President's Message
Winter Snows, Power Loss, Cancellation
Wasn’t February something else? It started with a record-breaking storm that smothered Lake of the Woods and our surrounding area under two feet of snow. Then 95% of LOW and many of the nearby residents lost power/heat/light for at least three days.
Then just as we were digging out, we were hit by another storm that dumped an additional foot of snow on us…and we were forced to cancel the AARP February 15 meeting.
And then the LOWA Board of Directors and General Manager suddenly instructed the meeting scheduling staff to start charging Chapter 5239 for its monthly meetings at the LOW Clubhouse. They said a $25. “room and audio set-up charge” was needed for our meetings, plus another $25. “room and audio take-down charge”—plus 5% tax!
Many of you emailed the Board and GM to protest these charges, and I made a similar statement at the February 17 Board meeting, but we received no positive response from our exalted leaders. In fact, one Board member chided AARP for expecting the thousands of non-AARP LOWA members “to pay for your monthly meeting room arrangements.”
This problem was scheduled to be Discussion Point Number One at the March 1 AARP Board meeting. We’ll report the discussion results in the Business portion of the March 15 meeting.
Meanwhile, let’s look forward to March and the coming warmer weather. Please consider volunteering your talents and abilities to a Chapter 5239 Committee or Service Group that interests you.
Bring food items and/or cash to the March 15 meeting to donate to the Wilderness Food Pantry, and Sheltering Arms. If you thought your February weather woes were unbearable, think of those individuals and families whose money-earners have been jobless for months. The food supplies we donate each month can be the difference between feeding their kids…or having “empty dinner plates”. Think about it.
One last word: An old man goes to a Wizard to ask him if he can remove a curse he has been living with for the past 40 years. The Wizard says, “Maybe, but you have to give me the exact words that were used to put the curse on you.”
The old man says, “I now pronounce you man and wife.”
Dick Martin, President
March Meeting to Focus on
Polio History and OC Relay for Life
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity, AARP Chapter 5239
The next meeting of AARP, Chapter 5239, will take place on Monday, March 15, at the LOW Clubhouse. Former resident, Jody Zogran will speak about her nursing experiences with polio victims at the Municipal Hospital in Pittsburgh taking care of polio patients. Dr. Jonas Salk and his research team were working in the basement of the same hospital striving to isolate the polio virus, which led to the development of the polio vaccine.
JoAnn Tolbert will speak about the establishment of the Orange County “Relay for Life.” After returning to Maryland for 11 years to participate JoAnn decided, in 2008 to get a team together at her church. When she called the Chamber of Commerce in Orange to see when they had their Relay for Life Walk, she was told they did not have one. JoAnn decided to start a walk at the Orange County High School. The first one occurred on June 13-14 2009, and raised $40,491 for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Orange County.
The older generation can remember when there were no polio shots and knew people who suffered from it. Also, most of us have friends and relatives who have suffered from cancer. We also know how far the cure for cancer has progressed.
MARCH BIRTHDAYS
(Pisces and Aries)
Joan Bealby, Francis Buttimer
Joann Buttimer, Diane Capps
Pete Cassese, Arlene DeSimone
Norma Ervin, Mar Fisher, Kathy
Thomas Hamilton, Joyce Haring
Anne Hartzel, Gale Henderson
Lee Huminik, Phyllis Jones
Robert Jones, John Lacey
Bill Lanier, Violet Liberti
Sally Lyddane, Philip McCann
Jean M. Molinari, Maurice Moody
Karen Mueller, Pam Nalls
Joe Nolan, Millie Nowers
Jim Ogletree, Doris Parmelee
Shirley Pfile, Phyllis Pulice
Barbara Ridge, Joseph Sandleitner
Elizabeth Scheuermann, Haag Scott
Robert Sherba, Sue Sillman
Sue Simmons, Stephanie Sloan
Elsie Smith, Janet Terry
Corky Thomas, Paul Tobin
Ralph Watterworth, Audrey Weeder
NEW MEMBERS
No new members due to the cancellation of the February meeting.
SUNSHINE REPORT
A sympathy card was sent to Paula Hornady on the death of her husband Richard.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
Membership Renewal Now Due Please note that if you joined for the first time from September to December of 2009, your 2010 dues are paid. Also, several people paid twice last year, so they do not owe 2010 dues. Check with Linda Wight/Dick Durphy. You may pay your $7 dues at the March meeting or mail a check made payable to “AARP Chapter 5239” to AARP 5239, P.O. Box 945, Locust Grove, VA 22508
Monthly Silent Auction
The Storehouse Is Nearly Empty! We had a good sale at the January meeting, but now we need new items to replace the old for the silent auction on March 21. Raid your closets and cabinets—even those of your friends and neighbors. Now is the time to clear out the nice things you no longer need and your children don't want. You know the money we take in from the auctions goes to good causes, so you can feel good about helping. Please let us have your donations by March 9 as preparation for the auction will take place on March 10. PLEASE give them to us clean and in good shape—new or gently used. Contact Patti at 972-1370, Carla at 972-3436, or Roxanne at 972-836 for pickup. Many, many thanks.
Meeting “Sweets” Needed
Donations of pastries and other “sweet-tooth” items are needed for the Coffee and Sweets social hour before each AARP monthly meeting. If you can provide something for this member fellowship time, please let our Food Refreshments Chairman Alice Grgas know what you’ll be bringing, and for which month. Contact Alice at Algrg517@AOL.com or 972-6199.
Pictures Needed
by Nola Davidson, Scrapbook Editor
To keep the Chapter Scrapbook up-to-date, pictures taken on the various AARP trips are needed. If you don't want to share, I will make copies. Just identify the event and the people featured. See me at the meeting, call 972-8403 or email ndavid51691@verizon.net
Free Income Tax Filing Assistance
Free Tax Preparation and E-filing through the AARP Tax-Aide Program will be available February through April 15, 2010.
· Lake of the Woods Holcomb Building through April 10. Appointments may be made by calling 972-0350 for Fridays, 10 AM to 2 PM, or Saturdays, 9 AM to 2 PM..
· Orange Extension Office, 146 Madison Road, Suite 102, Orange (Across from McDonald's), through April 15. Appointments may be made by calling 540-672-1361 for Wednesdays, 10 AM to 2 PM, or Thursdays, 1 to 5 PM.
Requirements include: Social Security card(s) or appropriate alternative(s), an official ID with picture, ALL W-2s and 1099 Forms, any other 2009 tax-related material and a copy of your 2009 tax return.
Legislative Report
by Pat Berry
The Virginia General Assembly is confronting a major budget shortfall for the coming year and finds itself between the proverbial rock and a hard place: either increase taxes or cut services—education, transportation, public safety, health care, and more.
In the effort to keep police on the street, teachers in the schools, and roads cleared of snow some local leaders find hiking real estate taxes a possible alternative to cutting the budget for schools or safety.
There are hundreds of bills being discussed, but two issues are of special interest to homeowners: 1) tax assessments and 2) property rights. Assessments determine your taxes; and the less restrictive Virginia's property laws are, the more attractive Virginia's real estate markets become.
Here are five of the strongest bills currently being considered and a brief explanation of their content:
· House Bill 570: Putting the burden of proof on assessors, not homeowners. Today, if an assessor overvalues your home (and raises your taxes), you have to prove he made a mistake. This bill will shift the burden of proof from the homeowner to the assessor;
· House Bill 552: Preventing local governments from changing their minds about zoning. Imagine having your local government approve a zoning change so you can improve your property. But after you begin work, the locality reverses its decision, and you're forced to tear down what you've done.
· House Bill 191: Making sure HOA complaints are handled fairly. Today, if you have a complaint about your homeowners association, an ombudsman at a Virginia government agency called the Common Interest Community Board can help resolve it. But different HOAs have different complaint procedures. This bill allows the ombudsman to set a single procedure for all home- and property-owners associations.
· House Bill 205: Requiring insurers to pay for the complete repair. If your home is damaged, your property insurance will pay to fix that damage, but the repair could look very different than what's already there. This bill will require insurers to make the repaired area blend in better with the existing structure, so your property is not only fixed, but looks like it should.;
· House Bill 430: Increasing fairness in the real estate assessment process. Some more education for the people in charge of real estate appraisals can only make our system better. If this bill passes, it will require additional education for real estate assessors, and ensure that members of the board that hears your appeal have expertise in appraisal and home valuation. It will also make the appeals process friendlier for homeowners: Upon request, the assessor must disclose information about your assessment, and the homeowner's standard of proof will be lowered.
