President's Letter
In the Good Old Summer Time
It seems like “last week” that we were all suffering through record snowfall and low temperatures. And now we’re huffing and puffing our way through record high temperatures! It just doesn’t seem fair…
The 90-degree heat didn’t dampen member spirits at the June Annual Picnic. Our thanks go to Gil and Lucy Churchill and their many, many volunteer-helpers for putting on such a relaxed, enjoyable, and tasty Chapter picnic.
Although July and August are traditional “Summer Vacation” months, we’ve got to keep up our meeting schedule for those members who are still around and to continue planning for Chapter 5239 activities coming up later this year.
· The AARP Board Meeting will be held Monday, July 12, starting at 10 AM at the Wilderness Library. Chapter Officers, 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.
· And our July meeting will be held Monday, July 19, at the LOW Clubhouse, starting as usual with coffee and sweets fellowship at 9:30 AM.
· Then plan to come to the Sailboat Beach by the Clubhouse on Saturday, July 24, to watch Bobbie Prees represent AARP Chapter 5239 in the Lake Youth Foundation’s annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. The fun starts at 11:30 AM. Let’s cheer Bobbie on to a watery victory.
Finally, summer is also the traditional time for going on diets in order to look better in a swimming suit. Wanting to lose weight, one woman placed a picture of a shapely and very attractive pinup model inside her refrigerator to remind her of her goal. The reminder worked so well, she lost 10 pounds during the first month.
Unfortunately, her husband spent so much time going into the fridge to look at the picture that he gained 15 pounds!
Dick Martin, President
Sing-Along with Ralph Scheuermann
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity, AARP, Chapter 5239
Ralph Scheuermann, a resident of Lake of the Woods, will be the guest speaker at the Monday, July 19, AARP, Chapter 5239 meeting. This will be a fun and relaxing program that all will enjoy. We may not have Mitch Miller and his bouncing ball, but we do have the talented Ralph Scheuermann, who will provide music and words, and we will sing along with him. Mr. Scheuermann is a retired printer from New York.
He has entertained at the New York picnics
and also plays with a local group of musicians.
The meeting will begin with sweets and coffee at 9:30 AM. The program will begin at 10 AM. Come and join us for a fun and relaxing program. Everyone is invited. This is summer, and the living is easy.
Call For BBQ Volunteers
by Dwight Mottet, Chicken Dinner Project Chairman
The planning for our 2010 Election Day annual Chicken BBQ Dinner event has begun. Many of our Chicken BBQ chairs feel the need to have backup for the work that they have been doing. To ensure another very successful event for charity, we need one or two volunteers to learn how one facet of the planning is done and to share in the early organization of the following activities:
· Selling Tickets—Jim Moore, -9355;
· Cooking Chickens—Mike Pulice, -0814;
· Cooking Beans—George Lenwell, -0326;
· Serving Dinners, Joyce Bowers, -9325;
· Brownie Bakers, Carla Wascalus, -3436;
· Table Decorators Replacement needed for
Rosemary Walker -1375.
Last year's event served 720 dinners which gained $ 2,375 for thirteen local charities. We would greatly appreciate your assistance this year. If you want to volunteer, please sign up at the July 19 meeting. It is not just work, it is a social event—another way of interacting with your LOW neighbors and friends.
NOTICE
The Post Office charges AARP for all returned mail. If you are planning to be out of the area for a long vacation or move, please notify Carla at -3436 or at CPW_LOW@yahoo.com, and she will send the notice to your alternate/new address.
THIS MONTH’S BIRTHDAYS
(Cancer and Leo)
Tony Aris, Bernie Arnold,
Julia Barnes, Bonnie Boelke,
Richard Costanzo, Judy Curnow,
Gayle Fargo, Sandra Frame,
Carol Greeney, Gene Jacobs,
Janet Jacobs, Bob Jenks,
Rima Laviano, Ursula Medwid,
Carol Moffa, Bernie Palowitch,
Ruth Pavlik, Delma Roessler,
Patrick Rowland, Doris Schluter,
Elizabeth Tabor, Sharon Webb,
Diane Weller, Verna Wescott,
Henry Wright, Margaret Thode, and
Len Weeder
NEW MEMBERS:
Welcome to new members: Joanne Hewitson, Linda Reed, and James Taylor
SUNSHINE REPORT
Get-well cards were sent to Dwight Mottet,Joe Nolan, George Lenwell, Charles Taylor. If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
Monthly Silent Auction
We are accepting any donations that you may have for the auction in July.
Please remember to donate your new and gently-used items in great shape: NO missing parts, clean (no dirt or grease), and no tears or ragged edges. Call Patti at 972-1370, Carla at 972-3436, or Roxanne at 972-8364 for pickup, or bring your donations to the meeting. Many, many thanks
There was no auction in June.
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.”
Legislative News
by Pat Berry
On March 25, 2010, the 111th Congress approved Public Law 111-152, the “Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010.” Affectionately known as the “Doughnut Hole Closure” law, H.R. 4872 improved the Medicare drug benefit by closing the coverage gap that forces million of seniors to pay thousands of dollars out of their own pockets for their prescriptions. It also included provisions to strengthen Medicare for current seniors and future generations by cracking down on waste, fraud and abuse in our health system.
Want to know more about how Virginia Senators and House members voted on this bill and how they are representing you in Washington? One suggestion is to try the website at http://aarp.org/politics-society. AARP puts you into a front row seat for tracking voting in both the Senate and the House, along with the option of voicing your opinion on major National and State issues. After connecting to the AARP site, scroll down, keeping your eyes on the left side of the screen, and choose either “Key Vote Summary” or “Legislative Action Center” for access to further information on what’s happening just up I95. The first link provides access to elected state and national officials via email so you can make your opinions known. The second link will take you to a state map where you can follow voting around the country, including Virginia.
