January, 2013

Hello Everyone and Happy New Year,

    It is wonderful to have a week to catch up with MCREA news and events.  My daughter, Louise, is half way through her chemotherapy treatments, and her oncologist has given her  until Monday, Jan. 14 to recuperate and have a breather.  Then it begins again, Monday through Thursday, with two weeks off before the next Monday through Thursday, etc.  Altogether, it will be three weeks of chemo and six of recovery from it.  Last time she had to be hospitalized for a week after the second session.  We hope that does not recur.  Her courage is great and her mood is upbeat in spite of the setbacks.  Her recent MRI showed that the tumors had shrunk a lot.  I've been able to keep up by telling myself that I drove up to the campus where Moffitt Cancer Center is located once or twice each week when I was in graduate school at USF.  Of course, I was much younger then, but I think, no tougher nor as motivated.

    Members have been having a great time according to Deborah Thomas's pictures and her descriptions of the events.  November's meeting celebrating MCREA's 50th, mostly put together by Carolyn and David Brown, was instructive and entertaining.  The pictures show Ed Ethridge and Deborah cutting the anniversary cake and some of the exhibits of the "good old days" in the schools of Manatee. 

    The Christmas meeting was also very festive featuring the Manatee County Chorus under the direction of  Tommy Jomesco and accompanied by our own Carolyn Reynolds. Sandy Stevenson got everyone in a competitive mood with games and prizes.  Carolyn Brown reported that the Volunteer Services Committee put together about 50 goodie bags to distribute to the nursing home, and youth volunteers from Florida Hometown USA accompanied the committee in delivering the bags and visiting the residents.
    The FREF Fundraiser for Scholarships is in full swing.  Ticket/donations are $10 each and may be purchased from Julia Forkgen at meetings.  Door prizes include:
Grand Prize - IPad III
First Prize - Kindle Fire
Second Prize - Kindle Fire
Third Prize - $200
Fourth Prize - $100
You do not have to be present at the conference to win, nor do you have to be a member of FREA, so sell some to your friends and relatives.  You can win.  We all remember that member Trish Bissell won an HDTV in 2011.
    Of course, we are still hoping that you will donate to our own MCREA Scholarship.  I will ask Deborah and Ron Schneider to report the amount of money we have accumulated to award this spring -- so far.  College is so expensive now that our Manatee County students who plan to be educators need our help.
    The new MCREA Directories were handed out at the December meeting.  Please check yours for any changes in email, phone, or street addresses that did not get included.  If there are changes, call or see David Brown for corrections.
    At last, County Historian Kathy Slusser will speak at our meeting on Jan. 17.  In error, I announced that she would appear in November.  I guess I was as anxious as I should have been.  Kathy is a fountain of interesting information about Manatee's early days.  The meeting will be held at Reniassance on 9th at 11:30.  Try to be there by 11:15 to facilitate getting everyone seated on time.  If your caller has not gotten in touch by the Sunday preceding that date, call Mary Ann Jensen to make your reservation.  We are still hoping you will invite some of your former colleagues who have not yet joined us. 
    Don't forget to throw a donation of food for the Manatee Food Bank or for FELT into your car for that day.  Books for FELT are also appreciated as are checks made out the Food Bank and designated for FELT.  They get much more bang for their bucks when they purchase food from the Food Bank's sponsors.

I hope to see you at least by the March meeting.  In the meantime, keep on supporting MCREA and its work.  I miss you all.

Ellen

November, 2012

We were a motley crew at our Halloween meeting.  Thank you to all who "got yourselves up" into some interesting costumes.  I think we had a contest for the best costume, but I forgot who won it.  Probably because it was not I.  Our newest members, Sue Kinnan and Johncyna McRae, are pictured as are some of our other members.

A highlight of the meeting was when members recounted their most terriflying moment in the classroom.  Some of the tales were really frightening.  You had to be there, folks.  So be there this month which promises to be just as entertaining.

