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ESTABLISHED 1988
EDITORCAROLYN CAAMANO
ISLIP RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
SEPTEMBER 2012
ISLIPIRTA
‘CONNECTIONS’
RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE
Jeremy Koch, IRTA's $1000.00 scholarship winner has been an honor roll student as well as a scholar athlete in the Islip School District. Jeremy hopes to pursue a career in the music industry. We are proud to award Jeremy this scholarship as a result of his hard work, effort and school related activities. Excelling in Track, Lacrosse, Football and Soccer are just a few of his athletic achievements. In addition, Jeremy participated in many after school clubs and took a substantial role in charitable endeavors such as SADD, Food Drives for St. Mary's Church and Habitat for Humanity. Despite his Strabismus, (an eye condition), Jeremy has been a very positive leader in and out of school. He has not let his condition keep him from doing whatever he loves. As a senior now, Jeremy looks forward to attending Pace University in the fall . We are assured Jeremy wil l succeed in everything he sets his mind to. Please Note: This scholarship is given in memory of the late Matthew Sapolin, an IHS graduate and former NYC Commissioner For People with Disabilities in Mayor Bloomberg’s Administration.
ISLIP H.S. SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNERS In Recognition of Outstanding Leadership, Exceptional Accomplishments and Commitment to Excellence in their high school careers, IRTA was proud to acknowledge Jeremy Koch and Meaghan Tramposch as our 2012 High School Scholarship Award Recipients.
Meaghan Tramposch, (Iona College) our $500 scholarship winner is hoping to major in Early Childhood Education. Meaghan has set her sights high with the goal of working on her Masters degree in the educational field. As a National Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society member, Meaghan participated in several community activities including church choir and the Safe Halloween Event. Meaghan’s dedication to the Islip community will hopefully allow her to become an Islip teacher in the future. Meaghan is a well rounded student and participated in many athletic activities including Lacrosse, Winter Track and Tennis. Meaghan's grades have been excellent, putting her in the top 20% of her class with an average of 96%. She has performed well in her Honors classes, AP classes, as well as earning an Advanced Regent's Diploma. Meaghan’s community endeavors include Chorus, Swing Choir, Habitat for Humanity as well as the Yearbook Staff and NYSSMA (Piano, Flute, and Vocals). IRTA believes Meaghan will be successful in all of her future endeavors and we wish Meaghan good luck as she takes the next step in pursuing her educational career. Dr. Gary Fernando & Mrs. Carolyn Caamano represented IRTA at the Scholarship Awards Program at Islip High School on May 31st and we congratulate both of our winners and wish them success.
IRTA
“THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER”
2
Marilyn GutierrezBy
Kay Erwood reported the Town of Islip is changing due to a severe financial deficit of twenty-seven million dollars left over from the previous administration. As a result of this deficit Town of Islip offices at 401 Main Street will most likely be moved and Islip Museum Properties are slated to be sold to help offset the town’s deficits. The struggling U.S. economy, unfortunately, continues to negatively affect municipalities and the job market across our country.
Marilyn reminded everyone to try to attend the upcoming June 19th RC#21 luncheon at Lombardi's on the Bay in Patchogue. Journalism Awards for outstanding Newsletters and writing will be awarded to Diana Baranec, Carolyn Caamano and Anthony Caamano. Let's lend our support for all of their efforts on behalf of our Islip Retired Teachers Association.
Revelle Schaper, our representative to the Benevolent Fund, is encouraging members to ask for assistance if they are in need of help to attend special IRTA functions.
Marilyn was happy to have Phyllis Beninati join us at our June breakfast. We welcomed Phyllis and hope she can continue to join us at our upcoming Fall meetings.
