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Visit our website at macombretirees.org
President GEORGE BRUMBAUGH
586-747-5345
Vice-President WENDY FISHER
586-770-6751
Secretary ELLEN FRINK
586-468-1224
Treasurer JILL LEZOTTE
586-598-2784
Directors NORM GILMORE
586-247-8673
LEONARD REINOWSKI
WALTER WARFIELD
Newsletter Editor NORM GILMORE
The Retiree Connection November 2017
A Quarterly Newsletter Published by
The Macomb County Retirees’ Association
Upcoming Events
Nov 8 MCRA Board Meeting 9am Talmer Building
Nov 10 Veteran’s Day (observed)
Nov 23 Thanksgiving Day
Nov 24 Day After Thanksgiving
Dec 7 County Holiday Lunch Zuccaro’s Banquet Cntr
Dec 22 Christmas Eve (observed)
Dec 25 Christmas Day
Dec 29 New Year’s Eve (observed)
Jan 1 New Year’s Day
Jan 15 Martin Luther King Day
Feb 14 MCRA Board Meeting 9am Talmer Building
Feb 19 Presidents’ Day
Contest Winner Congratulations to the winner
of our trivia contest:
Nancy Linhard
If you didn’t win this time,
try again. You’ll find the
new contest on page 4.
Did You Know? Macomb County Human
Resources and Labor
Relations reminds retirees
that due to the New Year
holiday, pension checks
will not be deposited
until January 2, 2018.
Pneumonia vaccine: It’s
now recommended that all
seniors, 65 or older, get
two separate vaccines -
Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23
- at different times.
Medicare Part B covers
both shots if they are taken
at least 11 months apart.
Important phone numbers:
Pension: 586-469-5113
monthly pension benefit
inquires, report deaths
Benefits: 586-469-5280
medical, dental, vision
and hearing inquires
Finance: 586-469-5250
tax withholding and
direct deposit changes
Macomb County
Holiday Lunch
Thursday Dec. 7, 2017
NEW LOCATION
Zuccaro’s Banquet Center
46601 Gratiot Avenue (south of 21 Mile Rd.)
Chesterfield, MI 48051
Open Enrollment The open enrollment period
for making benefit changes is
October 30, 2017 through
November 17, 2017.
Director
Elections
At the Sep. 20,
2017 Macomb
County Retirees’
A s s o c i a t i o n
a n n u a l
m e m b e r s h i p
meeting, George
Brumbaugh, Jill
Lezotte and
L e o n a r d
Reinowski were
each re-elected to
the MCRA Board
of Directors for
additional three
y e a r t e r m s
expiring Dec 31,
2020.
The President’s Viewpoint By George Brumbaugh, MCRA President
The actuarial report for 2016 was received in September. The
investments for 2016 earned 9.58% return and we are 92.28%
funded. The report shows that the average age of a general
county and a road retiree is approximately 69.8 years. Sheriff’s
retirees are 63.9 years old.
The average pension of all retirees is $20,292 per year. General
County retirees average $17,688; road retirees average $23,292
while Sheriff retirees average a yearly pension of $36,144.
The HR department reported in September, that since
January 63 retirees have passed away and 36 employees
retired. Currently there are 1,870 employees in the defined
benefit system while 498 employees are in the defined
contribution plan.
The plan continues to be well funded and some investment
advisors have told us if the market continues to do well we may
exceed a billion dollars by the end of the year.
I hope that you had a good summer and if possible will be at the
Christmas luncheon. Please feel free to contact any member of
the Board of Directors with questions, concerns or ideas on how
we can serve you better.
George Brumbaugh
Jill Lezotte
Leonard Reinowski
Annual Dues
The deadline for payment of
annual membership dues is
Dec. 31, 2017. If you have not
already done so, please send a
$10.00 check payable to:
Macomb County Retirees Assoc.
PO Box 805955
St. Clair Shores, MI 48080
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a
Home Care Agency
1. Do you perform initial and
periodic national criminal
a n d s e x o f f e n d e r
background checks for all
of your employees?
2. Do you perform random
10-panel drug screens to
check for prescription and
illegal drug use?
3. Do you use GPS electronic
timecards for hours billed?
4. Do you conduct random,
unannounced visits to
caregivers while working?
5. Are caregivers employees or
independent contractors?
6. Are all employees licensed,
bonded and insured?
7. Do you verify that
employees’ licenses are
clear from the state?