Our meeting this month will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of MCREA.  We will have an exhibit of memorabilia of the past in education, so bring your relics of those bygone days to add to the collection.  Interim Superintendent, Dr. Gayler, will join us for lunch.  We have asked the school board members to attend also, but as of this printing, we do not have definite commitmentsfrom them.  Kathy Slusser, Manatee County Historian, will tell us about the history of education in Manatee County.  We will also honor those members who had taught for 50 years and share a 50th Anniversary Cake.

Again, the date is Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 11:15, at Renaissance on 9th.  Lunch is $15.  If your caller hasn't reached you before Sunday, please call Mary Ann Jensen at 756-7603 to make a reservation.  Bring your friends who haven't joined MCREA yet.  We know they will enjoy our trip down Memory Lane.

We will be collecting, as usual, for the Manatee Food Bank and for FELT.  If you don't have time to shop, a check will be gladly accepted by both groups.  As a matter of fact, because of the deep cuts in prices afforded to Manatee Food Bank, your money goes twice as far there.  FELT can also benefit from the Food Bank's coat tails, if you write the check to the Food Bank, and then in the subject line on your check, write " FELT account".  Ed Ethridge asked to me to tell you that we collected 140 pounds of food for the Food Bank at our Sept. meeting.

There is always some confusion about our scholarship drives.  We participate in two awards, the State Florida Retired Educators Foundation (FREF) Scholarship and the Manatee County Retired Educators Scholarship.  The FREF Scholarship is an ongoing award through college for students who plan to become educators. Each state unit may nominate one candidate for that award.  We were pleased that our candidate last spring received an FREF award.  We also awarded the MCREA Scholarship to two local high school seniors who plan to become educators.  Please remember to donate to our MCREA Scholarship.  We award as many scholarships for which we  raise funds.  The FREF Scholarship is also asking for donations, and they sponsor a fund drive each year with their door prizes. 

By the way, we really would like to have some new members on the MCREA Scholarship Committee.  Please see Julia Forkgen, Terry or Joan MacDonald, or me if you would like to join us.  It is fun to read the applications and to get to know some great Manatee County students.

Someone has asked if the names and email addresses of members are shared with any outside groups.  The answer is no.  By reading this Blog, you are not allowing advertisers into your computer.  Perhaps I should say, I am not allowing that, but in cyberspace there is always a chance of hacking.  We have to hope that a group of retired teachers would probably not be the first choice of a hacker who was looking for money or for susceptible, naive senior citizens.  Probably they would instead run in horror at the very idea of meeting their severest critics, classroom teachers, in any venue since they probably were not esteemed students.

See you on the 14th,

Ellen

October 3, 2012

    I hope you are planning your Halloween costume to wear at our meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 17.  We had a lot of fun with the costumes last year, and I know we can do even better than that.  The only problem I have is driving to the meeting and hoping I don't have to explain myself to a traffic cop if I goof up. Two years ago when I was all dressed up in my "lady from the grave" costume with gray face makeup and a fright wig, I had to rush out to tell the garbage men not to take a fish box that held some dead leaves. ( I have had it drummed into my head by Chester that fish boxes cost money).  Except for a slight widening of his eyes, the courteous young man did not comment on my getup at all.  My neighbor who was watching out her window is still laughing. 

 Please note that we are meeting on Wednesday this month due to a request from Renaissance on 9th that we do so. 

    A number of Board Members attended the FREA Leadership Conference in Port Charlotte on Sept. 17.

Fay Murphy,our District VII Director as well as the State FREA Director, presided.  MCREA received a number of awards from FREA for membership, contributions to FREF, and many others.  Here is MCREA President, Deborah Thomas displaying them.  Other MCREA members are also there. 

    I was interested to read the motto and the mission statement of FREA on the conference program. 

