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“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant.” Right now most folks would agree with those words by Anne Bradstreet. We’re weary of the short days, long nights, cold temperatures and abundant snowfalls.

But take heart. Some folks have seen or heard robins-those famous harbingers of spring. During one of the brief lulls when the ground wasn’t covered with snow, I noticed hyacinths and crocuses bravely poking through. They’re currently blanketed with more of the white stuff. How grateful we’ll be when spring finally arrives and winter will be just a memory.

Lorraine Bingman, Program Committee chair, has a great line-up of programs for our spring luncheon meetings. Jenny Landis and Jim Tunall, from the Juniata Valley Visitor’s Bureau, will speak on March 21st. Skip Leeper will provide musical entertainment on April 11th. (our April meeting was changed to the second Friday since the 18th is Good Friday.) We’ll have our annual Chinese Auction and the presentation of the Scholarship Awards on

Nancy Ressler, Editor-Publisher

The Newsletter

March/April/May, 2014 Edition

PASR web site: www.mccpasr.org

When I attended a PASR Leadership Conference last fall, we were encouraged to set goals for our local chapters. One of mine is to increase attendance and membership. For our April meeting I’d like to see our attendance double by means of an “EACH ONE, BRING ONE” challenge. Invite someone who would benefit by becoming a member of our chapter. There are many school retirees who haven’t checked us out. Perhaps you know an individual who may already be a member, but hasn’t attended recently. Those personal invitations mean so much. Treating our guests to lunch would be an added enticement. So let’s rise to the occasion and do our best to increase our numbers.

Think SPRING. Before long we’ll be complaining about how hot it is.

President’s Message

Alert: If school is cancelled due to bad weather on the day of our luncheon meeting, the meeting is also cancelled.

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THE MCC/PASR NEWSLETTER March/April/May, 2014

Library Book SaleThe library used book sale will run from April 23-27.Doris Hidlay (248-8137) will be registering volunteers to work at the sale.The set up date is Tuesday, April 22. We start at 9

A.M. If you wish to help, just come.

New MemberMeet Margaret “Margy” Zook, the newest member of MCC/PASR. Margy hails from 374 Church Lane in Reedsville.Having retired just this year, she contributed 34 years to her career as a learning support teacher and elementary/middle/high school counselor, one year having been spent in West Virginia.Margy has two adult children. Jason, age 27, lives in Pittsburgh and works for Club Com, a digital media company. Jenn, age 24, is currently working as a steward/deckhand on private yachts.Margy’s leisure time is spent biking, reading, playing tennis, and hiking. She also likes listening to live music and going to concerts. She serves on the board for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and on the board for Mifflin County Library. Entertaining at her home also adds to her enjoyment.Future retirement plans include traveling with her daughter as much as possible, a probable trip to Paris and a plan to visit all 50 states with 27 down and 23 to go.

In Memory ofMarion Haller

On the Calendar

March 10 Board Meeting, 10:30 am Burnham OIPMarch 21 Luncheon Meeting, noon, Program: Juniata Valley Visitor’s BureauMarch 21 Money due for RECREO trip to QVC & Longwood Gardens

April 11 Board Meeting- 10:30 and Luncheon Meeting, noon, Program: Skip LeeperApril 21 Region 5 Spring Meeting, Smithfield April 23-27 Library Book Sale April 29 RECREO trip to QVC and Longwood Gardens May 12 Board Meeting, 10:30 am Burnham OIPMay 16 Luncheon Meeting, noon, Program: Scholarship Awards & Chinese AuctionMay 16 Last day to submit articles for summer newsletter

June 9 Board Meeting, 10:30 am Burnham OIPJune 20 Luncheon Meeting, noon, Program: Loretta Woodson Awards

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March/April/May, 2014 THE MCC/PASR NEWSLETTER

Region 5 Spring MeetingThe Region 5 Spring Meeting will be held April 21, at the Smithfield Fire Hall. Coffee and donuts will be available upon arrival at 9:30. Registration is at 10. All members are welcome to come to the meeting. If you are interested in attending, please let Kathy Hartley know.

