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.

Add caption

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



May, 20012

Blog Gone Wild


    For some reason, my blog program has decided to take on a life of its own.  So, you may find some pictures floating around which were meant to be in this blog, but got separated from it.  Sadly, FREF has just asked me to present my blog making techniques at the Assembly in May.  I hope I can find the gremlin before then.


Scholarship Committee
    Those of you who attended the April meeting had an opportunity to see Tayler Liles, from Palmetto High School, one of our MCREA Scholarship winners this year.  She also won the FREF Scholarship which means she will receive more money from them in her next years in college if she keeps up her grades and stays in education.  Her mother, who is a guidance counselor at Lincoln Middle School,  was able to attend with Tayler. Julia Forkgen will be presenting Tayler's scholarship certificate at the Palmetto H.S. Awards ceremony.
 Our other scholarship recipient, Jacob Kargauer from Braden River High School, will attend our May meeting.  Since I worked with his mother to get him there, I invited her too.  I saw Jacob's picture in the newspaper for winning the Democratic Women's Club Scholarship as well.  He will need lots of help because his father in ill, and his mother, with the help of Jacob, is the bread-winner of the family which includes another son.  Terrence McDonald will present Jacob's certificate at the Braden River Awards ceremony.
    The Scholarship Committee brought a new scholarship presentation plan to the MCREA Board.  While all the details have not been worked out, the plan of distribution of scholarships will follow more closely the FREA method of presentation.  Since most students receive funds in their first year of college, money gets tighter later on in the junior and senior years. The committee felt that we could encourage students to stay with education as a goal with some extra funding.  So, beginning next year, we plan to offer two $500 scholarships to high school seniors, but we will encourage them to apply later for a scholarship from MCREA for $500 or $1000 more to help them in those "crunch" years.  Being able to follow through on this plan, however, depends on our ability to raise enough money to keep the enterprise afloat.  That means getting donations from our members as we always have, with perhaps a renewed effort to build up a scholarship fund.  This year we raised a bit over $3000, but we kept $1000 of that in our treasury to help us along in offering later funding to students in education programs.

FELT
     Feeding Empty Little Tummies still needs food.  This will be the last month of packing those backpacks for children to take home on the weekends.  Now we have to hope that some other community agencies will pick up on the needs of these kids to help them through the summer months.
  Jane Evers thanks us for our support and especially for all the great books which she was able to send home with each child at Christmas and will send on the last backpack day.  But, she would love to have some more books in the fall to begin again.  We have been the biggest source of books, so we need to keep up the good work.  She still needs food of course.  If everyone would just throw something in his or her shopping basket at the supermarket, it adds up fast.  I will see that the items get to Jane.  Think small packages of cereal , pudding, soup, crackers, etc.  All should be non-perishable and small enough so that they will not tip a little kid over backward.

Membership
   You may pay your membership dues to FREA and MCREA at our next meeting.  Remember, that probably FREA dues will go up in June, so it will save you money to pay now.  Dues are $50.  Those members who became lifetime members before that program ended pay $20 which are the local dues.

May Meeting
    We will meet on 11:30, May 17, at Renaissance on 9th.  Since this will be our last meeting until September, we hope you will make a big effort to get there.  We have no planned program except for socializing (which we are very good at), games, and an ice cream social.  I think that means we will have a make- your- own sundae bar.  Reservations should be made with your caller, but should you not hear from that person, call Mary Ann Jensen at 756-7603 before Sunday, May 13, to make one.


See you there,
Ellen
 
    


    

Manatee County Retired Educators Association

May, 2012 Manatee County Retired Educators Association

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