LIVINGSTON COUNTY RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION October 2023 NEWSLETTER
(Navana Ahrends, Editor)
Annual Fall Luncheon!
MEETING DATE: Tuesday, October 24, 2023
LOCATION: St. Mary's Parish Hall
(501 N. Chicago St., Pontiac, IL)
REGISTRATION: 10:00 A.M.
Meeting: 10:30 A.M.
Includes Year End Activities & Special Guests
Memorial Service
Presentation of Scholarship Winners
IRTA Convention Report
Election & Installation of New Officers
Musical Entertainment
Door Prizes
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.
COST : $15
PRESIDENT BOB’S MESSAGE
Welcome members of the Livingston County Retired Teachers Association. I am writing this President’s message as my last. I have had the privilege and honor of serving as your President for the past four years. The first two years were filled with the many challenges that we all dealt with relative to COVID.
Years three and four have allowed us to come back together, to meet as a group, to share some outstanding programs and for each of you to show your generosity. We have selected local organizations, schools, teachers, and community residents to provide financial support as well as our annual scholarships.
I am not going to begin to name all of the retired educators who have willingly volunteered and accepted invitations to fill leadership positions. Someone would be left off of my list if I tried to name everyone and that would not be good. Suffice it to say that without great people like the educators of Livingston County, none of our accomplishments would have been possible.
I have had the pleasure of working with some outstanding officers and also, many generous members. Your donations to scholarships, school supplies, etc. have allowed us to share some of the gifts we have each been given. Hopefully, lives were touched and changed because of everyone’s kindness.
The Livingston County Retired Teachers Association is one of the strongest, largest, and most active units in the state. I have heard at many Legislative and statewide committee meetings how many units are discontinuing their active status. Now more than ever, we need to be strong and active as our pensions remain unfunded at the levels they are to be funded and insurance issues are a constant concern. We must advocate and direct our lobbyist to get the job done with our legislators in Springfield.
Please continue to attend our meetings and do whatever you can to ensure that we continue to be a strong unit.
Thank you very much for all of your support.
Bob
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR RETIRING OFFICERS
President Bob Walter, Secretary Connie Rich, and Treasurer, Becky Shafer
These officers have served us well for the past two terms (4 years) of LCRTA. They have dealt with many obstacles that usually don’t occur during a normal 2- year term, let alone 4 years. They were new to their respective positions and had to help provide leadership in dealing with unusual circumstances, such as COVID and Zoom meetings.
President Bob provided excellent leadership in dealing with the many decisions that needed to be made. Although he had the help of the board, there were many contacts that he was able to use that were an asset to our programming and other activities. He also introduced several new community projects that were well received and supported by the membership. This was done in a very pleasant and organized manner.
Secretary Connie Rich has been a member for several years and has been active in various roles during that time. She was very good about the details she put in her minutes, even when she couldn’t be at all the meetings or if they were held via Zoom. She made sure that her notes were correct and sent out to the board in a timely manner then provided to the membership in writing at the meetings. This was very much appreciated.
Becky was new to the organization when she accepted the position as treasurer. She hadn’t officially joined as a member until the first meeting she attended. What a big job to undertake with no background in the organization. She learned as she went along and excelled in computer skills at keeping records so that was a big help. She also realized she had help from Sue Schnell, the previous treasurer for many years, in learning so that was an asset. We are sorry to see her leave this position but do appreciate what she did for the organization.
IN MEMORIUM
These are our members who have passed away since our meeting last October.
Timothy Devers 11/4/2022
Robert Young 1/16/2023
Frances Russow 3/3/2023
Janice Nussbaum 3/6/2023
Jean Dietz 3/13/2023
Elizabeth Deters 3/22/3023
Mary K. Dohleman 3/28/2023
MichaelHatfield 6/30/2023
Dorothy Roche 7/16/2023
Gary Cunningham 8/24/2023
Richard Traschel 10/1/2023
Included by Special Request: Wanda Coyne 6/29/2023
SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
A Note for Andy Holmgren, Scholarship Chaiman: The scholarship committee met and read through all of the proposals from Livingston County teachers. We were able to choose 5 teachers/projects for which we could provide funds.