2014-15 Membership Dues

Membership dues (July 1, 2014-June 30, 2015) will be collected at the April, May, and June meetings. Please complete the form (for our records) and pay your dues (by cash or check) at one of the luncheon meetings, or mail them to:

Sharon Grassmyer, 350 Eighth St. Ext., Apt. 46, Lewistown, PA 17044

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Mifflin County Chapter of PASR Membership Dues Form

Name (s)_________________________________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

Phone _____________________________Email Address _________________________________

Birthdate (s)____________________________________________________

Make check payable to MCC/PASR.

Local: State:

Annual Dues: ($10) _______ Annual Dues: ($50) _________

Life Membership: ($125) ________ Life Membership: ($600) _________

(payable in 3 years @ $45,40,40) (payable in 2 years @ $300)

Kay Hamilton, President and CEO of Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital spoke on the current and upcoming changes to the hospital since the merger with Geisinger on November 1, 2013. She also talked about the children's book she wrote called Hamilton’s Pond. It is a book designed to help children deal with grief and death.

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Legislative Report

At the PASR Region 5 Legislative Committee Meeting on Feb. 12, 2014, pension reforms were discussed at length. There are 3 different proposals. 1. Sen. Mike Brubaker (SB 922) and Rep. Warren Kampf (HB 1352) proposed to close the existing retirement systems and enroll new employees in individual retirement savings accounts. Actuarial analyses revealed that the proposals would do nothing to reduce the existing debt and/or the increases in contributions to the retirement systems that are mandated in the current law. The bills are positioned such that they can be released and passed very quickly by either chamber, if and when the Republican legislative leaders determine that they have secured the necessary votes for passage. No public hearings have been scheduled to review and discuss the bills. It is important to note that no Democratic legislator in either chamber has voiced support for these proposals.2. Rep. Glen Grell has a proposal that is intended to maintain a defined benefit pension plan for public employees and will address the unfunded liabilities and employer contribution rate increases needed to fund the benefits currently promised. It has 3 parts.3. Rep. Mike Tobash is advocating that all new public employees be enrolled in a hybrid plan that includes both a defined benefit and a defined contribution element. His proposal has just recently been announced. Much more information is needed for PASR to render an analysis and offer further comment or suggestions.

At our luncheon in March at LCC, I will try to expand on these proposals.At this time, PASR is encouraging members to contact your legislators and demand that public hearings be held on any and all proposals seeking to change the retirement benefits provided for Pennsylvania's state and public school employees. Please include COLA in your discussions when you meet with your local legislators.

Currently there is "No Movement" on the Right To Know / Address issue (SB 444).

Gov. Corbett's budget proposal looks to defer $300 million in PA pension payments at the state and local level next year. The deferments will add to the state's long term pension costs. Rep. Frank Dermody pointed to the state's history of underfunding the pension system and stated that state workers and public school employees have always paid their contributions, even while the state has not. A one-time transfer of $225 million from the Tobacco Settlement Fund would help offset school district payments to the state PSERS.

Richard Roland wants Local Chapter Presidents and Legislative Chairs to form a team of PASR members to meet and discuss our issues with our representatives as soon as possible (by March). Talking points on PASR main issues (pension reform and COLA) will be mailed out.

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THE MCC/PASR NEWSLETTER March/April/May, 2014

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Anyone who is interested in joining our local legislative team would be welcomed with open arms. Please contact me by phone at 248-3671 or email at 333chr@gmail.com anytime.

Carol Raymond, Leg. Chair

Nathaniel Thierwechter and Forest Fisher spoke at the February meeting about their book, Mifflin County Then & Now.

Change in NewslettersWith the rising costs in postage, the board has decided to go to a seasonal newsletter. Starting with this newsletter you will be receiving one September, December, March, and June. Remember you can always get your newsletter via email. To enroll, email me at n.ress@embarqmail.com and I’ll sent a test copy. Thanks! Nancy Ressler

Remember to keep a record of your volunteer

hours!

A big thank you goes to all of you who have contributed or pledged donations to help the United Way in their efforts to help our community in so many of ways. Even though the deadline for their campaign for this year is fast approaching, it is never too late to contribute if you haven't already done so.Contact me, Ron Thomas, at 250-4729 if you have any questions.

March/April/May, 2014 THE MCC/PASR NEWSLETTER

Jan Headings and Sharon Grassmyer were two of the workers who helped stuff envelopes for State PASR.

PASR Newsletter59 Jasmine DriveReedsville, PA 17084

THE MCC/PASR NEWSLETTER March/April/May, 2014

RECREO