8. Do you follow national,
state and local laws
regarding minimum wage?
MESSAGES
Page 2 November 2017 The Retiree Connection
RODNEY WALTHER (F&O) Clinton Twp, MI: My
wife is on a healthier
lifestyle and lost 180 lbs. So
proud of her! Just finished
pulmonary rehab, trying to
live a healthier lifestyle too.
MARLENE ZECKZER
(MCCMH/SRS) As captain
of Clinton Twp, MI: Senior
Center’s spelling team, I am
working with my teammates
to prepare for the Spelling
Bee in Oct 2017. We are
hoping for another win!
RONALD MORTIER
(Community Mental Health)
Richmond, MI: I have been
retired for 13 years and I
thank God for every day and
for all His blessings. I am
thankful for my retirement
benefits. I look forward to
all He has planned for us
who love Him in the name of
Christ Jesus our Lord and
Savior. God bless us and
God bless the United States
of America.
SHERYL OLKOWSKI (FOC) Columbus, MI: Had a
nice little vacation in Big
Bend, WI. Visited my aunt
who celebrated her 100th
birthday. Now a centenarian,
wow! Saw my cousins too
with my mom and sisters.
Also spending quality time
with my grandkids, camping
on Lake Huron. Enjoying
summer.
CINDY McNAMARA
(Road Commission) St. Clair,
MI: Enjoying living on the
St. Clair River, watching
grandsons play baseball and
golf during our beautiful
Michigan summers. Also
enjoy wintering in Florida so
I don’t have to worry about
snowy roads any more. I
miss all Roadies!
J A N I C E M c M A N U S
(Mental Health) Grosse
Pointe Woods, MI: In the
spring I took my family of
ten to Oahu, Hawaii. We
rented a house on the ocean.
We went to a luau, Pearl
Harbor, Hanauma Bay for
great snorkeling. We also
went deep sea fishing and
saw whales. For me it was a
trip of a lifetime. Especially
having my sons and
grandchildren with me to
share the fish.
DAVID ARSCHEENE (Planning) Clinton Twp, MI:
A correction to my previous
message: We welcomed our
first GREAT-grandson.
P A T R I C I A J O E N S (Community Mental Health)
New Baltimore, MI: Retired
in 1999, but retired from
contract work in 2015. Still
miss work and CMH staff.
Lots of outdoor work on
home here and in Indian
Lake, MI. Just had new first
great-grandchild, Vivian
Rose, in June. Keeping up
with strange national politics
and state directions for
mental health services.
B E T T Y H O D O R E K
(Probate Wills & Estates) St.
Clair Shores, MI: Enjoying
m y c h i l d r e n a n d
grandchildren. Both of my
grandchildren are in college
a n d p l a y m u s i c a l
instruments. One of them
got a scholarship to
university in Chicago. He
was enrolled in the school of
music and received $5,000
for his audition.
SHARON COULTER (FOC) Fraser, MI: Still
enjoying a career as a retired
lady. Had knee replacement
in Feb. Had a good
recovery. Still see Denise
Vargo and Jeanie Job often.
So thankful for our benefits.
See you at lunch meeting in Sept.
JOANNE BOLLIG (Roads
Permits) Lincoln Park, MI:
Just enjoying the summer.
Hi to all the Roadies—Diane
Herrick—call me (313-388-
8915). I lost your phone number.
EDWARD BALHORN (Road Comm) Gladwin, MI:
We have enjoyed living in
Gladwin, MI for 26 years
and are now moving to
Largo, FL permanently.
Yard work getting too much
for me to do. Hope to come
back in July and August to
see friends and family. Wed
are expecting our 9th great-
grandchild in January. We
e n j o y t h e R e t i r e e
Connection. Our love to all
and God bless.
E V E L Y N B U T L E R (Health—Admin) Clinton
Twp, MI: Going to Australia
end of Dec to help daughter
celebrate her 50th birthday.
VERONICA EBERLE
(Clerk’s Office) Romeo, MI:
Retired 14 years ago. Keep
in touch with my co-workers
from vital records dept. It
was a great dept. to work in
back then. My three
grandchildren all graduated
from Romeo High School
with highest honors—the
youngest one graduated this
year. Proud Grandmother!
(one U of M, two Michigan State)
RHONDA ROBERTS (MTB Nursing) New Haven,
MI: Made it back from my
22nd birthday tradition up
north by Alpena. Had a
great time fishing, walking
through the woods with my
dog Dallas and my son
Justin. Mom got to go too.