The motto: "To serve, not to be served"

The mission statement:

  "To promote the well-being of retired educators

    To encourage community service, and to support

    public education by disseminating information to

    members and the public through publications,

    programs, and projects at the state and local levels."

Are we doing that?  I think so, but we could do more of the disseminating.

    With every first meeting in September, the Scholarship Committee reminds the members that we support graduating high school students who wish to become educators.  In some years, we have been able to award as many as four $1000 grants to worthy applicants.  Last year, we had two recipients whom you met in the spring.  

    The Scholarship Committee has decided to proceed differently this year.  Realizing that the big crunch for a student's finances occurs at the beginning of the third year or when he or she chooses a major (an important time for MCREA's scholarship as well due to the need that the student must be pursuing a degree in some form of education), the committee will award $500 to graduating seniors and the remaining $500 when the student reaches that crucial period.  In that way, we will be helping students stay the course in their college careers, and we will be ascertaining that our money goes to those in education.  

    Clearly, all the money for these awards must come from our members.  Years ago, after selling each other things for years and completely wiping out everyone's white elephant collection, it was decided by the membership to just ask members to contribute to the scholarship fund.  I do not know if there was a suggested contribution, but if a majority of the members contributed at least $25, we would be in good shape.  Of course, some will do more and some of us who retired a long time ago before wages grew along with inflation may not be able to offer that much.

     I am happy to report that at our first meeting, we collected $295 from six members.  Please bring your checkbooks to our next meeting or send a check to our Treasurer, Ron Schneider, made out to MCREA Scholarships.  Ron's address is 3802 Chinaberry Road, Bradenton, FL 34208.

    Sandra Stevenson has once again set up the Bingo Game for our October meeting.  She asks that you bring 20 quarters to play with.  The money will be donated to the scholarship fund, and you win some perfectly wonderful, if inexpensive, prizes.  The program this month is fun and games for Halloween.



FREA Director Fay Murphy

    I hope I will see you all on Wednesday, October 17.  Deborah is asking everyone to try to arrive at Renaissance on 9th at 11:00-11:15 in order to get everyone signed in by 11:30. 

    If you do not receive a call for a reservation, call Mary Ann Jensen before Monday, October 15.  Her number is 756-7603.

Ellen

September 13, 2010

 These are photos from our new member reception at the library last week.  We had 20 new retirees who attended and 12 signed up on the spot.  Some others took home applications so we hope to hear from them soon.

  If you know someone who has recently retired or has retired a long time ago, please invite them to join us for one luncheon to see how much fun we have staying connected once a month.  Of course, there are other incentives too, like insurance programs, opportunities to volunteer in the community, interesting programs, and a darn good lunch.
If your friend was a member of MEA, his or her first
lunch is on them and their first year's dues too.

  Don't forget that we are collecting food for the Manatee County Food Bank's all but empty shelves and smaller food items for FELT.  I sent you a copy of the FELT newsletter where you will read that they have taken on 2 more schools this year.
 
Please join us on Thursday, at 11:30 a.m., September 20 for a great lunch and some good conversation.

September 13, 2010

Hi again,

    This is just a reminder that our new MCREA season begins on Thursday, Sept 20.  We will be collecting canned and dry food for the Manatee County Food Bank and books and smaller packages of food for FELT.  The Food Bank is in the midst of a big drive to replenish their all but empty shelves and the FELT group have added two more schools to their list of donations.  I sent you the FELT Newsletter today which will explain all that they are doing for the elementary school kids in our county.  As yet, no one has asked us to contribute to the school system for the huge deficit they have found on their books.  No, I do not think they will, but I just had to work a mention of it in somewhere.  I know you are all shaking your heads in disbelief at the situation.

    I am adding some pictures from the new member reception.  Thank you to everyone who came and helped with the conversation and refreshments.  We had about 20 prospective members and 12 signed up on the spot to join us this year.  Now, if you know some others who should join us, please let them know and ask them to attend a meeting.  If they were members of MEA, their first lunch is paid for by MEA as well as their first year's membership.

