Minutes: June 7, 2005

The final meeting of WCREA for the 2004-2005 season was held on the above date at the Asbury Willows, Asbury, NJ. President Pat Kollar called the meeting to order at 10:35 am and led the flag salute. Barbara Espisito led the singing of "America" and Shirley Sloyer read an inspirational poem, "Blessed Beatitudes".

The treasurer reported a balance of $4,875.92 and $626 in the scholarship fund. The secretary's report was read. Both reports were approved.

Committee reports were as follows: Sandy Beck distributed flyers announcing a WCREA bus trip to Mohonk Mountain House on Thursday October 27. Pat Kay reported the we now have 185 members, 27 are new. She also reminded everyone that the price of our luncheons is $17, not $16. Vicky Rhinehart announced the following winners of the WCREA scholarships: ($400 each) Belvidere--David Kilodziejczyi; No. Warren--Megan Mescall; Phillipsburg--Dorothy Osifchin, who will attend Warren Co. Community College: Warren Hills--Amy Egerer; Hackettstown--Toni Gellock, who will attend Kutztown.

President Kollar announced that both treasurer David Knauth and membership chair Pat Kay have resigned; Vicky Rhinehart will assume both positions.

Under old business, President Pat announced the winners of NJEA elections: Pres--Joyce Powell, VP--Barbara Keshishian and Sec Treasurer--Wendall Steinhauer. NJREA election results are as follows: Pres--Fred Aug, 1st VP--Roe Jankowski, 2nd VP Peggy Ann Yatauro, Treasurer, Jim Lapore and Secretary Lorena Tyson.

Pat announced that our September meeting will be at Harker's Hollow GC due to management problems at the Clarion. Other announcements--Pat has a phone number available for anyone interested in long term care insurance. Also, for those who don't qualify for the dental insurance, she has information on a plan, "Dental Call", which offers a 15% discount on dental work.

Under new business, Pat announced that Doug Morris recently suffered a heart attack and required triple by-pass surgery. It was successful and he's doing well. She also said that NJREA is working hard on Con-Con (against Constitutional Convention). She reported on a really, "Hands Off Our Benefits" which several members had attended in Trenton on May 16. This was a demonstration against tampering with the public employee retiree benefits and the insurance commission's vote to remove the cap on prescriptions. People were urged to sign up to go to Trenton for the commission's hearing on the topic, probably on June 23. Pat also announced she attended a Delegate Council meeting on May 25.

Barbara Espisito reported on a writing workshop she attended in Trenton on June 2, the purpose of which was to generate letters to newspapers against removal of prescription caps and to explain to the general public how retire benefits are not the problem in the state budget. She explained several writing points for the letters and solicited volunteers to write to the Express-Times. A sign-up sheet was provided for this. President Kollar distributed postcards addressed to Gov. Codey with the "hands off our benefits" explanation. All were urged to sign them. They were then collected and corresponding se., Sandy Beck will mail them.

David and Mary Jane Knauth reported that they had visited Leigh Fox in Florida recently. She, at 93, is doing well and wanted to be remembered to all. She welcomes all to stop by and visit is going to Ormond Beach, FL.

With no further business, the meeting as adjourned at 11:15. Entertainment followed--Tom Heinze, oboist and clarinetist and Sue Moll, harpist, both of the Allentown Band played several lovely selections. About 12;00, a turkey dinner was served.

 

Respectfully submitted,
Theresa Ravenburg
Secretary, ProTem

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