MCREA October 7, 2014

    Were you able to store up some of that cool and refreshing air which we experienced over the weekend? At my house, it was sort of like Hercules cleaning out the Aegean Stables. The open windows blew a lot of the dog and cat hair out from under the furniture and rearranged it into piles that could be swept up. My husband became obsessed with catching and smoking mullet as he always is in the fall. So we had smoked mullet on Sunday and we were able to air the fishy smell out afterwards. Heaven. Now I can't wait for the next "cold" front to arrive.

   Our September meeting was very well attended -- 101 members and guests. Some of our new members were there, having joined at our annual New Retirees Reception in August. We must remember that there is strength in numbers when it comes to protecting our retirement accounts. The Legislature will be out again to do the FRS harm in their spring session. Our membership in MCREA and in FREA is crucial in keeping them at bay.
 
  Our scheduled speaker was Supervisor of Elections, Michael Bennett. Due to a death in his family, he was unable to attend and sent us the Assistant Supervisor in his place. Some of the interesting facts that I wrote down from his speech were that there were on that day 211,000 registered voters in Manatee County which made us 16th in the state. The last election only drew 20% of the voters which is a particularly low turnout.

  Here are some of the guests at our retirees reception. Perhaps you will see a familiar face or two.


 

Mac Aldrich and Jean Jacobson

 

Dennis Rose and Dan Crumpler

Gary and Lorraine Kerwin

Sharon Hundley

Dick Andrews and Bruce Dietch

Lori Cooper and Alice Deslaurier

Judy Shostrom welcomes our guests.

 

    An opportunity to volunteer has come to us from Karen Carpenter, School Board Member.  "There is an urgent need for volunteers for the Reading Pals program.  One hour a week with a guided curriculum helping kindergartner for 25 weeks.  This is my third year volunteering and it is a great program and experience."  Her instructions are to contact Sandra Holmes at the United Way, 748-1313.  It is also on line at www.uwmc.net/, or you can email ReadingPals@uwmc.net/ 

    Please remember to bring cans for the Food Bank and small toiletries for the nursing home Christmas gift bags.  We are also still collecting gently used and new books for children who receive food to tide them over the weekends -- FELT (Feeding Empty Little Tummies).  We hope to have a book for each child to take home at Christmas.  If you are interested in volunteering at FELT, they have a web page. I will forward the next newsletter I receive from them so you will have it.

    Most dear to my heart are our MCREA Scholarships which we  present each spring to Manatee County seniors who are planning to become educators.  Yes, there still are some, and they deserve recognition for going into a field so demeaned at this time.  When you speak to one of them about that, he or she always credits a teacher who was an inspiration,  and so they want to do the same for some other kids.  In other words, they are motivated by the same desires that sent each of us into the profession.  Our rewards were not monetary, but they were "on the side of the angels."  Now we are asking again for your support.  Please donate what you can.

    Our Thursday, October 16 meeting is all about Halloween.  Come in costume if you like.  Many of us do go all out.  You will be amazed.  There will be prizes.  Also, our entertainment director, Sandra Stephenson will lead us in Halloween Bingo.  Yes, there are prizes for winners here too.  Everyone should bring 20 quarters to play with.  Those will be collected at the end of the meeting for the Scholarship Fund.  We have a group from the School Board coming to update us on their projects for the year, so we will have an opportunity to learn something as well.

    As usual, if you have not heard from your caller by Thursday or Friday of the previous week, please call Mary Ann Jensen at 756-7603.  If you haven't paid your dues for 2014-15 yet, you must get them in this month if you wish to have your name in our Handbook.  Our Treasurer, Ron Schneider, will take them at the door or you can mail him a check at 3802 Chinaberry Road, Bradenton, FL 34208.

    See you on the 16th.  Try to come early if you can to avoid the big line signing in. 
11 is a good time or even earlier and you can visit.

    Ellen