Can’t wait until next year. It
will be 23 years in a row up
north and of course a year
older .
ALBERT KALLAS (MTB -
Nursing) St. Clair Shores,
MI: Missing my wonderful
son. He passed away this last
month and was only 29 years
old. It has been a difficult
year with my wife's surgeries
and health declining. I also
have a son who is deploying
to Korea for 3 years. Please
keep him in your prayers. On
the good side, my other son
is starting school for nurse
anesthetists.
DIANE HERRICK (Road
Comm.) Clinton Twp, MI:
Spent a great summer in
Petoskey and a couple visits
to Houghton Lake. Enjoying
my grandkids when I'm in
town! Looking forward to
another winter in Florida!
Feeling blessed to travel and
enjoy good health (thankful
for my pension and
insurance). Hi, Roadies!
BEVERLY A. PUCHOVAN (Sheriff) Escanaba, MI:
Hello from Escanaba! As of
this writing, I will be retired
for 3 years and having spent
all 3 in the glorious U.P.!
This summer brought a lot of
rain but it was needed. I am
looking forward to the Fall
and the cooler weather. I
have a family member that
loves making bonfires and I
am looking forward to every
one of them! My dad has
plenty of deer and bear on
his property that keep him
busy with his camera and me
busy with my printer! Some
amazing photos so far! I am
enjoying the retired life so
far. Still love my home, still
HOLIDAY RECIPE CONTEST
David Arsceene of Clinton Township
IRISH CREAM
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
2 C. Half & Half
2 C. 80 proof Canadian Whiskey
1 tsp. instant coffee
2 oz. coffee liqueur
In a large jug or bottle, combine above and mix well. Chill and serve. Makes 6 cups.
November 2017 Page 3 The Retiree Connection
POST YOUR PERSONAL MESSAGE IN THE NEXT RETIREE CONNECTION! Tell us where you are and what you are doing now…
Please note: Personal messages may be edited due to space limitations.
Save postage! Submit your message through the MCRA website at macombretirees.org No Internet access? Mail this form to: Norm Gilmore - 52580 Bordeaux Way, Shelby Twp, MI 48315
YOUR NAME (please print):
DEPARTMENT RETIRED FROM:
CURRENT CITY: STATE:
WHAT YOU ARE DOING NOW:
love being up here. I am
honestly blessed. I wish
everyone a beautiful Fall and
a wonderful holiday season!
Much love from the North!
P A U L P U C H O V A N
(Sheriff) Faithorn, MI:
Greetings from Faithorn.
Seems that global warming
missed us again this year.
50º nights and a lot of rain
made for a poor harvest.
Three early frosts in August
did not help. A lot of 8 and 9
point bucks this year will
help the bow hunters. The
rut will be early again as
night temperatures have been
in the mid 30ºs and low 40ºs.
Firewood is done and
chimney is clean. Good luck
hunters and all the best for a
great holiday season. Please
do not forget our troops and
law enforcement officers.
GENEVIEVE BANTLE
(Mental Health) Mount
Clemens, MI: Always enjoy
the Retiree Connection.
Thank you. This summer,
I’m being spoiled: for
M o t h e r s ’ D a y , f o u r
daughters and one son-in-law
took me to “The Grande
Suite” at the Grand Hotel
and Traverse Bay for wine
tasting. In August, seven
family members took me to
the Canadian Rockies,
Toronto, Calgary, a week in
Banff then up to Jasper.
Driving from Jasper back to
Banff, the mountains and
glaciers sparkled in the
sunlight. It was breathtakingly
beautiful!
SHARON KIRBY-AGEE
(Finance) Croswell, MI:
Don’t get much chance to
stop and smell the roses
anymore. Hope everyone is
enjoying or rather did enjoy
the summer. I seemed to
have missed most of it
somehow. Oh well, fall is
the pretty time. Still trying
to get rid of stuff so I can
downsize hopefully in the
not too distant future. Well,
hope to see you all in Dec.
for the annual Christmas
luncheon. Take care and
enjoy life!
CAROL LUCAS-HEATH
(FOC) Marine City, MI: We
had our 10th family camp out
at Muskegon State Park in
August. Hopefully we will
be going to Port Hope
County Park in a few weeks.
In July, we went up to visit
Bonnie & Wally up past
Rogers City in Lake Huron.