The General Assembly meets for two months, unless a special session in called, and legislators have their plates full trying to shrink government services in the face of a $4 billion shortfall. The five bills listed above will warrant the attention of homeowners throughout the state as the budget debate continues.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
President's Message
Every Member, A Volunteer
That’s one of the main mottoes of AARP, asking that every member of a chapter donate some part of their time to community service and to helping those in need.
Chapter 5239 has dozens of active Committees and working groups that are always open for new members. All these groups are in a constant state of change—people move, people get sick or can’t handle the work any longer, people “burn out” after doing a given job for some years and need some one else to step forward to take over.
That’s why we ask every member to pick out an area or two of specific interest to them and volunteer to help. After some weeks or months of exper-ience on the Committee or working group, the member is familiar with the routine involved and comfortable with actions needed. And then can step up when “new blood” is needed to carry the work forward into the future.
Chapter 5239 offers you a wide variety of volunteer opportunities—each calling for different talents and abilities—or essentially none, just asking you to give a little of your time and energy to a goal of helping others who can’t help themselves.
For example, we’re coming into the dreaded “INCOME TAX TIME!” If you have had accounting experience or simply enjoy the process of doing annual income tax forms (!?), AARP’s Tax-Aide Program is for you. Program volunteers meet with tax payers who are swamped by form legalese and tax changes and use computer programs to help them solve their form-filling problems. Interested? Call Donna Jackson at 972-1977 to volunteer to help.
An example of “no talent needed” is on AARP’s monthly “Eyeglass Processing Committee”. This group meets the fourth Wednesday of each month from 9 AM to Noon to help in the Lion’s Eyeglass Reclamation Project. Volunteers wash, dry and inspect donated eyeglasses, and then trained teams read and record the eyeglass specifications. The eyeglasses are then sent overseas by the Lions for free distribution to the poor and needy. If you like local gossip—and how the LOWA Board of Directors has screwed up again—this is the group for you. Call Betty Hughes at 972-3820 to join this fascinating and informative group.
Please consider volunteering your services to one of the many, many AARP Chapter 5239 Committees and working groups. We need you.
One last word: A young grandson asked Grampa how old he was. Grampa diplomatically answered,, “Well, I’m not sure.” Said the little boy: “Just look in your underwear, Grampa. Mine says I’m four to six.”
Dick Martin, President
DAR Genealogist to Speak at February AARP Program
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity, AARP, Chapter 5239
The next meeting of AARP, Chapter 5239, featuring speaker Debbie Sue DeHart, will take place on Monday, February 15, at the LOW Clubhouse. Ms. DeHart has been a genealogist for 21 years. As a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), she has served as Chairman of Volunteer Information Specialist, Lineage Research and Membership, State Vice Chairman of Membership, and Organizing Regent for a new chapter of DAR, which received 24 state awards the first year. Lineage papers for 123 new members have been completed since 2004. Ms DeHart continues to be very active in the DAR and recently completed a Computer Project for the State Regent creating a web site for use of the State Officers for Membership and Reporting.
This program should be most interesting, especially for DAR members and for people who are interested in researching their own family backgrounds. The meeting will begin at 9:30 AM with sweets and coffee followed by the program at 10AM. Come and enjoy this very friendly and active group of AARP senior citizens on Monday, February 15, at 9:30 AM. delete
Channel 18 Presentation
AARP’s speaker presentation from this month’s meeting will be telecast on Comcast Channel 18 for one week, starting the Friday after the meeting. The program will be telecast four times a day for the week. Check exact broadcast times in Lake Currents, or on Channel 18’s “Calendar of Events.”
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
(Aquarius and Pisces)
Helen Berra, Kathleen Bradford,
Kathleen Bradie, Jack Doherty,
Irving Grimes, Benjamine Jason,
Ed Kessler, Lincoln Klabo,
Norma Lanier, Jeanne Larsen,
Frank Liberti, Patricia Lieb,
Joan Litschert, Sylvia Lyngle,
Laurie Paonessa, Barbara Rakes,
Nancy Sandleitner, Bob Schafer,
Barbara Scott, Peggy Simpson,
Alton Smith, Joann Strawhun,
Micky Talbott, Clair Wescott,
Russell Williams, Patricia Witmer,
Jody Zogran, and Ray Zogran
SUNSHINE REPORT
A get well card was sent to Corky Thomas.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
Chapter Members Volunteer to Help
In response to Chapter openings and to help with new needs in serving our community and local area, the following members have stepped forward to volunteer their time and efforts:
· Meeting Coffee Committee: George and Ruth Lenwell, plus Bill Walker; Al and Rani Manhard; Alan and Pat Berry.
· Medical Information Chairman: Frank Jacobeen.
· Child Mentoring Service Coordinator: Dick Berra. This is a new Chapter position, to promote member volunteering to mentor students in Kindergarten-through-8th Grade. Two locations are available: In the “After School Program” at LOW Church; and in the “EXCEL Program” at Locust Grove Elementary and Middle schools.
· Wilderness Food Pantry Liaison: Kathi Martin. Another new Chapter position, it involves providing(I would change to delivering) the monthly meeting food donations to the Food Pantry, as well as handling other specialty food donations as they arise.
Our hearty “Thank You!” to these volunteers…
What is Woods Cares?
by Janet Terry, Co-Chair of AARP’s Woods Cares
Woods Cares is a group of AARP volunteers helping individuals within the 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, grocery shopping, taking people to beauty appointments, 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 has need of our services, please contact one of our committee chairpersons, and they will endeavor to find a person to help. For information call: Marion at 972-4085, Janet at 972-1957, or Jeanette at 972-0726.
Our AARP motto is, “The Power to Make it Better”
AARP Virginia’s “Create The Good” Program
AARP Virginia is developing a new program to connect local chapter members throughout the state with volunteer needs of organizations in their community.
The program’s motto—“Whether you have 5 minutes, 5 days, or 5 years…it’s all good”—means that everyone can do something when it comes to making a difference in the lives of others. The goal is to link individuals who want to help with local organizations in a way that meets the needs of both.
You can find full information on this program at CreateTheGood.org AARP’s dynamic website. Current CTG Organizers are needed to increase the reach of AARP’s annual Food Drive throughout Virginia, and to also expand the Operation Energy Save Project.
Please email Brian Jacks at bjacks@AARP.org to apply for this opportunity.
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
Membership Renewal Now Due Please note that if you joined for the first time from September to December of 2009, your 2010 dues are paid. Also, several people paid twice last year, so they do not owe 2010 dues. Check with Linda Wight/Dick Durphy. You may pay your $7 dues at the February meeting or mail a check made payable to “AARP Chapter 5239” to AARP 5239, P.O. Box 945, Locust Grove, VA 22508
Monthly Silent Auction
The Storehouse Is Nearly Empty! We had a good sale at the January meeting, but now we need new items to replace the old for the silent auction on February 15. Raid your closets and cabinets—even those of your friends and neighbors. Now is the time to clear out the nice things you no longer need and your children don't want. You know the money we take in from the auctions goes to good causes, so you can feel good about helping. Please turn in donations by February 11 so our auction committee can sort, price, and prepare them. PLEASE give them to us clean and in good shape—new or gently used. Contact Patti at 972-1370, Carla at 972-3436, or Roxanne at 972-836 for pickup. Many, many thanks.
Pictures Needed
by Nola Davidson, Scrapbook Editor
To keep the Chapter Scrapbook up-to-date, pictures taken on the various AARP trips are needed. If you don't want to share, I will make copies. Just identify the event and the people featured. See me at the meeting, call 972-8403 or email ndavid51691@verizon.net
Free Income Tax Filing Assistance
Free Tax Preparation and E-filing through the AARP Tax-Aide Program will be available February through April 15, 2010.
· Lake of the Woods Holcomb Building through April 10. Appointments may be made by calling 972-0350 for Fridays, 10 AM to 2 PM, or Saturdays, 9 AM to 2 PM..
