souther, Donna Stanford, Marilyn Gramm Sunkel, Ginny Thoms, John Trach, Sandy Wemmerus, and Carolyn Wray
NEW MEMBERS
We welcome Martha Foote, Jane Wilde, Jim and Jan Lemieux, and Joe Wright who joined as new members in May.
SUNSHINE REPORT
A sympathy card was sent to Dick Berra on the loss of his wife Helen.
Get well cards were sent to Kathleen Brady and Kathleen Martin.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
AARP Day of Service
by Bob Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator
Wednesday and Thursday, May 18-19, were our Volunteer Service days. First, thanks to all of you who volunteered and accom-plished a huge service to our community.
While the final report and pictures are not tallied yet, I’m sure we met our goal of 10% participation by our members. Many were off to graduations of children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren, which proved family comes first.
Just a reminder to leaders of the projects—please send me a report of your accomplish-ments and even your challenges for next year’s planning. Photographers—send me the pictures or give them to me on a CD.
From what I know already, we served TRIAD, the SAFE house in Culpeper, and the Wilderness Battlefield by doing tasks they either could not do or did not have the time or resources to do. Bonnie Boelke stepped up to the challenge to do lunches and had wonderful assistance from others. Speaking for myself, the lunches were absolutely the right thing at the right time!
I’ll get a report and some pictures out later, but until then, THANKS to all!
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
Silent Auction by Patti Batten
Thanks to Ruth Wallace, Diane Weller & Jean Molinari for doing the Silent Auction for the month of May. I understand they made over $100.
We will not have a silent auction in June, due to the picnic. You may bring your new or gently used items for the July silent auction to the picnic, or call Patti at 972-1370 to have them picked up.
Email Guru Sought
Wanted – Email savvy member who would be willing to keep chapter email list up to date and to periodically send out notices of interest to members. AARP Chapter 5239 uses emails to alert members to upcoming events and happenings.
Joe Diamondstein, who has served our chapter as newsletter editor and as email contact for many years, has decided to step down. Out thanks to Joe for his dedication to keeping our chapter well informed.
What is Woods Cares?
by Janet Terry and Jeanette Embrey,
Co-Chairs of AARP's Woods Cares
Woods Cares is a group of AARP volunteers helping individuals within or near Lake of the Woods who are shut-ins, caregivers of shut-ins, or those in need for Some other reason. We have been serving our community members for the past 10 years. There are approximately 45 AARP members who have volunteered their time and/or talents. These individuals are all over the age of 50. Most of them are 60-, 70-, and 80-year-olds, who continue to be of service to their neighbors.
Services provided in the past have consisted of transporting people to doctor's appointments, dialysis or cancer treatments, the grocery store, or beauty appointments, and picking up prescriptions, or running other errands. Other helpful tasks have included simple plumbing repairs, small appliance repairs, raking leaves, and transporting trash to the compactor. We have also visited with shut-ins to give their caregivers a break. This list represents a sample of what you may need us to do for you. Remember, this is a free service.
If you would like to be a volunteer or know of someone who has need of our services, please contact one of our committee persons, and they will endeavor to find a person to help. Right now we are in urgent need of additional volunteers to drive several persons to dialysis weekly. With enough volunteers, each person would only need to drive once a month or less. For information and/or to volunteer, please call: Gail at 972-7436; Pat at 972-9223, Marion at 972-4085; Jeanette at 972-0726; or Janet at 972-1957.
Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated. Our AARP motto is, "The Power to Make it Better."
LEGISLATIVE REPORT
by Pat Berry
With all the other headlines shrieking at us about the world situation, it’s likely that you missed the passage of the Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990. With that piece of legislation, Congress affirmed the right of every citizen to document his or her future healthcare wishes in writing with an “advance directive.” And now the Virginia Department of Health is preparing on online registry for advance directives that will offer secure storage of documents that protect your legal rights and ensure your medical wishes are honored if you are unable to manage your own care.
Such a registry would verify the type of care you want extended during an incapacitating condition, identify the person/people who can make decisions for you, communicate your wishes to those involved in your care and provide documentation for these personal health care decisions.
