| Legislation | Calendar | Health Topics |

President’s Plea
by Anna May Hoffmann

This year there are five openings for new officers on the Executive Committee for NYSRTA. I hope some of you will come forth and apply for a position. The openings are President, Vice President for Federal Legislation, Vice President for State Legislation and Vice President for Friendly Service. The deadline for applications is June 8, 2009.
Since the Long Island Zone will be hosting the NYSRTA Convention in 2011, please plan on attending our May luncheon. We have much to discuss and would like your opinions.
The newly merged West End Retired Teachers’ Association welcomes your membership and leadership. The WERTA Executive Committee will meet at the Lindenhurst Memorial Library, 1 Lee Ave (off South WellwoodAve) Wednesday, April 29 at 10 A.M. Call Helen Brion for further information.

I would like to welcome back our “snow birds” and hope you all had a healthy and happy time where ever you were. I hope all of our members are healthy and anxious to be very active. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Plan Ahead!
by Leigh Powell

Our western-themed Annual NYSRTA Convention, hosted by the Western Zone, will be held at the Turning Stone in Oneida, New York from October 13 to 16, 2009. Get those cowboy hats dusted off and boots polished! Taking the LIZ bus is definitely the way to go, according to those who have taken it in the past.

New leadership training workshops are expected to develop leaders at the state, zone and unit level. JoAnne Powell and Lois Wilson will be teaching a quilt workshop limited to 24 participants who are able to bring a portable sewing machine. So if you are interested in a great afternoon of learning and fun, be among the first to sign up!

Explanation of the proposed resolutions will be presented in the fall issue of LIZ NEWS.
Prior to 2008, delegates at Turning Stone were inconvenienced by a barrier which lengthened the walk from hotel rooms to meeting rooms. However, the barrier was removed in time for our most recent gathering.

The deadline is June to have your dues paid in order to qualify to attend the Convention as a delegate. What a thoughtful gift for your friends who are retiring this year....

State Economy & You
by Angelo & Kathy Grande, Bill Hall

New York State Retired Teachers’ Association is concentrating primarily on the one year extension of our health coverage (permanent health coverage bills for retirees have been reintroduced as A.6193 & A.2221). We are still concerned about our other programs, such as the Mommies Bill, the Veterans’ Bill (not reintroduced), military leave for public employees (S.2679), Third Party Notification of cancellation of a senior citizen’s health insurance policy (A.217), and a COLA increase (A.2784). Considering the financial situation of the State, we do not feel that the state legislature will entertain any bills involving money.

On the other hand, in a recent research study published by the National Institute on Retirement Security it was found that “Expenditures made by retirees of state and local government provide a steady economic stimulus to New York communities and the state economy.” It seems as though the 700,565 state and local retirees, in 2006, received $17 billion in pension benefits. In return those same retirees supported $24.0 billion in total economic output and almost as much in value added to the state. These results show that the retiree rather than being a drag on their communities, as some might contend, actually pays back considerably more.

The key findings of the report are:

1. Benefits paid by the state and local retirement plans support a significant amount of economic activity in the state of New York.

2. Pension benefits received by retirees are generally spent in the local community. This spending ripples through the economy, as one person’s spending becomes another person’s income.

3. Expenditures stemming from state and local pensions supported 136,914 jobs that paid $10.5 billion in wages and salaries, $24.0 billion in total economic output, $4.1 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenues.

Together we can do most anything!

Zone Economy & You
by James Moeller

The fiscal year 2008-2009 ends June 30, 2009. At that point the books are closed, final reports are written and everything is sent to our auditor for verification and preparation of our income tax return. We do not incur a tax liability but we still must file a return. The message implicit in this statement is that if you have expenses for the current fiscal year, please send me receipts or other documentation so that you can be reimbursed before June 30th. Otherwise, it could be the middle of August before everything comes back from the auditor.

