tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2275479845522413352024-03-21T18:29:59.478-07:00Manatee County Retired EducatorsEllen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-53193362029838782432018-10-11T14:02:00.000-07:002018-10-11T14:02:19.973-07:00October, 2018 We were extremely lucky this week as Hurricane Michael roared by us up the Gulf. I don't know if there is some kind of karma involved here that ordains that when you get red tide of enormous proportions, then you don't get a killer hurricane too. Anyway, I am sure that given a choice, the residents of the Panhandle would have picked the red tide as their punishment instead of what they got. <br />
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Thought provoking to all of us should be the possibility that both events were the results of one ominous situation -- climate change. The Gulf got really hot this summer. I have an unscientific basis of proof that the air did also. My electric bill went up about $50 each month in the summer. Hotter water breeds bigger hurricanes and adds to the abundance of the organisms that create red tide. Am I wrong? Is this heating up just a normal cycle of earth's climate? Did God create it? Or did carbon and gases released into the atmosphere by human endeavors create it? Or some combination of the two? No matter who's at fault, should we not be clamoring that the government put a halt to the most obvious of pollution makers? It is almost election day. I urge you to take your interest in the environment with you into the voting booth. And I think that God would like to see you do that also.<br />
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At the District VII Meeting, Deborah Thomas led the group as the District VII Director. Joan Sackett was a lucky winner. <br />
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Our September meeting at the Mall was well attended (95) and the food was great. Attorney Donna Sobel spoke about Elder Law. I picked up some interesting information such as to make sure that when writing an advanced directive, it is important to include the right of your surrogate to hire or fire your doctors. For instance, if you do not have that language there, and your surrogate is aware that you wanted to cut off artificial aids for eating and breathing, then your doctors could insist on keeping those things going. Those are not pleasant suggestions, but ones that some of us have already considered. Here's another. If you are in a nursing home and you have used up all your assets to pay for your care, the government may not take your home as an asset since it is part of the Homestead Act in Florida, and it is protected. I thought this information was extremely valuable.<br />
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The venue at the Mall is quite nice and very roomy. It seems a little strange to me that here we are in Camelot Music eating lunch. People passing by peek in and probably think it is strange too.<br />
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At our October 18th meeting, Elaine Waldron's committee will hand out the MCREA Handbooks. Please check your name and information. If there are needed changes, let Phyllis Omilak, Elaine Waldron, Judy Bodmer, or me know. If you didn't get your dues renewal in before the last week in September, alas, your name will not be there. However, if you pay soon, we will put out an addendum that can be added to the book with your information on it.<br />
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MCREA thanked David Brown who audited our books with a $50 gift card for his service.<br />
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Susan Roe has volunteered to head the Fifth Grade Essay Contest Committee. I have at least a hundred books that need to be donated to a couple of schools. If you can take 50 for a school, please let me know. I will bring them to the meeting in October. The only thing we insist on is that the books must be given directly to the kids, not the library or a classroom library. Bruce Dietch took 50 books to Sugg last month. They were middle school and high school level books that my daughter had collected when she taught reading at Bayshore H.S.<br />
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If you do not hear from your caller this week, please call Mary Ann Jensen to make a reservation. Her number is 756-7603. We will celebrate Halloween with Halloween Bingo led by Sandra Stephenson. Be sure to bring your 20 quarters to play. Costumes are fun but not required. There will be prizes for the most original. <br />
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Ellen<br />
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Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-50693972670437591342018-08-21T13:09:00.001-07:002018-08-21T13:13:35.422-07:00MCREA Blog August 21, 2018 School began very early this year. When I walk my dog in the morning, I see the teacher up the street hurrying out to her car at 7:15 a.m. I have to admit, I am not envious. Thanks to the added funds passed by the community-spirited voters of Manatee County, at least the pay schedule is a little better. However, the school day is a half hour longer. But, perhaps paying the health insurance deducted from educators' paychecks will not be quite as onerous.<br />
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But just when we thought the school system was on a more even keel comes the news that the new computer programs initiated to keep the books on teacher pay schedules and work schedules is way over budget. Oh my! What can the voters think now, when they stepped up to help only to discover that so much money has been lost to this newest failure of the administration to control its spending. The public does not understand the cubby hole system of finance that allocates some money to maintenance, some to building, some to instruction, etc. To them, it is just all one amount which has been wasted. Optics matter and voters will not be so quick to tax themselves next time.<br />
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The MCREA gathering of new retirees was a great success. Several new members joined and some others are considering joining. The reception was held at the Mall on August 16. Our caterers from the old Renaissance provided the food, as they will when we have our meetings at the Mall this year. It is really a pleasant atmosphere there. The interior has been painted and the overhead windows have been replaced. Slowly, businesses are returning. If you haven't been to the new antique and collectible store in the old Macy's area, you will enjoy visiting it before or after a lunch meeting. Security has been stepped up also.<br />
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Minnie Lee Jones took these pictures of the event at the Mall.<br />
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Three candidates for the Manatee County School Board accepted our invitation to make a two minute presentation at our new retirees event. Susan Darovek, Legislative Chair, had given them a question to answer during their talk. "What can you see yourself doing as a School Board Member to support new hires opting to join the Florida Retirement System Plan as they are going through the hiring process?<br />
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Joe Stokes said new teachers should be informed about FRS when they fill out their employment forms. (As you know, the Legislature did away with this plan as the default choice.) <br />
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Jim Daniels said the statistics of the differences between the plans should be presented to new hires. He also said the School District should match individual contributions made to the FRS.<br />
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Richard Murphy said that at 22 years of age, workers tend to look at what they will earn now. They need to be informed of the retirement choices during initial meetings with them.<br />
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Deborah Thomas, District 7 Director of FREA, has announced the annual District 7 meeting. which will be held on Oct. 9, at the Holiday Inn at the Sarasota Bradenton Airport, located at 8009 15th St. E., Sarasota, 9:30a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Enrollment fee of $25 includes lunch. Those wishing to attend should call Deborah at 752-6895.<br />
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Carole Monaco, new Cultural Affairs Chair, has organized an event on Sept.14, at 11:00 a.m., at the Designer and Topaz Boutique, 1870 University Parkway, Sarasota. 15 people may attend. The vendor will donate $200 to MCREA. There will be a musical fashion show and sales of the fashions will follow. Although no one is required o purchase anything, you may be very tempted, I am told by last year's attendees. Lunch will be arranged after the show at a nearby restaurant.<br />
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Minnie Lee Jones also sent me some pictures of one of our MCREA Scholarship winners who attended the May meeting with her parents. She also shot the photos of the group that attended the trip to Washington. I will send those to you in an email since I am having trouble getting everything into this blog. Minnie Lee has stepped down as our Cultural Affairs Chair this year. We all thank her for the great times we had visiting interesting places together. I think the "together" is the important word. Having friends to accompany you can get you out of your rut and having fun.<br />
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Our first meeting will be at the Mall, at 11:00, on September 30. I hope to see you there. If you do not hear from your caller a week or so ahead of time, call Mary Ann Jensen at 756-7603 to make a reservation. Bring your retired educator friends who have not joined us yet. We do have fun, besides doing great work for the community. <br />
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Don't forget to vote on August 28. The county, state, and nation need to hear from senior, experienced people who love their communities, their schools, their children, and their country.<br />
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Ellen<br />
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<br />Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-30025072900363082892018-06-01T13:32:00.001-07:002018-06-01T13:33:53.764-07:00June 1, 2018 After all the rain, the summer has arrived. I just walked my dog and my son's dog up the street. The pavement was hot, hot, hot. Zia, the next-door poodle, got right down to business and turned around heading home. Sailor, my shepherd, said "What's the rush, Frenchie?" But it wasn't long before she too decided to go home. I wasn't sorry to give up the trek either. We are so spoiled by the air conditioning that we can't endure the Florida sun.<br />
<br />
It seems impossible, but my first six years here, I had no air conditioning. We did have fans positioned all around the house that pushed the hot air around and helped a little. Our little cottage in Cortez had windows on all sides to catch any breezes that happened by. The windows also lured any mosquitoes and sand gnats that could muscle their way around and through the screens. But we thrived anyway. When we moved to our new house that had central air, I rationed it, only using it at night. <br />
<br />
Of course, that was good conditioning for teaching at Southeast High School that had windows on one side only and an exhaust fan that was supposed to pull air into the classroom. The fan didn't do much good, so the fans of Cortez were employed again. Sometimes they were so clattery that we had to shout to hear each other. Each class period had at least one student technician who adjusted the jalousie windows to just the right angle to draw in the most air. I thought it helped them feel better, so I was always willing to let them have a go. The worst time of day was just after lunch when it was the hottest, and we were all the sleepiest. I had to walk around the room to keep myself awake. It was in the afternoon that the gnats were the worst also, especially after PE when clouds of them would follow the sweaty bodies to Room 104. Unfortunately, the sewer system was malfunctioning most of the time, so those gnats carried bacteria. I went to the doctor so many times with pink eye that he finally gave me several bottles of the medicine to keep in my fridge. <br />
