New York State Retired Teachers’ Association, Inc. YOR K S TAT E SUMMER 2017 No. 2 Vol. 65 Quarterly Magazine I am so proud of NYSRTA. In 1951 Gayla LePage and the Western Zone Commit- representatives from six zones elect- tee members; Sandy Kushner, Jane Behnk and ed Robert R. DeCormier, President Doris Kirsch *CR. The Keynote Speaker for of the newly formed NYSRTA, who this year’s Convention is Maggie Wheeler had a mission to help retired teachers. and she will speak about “The St. Lawrence We have continued with this original Seaway: A Moving History”. mission of serving the retired teacher. Constitutional Convention In 2014 we took $174,000 from Our Constitutional Convention Vote is assets; in 2015 we took $165,000 from Around the Corner and we are now moving assets; in 2016 we took $60,000 from into our final phase of stopping the Consti- Angelo Grande *CR assets; and this current year 2017 we tutional Convention. We must make phone President’s Message have taken $40,000, which was offset calls, talk to friends, mail letters to the editor by an increase in our financial income and of course, VOTE “NO” ON NOVEMBER and an increase from the President’s 7TH. We must defeat this Convention. I want Highlights Appeal. We should also see some sav- to thank you all for supporting my efforts to ings for our change in venue for Execu- stop this Convention. Win or lose, we will 2 >>>>> 67th Annual tive Meetings. The President’s Appeal has survive and we will continue to work for Convention News increased our financial income by at least our Retired Teachers. twenty thousand to twenty-five thou- 4-10 >> Zone News sand dollars! It is a real plus for our orga- REMEMBER! nization. We are solvent and we hope to Taxation of Our Pensions 12-13 > 2017 Resolutions stay that way. It has been a concerted ef- Doing away with Collective Bargaining. Report fort of our Members, our Treasurer, Terry There may be a threat to Public Education Trudeau *CR, Executive Office Manager, by issuing Vouchers. Kathi Bassett, and the President’s Appeal. Your support of the environment may Workshop Committee be under attack. I would like to thank Sr. Vice Presi- If the Convention is held, it could cost as dent Kevin Mulligan for his outstand- much as $340 Million. ing job as Chair of the Workshop Com- Working together I would like to thank all of the contrib- mittee. This year’s Convention will be to support and utors, who have given to my President’s hosted by the Northern Zone and the Appeal. If you haven’t done so yet, it is not strengthen the Convention Theme for the 2017 Con- too late. Thank you to all who have worked vention is “A Journey through the North quality of life for all for NYSRTA this year. It has been a privi- Country”. Members of the Workshop lege and honor for me to be your President retired educators, Committee include: Diane Hahn *CR, this year. their families, and Pat Newell, Gwynne Bodle, Alice Galvin, communities. Visit us at our website www.nysrta.org Workshop Committee Report, Kevin Mulligan, Sr. Vice President and Workshop Committee Chair NYSRTA 67th Workshop and Annual Meeting Turning Stone Resort and Casino, Verona, New York • Oct 30–Nov 1, 2017 Wild Treasures: A Journey through the North Country HOSTED BY THE NORTHERN ZONE Monday, October 30 Tuesday, October 31 tion: Address several potential Registration and Vendor Exhibits Breakfast Buffet Starts @ 7:00 AM emergencies with special emphasis 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Registration 9:00 Am - Noon on the potential for and effects of an Welcome Reception – Coffee, tea First Session – Tuesday, October 31, EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse). Also and Danish Pastry 2017 @ 9:00 – 10:00 AM includes consideration for surviving 1. Silver Sneakers : Presented by several types of emergencies. 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM - New Delegate Jody Satalin – Description: Have Introduced by Roxann Finley Workshop – Presented by Kevin fun and move to the music through Mulligan (Senior Vice President)- a variety of exercises designed to 4. Anchorage to Nome, Alaska by This workshop is geared for first increase muscle strength, range of Dog Sled (A call of the Wild): Pre- time delegates and alternates and movement and activities of daily liv- sented by Spencer Thew – Descrip- will provide a brief overview of ing. Limited to just 20 participants. tion: Discussion and presentation of what to expect at the Convention Advance registration requested, call the preparation for the 1993 Iditarod and Annual Meeting . NYSRTA State Office at (518) 482- Race. Learn how Spencer and his 3509 or e-mail Lillie Ruby ( lruby@ dog team crossed 1160 miles of 6:30 PM Dinner nysrta.org ). Alaska under difficult conditions. Introduced by Diane Hahn *CR Introduced by Joe Russo 8:15 PM Cert of Rec Keynote Speaker: Maggie Wheeler 2. Body Intelligence: Presented by 5. The Wilder Homestead: Pre- Title - “The St. Lawrence Seaway – Joseph Cardillo, Ph.D. – Description: sented by Mary