MCREA April 6, 2012

How can you resist the two leprechauns in their Irish derbies?  Altogether, I think we are a handsome group.  And everyone seems to be having fun.  We couldn't ask for more on such a lovely St. Patrick's Day Celebration.
   
    The Scholarship Committee is happy to announce that the applicant which we selected to compete for an FREF Scholarship has been awarded the McPherson Scholarship for 2012-13.  Tayler Liles, a senior at Palmetto High School, won the award in  very stiff competition.   Each unit of FREA from around the state is invited to nominate only one student for the various awards.
    Education runs in Tayler's family.  Her mother is a guidance counselor at Lincoln Middle School, and her grandmother was an elementary school teacher in Ruskin.  In her application, Tayler said that people had tried to talk her out of going into education because of the low pay and the difficulties in being an educator today.  She hesitated at first, but then she realized that teaching was what she wanted to do more than anything else, regardless of the problems.  I think her passion for teaching young people reflects what many of us have felt in our professional careers when we might have left the profession and gone to some greener pastures.  But we hung on because we felt that what we were doing was more important than all those other opportunities that would pay us more money and get us more respect.
    Speaking of Tayler's scholarship gives me the perfect chance to mention that you may still buy a ticket for $10 which helps pay for those scholarships and which may garner you a great prize when the tickets are chosen during the FREA Assembly in May.
    We are also still accepting donations to our local scholarship fund.  At the present time, I believe we have about $3000 to award to outstanding students in Manatee County who wish to become educators.  I have an incomplete list of members who have donated, but new ones whom I did not mention before are Maye Williams, Julia Forkgen, and Kathryn Pickera.  When I get the newest list from Ron Schneider I will add to the list.  If somehow there has been a slip and I have not mentioned your name as a donor, please let me know.  I'm old.  I make mistakes.  I am not mistaken though in asking you to donate to this important service which we provide to  the young people who will follow in our footsteps. College is so expensive now that families are stretched to help their children.
    The Scholarship Committee will meet on April 12 to look through the applications and make decisions about whom to award our MCREA scholarships.  We are hoping for lots a great applicants.  We will award the money which we have at that time, keeping a name aside for a further award should that be possible.
    Jane and Bill Evers met me at the garage where they store the supplies for FELT.  It is amazing how much food is stacked and cataloged there by a wonderful man who volunteers hours of his time to keep the inventory up to date.  I guess with 15 schools to service it requires an army of volunteers to buy, stock pile, and distribute this food to children who might have a long, hungry weekend without it.  Jane said that the Junior League has donated thousands of dollars for the effort.  Many other groups are involved as well, making this a true community effort.  If you bring food to the meeting, I will see that Jane gets it.
    David and Carolyn Brown and Sandra Stephenson are forming a committee to honor long standing active members of MCREA.  They welcome volunteers to help them organize the effort.  Also, they will be working on a celebration of MCREA's 50th year planned for November of 2013.  Again, they welcome members who would like to help make it a great event.
    Our next meeting is on Thursday, April 19th, at 11:30, at Renaissance on 9th.  Lisa Hickey of the University of Florida will speak about classes and volunteer activities.  Remember that lunch is now $15.  I think everyone is enjoying the new menu of salad, entree, coffee, tea, rolls, and dessert.  At least everyone at my table was happy with the meal in March.
   If you haven't heard from your caller by Sat., April 14th, please call Mary Ann Jensen, 756-7603, to make a reservation.  Remember that FREA membership dues are going up in June, so pay your dues soon.  Sue Roe will have a table to collect dues at our meeting.
See you soon,
Ellen
   

March

Springtime in Cortez brings out the crab traps, buoys, and fish boxes.  This house is on the waterfront and although it looks picturesque (messy) to most of us, it is a practical solution to saving equipment until it is needed.  Actually, this house was featured in the Gwenyth Paltrow/Ethan Hawk film of Great Expectations which was filmed in Cortez several years ago.  The first scenes were made in Cortez and at the Ringling Mansion.  You might enjoy renting it sometime.  The rest of the film goes downhill from there, so don't blame me if you don't care for that part.

Renewals of your MCREA dues can be made now for the 2012-2013 year.  Paying early saves us sending you reminders later on during the summer.  Dues are $50 ( $20 local and $30 state).  LIfetime members do not have to pay state dues, so they pay only the $20 for local.

Remember that FELT is still feeding all those little kids in elementary school.  They have added three more schools and so the need is even greater.  If you bring food to our meeting, I will make sure it gets to Jane Evers.  She does not need any more books this year, I think.  But if she should, she will let me know.