Congratulations to Rochelle Weisman and Catheryn Colfer 2012 ITA Teacher Retirees. The IRTA looks forward in having Rochelle & Catheryn join us at our upcoming “KICKOFF BREAKFAST” on Thursday, September 6th at 9:00 a.m at the Islip Oconee East Diner with a Complimentary Breakfast for each of them “Courtesy” of the IRTA. The new Retirees will be honored at the ITA Recognition Party at the Timberpoint Country Club, East Islip, NY. At our upcoming IRTA “Kickoff Breakfast” on September 6th, retirees can meet friends and colleagues, have breakfast and stay connected to the latest local, state and national retirement news affecting our profession. The IRTA hopes to see our new retirees there.
As IRTA members Your Support is again needed for NYSUT’S efforts to protect public education, labor rights and our pensions and health care benefits. The ‘new attitudes’ in Albany’s efforts to restore NYS fiscal solvency seems to be falling squarely on our shoulders.
In the past, we believed our benefits were secure but unfortunately this is no longer the case. At this time, our pensions cannot be diminished but they can be taxed. Our health care benefits are in jeopardy as well. What can you as an individual do about this to help?
Each of us needs to increase our contributions to Vote/Cope. NYSUT is fighting to protect us and we need to help them and join in the fight. NYSUT’S political efforts are a severe drain on their resources and this is especially true now that the number of retiree members has increased substantially each year. For this reason we are recommending that you increase your minimum contributions for 2012-2013 year. Stay informed by attending RC#21 meetings. Make the effort to attend upcoming NYSUT rallies. If we stand up together we can protect the benefits we have worked so hard for during those years we were teaching. Be sure to vote this coming November and if you plan to be away, an absentee ballot will do. Together, we represent 4500 years of service to NYS Education. THAT’S A POWERFUL NUMBER!
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IRTA DUES FOR 2012-13 PLEASE REMEMBER to PAY YOUR DUES for the 2012-2013. Retirees need to join IRTA to receive RC#21 & NYSUT Member Benefits. The DUES are $32 which includes IRTA expenses, Sunshine Fund & the Retiree Council 21 Assessments of $7.00. Please make your checks payable to IRTA. Checks can be mailed to Diana Baranec at 119 Sherry Street, East Islip, NY 11730.
There are many Benefits to being a paid member of IRTA including receiving our IRTA Newsletter (ISLIP CONNECTIONS) prepared by our Executive Board each month.
* IRTA helps you stay connected to the issues that are important to you.
* IRTA sponsors annual Islip H.S. graduate scholarships
* IRTA sends sunshine cards/letters to member families for colleagues who have passed
away and/or have serious illnesses.
* IRTA donates $$$ each year during the holidays to charities.
* IRTA makes appropriate contributions due to Catastrophic Events.
* IRTA sponsors members to attend important NYSUT meetings.
WE KEEP YOU INFORMED ON THE LATEST RETIREMENT & HEALTHCARE NEWS.
Your Continued Support Is Very Important To Us. Thank You!
YOU CAN ALSO BRING YOUR CHECK TO THE NEXT IRTA BREAKFAST MEETING
NYSUT-NEW YORK STATE UNITED TEACHERS - www.nysut.org
NYSUT, New York States’ largest union, represents more than 600,000 teachers, school related professionals, academic and professional faculty in higher education, professionals in education & health care and Retirees. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and the AFL-CIO. Each Retiree is a Lifetime member of NYSUT. Member benefits are contingent upon maintaining current membership in your local Retired Teacher Chapter which is the IRTA. Retirees will be receiving the publication-NYSUT UNITED by mail.
VOTE/COPE is the political lobbying unit working to protect Retiree Healthcare Benefits, our COLA & Social Security Benefits and any negative potential changes to our NYS Pensions. Members are encouraged to donate a minimum of $25/yr. You will be given the option of deducting your donation from your retirement check. Editors Note: Once you sign the payroll deduction form, deductions continue until you withdraw the request in writing. Checks & completed Vote/Cope forms can be mailed to Diana Baranec at 119 Sherry Street, East Islip, NY 11730. If you choose Pension Deduction, please mail the form to Vote/Cope at P.O. Box 5190, Albany, NY 12205-0190.