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As I reread the above paragraphs I realize that the narrative sounds like something from another century -- and I guess it was, 1964-74. I am sure that some of you have similar tales to tell. What would you think about writing them down and putting them all in a book about teaching school in Manatee County in the mid to late 20th Century? There are lots of tales to tell about the teachers' strike, the diseases like encephalitis and meningitis that occurred in students. Some of the teaching techniques were weird also. Do you remember that a group of junior high kids who couldn't read were transported to the vocational school in the afternoons to practice crawling? Yes, it happened. Also, there was colored reading. We could tell some tales. Please type something up, or long hand it, and send it to me. I will see about getting it in some kind of order for publishing. I'll let the MCREA Board decide how to go from there.<br />
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I am so sorry that I missed the Dollars for Scholars Auction. I heard it was a great success with many people offering items and lots of competition vying for them. More than $300 was taken in for our Scholarship Fund. <br />
<br />
Our MCREA Scholarship winners this year are the following:<br />
Danielle Guida who received $1000 as a renewal of her first award. She also received $1000 <br />
from FREA.<br />
Taylor Trent, Lakewood Ranch H.S., SCF $1000<br />
Jalyn Brown, Manatee H.S., Harvard $1000 (Elaine Brown's granddaughter)<br />
Megan Grooms, Manatee H.S., SCF $1000<br />
Kayley Alsina, SCF Collegiate School, USF, $1000<br />
<br />
We have now distributed 575 books to elementary schools in Manatee County. In the latest distributions, Carolyn Brown took 50 to Palmetto Elementary. Last week, Nancy Erwin took 50 to Bayshore Elementary and I took 50 to Seabreeze Elementary. In all places, the principals were very appreciative of the books and planned to hand them out to kids who might not have any books at home. Assistant Principal Deborah Cook at Seabreeze wrote a thank you email that got home before I did. Each of those books has a book plate pasted in it that gives MCREA credit for donating the book. Not only do we add reading to a kid's agenda, we also get publicity for doing it. <br />
<br />
Some of you asked about the time frame for getting a business card published in our handbook. Elaine Waldron must hear from you by the September meeting if your card is to be included. <br />
<br />
The MCREA New Member Reception will be at the DeSoto Mall meeting site on August 16, at 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. The cost for members for the continental breakfast is $10. New prospective members will be our guests. Think about those colleagues who retired when you did and have not joined us and those you know who are retiring this year. Invite them to attend and come along too. I read in the paper this morning that Sears will remain open, so you can shop after the event too. If you haven't been to the Mall lately, it is looking much better, repainted, cleaned, ready for trade. Also, security is everywhere.<br />
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Please pay your dues as soon as possible. Send your check for $55 (covers FREA dues too) to Treasurer Judy Bodmer, 5111 134th Terrace East, Parrish, FL 34219. For information, email Judy at <a href="mailto:judybodmer@gmail.com">judybodmer@gmail.com</a><br />
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Pastor Dexter McDowell has requested that we ask members for help with students in a summer camp he is running at his church at 650 27th St. East in Bradenton. He plans to tutor students in the mornings and offer enrichment in the afternoons. His phone number is 941-228-4978. You can also call Kathy Williams at 941-704-2936. The camp's mission is to address the learning growth of under served children in the community.<br />
<br />
Christine Olson contacted Phyllis Omilak to request that we inform our members of her program that insures immediate notification of a serious accident or the death of a loved one. To register your information so it will be used to notify family members in case of the previous situations, email <a href="http://www.toinformfamiliesfirst.org/">www.toinformfamiliesfirst.org</a>. Go to "Tiff's Initiative to register.<br />
<br />
The Primary Election takes place on August 28. School board races are on the ballot. Although the candidates must be from a certain district in order to run, voters may vote for anyone in any district. If you would like a ballot mailed to you, call the Manatee County Elections Office, or order one on line at their website. There are many confusing and lumped up amendments to the Florida Constitution on the ballot. You may want to consider them at your leisure before voting. Having a ballot at home ahead of time really helps.<br />
<br />
Here are some photos that Judy Bodmer sent me which were taken at the FREA Conference in May. <br />
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Perhaps you may want to go to the conference next year. Remember to bring your western dance hall costume or cowboy get up or even your big red bow. I don't know what was going on. You will have to ask the participants. Seriously, I have attended a couple of conferences and they were a lot of fun as well as being informative about FREA and its work for us.<br />
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Have a great summer.<br />
Ellen<br />
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<br />Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-48021058395993640752018-05-06T15:11:00.001-07:002018-05-06T15:11:50.415-07:00May 6, 2018 And here we are at our last meeting until September. The year seem to fly by now that I am not watching a clock in a classroom. How slowly some of those days were. My son said on a Friday that if he were still out on the playground sweating in the hot sun, it would only be Wednesday. At retirement everything seems to move much more quickly because usually the tasks are much simpler to do and more diverse. At least I think that is the reason for the speed up. But it could be that is much faster going downhill. <br />
<br />
Thank you for all the books you brought to our last meeting. There were more than 100 really nice ones to get out to the schools right away because the last day of school is near. Patty Edwards and I delivered 50 to Palma Sola Elementary in April. That is a total of 375 books that we have sent to elementary school children since September. I have at least 100 more that we should get out there. We want the principal or assistant principal to be involved in the process because we want the books to be given to children, not stored in a library or a teacher's classroom library. It is important to also think about the children who are not in a Title 1 school, but who are not typical of the usual population in a non-Title 1 school. All elementary schools have reduced lunch families. Probably those parents are not as liable to be buying expensive children's books when they have to keep to a tight budget for the necessities of life.<br />
<br />
So, who knows a principal or someone who can get you into a school to deliver a box of 50 books? Please let me know and I will bring the books to you at our next meeting, or sooner if you prefer.<br />
Call me 794-1646 or email me at <a href="mailto:ellenbell411@hotmail.com">ellenbell411@hotmail.com</a>. The schools and those who delivered books follow:<br />
Sue Roe Oneco Elemenatry<br />
Deborah Thomas Rogers Gardens Elementary<br />
Judy Shostrom and Judi Ussery Samoset Elementary<br />
Connie Myers Ballard Elementary<br />
Carol Champlain Tillman Elementary <br />
Bruce Dietch Sugg Middle<br />
Elaine Graham Prine Elementary<br />
Pat Edwards Palma Sola Elementary<br />
<br />
David Brown who has been an FREA Trustee for several years is stepping down His position will be filled by Karla Brogdon. The duties of the Trustees are to oversee the FREA Scholarship Foundation. Deborah Thomas has accepted the position of District VII Director. Susan Davorac is the District VII Volunteer of the Year. Our Essay Contest Winner, Julian Sylva, was chosen winner of the District VII Essay Contest. His essay has been forwarded to FREA to compete with the winners from the other district.<br />
<br />
MCREA members contributed 18,000 volunteer hours this counting period. No slouches, us!<br />
<br />
Danielle Guida has received the recurring scholarship from the FREA Scholarship Foundation. She is in her 4th year. She will also be receiving another MCREA Scholarship. She plans to spend part of her last year studying in Spain where she will live with a local family. We have four new MCREA Scholarship winners. We hope they will be able to attend our May luncheon so we can congratulate them and remark on how young they are.<br />
<br />
Elaine Waldron announced that our Handbook will be accepting ads. If you have a business which you would like to include, please give a business card to Elaine. The price is reasonable --$10 per business card and $25 for a full page. If you can sell an ad to a business not affiliated with MCREA, those will be accepted also. The purpose is to raise enough to pay for the handbook production.<br />
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Dr. Diana Greene</div>
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We enjoyed hearing from Dr. Greene, Superintendent of the Manatee County Schools. She spoke about the referendum that passed and provides funds to raise teacher and support staff salaries. Of course, after this meeting, we read that perhaps we will be losing this reasonable, calm, and dedicated leader to another Florida county. I believe she has brought equilibrium and structure to our schools, but this will be a chance for her to return to her home county.<br />
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Our May meeting should be lots of fun. Last year's Dollars For Scholars auction was a great success with some of us "winning" great prizes. Remember, the big prize winners were the mothers of the scholarship winners. Please look around your cluttered houses and choose some wonderful item or items that you know one of us needs to further clutter up our houses. Seriously, at our ages, we have amassed lots of stuff, but will our children want it? This is an opportunity to re-gift without guilt because the ticket money goes to the scholarship fund. We will not be doing our show and tell event this year in order to give us lots of time to peruse the wonderful items on the auction block. <br />
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If you haven't heard from your caller by May 13, call Mary Ann Jensen at 756-7603 to make a reservation. This will be our last meeting at the IMG Country Club. Next year we will meet at the De Soto Mall with our favorite chef and staff from Renaissance on 9th serving our lunch. Same price, great food, and we can shop afterwards!<br />
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See you soon,<br />
Ellen<br />
Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-70630776085003221932018-04-12T13:51:00.000-07:002018-04-12T13:51:02.356-07:00April 12, 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You have to admit we are quite a handsome group of retired educators. Considering what we have been through in our careers, we have emerged in very fine fettle. I heard once that what you are inside is what you will resemble when you get older. We were good people, so we look good now. Agreed?</div>
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We had 81 reservations for our March meeting. There may have been more added later. Our numbers are strong and we continue to grow and to prosper. We enjoy coming to meetings and renewing old and new friendships. We also see the need for remaining informed about the actions of the School Board in Tallahassee (the Legislature) as it affects not just us, but present educators and children. We give back to the community with our scholarships, our volunteering in the schools, and our wealth of knowledge about education, which we are happy to share with those who ask for it. </div>
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As an example, Bruce Dietch, member and retired English teacher from Sugg Middle, was recently honored with two awards. One is from the Manatee Schools for Senior Volunteer of the Year and the other from the State of Florida as one of five Senior Adult Volunteers of the Year. </div>
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Dr. Mona Jain, also a long-time member of MCREA, was honored by having a new Manatee County middle school named after her. </div>