And by scrolling down just a little further on the politics and society site, you can find a link to “Government Watch” which takes you directly to information on other current legislation, such as H.R. 4173, a bill that will put in place new financial rules to protect consumers. All of this can make you a more formidable voter next November.
Oh, and by the way, the two Senators from Virginia and four of the Representatives voted for Public Law 111-152; seven of the state Representatives voted against it.
Medical News
by Sandie Frame
This is the first medical report from our new contributor, Sandie Frame. If you would like information on a specific topic, please let Sandie know.
I have been trying to cut down on salted foods, so I have been really reading the labels more carefully. I was surprised to see how much salt was contained in 1 to 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. Labels listed any where from 60 to 300 mg. Bloom’s peanut spread had the most, and heaven only knows what the “spread” actually contained besides sugar products, peanuts and salt.
This month’s Diabetes Forecast let me know that I could make my own peanut butter with a little bit of patience and a food processor.
· Take one cup of unsalted roasted peanuts with or without skins (also works with almonds, hazel nuts or other nuts),
· Grind them to a fine powder.
· Add 1 Tbsp. of peanut oil (canola oil will work just fine)
· Add up to 1 Tbsp. of honey if you absolutely have to have more sweetness.
· Store in the refrigerator in a clean jar.
This does not make a lot, but home-made peanut butter should be used in about two weeks. For an added flavor try toasting the nuts in a fry pan until golden brown before grinding. Happy salt-free eating.
Did You Know...
Peel a banana from the bottom and you won’t have to pick the little ‘stringy things’ off of it. That’s how the primates do it. Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.
Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!
Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.
Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.
To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.
For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.
Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic and at the end of the recipe if you want a stronger taste of garlic.
Reheat Pizza—Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.
Easy Deviled Eggs—Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.
Expanding Frosting—When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.
Reheating refrigerated bread—To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.
No More Mosquitoes—Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.
Squirrel Away! To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn’t hurt the plant and the squirrels won’t come near it.
Goodbye Fruit Flies—To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it ½’ with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
June Newsletter
President's Message
June…June…June
AARP Chapter 5239 enters the warmth and sunshine of “the wonderful month of June” with some significant advancements notched during the past month.
First, what a sensational “Day of Service” our Chapter turned in on May 19 and 20! Some 69 Chapter members volunteered to give up a day or more of their time to help needy people and charitable organizations in our area. This year, organized and guided by “Day of Service” Director Bob Johnson, we had groups of volunteer-helpers at eleven different locations throughout Orange County and in Fredericksburg and Culpeper.
Bob is sending a detailed report packet on the event to Amber Nightingale, our Chapter’s AARP Virginia coordinator in Richmond. Bob’s truly impressive report packet is an instruction manual on how to organize and put together such an event.
Our congratulations to Bob for his outstanding work—and our sincere thanks to all the volunteers for their efforts and dedication.
Second, a crew of volunteers handled the May 17 meeting setup and takedown work with only a minor hic-cup here and there. Hopefully, we’re now back in our meeting routine and won’t have any more problems and complaints with the Association.
Looking to the future—Saturday, July 24, to be exact—we need some volunteers to put together our Chapter’s cardboard boat for the Lake Youth Foundation’s 6th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. Construction materials can only be cardboard, duct or sealing tape, and paint. A challenge? Sure—but interesting and fun. (Remember Carla dragging the AARP boat back to shore in last year’s Regatta?) If you’re interested in giving something different a try, get on the “Titanic Construction List” at Doodoo1066@ Verizon.net, and we’ll call an idea-and-action meeting to get started.
Finally, Why do AARP members always use valet parking?
Because the valets don’t forget where they parked the car.
Dick Martin, President
AARP Prepares for Annual Picnic
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity Chairman
LOW AARP Chapter 5239 of will hold its annual picnic on Monday, June 21, 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. Members are requested to bring their favorite potluck dishes, casseroles, salads or desserts by 11:15 AM to share with everyone.
This is a very special social event for all to enjoy—meeting and greeting old friends and meeting new ones. It is fun to share stories and jokes and to enjoy good food. Come and join us.
THIS MONTH’S BIRTHDAYS
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
New Chapter Medical Chair
Sandie Frame is the new Chapter Medical Chairperson, replacing Frank Jacobeen. Sandie is a retired nurse with extensive experience in both clinical hospital and medical insurance company operations. She will keep Chapter members aware of new developments in the medical and general health fields.
Monthly Silent Auction
There will not be a silent auction at our June meeting. We will, however, accept any donations that you may care to bring to the June picnic meeting, and they can be put up for auction in July.
Please remember to donate your new and gently-used items in great shape: NO missing parts, clean (no dirt or grease), and no tears or ragged edges. Call Patti at 972-1370, Carla at 972-3436, or Roxanne at 972-8364 for pickup, or bring your donations to the meeting. Many, many thanks
We raised $116 at the May silent auction.
Legislative Report
by Pat Berry
A new rule proposed by the Treasury Department would close loopholes to protect social security benefits from illegal bank freezes. One case that came to light involved a 59-year-old woman who added her son to her checking account when her husband died so there would be someone to pay her bills if she fell ill. Funny thing. Recently she was notified that her account was frozen and all money in it was being sent to pay an old debt of that son even though he had never used the account. What followed was a lengthy process to hire a lawyer and file legal papers to get her money back.
The “Garnishment of Accounts Containing Federal Benefit Payments” would require banks to review the deposits in an account before freezing it in response to a court order. According to current law, Social Security retirement and disability benefits and veterans benefits are exempt from seizure by private debt collectors. But banks, if presented with a court order, can freeze accounts containing these benefits if a court order is issued to pay an outstanding claim. One attorney who was involved in a similar case feels that judgments that sat dormant for years are now being collected on as a way for banks and other creditors to offset other losses they had over the last few years.