RC#21-RETIREE COUNCILRC#21 Council is composed of Retired Teachers who are members of the Retired Teachers’ Chapters in the Town of Islip. With your IRTA dues you are a member of RC#21 and welcome to participate in their trips and activities sponsored by the Member Benefit Committee. Regular General Membership meetings are on the third Tuesday of each month beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the West Islip Public Library. RC#21 publishes a Newsletter called SPOTLIGHT#21 that you will receive in the mail. Please be sure to look for upcoming special events, trips and guest speakers in their publications. Log on RC#21 Web Site at http://ny.aft.org/rc21 for additional information.
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Hi Friends; I am sure that many of you remember Gerry (Gerald) Duff. Gerry passed away on June 5th. The family has requested that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Alzheimer's Association. We send our deepest sympathies to his family. Marilyn
Dear Family, Relatives and Friends; With this note, I am trying to bring everybody up to date as to what is going on in my life. I know that for some, this is "old hat" so please forgive me. As most of you know that Eileen fell and had a broken hip last year and that plus some Dementia, caused her to go to MA to be near Cathy. For the past year, she has been living very happily at Autum Glen, a wonderful Assisted Living Center in Dartmouth, MA. Her address is 239 Cross Road #107 Dartmouth. MA 02747. Her phone number is 774-202-4972. The best time to reach her is about 9:00 PM Eastern Time, as she is involved in so many activities.
Steve Abrams; continues to heal as he rehabs after a tough fall and heart event. Let's keep both our friends in our thoughts as they work to heal.
Paul Scheno; We are saddened to report Paul Scheno has not responded positively to the treatments at Duke University as we had all hoped. Paul hasn't given up the fight to lick his cancer. Marsha Froelich shared with us a few months ago, Paul’s meals from his favorite restaurant "Pasta Ria 811" lifted his spirits as well as filling his stomach. A contact person for the restaurant is David and his phone number is 843-237-5811 (Pawley's Island). You may call and ask that a gift card from yourself be made available for Sue Scheno to call and order meals as needed. Sue's Phone: 843-237-5216. It is always appropriate to call and/or send cards with words of encouragement as IRTA has. We wish the Scheno family the very best and send them our positive thoughts in their time of need. We all love you Paul and send our thoughts and prayers out to you.
MEMBER NEWS
As for myself, last year my annual physical showed a problem and after a follow up, it was discovered that I have prostate cancer, not the kind that can be ignored. So on July 1st, I will be heading to MA for radiation which the oncologist tells me should bring it to immediate control. So till about the third week of September, I will be living at 13 Northfield Lane, Dartmouth, MA 02747. My wired phone is 774-202-7095 but my cell will probably still be the best 575-496-3152. I do hope to be back in NM for the annul judges training in late September. I know that is not the happy news that I am usually sending out but hopefully my next note will have better news, Please take care of yourself and keep smiling. Pat Curran, LasCruces, NM,
Sad News; Barbara Kitay and her family said their goodbyes to her husband Calvin, in mid July, as he passed away. The family sat shiva with friends and family. IRTA sent condolences and will be donating to the charity of their choice. We hope Barbara and her family remember all the good times they shared together as this often helps in remembering our loved one's who have passed on. IRTA members and friends can call and/or send words of encouragement to The Kitay Family at 37 Wander Lane, Wantagh, NY.
Happy News; Marie and Ed Centanni welcomed their third grandson, Justin Palmeiri into the world mid July. Mom, Shannon and Dad, Pete and Big Brother, Carter, were all excited and happy that all went well. CONGRATS' Palmeiri family and hopefully we'll get to see some pictures soon.