· Orange Extension Office, 146 Madison Road, Suite 102, Orange (Across from McDonald's), through April 15. Appointments may be made by calling 540-672-1361 for Wednesdays, 10 AM to 2 PM, or Thursdays, 1 to 5 PM.
Requirements include: Social Security card(s) or appropriate alternative(s), an official ID with picture, ALL W-2s and 1099 Forms, any other 2009 tax-related material and a copy of your 2009 tax return.
Legislative Report
by Pat Berry
If you are thinking of ways to increase your energy-saving efforts, another new initiative may be coming your way in the form of something called a “smart meter.” Dominion Virginia Power is conducting a pilot project involving 46,000 customers in the Charlottesville area that promises a further reduction in both home and business energy usage. Dominion, which provides energy to two-thirds of the state, will spend $600 million to swap its 2.4 million residential meters in Virginia with smart meters by 2013.
Funds from the national stimulus package have been invested in planning for 40 million smart meters to be installed nationwide over the next few years. Rappahannock Electric Cooperative in Fredericksburg received $15.6 million to upgrade to smart grid technology. Smart meters can read how much energy is used, and when, so the utility can charge variable rates—more for power used in peak periods, less in off-peak times. Customers can lower their bills by running dishwashers or clothes dryers in off-peak hours.
Since there are always questions about how a new program will impact the citizens of the state, AARP Virginia and the Virginia Citizens Consumer Council are working to ensure that consumers are protected as the new technology is phased in.
AARP will ask the General Assembly to ensure that smart meters and variable rates are voluntary. AARP is concerned that older people may not be able to cut their usage because of medical needs and that some low-income or sick people could be hurt if power is shut off without a home visit. Lastly, AARP is opposed to pricing tied to the time of day that energy is used.
As always, all of the possible ramifications of such a change have to be discussed before it becomes a “done deal.” If you are interested on finding out more about smart meters and their future in Virginia, try the following website for Dominion Power: http://dom.mediaroom.com and type “smart meters” into the search block.
Every Member, A Volunteer
That’s one of the main mottoes of AARP, asking that every member of a chapter donate some part of their time to community service and to helping those in need.
Chapter 5239 has dozens of active Committees and working groups that are always open for new members. All these groups are in a constant state of change—people move, people get sick or can’t handle the work any longer, people “burn out” after doing a given job for some years and need some one else to step forward to take over.
That’s why we ask every member to pick out an area or two of specific interest to them and volunteer to help. After some weeks or months of exper-ience on the Committee or working group, the member is familiar with the routine involved and comfortable with actions needed. And then can step up when “new blood” is needed to carry the work forward into the future.
Chapter 5239 offers you a wide variety of volunteer opportunities—each calling for different talents and abilities—or essentially none, just asking you to give a little of your time and energy to a goal of helping others who can’t help themselves.
For example, we’re coming into the dreaded “INCOME TAX TIME!” If you have had accounting experience or simply enjoy the process of doing annual income tax forms (!?), AARP’s Tax-Aide Program is for you. Program volunteers meet with tax payers who are swamped by form legalese and tax changes and use computer programs to help them solve their form-filling problems. Interested? Call Donna Jackson at 972-1977 to volunteer to help.
An example of “no talent needed” is on AARP’s monthly “Eyeglass Processing Committee”. This group meets the fourth Wednesday of each month from 9 AM to Noon to help in the Lion’s Eyeglass Reclamation Project. Volunteers wash, dry and inspect donated eyeglasses, and then trained teams read and record the eyeglass specifications. The eyeglasses are then sent overseas by the Lions for free distribution to the poor and needy. If you like local gossip—and how the LOWA Board of Directors has screwed up again—this is the group for you. Call Betty Hughes at 972-3820 to join this fascinating and informative group.
Please consider volunteering your services to one of the many, many AARP Chapter 5239 Committees and working groups. We need you.
One last word: A young grandson asked Grampa how old he was. Grampa diplomatically answered,, “Well, I’m not sure.” Said the little boy: “Just look in your underwear, Grampa. Mine says I’m four to six.”
Dick Martin, President
DAR Genealogist to Speak at February AARP Program
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity, AARP, Chapter 5239
The next meeting of AARP, Chapter 5239, featuring speaker Debbie Sue DeHart, will take place on Monday, February 15, at the LOW Clubhouse. Ms. DeHart has been a genealogist for 21 years. As a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), she has served as Chairman of Volunteer Information Specialist, Lineage Research and Membership, State Vice Chairman of Membership, and Organizing Regent for a new chapter of DAR, which received 24 state awards the first year. Lineage papers for 123 new members have been completed since 2004. Ms DeHart continues to be very active in the DAR and recently completed a Computer Project for the State Regent creating a web site for use of the State Officers for Membership and Reporting.
This program should be most interesting, especially for DAR members and for people who are interested in researching their own family backgrounds. The meeting will begin at 9:30 AM with sweets and coffee followed by the program at 10AM. Come and enjoy this very friendly and active group of AARP senior citizens on Monday, February 15, at 9:30 AM. delete
Channel 18 Presentation
AARP’s speaker presentation from this month’s meeting will be telecast on Comcast Channel 18 for one week, starting the Friday after the meeting. The program will be telecast four times a day for the week. Check exact broadcast times in Lake Currents, or on Channel 18’s “Calendar of Events.”
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
(Aquarius and Pisces)
Helen Berra, Kathleen Bradford,
Kathleen Bradie, Jack Doherty,
Irving Grimes, Benjamine Jason,
Ed Kessler, Lincoln Klabo,
Norma Lanier, Jeanne Larsen,
Frank Liberti, Patricia Lieb,
Joan Litschert, Sylvia Lyngle,
Laurie Paonessa, Barbara Rakes,
Nancy Sandleitner, Bob Schafer,
Barbara Scott, Peggy Simpson,
Alton Smith, Joann Strawhun,
Micky Talbott, Clair Wescott,
Russell Williams, Patricia Witmer,
Jody Zogran, and Ray Zogran
SUNSHINE REPORT
A get well card was sent to Corky Thomas.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
Chapter Members Volunteer to Help
In response to Chapter openings and to help with new needs in serving our community and local area, the following members have stepped forward to volunteer their time and efforts:
· Meeting Coffee Committee: George and Ruth Lenwell, plus Bill Walker; Al and Rani Manhard; Alan and Pat Berry.
· Medical Information Chairman: Frank Jacobeen.
· Child Mentoring Service Coordinator: Dick Berra. This is a new Chapter position, to promote member volunteering to mentor students in Kindergarten-through-8th Grade. Two locations are available: In the “After School Program” at LOW Church; and in the “EXCEL Program” at Locust Grove Elementary and Middle schools.
· Wilderness Food Pantry Liaison: Kathi Martin. Another new Chapter position, it involves providing(I would change to delivering) the monthly meeting food donations to the Food Pantry, as well as handling other specialty food donations as they arise.
Our hearty “Thank You!” to these volunteers…
What is Woods Cares?
by Janet Terry, Co-Chair of AARP’s Woods Cares
Woods Cares is a group of AARP volunteers helping individuals within the 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, grocery shopping, taking people to beauty appointments, 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 has need of our services, please contact one of our committee chairpersons, and they will endeavor to find a person to help. For information call: Marion at 972-4085, Janet at 972-1957, or Jeanette at 972-0726.
Our AARP motto is, “The Power to Make it Better”
AARP Virginia’s “Create The Good” Program
AARP Virginia is developing a new program to connect local chapter members throughout the state with volunteer needs of organizations in their community.
The program’s motto—“Whether you have 5 minutes, 5 days, or 5 years…it’s all good”—means that everyone can do something when it comes to making a difference in the lives of others. The goal is to link individuals who want to help with local organizations in a way that meets the needs of both.
You can find full information on this program at CreateTheGood.org AARP’s dynamic website. Current CTG Organizers are needed to increase the reach of AARP’s annual Food Drive throughout Virginia, and to also expand the Operation Energy Save Project.
Please email Brian Jacks at bjacks@AARP.org to apply for this opportunity.