MORE ON THE SHINGLES VACCINE
by Sandie Frame
Sally Lyddane wrote to tell me that Medicare Part D coverage does pay a portion of the cost of the Zostavax. You have to have the prescription written by your M.D., as for any other drug, then send it in to your Part D provider. They send the vaccine to your physician, in your name, and then you get it from your physician.
I am not sure whether Part B will pay any part of the fee for the administration of the vaccine. Sally’s Part D provider had a co-pay of $40. Another source is the Health Depart-ment. Previously they were giving it free; however, this time they will be charging $200 for the vaccine. You can check to see if there will be any change in that policy. Their number is 672-1291.
Dick Brady found out that if you are being cared for under the VA umbrella you can get the vaccine from them. Walgreen’s has an ad on their window that they now provide the vaccine and will accept Medicare Part D. You can check with them to see what steps you have to take before receiving the vaccine through them. If anyone else knows of other sources, please let me know and we can let others know at the next meeting.
It’s Getting Closer
by Dick Bradie, New York Picnic Committee
What’s getting closer, you may ask? The New York Picnic, of course. Because of the 10-year Anniversary of the 911 tragedy, and since all Americans have been touched by the events of that dark day in 2001, we are inviting everyone to the NY Picnic. Ticket sales will commence soon (contacts for purchase of tickets will be announced in an upcoming Lake Currents) and will continue until we have reached the maximum for the Sweetbriar Park Pavilion. Remember the date—September 10, 2011, starting at Noon. Our caterer, Elmwood at Sparks, will be supplying the meal. The $15 ticket price includes the meal, a souvenir journal, and all supplies and decorations. The meal will be two salads, two entrées, breads with spread, and dessert. Coffee will be supplied; you are encouraged to bring any other drinks you would like to have.
Any profits realized will be donated to Sheltering Arms in Orange
Highlights of the May Meeting by Pam Nalls
- Roberta “Bobbie” Prees will again be leading the AARP team for the July Cardboard Boat Race, which benefits the Lake Youth Foundation. Volunteers are needed for construction. Please contact Bobbie at 972-4225.
-Dwight Mottet, Chair of the Chicken BBQ Committee, announced that Tom Hamilton will again serve as Co-Chair for the annual November Election Day BBQ. Dwight noted that this function requires approximately 120 member volunteers and has previously raised around $2,500 for charity. So, get ready to lend a hand for this important charity event.
-The Silent Auction took in $147.
-Paul Tobin conducted the 50/50 drawing; John Trach was the winner of $53.50.
-June 20 is the annual AARP picnic to be held at Sweetbriar Pavilion and commencing at 11:30AM.
The relaxed, easy-going “Sweet Summer” is at long-last about to be with us. This means it’s time for enjoying the daily warmth and “slow-down” attitude of our daily grind.
Our Chapter’s Annual Picnic is scheduled for Monday, June 20, in the Lion George Lewis Pavilion at Sweetbriar Park. The Chapter will again provide the hamburgers and hot dogs, and lemon-ade. Members will provide the side-dishes, salads, and desserts to be shared by all. Food lines will open at 11:30 AM, so please arrange to have your foods at the Pavilion some time before then for setting out on the buffet tables.
June is also the time for submitting our nominations of Chapter members and groups to LOWA for their annual Honor Awards, “designed to recognize individuals and groups for volunteer contributions to the welfare of Lake of the Woods residents.” We did an informa-tional emailing on the Honor Awards recently to members.
Nominations close Thursday, June 30, and awards are presented at the annual LOWA meeting on Labor Day weekend. Nomination forms (fully filled out with reasons why the nominee should be honored) are available at the Holcomb Building or online at www.lowa.org . Or you can email your nominations to me Doodoo1066@Verizon.net to coordinate through the Chapter Nominations Committee, and we’ll handle submitting everything to LOWA for their consideration.
