aurora area retired teachers’ association · over 50 years of working for retired teachers in...
TRANSCRIPT
March 2014
Over 50 years of working for retired teachers in Kane County to . . .
★ use our influence for the passage of favorable legislation in Springfield, Illinois and Washington, D. C.★ improve our communication channels for more effective member participation★ keep our membership informed of current Teachers’ Retirement System changes
AARTAReader
Aurora Area Retired Teachers’ Association
OMG! (oh my gosh) it seems like just yesterday that we (the board) were planning for our first board meeting of the 2013-14 year. Barb was preparing the September newsletter, and Arlene and I were making sure all the programs were set for the year’s luncheons. Pam and Yvonne were busy preparing information to go out to newly retired teachers, and Sue was busy at putting together membership renewal material. We saw Hello Dolly at Drury Lane and will have the opportunity to see Les Miserables in May. Dick has set the 2014 dates for our bus/tailgating trips to see the Cubs and the Sox play. Here it is February, and two luncheons remain for this year. Your support has been phenomenal. We have seen our “Warm Fuzzies” program grow each year due to the many nimble fingers of our members (and friends) crocheting, knitting and sewing. Will we exceed last year? Our scholarship fund has increased and is well
on its way to becoming an “endowment” fund. Our ASK program is a success as was our donation to the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry and our donations of hats, mittens and scarves to Communities in School.Seven of us will be attending the IRTA Area II Conference on March 10. This conference should be very informative and interesting due to the pension lawsuits and the legislative primaries. We will also have the opportunity to visit with members from other Area II units.
P l e a s e r e m e m b e r t o c h e c k o u r w e b s i t e www.auroraarearetiredteachersassociation.org for updates, activities, and links to IRTA.Hope to see you at our April 1 luncheon – remember to make your reservation today.
Meg Safarik, AARTA President
President’s Message
Meet Our New Board MembersLinda Rohr, Scholarship Liaison, re%red in 2012 from West Aurora where she was a speech/language pathologist working with students ranging from preschool through 5th grade.
Prior to that, she worked for DuPage-‐West Cook Special Educa%on Associa%on's program for deaf and hard of hearing children.
She also worked for the Lombard School District. Linda has a BS and a MA from NIU.
She enjoys reading, bicycling, hiking with friends, cooking, birding, kayaking and spending lots of %me with her husband, 2 daughters and 2 shel%es!
Ed Young, Sunshine, re%red from the West Aurora School District in 1994 having served as a teacher and principal for 36 years.
For 14 years he played many character roles with Aurora’s Stage Company and Naperville’s Summer Place.
Ed reads to children at Schneider School, works as a “helping hand” at Dreyer Clinic, is a member of his church choir and Aurora Golden K Club. He’s done over 500 programs for seniors in Illinois.
Ed and his wife, June, have been married for 62 years. They have 6 children, 15 grandchildren, and 14 great-‐grandchildren.
Howard Miller, Public Rela;ons, re%red in 2011 from Batavia High School were he taught technical dra^ing and
architecture, and coached freshman girls’ soccer.He taught the same classes previously at Oswego High School, and coached freshman boys’ soccer.
Howard served six years as the financial director for the Illinois Dra^ing Educators Associa%on, and for three years he was the Grass Roots Poli%cal Ac%vist for Region 40 of the IEA.
Warm FuzziesWe will donate lap blankets to area senior centers a^er our June mee%ng.Blankets:• may be made of any washable
material• may be ;ed, kniDed, crocheted
or sewn• should be approximately 30-‐36
inches wide and 36-‐48 inches long
• will be collected at our mee;ng in June
AARTA Community Outreach
One of our past scholarship recipients, Grace Ann Burmania, was a 2006 graduate of West Aurora High School and our 2007 scholarship recipient. Recently she told us her scholarship helped her to obtain an associate degree at Waubonsee Community College.
Grace Ann lives in Aurora and has worked for the West Aurora School District for six years. Currently, she is a 1-‐1 paraprofessional at Hope Wall School.