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NEW NEWSLETTER NAME
RETIREE TRAVEL LOG SUBMISSIONS
If you would like to share your Special Trip or Event in “THE TRAVEL LOG” and have it included in an upcoming “ISLIP CONNECTIONS ISSUE” please keep copy to a maximum of 200 words and all photos need to be in Digital Format on a CD-RW or DVD-R Recordable Disk. Email submissions to; [email protected] or Carolyn Caamano - P.O. Box 655, Kings Park, NY 11754-0655.
IRTA SCHEDULED BREAKFAST DATES FOR 2012-2013
SEPTEMBER 6th, OCTOBER 4th, NOVEMBER 1st, DECEMBER 6th, JANUARY 3rd, FEBRUARY 7th, MARCH 7th, APRIL 4th, MAY 2nd and JUNE 6th. THANK YOU.
The IRTA Executive Board is pleased to announce effective September 2012 our ‘Award Winning Newsletter’ will be changing its name to ‘ISLIP CONNECTIONS’. We know you will continue to enjoy our monthly publications from Sept-June that helps all of us stay connected.
The IRTA meets the First Thursday of each month (except for September or a day of religious observances) at the Islip Oconee East Diner, NY starting at 9:00 a.m. Retirees will receive the IRTA Newsletter by way of email to keep you up-to-date on important issues. Come meet friends and colleagues, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and get the latest news each month. For those members unable to attend and who do not use Email you will receive our Newsletter by Snail Mail. It is important that you contact us with any changes to your Email, Home Address and/or Phone Number in order for the IRTA to remain in contact with you. We encourage our Retiree Members to use Email Accounts as this helps us save on postage, time and mailing costs.
For the latest up-to-date Details and Registrations, please be sure to Log onto the RC#21 Web Site at http://ny.aft.org/rc21 for information and forms. Thank you. Revelle Schaper.
New trips are currently in the planning stage and you can always check on dates and details by logging onto the RC#21 website. Defensive Driving classes will be held in November. (Date TBA) December 3-4-5 a trip is planned to Newport, R.I. as well as a possible Intrepid trip.
Revelle Schaper is our representative to the RC#21 Benefits Committee. You can refer IRTA questions concerning upcoming trips or events to Revelle at {[email protected]} or 631-581-2546.
UPCOMING TRIPS & EVENTS
Hi Marilyn; Congrats to all who have made the IRTA the success that it is. Carolyn & Tony- The Newsletter is unbelievably wonderful!! Retirement keeps us busier than when we were working. I just completed two terms on the Board of Louisville Public Media. I do plan to continue in the community volunteering for the Fund for the Arts and the Association of the Louisville Orchestra. In addition, I'm continuing with art lessons, mainly acrylic and pastel. Plus, playing bridge; I've been to National events in Toronto, Seattle and Memphis. I'm not the round-the-clock player; I go to places to visit and revisit! All this without a lot of card sense--I'm like a kid with an IEP but I do follow suit! You're all wonderful. Have a good summer, but, as retirees, every day is summer! Helene Katz, Louisville, KY.
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Dear Carolyn; Your service as Newsletter Editor not only serves your local chapter, but helps to make Islip Retiree Chapter an integral part of RC#21. We are not only grateful for your efforts, but are proud of your awards from NYSUT. We would like to honor you with a presentation at our June 19 Luncheon. We invite you to be our honored guest. Joan Perrini, President, RC#21.
IRTA HAPPENINGS
NYSUT & RC#21 NEWS
NYSUT JOURNALISM AWARDS WINNERS
The IRTA Executive Board and Editor Carolyn Belle Caamano received (2) two awards in the 2012 NYSUT Journalism Statewide contest. In the Class R-1 category we received the “Award of Merit” for Best Publication and in the Class R-1 category we were awarded “First Place” for Best Profile. We would like to “Thank” everyone for their contributions!
Editor’s Note; The Luncheon was a huge success and Marilyn, Diana and I were honored to accept the NYSUT 2012 Journalism Awards on behalf of the IRTA.