And June means “Swimsuit Time” at our pools and lakes. And that brings an unhappy “oh-oh” from many of us when we first put on our swim suits. If re-adjusting your eating habits is in order to better fit a swimsuit, log on to www.mypyramid.gov and then click on “MyPyramid Plan.” Fill in the requested details to find the best amount of each food group you should eat daily to be slim, trim, and svelte.
Finally, a guy was sitting at the Fareways Snack Bar, looking sad as he sipped his coffee. A friend saw him and asked, “What’s wrong? Why are you looking so gloomy today?”
“My wife and I got into a fight and she said she wouldn’t talk to me for a month.”
“What’s wrong with that?” the friend asked.
“The month is up tonight!”
Dick Martin, President
AARP Annual June Picnic
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity, AARP Chapter 5239
AARP Chapter 5239 will hold its annual picnic on Monday, June 20, rain or shine at the Lion George Lewis Pavilion in Sweetbriar Park. This popular event will start at 11:30 AM. Hamburgers, hot dogs, beverages, paper goods, and utensils will be provided by the AARP Club. Members are requested to bring their favorite potluck dishes, casseroles, salads, or desserts to share with everyone.
This is a very special social event for all to meet and greet old friends and meet new ones. It is fun to share stories and new jokes and good food. Please come and bring a friend.
JUNE BIRTHDAY--(Gemini and Cancer)
Sal Buccola, Connie Buttimer, Ida Cangelos, Philip Carmona, Lucy Churchill, Robert Cooke, Marva Culp, Ralph Daehnke, Richard Durphy, Nell Grimley, Marian Hamilton, Joanne Hewitson, Sibyle Jenks, Roxanne Kessler, Chuck King, Rina Lacey, William Mason, Nancy Miller, Jan Moore, Eugene Ostlund, June Pataky, Craig Rains, June Romedy, Bonnie Rowan, Judy Schrage, Sheila Souther, Donna Stanford, Marilyn Gramm Sunkel, Ginny Thoms, John Trach, Sandy Wemmerus, and Carolyn Wray
NEW MEMBERS
We welcome Martha Foote, Jane Wilde, Jim and Jan Lemieux, and Joe Wright who joined as new members in May.
SUNSHINE REPORT
A sympathy card was sent to Dick Berra on the loss of his wife Helen.
Get well cards were sent to Kathleen Brady and Kathleen Martin.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
AARP Day of Service
by Bob Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator
Wednesday and Thursday, May 18-19, were our Volunteer Service days. First, thanks to all of you who volunteered and accom-plished a huge service to our community.
While the final report and pictures are not tallied yet, I’m sure we met our goal of 10% participation by our members. Many were off to graduations of children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren, which proved family comes first.
Just a reminder to leaders of the projects—please send me a report of your accomplish-ments and even your challenges for next year’s planning. Photographers—send me the pictures or give them to me on a CD.
From what I know already, we served TRIAD, the SAFE house in Culpeper, and the Wilderness Battlefield by doing tasks they either could not do or did not have the time or resources to do. Bonnie Boelke stepped up to the challenge to do lunches and had wonderful assistance from others. Speaking for myself, the lunches were absolutely the right thing at the right time!
I’ll get a report and some pictures out later, but until then, THANKS to all!
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
Silent Auction by Patti Batten
Thanks to Ruth Wallace, Diane Weller & Jean Molinari for doing the Silent Auction for the month of May. I understand they made over $100.
We will not have a silent auction in June, due to the picnic. You may bring your new or gently used items for the July silent auction to the picnic, or call Patti at 972-1370 to have them picked up.
Email Guru Sought
Wanted – Email savvy member who would be willing to keep chapter email list up to date and to periodically send out notices of interest to members. AARP Chapter 5239 uses emails to alert members to upcoming events and happenings.
Joe Diamondstein, who has served our chapter as newsletter editor and as email contact for many years, has decided to step down. Out thanks to Joe for his dedication to keeping our chapter well informed.