We began the fiscal year with a checkbook balance slightly more than $22,000. Income as of April 3 was $21,136. Disbursements have amounted to nearly $19,000. The two major expense items are the convention and newsletter. We currently are in good condition financially. Our monies are invested very conservatively and our balances have not been affected by the economic slow-down and our overall cash position is greater than this time last year.

Long Island Zone will host the convention again in 2011 and money has been set aside in a savings account to defray the cost of the convention. We are financially able to again provide bus transportation to the convention assuming the executive committee approves the expenditure and there sufficient interest on the part of the delegates.
Thank you all for the privilege of serving as your treasurer.

Membership
by Mary L. Armbruster

NYSRTA/LIZ dues are $27 annually and $378 for life; statements are sent from the Albany office. Please do not delay your renewal, and encourage your recently retired friends to become members. Thanks!

Public Relations
by Sheila Jones

The PR Committee is preparing to spread the word about our spring luncheon with its interesting speaker and program. The places, dates and times for luncheon meetings are listed on the web at LI-zone.org. Please invite a retiree who is not a member of the Zone to a luncheon in the hope that we may increase membership. We will continue to advertise in local newspapers, on the radio and by word of mouth in order to be able to add to our numbers and make our organization strong and meaningful.

EERTA is sponsoring a 50/50 raffle and the winning name will be drawn June 18th. You do not need to be present to win. Chances are $5. Please make your check out to EERTA and put “EERTA’S 50-50 Raffle” at the top of an index card, write your name, address and phone number below and mail it to John Ruggiero, PO Box 517, East Moriches, NY 11940-0517.

Classified
free to members when space allows

FOR SALE: Eastport Farmhouse

West of the Hamptons and south of Montauk near the water, built in early 1800’s, on approx. 1/2 acre corner lot, steps & ramp to wraparound deck & sun porch, huge eat-in kitchen, beadboard dining room, living room, four bedrooms, office or fifth BR, two full bathrooms, old hardwood floors, oil heat, two-seat wisteria arbor, two-car barn with electric door opener, workshop, potting shed, storage room & spacious attic, established trees & bushes, walking distance to stores & elementary school, bus ride to state-of-the-art high school, taxes relatively low, $375K! Call Newton Homan, 631-874-4040, cell: 631-553-7795, pndvwrlty@aol.com, RE/MAX.

FOR RENT: Naples, FL Condo

Beautifully furnished second floor end unit (elevator or stairs), 2 bedrooms (king, double, plus queen sofa bed), 2 bathrooms, newly renovated with high end appliances, carpet, spectacular golf/lake view. Clubhouse, pool, sauna, tennis, walk to shopping. $2,000/winter months; call 631-678-2458.

FOR RENT: Orlando, FL Home

Furnished, 4 bedrooms (king, queen, double w. bunk, twins, sofa bed), 3 full baths, laundry room, private screened pool, Disney-16, Seaworld-17, Universal-22; $700 week, $2000 month, opt. winter pool heat $75 wk; call 631-661-6797.

If you have a classified ad you would like to put into our fall LIZ NEWS (if space allows), send it to YoJo1@aol.com (that’s a numeral one) with “LIZ NEWS classified ad” in the subject area during the last week of August 2009.

LIZ Calendar

June 2009

10 Wed West End Luncheon
18 Thurs East End Picnic
24 Wed LIZ Executive Mtg.

September 2009

2 Wed LIZ Executive Mtg.
2 Wed LIZ NEWS deadline
9 Wed East End Luncheon
16 Wed East End Executive Mtg.
16 Wed LIZ REPORT deadline

October 2009

6 Tues East End Luncheon
9 Fri West End Exec. Mtg.
9 Fri WEST END NEWS deadline
13-16 NYSRTA Convention
21 Wed LIZ Luncheon

 

Reorganization Within!
by JoAnne Powell, with contributions by Helen Brion

Thinking outside the box, officers of the three Long Island Zone western units (Western Suffolk, North Nassau and South Nassau Retired Teachers Associations) met during the summer months to consider a merger.  This action ought to resolve some of the static issues within the smaller organizations, as well as provide an opportunity for excited spirit among new leaders and rejuvenated longtime leaders!