Ellen

MCREA

September, 2012

    Hello summer survivors.  I hope you were able to get away from our sauna-like weather for at least a short trip to cooler places.  Although, I think I should stop complaining since many of those areas were pretty darn hot this summer as well.  It used to be when we would escape to Northern Maine we could expect only a few days of 80 and above weather.  This year they had many more.  It is important to remember that when it gets hot up there, in most cases, there is no air conditioner to turn on, and the windows, at least in Maine, are super small to hold in the heat in the winter.  

   

    The Georgia peaches were juicier and sweeter this summer.  I heard a grower lamenting the drought but saying his crop, although smaller, was much tastier. Regardless of whether you believe in global warming or not, something is happening to alter the climate.  I will not mention the "h" word for extreme storms that we have dodged so far.  I think the weather predictors and the media in general have done all they can to jinx us on that. Lucky for us, they hexed Louisiana instead.

    Now the important stuff.  Our New Member Reception will  take place on Thursday, Sept. 6 (this week!) at the Central Branch Library in Bradenton, at 10 a.m.  If you know someone who is a retired educator( any retired employee of the county schools or another school system, college, private or parochial school) please encourage him or her to attend. You can come along too to support a new member.  We will have refreshments featuring Judy Shostrom's punch, a real treat, information about MCREA, and conversation.

    Our first meeting will be at Renaissance on 9th, at 11:30 a.m, on September 20.  Our first meeting will give you an opportunity to get caught up with everyone's adventures and an overview of the coming year.  The Board is planning a 50th Birthday Celebration of MCREA to be held November.  Lunch is $15.  Wear your name tag.  The following are the meeting dates for 2011-12. Please note the Oct. and Nov. meetings are on Wednesday.

Sept 20

Wednesday, Oct. 17

Wednesday, Nov. 14

 Dec. 20

 Jan. 17

 Feb. 21

  March 21

April 18

May 16

    Our donations to FELT (Feeding Empty Little Tummies) will continue each month.  Remember children's books and foods that can be used to stuff the Friday backpacks of children who need the nourishment for the weekend are our contribution.  I read that 50 percent of Americans now are below the poverty line and that 75 percent of those receiving aid have children.  Those grim statistics tell us how important it is to pitch in and help.

    This summer, we have all been reading about the empty shelves at the community food bank.  I didn't realize that the food banks at most churches and in the community in general are partially or entirely supplied with food from the community food bank.  The MCREA Board is requesting that we bring a dry food stuff and a can of food to our meetings.  Of course, if this would be a hardship for you, please feel free to abstain from any of our collections.

    I am looking forward to our first meeting.  I hope you will be able too.  As usual, at the beginning of the year, there may be some glitches in our calling procedure, so if you are not called before Sunday, Sept. 16, please call Mary Ann Jensen at 756-7603 or Deborah Thomas at 752-6895.

    See you soon,

    Ellen

      

   Here is our scholarship recipient, Jacob Kargauer, at FSU.

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June 1, 2012

We returned yesterday afternoon from the FREA Assembly which was held in Orlando.  The official MCREA Delegates to the Assembly were Deborah Thomas and Judy Shostrom.  Mildred Owens and I tagged along with them.  David Brown was there in his position as FREA Trustee with his wife Carolyn.  They both worked hard setting up the Country Store and the Chinese Auction.  Ed Ethridge was there in his role as FREA Public Relations Chair.  Fay Murphy also attended.  She is Unit 7 Director and has been appointed Director of all the FREA Units.  So, as you can see,  MCREA was well represented at the state level.