What is Woods Cares?
by Janet Terry and Jeanette Embrey,
Co-Chairs of AARP's Woods Cares
Woods Cares is a group of AARP volunteers helping individuals within or near Lake of the Woods who are shut-ins, caregivers of shut-ins, or those in need for Some other reason. We have been serving our community members for the past 10 years. There are approximately 45 AARP members who have volunteered their time and/or talents. These individuals are all over the age of 50. Most of them are 60-, 70-, and 80-year-olds, who continue to be of service to their neighbors.
Services provided in the past have consisted of transporting people to doctor's appointments, dialysis or cancer treatments, the grocery store, or beauty appointments, and picking up prescriptions, or running other errands. Other helpful tasks have included simple plumbing repairs, small appliance repairs, raking leaves, and transporting trash to the compactor. We have also visited with shut-ins to give their caregivers a break. This list represents a sample of what you may need us to do for you. Remember, this is a free service.
If you would like to be a volunteer or know of someone who has need of our services, please contact one of our committee persons, and they will endeavor to find a person to help. Right now we are in urgent need of additional volunteers to drive several persons to dialysis weekly. With enough volunteers, each person would only need to drive once a month or less. For information and/or to volunteer, please call: Gail at 972-7436; Pat at 972-9223, Marion at 972-4085; Jeanette at 972-0726; or Janet at 972-1957.
Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated. Our AARP motto is, "The Power to Make it Better."
LEGISLATIVE REPORT
by Pat Berry
With all the other headlines shrieking at us about the world situation, it’s likely that you missed the passage of the Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990. With that piece of legislation, Congress affirmed the right of every citizen to document his or her future healthcare wishes in writing with an “advance directive.” And now the Virginia Department of Health is preparing on online registry for advance directives that will offer secure storage of documents that protect your legal rights and ensure your medical wishes are honored if you are unable to manage your own care.
Such a registry would verify the type of care you want extended during an incapacitating condition, identify the person/people who can make decisions for you, communicate your wishes to those involved in your care and provide documentation for these personal health care decisions.
MORE ON THE SHINGLES VACCINE
by Sandie Frame
Sally Lyddane wrote to tell me that Medicare Part D coverage does pay a portion of the cost of the Zostavax. You have to have the prescription written by your M.D., as for any other drug, then send it in to your Part D provider. They send the vaccine to your physician, in your name, and then you get it from your physician.
I am not sure whether Part B will pay any part of the fee for the administration of the vaccine. Sally’s Part D provider had a co-pay of $40. Another source is the Health Depart-ment. Previously they were giving it free; however, this time they will be charging $200 for the vaccine. You can check to see if there will be any change in that policy. Their number is 672-1291.
Dick Brady found out that if you are being cared for under the VA umbrella you can get the vaccine from them. Walgreen’s has an ad on their window that they now provide the vaccine and will accept Medicare Part D. You can check with them to see what steps you have to take before receiving the vaccine through them. If anyone else knows of other sources, please let me know and we can let others know at the next meeting.
It’s Getting Closer
by Dick Bradie, New York Picnic Committee
What’s getting closer, you may ask? The New York Picnic, of course. Because of the 10-year Anniversary of the 911 tragedy, and since all Americans have been touched by the events of that dark day in 2001, we are inviting everyone to the NY Picnic. Ticket sales will commence soon (contacts for purchase of tickets will be announced in an upcoming Lake Currents) and will continue until we have reached the maximum for the Sweetbriar Park Pavilion. Remember the date—September 10, 2011, starting at Noon. Our caterer, Elmwood at Sparks, will be supplying the meal. The $15 ticket price includes the meal, a souvenir journal, and all supplies and decorations. The meal will be two salads, two entrées, breads with spread, and dessert. Coffee will be supplied; you are encouraged to bring any other drinks you would like to have.
Any profits realized will be donated to Sheltering Arms in Orange
Highlights of the May Meeting by Pam Nalls
- Roberta “Bobbie” Prees will again be leading the AARP team for the July Cardboard Boat Race, which benefits the Lake Youth Foundation. Volunteers are needed for construction. Please contact Bobbie at 972-4225.
-Dwight Mottet, Chair of the Chicken BBQ Committee, announced that Tom Hamilton will again serve as Co-Chair for the annual November Election Day BBQ. Dwight noted that this function requires approximately 120 member volunteers and has previously raised around $2,500 for charity. So, get ready to lend a hand for this important charity event.