We are working to become an endowment fund with the Community Founda%on of the Fox River Valley. $1500 from our dues will be used for our 2014 scholarship winner. All other dona%ons are put towards achieving endowment status.
AARTA Scholarship Fund
On Valen%ne’s Day, students at Jefferson Middle School in West Aurora received school supplies donated by members of AARTA at our February lunch.
A S K*In February we collected supplies for Jefferson Middle School in West Aurora — 188 items in all. Thank you to everyone who contributed.
At our April lunch, we will be collecting supplies for students at Waldo Middle School in East Aurora. They are in need of pens, pencils, notebook paper, spiral notebooks, and copy paper.
Thank you for your support of this project. We are making a positive difference in the lives of area students.
* AARTA Supporting Kids
HEALTH NOTES from FAY WILSON
Get Your Reader by Email!
Postage has gone up again. If you are not already receiving your Reader by email, please consider doing so — it will save us bunches in postage costs. You can always print off your own hard copy which will be much nicer looking than the mailed v e r s i o n . E m a i l u s a t [email protected] to let us know that you are willing to make this change.
In RemembranceMarjorie Jordan, December 17, 2013, taught at Bardwell School in East Aurora.
Anne Janicene, May 19, 1932 - January 25, 2014, taught at Hill School in West Aurora.
If you know of the death of anyone who has ever been a member of AARTA, please contact Barb Zillgitt ([email protected] or 630-896-2451).
AARTA remembers each of these members with a $15 donation to the IRTA Foundation and with contributions to our scholarship fund with the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley.
Some Lights May Not Be So Bright
The U.S. will soon be switching from incandescent bulbs to energy-saving compact fluorescent lights(CFLs). In 2007, Congress passed the Energy Independence and Security Act. After 2011, the manufacture of 100-watt incandescent bulbs ended. On January 1, 2013, 75-watt bulbs followed suit and this year, 2014, all remaining inefficient incandescents, 60- and 40-watt, will be phased out.So, what is the concern over something that is good for the planet and saves money at the same time? In 2012, Miriam Rafailovich, Ph.D., at Long Island’s Stony Brook University and her research team conducted a series of experiments. They showed that hairline cracks in the coiled glass tubing of the CFLs allowed ultraviolet rays to leak out. The studies showed enough UV radiation leaked out to cause skin damage equal to a day in the sun.Rafailovich and her team found that the response of healthy skin cells to UV rays emitted from CFLs “is consistent with damage from ultraviolet radiation,” thus making the cells more susceptible to mutation and even cancer. Skin cells are not effected under incandescent light of the same intensity.“Most CFLs have cracks in the phosphor coating probably due to the fact that the coating is brittle and has trouble making the tight bends required to make these bulbs compact,” says Tatsiana Mironava, Ph.D., Rafailovich’s research partner at Stony Brook. The long overhead fluorescent tubes pose far less risk since they are straight and less subject to flaws. Mironava goes on to say, “The take-home message is that CFL bulbs are fragile.”Besides the potential skin damage, looking directly at a CFL can be harmful. Without anything to protect the pupils, the radiation “goes straight to the retina,” Dr. Rafailovich says.Magda Havas, Ph.D., an associate professor of environmental and resource studies at the Trent University in Ontario, agrees there are concerns, possibly cancer concerns that come with CFLs. She says, “I'm a staunch environmentalist, but I also care about human health. I wouldn’t give one up for the other.”The EPA says the CFL bulbs emit low levels of radiation and the filtering effect of the glass further minimizes damage for all but the most sensitive skin types. “The vast majority of people do not suffer from such UV or visible light sensitivities,” notes the website for EnergyStar (a partnership between the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy). After discovering this information, I have a lot to think about and study. I have not addressed the mercury content found in CFLs. Look for more on this subject in June. Hurry spring and the BRIGHT daylight!