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We have distributed 275 books to schools so far this year. Oneco, Rogers Gardens, Samoset, Ballard, Tillman, and Sugg Middle were the schools so far to get books. Connie Myers delivered books to Ballard. Carol Champlain took some to Tillman, and Bruce Deitch took 25 middle school level books to Sugg. We have enough now for 50 more to be distributed. Prine has been suggested and I need someone who knows that school to volunteer to take them there. We try to give them to the principal with the stipulation that they must be given to the kids, not to the library or to a classroom collection. Let me know if you know Prine, and I will see that you get a box of books to deliver there. Please continue gathering your books and shopping for some at the used book stores and your grandchildren's book shelves. Bring them to the meetings. FREA sends me some pretty bookplates to stick in each book that says they are from MCREA.</div>
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At our last meeting, we voted to name one of our MCREA Scholarships, the Elaine Brown Scholarship. Elaine was a tireless chair of the scholarship committee who believed that our help would create future teachers. </div>
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If you have received a notice from the State FREA that your membership is due, be aware that you should pay those dues through your local MCREA group so that you will receive membership in both groups. I think FREA sends those out because some counties do not have active Retired Educator groups. By the way, we are accepting membership dues for next year now and they can be paid at a meeting or by mail to your MCREA Treasurer, Judy Bodmer.</div>
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At our last meeting, Adam Stockdale gave us an overview of the Robinson's Preserve as it now stands and as it will change in the future. It covers 487 acres and has 6 miles of trails. The Valentine House, which was moved from Palmetto by water, offers art exhibits and other events. There is a kayak launching area and storage for kayaks as well. A salt marsh, a primitive trail with wild flowers and butterflies, marsh rabbits and fiddler crabs, an observation tower to overlook the Preserve, the Perico Boardwalk, a rubberized 1.5 mile running track, and a new education center were among the must-sees. Oh, and they need volunteers. Who better than educators to help?</div>
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Our April 19 meeting at the IMG Golf Club will feature Dr. Diana Greene as our speaker. We have scheduled Dr. Greene before but because of last minute demands on her time, she could not be with us. We hope she will be able to get away from what must be a very taxing position for a little while, to speak to us. I have heard her speak at other occasions and she is very informed and surprisingly unruffled, calm, and friendly. How she is coping with the school board in disarray, the county balking at sharing the costs of policing the schools, and all the other items on her plate, I can only imagine. Come and find out.</div>
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If you do not hear from your caller, please call Mary Ann Jensen at 756-7603 or Phyllis Omilak at 723-1360 before April 15. </div>
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See you soon,</div>
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Ellen</div>
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<br />Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-85209399873723966822018-03-06T13:26:00.001-08:002018-03-06T13:28:00.265-08:00March 6, 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our second meeting at IMG Golf and Country Club was well attended. 82 signed up and I think there were even more there.</div>
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These past weeks have been difficult ones for all of us in education, especially in Florida. I know we were all very distressed by the events at Stoneham Douglas High School, so distressed that I have heard from several of you that sleeping has become difficult and that you are experiencing other forms of anxiety. We know how important each one of those lost kids was, not just to their families and friends, but to the larger community. Who knows what they might have become and what they might have contributed to the world? </div>
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The Florida Legislature has reacted in the ways we could have expected. They dither and worry about their grades from the NRA. Their most prominent plan is to arm teachers. We the ones who encourage and elicit learning will now be asked to kill. Madness, but cheaper than adding more mental health counselors and facilities. Additional police on the school premises are also planned. </div>
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Today, in the<em> Bradenton Herald</em>, there was a photo of a new resource officer patrolling the fence line at Prine Elementary School. Imagine the scenario: a shooter armed with an assault rifle waits until the policeman passes by, then shoots him with his rapid firing weapon designed to kill people. Or, if the shooter misses, the officer draws his revolver and is shot head on. I guess that is when the armed teachers would spring to the rescue and probably go down in the next rounds of gunfire from that highly efficient weapon. </div>
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Meanwhile in Tallahassee, the Legislature is about to pass a bill to get rid of FEA. Heroic teachers do not require representation to negotiate their salaries or their working conditions. If MEA would survive, there must be at least 50% of those eligible for membership in the county who have paid their dues. When I was a member, we seldom had 50% membership, as surprising as that seemed. I guess the others would have been willing to let the school board decide the salary and work conditions for the employees with no input from the employees. And that is what will probably happen if the legislation passes. Oh, also, kids who are bullied can apply for vouchers to private schools. Private Schools! No one ever bullies anyone there, I guess. And what constitutes bullying? Guide lines for receiving a voucher are not available. They'll think of those later.</div>
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Joel Hornes, Guardian Ad Litem, discussed his organization. He asked us to consider volunteering for working with the children who have been removed from their families or who are being returned and must be monitored. He felt that educators (heroes) like us would be most able to do the job. Perhaps it wasn't the best time to approach us for help, but some of you might consider doing this important service. According to Hornes, Guardian Ad Litems get a lot of respect and are listened to in the court and in the community</div>
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We have 50 more lovely books to send to Ballard Elementary School. Connie Myers has volunteered to take them. I believe I have 50 more for another school. We will discuss the site at our board meeting. If you have a school in mind and you would like to deliver a box of books there, please let any member of the board know. In the meantime, keep those books coming in. You have done a great job.</div>
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The MCREA Board has decided to discontinue the drive for food items for the Food Bank. It is very difficult to get them to the pickup point now that we are not at Renaissance. We will still collect items like toiletries, socks, etc. for the homeless however.</div>
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The time has come to pay your dues for 2018-19. Bring a check, or cash, to our meeting this month. If we can get most everyone to renew before summer, we will not have to make as many phone calls to remind you, and we can get the Handbook out sooner. Dues are $55. Checks should be made out to MCREA. </div>
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I heard some sad news yesterday. Elaine Brown passed away Monday morning. It was very quick, and after transport to the hospital, she did not regain consciousness. I know I will miss her and I am sure many of you will also. She led the Scholarship Committee for many years. The committee still uses her directions and information sheets. As soon as I hear about her funeral, I will let you know via email.</div>
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Our next meeting will be at 11a.m, on Thursday, March 15, at the IMG Country Club. If you do not hear from your caller by Saturday, March 10, please call Mary Ann Jensen, 756-7603 to make a reservation. Our speaker will be Aedan Stockdale who will tell us about opportunities at the Robinson Preserve.</div>
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See you there,</div>
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Ellen</div>
<br />Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-19084349959214434402018-02-08T12:24:00.002-08:002018-02-08T12:24:53.834-08:00February 8, 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As you can see, we made the change to IMG Country Club in January. I am happy to report that the lunch was very good, especially the cheesecake dessert. It was served efficiently and the view was great as usual. The only drawback, of course, was that we missed our friends at Renaissance who always took such good care of us. I do like the light at IMG for photos. They are much sharper, but they do tend to wash the subjects out a bit. I will try to handle the light better next time. <br />
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Our speaker was Susan Atherton, Director of Charitable Legacy Planning and Development at the Manatee Community Foundation. She encouraged us to consider leaving funds in our wills for scholarships for students who pursue careers in education. She also reported that there are scholarships available for such students right now. If you know someone who is planning to enter or who is already a student at a college, encourage him or her to call the Manatee Community Foundation for information.<br />
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Thanks to your continuing donations of books, we have 50 new ones to take to Samoset Elementary. Judi Ussery, Diana Buell, and Judy Shostrum will see that they get there and are given to students. Now we need a new destination for our books. If you would like to volunteer to distribute some, let me know. We are trying to choose schools where there is a an abundance of children who do not have ready access to books of their own. So far, we have been to Oneco, Rogers Gardens, and now Samoset. <br />
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In my childhood in a remote area of Maine during the Great Depression, I still remember the excitement when our teacher opened the box of books that came from the state capitol of Augusta a few times a year. We waited on the edge of our seats as she slowly pulled them out one at a time, describing the story in each. When she finished, we were allowed to raise our hands and hope to be the one chosen to get a book. Usually, there were enough to go around. We were allowed to take a book home for a week and then return it for another. I don't remember how long the box of books was ours, but I do remember hurrying to read one to get another, so it must have been a relatively short period. Perhaps our books might have a similar effect. <br />
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Speaking of books, the elementary school book fairs serve much the same purpose. We may quibble a bit about the high prices on the offerings, but the children that come with their classmates to shop for them have much the same anticipation that I had back in Maine. The downside, of course, is that often the families cannot afford the prices, especially if there is more than one child in the family. Helping out at a book fair, I have seen parents come in with a handful of dollars and change to purchase just one that their child had pleaded for, and then be crestfallen when they had not taken into account that there would be a sales tax on the book. Fortunately, the librarian usually had a slush fund of some sort to help with that. Volunteers often chipped in to help buy a book or two also.<br />
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Besides the books, please remember that we are collecting non-perishable food for the Manatee Food Bank and toiletries and other items for the Salvation Army to disperse to their clients. The winter has been rather harsh this year and it must have been miserable to be homeless. <br />
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Our speaker in February will be Aedan Stockdale of Guardian Ad Litem. I hope to see you all there. Remember the IMG Country Club is the old El Conquistador Country Club located on El Conquistador Avenue. If you do not hear from your caller, call Mary Ann Jensen, 756-7603.<br />
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Ellen<br />