If you are interested in the future of this rule, please send comments to the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the heading “Garnishment of Accounts Containing Federal Benefit Payments.” Send to the attention of Gary Grippo, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Fiscal Operations and Policy, U.S. Dept. of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Room 2112, Washington, D.C. 20220.
Highlights of March 15, 2010, Meeting
by Pam Nalls
· The goal for the second annual AARP/Ruritan Food Drive on September 11 is to collect 20 bags of food for donation to local food pantries. POC: Kathi Martin, 972-5242
· The Saturday, July 24 Cardboard Boat Regatta event is quickly approaching. Volunteers are needed to create the AARP boat and participate in the event. COMCAST CH18 will be broadcasting instructions on how to build a cardboard boat during the month of June.
· The LOWA Honor Awards Committee is accepting nominations for their awards program. Dick Martin requests that if AARP nominees are submitted, please let him know. Nominations are due by June 28 and forms can be found at the www.lowa.org website.
· Reminder: Help is needed to set up/take down chairs/tables for the monthly AARP meetings. Hank Lewis has sign-up sheets available at the monthly meetings.
· Bob Johnson, coordinator for AARP’s Day of Service on 19/20 May, provided a final update and advised sign-up sheets were still available for those interested in this worthy cause.
· Roxanne Kessler announced the Silent Auction winners. The amount raised at May’s auction was $116. Roxanne advises there will be no Silent Auction at the June meeting. You may bring donations to the June picnic for the July auction. Give donations to Patti, Carla or Roxanne.
· Paul Tobin announced the results of the 50/50 drawing which netted $41.50. The winner was Millie Wieser, who was visiting from the Culpeper AARP chapter.
· Next month’s meeting on Monday, June 21, will be the annual AARP picnic. See you at the Sweetbriar Pavilion at 11:30AM. Everyone is asked to bring a potluck dish to go with the hot dogs and hamburgers. Also, more folks are needed to serve on the clean-up committee for this event.
June…June…June
AARP Chapter 5239 enters the warmth and sunshine of “the wonderful month of June” with some significant advancements notched during the past month.
First, what a sensational “Day of Service” our Chapter turned in on May 19 and 20! Some 69 Chapter members volunteered to give up a day or more of their time to help needy people and charitable organizations in our area. This year, organized and guided by “Day of Service” Director Bob Johnson, we had groups of volunteer-helpers at eleven different locations throughout Orange County and in Fredericksburg and Culpeper.
Bob is sending a detailed report packet on the event to Amber Nightingale, our Chapter’s AARP Virginia coordinator in Richmond. Bob’s truly impressive report packet is an instruction manual on how to organize and put together such an event.
Our congratulations to Bob for his outstanding work—and our sincere thanks to all the volunteers for their efforts and dedication.
Second, a crew of volunteers handled the May 17 meeting setup and takedown work with only a minor hic-cup here and there. Hopefully, we’re now back in our meeting routine and won’t have any more problems and complaints with the Association.
Looking to the future—Saturday, July 24, to be exact—we need some volunteers to put together our Chapter’s cardboard boat for the Lake Youth Foundation’s 6th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. Construction materials can only be cardboard, duct or sealing tape, and paint. A challenge? Sure—but interesting and fun. (Remember Carla dragging the AARP boat back to shore in last year’s Regatta?) If you’re interested in giving something different a try, get on the “Titanic Construction List” at Doodoo1066@ Verizon.net, and we’ll call an idea-and-action meeting to get started.
Finally, Why do AARP members always use valet parking?
Because the valets don’t forget where they parked the car.
Dick Martin, President
AARP Prepares for Annual Picnic
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity Chairman
LOW AARP Chapter 5239 of will hold its annual picnic on Monday, June 21, 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. Members are requested to bring their favorite potluck dishes, casseroles, salads or desserts by 11:15 AM to share with everyone.
This is a very special social event for all to enjoy—meeting and greeting old friends and meeting new ones. It is fun to share stories and jokes and to enjoy good food. Come and join us.
THIS MONTH’S BIRTHDAYS
(Gemini and Cancer)
Margaret Thode, Len Weeder
Sal Buccola, Connie Buttimer
Ida Cangelosi, Philip Carmona
Lucy Churchill, Robert Cooke
Marva Culp, Ralph Daehnke
Richard Durphy, Nell Grimley
Marian Hamilton, Sibyle Jenks
Roxanne Kessler, Chuck King
Rina Lacey, Marilyn Lucero
Nancy Miller, Jan Moore
Eugene Ostlund, June Pataky
John Purificato, June. Romedy
Bonnie Rowan, Judy Schrage
Bob Simpson, Sheila Souther
Donna Stanford, Shirley Thompson Ginny Thoms, John Trach
Sandy Wemmerus, Carolyn Wray
SUNSHINE REPORT
A get-well card was sent in May to Delma Roessler. If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
Day of Service Report
by Bob Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator
Chapter 5239 designated Wednesday May 19 and Thursday, May 20, 2010 as “Volunteer Service Days.” Members and other citizens worked at eleven locations in Orange, Fredericksburg, and Culpeper. Sixty nine person-days racked up 295 hours of service. Here are some of the things we did:
· Orange County Nursing Home (Dogwood). We visited residents and helped them plant flowers in their outside flower beds.
· Carriage Hill nursing home (Fredericksburg). We went in the morning as the recreation supervisor suggested, but they were not ready with the planned bingo game. Some went back in the afternoon to assist with the game and provide prizes the team had accumulated.
· Orange County Homeless Shelter (Sheltering Arms). We painted, cleaned and reorganized a detached garage and laid carpet/rugs.