The Long Island Zone, umbrella organization of four units, approved such a measure and passed the following by-law constitutional change at its July 9th, 2008 Zone Board meeting:
Article IIl - Structure and Organization, Paragraph 3 - “West End” replaces “West Suffolk, South Nassau and North Nassau.”

Each of the existing three units will have their own fall luncheon meetings, as usual.  During November, March and June,  NNRTA, SNRTA and WSRTA will each host a luncheon meeting.  A vote on the Constitution will be held at the luncheon meeting in November 2008.  Nominations for officers will take place at the luncheon meeting in March 2009, and committee chair volunteers will be noted.  The election will be held at the luncheon meeting in June 2009, followed by the formulation of the committee chair roster.  Officers will assume their duties in November 2009 and formal committee chair appointments will be made.  In the meantime, all officers want to work together for retired teachers on the West End of Long Island.

Zone Awards
by Eileen Brennan

The Long Island Zone Executive Board presents a Distinguished Service Award Silver Tray to the LIZ member who the Awards Committee considers the most outstanding.  JoAnne Powell received the Silver Tray this year for her many efforts on behalf of the Long Island Zone during the five years of her retirement.  Others who have received this Distinguished Service Award in recent years, established in 1968 by Harry W. Gross, former Sole Supervisor of Nassau and Suffolk Counties’ school districts:

2003 - Richard Blowers, 2004 - Helen Berglind, 2005 - Aurelio Colina, and 2006 - Lucretia Ruppel.

Federal Legislation
Bill Hall

THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE celebrates 25 years of advocacy for older Americans.  This Seniors’ advocacy group launched internet ad campaign urging the Senate to support Medicare legislation.

The National Committee has produced a new video urging seniors and their families to contact their Senators before the vote on HR 6331. This Medicare legislation would preserve Medicare beneficiaries’ access to their doctors by averting a physician fee cut, improve access to prevention and mental health services for all beneficiaries, and decrease the cost-sharing burden for low-income seniors who often forgo services because of expense.  Senate Republicans blocked passage of the bill just before the July 4th recess, putting seniors and their doctors in limbo until a second vote.  

“While non-profit groups like ours may not have the luxury of spending the millions of dollars the insurance industry spends on television ad campaigns, we at the National Committee do have the power to mobilize our members’ voices. The Medicare vote provides Senators a simple choice: strengthen the Medicare program for seniors and their physicians or support billions in wasteful subsidies the health insurance industry has lobbied hard to protect. Our members understand the difference and are asking their Senators to support this legislation”...Barbara B. Kennelly, President/CEO The National Committee’s Medicare video has been posted on our YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/NationalCommittee. It’s also been e-mailed to National Committee members nationwide urging them to contact their Senators offices through our toll free Legislative Hotline at (800) 998-0180. The National Committee, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the Board of Directors and professional staff. The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing better-informed citizens and voters.

 

 

Health Issues
by Helen Brion with contribution from Mary Ella Moeller  

Attention New York State Medicare Beneficiaries: Do you have a concern about the quality of health care you have received?  To learn more about your rights as a Medicare beneficiary, read on.

IPRO is the federally funded Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for New York State and is under contract with the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the part of the government which oversees Medicare to improve the quality of care that Medicare patients receive in any health care settings.  The following information was prepared by IPRO.

Quality of care concerns which might be reported:

•being given the wrong medication,   

•not receiving treatment after abnormal test results,

•receiving the wrong blood during a transfusion,

•receiving the wrong or unneccessary treatment,

•sustaining serious injury due to falling while in a hospital or nursing home, and/or

•developing bed sores by not being moved regularly.