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Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-30665975235173023002018-01-08T13:51:00.000-08:002018-01-08T13:51:00.809-08:00January 8, 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was a nostalgic December meeting at Renaissance on 9th. We will really miss the wonderful lunches that Chef David Meador prepared for us every month. We will also miss the accessible parking and the comfortable building, After lunch, President Phyllis Omilak presented a lovely statue of a bird to Chef Meador and to Event Manager Julie Fodor to wish them well as they spread their wings in a new enterprise. A special collection was taken up to add to the tips for the wait staff. During our years there, we have become friends with them all. We hope that Meador and Fodor find a new venue and that we can once again use their services in the fall.</div>
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After lots of exploration, the MCREA Board has chosen the IMG Golf and Country Club as our new venue until our last meeting in May. We will have a sit down lunch for the same price we were paying at Renaissance on 9th. If you haven't been there, it is a scenic venue which overlooks Sarasota Bay. There is an elevator to the second floor dining room. Parking is plentiful. This is the former El Conquistador Golf and Country Club. </div>
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Directions from the south, north, or east are to take either 14th St., 26th St., or 34th St. South to Bayshore Gardens Parkway which becomes El Conquistador Parkway after you cross 34th St. The Club will be on your left. Those coming from west Bradenton by way of 75th St., continue straight onto El Conquistador Parkway. The Club is on your right.</div>
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The meeting will begin at 11:30 as usual, with your arrival earlier to sign in, visit with friends, and find your seat. I know you will love the view.</div>
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Our entertainment at the December meeting was provided by young Lauren Maclean of the Manatee School of the Arts. She had a surprisingly strong voice and poise for her age. Brenda Osborne has been of friend of her family since she was a child and was very proud of her. And she sang Christmas music to put us all in the holiday mood.</div>
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Handbooks are ready and were available at our December meeting. If you have not picked yours up, they will be there for you at the January 18th meeting. When you receive your handbook, please check your phone number and your email address to be sure they are correct. If not, please let Elaine Waldron know.</div>
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Thank you for your donations to the Salvation Army, the Food Bank, and the children's books collection. I have just put our MCREA label in 48 great books which Deborah Thomas will deliver</div>
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to Rogers Gardens Elementary School this month. We have not chosen a school for our next books, so if you have a suggestion of a school with students who need to have their own books to take home, and if you are familiar with the principal and staff at the school, please let me, Phyllis Omilak, Susan Roe, or Deborah Thomas know. Now we must get some more books donated to fulfill that need. Remember that we insist that the books are given directly to students. They are not for the library or for a classroom library. Getting a good book into a child's hands in our aim.</div>
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The Legislature in going into session. Whether that is bad news or good news depends on your interests. Mostly, in the past years, it has been bad news for us, so we must pay close attention to their actions and be ready to email, write, or call them if we need to. Susan Davorec, Legislative Chair, will keep us advised. I will also do my best to send out any alerts that we receive from FREA. In numbers there is strength.</div>
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If you do not hear from your caller by the 13th, our intrepid Phone Committee Chair, Mary Ann Jensen, needs to hear from you. I say intrepid because she just made the most remarkable recovery from knee replacement surgery that I have ever seen. You can't keep a good woman down. Call her at 756-7603.</div>
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See you Thursday, January 18, at the IMG Country Club.</div>
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Ellen</div>
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Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-88130518929104059492017-12-08T11:39:00.000-08:002017-12-08T11:39:55.743-08:00December 8, 2017 The bright and joyous season is upon us. I have read that Christ was not born in December, but because of the long nights in that month, the date was chosen to bring some light and celebration to what otherwise was a gloomy time of year. Imagine how dark December must have been when there was no electricity or even the gaslight of later years. I don't know if that information is "fake news" or the truth, but it doesn't really matter to me. I enjoy the season with its good thoughts, kindness to strangers, gleeful children, and colorful decorations. And Christmas music gladdens my heart whether it be "Rudolph" with Gene Autry or the Choir of Westminster Abbey. I wish you a Merry Christmas too and a respite from all the worries and fears prevalent in this December of 2017.<br />
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We had turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy at our November lunch. The turkey was moist and tender, like I can never achieve. Although we are going to miss this wonderful facility with all its lovely parking and other amenities, we will not be losing the chef who will continue to cater our meals at our new location. I don't know where that will be yet, but I know President Omilak will have some news on December 21.<br />
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Yesterday's Bradenton Herald ran an obituary for Walter Kerce. Many of us know Joyce, a longtime middle school science teacher, now retired. His funeral is on Saturday.<br />
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Our Handbooks will be available at this month's meeting. I hope you will be there to pick yours up. Otherwise, they will be available again in January. <br />
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Applications for the FREF Scholarships have been sent out to the high schools. If you know a senior who is planning a career in education, please see Diana Buell, Scholarship Chair, to pick one up. The MCREA Scholarship applications will be sent out later in the spring. Again, please ask for one of them if you have a high school senior in mind.<br />
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Michael Kovaks, a financial advisor who is prepared to help FREA members with their financial matters, spoke at the November meeting. He has aided some of our members in choosing their Medicare Supplemental Insurance providers and their Medicare Part D Insurance if they are on Medicare and not with a Medicare Advantage provider. He has guided me in the last two years in choosing the Part D program which covers my prescriptions. <br />
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This year, Michael brought us information on a new Long Term Care Insurance Program. This is a hybrid of the old long term care insurance plan and this new plan. Instead of paying out monthly premiums which a client may never use and will not be able to get back if he or she doesn't use the service, a client can reposition a portion of existing retirement funds. A death benefit is paid out if the contract was never used. Michael can be reached at 800-595-8891, or at <a href="http://www.thefragroup.com%20michael's/">www.TheFRAgroup.com Michael's</a> company, FRA, is endorsed by FREA.<br />
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Program Chair, Brenda Osborne, has arranged a Christmas program for us which features a young singer from Palmetto High School. <br />
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Remember the Food Bank, the Salvation Army with small items for their clients, and the children who need to read some great books which we donate to them.<br />
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If you haven't heard from your caller by the 15th, call Phyllis Omilak at 723-1360 or me at 794-1646, and we will see that you are listed.<br />
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Merry Getting Ready for Christmas.<br />
Ellen<br />
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Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-79457688848778913262017-11-06T13:32:00.000-08:002017-11-06T13:32:15.149-08:00November, 2017It is very difficult to stay upbeat in these days of dreadful events happening almost weekly. Writing this blog seems unimportant when my thoughts keep turning to those devastated families in Texas who have lost their loved ones to a madman with a high powered assault weapon<u> while they were</u> <u>attending church</u>. This is just the latest atrocious act against innocent people going about their lives with no idea that those lives would be to be abruptly changed or ended. Can we all stand up and say, "Stop it! Make some gun laws to control the sale of assault weapons or lose the next election. We are coming for you and no gun lobby can change our votes!" Let's get busy calling and emailing. The Congress must fix this!<br />
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Although there weren't as many costumes at our Halloween party this year, our members made up for the loss in numbers with exceptional creativity.<br />
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Cute witches.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Vv446z5TJQclnq3EAweY3ZWF6i-Cd340HNDUA23jX7RrW0Bknr0Tku1KSKLcjdS7Wi-VtP9AP_Wg8WmiFuutR0hYAM6Hftaw1ny871XlDKM_hV6kZdnE_B7Wi2CeezROxyOJwdsSDt83/s1600/DSCN0015+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Vv446z5TJQclnq3EAweY3ZWF6i-Cd340HNDUA23jX7RrW0Bknr0Tku1KSKLcjdS7Wi-VtP9AP_Wg8WmiFuutR0hYAM6Hftaw1ny871XlDKM_hV6kZdnE_B7Wi2CeezROxyOJwdsSDt83/s320/DSCN0015+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sue, the jelly fish<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpLff7UrvsGf20tJPI4pRQ8_MzXT1BNPpugbdNeusM18-5fc10Jmgn6Ppz9t12rHh0k2almmKUnXXwwAJjIVFw_wK4P-QMF2uJl31aaQEL2yWO2ViGl58yE2VIFi5a1owvg3o0Rxaixhyphenhyphen/s1600/DSCN0016+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpLff7UrvsGf20tJPI4pRQ8_MzXT1BNPpugbdNeusM18-5fc10Jmgn6Ppz9t12rHh0k2almmKUnXXwwAJjIVFw_wK4P-QMF2uJl31aaQEL2yWO2ViGl58yE2VIFi5a1owvg3o0Rxaixhyphenhyphen/s320/DSCN0016+%25281%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Phantom of the Opera, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMK9mq0t3Tb7tLHLzPYyw3WR_bGNIK8pNE4FdKNyDV6KC7syzmAa8xjK6o-P-Dw-ySKDWwkqdtFbKrPXxfNbUKAQNijo2L9_pqqQzLf-tJKqbLqD_2bVxCoD0hazkq2Bhwpzvo9B4sXzsM/s1600/DSCN0017+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMK9mq0t3Tb7tLHLzPYyw3WR_bGNIK8pNE4FdKNyDV6KC7syzmAa8xjK6o-P-Dw-ySKDWwkqdtFbKrPXxfNbUKAQNijo2L9_pqqQzLf-tJKqbLqD_2bVxCoD0hazkq2Bhwpzvo9B4sXzsM/s320/DSCN0017+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Royal garden party hat<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kUTuPZ6qjEa6HJSkh8os0kjvPib3sHJQ8ZhK0zPMKgO-KLGY127H6dxJwZAAWQeg7HydPsliRRJqzkH6zJo_HTCrkkQfNLr5RBcg28Vl31G2uDPrw1AKJOPPgxfDsG0CYqrCxkZVlTQr/s1600/DSCN0018+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kUTuPZ6qjEa6HJSkh8os0kjvPib3sHJQ8ZhK0zPMKgO-KLGY127H6dxJwZAAWQeg7HydPsliRRJqzkH6zJo_HTCrkkQfNLr5RBcg28Vl31G2uDPrw1AKJOPPgxfDsG0CYqrCxkZVlTQr/s320/DSCN0018+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Red Hot Mama<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjdyLGNEx6_tK30kOKbpkvcM0fK8NfupkIVuwm5Kjc2639AJhzknOSskqoOEDzgRXCCCGP8xl_pa8kILaQ4c_901t-nBCMXIdIXRjIrD00uqfc_1fCXPV3gK-QdQydU_KnaB-Tl8Fmnma/s1600/DSCN0019+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjdyLGNEx6_tK30kOKbpkvcM0fK8NfupkIVuwm5Kjc2639AJhzknOSskqoOEDzgRXCCCGP8xl_pa8kILaQ4c_901t-nBCMXIdIXRjIrD00uqfc_1fCXPV3gK-QdQydU_KnaB-Tl8Fmnma/s320/DSCN0019+%25281%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Dr. Pumpkin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYpeOf0hUiZvYsosdG0kCNFk7OP7JK32JibSS-wK7qSD04Of1utYT5G7wVMNAiv_brXDocpXn4So8HtTQbIU2DhRspoSXjO0ghD_b-08G-3Fw1lnOw4t1nfdL6jxeZ90Tm0f9hAVOcSwd/s1600/DSCN0020+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYpeOf0hUiZvYsosdG0kCNFk7OP7JK32JibSS-wK7qSD04Of1utYT5G7wVMNAiv_brXDocpXn4So8HtTQbIU2DhRspoSXjO0ghD_b-08G-3Fw1lnOw4t1nfdL6jxeZ90Tm0f9hAVOcSwd/s320/DSCN0020+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Red Riding Hood meets Wolf<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEWl5X_e_qyUinLZohCua4LV5b9B_3ESWGPkuPPtZf5VpZ00NeU3Wd5gzxB0Lo9SYY9dGpH8frkd-UcpwljBl5jY08sCcMNHOPnqqT-eUwBl4yxBkVjahCS2E2KbGAmQ11Z1QHeeb5lza/s1600/DSCN0021+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEWl5X_e_qyUinLZohCua4LV5b9B_3ESWGPkuPPtZf5VpZ00NeU3Wd5gzxB0Lo9SYY9dGpH8frkd-UcpwljBl5jY08sCcMNHOPnqqT-eUwBl4yxBkVjahCS2E2KbGAmQ11Z1QHeeb5lza/s320/DSCN0021+%25281%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Once again, Sandra Stephenson entertained us with Halloween Bingo, and the prizes were astounding. Best of all, the MCREA Scholarship Fund benefitted from your donations of quarters.</div>