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
Membership Renewal Now Due Please note that if you joined for the first time from September to December of 2009, your 2010 dues are paid. Also, several people paid twice last year, so they do not owe 2010 dues. Check with Linda Wight/Dick Durphy. You may pay your $7 dues at the February meeting or mail a check made payable to “AARP Chapter 5239” to AARP 5239, P.O. Box 945, Locust Grove, VA 22508
Monthly Silent Auction
The Storehouse Is Nearly Empty! We had a good sale at the January meeting, but now we need new items to replace the old for the silent auction on February 15. Raid your closets and cabinets—even those of your friends and neighbors. Now is the time to clear out the nice things you no longer need and your children don't want. You know the money we take in from the auctions goes to good causes, so you can feel good about helping. Please turn in donations by February 11 so our auction committee can sort, price, and prepare them. PLEASE give them to us clean and in good shape—new or gently used. Contact Patti at 972-1370, Carla at 972-3436, or Roxanne at 972-836 for pickup. Many, many thanks.
Pictures Needed
by Nola Davidson, Scrapbook Editor
To keep the Chapter Scrapbook up-to-date, pictures taken on the various AARP trips are needed. If you don't want to share, I will make copies. Just identify the event and the people featured. See me at the meeting, call 972-8403 or email ndavid51691@verizon.net
Free Income Tax Filing Assistance
Free Tax Preparation and E-filing through the AARP Tax-Aide Program will be available February through April 15, 2010.
· Lake of the Woods Holcomb Building through April 10. Appointments may be made by calling 972-0350 for Fridays, 10 AM to 2 PM, or Saturdays, 9 AM to 2 PM..
· Orange Extension Office, 146 Madison Road, Suite 102, Orange (Across from McDonald's), through April 15. Appointments may be made by calling 540-672-1361 for Wednesdays, 10 AM to 2 PM, or Thursdays, 1 to 5 PM.
Requirements include: Social Security card(s) or appropriate alternative(s), an official ID with picture, ALL W-2s and 1099 Forms, any other 2009 tax-related material and a copy of your 2009 tax return.
Legislative Report
by Pat Berry
If you are thinking of ways to increase your energy-saving efforts, another new initiative may be coming your way in the form of something called a “smart meter.” Dominion Virginia Power is conducting a pilot project involving 46,000 customers in the Charlottesville area that promises a further reduction in both home and business energy usage. Dominion, which provides energy to two-thirds of the state, will spend $600 million to swap its 2.4 million residential meters in Virginia with smart meters by 2013.
Funds from the national stimulus package have been invested in planning for 40 million smart meters to be installed nationwide over the next few years. Rappahannock Electric Cooperative in Fredericksburg received $15.6 million to upgrade to smart grid technology. Smart meters can read how much energy is used, and when, so the utility can charge variable rates—more for power used in peak periods, less in off-peak times. Customers can lower their bills by running dishwashers or clothes dryers in off-peak hours.
Since there are always questions about how a new program will impact the citizens of the state, AARP Virginia and the Virginia Citizens Consumer Council are working to ensure that consumers are protected as the new technology is phased in.
AARP will ask the General Assembly to ensure that smart meters and variable rates are voluntary. AARP is concerned that older people may not be able to cut their usage because of medical needs and that some low-income or sick people could be hurt if power is shut off without a home visit. Lastly, AARP is opposed to pricing tied to the time of day that energy is used.
As always, all of the possible ramifications of such a change have to be discussed before it becomes a “done deal.” If you are interested on finding out more about smart meters and their future in Virginia, try the following website for Dominion Power: http://dom.mediaroom.com and type “smart meters” into the search block.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
January Newsletter
President's Letter,
Beginning Anew in the New Year
I’m Dick Martin, the new President for AARP Chapter 5239 as we start the new year for Chapter activities. Replacing Carla Wascalus, who has served with distinction as Chapter President for the past two years will be difficult. Carla has been an outstanding leader—among the best we have had in our Chapter’s list of excellent past presidents. Carla’s boundless energy and enthusiasm, dedication, and exemplary organization, and attention to details brought our Chapter a “Best in Virginia” AARP award during her reign.
I know it will be tough for me to follow in Carla’s shoes and bra. (Par-rum-bum.)
Let me start January 2010 by listing several of my goals and objectives for Chapter 5239 during the coming months:
First, AARP means “volunteering.” Our AARP motto is “To Serve, not to be Served.” Our aim is to have every Chapter member active and participating on at least one Committee or in some event. We have a long, long list of Chapter Committees and events. We want to take advantage of each member’s particular talents and abilities, and life-experience, by having each person serve in some group of mutual-interest. More about this next month.
Second, AARP Chapter 5239 will continue to be “Non-Political.” National AARP can often be extreme in their drive for purely political objectives. Some of these national objectives can divide and alienate our member-ship. We will continue to concentrate on bringing help and assistance to our friends and neighbors on a local and regional basis.
Third, let’s have more laughs as a group! In these stressful days of recession/depression, high unemployment, far-away wars, and sudden $1,200 LOWA special assessments, we all need some humor to help carry us through our day. Be ready to tell a good joke at our monthly meetings. Nothing starts a day better than a good belly laugh or two.
For example, what hair color do they put on the drivers licenses of bald men?
If four out of five people suffer from diarrhea, does that mean that one out of five enjoys it? (Par-rum-bum.)
The very best of 2010 to each and every one of us…
Dick Martin, President
January Meeting to Focus on Wilderness Battlefield
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity
Pastor Jim Smith, a member of the Friends of the Wilderness Battlefield, will be the guest speaker at the January 18, AARP meeting. Pastor Smith is the Associate Pastor of the Lake of the Woods Church. He has always had an interest in the history of the Civil War and appreciates being in this area where he is surrounded by the Wilderness Battlefields.
This first AARP meeting of the New Year, will be held at the LOW Clubhouse. The meeting will begin with sweets and coffee at 9:30 AM. The program will begin at 10 AM. It should be very interesting for our residents to discover how sections of LOW were impacted by the Civil War. Everyone is invited to come and join this very friendly and lively group.
AARP Chapter 5239 Funds Distributed in 2009
Through your volunteer efforts at our fund raising events this past year, we were able to give $5874 to 13 different organizations. The activities which produced most of the funding for these donations were the Chicken BBQ and the monthly auctions.
LOW Fire & Rescue $1100
Project Lifesaver - TRIAD 400
AARP Foundation 100
Culpeper Safe House 250
Sheltering Arms in Orange 1000
Orange Senior Nutrition Center 500
Lions Wilderness Food Bank 1100
Orange County 4H 205
Orange County Animal Shelter 500
Lake Youth Foundation 150
OC Citizens’ Police Academy 250
$5555
Beginning Anew in the New Year
I’m Dick Martin, the new President for AARP Chapter 5239 as we start the new year for Chapter activities. Replacing Carla Wascalus, who has served with distinction as Chapter President for the past two years will be difficult. Carla has been an outstanding leader—among the best we have had in our Chapter’s list of excellent past presidents. Carla’s boundless energy and enthusiasm, dedication, and exemplary organization, and attention to details brought our Chapter a “Best in Virginia” AARP award during her reign.
I know it will be tough for me to follow in Carla’s shoes and bra. (Par-rum-bum.)
Let me start January 2010 by listing several of my goals and objectives for Chapter 5239 during the coming months:
First, AARP means “volunteering.” Our AARP motto is “To Serve, not to be Served.” Our aim is to have every Chapter member active and participating on at least one Committee or in some event. We have a long, long list of Chapter Committees and events. We want to take advantage of each member’s particular talents and abilities, and life-experience, by having each person serve in some group of mutual-interest. More about this next month.
Second, AARP Chapter 5239 will continue to be “Non-Political.” National AARP can often be extreme in their drive for purely political objectives. Some of these national objectives can divide and alienate our member-ship. We will continue to concentrate on bringing help and assistance to our friends and neighbors on a local and regional basis.
Third, let’s have more laughs as a group! In these stressful days of recession/depression, high unemployment, far-away wars, and sudden $1,200 LOWA special assessments, we all need some humor to help carry us through our day. Be ready to tell a good joke at our monthly meetings. Nothing starts a day better than a good belly laugh or two.
For example, what hair color do they put on the drivers licenses of bald men?
If four out of five people suffer from diarrhea, does that mean that one out of five enjoys it? (Par-rum-bum.)
The very best of 2010 to each and every one of us…
Dick Martin, President
January Meeting to Focus on Wilderness Battlefield
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity
Pastor Jim Smith, a member of the Friends of the Wilderness Battlefield, will be the guest speaker at the January 18, AARP meeting. Pastor Smith is the Associate Pastor of the Lake of the Woods Church. He has always had an interest in the history of the Civil War and appreciates being in this area where he is surrounded by the Wilderness Battlefields.