Source: “Health Threat At Home,” Bryan Smith, Men's Health, May 2013
Remember to vote on March 18!
Legislative ContactsLinda Chapa LaVia8 E. Galena, Suite 240Aurora, IL 60506
Tom Cross24047 W. Lockport St., Suite 213Plainfield, IL 60544
Kay HatcherPO Box 1150Yorkville, IL 60560
[email protected] Linda Holmes13242 S. Rt. 59 #200Plainfield, IL 60585
Stephanie A. Kifowit1677 Montgomery Rd. Ste. 116Aurora, IL 60504
Jim Oberweis959 Oak StreetNorth Aurora, IL 60542
630.800.1992
Tim Schmitz127 Hamilton St., Suite DGeneva, IL 60134
630.845.9590www.timschmitz.org
Join IRTA today! www.irtaonline.org Dues are $40 a year as of January 1, 2014.
Dues Deduct — $2.50 a monthFive-year membership — $175Lifetime membership — $400
Tickets are still available for Les Miserables at Drury Lane
Oakbrook on May 1. The $45 cost includes both lunch
and the play.Contact Arlene Hawks,
[email protected], by April 1 to make reservations.
Special Thanks!By the time you receive this edition of The Reader, National Proofreading Day, March 8, will probably have passed. However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t still thank our wonderful proofreaders who help all of us who contribute to The Reader look better. During the last year the following people have used their sharp eyes and knowledge of punctuation, spelling, and syntax to help us: Linda Allison, Meg Safarik, Jerry Lubshina, Virginia Albertino, Mary Kay Griffith, Val Petkus, and Susan Schindel. Please let them know how much we appreciate their work.If you would like to help AARTA by being a proofreader, contact Barb Zillgitt ([email protected]). It takes less than an hour five times a year, and you don’t have to be available to help every time.
Photographers Needed!We are looking for a person . . . or two . . . or three . . . to take pictures at our luncheons throughout the year beginning in April. You don’t have to be a “professional.” We’re just looking for pictures to put in The Reader and on the websi te . Please contact Meg Safarik ([email protected]) if you’d be willing to help us this way.
Our luncheon meetings will begin at 11:30 starting with
our April meeting.
The squeaky wheel may get the most oil, but it’s also the first to be replaced.
Marilyn vos Savant
Minutes from Our Last General MeetingFebruary 4, 2014
The February 2014 AARTA luncheon mee%ng was held at Gaslite Manor in Aurora.President Meg Safarik called the mee%ng to order at 12:05 and welcomed everyone.We said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang “America the Beau%ful” led by Arlene Hawks. Ed Young brought us the thought for the day: Kisses & Hugs – What a hug can do!Meg introduced Mar% Swanson, representa%ve from IRTA Area Unit II, and Bob Kummer, a new member.The secretary’s report was approved as printed in the Reader. Treasurer Veronica Radowicz reported $5,471.75 in the treasury. Barb Zillgip reported $6,777 in the AARTA Scholarship Fund from the 50/50 raffle and members honored with memorials. Recently deceased members honored were: Identa Aus%n, Bill Spence, and Carol Winkley. Sue Fitzsimons reported we have 413 members. Membership directories are at the printer and will be sent out. We were reminded to pay our dues. We will again collect warm lap blankets in June for area senior centers.Arlene Hawks introduced Rich Pickeren, “The Singing Cowboy.” Everyone enjoyed a medley of love songs and rail songs accompanied by guitar and harmonica. There were fun moments of sing along and toe tapping. Marlin Mipag announced that everyone with TRIP Insurance should have received plan packets and health cards.Arlene Hawks once again has planned a terrific trip on May 1, 2014, to Drury Lane. Included with the fun and fellowship will be lunch and Les Miserables.Dick Schindel announced reserva%on forms for the Cubs game in Milwaukee, Saturday, May 31, and the Sox game in Chicago, Monday, June 30, were in the Reader. Mar% Swanson reported about the IRTA Legal Defense Fund suppor%ng the lawsuit against recent legisla%on. She suggested that one month’s COLA be given to support this fund. Any amount is welcome and can be given to our treasurer or sent to IRTA, 620 North Walnut St., Springfield, IL 62702. Checks should be made out to IRTA; write “Legal Defense Fund” in the memo space. Everyone was invited to the area conference on March 10 at Randall Oaks Golf Course.A pe%%on by Robin Hedrick to name a building on the east side a^er Dr. Anna Sanford was circulated for signatures. Ron Nickerson announced that memberships for Aurora Vaughn Center were s%ll available at discount. Meg encouraged us to check the IRTA web site and sign up for VoterVoice.Respecsully submiped, Ruth Solomon AARTA Secretary
If you would like to have your birthday listed in TheReader, send
your information to [email protected] or call
Barb Zillgitt at 630-896-2451.