To place a report with IPRO, call the toll-free helpline 1-866-391-4682 with the following information: name and number of patient on Medicare card, patient’s address, telephone number, and date of birth, health care provider’s name, address and telephone number, as well as date of service. 

You will be asked to send information about your concerns to IPRO in writing.  IPRO will then request a copy of your medical records from your health care provider.  

IPRO uses impartial doctors to review the information they received. They check to see if there were any quality problems and determine if the right treatment was given.  The typical review takes about three months to complete.  The review case manager assigned to you will keep you updated about the progress of your case.  At the end of the review, IPRO will tell you whether your care met approved standards. If it did not, IPRO will work with your health care provider to develop a plan to improve care for future patients.

Do remember that persons being discharged from hospitals are required to have their doctor and social service plan for meeting future needs.  Those at home who start to need assistance may call local churches for names available to care for elderly at a lower cost than the agencies, but you must check on their references. You may call agencies, the social worker at the local hospital, or the Department of Aging Senior Citizen Advocate assigned to  your area.

For other assistance with health insurance related  topics, you may call the library to see when a HIICAP (Health Insurance, Information, Counseling and Assistance volunteer is scheduled.

As I said in the last issue of LIZ NEWS, “we need new young persons to step up and be part of the health advocacy committee.”  This will be the last article I will be writing for the NYSRTA , LIZ NEWS.  I have been an active member of the resolutions, state legislation, and health advocacy committees snce l982. I will be 85 years old in July, and feel I can’t continue at the rate I have been going with the Long Island Zone.

Many retirees have computers now and go on the internet to have some of their health problems solved.  Others have joined local retiree groups who have speakers from Department of Aging, Medicare, Epic, etc., so are kept well informed.  I am always available not in an official capacity, to help anyone with problems, as I have done over the past 24 years.

I hope others will step up to take on these respnsibilites, as it is very gratifying to work with the people and the committee.

Women and Heart Attacks (Myocardial Infarctions)
an e-mail from a Friend

Did you know that women rarely have the same  dramatic symptoms that men have when experiencing heart attack?  -the sudden stabbing pain in the chest, the cold sweat, grabbing the chest and dropping to the floor that we see in the movies.  Here is the story of one woman’s experience with a heart attack.

“I had a completely unexpected heart attack at about 10:30 P.M. with NO prior exertion, NO prior emotional trauma that one would suspect might’ve  brought it on.  I was sitting all cozy and warm on a cold evening, with my purring cat in my lap, reading an interesting story my friend had sent me, and actually thinking, ”This is the life!” A moment later, I felt that awful sensation of indigestion, when you’ve  been in a hurry and grabbed a bite, and that hurried bite seems to feel like you’ve swallowed a golf ball and it is most uncomfortable.  That was my initial sensation---the only trouble was that I  hadn’t taken a bite of anything since about 5:00 P.M.

“After that symptom seemed to subside, the next sensation was like little squeezing motions that seemed to be racing up my SPINE (hind-sight, it was probably my aorta spasming), gaining speed as they continued racing up and under my sternum. This fascinating process continued on into my throat and branched out into both jaws. 

“AHA!! NOW I stopped puzzling about what was happening - we all have read and/or heard about pain in the jaws being one of the signals of an MI happening, haven’t we?  I said aloud to myself and the cat, “Dear God, I think I’m having a heart attack!” I dumped the cat from my lap, started to take a step and fell on the floor instead.  I pulled myself up with the arms of the chair, walked slowly into the next room and dialed the Paramedics.  I told the operator I thought was having a heart attack. I didn’t feel hysterical or afraid, just stated the facts.  She said she was sending the Paramedics over immediately, asked if the front door was near to me, and if so, to unbolt the door and then lie down on  the floor where they could see me when they came in.