-The Silent Auction took in $147.
-Paul Tobin conducted the 50/50 drawing; John Trach was the winner of $53.50.
-June 20 is the annual AARP picnic to be held at Sweetbriar Pavilion and commencing at 11:30AM.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
May Newsletter
May Means Another Busy AARP Month
The beautiful, wqrm month of May will hold at least two important events for me:
First, I will miss the AARP monthly meeting on Monday, May 16. My wife, Kathi, is due for a knee replacement operation that day, so I’ll be at her side in Mary Washington Hospital instead of meeting and greeting you-all as usual at the LOW Clubhouse.
Award-winning Chapter Vice President Dick Bradie will again run the meeting in my place. As you heard at the April meeting where Dick served in my Shore-vacationing place, Dick and Kathleen Bradie received “Volunteers of the Year Awards” from Virginia AARP. Board Member Pierre Payette made the presentation. Congratula-tions, Dick and Kathleen! You both certainly deserve the recognition for all the time and effort you give in helping others.
And second, we have our Chapter’s Annual Day of Service on Thursday, May 19. This year’s volunteer effort is again in the very capable hands of Bob Johnson, who has been working hard to make our 2011 effort “bigger and better than ever.”
If you haven‘t volunteered yet to help our Chapter assist local and area charity groups for a few hours on May 19, please give Bob a call at 972-4358 or email bjohn913@ Comcast.net to have your name added to the lists. It will only take a few hours of your time…and you will be repaid with a feeling of deep satisfaction for helping others who are less fortunate.
Finally, Roxanne Kessler will replace the to-be-hospitalized Kathi Martin in leading the May 24-26 Chapter bus tour up to Amish-land in Pennsylvania. The last time our group did this trip, they spotted a hand-painted sign on the back of one of those Amish horse-drawn carriages. The sign read: “Energy efficient vehicle—Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust.
Dick Martin, President
Freedom Honor Team to Perform at May Meeting
Carolyn Wray, Publicity
The Enduring Freedom Honor Team from Faith Baptist School in Fredericksburg will be performing at our May l6 meeting. The select 12-member high school ensemble, clad in vintage WWII uniforms, together with Greg Reed, Music Director (who plays trumpet and six other instruments) will entertain us with an eclectic repertoire consisting of patriotic, classical and current melodies. The band’s instruments consist of clarinets, trumpets, drums, flute, tuba, saxophone, trombone, and euphonium. The group has played at the Pentagon, the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, McGuire Hospital in Richmond, and Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, DC.
Mr. Reed has a BA and MA in music education from Spring Arbor University and George Mason University respectively. He draws his musicians from Faith Baptist School’s concert band which has won five first-place awards and three seconds in national competitions over the past eight years.
The meeting will start at 9:30 AM with sweets and coffee followed by the program at 10 AM. This will be a very special program with a talented group of students from Faith Baptist School.
MAY BIRTHDAYS
(Taurus and Gemini)
Patricia Batten, Pat Bisset, James Buongiovanni, Diana Calegari, Evadine Cooper, Joe Diamonstein, Larry Eiben, John Gamble, Alice Grgas, Gloria Hutt, Ramona Lamon, Arthur Lieb, Rani Manhard, Harvey Miller, Linda Ogletree, Zoila Ortega, Pierre Payette, Val Protiva, Edwin Roessler, Barbara Rueckert, Kathy Saladino, Doris Scoon, Michele Smith, Robert Spencer, Lillian Thompson, Lucille Tompkins , and Susan Wright.
SUNSHINE REPORT
by Carolyn Durphy
Get well cards were sent to Carolyn Lewis, Boyd Bowers and Vi Liberti.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
Silent Auction
by Patti Batten
We need new or gently used items that are clean with no stains or tears. Some suggestions: Kitchen items, small hand tools for garden and household use, dishes, pottery, framed pictures, just to name a few. If you need the items picked up, you may call Jean at 972-7866, Ruth at 540-423-7274, Diane at 972-2078, Margaret at 972-5540, Karen at 972-7866, or Sharon at 972-1666, or you can bring them to the meeting.