The annual FREA Banquet was themed "Forging Florida Frontiers". In keeping with the theme, attendees were encouraged to dress up as Florida tourists with some comical results.  Ed Ethridge won second place in the men's costume contest and a huge blown-up pink flamingo which he will probably place in a dark closet when he gets home.  Judy, Deborah, Mildred, and I also dressed up in our version of tourists.  Sadly, I realized that I always looked like a tourist in my regular clothes. Judy was clashing in her plaid shorts and flowered shirt, flamingo sunglsses, straw hat, and 1960's camera.  Deborah was decked out in an Indian print maxi, sandals with socks, and a straw hat.  Mildred had a Hawaiian shirt and straw hat.

Judy and Deborah

Mildred joins them.

Oh Ed, what have you become?

On a more serious note, Esther Twitchell, FREA President, presented the check that will be given to Governor Rick Scott which represents the volunteer hours logged by FREA members, and their approximate monetary value to the people of Florida.
The worth of 507,482 hours is $11,058,032.78. 

Fay and Howard at the Assembly.  Fay chaired the Unit 7 meeting, participated

in the Memorial Service for membes who have died during the year, and delivered the  Thought for the Evening and the Blessing at the Banquet on Thursday.

Highlights of the Assembly were the remarks of Sarabeth Snuggs, Director of the Florida Division of Retirement and Ash Williams, Executive Director of the State Board of Administration.   Snuggs warned of changes to the retirement plans.  She said that new teachers are asked to choose between the regular retirement plan and an investment plan.  In previous years, teachers who did not choose would be in the  regular retirement plan which was the default plan.  However, legislators are planning to change the investment plan to the default position.  It is important that new hires understand that change.  Later, when Ash Williams was asked about the investiment plan, he said that the average investment accrued so far under that plan was about $50,254 total.  Imagine retiring with only that much money.

Snuggs also reported that the retirement account is funded at 87.5% at the present time.  This is after years of Legislative funding of 100% or more.  She asked that we keep pressure on our Legislators to increase the funding to its former level.  New plans for retirement have been suggested, such as a cash balance plan which would guarantee a level of interest on individual contributions and that balance would be a retiree's payment.  Of course, with the fluctuation of the stock market, that idea could be a disaster to retirees.  Another plan is some sort of hybrid plan which would incorporate the existing plan with a 1.0 interest credit rather than the 1.6 which we now have.  Snuggs says the Florida Retirement System has always been a great recruitment and retention tool. (It seems to me that we as retirees now are probably safe from the Draconian plans of some members of the Legislature, but knowledge about their proposals will always be helpful.  And who knows what they may do to us as well?)

She said that FREA's fight to keep the health insurance subsidy was instrumental in saving it.  She ended her remarks by announcing that she is retiring herself this year.  She assured us that the person who succeeds her will be drawn from the group who worked with her and that we will be in good hands.

Esther Twitchell, President, encouraged looking at The FREA website, http://www.frea.org/ which will keep you abreast of how your legislators voted on issues that concern us.  Write, email, or call them to make your thoughts on legislation known.  If they vote correctly, thank them.  If they don't, chastise them.  We are a huge voting blog and we vote.

Ash Williams discussed the investments that have been made in the stock market, in businesses, and buildings. The attempt is made to diversify the funds.  The sum of the account as on Friday, June 1, was $121.6 billion.  Each month, $500 million is paid out in retirement checks to members.  The fund is affected by global economic growth and the lack thereof.  When employer contributions were reduced in 2008, the funding level dropped.When the Legislature does not fully fund the pension plan, as if hasn't in the last three years, the interest which accrues compounds further, cutting into the account.  The 2011 reduction in benefits should have reduced costs but it did not.

William said that he has had several productive conversations with the governor who, he says, wants to put the pension plan on good footing. 

He also says that changes to the retirement plan for currently vested and retired employees are not likely.  He said we should be on the lookout for changes in non-vested employees' retirement options.

This will be my last blog until September, so I wish you a lovely summer.  Check out the new FREA website, at http://www.frea.org/  I think you will enjoy reading it.  Anne Fagan of the FREA staff has done a great job making it interesting and readable.

Ellen