“I did as instructed and lost consciousness, as I don’t remember the medics coming in, their examination,  lifting me onto a gurney or getting me into their ambulance, or hearing the call they made to St. Jude ER on the way, but I did briefly awaken when we  arrived and saw that the cardiologist was already there in his surgical blues and cap, helping the medics pull my stretcher out of the ambulance. He was  bending over me asking questions (probably something like “Have you taken any medications?”) but I couldn’t make my mind interpret what he was saying, or form an answer, and nodded off again, not waking up until the cardiologist and partner had already threaded the teeny angiogram balloon up my femoral artery  into the aorta and into my heart where they installed two side-by-side stents to hold open my right coronary artery.

“Why have I written all of  this to you with so much detail? Because I want you to know what I learned first hand.”

1. Be aware that something very different is happening in your body - not the usual men’s symptoms, but inexplicable things happening (until my sternum and jaws got into the act).  It  is said that many more women than men die of their first (and last) MI because they didn’t know they were having one and commonly mistake it as indigestion, take some anti-heartburn preparation and go to bed, hoping  they’ll feel better in the morning when they wake up....which doesn’t happen.  Your symptoms might not be exactly like mine, so I advise  you to call the Paramedics if anything is unpleasantly happening that you’ve not felt before.  It is better to have a “false alarm” visitation than to risk your life guessing what it might be!

2. Note that I said “Call the Paramedics.” Ladies, TIME IS OF THE  ESSENCE!  Do NOT try to drive yourself to the ER - you’re a hazard to others on the road and so is your panicked husband who will be speeding and looking anxiously at what’s happening with you instead of the road. Do NOT call your  doctor - he doesn’t know where you live and if it’s at night you won’t reach him anyway, and if it’s daytime, his assistants (or answering service) will  tell you to call the 9-1-1. He doesn’t carry the equipment in his car that you need to be saved!  The Paramedics do, principally OXYGEN which you need ASAP.  Your doctor will be notified later.

3. Don’t assume it couldn’t be a heart attack because you have a normal cholesterol count. Research has discovered that an elevated cholesterol reading is rarely the cause of an MI (unless it’s unbelievably high and/or accompanied by high blood  pressure). MIs are usually caused by long-term stress and inflammation in the body, which dumps  all sorts of deadly hormones into your system. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep.  Let’s be careful and be aware.  The more we know, the better chance we will survive.

Community Service
by Bill Hall

“What can we do to reach out to our communities and show them what a great job we have been doing?”  The New York State Retired Teachers’ Association Executive Board have taken the bull by the horns and come up with an answer.  Their plan entitled “Community Service” was offered to the membership at our annual meeting and wholeheartedly endorsed with a vote of approval.

What is Community Service and how is it going to help us at the local unit level?  Each Zone will be empowered to name a Community Service Chair whose prime responsibility will be to offer the viewpoints of each local unit to work together for the betterment and growth of our State Association.

The Committee can be composed of a chair from each Unit working with the LIZ Chair or consist of a Community Service Team representing the Long Island Zone as a whole.  Its purposes would be 1) to assist in compiling a list of community programs, organizations and services in all Zone communities, 2) to assist in increasing NYSRTA’s visibility and showcase community services on the NYSRTA website, and 3) to integrate community service activities and events which are sponsored by National Community Service Organizations.

The Zone Chair will be responsible for suggesting volunteer activities and services that each unit could do, by themselves or working together, and to compile a listing of programs, volunteer projects, and volunteer services supplied by each unit.  The Zone Chair would report Zonal Community Service activities and submit annual reports by July 15.

As Interim Chair, I have offered the LIZ Executive Committee a couple of activities which might be shared between our four Long Island units.  Since the National Retired Teachers’ Association sponsors a National Day of Service in May of each year, it might be fitting to select a joint LIZ Unit project for that day and turn it into a media event. One plan which was suggested is to have our Zone present an award entitled ”With Thanks from the Classroom Teachers to Community Teachers” and honor a community service organization which brings help and support to our community youngsters.  Perhaps the leader of that organization could be our guest at our Annual Meeting when he or she might receive a properly engraved certificate of recognition for his/her part in serving our community.