Our local scholarships have been distributed to the schools by the Scholarship Committee members.  We should be receiving some of them soon.  At our last meeting, we had enough funding for two $1000 scholarships.  I hope we will have enough for three soon.  College has become increasingly expensive and smart students really need our help.  If you haven't contributed yet, please give your check to me or to Ron Schneider soon.  We are counting on your stepping up as you always have to pay for these awards to students who plan to become educators.

FREF tickets are still on sale.  The Scholarship Committee will have them for you at our March meeting.  They are $10 each and give you a chance to win some great prizes like a cruise or a new IPad.  See us for more information and to purchase a ticket.

Our next meeting is at 11:30 A.M., at Renaissance on 9th, on March 15.  Dr. Blend will speak to us about nutrition and exercise for seniors.  Remember that lunch is $15.  If you haven't been called, please let Mary Ann Jensen know.  Her phone number is 756-7603.

I am going to close with the list of members and others who have contributed to the MCREA scholarship fund.  I hope I can add your name soon.

Barbara Harvey

Elaine Brown

Ellen Bell

Elaine Graham

Pearl Smith

Ann Bewley

Michael and Carole Sicard

Marilyn Whatley

Nancy Carson

Freedom Elementary School in memory of Jane Narmore

Judy Shostrom

Laurene Powell in memory of Mary Fitzgerald, Mary Jo Morris, and Jean Narmore

Deborah Thomas

Johncyna MacRae

Terrence MacDonald

Joan MacDonald

Mary Ann Jensen

Connie Meyers

Phyllis Boles

Sarah Beard

Carolyn Roberts

B.D. Brigod in memory of Jean Narmore

Mary Westendick

Brenda and Larry Taylor in memory of Jean Narmore

If you have contributed and your name does not appear on the list, I probably have not received your check from Ron Schneider yet.  I will update this as soon as I have your names.

See you Thursday, the 15th.

Ellen

March

March

Manatee County Retired Educators Association

Could there be a better month than the one that contains Valentine's day, the only day of the year dedicated to love and friendship?  Who doesn't remember the thrill of seeing the teacher finally open that big box of valentines that our classmates had been stuffing with little envelopes.I know some of you taught in the elementary schools, and that you were the teachers who prepared the box and made sure that everyone got at least one valentine even if you had to sneak it in there yourself.  In later years, every child brought a valentine for each class member, but in the bad old days, one's popularity was immediately apparent when the cards were handed out.  We counted our "take" to check our standing in the class.  It was a bittersweet holiday sometimes.  Well, you are all my valentines, and I wish you lots of candy kisses and real ones too.


At our last meeting in January, we voted again about our lunch menu.  It seems that there have been many complaints that the lunches were too predictable, too small, and sometimes not to every one's tastes.  Deborah Thomas, Judy Shostrom, and I met with the Renaissance on 9th food services manager to see what could be done.  She said that the $10 which we were paying for lunch was a "bare bones" deal (no pun intended, I think).  For $15 we could have a hot entree, roll, salad, vegetable, dessert, iced tea, or coffee which would be served to us at our tables.  When Deborah brought that choice to a vote of the members present in January, they voted to accept the new price.  So, lunch will be $15 starting in February.  Also, if members have dietary needs such as gluten-free, vegetarian, or other, the chef will accommodate those needs.  Be sure to tell your caller if you require a special meal.


At Christmas time, Carolyn and David Brown took 80 goody bags to Westminster that they had made up from our donations at the  December meeting.  The staff of the nursing home was thrilled with the large number since there had been fewer donations for Christmas from the usual donors. There were even some items left over for future use.  


Jane Evers, of FELT was able to tuck a book into each child's backpack as he or she left for Christmas break.  She also tried to give them extra food and a toy or a candy treat.  She believes she has enough books now to take care of the end of the year backpacks, but food items are always welcome.  She likes small, individually wrapped things like packets of soup, crackers, fruit bowls, and other items of that nature.  Remember, regular sized cans and larger items might tip a little kid over backward.  I will transport any items that you bring to a meeting to the Evers house.


The Scholarship Committee has distributed the applications for the FREF Scholarships to the 7 local high schools.  We will meet again on February 6 to evaluate any that are returned, arrange to interview candidates who are deemed viable by the committee, and forward the applications to FREF.


Our own MCREA Scholarship applications will be distributed during the week after our meeting.  They are due to be returned to us in April.  In January, we had enough money in the scholarship fund to pay for one scholarship of $1000.  I believe that we will have a second one paid for by the February meeting.  If you would like to contribute to the MCREA Scholarship Fund, please bring your check to the next meeting or send it to Ron Schneider, MCREA Treasurer.  The Scholarship Committee members are Julia Forkgen and I (co-chairs), Terry and Joan McDonald, Barbara Kitzman, Janice Ritchie, and Ann Moran.  