· Orange County Animal Shelter. About half the team worked at the shelter and the other half prepared fund-raising/raffle mailings. These tasks should substantially assist the Animal Shelter take care of its animals.
· Wilderness Food Pantry. We set up shelves and prepared for the Thursday distribution day.
· Orange County Historical Society. We worked on the areas around the building by pulling weeds and trimming the yard areas.
· TRIAD. We assembled TRIAD material including the File of Life which has been given to over 4,000 residents of the county and has saved lives because it lists medications and medical information for emergency response personnel.
· National Park Service, Wilderness Exhibition Shelter. We trimmed trail pathways in Saunders Field removing vines, and cutting small trees.
· Services to Abused Families (SAFE). We cleaned the carpet on two floors of the shelter and repaired screens on several windows.
· Mary Washington Hospital. We assisting with duties for patients during the week with certified volunteers.
· Photography. We transported the lunches and took pictures of the activities. Look for a group of photos at the picnic.
· Lunch preparation. We provided life-saving water and delicious bag lunches for all participants.
· Wilbur Gardens Assisted living. We performed Dulcimer concert for residents.
Remember, if you liked to volunteer at these facilities, keep on doing it! Thanks for all you do.
Protective Money Management Volunteers Needed
by Carla Wascalus
Volunteers are needed to help low-income persons manage their money. AARP’s Protective Money Management Program is in partnership with RRCSB in conjunction with the Social Security Administration. The Protective Money Management Program helps older people with limited income who are having difficulty paying their bills or managing their money. The program is sponsored by AARP, which insures funds in the client’s bank account up to $35,000.
As a volunteer you will receive a direct deposit from Social Security into a bank account, which is set up for the client, and use this money to pay the client’s bills, manage their daily expenses, etc. This may require one or two visits a month with the client. This is an ongoing commitment, not a one time volunteering opportunity, but one that will be very satisfying.
For information go to www.rrcsb.org. Click on Protective Money Management link, then on the last paragraph for volunteer details. Or contact Doug Schiffman, Coordinator for PMMP, at (540) 825-3100 x3159, on his cell (301) 370-4210 or by email at dschiffman@ rrcsb.org. He will come to LOW to do the two-hour training that is required.
NOTES, BITS AND PIECES
New Chapter Medical Chair
Sandie Frame is the new Chapter Medical Chairperson, replacing Frank Jacobeen. Sandie is a retired nurse with extensive experience in both clinical hospital and medical insurance company operations. She will keep Chapter members aware of new developments in the medical and general health fields.
Monthly Silent Auction
There will not be a silent auction at our June meeting. We will, however, accept any donations that you may care to bring to the June picnic meeting, and they can be put up for auction in July.
Please remember to donate your new and gently-used items in great shape: NO missing parts, clean (no dirt or grease), and no tears or ragged edges. Call Patti at 972-1370, Carla at 972-3436, or Roxanne at 972-8364 for pickup, or bring your donations to the meeting. Many, many thanks
We raised $116 at the May silent auction.
Legislative Report
by Pat Berry
A new rule proposed by the Treasury Department would close loopholes to protect social security benefits from illegal bank freezes. One case that came to light involved a 59-year-old woman who added her son to her checking account when her husband died so there would be someone to pay her bills if she fell ill. Funny thing. Recently she was notified that her account was frozen and all money in it was being sent to pay an old debt of that son even though he had never used the account. What followed was a lengthy process to hire a lawyer and file legal papers to get her money back.
The “Garnishment of Accounts Containing Federal Benefit Payments” would require banks to review the deposits in an account before freezing it in response to a court order. According to current law, Social Security retirement and disability benefits and veterans benefits are exempt from seizure by private debt collectors. But banks, if presented with a court order, can freeze accounts containing these benefits if a court order is issued to pay an outstanding claim. One attorney who was involved in a similar case feels that judgments that sat dormant for years are now being collected on as a way for banks and other creditors to offset other losses they had over the last few years.
If you are interested in the future of this rule, please send comments to the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the heading “Garnishment of Accounts Containing Federal Benefit Payments.” Send to the attention of Gary Grippo, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Fiscal Operations and Policy, U.S. Dept. of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Room 2112, Washington, D.C. 20220.
Highlights of March 15, 2010, Meeting
by Pam Nalls
· The goal for the second annual AARP/Ruritan Food Drive on September 11 is to collect 20 bags of food for donation to local food pantries. POC: Kathi Martin, 972-5242
· The Saturday, July 24 Cardboard Boat Regatta event is quickly approaching. Volunteers are needed to create the AARP boat and participate in the event. COMCAST CH18 will be broadcasting instructions on how to build a cardboard boat during the month of June.
· The LOWA Honor Awards Committee is accepting nominations for their awards program. Dick Martin requests that if AARP nominees are submitted, please let him know. Nominations are due by June 28 and forms can be found at the www.lowa.org website.
· Reminder: Help is needed to set up/take down chairs/tables for the monthly AARP meetings. Hank Lewis has sign-up sheets available at the monthly meetings.
· Bob Johnson, coordinator for AARP’s Day of Service on 19/20 May, provided a final update and advised sign-up sheets were still available for those interested in this worthy cause.
· Roxanne Kessler announced the Silent Auction winners. The amount raised at May’s auction was $116. Roxanne advises there will be no Silent Auction at the June meeting. You may bring donations to the June picnic for the July auction. Give donations to Patti, Carla or Roxanne.
· Paul Tobin announced the results of the 50/50 drawing which netted $41.50. The winner was Millie Wieser, who was visiting from the Culpeper AARP chapter.