Amy Islrzycki and Leane Francis, Washington Elementary $400 Julie Flynne, Odell Grade School $200
Josie Schouweiler,Prairie Central Elementary $300
Scott Saffer, Tri-Point Junior High $400
Jordan Heller, Pontiac Junior High $200
A total of $1500 from LCRTA to Livingston County Schools and teachers.
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS
SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING
Jerry & Jean Keck, co-chairmen, have not received any information about the date, place, or times at this point. In the past we have usually done it the Friday after Thanksgiving which would be November 24th this year and the location has been County Market.
They will have sign up sheets if you think you could help on this day and would have to let you know about times later – unless they learn something in the meantime.
COPS AND KIDS (Our community project for this meeting) This is a CASH ONLY project.
You may have already donated to this fund, but you can donate at this meeting or mail a check to our treasurer, Becky Shafer. At 534 S, Fifth St. Fairbury, IL 61739 Sponsored by Livingston County Sheriff’s Police (F.O.P. Lodge #186)
“The F.O.P. “COPS and KIDS” program is designed to help underprivileged kids in the community by giving them the opportunity to go Christmas shopping with a Law Enforcement Officer. This program provides a lasting impression on children while building their confidence in Law Enforcement.”
BLOOD MOBILE (A Message from Erma Hesterberg, Chairman)
December 27 from 11 a. m. to 5 p.m. at Pontiac Senior Center on Ladd Street
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND REMEMBER TO SIGN UP
Just a reminder that the Retired Teachers are responsible for the December blood mobile canteen. The date for the blood mobile is the 4th Wednesday (December 27 from 11 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It will be held at the Pontiac Senior Center on Ladd Street (formerly Don’s Red Fox).
The menu will be similar to last year – chicken noodle soup, egg salad and ham/cheese sandwiches, and assorted cookies. We will follow the same procedure as last year.
At the October meeting Chris Lauritzen and I will have sign-up sheets at each table and members can either sign up to work or to bring various items to either the First Lutheran Church or to my home ahead of the blood mobile.
There will be a box in the kitchen at First Lutheran Church (Grove Street in Pontiac). The church is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
I live at 1403 S. Mill (blue house on southwest corner of Mill and Torrance). My front entrance door is open all the time and items can be dropped off any time during the month of December. I will leave the “light on (24/7) for you”.
We prefer homemade cookies but will accept store purchased ones. Thank you in advance for considering helping with this in some manner.
Erma: 815-844-3456 Chris Lauritzen: 815-842-3029
TRAIL
(Total Retiree Advantage Illinois)
By this time, you have received many notices about TRAIL and the MAPD (Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug) open Enrollment period and information of various kinds regarding the insurance offered to us – Aetna MAPD PPO.
OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD: October 15 – November 15, 2023.
It’s important to remember that “No action is required unless you have a change, or you wish to opt-out of the plan.”
ALSO: All information about our insurance should have the TRAIL logo printed on it or it is not ours even though it may look similar. AETNA MAPD PPO is the only official insurance that is offered to us by the State of Illinois.
SPECIAL REQUESTS
Help Needed with the Following Notifications:
◼ If you know of a member who is deceased, please let Navana know because she is the one who notifies the IRTA, our LCRTA treasurer, and Sue Schnell. It is very helpful if you know the date of death and/or the funeral home making the arrangements. This is important because we need that information for our records as does the IRTA so they can adjust the dues.
You are probably aware that about the only source of any obituaries at this time in this area is The Pantagraph and not all families use that source. The only papers that Navana gets is The Pantagraph and The Daily Leader (which is not a reliable source). Many of you have other sources that you can rely on. We certainly appreciate your help for this.