Speaking of scholarships, FREF has sent us chances to sell to help finance their scholarship program.  As you probably know, their awards are quite large and very much sought after by the brightest students in Florida who plan to major in education.  We donate $3.00 of each member's dues to that program.  FREF also sells $10 chances on some exciting prizes. The scholarship committe will have them for sale at our meetings.  This year's prizes are the following:
Grand Prize    IPad2  (valued at $600)
Ist Prize          3 day cruise to the Caribbean for 2 (valued at $600)
2nd Prize        32" HDTV (valued at $250)
3rd Prize        Visa gift card (value of $100)
If you cannot make it to a meeting but would like to buy a ticket or two, please send a check to me made out to FREF,  Your canceled check is your receipt.  The winning names will be drawn at the FREA State Assembly, May 30-June 4, at the Lake Buena Vista Hilton.  You do not have to be present to win.  If you are interested in attending the assembly, we will have more information about signing up later.


We were pleased to welcome three Manatee County School Board Members as our guests at the January meeting.  Barbara Harvey, Robert Gause, and Karen Carpenter accepted our invitations and even stayed to hear the speaker.  Looking around the room, I thought about what an experienced, dynamic, and educated group we are.  I was so proud to be a member of MCREA that day as we saluted the flag and sang "God Bless American" with gusto, heard a thoughtful and entertaining reading from Connie Myers, were led through the rather complicated agenda by Deborah Thomas, and then learned about the Lemur Conservatory in Myakka. 


 It was very interesting and fun, but it was all that experience in educating students that really got me thinking.  We hold the keys to stellar curriculum ideas, to innovative classroom management techniques, and to methods for reaching students who have a myriad of difficulties in learning.  We often share those ideas with each other, and many of us are still harboring a box or two full of stuff that we just can't bring ourselves to throw out because the contents are too precious.  Yes, I still have a stack of stuff that I keep after 15 years of retirement, but no one ever comes to ask for it, even though I know it would be particularly useful.


I have a suggestion for you.  Could we not as a group produce a collection of educational strategies which would serve teachers and students well?  I am thinking about great learning schemes that really worked for you or particular classroom management techniques that made teaching so much easier.


If this is an interesting propostion to you, please let me know.  I volunteer to get the ball rolling by processing any items you share with me and to set up some kind of format to edit and to publish.  I will definitely need help with this project if it takes off, but it is too early right now to establish a committee, etc.  As I said, let me know what you think or share something.  Please call, email, write, or bring your ideas to our February meeting.


On February 16, we will meet at 11:30, at Renaissance on 9th.  The speaker will be Dan Kreig who speak about financial planning in this turbulent time. Remember that lunch will be $15.  If your caller has not gotten in touch by February 12, call Mary Ann Jensen for reservations.


See you soon,
Ellen

January 2012

Hi MCREAers,

It was a lovely party with sugar plums, carols, and the Bowery Boys Barber Shop Quartet to entertain us. No serious business was done in keeping with the celebration. There was some consternation about the small lunch portions served by Renaissance on 9th. Deborah Thomas, Judy Shostrum, and I are meeting with the events person there to discuss our concerns. We will have information for you when we meet this month.

Thank you to everyone who brought in crafts and food items to sell. One member who shall remain nameless told me that she was so happy to buy all those lovely decorated cookies. She planned to have them ready for her college student who will be so impressed with her baking efforts.

We will have a report for you about the amount of money we made with our sale to support MCREA scholarships. Scholarship donations have begun to trickle in. We are grateful to Elaine Graham, Phyllis Boles, and Johncyna MacRae (Deborah Thomas's sister) for their generous contributions. Now we need to hear from more of you in order to present at least one $1000 scholarship as required by our Bylaws. Last year we actually were able to present four of them. It is important to remember that these awards go to students who plan to become educators. We hope that their experiences in the field will be much better by the time they enter it. The latest projected bills in the Legislature, if they are passed, will continue to hurt educators and public education in Florida Be active by writing letters, sending emails to legislators, and speaking up to everyone who will listen about the perilous situation in public education today.

There have been changes in the Scholarship Committee. Juanine Lowery has resigned and last year we lost Leon Trumbull. Taking his place is Joan McDonald who joins her husband, Terry, on the committee. Julia Forkgen and I are co-chairing. Deborah Thomas is also joining us in this important effort. Barbara Kitzman will still ask you to donate to the 50/50 collection at our meetings. If you have an interest in joining us on the Scholarship Committee, please call, email, or see Julia or me to sign on. We are trying to streamline the work to make it a joy rather than a chore.