The March meeting earned $109 toward our Charity donations.
Refreshment committee needs bakers for the May and July meetings. Since June is our annual picnic there will be no sign-up sheet available then. Thanks for all your past delicious goodies. See Lucy Churchill at the May meeting.
Help for Alzheimer Caregivers
If your family has a member in stages of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, Aging Together, serving the Orange County area, has an eight-week in-home training program that supports caregiving families.
Called “Connections,” the goal of the free program is to improve the quality of life for persons with Alzheimer’s and family care-givers. “Connections” teaches caregivers ways to get their family member involved in interesting activities in the home, lessens stress for the caregiver, and increases social opportunities for the person receiving care. Info: Aging Together at 825-3100.
Buy a 9/11 T-shirt
9/11 T-shirts are on sale to benefit Sheltering Arms. In honor of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attack, “In Remembrance” T-shirts are on sale for $15 each by the New York Picnic Committee. Contact John at 972-4883 or at JoJanT@ verizon.net
Medical News
by Sandie Frame
The same virus that causes chicken pox stays in your body and can surface in later years as shingles. There is now a vaccine that may stop shingles from occurring. ZOSTAVAX is recommended for anyone over 60 who ever had chickenpox. While it does protect most people, it does not protect everyone from getting Shingles. There is a theory that it does make the shingles less severe and less painful. This vaccine is a one-time injection. You should not get this vaccine if you are allergic to gelatin, neomycin, have a compromised immune system or take high doses of steroids. Your doctor should be informed of all medications you are taking as other medications or conditions may prevent you from receiving the vaccine. Your doctor is the best person to advise if this vaccine is right for you. Possible side effects include: redness, warmth or bruising at the injection site, itching, a mild rash, or headache. Since this vaccine contains a weakened chickenpox virus, you should stay away from newborns, pregnant women who have not had chickenpox or those with compromised immune systems until the vaccine has taken effect. Now for the bad part: This vaccine is costly, over $200, and is not covered by Medicare at this time. If you have secondary insurance provider, check with them to see if they might cover it. For further information see web sites on shingles vaccine or Zostavax and the 2011 Medicare manual.
Legislative News
Various pieces of new federal legislation address both personal health care and related financial issues. One of interest to members of Chapter 5239 is a provision under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which will protect you against the denial of health insurance coverage. The Government Accounting Office reports that coverage may be denied due to billing errors, eligibility issues, or even a determination that a charge is not appropriate. In the case of a billing error, often the denial is issued because of duplicate claims or missing information. For example, in 2007 Maryland reported that 32 percent of denials occurred due to duplicate claim submissions.
There are several actions you can take to dispute a denial. First: you can file an appeal with your insurer. Second: if the appeal is denied, you can request that it be reviewed by the Virginia Bureau of Insurance (within 30 days after your initial appeal to the insurer is exhausted) acting as an external party. And finally, you can file a complaint with the Commonwealth of Virginia through the Bureau of Insurance. For information go to www.scc.virginia.gov and select the tab for “Insurance”.
If you need help in dealing with your private insurer, contact the nonprofit Patient Advocate Foundation (www.patientadvocate.org). The lesson for the day is that if you are denied coverage, don’t give up. File an appeal.
Attribution: Washington Post, March 24, “The Color of Money,” Michelle Singletary
Highlights of April Meeting
by Pam Nalls, Secretary
Dick & Kathleen Bradie have been awarded the AARP National Chapter Community Service Award for 2011. Pierre Payette presented the Bradies with an AARP certificate and pin in recognition of their exemplary volunteer work in our community.
Bob Johnson gave an update on the AARP’s Day of Service scheduled for 18/19 May. Sign-up sheets are available at the monthly meetings and more volunteers are needed.
Patti Batten provided the Silent Auction results and estimated that the intake from this month’s auction would be close to $100.
Paul Tobin conducted the 50/50 drawing; the winner of $56 was Boyd Bowers.