March
Margaret Nickerson! 1Mary Jaeger! 5Sue Darby! 9James R. Morris! 9Velda Fisher! 12Ann Luker ! 12Bobbi O’Meara! 13Charlene Haley! 19Linda Rohr ! 21Shirley McKnight! 22Bill Wallbaum! 23Kathy Hanson! 24Kathy DeTolve! 24Patricia Hogan! 29Marilee Casazza! 31
April
Kirk Harding Jr. ! 14Rosalie Veneris! 19Sandy Kelly! 23Lloyd Jones! 26Lenore Nier! 27
May
Howard Burns! 2Sandra Frazier! 3Pam Colwell! 7Betty Lou Smith! 8Robin Hedrich! 9Marlin Mittag! 17Ellen Voda! 18Joan Olson! 21Val Petkus! 21Peggy Gosselin! 23Clare Vignola! 23Barb Nothnagel! 24Bob Nelson! 28
February Lunch
Cubs vs. BrewersWHEN: Saturday, May 31, 2014 — Game time is 3:10 p.m.
(Bus leaves East High Door #15 at 10:45 a.m.WHERE: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
COST: $60 (includes coach bus)DUE by Friday, April 11 — $30 ticket money
Must have balance due on or before Friday, May 9
Tailgate: Yes – bring dish to pass and BYOB
Sponsored by: Dick’s Mini Doughnuts, LLC
Return to: Dick Schindel, 784 Morningside; Aurora, IL 60505. Checks payable to Dick Schindel
Questions? Call Dick Schindel 630-921-1307
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cubs vs. Brewers
Name ________________________________ Cell Phone # ______________
Address _____________________________________________
Building (if applies) ________________ # of Tickets __________
Amount Enclosed $____________
Return to D. Schindel, 784 Morningside Ave., Aurora, IL 60505 Ticket money by Friday, April 11, 2014Balance due by Friday, May 9, 2014Questions? Please call 630-921-1307.
Tickets will go fast!!
Sox vs. L.A. Angels
WHEN: Monday. June 30, 2014 Game Time – 7:00 p.m. (Bus leaves East High Door #15 at 4:15 p.m.)
WHERE: US Cellular Field COST: $40/person (includes coach bus)
$20 DUE by May 23: $20/ticket (lower box seat)Balance due on or before Friday, June 7, 2014TAILGATE: Bring dish to pass and BYOBSPONSORED BY: Dick’s Mini Doughnuts, LLC
Return to Dick Schindel, 784 Morningside, Aurora, IL, 60505. Checks payable to: Dick Schindel. Must have ticket payment on or before Friday, May 23. Balance will be due Friday, June 7, 2014 Questions: Call Dick Schindel 630-921-1307.
-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐
Sox vs. L.A. Angels
Name ______________________________# Tickets ____
Cell Phone # ______________________ Amt. Pd. ________
Checks payable to Dick Schindel. Ticket money due on or before May 23, 2014. Balance due by Friday, June 7, 2014. Send to: Dick Schindel 784 Morningside Ave., Aurora, IL 60505. Questions? Call – 630-921-1307
AARTA Sportswear Price List
These items will be available at our next meeting.