Nancy Porter, one of our new members, was left out of the MCREA Handbook. Her address is 4611 8th. St. Ct. East, Ellenton, FL 34222. Her email is mspork@aol.com, and her phone number is 729-2820, cell 812-1553. You can add her information to your book. I am sure that some others have also been omitted. If you are one of those, please send me your information and I will send it on to the members. If you haven't received your Handbook, you can pick it up from David Brown at our next meeting or get in touch with him at 722-7390.

Jane Evers of FELT said she had enough books to include one in each of the children's backpacks as they left for Christmas vacation. She said they gave each child extra food and a Christmas item as well. Of course, the need continues and contributions of small packages of food and books are still being accepted. If you bring them to the meetings, I will get them to Jane. I had a trunk full of stuff for her after the December meeting which she was happy to receive. Those donations will help with the January backpacks.

We have invited the Manatee County School Board members to our January meeting. At this time, three of them have accepted our invitations. We are quite anxious to show them that retired educators are still active and interested in the success of the Manatee County Schools. I hope that lots of us will be there to demonstrate our numbers and our enthusiasm.

We meet on Thursday, January 19, at 11:30 A.M., at Renaissance on 9th. Our speaker will be Monica Mogilewsky who works with the Lemur Conservation team. They may be saving the little animals from extinction because their natural habitat is being changed so much by industry and expansion.

If your caller does not get in touch with you in the week before the meeting, please call Mary Ann Jensen at 756-7603 to make a reservation. If you cannot attend and you have made a reservation, be sure to call her to cancel on or before Saturday, January 14.

Happy New Year,

Ellen

December 2011

This is as close to peace on earth as we get around here. That's Shadow on the left and Hobo on the right. They are both male cats, but they really do love each other. They are taking a nap after a hard morning of Christmas decoration demolition.

I have several announcements to make about our December 15th meeting. First of all, we will be collecting items such as small toiletries, lap robes, and cardigan sweaters for the elderly folks at Westminster Manor. These little gifts will brighten the holidays for some of them who may have outlived their friends and family, or who left them up North when they came to Florida to retire. Then, there is FELT (filling empty little tummies) which is still collecting small food items that will not tip over a little child when it is inserted in his or backpack. We have done a wonderful job collecting books. Jane Evers says that each child will have a book to take home for the holiday break. I am sure she will be happy to have more books to repeat the handout again.

Our meeting should be especially joyful this time. We will be entertained by The Bowery Boys Barbershop Quartet. Dave and Carolyn Brown will lead us in singing some Christmas songs, and everyone is invited to bring something baked or created for a craft sale to benefit our scholarship fund raising.

Speaking of scholarships, the Scholarship Committee met this week and distributed the FREF Scholarship applications to the high schools. Elaine Brown, who just retired as chair, came to help us get started and saved the day. We hope that now we will be able to muddle through without her because of the preparation she offered us.

We decided to take a page from FREF's book and raffle off a hot item. (No, not that kind of hot. We will buy it.) We settled on a Kindle Fire. If you haven't read about it, I know you will be interested that it is similar to the IPad, just a little smaller and a lot cheaper -$199.00. It is a computer, an e-reader, does email, and plays games. It shows movies and t.v. shows too. If you are not a techie, it would be a great present for a loved one who is.

If you recall, in the past, members decided that they were tired of trying to raise money by selling each other their "white elephants" and decided to just ask everyone to donate to the scholarship fund. I think the suggested donation was $10 to $25. If you were feeling flush, of course, more was appreciated. It is always possible to donate in a friend's or a loved one's name also. After quite a struggle last year, we were able to finance four $1000 awards. We hope that a raffle will be fun and that it will raise money in addition to what is donated. We will be selling tickets for $10 each, or 3 for $25 beginning at our meeting next week.We will continue to sell them until March, so if you can't buy a ticket or three now, you may want to do it later. If you don't want to gamble, just donate as you usually do.

Here's an idea for the day after Christmas when everyone is feeling a little let down from all the holiday joy, and the Christmas tree is starting to wilt. How about attending a Kwanzaa celebration? It will be held at 6:00 P.M. at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 525 Martin Luther King Ave. East. Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, community, and culture. For more information, contact Robert Dunlap at 941-779-3598.

If your caller has not contacted you by Saturday, please call Mary Ann Jensen at 941-756-7603. Remember, if you make a reservation for yourself or for a guest and then do not attend, we will send you a bill for $11 ( $1 for the postage.) If you need to cancel call Mary Ann by Sunday.

Last year Marilyn Poole sent me a card with a lovely message.

"Faith in the human spirit brings peace to the heart...and this is the place where miracles begin. Wishing you and the world we live in the miracle of peace this holiday season."

Ellen