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Phyllis Omilak, President, reported on the District FREA meeting which was held in Sarasota on Oct. 10th. MCREA won several awards again this year: Mac Aldrich is the FREA 2017 Unit Volunteer; our unit received the FREA 2017 Volunteer Services Activity Award; we also received the FREA 2017 Unit Membership Award.</div>
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Elaine Waldron, Chair of Membership and the Handbook expects to hand out our new handbooks at the Nov. meeting. Come and pick yours up fresh off the press. You can't tell the players without a program. (Yes, I have attended at lot of baseball games.)</div>
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At our Nov.15th meeting, Michael Kovacs will speak to us about Medicare and RMD at age 70 and a half. Please note that the date has been changed to Wednesday, Nov. 15th due to a previous event at Renaissance. </div>
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Because Feeding Empty Little Tummies (FELT) has taken on so many more tummies, they aren't able to store and distribute our books this year. So, the board has decided to continue distributing books ourselves. The first group of 50 were taken out to Samoset Elementary by Sue Roe. She taught and substituted there so she knew the school and its faculty which helped get the books to the kids who would most benefit from them. As soon as we have another bunch of books, we will see that they get distributed to another school. If you have a school in mind where you are known and you would like to take some books there, please tell me or any other board member, and we will set you up with books. Now, of course, everything depends on members still donating new or lightly used books. The central library has them on sale in their book store. In addition to the Goodwill Book Store at Tara, there is a new one open on Manatee Ave. W. in the old Goodwill location. Some of you are still sentimental about those books you loved from your teaching days, but perhaps this is the time to send them on to kids who would love them too.</div>
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If you do not hear from your caller for some reason, please call Mary Ann Jensen, 756-7603 or Phyllis Omilak, 723-1360.</div>
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See you on Wednesday, Nov. 15th,</div>
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Ellen</div>
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Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-18868327318558029332017-10-03T10:57:00.000-07:002017-10-03T10:59:18.345-07:00October, 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ah, October at last. Soon I will open our windows and enjoy the autumn breezes as they sweep the dog hair, cat hair, and dust into the corners so that I can catch them better. If I feel like it. The older I get, the less I am interested in housework, yard work, and just work in general. There are so many other interesting things to do. Although I don't dwell on my demise, I am aware that it can't be too far away, or at least my ability to be active will be curtailed, so I have to squeeze every ounce of enjoyment out of my days. Now that doesn't mean that I am on the road all the time. Just reading and watching television take up a lot of my time. I have to admit that it does take longer to cook dinner now, but I love going to Bay Chorale once a week, even though my pipes are not as agile as they once were. It's the friends I see there and at AAUW and at MCREA who keep me going. Considering my long life so far, it has always been my family and my friends that were the most important part. All the achievements, prestige, education, and possessions which once seemed important are like the dust in the corners now. I can't be bothered wasting time on them.</div>
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Our September meeting was eventful as usual. We came for the fellowship, the great lunch, and the program, in that order. Each item met my criteria. We welcomed some new members and I hope more are considering joining us. Our speakers from Take Stock in Children asked for volunteers to mentor students one day a week through 8-12th grade. Another new volunteering opportunity that they presented was to become a mentor to a college student who has graduated from the program and may need help managing his or her initial college experience. As an example, she mentioned one mentor who helped a student who was being overcharged for car repair. Yes, practical things that we learned from our families, which may not be available to a student who is the first to attend college in his or her family, or who no longer lives at home. </div>
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Our October meeting is always a highlight of the year. Come in costume if you can. We will have a costume parade and prizes for the best. Through the years, we have seen some highly original ones. Sandra Stephenson will again lead us in Halloween Bingo with great (well, interesting) prizes for the winners. Remember to bring 20 quarters to play. The money will go to our local MCREA Scholarship. </div>
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We are still collecting food for the Manatee Food Bank, toiletries and other items for the Salvation Army, and children's books for distribution at as yet undecided venue. FELT is so overwhelmed with children's food distribution that they have little time and no storage space for our books. Also, they were gifted with a books from an on-line retailer who retired. Those books are currently being stored by the Kiwanis Club. If you have a suggestion for a school or other place that would welcome our books, let me know. The Board will be deciding the venue at our Oct. meeting.</div>
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I hope to see you on<strong> Wednesday</strong>, Oct. 18. We cannot meet on our usual Thursday because of an event previously engaged at Renaissance on 9th. If your caller has not gotten in touch before Oct. 14, please call Mary Ann Jensen at 792-4127 or Phyllis Omilak at 723-1360.</div>
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Ellen</div>
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<br />Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-91329836603641315762017-10-03T10:01:00.002-07:002017-10-03T10:01:10.784-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-4026650681460365162017-08-23T15:09:00.000-07:002017-08-23T15:09:13.373-07:00August, 2017As I am writing this, it has started to rain which is a perfect backdrop for the news which I have just received. Carolyn Steele called to tell me that Nancy Carson died this morning. It is so hard to believe that Nancy, who was always so vital and healthy, has been ill for a while, and today left us. I don't know much about what happened, but, according to Carolyn, she was undergoing chemotherapy. Perhaps we will know more later although she did not have relatives here. For those of you who did not know Nancy, she was the first woman in Manatee County to become a secondary school principal at King Middle School. She did the job with great enthusiasm, doing her best to make her school a success.<br />
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On a much brighter note, I received this letter from one of our scholarship recipients. I will share it with you in its entirety since he addressed it to all of us.<br />
<br />
Manatee County REA,<br />
Thank you for your financial assistance toward my college expenses back in 2012. I recently graduated with my Master's Degree from Florida State University, majoring in mathematics education. This was directly after completing the FSU-Tech undergraduate program, graduating Magna Cum Laude. I am now set to start teaching at Palm Bay Magnet High School in August. Being able to accomplish these goals would have been impossible without your support.<br />
Thank you.<br />
Jacob Kargauer<br />
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Jacob when he was a freshman at FSU<br />
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I am looking forward to seeing you on Thursday, Sept 21, 11:15, at Renaissance on 9th. The cost of lunch this year will be $18 which includes tax, so there will be no tax tubs on the tables. It is important to know that we are getting a better price than is usually offered to groups.<br />
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Dr. Greene has had to postpone her talk until April due to her responsibilities as Superintendent. We will be hearing a presentation from Take Stock in Children. Most of you are aware of the remarkable success they have with sending Manatee County kids to college. Now we will hear some details.<br />
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If you have not heard from your caller before Sept. 16, please call Mary Ann Jensen at 756-7603 or me at 794-1646, and we will make a reservation for you.<br />
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Dues must be paid in Sept. is you want your name to appear in the yearbook.<br />
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See you soon,<br />
Ellen<br />
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Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-66620174754283542772017-06-13T08:46:00.002-07:002017-06-13T08:46:51.951-07:00MCREA, June 2017 We were happy to welcome our MCREA Scholarship winners to our May meeting. Attending were Olyanna Koniszcyuk and her mother. Olyanna is a graduate of Lakewood Ranch H.S. and she will attend the University of West Florida. Abigail Reese, a graduate of Lakewood Ranch H.S. who will attend USF, also brought her mother. <br />
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Natalie Navarrete, who will attend Southwestern University, graduated from Palmetto H.S., but was unable to be there. Sabre Hensley of Braden River H.S., who will attend USF, was also unable to be with us.<br />
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Danielle Guida, who is a rising junior at Florida Southern, applied for and received our third year scholarship which is awarded to previous high school winners who remain in education and who maintain excellent grades. Danielle also brought her mother.<br />
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Diana Buell, Scholarship Chair, was a gracious hostess. I squeezed in at their table and thoroughly enjoyed meeting the group. It is particularly hopeful to know that there are some enthusiastic young people entering our profession. <br />
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We bade goodbye to our stalwart Treasurer, Ron Schneider, who finally has found Judy Bodmer to take over his tasks. We thank him for shouldering the job for years after his initial term was over. Of course, he isn't going anywhere but now some of us can get to know Ron as he joins us for lunch. Now everyone must support Judy as she takes on the role of Treasurer.<br />
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Plans for our next season include the New Member Breakfast on Friday, August 4, at 10 a.m. I will remind you later to send your newly and other retired friends and to accompany them if you wish. Guests will be gratis, and members will pay $10. Our lunch meetings will be at Renaissance again. The price has gone up to $18, but we are still getting a bargain when we compare that price to the one other groups pay. <br />
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For planning ahead, our meetings will be the third Thursday of each month from September through May, except in October and November, when both will be on the third Wednesday.<br />
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Have a great summer,<br />
Ellen<br />
Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-47292591518425350282017-05-13T14:27:00.001-07:002017-05-13T14:27:39.436-07:00May, 2017 Another season of MCREA is nearly over. We have contributed a great deal to our community this year. We have supported scholarships for FREA as well as our own MCREA Scholarships. We have donated about 500 books to FELT to be delivered to school kids along with their food backpacks. We have sponsored a fifth grade essay contest and enjoyed awarding the winners and their classmates gift certificates.<br />