Craig – Descrip- A Moving History” Find out how you can easily and tion: Learn the history of Almanzo Ms. Wheeler has spent over 15 years naturally tap your body’s full en- Wilder’s boyhood home. Almanzo showcasing the social, cultural, and ergy spectrum. Who wouldn’t want was the husband of Laura Ingalls psychological impact of the St. Law- to have higher quality physical and Wilder, author of “The Little House”. rence Seaway and Power Project on mental increased memory, end daily Learn what life was like in the early both Canada and the United States. fatigue, get better sleep at night, and 1800’s and how Almanzo’s home Introduced by Gayla LePage, Presi- wake up ready to greet the day? was restored. dent of Northern Zone (host zone) Introduced by Pat Newell Introduced by Rae Louise Tate 3. Surviving an Emergency: Pre- sented by Gene LaLonde – Descrip- 2 Join us on social media at NYS Retired Teachers’ Association Visit us at our website www.nysrta.org Second Session – Tuesday, October Remington Art Museum in Ogdens- 31, 2017 @ 10:30 – 11:30 AM burg, N.Y. Introduced by Linda Crosby Long-Term Care 1. TRS Pension 2017: Presented Insurance Program by Richard Young and the TRS Noon – 1:00 PM Lunch Team – Description: As in past years The NYS Retired Teachers’ representatives from TRS will give a Tuesday Luncheon Speaker: Mr. complete explanation of the current David Keefe, President of the Board Association has approved status of the NYS Teachers Retire- for NYS Teachers Retirement a discounted Long Term ment Pension. System – Mr. Keefe serves as the Care Insurance Program to Introduced by President Angelo only retired teacher on the Board be offered to its members NYSRTA Grande *CR and will focus his discussion on the November 7, 2017 Constitutional and their family members. 67th Workshop and Annual Meeting 2. Beginner’s Guide to Using Social Convention Referendum vote. He Media for Pleasure and Organiza- will draw our attention to the This program is designed Turning Stone Resort and Casino, Verona, New York • Oct 30–Nov 1, 2017 tion Activities: Presented by Lillie possible implications of a yes vote, Ruby and Brian Sherman – De- including concerns about our pen- to help protect you, your scription: Do you use Facebook? sion benefits as well as other public family and your retirement Wild Treasures: A Journey through the North Country You will now. Learn to share those pensions in New York State. security. Protection is 10,000 photos of your grandchildren HOSTED BY THE NORTHERN ZONE with friends with Instagram. Learn 1:15 – 5:00 PM Session 1 Annual available should you need to Tweet on Twitter, or snap and Meeting care at home, in an assisted chat via Snapchat. Brian and Lillie living facility, or nursing will guide you through these social 6:15 – 7:00 PM Cocktail Party home. media apps. (Cash bar) Introduced by Kevin Mulligan THEME: To request information on this program visit 3. The Beautiful Wild North Coun- www.nyltcb.com/nysrta/ try: Presented by Mary Scharf – Description: This presentation or call will guide you through the tourism (800) 695-8224, ext. 154. treasures in the wild North Country. It will feature natural and man- This program offers special made attractions that will awaken Wear your Leopard Print, Zebra discounts not available to the the adventure in any traveler. Stripes, Camo or wildest outfit and general public for you and Introduced by Gayla LePage be prepared to ROAR! your family members including: 4. Story Telling through Photog- 7:00 – 8:00 Dinner raphy: Presented by Holly Chorba • spouse/partner – Description: This workshop will st • children help you select and organize your Wednesday, November 1 • parents photos and choose a format to tell 7:00 – 9:00 AM Breakfast Buffet • grandparents your story to a particular audience (grandchildren, fellow travelers, yet 8:00 Annual Workshop committee If you would like to forward to be born descendants). Breakfast Meeting this to a family member, Introduced by Alice Galvin Includes a representatives of West- please feel free to do so. ern Zone, Northern Zone and the 5. Frederic Remington: Artist on 2019 host, Southern Zone, as well as, New York’s Northern Frontier: Pre- members of the 2016 Workshop Brian M. Johnson, CLTC, sented by Laura Foster – Descrip- comittee. NYLTCB tion: A presentation on the life and 11 Executive Park Dr., work of Frederic Remington (1861- 9:15 AM Session II Annual Meeting 1909) with special attention focused Clifton Park, NY 12065 on Remington’s North Country art Annual Meeting Ends [email protected] and the collection at the Frederic Join us on social media at NYS Retired Teachers’ Association Visit us at our website www.nysrta.org 3 Z NE NEWS Z NE NEWS Z NE NEWS Z NE NEWS Z NE NEWS Z NE NEWS Central Zone Mary Radloff, Public Relations Chair The Central Zone Annual Meet- how America became involved in Ray Pitcher, from Ilion, is ing, hosted by Onondaga County, is the “Great War,” that would end all the new zone VP for Legis- scheduled for September 11 at the wars.