Our State Executive Board has offered us an opportunity to reach out to our communities and let them know of the great work that is being carried out by retired educators. It also provides a great opportunity to work hand in hand with our Public Relations Committee volunteers. The plan may provide an enticement for others to join with us and become members of the NYSRTA.  Its success is in your hands.

If you have any questions or would like to join the Community Service Team feel free to contact Bill Hall at 631-941-9133 or mayorwhall@aol.com.

Member News

At the recent Naples (FL) Quilters’ Guild Annual Quilt Show, JoAnne Powell received third, second and first place ribbons, as well as the judge’s choice ribbon for her three quilts. Next fall, she has been recruited to present a Calligraphic Quilt trunk show at the NYSRTA Annual Workshop & Convention at the Turning Stone in Oneida, NY.

Some of our LIZ members also belong to the Twin Forks Red Hatters.  (Remember that wild Red Hat luncheon at the 2002 NYSRTA Convention?)  Anyway, those gals won Second Place and a cash award for their international float in the Westhampton St. Patrick’s Day Parade!  Go, girls!!

Sense of Style

by the Senior Squad of the Fashion Police

SPANDEX - it’s not for Seniors (or most of the rest of the world for that matter).

A simple glance often reveals far too much about the body beneath the outfit.  For women and men: a shirt or sweater should not stretch across the chest or belly.  Slacks should fall loosely over our parts and just miss the floor in bare feet.  If you’re not sure, the outfit is probably not right and should be brought to your favorite thrift shop for a tax-deductible donation.

The bottom line is: Don’t exhibit anything you’re not selling.  Save the “stun factor” for a fabulous piece of jewelry or silk scarf.  You’ll be glad you did!

Great Tips

from the Internet

•Easy Deviled Eggs - Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag & seal; mash till the eggs are broken.  Add remainder of ingredients, reseal & mash thoroughly.  Cut the tip of the baggie, squeeze mixture into cooked & halved egg whites. Toss bag; easy clean up.

•Reheat Pizza - Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove; set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy, not soggy.

•Reheating Refrigerated Bread - To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep food moist and help reheat faster.

•Measuring Cups - Before you pour sticky stuff into a measuring cup, fill the cup with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don’t dry the cup.  Next, add your ingredient and watch how easily it comes out.

•Expanding Frosting - When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

•Goodbye Fruit Flies - To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass & fill it 1/2” with apple cider vinegar & 2 drops of dish washing liquid, mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone!

•Get Rid of Ants - Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it “home,” can’t digest it so it kills them.  It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don’t have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

•Conditioner - Use your hair conditioner to shave legs. It’s a lot cheaper than shaving cream and leaves legs really smooth. It’s also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn’t like for hair.

•Reducing Static Cling - Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and static is gone.

•Clothes Dryer Lint Trap - Dryer sheets cause a film over the lint trap mesh which can burn out the heating unit or cause a house fire. You can’t SEE the film, but it’s there.  Take the filter out & wash it with hot soapy water & an old toothbrush at least every 6 months which will also lengthen the life of the dryer!

•Flexible Vacuum - To get something out of a heat register or from under the fridge, add an empty paper towel roll or gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

•Broken Glass - Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can’t see easily.

•Reopening Envelope - If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside , just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two.

•Newspaper Weeds Away - Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil.  Put layers of wet newspapers around the plants, overlapping as you go.  Cover with mulch and forget about weeds.

•No More Mosquitoes - Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

•Squirrel Away! - To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn’t hurt the plant and the squirrels won’t come near it.

•Foggy Windshield? - Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! -Better than a cloth!

If you have a news or feature item for our fall LIZ NEWS     (if space allows), send it to YoJo1@aol.com (that’s a numeral one) with “LIZ NEWS” in the subject area during the last week of August 2008.