· Next month’s meeting on Monday, June 21, will be the annual AARP picnic. See you at the Sweetbriar Pavilion at 11:30AM. Everyone is asked to bring a potluck dish to go with the hot dogs and hamburgers. Also, more folks are needed to serve on the clean-up committee for this event.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
May Newsletter
President's Letter
May Blooms With Volunteer Opportunities
May is blossoming with all kinds of projects and activities that demand the full participation of our AARP Chapter 5239 membership to truly succeed. For example:
· Monthly meeting “setup/takedown” crews—We goofed at the April 19 meeting. We have promised the Clubhouse we would return the Ballroom and President Room that we use for our meetings to exactly how we found them. Well, through a combination of missteps and oversights, we didn’t. We’ve got to plan and make advance arrangements so this doesn’t happen again—or we could well lose our Clubhouse meeting privileges.
The obvious first step is to create a group of volunteers to be at the Clubhouse by 8:30 AM the morning of the monthly meeting, to set up the necessary chairs and tables, and then return them all to storage after the meeting. The work isn’t too hard and demanding; it just needs member commitment and consistency.
Bill Walker is our Meeting Committee Chairman (972-1375 phone or email wowrewLOW@AOL.com). Sign up with Bill for the months you can help. It doesn’t have to be every month, just the months you think you’ll be free—once a quarter, twice a year, whatever. If we can get 6-8 volunteers each month, we’ll be on our way to solving this problem. Please help. Don’t just dismiss this as “let somebody else do it.”
· Wednesday and Thursday, May 19, 20, “Day of Service”—Bob Johnson, our Chapter’s new Director of Day of Service activities, is doing a bang-up job. He’s lined up about a dozen charitable groups that will welcome help from our volunteers on May 19 and 20. The list and sign-up sheets will again be circulated at May’s meeting. The duties run a wide gamut, from inside paperwork to outside light exercise.
Our goal is to have at least a total of 50 member-volunteers work at the charity of their choice for the day. See Bob’s article on page 2 for further details.
· And long-term, we have the AARP/Ruritan/Food Pantries “Day of Giving” on Saturday, September 11. This is the Second Annual such day of donating food to local food pantries, to help the poor and unemployed in our local and surrounding area. Last year, Chapter 5239 donated 10 bags of food to the Wilderness Food Pantry. This year, we hope to at least double that number to 20 bags.
Chapter Food Chair Kathi Martin is developing a work-committee, which will solicit and gather appropriate food items and cash donations especially for September 11. To serve on this special food-gathering committee, volunteer to Kathi Martin at 972-5242 or email kak1066@Verizon.net.
Dick Martin, President
The Subject: Challenges of Aging
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity, AARP Chapter 5239
Chris Miller, Aging Together Resource Project Manager, will be the speaker at the May 17 AARP meeting in the Clubhouse. Ms. Miller has 25 years of experience in community services for adults and children with disabilities. She is responsible for coordinating the efforts of the partnership’s locally-based county teams, and regional workgroups, and for supporting the efforts of individual partners working to enhance or expand services for older adults in the region
By 2020 one in every four persons will be over the age of 60 and will face both benefits and challenges. Older adults have a wealth of experience, skills, talents, resources, and good common sense, which can benefit the entire community. There are challenges to address as we consider what will make our communities supported and nurturing places as we grow older. Orange County is taking the time to get feedback from a broad sampling of local citizens and organizations to help in planning for 2010 and onward.
Not only are we in LOW aging together, but we have grown children who will be entering this group soon.
THIS MONTH’S BIRTHDAYS
(Taurus and Gemini)
Patricia Batten, Pat Bisset, William Bradford, James Buongiovanni, Evadine Cooper,
Joe Diamonstein, Larry Eiben, Robin Farrell,
Linda Fisher-Kavanagh, John Gamble,
Alice Grgas, Gloria Hutt, Ramona Lamon, Arthur Lieb, Clive Louden, Rani Manhard,
Harvey Miller, Linda Ogletree,Pierre Payette, Val Protiva, Edwin Roessler, Barbara Rueckert, Kathy Saladino, Albert Sanborn,
Doris Scoon, Michele Smith, Bob Spencer, Lillian Thompson, Lucille Tompkins, and Susan Wright.
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome new member Kathy Saladino, who joined in March:
SUNSHINE REPORT
Get-well cards were sent to get wells: Barbara Rueckert, Thomas Curry, Noah Rakes, Helen Markart and Rose Bianco
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
Day of Service Plans for May 20
by Bob Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator
The American Association of Retired People (AARP) has designated Thursday, May 20, 2010 as “Volunteer Service Day.” Members of LOW Chapter 5239 will participate, but we invite others to join us.
This year we will have two days of service. Wednesday May 19:
· Services to Abused Families (Culpeper), Chair Bob Johnson. Volunteers will help with yard work, replace screens in windows and doors, and clean carpets with a steam cleaner (supplied). We need several volunteers with “tool belts.”
· Wilderness Food Pantry, Chair Betty Beck,
Thursday, May 20
· Dogwood Village (OC Nursing Home), Chair Barbara Ehlen. Volunteers will assist residents with normal tasks and plant flowers in raised flower beds. It would be nice for us to bring annuals or perennials to plant.
· OC Animal Shelter, Chair Betty Hughes. Volunteers will wash bowls and towels, walk dogs, try to convince cats they are not in charge. The shelter is closed to the public on Thursdays but there still is work to be done. Volunteers are still needed.
· OC Historical Society, Chair Paul Carter. Volunteers will tend the yard by pulling weeds and trimming. One or two more volunteers would be nice.
· Sheltering Arms, Chair Marion Jacobeen. Volunteers are needed for light tasks (wash windows, organize tool shed, organize pantry), medium tasks (paint two rooms and heavy duty tasks (Carpet installed in basement (carpet is there), fix lawn mower (broken). We need many more volunteers—with “tool belts”.