Also, Joe Wascalus had the winning ticket for a gift certificate from LOW Hair Studio.
You won’t want to miss the next meeting on Monday, May16, 2011, when our program will feature The Enduring Freedom Band.
The beautiful, wqrm month of May will hold at least two important events for me:
First, I will miss the AARP monthly meeting on Monday, May 16. My wife, Kathi, is due for a knee replacement operation that day, so I’ll be at her side in Mary Washington Hospital instead of meeting and greeting you-all as usual at the LOW Clubhouse.
Award-winning Chapter Vice President Dick Bradie will again run the meeting in my place. As you heard at the April meeting where Dick served in my Shore-vacationing place, Dick and Kathleen Bradie received “Volunteers of the Year Awards” from Virginia AARP. Board Member Pierre Payette made the presentation. Congratula-tions, Dick and Kathleen! You both certainly deserve the recognition for all the time and effort you give in helping others.
And second, we have our Chapter’s Annual Day of Service on Thursday, May 19. This year’s volunteer effort is again in the very capable hands of Bob Johnson, who has been working hard to make our 2011 effort “bigger and better than ever.”
If you haven‘t volunteered yet to help our Chapter assist local and area charity groups for a few hours on May 19, please give Bob a call at 972-4358 or email bjohn913@ Comcast.net to have your name added to the lists. It will only take a few hours of your time…and you will be repaid with a feeling of deep satisfaction for helping others who are less fortunate.
Finally, Roxanne Kessler will replace the to-be-hospitalized Kathi Martin in leading the May 24-26 Chapter bus tour up to Amish-land in Pennsylvania. The last time our group did this trip, they spotted a hand-painted sign on the back of one of those Amish horse-drawn carriages. The sign read: “Energy efficient vehicle—Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust.
Dick Martin, President
Freedom Honor Team to Perform at May Meeting
Carolyn Wray, Publicity
The Enduring Freedom Honor Team from Faith Baptist School in Fredericksburg will be performing at our May l6 meeting. The select 12-member high school ensemble, clad in vintage WWII uniforms, together with Greg Reed, Music Director (who plays trumpet and six other instruments) will entertain us with an eclectic repertoire consisting of patriotic, classical and current melodies. The band’s instruments consist of clarinets, trumpets, drums, flute, tuba, saxophone, trombone, and euphonium. The group has played at the Pentagon, the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, McGuire Hospital in Richmond, and Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, DC.
Mr. Reed has a BA and MA in music education from Spring Arbor University and George Mason University respectively. He draws his musicians from Faith Baptist School’s concert band which has won five first-place awards and three seconds in national competitions over the past eight years.
The meeting will start at 9:30 AM with sweets and coffee followed by the program at 10 AM. This will be a very special program with a talented group of students from Faith Baptist School.
MAY BIRTHDAYS
(Taurus and Gemini)
Patricia Batten, Pat Bisset, James Buongiovanni, Diana Calegari, Evadine Cooper, Joe Diamonstein, Larry Eiben, John Gamble, Alice Grgas, Gloria Hutt, Ramona Lamon, Arthur Lieb, Rani Manhard, Harvey Miller, Linda Ogletree, Zoila Ortega, Pierre Payette, Val Protiva, Edwin Roessler, Barbara Rueckert, Kathy Saladino, Doris Scoon, Michele Smith, Robert Spencer, Lillian Thompson, Lucille Tompkins , and Susan Wright.
SUNSHINE REPORT
by Carolyn Durphy
Get well cards were sent to Carolyn Lewis, Boyd Bowers and Vi Liberti.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
Silent Auction
by Patti Batten
We need new or gently used items that are clean with no stains or tears. Some suggestions: Kitchen items, small hand tools for garden and household use, dishes, pottery, framed pictures, just to name a few. If you need the items picked up, you may call Jean at 972-7866, Ruth at 540-423-7274, Diane at 972-2078, Margaret at 972-5540, Karen at 972-7866, or Sharon at 972-1666, or you can bring them to the meeting.
The March meeting earned $109 toward our Charity donations.