◼ Explanation of Annual Dues on Membership Dues Renewal Letters
If you had an A marked on your sheet, you owe $40 dollars and could pay our treasurer, Becky Shafer.
There was also a note that said if you received a notice from IRTA that your dues were due and you had already paid Becky, please ignore it because the dues collected from our chapter would not be sent until after the meeting. If you have a question, you should direct it to Becky. IRTA has been notified that our money would not be sent until after the meeting.
If you had an R on your sheet beside Annual (whether you a regular member or an associate, that means you have made arrangements with IRTA to automatically have the dues amount be taken out of some account. Please do not pay it. If you have questions don’t hesitate to ask. (That’s called annual recurring and that gives us the correct information that agrees with the state records. One of you has Acash which means you have made arrangements for the money to be automatically deducted when due from a bank account.
◼ Local Dues ($15)
There still seems to be some confusion about the fact that local dues are separate from state dues. (IRTA membership).
This money goes into the LCRTA account and how it is disbursed is determined by the Board of LCRTA and the membership.
We would hope that those of you who are not yet local members would certainly consider joining. Even those of you who do not attend meetings for various reasons or live at such a distance that it would not be feasible to attend meetings, might consider joining because it helps to provide you with information about LCRTA and other IRTA related items throughout the year.
◼ Your help needed in recruiting new members.
It’s almost certain that many of you know newly retired teachers or retired teachers for other years who have not joined IRTA. Now would be the time to encourage them to join because the dues are going up beginning January 1, 2024. You all know many reasons for them to do so, including the most important ones of protecting our pensions and our insurance.
There are forms on line on the IRTA website. Dues Deduct should be marked. Where it says unit, mark Livingston (even if they taught in a school outside Livingston County or live outside Livingston County). Otherwise, they could join, and we wouldn’t know that because they would be put under the county where they taught or live. Thanks in advance for your help.
(Navana Ahrends, Editor)
Annual Fall Luncheon!
MEETING DATE: Tuesday, October 24, 2023
LOCATION: St. Mary's Parish Hall
(501 N. Chicago St., Pontiac, IL)
REGISTRATION: 10:00 A.M.
Meeting: 10:30 A.M.
Includes Year End Activities & Special Guests
Memorial Service
Presentation of Scholarship Winners
IRTA Convention Report
Election & Installation of New Officers
Musical Entertainment
Door Prizes
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.
COST : $15
PRESIDENT BOB’S MESSAGE
Welcome members of the Livingston County Retired Teachers Association. I am writing this President’s message as my last. I have had the privilege and honor of serving as your President for the past four years. The first two years were filled with the many challenges that we all dealt with relative to COVID.
Years three and four have allowed us to come back together, to meet as a group, to share some outstanding programs and for each of you to show your generosity. We have selected local organizations, schools, teachers, and community residents to provide financial support as well as our annual scholarships.
I am not going to begin to name all of the retired educators who have willingly volunteered and accepted invitations to fill leadership positions. Someone would be left off of my list if I tried to name everyone and that would not be good. Suffice it to say that without great people like the educators of Livingston County, none of our accomplishments would have been possible.
I have had the pleasure of working with some outstanding officers and also, many generous members. Your donations to scholarships, school supplies, etc. have allowed us to share some of the gifts we have each been given. Hopefully, lives were touched and changed because of everyone’s kindness.
The Livingston County Retired Teachers Association is one of the strongest, largest, and most active units in the state. I have heard at many Legislative and statewide committee meetings how many units are discontinuing their active status. Now more than ever, we need to be strong and active as our pensions remain unfunded at the levels they are to be funded and insurance issues are a constant concern. We must advocate and direct our lobbyist to get the job done with our legislators in Springfield.
Please continue to attend our meetings and do whatever you can to ensure that we continue to be a strong unit.
Thank you very much for all of your support.