This first AARP meeting of the New Year, will be held at the LOW Clubhouse. The meeting will begin with sweets and coffee at 9:30 AM. The program will begin at 10 AM. It should be very interesting for our residents to discover how sections of LOW were impacted by the Civil War. Everyone is invited to come and join this very friendly and lively group.
AARP Chapter 5239 Funds Distributed in 2009
Through your volunteer efforts at our fund raising events this past year, we were able to give $5874 to 13 different organizations. The activities which produced most of the funding for these donations were the Chicken BBQ and the monthly auctions.
LOW Fire & Rescue $1100
Project Lifesaver - TRIAD 400
AARP Foundation 100
Culpeper Safe House 250
Sheltering Arms in Orange 1000
Orange Senior Nutrition Center 500
Lions Wilderness Food Bank 1100
Orange County 4H 205
Orange County Animal Shelter 500
Lake Youth Foundation 150
OC Citizens’ Police Academy 250
$5555
SUNSHINE REPORT
Get Well cards were sent to: Tina Aris, Doris Velona, Janet Bloom, Gerta Binotto, Ray Dickerson, Jackie Hill, Dick Durphy, and Boyce Wray.
A sympathy card was sent to the family of Anna Hoehn.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
( Capricorn and Aquarius)
Joan Albertella, Billy J. Bearden, Richard Bergmann, Ed Brown, Chris Burr, Katherine Causby, William Charest, Alberta Diamonstein, Joan Duy, Rosalind Gantz, Gay Grant, Carol Hein, Marie Johnson, Marguerite Jones, Karen Kovarik, Angelo Laviano, Leonard Maselli, Judith McCann, Jim Moore, Toby Musatow, Olga Patnode, Dick Phillipo, Sandra Plummer, Raymond Poole, Frances Settlemire, Elaine Spencer, Joseph Spero, Richard Stephens, Bill Walker, Bill Wemmerus, Lucille Yery, and Carol Zacheis.
Get Well cards were sent to: Tina Aris, Doris Velona, Janet Bloom, Gerta Binotto, Ray Dickerson, Jackie Hill, Dick Durphy, and Boyce Wray.
A sympathy card was sent to the family of Anna Hoehn.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
( Capricorn and Aquarius)
Joan Albertella, Billy J. Bearden, Richard Bergmann, Ed Brown, Chris Burr, Katherine Causby, William Charest, Alberta Diamonstein, Joan Duy, Rosalind Gantz, Gay Grant, Carol Hein, Marie Johnson, Marguerite Jones, Karen Kovarik, Angelo Laviano, Leonard Maselli, Judith McCann, Jim Moore, Toby Musatow, Olga Patnode, Dick Phillipo, Sandra Plummer, Raymond Poole, Frances Settlemire, Elaine Spencer, Joseph Spero, Richard Stephens, Bill Walker, Bill Wemmerus, Lucille Yery, and Carol Zacheis.
Membership Renewal Now Due Please note that if you joined for the first time from September to December of 2009, your 2010 dues are paid. Also, several people paid twice last year, so they do not owe 2010 dues. Check with Linda Wight/Dick Durphy. You may pay your $7 dues at the January meeting or mail a check made payable to “AARP Chapter 5239” to AARP 5239, P.O. Box 945, Locust Grove, VA 22508
Monthly Silent Auction
We always need new and gently used items for the auctions, which will resume in January. We need to have all items by January 15 to ready them for the meeting on January 21. Thanks for your help.
Call Roxanne at 972-8364, Patti at 972-1370, or Carla at 972-3436 for pickup. Any donation will be greatly appreciated.
Pictures Needed
by Nola Davidson, Scrapbook Editor
To keep the Chapter Scrapbook up-to-date, pictures taken on the various AARP trips are needed. If you don't want to share, I will make copies. Just identify the event and the people featured. See me at the meeting, call 972-8403 or email ndavid51691@verizon.net
Free Income Tax Filing Assistance
Free Tax Preparation and E-filing through the AARP Tax-Aide Program will be available at two Orange County locations beginning in February through April 15, 2010.
· Lake of the Woods Holcomb Building starting February 5 through April 10, 2010. Appointments for either Friday from 10 AM to 2 PM, or Saturday from 9 AM to 2 PM may be made after January 25 by calling 972-0350.
· Orange Extension Office, 146 Madison Road, Suite 102, Orange (Across from McDonald's), starting February 3 through April 15, 2010. Appointments for either Wednesday from 10 AM to 2 PM or Thursdays 1 to 5 PM may be made by calling 540-672-1361 beginning in January.
Requirements include: Social Security card(s) or appropriate alternative(s), an official ID with picture, ALL W-2s and 1099 Forms, any other 2009 tax-related material and a copy of your 2009 tax return.
Monthly Silent Auction
We always need new and gently used items for the auctions, which will resume in January. We need to have all items by January 15 to ready them for the meeting on January 21. Thanks for your help.
Call Roxanne at 972-8364, Patti at 972-1370, or Carla at 972-3436 for pickup. Any donation will be greatly appreciated.
Pictures Needed
by Nola Davidson, Scrapbook Editor
To keep the Chapter Scrapbook up-to-date, pictures taken on the various AARP trips are needed. If you don't want to share, I will make copies. Just identify the event and the people featured. See me at the meeting, call 972-8403 or email ndavid51691@verizon.net
Free Income Tax Filing Assistance
Free Tax Preparation and E-filing through the AARP Tax-Aide Program will be available at two Orange County locations beginning in February through April 15, 2010.
· Lake of the Woods Holcomb Building starting February 5 through April 10, 2010. Appointments for either Friday from 10 AM to 2 PM, or Saturday from 9 AM to 2 PM may be made after January 25 by calling 972-0350.
· Orange Extension Office, 146 Madison Road, Suite 102, Orange (Across from McDonald's), starting February 3 through April 15, 2010. Appointments for either Wednesday from 10 AM to 2 PM or Thursdays 1 to 5 PM may be made by calling 540-672-1361 beginning in January.
Requirements include: Social Security card(s) or appropriate alternative(s), an official ID with picture, ALL W-2s and 1099 Forms, any other 2009 tax-related material and a copy of your 2009 tax return.
Legislative Report
by Pat Berry
While Congress wrestles with the issue of Health Care Reform, many of us are still faced with health decisions about our personal situations. Before getting medical care—whether it's having a knee or hip replaced or another nonemergency treatment—it's helpful to know how a particular hospital, even a physician, performs compared to other providers. Checking out a provider's quality performance becomes increasingly important as individuals take on more health care decision-making in the era of consumer-driven health care.
Several web-based tools are now available to make each of us evaluate hospitals in our area and their quality of treatment. One such national site, Hospital Compare at www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov, is maintained by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Not only does it provide information on specific medical conditions such as heart attacks, heart failure and pneumonia, it reports on efforts to prevent surgical infections. (I tried comparing hospitals within 50 miles of Lake of the Woods and picked Mary Washington Hospital, Potomac and Martha Jefferson as a test.)
Another source to check out is the Leapfrog Group at www.LeapfrogGroup.org, a site that rates hospitals on how they are doing on several key measures of improving patient safety. Consumers can search for hospital rankings with the Leapfrog Hospital Quality and Safety Survey Results, where you can search for hospital information by your ZIP code.
In Virginia the Virginia Department of Health Professions at www.dhp.state.va.us offers links for consumers to look up physician licenses, physician profiles and other specific information. The Virginia Board of Medicine offers Virginia Health Provider Search at www.vahealthprovider.com, a database of state- and self-reported information on providers, from specialty area and board certification status to legal and disciplinary actions taken against specific providers. You can search for professionals by name, location and languages spoken. Virginia Health Information (VHI) at www.vhi.org offers several performance reports on Virginia providers, including Cardiac Care Reports.
Perhaps these websites will be useful as you begin to manage your own health care questions in the New Year.
by Pat Berry
While Congress wrestles with the issue of Health Care Reform, many of us are still faced with health decisions about our personal situations. Before getting medical care—whether it's having a knee or hip replaced or another nonemergency treatment—it's helpful to know how a particular hospital, even a physician, performs compared to other providers. Checking out a provider's quality performance becomes increasingly important as individuals take on more health care decision-making in the era of consumer-driven health care.