‘RETIREE COUNCIL 21 AWARDS LUNCHEON’
Retiree Council-21 and Diana Baranec - co-editor of their Newsletter Spotlight 21 received a “First Place Award” in the Class R-IV category for Best Profile in 2012. Congratulations to all.
In June eight novice IRTA members ventured to Belmont Race Track and we had a grand ole time, many laughs and a great buffet on a Day At The Races RC#21 Trip. It was lots of fun for all of us and we think Ginny Perry is a professional horse handicapper as she was the big winner picking horses. Marilyn
CAROLYN MARILYN DIANA
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ISLIP HIGH SCHOOL SCRAPBOOK SECATOGUE 1974
With Great HonorThe Senior Class of 1974
Dedicates the Secatogue toMrs. Marilyn Gutierrez
“BE ONGOOD TERMS
WITHALL PEOPLE”
September 6th
IRTA 2012-2013 EXECUTIVE BOARD
START TIME: 9:00 A.M.
ISLIP OCONEE EAST DINER
“REMEMBER” TO JOIN US PRESIDENT & RC-21 REPRESENTATIVE MARILYN GUTIERREZ
VICE PRESIDENT & ITA REPRESENTATIVE MARIE CENTANNI
SECRETARY & EDITOR IRTA NEWSLETTER CAROLYN CAAMANO
TREASURER & SPOTLIGHT 21 CO-EDITOR DIANA BARANEC
ISLIP RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
AT OUR UPCOMINGSEPTEMBER 6th “BREAKFAST”
Please continue to RSVP Marilyn at [email protected] or Carolyn at [email protected] or 516-680-7322. It helps us plan for seating and wait staff.
***********************************************Our Next IRTA Breakfast
Is Scheduled For
**********************************************2012
HEALTH ALERT
NEXT MONTH’S BREAKFAST
OCTOBER 4, 2012
RISING HEALTH CARE COSTS
ARE RETIREES REALLY FINANCIALLY PREPARED???
The Insured Retirement Institute's (IRI) 2012 report, "How Escalating Costs Impact Retirement Savings," examined the impact of rising medical expenses on Baby Boomers' retirement income. The report found that a healthy 65-year-old male can expect a total cost of health care expenses, including premiums, for the rest of his lifetime to top $350,000, and a 65-year-old woman can expect at least $417,000 in health care expenses - a 13% increase compared to her male counterpart. All such experts and reports have varying projections on what it will take to keep retirees healthy. The one thing that is clear for the average retiree - Health Care for you and your family is going to be very expensive in years to come! Medicare, Social Security, Pensions and Personal Investments & Savings currently can go a long way in providing each retiree with a cushion towards increased individual medical costs but no one can predict actual future costs. A myriad of taxes each year on the local, state and federal levels will most certainly increase. Social Security and Medicare will evolve and change and legislation initiatives to curb benefits to reduce the national debt will always be in the forefront for Congressional members. Retirees must continue to protect themselves and their families by taking a realistic look at all of their future health care options. The easiest solution is to stay healthy but unfortunately that is not always possible. Along with saving more retirees may need to spend less or at least spend more prudently. Many retirees have explored buying High Quality Long-Term Health Care to cushion rising health care costs. As a retiree the health care decisions you make today will have a profound affect on you in the future. Good Luck & Stay Healthy!
‘FACT OR FICTION’ ??
Hawaii is the only USState that grows coffee.
Retiree health care costs have increased an average 6% a year since 2002, according to a recent study by Fidelity Investments. Today, a 65-year-old couple would need $240,000 to cover medical expenses during their retirement years, it estimates. That amount could eat up more than 35% of a couple's annual Social Security benefit and it does not even include any long-term care costs, dental work and vision eye glasses care. To make things worse there are members in Congress contemplating reducing and/or eliminating significant benefits currently provided by Social Security and Medicare both now and in the future.