Refreshment committee needs bakers for the May and July meetings. Since June is our annual picnic there will be no sign-up sheet available then. Thanks for all your past delicious goodies. See Lucy Churchill at the May meeting.
Help for Alzheimer Caregivers
If your family has a member in stages of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, Aging Together, serving the Orange County area, has an eight-week in-home training program that supports caregiving families.
Called “Connections,” the goal of the free program is to improve the quality of life for persons with Alzheimer’s and family care-givers. “Connections” teaches caregivers ways to get their family member involved in interesting activities in the home, lessens stress for the caregiver, and increases social opportunities for the person receiving care. Info: Aging Together at 825-3100.
Buy a 9/11 T-shirt
9/11 T-shirts are on sale to benefit Sheltering Arms. In honor of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attack, “In Remembrance” T-shirts are on sale for $15 each by the New York Picnic Committee. Contact John at 972-4883 or at JoJanT@ verizon.net
Medical News
by Sandie Frame
The same virus that causes chicken pox stays in your body and can surface in later years as shingles. There is now a vaccine that may stop shingles from occurring. ZOSTAVAX is recommended for anyone over 60 who ever had chickenpox. While it does protect most people, it does not protect everyone from getting Shingles. There is a theory that it does make the shingles less severe and less painful. This vaccine is a one-time injection. You should not get this vaccine if you are allergic to gelatin, neomycin, have a compromised immune system or take high doses of steroids. Your doctor should be informed of all medications you are taking as other medications or conditions may prevent you from receiving the vaccine. Your doctor is the best person to advise if this vaccine is right for you. Possible side effects include: redness, warmth or bruising at the injection site, itching, a mild rash, or headache. Since this vaccine contains a weakened chickenpox virus, you should stay away from newborns, pregnant women who have not had chickenpox or those with compromised immune systems until the vaccine has taken effect. Now for the bad part: This vaccine is costly, over $200, and is not covered by Medicare at this time. If you have secondary insurance provider, check with them to see if they might cover it. For further information see web sites on shingles vaccine or Zostavax and the 2011 Medicare manual.
Legislative News
Various pieces of new federal legislation address both personal health care and related financial issues. One of interest to members of Chapter 5239 is a provision under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which will protect you against the denial of health insurance coverage. The Government Accounting Office reports that coverage may be denied due to billing errors, eligibility issues, or even a determination that a charge is not appropriate. In the case of a billing error, often the denial is issued because of duplicate claims or missing information. For example, in 2007 Maryland reported that 32 percent of denials occurred due to duplicate claim submissions.
There are several actions you can take to dispute a denial. First: you can file an appeal with your insurer. Second: if the appeal is denied, you can request that it be reviewed by the Virginia Bureau of Insurance (within 30 days after your initial appeal to the insurer is exhausted) acting as an external party. And finally, you can file a complaint with the Commonwealth of Virginia through the Bureau of Insurance. For information go to www.scc.virginia.gov and select the tab for “Insurance”.
If you need help in dealing with your private insurer, contact the nonprofit Patient Advocate Foundation (www.patientadvocate.org). The lesson for the day is that if you are denied coverage, don’t give up. File an appeal.
Attribution: Washington Post, March 24, “The Color of Money,” Michelle Singletary
Highlights of April Meeting
by Pam Nalls, Secretary
Dick & Kathleen Bradie have been awarded the AARP National Chapter Community Service Award for 2011. Pierre Payette presented the Bradies with an AARP certificate and pin in recognition of their exemplary volunteer work in our community.
Bob Johnson gave an update on the AARP’s Day of Service scheduled for 18/19 May. Sign-up sheets are available at the monthly meetings and more volunteers are needed.
Patti Batten provided the Silent Auction results and estimated that the intake from this month’s auction would be close to $100.
Paul Tobin conducted the 50/50 drawing; the winner of $56 was Boyd Bowers.
Also, Joe Wascalus had the winning ticket for a gift certificate from LOW Hair Studio.
You won’t want to miss the next meeting on Monday, May16, 2011, when our program will feature The Enduring Freedom Band.
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