Several web-based tools are now available to make each of us evaluate hospitals in our area and their quality of treatment. One such national site, Hospital Compare at www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov, is maintained by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Not only does it provide information on specific medical conditions such as heart attacks, heart failure and pneumonia, it reports on efforts to prevent surgical infections. (I tried comparing hospitals within 50 miles of Lake of the Woods and picked Mary Washington Hospital, Potomac and Martha Jefferson as a test.)
Another source to check out is the Leapfrog Group at www.LeapfrogGroup.org, a site that rates hospitals on how they are doing on several key measures of improving patient safety. Consumers can search for hospital rankings with the Leapfrog Hospital Quality and Safety Survey Results, where you can search for hospital information by your ZIP code.
In Virginia the Virginia Department of Health Professions at www.dhp.state.va.us offers links for consumers to look up physician licenses, physician profiles and other specific information. The Virginia Board of Medicine offers Virginia Health Provider Search at www.vahealthprovider.com, a database of state- and self-reported information on providers, from specialty area and board certification status to legal and disciplinary actions taken against specific providers. You can search for professionals by name, location and languages spoken. Virginia Health Information (VHI) at www.vhi.org offers several performance reports on Virginia providers, including Cardiac Care Reports.
Perhaps these websites will be useful as you begin to manage your own health care questions in the New Year.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
President’s Message
The holiday season is upon us, and I know we all ate too much over Thanksgiving. I hope yours was as wonderful as mine. Those of us who went on the AARP trip to Pigeon Forge and Nashville, TN, had a wonderful time. Thank you, Ruby, for arranging it.This is my final President’s letter. My term is up, and it has been a privilege and a pleasure to serve as President for the past two years. There have been a lot of fun times (especially this year’s Cardboard Boat Race-thanks, Hank), wonderful trips, great programs, and lots of volunteer hours performed for both the chapter and our community. Our own Betty Hughes was awarded The Warren J. Lodge Award for Excellence this year and Frank and Marion Jacobeen received the AARP Chapter Volunteer of the Year award. Other chapter members have also received various LOWA awards throughout the years. In my book all our members are deserving of recognition for all that they do. I do want to offer my special thanks to Ruth Hood for publishing this newsletter as well as making sure that our articles and pictures get into Lake Currents. She has produced the Perspectives for the past four years and has done an excellent job. I also want to thank all of you who helped with our Volunteer Day in May, our Chicken BBQ in November, our monthly Silent Auction, and all those involved with Woods Cares. Without all of you, our chapter would be just another monthly meeting, albeit one that has a great program. Thanks to our program committee that has arranged interesting and informative programs and great coffee and sweets. There are many other services that our members take part in, but too numerous to name here. I have also not named names because the list is too long, and I don’t want to forget anyone. I will leave that for our holiday pot luck on December 21 at the Community Center. I just want everyone to know that I am thankful for each and every one of you who has made my term go by smoothly. I know that you will continue to support the chapter and your new officers.December is going to be as busy as usual, but let us take time to reflect on the past year. I know that times are hard for a lot of us or our family members, but we all have love and friendship in our lives and that is very important. May all of you enjoy a safe and happy holiday and may 2010 bring health and happiness to all.
Carla Wascalus, President.
AARP Holiday Luncheon, December 21, 2009
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity
AARP Chapter 5239AARP members and friends are invited to join us at the Community Center for the annual holiday luncheon on Monday, December 21, at 11:30 AM. Members are asked to bring one of the following: a hot entrée, a vegetable or a dessert to serve eight people. Food should be delivered no later than 11:15 AM. Tables will be set up ahead of time and drinks, paper products, and plastic ware will be furnished.The following members will be installed as the Chapter 5239 Officers for 2009: President, Dick Martin; Vice President, Dick Bradie; Secretary, Jennifer Zukowski; Treasurer, Dick Durphy. The Board of Directors is as follows: Ruth Hood, Ruby Horvath, Dwight Mottet, Pierre Payett, Roxanne Kessler and Past President, Carla Wascalus.A short business meeting will follow the luncheon.Invite your neighbors to join us, and come to the Community Center on Monday, December 21, to enjoy food and fellowship with our friends and neighbors.
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
(Scorpio and Sagittarius)
Charlotte Banas, William Bauer,Ellie Baughman, Dick Bradie, Ellie Brown, Tony Brown, Laurel Buongiovanni,Marilyn Buttimer, Pat Cassese,Sheila Clark, Joe Davidson, Carol Dionne, William Grogan, Mary Hudak, Don Larsen, Helen Markart, Richard Martin, Joe Sauro, Ken Tilliman, Laurie Wares,Carla Wascalus, Elizabeth Wiley,and Karen Woods
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
(Sagittarius and Capricorn)
Otis Adgerson, Joan Bassford,June Belinsky, Dick Berra, Donna Crawley,Nola Davidson, Ray Dickinson, Jim Dionne,Marion Doherty, Janet Emblidge,Nancy Grogan, Robert Haring,Jackie Hill, Ruth Hood,Marion Jacobeen, Joan King,David Kovarik, Millie Lane,Ruth Lemmerman, Hank Lewis,Ron Moffa, Pat Phillipo,James Protiva, Ed Rowan, Gail Sauro,Sue Schafer, Janelle Seiberlich,Richard Stohr, Joseph Wascalus,Erlinda Wight, Elaine Witcher,Boyce Wrayand Paul R. Zacheis
SUNSHINE REPORT
A Get-well card was sent to Nick Duy.If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to the following new members: Donna Stanford, Ann Walker, Ed and Doris Sc
oon, Phillip and Gerlinde Carmona, Nancy Arnold, Marva Culp, Carroll and Marian Hamilton
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
Monthly Silent AuctionWe always need new and gently used items for the auctions, which will resume in January. We need to have all items by January 15 to ready them for the meeting on January 21. Thanks for your help.Call Roxanne at 972-8364), Patti at 972-1370 or Carla at 972-3436 for pickup. Any donation will be greatly appreciated.
TRIAD
TRIAD has 3 Guardian Alert 911 systems available right now. These devices help to keep seniors who live alone safe in their own homes. The alarm is worn around the neck. When there is an emergency, they push the button on the alarm and 911 is notified that help is needed. Call Dick Bradie at 308-5507 for more information.
Found
A man's wedding ring was found in the Great Hall after our October 19 meeting. If you have lost a ring, contact Carla at 972-3436.
Legislative Report
by Pat Berry
During the week of October 16-23 Channel 18 broadcast a WW2 Veteran Interview with Lincoln Landis, a LOW resident and past Army Liaison to Russian Occupation Forces in Germany. This interview and 69 others like them were filmed over the past five years by Dick Martin and seventeen other AARP volunteers as part of an initiative sponsored by the Veteran’s History Project and the Library of Congress. This program was designed to gather the first-hand recollections of the diverse men and women who served our nation during wartime. Created in 2000 as part of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, the Veteran's History Project is the largest oral history project in the nation. Public Law 106-380, sponsored by Representatives Ron Kind, Amo Houghton, and Steny Hoyer in the U.S. House of Representativesand Senators Max Cleland and Chuck Hagel in the U.S. Senate, authorized $250,000 for that fiscal year to collect, preserve, and make accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.Today the Center holds more than 60,000 collections of audio- and video-taped interviews, photographs, letters, diaries and other personal documents from veterans of World War1, World War2, the Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf wars. We are proud that AARP Chapter 5239 recognizes veterans living here in LOW who contributed their own unique stories to our nation’s history and has made their information available to a broader audience.If you are interested in learning more about the Veteran’s History Project, you can log onto www.loc.gov/vets and access the interviews.