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We have contributed to the Manatee County History Fair and to the Manatee Schools Foundation. Our members have contributed hours of their time in the schools tutoring and doing other necessary work to help teachers and students, like volunteering at book fairs.<br />
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We have donated food to the Manatee County Food Pantry, and toiletries and other gifts to nursing homes and the Salvation Army. I am sure that I have forgotten something, but we have been very generous.<br />
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And we had fun too. Our meetings always had interesting programs and there was great joy in winning the door prizes, especially the big one. Besides the action at the meetings, who does not enjoy the chance to visit with old friends?<br />
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Our MCREA Scholarship winners will attend our May meeting. There are four this year, one from Palmetto High, one from Bradenton River High, and two from Lakewood Ranch High. Each will be awarded $500. We are also awarding $1000 to Danielle Guida who is entering her third year as an education major. In addition, she has been awarded $1000 from FREA.<br />
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This meeting will be the last chance to buy FREA Extravaganza tickets. Also, it will be your last opportunity to pay your dues easily. After that, you will need to send a check to the treasurer. Our new treasurer's address in the handbook is incorrect. Please make a note of the change: Judy Bodner<br />
5111 134th Terrace East<br />
Parrish, FL 34219<br />
Her phone number is correct so you can phone her if you need to.<br />
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Our program for May is "Show and Tell". There is no special theme, so bring something that means something to you. We will share at our tables, and then tables will choose whom they would like to share with the group. I know, I am scratching my head too. Maybe there was a trip that you made, an object from your past at work or from childhood, a photo that means something special to you. <br />
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We will also have a "Dollars for Scholars" auction. If you would like, bring something that is new or slightly used to put in the auction to raise money for our scholarship fund. Instead of writing bids for each item, you will be able to buy tickets ($1 each, $5 for 6) which you can place in a container in front of each prize. Then there will be a drawing for each item. <br />
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At our April meeting, Rick Kerby, Artistic Director of the Manatee Performing Arts Center, spoke to us about building some of the sets for the plays presented this season. He brought set designs and discussed how they were created.<br />
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Fay Murphy, MCREA Parliamentarian, and Executive Secretary of FREA, inducted our new officers who will serve for two years. Mac Aldrich received a certificate for Volunteer of the Year of MCREA. <br />
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A Memorial Ceremony remembered our members who passed away: Joan Kratzmiller, Marie Lehrer, Rita Sampselle, and Joyce Ellis.<br />
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I hope to see you on May 18. If you have not heard from your caller, please call Susan Roe, 792-4786, or Mary Ann Jensen, 756-7603.<br />
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Ellen<br />
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Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-65876387560264424762017-04-09T13:32:00.001-07:002017-04-09T13:34:30.786-07:00MCREA March, 2017 I have managed to pull myself away from news TV and radio in order to dash this blog off. What might happen in the world before I get back to my obsessive viewing and listening? Will it change because I am no longer looking? This magic thinking is one that I am familiar with from my days watching sporting events and thinking that my presence or absence had something to do with winning or losing. I knew even then that was ridiculous, but still?<br />
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Are you also caught up in this real world, 24 hour soap opera where the actions of politicians -- controversial, heroic, underhanded, quick-thinking, shrewd-- create a world of puffery alongside real-life mayhem? Who needs the usual television fare or even literary fiction when the news is so much more explosive and exciting? And the outcomes could be earth changing.<br />
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The March meeting had 90 people attending. Cindy Tanner from the Blake Medical Trauma Center spoke to us about the center and how it functions. Although none of wishes to have to make use of the center, it is good to know more about it.<br />
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Deborah Thomas, Chair of the 5th Grade Writing Contest, announced the 2007 winner: Caitlyn Salerno from Gullet Elementary School. Her essay is titled, "Stuck in a Thunderstorm with Grandma", and her teacher is Karin Byrne. Caitlyn will receive a $25 gift card from Books a Million, and Ms. Byrne's class will receive a $25 gift card as well. The essay will be forwarded to FREA to compete in the state contest. Honorable mention went to Kaleb Rouse, also from Gullet. He will receive a $10 gift card.<br />
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Vilena Moore has moved to Water's Edge. She attended our March meeting and is doing well. Elaine Brown, a long-time member and MCREA Scholarship Chair for many years, celebrated her 85th birthday with family and friends on Saturday, April 8th.<br />
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Nominating Committee Chair, Judy Shostrom, announced the nominated slate of officers for 2017-19 which was accepted unanimously by the members present. The slate includes: Phyllis Omilak, President; Brenda Osborne, First Vice President/President Elect: Elaine Waldron, Second Vice President; Nancy Erwin, Secretary; Judy Bodner, Treasurer; Susan Roe, Past President; and Fay Murphy, Parliamentarian.<br />
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Installation of officers is on the agenda for the April meeting, along with a Remembrance Ceremony for our departed members.<br />
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Rick Kerby, Artistic Director of the Manatee Performing Arts Center, will be the speaker at our April 20th meeting. I hope to see you there. As usual, if you do not hear from your caller during the week before the meeting, please call Mary Ann Jensen, 756-7603 or Sue Roe, 792-4786.<br />
See you soon, <br />
Ellen<br />
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Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-36047636168404910512017-03-06T14:16:00.000-08:002017-03-06T14:16:21.462-08:00March 6, 2017 The old adage, "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb" seems to true this year. Of course, some rain with all that wind would be good for Florida's dry conditions. My grass (loosely defined, but really just lots of interesting weeds that are green sometimes) are gasping. When weeds gasp, you know there is a drought. <br />
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Our February meeting was well attended as usual. Rick Yocum from the Humane Society entertained us with anecdotes about the animals at the shelter and about his devotion to them. Many members brought gifts for the shelter and he was pleased to get them. There is a need for more help if you have time to help out. Dogs and cats have to be comfortable with people before they can be adopted. Dogs have to be walked and exercised also. <br />
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Rick Yokum</div>
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MCREA dues for 2017-18 can be paid now. Forms will be available at the March meeting. $55 is the total FREA and MCREA responsibility. Paying a little early will help both groups budget for next fall and will save postage for letters to remind you.<br />
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Because of the harrowing political times, I am going to include some information to help you contact your representatives and local newspaper editorial pages.<br />
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Letters to the editor:<br />
<u>Bradenton Herald</u><br />
on-line: <a href="http://www.bradenton.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/submit-letter">www.bradenton.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/submit-letter</a><br />
mail: Bradenton Herald, 1111 Third Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34210<br />
(when submitting, include your mailing address and your phone number)<br />
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<u>Herald-Tribune</u><br />
email: <a href="mailto:editor.letters@heraldtribune.com">editor.letters@heraldtribune.com</a><br />
mail: Letters Editor, Herald-Tribune, P.O. Box 1719, Sarasota, FL 34230<br />
(when submitting, include your mailing address and your phone number)<br />
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<u>Bradenton Times</u><br />
on-line: <em>On Contact Us</em> page<br />
<a href="http://www.the/">www.the</a> bradentontimes.com<br />
mail: The Bradenton Times, 405 26th Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34205<br />
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<strong>U.S. Senators</strong><br />
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Bill Nelson 202-224-5274<br />
<a href="http://www.billnelson.senate.gov/">www.BillNelson.senate.gov</a><br />
Marco Rubio 202-224-3041<br />
<a href="http://www.marcorubio.senate.gov/">www.MarcoRubio.senate.gov</a><br />
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<strong>U.S. Representatives District 16</strong><br />
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Vern Buchanan 202-225-5015<br />
<a href="http://www.buchanan.house.gov/">www.Buchanan.house.gov</a><br />
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<strong>Governor</strong> <br />
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Rick Scott 850-488-7146<br />
<a href="http://www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-thegovernor">www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-thegovernor</a><br />
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<strong>FL Senator</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
Bill Galvano 850-487-5021 941-741-3401<br />
www.Galvano.Bill.web<complete id="goog_1684297036">@flsenate.gov</complete><br />
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<br />Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-85809805240627078602017-02-14T14:20:00.000-08:002017-02-14T14:20:01.266-08:00February, 2017 MCREA Blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have to be proud of ourselves for our year's total of volunteer hours. Joan Sackett announced that MCREA had donated 1800 hours to the community last year, 4000 of which were hours working with children. Mac Aldrich is our Volunteer of the Year with 800 hours. This total will be added to the FREA total to be presented to the governor in the form of a check representing the dollar amount of all that service. <br />
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Our speaker in January, Patricia Henderson who is the Outreach Manager and Community Liason, Senior Connection Center, Inc., gave us an eye-opening look into senior-abuse in Florida. She educated us on the signs of elder abuse and asked us look out for seniors in our neighborhoods.<br />
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You may have missed two of our long-time members and wondered about them. Betty Chudy is now receiving Best Home Care. You may send her a card or note to<br />
4333 30th Lane East, Bradenton, Fl 34200. Emily Miller's address is <br />
1700 3rd Ave. W.,Westminster Towers #7911, Bradenton, FL 34205.<br />
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Dues for 2017-18 can be paid now at the March or April meeting. You can also send them to Ron Schneider, Treasurer. $55 ($35 to state, $20 local)<br />
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The MCREA Board donated $100 to support Manatee County Schools History Day events and voted to support the Manatee Education Foundation, which awards grants to teachers for classroom innovations, with $300 yearly.<br />
