MCREA August , 2014

    Summer isn't over yet?  It seems that it lasts longer each year.  I am happy, however, that there is no hurricane threatening us at the moment.  It seems that in most years, Labor Day is the real beginning of hurricane season.  The holiday is early this year. Honestly, I feel a little shivery mentioning the "H" word.  It's like saying "flat tire" when you are on a long trip.  Why tempt fate?

   

    These are three of our scholarship recipients with Julia Forkgen, Scholarship Chair, who were guests at our May meeting.  From left to right, Lonnitra Jefferson, Bethune Cookman;  Meghan Neu, USF;  Kristy Palanco, SCF.

    Janaye Brown, UF, and Desmond Jefferson, SCF, were unable to join us that day.  Janaye and Desmond are both grandchildren of our own James and Elaine Brown.  Elaine served as MCREA Scholarship Chair for many years.  I can tell you as a member of committee who made the choices, we knew about Janaye's relationship, but we had no idea about Desmond's. Both were standouts in the group of applicants.

    The Scholarship Committee also rewarded $500 to Milea Willett, a 2013 recipient, because she has already finished her first two years and entered her junior year as an education major.  She took college classes when she was in high school.  This is a plan which we hope to continue to follow.  When a recipient becomes a junior or enters a chosen field of education, we will reward her or him again.  It is a way for us to help students who may not be receiving any more scholarship money and at the same time to ensure that entering education is their goal.

    So, you can see that this is a little pyramid scheme which could overwhelm us unless we have your help.  Presumably, we will have students requesting help in the spring for next year.  And we do want to keep on giving high school seniors money too. I hope you will all help us raise enough money to do that. 

    While I am writing about giving, something most of us are asked to do on a daily basis it seems, MCREA is still supporting FELT (Feeding Empty Little Tummies) which is carrying on in spite of the loss of its founder and major supporter, Jane Evers.  So, please look around for children's books that you can contribute.  I got a several at the library store last week for only three dollars.  Again, all of us working together can assure each child receiving food for the weekend, a book for Christmas.

    We are also continuing to bring in food for the Manatee Food Bank.  Although employment is up a little, there is still a lot of hunger out there.  Try to bring a can or two to each meeting.

    The gifts that we put together for the nursing home depend on your generosity also.  Those shampoos and soaps that you picked up in the hotel during your vacation are perfect for little remembrances.  Items should be small, unopened, and appropriate for shut-in senior citizens -- no makeup, candy, jewelry.  Socks, cardigan sweaters, and lap robes are nice too.

    I signed up for the Renaissance trip to see Cinderella at the Straz in Tampa on Saturday, Oct. 25.  Lunch will be served at the Renaissance, the bus trip, and the tickets are $115 per person.  I hope that some of you will also attend.  For information, call Renaissance on 9th, 749-0100. 

    FREA is sending out letters asking us to pay our dues.  Please remember that if you have paid your dues to MCREA, your FREA dues were included, and you do not have to pay them again.  If you have not paid your dues yet, please send a check for $55 to Ron Schneider, 3802 Chinaberry Road, Bradenton, FL 34208.  Or you can bring your check to our first meeting, Sept. 18.  FREA confuses us with this request because there are counties which do not have local associations.

    Mary Ann Jensen is looking for callers for the telephone tree.  If you have a little time that you could donate, please call her at 756-7603 or see her at our first meeting.  We are growing!

Speaking of growing, our best chance to grow is coming up on Thursday, Sept. 4, at the Manatee County Central Library.  Our annual reception for new retirees has been a great way to grow our membership.  We invite you to attend also to meet the new lucky ones and to partake of some great refreshments.  We will be there from 10:00-11:30 a.m.  If you know someone who has not yet joined us, please invite him or her to come with you.

    This is the almost complete schedule of meetings for 2014-15.  All will be held on Thursday, at 11:00 a.m., at Renaissance on 9th.  Lunch is still $15.

         September 18    Michael Bennett, Manatee Supervisor of Elections
  
         October 16        Halloween Fun

         November 20    Nick Drizos, SMART (Sarasota Manatee Assn. of Riding           
                                   Therapy)
      
         December 18     Christmas Program (TBA)

        January 15          Debbie Grubb, Florida Council for the Blind

        February 19        Joint meeting with the Sarasota County Retired Educators
                                    Linda Edson, FREA Legislative Co-Chair, FREA

        March 19            Lynn Girnis, Musical Entertainment and Comic Relief for
                                    the Chronologically Gifted

        April 16             Chris Nelson, Identity Theft

        May 21               Show and Tell

    Of course, you know that if your caller does not reach you before the meeting, please call Pat Battles who is taking over for Mary Ann Jensen this month,755-1182.

See you soon,

Ellen