November 21st: Noon Luncheon Program

NOV/DEC 2019 HAPPENINGS

General Meetings/Luncheons La Quinta Inn & Suites, Tacoma, WA November 21st Thursday, at noon December Holiday Luncheon December 12th (Thursday) La Quinta Inn @ Suites, Tacoma Pierce County School Retirees’ Association

P.O. Box 112493 Tacoma, WA 98411-2493

Diane Blair/Laurel Powell Co-Presidents

OPEN

President—Elect

Carolyn Ohlson Recording Secretary

Cynthia Endicott

Corresponding Secretary

Derryl Finney Treasurer

Heather Gurley Editor – Happenings

WSSRA Lacey State Office

1-360-413-5496

November 21st: Noon Luncheon Program

“Vision Matters” with Dennis Foster

s we age, many people begin to find difficulties in reading books and mail, writing checks, reading information on pill bottles, food items and other important pieces of

information. We need our visual acuity everyday. Sometimes, we order visual acuity products from catalogs but they do not help like you hoped. Our visual loss does not match the

products received. Meet Dennis Foster, from "Vision Matters" located in Woodinville. Dennis will be our Nov. 21st

speaker. He comes to us with 20 years of experience helping to meet peoples visual needs due to visual loss and other problems. He helps people to bridge the gap of non reading

to reading once again. Some of the technological products can actually read the print to you.

You will enjoy Dennis as a speaker, as well as to be able to glean some very useful information about the technology available for those who need it. It might be yourself or a

friend or family member. Dennis is open to questions you may have. So please come to the Nov. 21st luncheon and enjoy the fellowship in the group. See you there.

By Karen Chapman, Programs

Publication of the Pierce County School Retirees’ Association (PCSRA) Volume XXX Issue 2 Nov/Dec 2019

December Holiday Program, pg 3 Meet and Greet Event, Photos, pg 4

Published four times per year, by the Pierce

County School Retirees’ Association, a

non-profit since 1945.

Membership dues are $84 a year State/local

2 NOV/DEC 2019 HAPPENINGS

Hello Members

Welcome to Autumn and Fall Fun Days with PCSRA! Already this fall, Dr. Alan Burke, WSSRA Executive Director, shared legislative accomplishments and goals for

the coming session, members and state legislators attended our successful Legislative Meet and Greet event, and we enjoyed socializing at a coffee hour.

Fun is our Fall Focus! Come prepared for fun at the membership meetings. Don’t be surprised by candy throws, riddle contests, or unexpected music during

committee reports. We’re also looking forward to free after-meeting social activities such as jewelry making, card playing (example bunco), book sharing/reviews, card making, or flower arranging. More to come. All hats welcome at the

December 12th Holiday “History of Hats” meeting. Plan now to wear your favorite hat: baseball, hunting, fishing, floral, tea party, straw, cowboy/cowgirl,

beret, “fascinator,” or chapeau Kentucky Derby. We wish you all a happy, healthy, and FUN, Holiday Season!

Diane Blair and Laurel Powell, Co-Presidents

PCSRA Co-Presidents Message

PCSRA DIRECTORY

For those members who wish to receive the newly

published 2019/20 Pierce County School Retirees Directory,

you may either pick one up during a PCSRA meeting or call

Marianne at 253-536-6717 and she will mail one to you.

Security concerns, caused us to change the way the

directory is distributed.

Do you remember how cold we can get when our feet are

wet or cold? Our Community Service Project during the

Holiday Season provides socks to our homeless

population. While out shopping this season, remember

those in need and bring new socks to our November and

December meetings. Men's and women's socks are

needed. Will be delivered to St’ Leo’s Nativity House.

RIDDLES

1. I build bridges of silver and crowns of

gold. Who am I?

2. Which type of cheese is made back-

wards?

3. Which seven-letter word contains

dozens of letters?

See back of this newsletter for answers.


If you love hats or hate hats, this program is for you. You will take with you a warm spir-

it and a chuckle in your pocket. Our presenters, Jackie Medford, Barbara Griswald and Sue Lucas, have been working together for 40 years with this creative and delightful

program. They have performed at many places in our area, their favorite being the

Meeker Mansion in Puyallup. Their hat collection ranges from the 1880s covering the

Victorian and Edwardian times though the 40's, 50's and on to the present. They also will

be putting your brain to work and will wear hats of celebrities. Can you guess who it is?

So folks, come on down to the December luncheon for some good vitals or victuals in the belly and an assortment of belly laugh as you enjoy this fun program put on by these

delightful gals. If you wish, just for fun wear a hat that is silly or creative, maybe made

by you to add to the festivities. See you at the December luncheon with hats on.