The holiday season is upon us, and I know we all ate too much over Thanksgiving. I hope yours was as wonderful as mine. Those of us who went on the AARP trip to Pigeon Forge and Nashville, TN, had a wonderful time. Thank you, Ruby, for arranging it.This is my final President’s letter. My term is up, and it has been a privilege and a pleasure to serve as President for the past two years. There have been a lot of fun times (especially this year’s Cardboard Boat Race-thanks, Hank), wonderful trips, great programs, and lots of volunteer hours performed for both the chapter and our community. Our own Betty Hughes was awarded The Warren J. Lodge Award for Excellence this year and Frank and Marion Jacobeen received the AARP Chapter Volunteer of the Year award. Other chapter members have also received various LOWA awards throughout the years. In my book all our members are deserving of recognition for all that they do. I do want to offer my special thanks to Ruth Hood for publishing this newsletter as well as making sure that our articles and pictures get into Lake Currents. She has produced the Perspectives for the past four years and has done an excellent job. I also want to thank all of you who helped with our Volunteer Day in May, our Chicken BBQ in November, our monthly Silent Auction, and all those involved with Woods Cares. Without all of you, our chapter would be just another monthly meeting, albeit one that has a great program. Thanks to our program committee that has arranged interesting and informative programs and great coffee and sweets. There are many other services that our members take part in, but too numerous to name here. I have also not named names because the list is too long, and I don’t want to forget anyone. I will leave that for our holiday pot luck on December 21 at the Community Center. I just want everyone to know that I am thankful for each and every one of you who has made my term go by smoothly. I know that you will continue to support the chapter and your new officers.December is going to be as busy as usual, but let us take time to reflect on the past year. I know that times are hard for a lot of us or our family members, but we all have love and friendship in our lives and that is very important. May all of you enjoy a safe and happy holiday and may 2010 bring health and happiness to all.
Carla Wascalus, President.
AARP Holiday Luncheon, December 21, 2009
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity
AARP Chapter 5239AARP members and friends are invited to join us at the Community Center for the annual holiday luncheon on Monday, December 21, at 11:30 AM. Members are asked to bring one of the following: a hot entrée, a vegetable or a dessert to serve eight people. Food should be delivered no later than 11:15 AM. Tables will be set up ahead of time and drinks, paper products, and plastic ware will be furnished.The following members will be installed as the Chapter 5239 Officers for 2009: President, Dick Martin; Vice President, Dick Bradie; Secretary, Jennifer Zukowski; Treasurer, Dick Durphy. The Board of Directors is as follows: Ruth Hood, Ruby Horvath, Dwight Mottet, Pierre Payett, Roxanne Kessler and Past President, Carla Wascalus.A short business meeting will follow the luncheon.Invite your neighbors to join us, and come to the Community Center on Monday, December 21, to enjoy food and fellowship with our friends and neighbors.
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
(Scorpio and Sagittarius)
Charlotte Banas, William Bauer,Ellie Baughman, Dick Bradie, Ellie Brown, Tony Brown, Laurel Buongiovanni,Marilyn Buttimer, Pat Cassese,Sheila Clark, Joe Davidson, Carol Dionne, William Grogan, Mary Hudak, Don Larsen, Helen Markart, Richard Martin, Joe Sauro, Ken Tilliman, Laurie Wares,Carla Wascalus, Elizabeth Wiley,and Karen Woods
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
(Sagittarius and Capricorn)
Otis Adgerson, Joan Bassford,June Belinsky, Dick Berra, Donna Crawley,Nola Davidson, Ray Dickinson, Jim Dionne,Marion Doherty, Janet Emblidge,Nancy Grogan, Robert Haring,Jackie Hill, Ruth Hood,Marion Jacobeen, Joan King,David Kovarik, Millie Lane,Ruth Lemmerman, Hank Lewis,Ron Moffa, Pat Phillipo,James Protiva, Ed Rowan, Gail Sauro,Sue Schafer, Janelle Seiberlich,Richard Stohr, Joseph Wascalus,Erlinda Wight, Elaine Witcher,Boyce Wrayand Paul R. Zacheis
SUNSHINE REPORT
A Get-well card was sent to Nick Duy.If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to the following new members: Donna Stanford, Ann Walker, Ed and Doris Sc
oon, Phillip and Gerlinde Carmona, Nancy Arnold, Marva Culp, Carroll and Marian Hamilton
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
Monthly Silent AuctionWe always need new and gently used items for the auctions, which will resume in January. We need to have all items by January 15 to ready them for the meeting on January 21. Thanks for your help.Call Roxanne at 972-8364), Patti at 972-1370 or Carla at 972-3436 for pickup. Any donation will be greatly appreciated.
TRIAD
TRIAD has 3 Guardian Alert 911 systems available right now. These devices help to keep seniors who live alone safe in their own homes. The alarm is worn around the neck. When there is an emergency, they push the button on the alarm and 911 is notified that help is needed. Call Dick Bradie at 308-5507 for more information.
Found
A man's wedding ring was found in the Great Hall after our October 19 meeting. If you have lost a ring, contact Carla at 972-3436.
Legislative Report
by Pat Berry
During the week of October 16-23 Channel 18 broadcast a WW2 Veteran Interview with Lincoln Landis, a LOW resident and past Army Liaison to Russian Occupation Forces in Germany. This interview and 69 others like them were filmed over the past five years by Dick Martin and seventeen other AARP volunteers as part of an initiative sponsored by the Veteran’s History Project and the Library of Congress. This program was designed to gather the first-hand recollections of the diverse men and women who served our nation during wartime. Created in 2000 as part of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, the Veteran's History Project is the largest oral history project in the nation. Public Law 106-380, sponsored by Representatives Ron Kind, Amo Houghton, and Steny Hoyer in the U.S. House of Representativesand Senators Max Cleland and Chuck Hagel in the U.S. Senate, authorized $250,000 for that fiscal year to collect, preserve, and make accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.Today the Center holds more than 60,000 collections of audio- and video-taped interviews, photographs, letters, diaries and other personal documents from veterans of World War1, World War2, the Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf wars. We are proud that AARP Chapter 5239 recognizes veterans living here in LOW who contributed their own unique stories to our nation’s history and has made their information available to a broader audience.If you are interested in learning more about the Veteran’s History Project, you can log onto www.loc.gov/vets and access the interviews.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
November Newsletter
President’s Message
I hope that everyone had a fun Halloween and that you didn’t forget to turn your clocks back. It is now time to get ready for Thanksgiving. For those of us going on the Nashville trip and returning late the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, it is going to be a busy holiday if we are cooking; but then what fun are the holidays if we are not busy?
Our November 3 Election Day BBQ will be over by the time you are reading this newsletter. I just want to add my thanks to everyone who purchased tickets and who helped before or on the actual day. I know that we had plenty of brownies because so many of you signed up to bake. Thank you.
The slate of new officers/directors was presented at the October meeting, and they will be voted in during the next meeting. There will be four new officers and one new director to go along with four of the current Directors who will serve another year. All positions are one-year positions with officers allowed to serve two one-year terms and directors three one-year terms. The outgoing president also serves.
I am still looking for someone to completely take over the membership duties. A working knowledge of Excel and the ability to print mailing labels is essential. If interested please contact me.
We will continue to encourage you to bring food for the Wilderness Food Bank. See the list of items needed on page 4. They will not be collecting toys and having a party this year. They just have too many families and are getting more each time they are open. Sheltering arms will not be collecting toys either, but donations of money are always welcome to both groups.
Have a great Thanksgiving and remember we will be having our holiday pot luck luncheon on December 21 at the Community Center.
Carla Wascalus, President
LOW Residents to Discuss Peace Corps Experiences
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity, AARP Chapter 5239
The next meeting of AARP Chapter 5239, will take place on Monday, November 16, at the LOW Clubhouse. The featured speakers will be former members of the Peace Corps, Bobbie Prees, Sandi McNeeley, and Ed Scoon.
Bobbie Prees will share her experiences as a Peace Corp volunteer in Morocco and staff in Yemen. She is a retired federal employee.
Sandra McNeeley always wanted to help others, which led her to join the Peace Corps. She spent over two years as a volunteer in Kabul, Afghanistan teaching English and business subjects. Sandra will share slides of her experiences. She is a retired Department of State employee.
Casimir “Ed” Scoon is a former Regional Peace Corps Director in the Eastern Caribbean from 1970 to 1974. He has 15 years plus in International Labor Affairs for Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean. He will talk about his personal experiences in the Peace Corps. He is a retired federal employee.
The speakers are all residents of Lake of the Woods. It should be a most interesting program. Most people do not know a lot about the Peace Corps, and we should enjoy having speakers who are our neighbors.