· Carriage Hill Nursing Home, Chair Ann Howard. Volunteers will coordinate Bingo for residents. We need to be there 9-11:30 AM. Bring small things for the residents to win (stuffed toys, etc.).
· Wilderness Battlefield Shelter, Chair Bob Johnson. Volunteers will be cutting and pulling vines and brush around the Wilderness shelter and Saunders field. Gloves and eye protection are required but will be provided if needed. Wear heavy shoes (no flip-flops) and long pants (and shirt if cool).
· We have ample volunteers for TRIAD, Chair Bradies; photographers; and lunch preparation Chair Carla Wascalus.
If you have questions or would like to volunteer, contact Bob Johnson at 972 4358 or email bjohn913@comcast.net
Monthly Silent Auction
Please remember to donate your new and gently-used items in great shape: NO missing parts, clean (no dirt or grease), and no tears or ragged edges. Call Patti at 972-1370, Carla at 972-3436, or Roxanne at 972-8364 for pickup, or bring your donations to the meeting. Many, many thanks!
OC TRIAD 9th Art of Aging Expo
by Dick Bradie, Orange County TRIAD
Be sure to head out on Tuesday, May 18, to the Orange Assembly of God Church on Route 15, just south of Orange for the 2010 Expo! There will be exhibitors from all over our area, who will be able to answer your questions about senior issues and to supply you with literature and give-aways. There will be door prizes, and a free lunch. The doors open at 9:30 AM; festivities begin at 10 AM, and the EXPO ends at 1 PM.
At 1 PM the Community Conversation begins and goes until all senior issues have been discussed and noted. Remember that the conversation is for older adults to let their voices be heard. It’s all free and open to the public!
Legislative Report
by Pat Berry
I know most of us have just finished sending off tax documents for 2009 and are breathing a sigh of relief that the process is over for the fiscal year. However, it’s never too early to be thinking about how to be smarter for next year’s exercise. The U.S. Department of Energy has a great website for you to explore at http://www.energy savers.gov/ with information on how to save money and energy at home. There are a lot of general money-saving information on appliances, lighting, and water heating, and also a link to residential incentives specifically in Virginia. Go to the DOE website and click on the box that shows a map of the USA with the legend “Rebates for Energy Star Appliances.” Proceed to click on the state of Virginia. There you’ll find information on the state plan to implement a mail-in rebate program to help residents replace old, inefficient appliances with new, efficient ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances.
Another valuable site is http://www.dsireusa,org. Again you select the state of Virginia from the map on the screen to find information on other state programs. For example:
“Virginia allows a four-day sales tax exemption on Energy Star products of $2,500 or less per product, purchased for non-commercial home or personal use. Beginning in 2007, this exemption—a 100% exemption from the state sales and use tax—applies to sales occurring during the four-day period that begins each year on the Friday before the second Monday in October and ends at midnight on the second Monday in October. “
A little knowledge can lead to additional savings next tax season.
Highlights of March 15, 2010, Meeting
by Pam Nalls
· Carla Wascalus provided the following:
--details on the DAR May 22nd Ft. McHenry trip
--if your monthly Perspectives arrived with a red address label, then your yearly local AARP dues have not been paid
--presented Ruth Hood the AARP 2009 Volunteer of the Year award for her service to the AARP as editor of Perspectives.
· Hank Lewis has a sign-up sheet for those able to help in setting up/taking down chairs/tables for the monthly AARP meetings.
· Gil and Lucille Churchill led a discussion regarding the AARP’s June picnic.
· Bob Johnson, coordinator for AARP’s Day of Service, provided an update. Sign-up sheets are available for volunteers to work on May 19 or May 20.
· The goal for the second annual AARP Ruritan Food Drive on September 11 is to collect 20 bags of food for donation to local food pantries.
· Paul Tobin announced that Marie Barrett won $48.50 in the 50/50 drawing.
· Roxanne Kessler announced the silent auction produced $118 for charity.
· Next month’s AARP meeting will be held on Monday, May 17.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
April Newsletter
President's Letter
LOW AARP Needs YOU
We “spring” into April with two member-volunteers stepping forward to fill two key Chapter 5239 openings:
Bob Johnson is the new Director of our Day of Service activities. He is working now with former-Director Joe Wascalus to map our Chapter plans for the Thursday, May 20, Day of Service. We’ll be back to you-all shortly with full details of what charity groups we’ll be working for that day and whom to contact to sign up.
Pam Nalls is the new Chapter Secretary charged with taking the Minutes of Board Meetings and preparing short reviews of the monthly meeting business sessions for Perspectives.
Thank You!, Bob and Pam, for volunteering to help our Chapter move forward in its goal of doing what we can for those in our area who need assistance.
What this volunteer spirit means, of course, is that all our members should become active and participate in every-day Chapter activities and special events. AARP means “volunteering.” Our AARP motto is “To Serve, not to be Served.” Our aim is to have every Chapter 5239 member active and participating on at least one Committee or in some event. We want to take advantage of each member’s particular talents, abilities, and life-experience by having each person serve in some group of mutual-interest.
An accompanying table lists some of the “Volunteer Opportunities” available for our members. If some activity on the list sparks your interest, let us know at Doodoo1066@Verizon.net or 972-5242, and we’ll have the appropriate committee head contact you to discuss your participation.
Meanwhile, let’s keep in mind the importance of humor in life. If you come across a good, funny joke, plan to share it with other members at the monthly meeting.
For example, John totally forgot his wedding anniversary. His wife was furious. She told him, “tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift on the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in less than 10 seconds.”
The next morning, after John left for work, his wife looked out the window and saw a gift-wrapped box on the driveway. She got the box and brought it back into the house to open it.
She found a brand-new bathroom scale!
Let’s hear your best joke at the April 19 meeting.