By Karen Chapman, Programs

DECEMBER 12th PROGRAM:

History of Hats

Unit Volunteer Hours: Paying it Forward

In an effort for the legislators to see WSSRA members in a different light, unit volunteer hours are now asked to be reported at WSSRA meetings. What: Unit volunteer hours may include volunteer activities with a church, Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions, Elks, and other social groups. No political, legislative, or WSSRA meeting hours may be used. Why: Legislators may only see WSSRA members coming to meet with them for money. There is a need to correct this view by showing a concrete number of countless hours WSSRA retirees and active educators volunteer to make their community a better place in which to live. How: At WSSRA member meetings, volunteer hours will be tallied. This number of volunteer hours will be taken at each meeting. The number will be accumulated since the last meeting. A 3 x 5 card may be placed a each meeting table to tally the volunteer hours. Cards will be collected, stored, and kept for a total year end tally. Another way to report volunteer hours and have questions answered would be to call: Merrilyn Larson, Unit 27 Membership Chair at 253 863 3006, leave a message, or email: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


The Meet and Greet with the Pierce County Legislators was held October 15th.

A few of the legislators spoke, such as our own Pierce County Rep. Laurie Jenkins, 27th District. She is the

state of Washington’s first female House Speaker. Some of the legislators such as Rep Steve Kirby, 29th District, spoke about a few people in his family were

educators and he himself is part of PERS Plan 1 retirement. Senator Hans Zieger (25th) and Sen.

Jeannie Darnelle (27th) also spoke of their own families connection as educators. Even with an off election year, we appreciate the legislators who did take the

time to show up. The Pierce County League of Women Voters President Cynthia Stewart and Executive Director of WSSRA Alan Burke also spoke. Good time had by all.

Our MC, Former State Superintendent of

Public Instruction, Terry Bergeson (PCSRA/

LWV member) and Margaret Denn (a

PCSRA past president and Field Trip Chair)

Left:

PCSRA Co-President,

Diane Blair and

WSSRA Legislative Director, Peter Dietrick

Membership Committee: Merrilyn Larson, and

Caroline Ohlson, with Co President: Laurel Powell

Left:

Representative Steve

Kirby of the 29th

District, and Evonne Howard (former Health

Committee)

Mary Sugimoto, Connie Rickman (former Outreach Committee), and

her grand daughter Chelsea (attorney working with non profits)


UNSUNG HEROS CORNER

DERRYL FINNEY,

new PCSRA Treasurer, passed his first audit with capable help from

Carolyn Bjerke, Marianne Candioglos, and Trudy Singleton.

PAM NORRIS-TAYLOR

has agreed to design the new PCSRA website.

PAT KENNEDY AND PAT SKIFFINGTON

have volunteered to work on the Scholarship Committee.


VOLUNTEER Member Profile:

Caroline Bjerke

Every month, many of us contribute to the community by volunteering our time, energy, gifts and talents. This month, we feature PCSRA member, Carolyn Bjerke. Thank you

to Carolyn and to all of you who make our community a more gentle place."

Hi there! I have been volunteering at the Tacoma Discovery Shop since 2003. My sister was

diagnosed with 4th stage breast cancer in 1987. She passed away in 1999. My mom and I have also had breast cancer. I wanted to do something to honor my sister and my mom and what they had experienced. I first heard about the Relay for Life, started here in Tacoma

and participated in that program. Then I was invited to visit the Discovery Shop and see what they were doing. They sell new and gently used household items donated by the com-

munity. I found a group of dedicated hard working volunteers who have become dear friends. They are an amazing friendly group who are helping the American Cancer Society raised money to provide services for cancer patients and funding for research and

education. Stop by the shop and learn how you too can help attach cancer and help others. By Carolyn Bjerke

Discover Shop is 2512 N. Proctor, Tacoma, 98406 253-759-2823

JEWELRY MAKING FUN WITH BECKY BOWKER!

Stay after the November meeting to socialize with your friends while creating jewelry pieces.

All beads and supplies are provided and at no cost. Feel free to bring your own beads if you

wish. Enjoy Becky’s creative coaching and take home a special piece.

Date: Thursday, November 21st (after membership meeting)

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Location: LaQuinta Inn (same meeting room)


Do you ever wonder "WHAT IS WSSRA DOING FOR ME?"

Here are the WSSRA 2020 Legislative Agendas that will be priorities for next session. Our members, paid lobbyists, leader-

ship, and legislative committee members (who meet with every legislator) will all be working on these.


Pierce County School Retirees’ Association

P.O. Box 112493

Tacoma, WA 98411-2493

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

PCSRA General Meeting

When: Thursday, Nov 21 at noon

Where: La Quinta Inn and Suites 1525 East 27th Street Tacoma, WA

(in the private dining room -

Main floor— Main Entrance)

Reservations: Please call

Carolyn Bjerke 759-3951

Guest Speaker: “Vison Matters with Dennis Foster”

LUNCHEON MENU

Food service is the luncheon buffet! Full salad bar: fresh fruit; hot veggie;

starch item; two entrees; soup; dessert.

NEW PRICE: Cost $12.00 includes beverage and tax and gratuity.

(Note: This is a subsidized cost from PCSRA for us from the $14 normally

charged)

PRESORT

STANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Permit #119 Tacoma, WA

ANSWERS:

1. A dentist

2. Edam Cheese

3. Mailbox

Documents

November 21st: Noon Luncheon Program