Bob
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR RETIRING OFFICERS
President Bob Walter, Secretary Connie Rich, and Treasurer, Becky Shafer
These officers have served us well for the past two terms (4 years) of LCRTA. They have dealt with many obstacles that usually don’t occur during a normal 2- year term, let alone 4 years. They were new to their respective positions and had to help provide leadership in dealing with unusual circumstances, such as COVID and Zoom meetings.
President Bob provided excellent leadership in dealing with the many decisions that needed to be made. Although he had the help of the board, there were many contacts that he was able to use that were an asset to our programming and other activities. He also introduced several new community projects that were well received and supported by the membership. This was done in a very pleasant and organized manner.
Secretary Connie Rich has been a member for several years and has been active in various roles during that time. She was very good about the details she put in her minutes, even when she couldn’t be at all the meetings or if they were held via Zoom. She made sure that her notes were correct and sent out to the board in a timely manner then provided to the membership in writing at the meetings. This was very much appreciated.
Becky was new to the organization when she accepted the position as treasurer. She hadn’t officially joined as a member until the first meeting she attended. What a big job to undertake with no background in the organization. She learned as she went along and excelled in computer skills at keeping records so that was a big help. She also realized she had help from Sue Schnell, the previous treasurer for many years, in learning so that was an asset. We are sorry to see her leave this position but do appreciate what she did for the organization.
IN MEMORIUM
These are our members who have passed away since our meeting last October.
Timothy Devers 11/4/2022
Robert Young 1/16/2023
Frances Russow 3/3/2023
Janice Nussbaum 3/6/2023
Jean Dietz 3/13/2023
Elizabeth Deters 3/22/3023
Mary K. Dohleman 3/28/2023
MichaelHatfield 6/30/2023
Dorothy Roche 7/16/2023
Gary Cunningham 8/24/2023
Richard Traschel 10/1/2023
Included by Special Request: Wanda Coyne 6/29/2023
SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
A Note for Andy Holmgren, Scholarship Chaiman: The scholarship committee met and read through all of the proposals from Livingston County teachers. We were able to choose 5 teachers/projects for which we could provide funds.
Amy Islrzycki and Leane Francis, Washington Elementary $400 Julie Flynne, Odell Grade School $200
Josie Schouweiler,Prairie Central Elementary $300
Scott Saffer, Tri-Point Junior High $400
Jordan Heller, Pontiac Junior High $200
A total of $1500 from LCRTA to Livingston County Schools and teachers.
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS
SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING
Jerry & Jean Keck, co-chairmen, have not received any information about the date, place, or times at this point. In the past we have usually done it the Friday after Thanksgiving which would be November 24th this year and the location has been County Market.
They will have sign up sheets if you think you could help on this day and would have to let you know about times later – unless they learn something in the meantime.
COPS AND KIDS (Our community project for this meeting) This is a CASH ONLY project.
You may have already donated to this fund, but you can donate at this meeting or mail a check to our treasurer, Becky Shafer. At 534 S, Fifth St. Fairbury, IL 61739 Sponsored by Livingston County Sheriff’s Police (F.O.P. Lodge #186)
“The F.O.P. “COPS and KIDS” program is designed to help underprivileged kids in the community by giving them the opportunity to go Christmas shopping with a Law Enforcement Officer. This program provides a lasting impression on children while building their confidence in Law Enforcement.”
BLOOD MOBILE (A Message from Erma Hesterberg, Chairman)
December 27 from 11 a. m. to 5 p.m. at Pontiac Senior Center on Ladd Street
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND REMEMBER TO SIGN UP
Just a reminder that the Retired Teachers are responsible for the December blood mobile canteen. The date for the blood mobile is the 4th Wednesday (December 27 from 11 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It will be held at the Pontiac Senior Center on Ladd Street (formerly Don’s Red Fox).
The menu will be similar to last year – chicken noodle soup, egg salad and ham/cheese sandwiches, and assorted cookies. We will follow the same procedure as last year.
At the October meeting Chris Lauritzen and I will have sign-up sheets at each table and members can either sign up to work or to bring various items to either the First Lutheran Church or to my home ahead of the blood mobile.