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Tickets for the FREF Extravaganza drawing will be available at our meeting. The money raised supports the FREF Scholarship awards. Diana Buell has forwarded the application of our candidate for the year. The awards will total $1000 for each of 4 years in college. We have had winners in other years, so we are crossing our fingers for this one. Diana says she is a very worthy candidate.<br />
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The MCREA Scholarship is available now to local seniors who plan to become educators. If you have someone in mind, please contact Diana to pick up an application. Sometimes the scholarships are not picked up at the high schools. We will be awarding at least two $500 scholarships with a chance of picking up another when the student reaches his or her junior year and chooses a major in education or in a field with certification hours planned.<br />
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Everyone is looking forward to Minnie Lee Jones's latest excursion to Mote Marine. If you missed signing up for that one, she is planning a trip to visit the Lippizan training in Myakka, Thursday, April 13. She will tell us more later. You can still see Minnie if you are interested in the cruise to Cuba. May 28-June 4.<br />
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Project Light is still looking for volunteers to help adults read and speak English. Contact Chris MacCormack at 727-5183. email: <a href="mailto:maccormack@msn.com">maccormack@msn.com</a><br />
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Rick Yocum of the Humane Society will be our speaker at the February meeting. He has asked us to donate paper towels, puppy peepee pads, blankets, wet or dry cat and dog food, and towels when we come to the meeting. I bought some of the pppads at Publix and then found myself explaining to the bagger and the cashier that they were not for my dog, but for the Humane Society. I just couldn't let them think that Sailor had accidents! Of course, they didn't know me or Sailor and didn't really care.<br />
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I hope I have mentioned everything that I had on my list of information. It is too late to make a reservation to come this month since I am late sending out the blog. I hope you are one of the 85 (on Monday) who plans to be there.<br />
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Ellen<br />
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Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-36566229197219230292017-01-05T12:33:00.000-08:002017-01-05T12:33:20.800-08:00January, 2017 Have you written your first incorrectly dated check yet? It takes a good deal of determination and concentration to come to grips with 2017. The world as we knew it is changing ever faster each year. I think it isn't necessarily arthritis that causes my stiff neck; it's the constant twisting it from one side to another trying to keep up. Oh well, so far I have been able to find my way home when I go out. That's a small achievement, I know, but it's all I have. Seriously, I want to wish you all a great year with only a modicum of problems that can be easily remedied.<br />
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A sad note for long time members is the death at 90 of Alice Sutton. She was a choral teacher at Southeast High School for over 30 years. Alice was a native daughter of Palmetto, and a member of MCREA until she had to give up driving. I remember her well when I worked at SEHS. She was beloved by her chorus members, especially the girls. Her visitation is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 6, at 6-8 p.m., Griffith-Cline Funeral Home, 720 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. Her funeral will be there also at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7.<br />
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77 members and guests attended the Dec. meeting. Most were in some kind of holiday attire and all were in holiday spirits: not a bah humbug to been heard. The Bay Chorale sang with Fay Murphy, Mary Ann Jensen, and I joining in. We loved it, and we hope the audience did too.<br />
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The pictures are rather dark this month. I think either Renaissance is saving on electricity or they were attempting to produce a romantic atmosphere. Sorry, next time I will make sure the flash is on.</div>
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The FREF Extravaganza tickets go on sale this month for $10 each. Prizes for those participating are listed:</div>
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$100 to one winner in each district (so every district wins something)</div>
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$500 for first prize</div>
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$300 for second prize</div>
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$200 for third prize.</div>
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The proceeds from the Extravaganza support the FREF Scholarships. Recipients receive $1000 for each year of their undergraduate degree program in education. Graduates of Manatee County Schools have won the award several times. Meanwhile donations to the MCREA Scholarship Fund are welcome. Our 50/50 drawing also supports the local scholarships.</div>
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We have enjoyed the lovely table decorations at our luncheons this year. Thank you to those who have volunteered to create them. The following are the committees for each of the next months.</div>
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January Pam Helman, Pat Watkins, Laura Moran, Peggy Gardiner</div>
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February Carol Chapman, Nancy Erwin, Lee Ritchie, Diane Loyer, Freda Martin, </div>
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Patty Edwards</div>
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March Suzanne Willever</div>
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April Mac Aldrich, Dick Andrews, Bruce Deitch</div>
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May </div>
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We still need some volunteers to work with Suzanne in March. May is also open. If you will help, please sign up at our Jan. meeting.</div>
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Our January meeting is on the 19th at 11:00. Please come early and enjoy the conversations. The speaker will be Patricia Henderson, Outreach Manager and Community Liason, Senior Connection Center, Inc. Her topic is "Elder Abuse, Fraud and Scams."</div>
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As usual, if you do not hear from your caller by Friday, the 13th, please call Sue Roe at 792-4786 or Mary Ann Jensen at 756-7603.</div>
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See you on the 19th,</div>
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Ellen</div>
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Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-56060259889910124552016-12-09T13:10:00.000-08:002016-12-09T13:10:44.019-08:00December, 2016 December is the busiest month for most of us. I thought when my children had grown and my teaching was over, that the seasonal madness would recede. I pictured myself wrapped cozily in a rocking chair reading a novel while the rest of the world shopped, cooked, decorated, and attended Christmas events. Not so, folks. The comfy chair at the fireside dream isn't happening. There still are lots of domestic chores and community responsibilities which are not at all interested in my right to be in my dotage. Charles Dickens's old ladies and gentlemen are artifacts of the past. <br />
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I am looking forward to the trip to Fisherman's Landing on the 14th. I hope a lot of you signed up to come. If you haven't yet taken advantage of some of the great outings Minnie Lee Jones puts together for us, consider joining in. The next one is a trip to Mote Marine on Feb. 22. We will be car pooling to this one. She will give us more information later. <br />
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Our speakers in November were the Manatee County Schools Superintendent of Instruction, Cynthia Sanders, and the Superintendent of Business Operations, Ron Cirranna. Both spoke about current and future activities in the schools. <br />
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Diana Buell, Scholarship Chair, said that all high schools have received their scholarship applications. If you know a high school senior who is interested in becoming an educator, please urge him or her to pick up an application for the FREA and the MCREA Scholarships from a school guidance office. Applications will be available from Diana at our next meeting if you want to encourage someone to apply.<br />
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Every child in the FELT program received a book or two to take home on the Friday before Thanksgiving vacation. A citizen of Manatee County who ran a bookstore on the internet decided to retire and donated his complete stock of children's books to FELT. Of course, grade levels had to be assigned to all those books before they were given out. A group of intrepid MCREA members went to the FELT office and completed at least half the inventory, more than enough for the distribution. They will return to do the rest in the new year. Thank you, Judy Shostrom, Deborah Thomas, and Joan Sackett for your help. If anyone else would like to help out with this, please let us know. More hands make it go much faster. We don't use any formulae. After all, most long-time teachers can just eyeball a book and decide a grade level. We are the experts.<br />
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Our December program on Thursday, December 15th, will be a holiday celebration. The Bay Chorale will entertain us with Chanukah and Christmas music. So dig out your Santa hat and your jingle bells and join us. If you have not heard from your caller yet, please call Mary Ann Jensen at 756-7603 or Susan Roe at 792-4786.<br />
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See you on the 15th,<br />
Ellen<br />
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Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-80577610127354100022016-11-02T13:10:00.003-07:002016-11-02T13:10:33.173-07:00November 2016 First, the Halloween pictures.<br />
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Obviously, the costumes were wonderful as usual. First prize went to Bruce Dietch, the Scarecrow. Second was Sharyn Hundley as Mary Poppins. A coven of witches was third. There were many witches in attendance and I am not sure which ones made up the winning coven. (That was not a joke, folks.)</div>
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Thanks to our innovative party planner, Sandra Stephenson, we again had a chance to win some exciting prizes playing Halloween Bingo. The MCREA Scholarship fund made some money which we will give away to at least two high school seniors in the spring. If past recipients are eligible grade-wise and apply for another scholarship, we will consider them as well. Of course, this gets expensive, but seeing these young people go into education helps us ensure that there will be good people in the schools in the future.</div>
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FREA is offering $1000 grants to teachers to use in their classrooms. Information about the grants is available on the FREA website - <a href="http://www.frea.org/">www.frea.org</a> If you know someone who might benefit from this opportunity, give him or her a heads-up to look this up. You can do a lot with $1000 to really perk up a program. I know FREA is especially interest in the STEM curriculum, but other innovative programs would also be considered.</div>
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The FREA conference will be held on May 24-26 at the Hilton in Altamonte Springs. If you have never attended one of these, I know you would enjoy learning more about FREA and about ideas for making MCREA more effective. Also, the banquet and the meetings are fun. There will be more information forthcoming about room rates (special usually for FREA) and the extra days that are usually available at those good rates if you want to hang around a little longer and see Hogwarts or do some shopping and dining at Disney.</div>