The meeting will begin at 9:30AM with sweets and coffee followed by the program at 10AM. Everyone is invited to attend and if you can bring a friend.
2010 Slate of Chapter Officers and Directors
President, Richard Martin
Vice President, Richard Bradie
Secretary, Jennifer Zukowski
Treasure, Richard Durphy
Directors:
Roxanne Kessler
Ruth Hood, Incumbent-3rd term
Ruby Horvath, incumbent-3rd term
Dwight Mottet, incumbent-3rd term
Pierre Payette, Incumbent-2nd term
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
(Scorpio and Sagittarius )
Charlotte Banas, William Bauer, Ellie Baughman, Dick Bradie, Ellie Brown, Tony Brown, Laurel Buongiovanni, Marilyn Buttimer, Pat Cassese, Sheila Clark, Joe Davidson, Carol Dionne, William Grogan, Mary Hudak, Don Larsen, Helen Markart, Richard Martin, Joe Sauro, Ken Tilliman, Laurie Wares, Carla Wascalus, Elizabeth Wiley, Karen Wood
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to the following new member: Sylvia Lyngle
SUNSHINE REPORT
No cards were sent this month.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
Monthly Silent Auction
We always need new and gently used items for the auctions. We would really like to have nice giftable items for the November auction since we will not have an auction in December. This could be a great "shopping trip." We need to have all items by November 10 to ready them for the meeting on November 16. Thanks for your help. Among the items up for bid will be some very collectible Elvis Presley dolls and a working Elvis watch. Pass the word to your collector friends! At the October meeting the auction netted $139.
Please remember: All bids are made in dollar increments only, no coins (i.e., 25¢, 50¢, or 75¢)
Call Roxanne at 972-8364), Patti at 972-1370 or Carla at 972-3436 for pickup. Any donation will be greatly appreciated.
Legislative Report
by Pat Berry
National: Because we are all keeping a watchful eye on the economic situation, news about legislative action in the House Financial Services Committee to protect consumers is worth sharing. On October 22, the Committee approved legislation to create what would be the first single federal agency with the power to examine and enforce rules for mortgages, credit cards, payday loans and other lending products and services. Of course, the measure must still win approval of the full House before moving to the Senate, but feeling is quite strong among all segments of the population that we must see some regulation of the financial services industry.
Another action in Congress includes expected changes in the federal estate tax law. As part of a major tax overhaul enacted in 2001, Congress created a schedule designed to decrease the inheritance tax incrementally until in 2010 the estate tax would be abolished entirely. Unfortunately, the law was designed to “sunset” after 10 years; and the old top rate of 55% would suddenly be back in place. Congress is likely to step in before the end of the year, but we can expect numerous amendments and prolonged debate before any final change in passed into law. That’s especially true if legislators agree to a one-year extension and punt the issue into 2010, because the entire House and a third of the Senate will be up for election next year.
In the event that anyone would like further information on Congress and legislation currently being considered, you can visit http:/thomas.loc.gov and do a quick review of bills that are in various stages of deliberation.
I hope that everyone had a fun Halloween and that you didn’t forget to turn your clocks back. It is now time to get ready for Thanksgiving. For those of us going on the Nashville trip and returning late the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, it is going to be a busy holiday if we are cooking; but then what fun are the holidays if we are not busy?
Our November 3 Election Day BBQ will be over by the time you are reading this newsletter. I just want to add my thanks to everyone who purchased tickets and who helped before or on the actual day. I know that we had plenty of brownies because so many of you signed up to bake. Thank you.
The slate of new officers/directors was presented at the October meeting, and they will be voted in during the next meeting. There will be four new officers and one new director to go along with four of the current Directors who will serve another year. All positions are one-year positions with officers allowed to serve two one-year terms and directors three one-year terms. The outgoing president also serves.
I am still looking for someone to completely take over the membership duties. A working knowledge of Excel and the ability to print mailing labels is essential. If interested please contact me.
We will continue to encourage you to bring food for the Wilderness Food Bank. See the list of items needed on page 4. They will not be collecting toys and having a party this year. They just have too many families and are getting more each time they are open. Sheltering arms will not be collecting toys either, but donations of money are always welcome to both groups.
Have a great Thanksgiving and remember we will be having our holiday pot luck luncheon on December 21 at the Community Center.
Carla Wascalus, President
LOW Residents to Discuss Peace Corps Experiences
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity, AARP Chapter 5239
The next meeting of AARP Chapter 5239, will take place on Monday, November 16, at the LOW Clubhouse. The featured speakers will be former members of the Peace Corps, Bobbie Prees, Sandi McNeeley, and Ed Scoon.
Bobbie Prees will share her experiences as a Peace Corp volunteer in Morocco and staff in Yemen. She is a retired federal employee.
Sandra McNeeley always wanted to help others, which led her to join the Peace Corps. She spent over two years as a volunteer in Kabul, Afghanistan teaching English and business subjects. Sandra will share slides of her experiences. She is a retired Department of State employee.
Casimir “Ed” Scoon is a former Regional Peace Corps Director in the Eastern Caribbean from 1970 to 1974. He has 15 years plus in International Labor Affairs for Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean. He will talk about his personal experiences in the Peace Corps. He is a retired federal employee.
The speakers are all residents of Lake of the Woods. It should be a most interesting program. Most people do not know a lot about the Peace Corps, and we should enjoy having speakers who are our neighbors.
The meeting will begin at 9:30AM with sweets and coffee followed by the program at 10AM. Everyone is invited to attend and if you can bring a friend.
2010 Slate of Chapter Officers and Directors
President, Richard Martin
Vice President, Richard Bradie
Secretary, Jennifer Zukowski
Treasure, Richard Durphy
Directors:
Roxanne Kessler
Ruth Hood, Incumbent-3rd term
Ruby Horvath, incumbent-3rd term
Dwight Mottet, incumbent-3rd term
Pierre Payette, Incumbent-2nd term
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
(Scorpio and Sagittarius )
Charlotte Banas, William Bauer, Ellie Baughman, Dick Bradie, Ellie Brown, Tony Brown, Laurel Buongiovanni, Marilyn Buttimer, Pat Cassese, Sheila Clark, Joe Davidson, Carol Dionne, William Grogan, Mary Hudak, Don Larsen, Helen Markart, Richard Martin, Joe Sauro, Ken Tilliman, Laurie Wares, Carla Wascalus, Elizabeth Wiley, Karen Wood
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to the following new member: Sylvia Lyngle
SUNSHINE REPORT
No cards were sent this month.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
Monthly Silent Auction
We always need new and gently used items for the auctions. We would really like to have nice giftable items for the November auction since we will not have an auction in December. This could be a great "shopping trip." We need to have all items by November 10 to ready them for the meeting on November 16. Thanks for your help. Among the items up for bid will be some very collectible Elvis Presley dolls and a working Elvis watch. Pass the word to your collector friends! At the October meeting the auction netted $139.
Please remember: All bids are made in dollar increments only, no coins (i.e., 25¢, 50¢, or 75¢)
Call Roxanne at 972-8364), Patti at 972-1370 or Carla at 972-3436 for pickup. Any donation will be greatly appreciated.
Legislative Report
by Pat Berry
National: Because we are all keeping a watchful eye on the economic situation, news about legislative action in the House Financial Services Committee to protect consumers is worth sharing. On October 22, the Committee approved legislation to create what would be the first single federal agency with the power to examine and enforce rules for mortgages, credit cards, payday loans and other lending products and services. Of course, the measure must still win approval of the full House before moving to the Senate, but feeling is quite strong among all segments of the population that we must see some regulation of the financial services industry.
Another action in Congress includes expected changes in the federal estate tax law. As part of a major tax overhaul enacted in 2001, Congress created a schedule designed to decrease the inheritance tax incrementally until in 2010 the estate tax would be abolished entirely. Unfortunately, the law was designed to “sunset” after 10 years; and the old top rate of 55% would suddenly be back in place. Congress is likely to step in before the end of the year, but we can expect numerous amendments and prolonged debate before any final change in passed into law. That’s especially true if legislators agree to a one-year extension and punt the issue into 2010, because the entire House and a third of the Senate will be up for election next year.
In the event that anyone would like further information on Congress and legislation currently being considered, you can visit http:/thomas.loc.gov and do a quick review of bills that are in various stages of deliberation.
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