There will be a box in the kitchen at First Lutheran Church (Grove Street in Pontiac). The church is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
I live at 1403 S. Mill (blue house on southwest corner of Mill and Torrance). My front entrance door is open all the time and items can be dropped off any time during the month of December. I will leave the “light on (24/7) for you”.
We prefer homemade cookies but will accept store purchased ones. Thank you in advance for considering helping with this in some manner.
Erma: 815-844-3456 Chris Lauritzen: 815-842-3029
TRAIL
(Total Retiree Advantage Illinois)
By this time, you have received many notices about TRAIL and the MAPD (Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug) open Enrollment period and information of various kinds regarding the insurance offered to us – Aetna MAPD PPO.
OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD: October 15 – November 15, 2023.
It’s important to remember that “No action is required unless you have a change, or you wish to opt-out of the plan.”
ALSO: All information about our insurance should have the TRAIL logo printed on it or it is not ours even though it may look similar. AETNA MAPD PPO is the only official insurance that is offered to us by the State of Illinois.
SPECIAL REQUESTS
Help Needed with the Following Notifications:
◼ If you know of a member who is deceased, please let Navana know because she is the one who notifies the IRTA, our LCRTA treasurer, and Sue Schnell. It is very helpful if you know the date of death and/or the funeral home making the arrangements. This is important because we need that information for our records as does the IRTA so they can adjust the dues.
You are probably aware that about the only source of any obituaries at this time in this area is The Pantagraph and not all families use that source. The only papers that Navana gets is The Pantagraph and The Daily Leader (which is not a reliable source). Many of you have other sources that you can rely on. We certainly appreciate your help for this.
- If there is a member who is 90 or above and has not been recognized, please let Navana know. If that person is dues deduct or an annual member, his/her name can be submitted to the IRTA and he/she will receive an honorary life membership which means they will no longer have to pay dues. For this to happen we need to know the birthdate of the person – month/day/year. He/she also becomes a LCRTA honorary unit member, too.
- If a member becomes a permanent resident in a nursing home, that member becomes an honorary member of LCRTA (no local dues).
◼ Explanation of Annual Dues on Membership Dues Renewal Letters
If you had an A marked on your sheet, you owe $40 dollars and could pay our treasurer, Becky Shafer.
There was also a note that said if you received a notice from IRTA that your dues were due and you had already paid Becky, please ignore it because the dues collected from our chapter would not be sent until after the meeting. If you have a question, you should direct it to Becky. IRTA has been notified that our money would not be sent until after the meeting.
If you had an R on your sheet beside Annual (whether you a regular member or an associate, that means you have made arrangements with IRTA to automatically have the dues amount be taken out of some account. Please do not pay it. If you have questions don’t hesitate to ask. (That’s called annual recurring and that gives us the correct information that agrees with the state records. One of you has Acash which means you have made arrangements for the money to be automatically deducted when due from a bank account.
◼ Local Dues ($15)
There still seems to be some confusion about the fact that local dues are separate from state dues. (IRTA membership).
This money goes into the LCRTA account and how it is disbursed is determined by the Board of LCRTA and the membership.
We would hope that those of you who are not yet local members would certainly consider joining. Even those of you who do not attend meetings for various reasons or live at such a distance that it would not be feasible to attend meetings, might consider joining because it helps to provide you with information about LCRTA and other IRTA related items throughout the year.
◼ Your help needed in recruiting new members.
It’s almost certain that many of you know newly retired teachers or retired teachers for other years who have not joined IRTA. Now would be the time to encourage them to join because the dues are going up beginning January 1, 2024. You all know many reasons for them to do so, including the most important ones of protecting our pensions and our insurance.
There are forms on line on the IRTA website. Dues Deduct should be marked. Where it says unit, mark Livingston (even if they taught in a school outside Livingston County or live outside Livingston County). Otherwise, they could join, and we wouldn’t know that because they would be put under the county where they taught or live. Thanks in advance for your help.