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Renaissance on 9th has bumped our meeting from its usual third Thursday next month to Wednesday of that week, Nov. 16. Evidently it was something they had to do because of a previous commitment which they had overlooked. They were so sorry about it that they have offered us a dinner buffet instead of our usual lunch offering. The buffet will have two entre items -- fish and/or meat. Unfortunately, Superintendent Diana Greene, who was to be our speaker, could not change her schedule in order to accommodate this new date, so we will have a different program. I do not have details about the replacement. </div>
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At the District 7 meeting in September, MCREA received several awards Minnie Lee Jones received the District 7 Volunteer of the Year Award. We received the Volunteer Service Award for all those hours we logged working in the community and with our youth. We also received the Unit Membership Award for increasing our number of new members by 46% last year. There is no doubt we are a viable and active group. Now who will step up and accept the Treasurer's job? Ron has served us long and well, but he really wants to give up the position. It isn't that difficult. I feel that even I, an English major, could do it, but I have the Blog and am on some other committees as are all the current members of the Board. We need a new person to join us.</div>
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I hope you all have had a chance to sign up for the trip to Fisherman's Village which Minnie Lee, Cultural Affairs Chair, has organized for us. We had fun at the last year's holiday visit to Selby Gardens and the trip through the Sarasota neighborhoods to see the Christmas lights. On December 14, we will be leaving Bayshore Gardens Shopping Center at 3 p.m. for a bus ride to Fisherman's Village. We will have dinner together there at Captain's Table, and then we will board a boat for a one hour cruise of the canals. Residents along the route always decorate their houses, yards, and boats for Christmas. We should be back about 10:30 p.m. The cost is $90. Treat yourself to a night out with us. You don't need a buddy to go along because we will all be your buddies. The deadline to sign up is Nov. 26. Send your check to Minnie or give it to her at our next meeting.</div>
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I put grade levels on 363 books last week and delivered them to FELT for the last food distribution before Thanksgiving. The FELT folks were very appreciative of your great donations of really good books for these homeless kids I must say it was all I could do to just grade level those books and not find myself a cozy corner and read, read, read. They were outstanding examples of children's literature. Now we must begin again in order to have more books for the last day before summer vacation. I am sure you know how important it is for a child to have a book of his or her own.</div>
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Remember we are also collecting food items for the Manatee County Food Bank. Also, Meals on Wheels is working on giving each person who receives meals an extra little something for Christmas. Socks, small flashlights, toiletries etc. make great gifts. They have asked us to help them out with that. They also appreciate gift bags and Christmas wrapping paper and bows.</div>
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I hope I see you on November 16 at 11:30. Don't forget --Wednesday instead of Thursday. If you haven't heard from your caller in the previous week, call Sue Roe at 792-4785 or Mary Ann Jensen at 756-7603.</div>
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Ellen</div>
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Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-16004276307307273472016-10-07T13:50:00.001-07:002016-10-07T13:50:43.231-07:00Addition to October BlogIf you would like to volunteer a couple of hours on Tuesday, October 18th or Wednesday, October 19th at the Book Fair at Palma Sola Elementary School, please call me at 794-1646. Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-80092871042860668802016-10-07T13:41:00.000-07:002016-10-07T13:41:15.615-07:00October 7, 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our September meeting was well attended. Vicki Bartz (above) from Tidewell Hospice was the featured speaker. Her comments were uplifting and not downers as one might have expected. I learned that one does not have to be on one's death bed to receive help from Hospice. It is also a program for those who have a critical illness but not necessarily one which will take them very soon. All that is required to receive Hospice assistance is a doctor's verification of terminal illness. They accept insurance and Medicare and will also help those who have neither. Their main objective is to provide comfort to their patients and patient families whether in their facility, the hospital, or at home.<br />
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Watching Matthew roar up the east coast of Florida brought a great sigh of relief to everyone on the west coast, but we all worry about those in the path of such a big storm. I just read on the internet that some folks who did not evacuate from the beaches are calling for help now. They must wait for the conditions to improve before medical and other aid can reach them. This should be a lesson to us all to heed the call when we are told to get ourselves out of harm's way. <br />
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Since Microsoft decided to "update" my mail program and do away with my mailing<br />
groups, I have had to resort to Gmail to get items out to you all in MCREA. Now I have two emails with attachments which I cannot get into the Blog, so I will forward them to you instead. Forgive me for all this mail, but I am stumped. Perhaps one of my grandchildren or my son in California will drop in one day and be coerced to solve my tech problems. Until then, it's Medieval Computer Days around here.<br />
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Chris MacCormack, a new member and the Director of Project Light, the adult language learning center which was started by Sister Nora Brick and Ann and Ted Griffen, is looking for volunteers to teach two hours a week on a regular basis. Classes are made up of 4-12 students and all materials are provided. Only English is spoken, so there is no need to know another language. Deborah Thomas has been teaching there since August and can answer any other questions you might have. If you are interested in visiting a class or learning more, please call Chris MacCormack at 727-5183 or email her at <a href="mailto:maccormc@msn.com">maccormc@msn.com</a> The facility is at 1104 14th St. W. in Bradenton.<br />
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Pat Roberts, a volunteer for FELT (feeding empty little tummies), called me to ask if we could bring in our books for distribution on the last day before the Thanksgivng holiday instead of Christmas this year. There are other things sent home then and the packs get a little heavy. I do have about 100 books right now, but we need more at this meeting as the November meeting will be too late. Presently, there are 360 homeless kids being served and more will be added. FELT is in elementary, middle, and one high school (Manatee) now. Other high schools have asked to be included, so we need books for young adults as well as for children. I believe kids who have no access to books at home would be very pleased to have one of their very own. Again, the Goodwill Book Store at Tara, the downtown library book store, and your own treasured classroom library are great sources.<br />
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Joan Sackett has agreed to create a list of volunteer opportunities which she will have available at our meeting. Elaine Waldron will have the MCREA Handbook ready for our November meeting. If you have not yet paid your 2016-17 dues, do it to before October 31 in order to have your name included.<br />
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Last year I volunteered to work at the Palma Sola Elementary School Book Fair. I have been asked to do so again by the Media Specialist. So far Susan Roe and my son, Warren Bell have agreed to help. If you would like to work<br />
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Our October meeting is dedicated to Halloween . Come in costume if you like. We will have a contest for best costumes. We will also play Sandra Bingo which awards "great" prizes and supports our MCREA Scholarships. Bring 20 quarters to play with and to donate after the games.<br />
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If you have not heard from your caller by October 14th, please call Mary Ann Jensen at 756-7603 or Susan Roe at 792-4786.<br />
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Remember that we contribute to the Manatee County Food Bank,the Salvation Army, and a nursing home. Canned goods, towels, toiletries, and those hotel little soaps and bottles of shampoo and lotion are always welcome.<br />
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See you on Thursday, October 20, at the Renaissance on 9th,<br />
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Ellen<br />
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Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-43401857198628272016-09-30T08:31:00.001-07:002016-09-30T08:31:54.474-07:00Largo man sends money to scammers<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1akRuARkRCM" width="480"></iframe><br />Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227547984552241335.post-81015980174165717832016-09-06T13:24:00.001-07:002016-09-06T13:24:27.097-07:00September 6, 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Some of the happy retirees who joined us at our August Meet and Greet at Renaissance on 9th.<br />
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Many joined that day and others promised to later. We look forward to seeing them again. <br />
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You may recognize some members who also were present. They were there to help welcome the guests and to discuss the benefits of belonging to MCREA. <br />
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Sue Roe and Elaine Waldron had the speakers and the refreshments in order, and there were even door prizes.<br />
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I hope you all had a great summer without being washed away last week in Hermine. Have you ever known anyone named Hermine? We know her now--too well. I think the folks in trailer parks and on Anna Maria certainly become aware of her. We had some water in our garage, but that wasn't too terrible. Chet even had to throw out some of the junk which he has been collecting forever because it got wet and fell apart. Now that was a perk for me. Actually, I was hoping for something akin the Hercules coming to clean out the Aegean Stables, but Hermine let me down there.</div>
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According to Linda Edson, the Legislature is once again plotting to do away with the Florida Retirement System. It looks as if we will have to marshal all our forces again. Since we have an election coming up, we might want to look into how those candidates view our retirement system. We can email and call them to make our concerns known. </div>
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I hope to see you at our first meeting on September 15th. We will meet at 11:30 at Renaissance on 9th as usual. Lunch is still $15 and we will put the little bags on the tables to collect sales taxes if you can help. Get together a list of the hours you have spent volunteering since we met in May and be ready to put the totals in the basket at your table. </div>
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Remember we are still collecting books for FELT, personal items for the Salvation Army and the nursing home, and food for the Manatee Food Pantry. Please give what you can. ( It strikes me that the needs are many and various. Since I am one of the last ones who can remember the Great Depression and WWII, I can tell you this is a period not unlike those two. We collected everything then -- balls of tin foil and string, newspapers, tin cans, produce from our victory gardens, and clothing. Now, in the time of plenty, here we are again, collecting things. What is wrong with this picture?)</div>
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If you haven't heard from your caller this week, please call Mary Ann Jensen at 756-7603 or Sue Roe at 792-4786.</div>
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See you soon,</div>
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Ellen</div>
<br />Ellen Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12226093856993922803noreply@blogger.com0