★Headgear All caps and sun visors . . . . . . $10★Short sleeved T-shirt . . . . . . . med - XL $10 2XL $12★Long sleeved T-shirts . . . . . . med - XL $15 2XL $17★Crew Neck Sweatshirts . . . . . .med - XL $20 2XL $22★Hooded Sweatshirts . . . . . . . . .med - XL $25 2XL $27★Hooded, zippered Sweatshirt med - XL $35 2XL $37
AARTA
Vaughn Center Membership
Members of AARTA are en%tled to special membership rates at the Vaughn Center on West Indian Trail in Aurora.
Returning members will be charged the same rate as they paid last year for this next year only.
Rates for renewing members are:
Fitness membership — $15.00/month or a paid-‐in-‐full amount of $180.00
All-‐inclusive membership — $22.00/month or a paid-‐in-‐full amount of $264.00
Rates for NEW members who will join at the full corporate rate are:
Fitness — $18.00/month or a paid-‐in-‐full amount of $216.00
All-‐inclusive membership — $26.00/month or a paid-‐in-‐full amount of $312.00
Interested members should contact Hayden Howes at the Vaughn Center: [email protected] or at the Vaughn Center phone number: 630-‐907-‐9600.
LUNCHEON RESERVATIONSWhere: Gaslite Manor, 2485 Church Road, AuroraWhen: Tuesday, April 1, 11:30Price: $15.00Reservation due date: Friday, March 21, 2014
Last name that begins with the letter A through L — Send a check made out to AARTA to: Joanne Hughes, 243 S. Randall Road, Aurora, IL 60506
Last name that begins with M through Z — Send a check made out to AARTA to: Ann Luker, 1978 Fays Lane, Sugar Grove, IL 60554
Number of reservations __________ Number of VEGETARIAN MEALS _______
Name ________________________________________________ $15.00
Name ________________________________________________ $ _______
Total $ _______
President: Meg SafarikSecretary: Ruth SolomonTreasurer: Veronica RadowiczImmediate Past President: Ron NickersonFoundation Services & Welfare: Kirk Harding, Howard MillerHealth Information & Protective Services: Fay WilsonLegislative: Linda Allison, Jerry LubshinaMember Benefits: Marlin Mittag
Membership: Sue Fitzsimons, Tom GriffithNewsletter: Barb ZillgittProgram: Arlene Hawks, Dick SchindelPublic Relations: Maureen Granger, Howard MillerRetirement Education: Yvonne Hollingsworth, Pam ColwellSunshine: Dorothy Ellis, Ed YoungDirectory: Dennis Erford, Tom GriffithReservations: Ann Luker, Joanne HughesScholarship Liaison: Linda Rohr
AARTA Board of Directors and Committee Chairs
Board meetings are held at 9:00 a.m. on the first Tuesday of January, March, May, September and November at SciTech, 18 W. Benton, Aurora, IL.
General luncheon meetings are at 11:30 a.m. on the first Tuesday of February, April, June, October and December at Gaslite Manor, 2485 Church Road, Aurora.
Newsletter items are due by noon on the first Tuesday of January, March, May, September and November. Send them to [email protected].
Lunch dates for
2014
April 1
June 3
October 7
December 2
If your e-mail address has changed, email us at [email protected] so we can update our files.
April LunchDo you own a part of Aurora’s historical past? Not sure? You are invited to bring and “show & tell” your piece(s) of silver plate and
discover if it belongs to Aurora’s rich past. Laura Fulton, past president of the Midwest Early American Pressed Glass Club, will tell us about Aurora’s connection to the silver industry.
Please remember that our lunch will begin at 11:30, and that you need reservations. The reservation form is on the preceding page. Guests are always welcome!
MENU
Salad w/choice of dressingRolls
Baked chickenHerb roasted potatoesGreen beans almondine
Apple slice with whipped cream
Coffee/TeaCash Bar