Dick Martin, President
Monroe Museum Head to Speak
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity, AARP, Chapter 5239
The next meeting of AARP Chapter 5239 will take place at 9:30 AM on Monday, April 19, at the LOW Clubhouse. The featured speaker will be John Pearce, Director of the James Monroe Museum in Fredericksburg.
Mr. Pearce has 50 years of education and experience in museum work, historic preservation, and related fields. He has been director of the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library, under the University of Mary Washington for 17 years. He will provide information about his more than 50 years of service and will appoint you “ambassadors for Monroe.” James Monroe was the fifth president and served from 1817-1825. There is a special exhibit entitled, “Our Face to the World, Clothing of James and Elizabeth Monroe” at the Museum. This is a first-time exhibit for most of these items. It has been extended through April 30, 2010, after which the items must be returned to protective “rest” to conserve them. He will encourage you to go see the exhibit and learn more about President James Monroe.
Everyone is invited to come to hear this most interesting program at 9:30 AM on Monday, April 19, at the Lake of the Woods Clubhouse.
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
(Aries and Taurus )
Ginny Bayer, Betty Danley, Josephine Danziger, Peggy Dowd, Nancy Downie,
Bob Fahy, Flo Hanlin, Joyce Hardman, Gia Heffernan, Mary Lee Hensel, Paula Hornaday, Frank Jacobeen, Terri Kalbacher, David LeMay, Carolyn Lewis, Maynard Matthies, Joseph McEuen, Bob McFarland, Marge Meskunas, Dwight Mottet, Billie Patterson, Sheri Petersen, Noah Rakes, Joyce Richter, Sue Silliman, Jane Tobin, David Witmer, Jennifer Zukowski, and Alfred Grella
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome the following new members who joined in March: Barbara R. Ehlen, Thomas Curry, and Helen "Carol" Curry
SUNSHINE REPORT
A sympathy card was sent to Bill Rauch who had hip surgery.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
AARP Plans Day of Service
by Bob Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator
Thursday, May 20, 2010 is our “Volunteer Service Day.” First, thanks to all of you who volunteered over the past few years. You have made a big, positive impact on our community.
Our goal is 10% of over 430 members in the chapter. Consider giving anywhere from two to six hours of your life to help with the project. For those projects that will span the lunch hour, the chapter will provide a sack lunch (just like good old Mom made when you were in school) and bottled water.
The projects are designed so everyone can participate. Some are inside and provide much-needed assistance for those jobs that don’t seem to ever get done. Some require skills (painting, plumbing, minor carpenter work, etc.). Some require physical exercise such as yard work etc. We also have a pressing need for photographers.
I will have sign-up sheets at the April 19 and May 17 meetings. If you can’t make a meeting to sign up, contact Bob Johnson at 972 4358 or email at bjohn913@comcast.net.
OC TRIAD 9th Art of Aging Expo
by Dick Bradie, Orange County TRIAD
It’s time again for seniors and older adults to head out on Tuesday, May 18, to the Orange Assembly of God Church on Route 15, just south of Orange for the 2010 Expo! There will be exhibitors from all over our area, who will be able to answer your questions about senior issues and to supply you with literature and give-aways. There will be door prizes, and a free lunch. The doors open at 9:30 AM; festivities begin at 10 AM, and the EXPO ends at 1 PM.
At 1 PM the Community Conversation begins and goes until all senior issues have been discussed and noted. Remember that the conversation is for older adults to let their voices be heard. It’s all free and open to the public!
Also, keep in mind that TRIAD’s main goal in its everyday function is to get information to seniors on issues to protect them from crimes of all sorts and to keep them safe and comfortable in their natural environment—their homes. TRIAD works closely with law enforcement to insure these goals are met.
Legislative Report
by Pat Berry
As an update on the Legislative column in the last issue of Perspectives, three of the five bills that were “in play” in the Virginia General Assemble at that time have been signed by both the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House. Overall budget cuts were significant, but these bills are of note to homeowners.
House Bill 552: Prevents local governments from changing their minds about zoning by strengthening “vested rights” laws.
House Bill 430: Requires additional education for real estate assessors and ensure that members of the board that hears an appeal have expertise in appraisal and home valuation. Upon request, the assessor must disclose information about the assessment, and the homeowner's standard of proof will be lowered.
House Bill 191: Allows the ombudsman for the Common Interest Community board to set a single procedure for all home- and property-owners associations in order to standardize complaint procedures.
House Bills 570 (assessors) and 205 (insurers) were referred to their respective committees. Senate Bill 164 for transportation funding was also referred to committee. This bill, as introduced, would have created additional sources of revenue for transportation by increasing the motor vehicle sales and use tax by one-half percent and the motor vehicle rental tax by one percent, and by imposing a five-percent tax on the wholesale price of gasoline. The budget wars continue.
LOW AARP Needs YOU
We “spring” into April with two member-volunteers stepping forward to fill two key Chapter 5239 openings:
Bob Johnson is the new Director of our Day of Service activities. He is working now with former-Director Joe Wascalus to map our Chapter plans for the Thursday, May 20, Day of Service. We’ll be back to you-all shortly with full details of what charity groups we’ll be working for that day and whom to contact to sign up.
Pam Nalls is the new Chapter Secretary charged with taking the Minutes of Board Meetings and preparing short reviews of the monthly meeting business sessions for Perspectives.
Thank You!, Bob and Pam, for volunteering to help our Chapter move forward in its goal of doing what we can for those in our area who need assistance.
What this volunteer spirit means, of course, is that all our members should become active and participate in every-day Chapter activities and special events. AARP means “volunteering.” Our AARP motto is “To Serve, not to be Served.” Our aim is to have every Chapter 5239 member active and participating on at least one Committee or in some event. We want to take advantage of each member’s particular talents, abilities, and life-experience by having each person serve in some group of mutual-interest.
An accompanying table lists some of the “Volunteer Opportunities” available for our members. If some activity on the list sparks your interest, let us know at Doodoo1066@Verizon.net or 972-5242, and we’ll have the appropriate committee head contact you to discuss your participation.
Meanwhile, let’s keep in mind the importance of humor in life. If you come across a good, funny joke, plan to share it with other members at the monthly meeting.
For example, John totally forgot his wedding anniversary. His wife was furious. She told him, “tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift on the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in less than 10 seconds.”
The next morning, after John left for work, his wife looked out the window and saw a gift-wrapped box on the driveway. She got the box and brought it back into the house to open it.
She found a brand-new bathroom scale!
Let’s hear your best joke at the April 19 meeting.
Dick Martin, President
Monroe Museum Head to Speak
by Carolyn Wray, Publicity, AARP, Chapter 5239
The next meeting of AARP Chapter 5239 will take place at 9:30 AM on Monday, April 19, at the LOW Clubhouse. The featured speaker will be John Pearce, Director of the James Monroe Museum in Fredericksburg.
Mr. Pearce has 50 years of education and experience in museum work, historic preservation, and related fields. He has been director of the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library, under the University of Mary Washington for 17 years. He will provide information about his more than 50 years of service and will appoint you “ambassadors for Monroe.” James Monroe was the fifth president and served from 1817-1825. There is a special exhibit entitled, “Our Face to the World, Clothing of James and Elizabeth Monroe” at the Museum. This is a first-time exhibit for most of these items. It has been extended through April 30, 2010, after which the items must be returned to protective “rest” to conserve them. He will encourage you to go see the exhibit and learn more about President James Monroe.
Everyone is invited to come to hear this most interesting program at 9:30 AM on Monday, April 19, at the Lake of the Woods Clubhouse.
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
(Aries and Taurus )
Ginny Bayer, Betty Danley, Josephine Danziger, Peggy Dowd, Nancy Downie,
Bob Fahy, Flo Hanlin, Joyce Hardman, Gia Heffernan, Mary Lee Hensel, Paula Hornaday, Frank Jacobeen, Terri Kalbacher, David LeMay, Carolyn Lewis, Maynard Matthies, Joseph McEuen, Bob McFarland, Marge Meskunas, Dwight Mottet, Billie Patterson, Sheri Petersen, Noah Rakes, Joyce Richter, Sue Silliman, Jane Tobin, David Witmer, Jennifer Zukowski, and Alfred Grella
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome the following new members who joined in March: Barbara R. Ehlen, Thomas Curry, and Helen "Carol" Curry
SUNSHINE REPORT
A sympathy card was sent to Bill Rauch who had hip surgery.
If you know of a member who needs cheering up, contact Carolyn Durphy at 972-3306.
AARP Plans Day of Service
by Bob Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator
Thursday, May 20, 2010 is our “Volunteer Service Day.” First, thanks to all of you who volunteered over the past few years. You have made a big, positive impact on our community.
Our goal is 10% of over 430 members in the chapter. Consider giving anywhere from two to six hours of your life to help with the project. For those projects that will span the lunch hour, the chapter will provide a sack lunch (just like good old Mom made when you were in school) and bottled water.
The projects are designed so everyone can participate. Some are inside and provide much-needed assistance for those jobs that don’t seem to ever get done. Some require skills (painting, plumbing, minor carpenter work, etc.). Some require physical exercise such as yard work etc. We also have a pressing need for photographers.
I will have sign-up sheets at the April 19 and May 17 meetings. If you can’t make a meeting to sign up, contact Bob Johnson at 972 4358 or email at bjohn913@comcast.net.
OC TRIAD 9th Art of Aging Expo
by Dick Bradie, Orange County TRIAD
It’s time again for seniors and older adults to head out on Tuesday, May 18, to the Orange Assembly of God Church on Route 15, just south of Orange for the 2010 Expo! There will be exhibitors from all over our area, who will be able to answer your questions about senior issues and to supply you with literature and give-aways. There will be door prizes, and a free lunch. The doors open at 9:30 AM; festivities begin at 10 AM, and the EXPO ends at 1 PM.
At 1 PM the Community Conversation begins and goes until all senior issues have been discussed and noted. Remember that the conversation is for older adults to let their voices be heard. It’s all free and open to the public!
Also, keep in mind that TRIAD’s main goal in its everyday function is to get information to seniors on issues to protect them from crimes of all sorts and to keep them safe and comfortable in their natural environment—their homes. TRIAD works closely with law enforcement to insure these goals are met.
Legislative Report
by Pat Berry
As an update on the Legislative column in the last issue of Perspectives, three of the five bills that were “in play” in the Virginia General Assemble at that time have been signed by both the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House. Overall budget cuts were significant, but these bills are of note to homeowners.
House Bill 552: Prevents local governments from changing their minds about zoning by strengthening “vested rights” laws.
House Bill 430: Requires additional education for real estate assessors and ensure that members of the board that hears an appeal have expertise in appraisal and home valuation. Upon request, the assessor must disclose information about the assessment, and the homeowner's standard of proof will be lowered.
House Bill 191: Allows the ombudsman for the Common Interest Community board to set a single procedure for all home- and property-owners associations in order to standardize complaint procedures.
House Bills 570 (assessors) and 205 (insurers) were referred to their respective committees. Senate Bill 164 for transportation funding was also referred to committee. This bill, as introduced, would have created additional sources of revenue for transportation by increasing the motor vehicle sales and use tax by one-half percent and the motor vehicle rental tax by one percent, and by imposing a five-percent tax on the wholesale price of gasoline. The budget wars continue.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
March Newsletter
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.
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.
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