I’m still trying to get a dog,
just don’t know what kind.
Soon I guess I’ll be getting
ready for our big get together
for Thanksgiving.
Lastly, Macomb County
Human Resources and
Labor Relations announces
AudioNet America, Inc.
has been awarded the
Macomb County Retirees
H e a r i n g P r o g r a m
beginning Jan. 1, 2018.
AudioNet is a national
“ a u d i o l o g i s t o n l y ”
provider network with
over 5,500 participating
providers. In Michigan
they have over 700
locations, and offer the
Top 6 Manufacturers’
p r o d u c t s i n t h e
industry. Their hearing
program packages are
inclusive of the Exam,
Eva lua t ion, Hear ing
Devices, Dispensing,
Conformity, Warranties,
and a negotiated $20 co-
pay for office maintenance
visits.
Vis i t the ir website
at: www.audionetamerica
.com for your group
specific information or
c o n t a c t A u d i o N e t ’ s
customer service center
at: 586-944-0043.
AudioNet is a Michigan
sup p l i e r and mo re
importantly, a Macomb
County Neighbor!
At the September MCRA
annual luncheon meeting,
Macomb County HRLR
announced that effective
January 1, 2018, Macomb
County retirees will be able
to take advantage of new
health benefit options.
Silver Sneakers is an
overall wellness program
that is offered to Macomb
County retirees who are
enrolled in the Blue Cross
Blue Shield Medicare
Advantage Plan.
The program offers a
variety of options for all
fitness levels and abilities
including access to
exerc ise eq uip ment ,
classes and fun social
activities.
A new prescription drug
option offers an additional
opportunity for a lower co-
pay for some medications
based on the participants
choice of pharmacy.
Delta Dental will now
cover Preventive Services
at 100% under the basic
p l a n . T h e a n n u a l
maximum will remain at
$1000. There will also be
a buy-up option available
that offers an annual
maximum of $1500.
New Health Benefit Options
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID ST. CLAIR SHORES, MI
PERMIT NO. 125
Macomb County Retirees’ Association
P.O. Box 805955 St. Clair Shores, Michigan 48080-0955 Return Service Requested
TRIVIA CONTEST: The lucky entry wins a check for $25
Save postage! Submit your entry through the MCRA website at macombretirees.org
No Internet access? Mail this form to: Norm Gilmore - 52580 Bordeaux Way, Shelby Twp, MI 48315
Your Name:
Address:
City, ST, Zip: YOUR ANSWERS:
1. Who saw glaciers sparkle in the sunlight? 1.
2. Who’s wife is on a healthier lifestyle and lost 180 lbs ? 2.
3. Who enjoyed a 22 year tradition of celebrating her birthday up north? 3.
4. Who ‘s aunt is a recent centenarian celebrating her 100th birthday? 4.
5. Who is moving to Florida permanently after living in Gladwin for 26 years?5.
Entries must be received by January 1, 2018
In Memoriam In memory of Macomb
County retirees who have
recently passed away:
Alef, Lucille 6/14/2017
Clifford, Thomas C 8/21/2017
Denbaas, Marie T 8/14/2017
Dooley, Linda A 9/19/2017
Hamilton, James E 7/9/2017
Hinckfoot, Jean 8/26/2017
Kain, Gary W 9/5/2017
Kapuscinski, Richard 8/13/2017
Koltys, Conrad S 9/4/2017
Nowak, Maryann 8/11/2017
Roberts, Gwendolyn P 8/3/2017
Russ, James 8/20/2017
Schwartz, Michael D 6/17/2017
Sutton, Linda M 6/16/2017
Teutsch, Mary 9/16/2017
Watson, Lorraine M 6/12/2017
Wieczerza, Genevieve 6/7/2017
Woltmann, Marion 8/21/2017
Zott, Joseph 5/25/2017
IF I SHOULD GO TOMORROW
If I should go tomorrow
It would never be goodbye,
For I have left my heart with you,
So don't you ever cry.
The love that's deep within me,
Shall reach you from the stars,
You'll feel it from the heavens,
And it will heal the scars.
- Anonymous
New Medicare cards, ones that won't make
it easy for ID thieves to steal your Social
Security number, will find their way into
wallets next year. But we're already hearing
warnings about scams that are bubbling up
before the big changeover. TV ads have
already begun talking about the new cards
and featuring the tagline "Guard Your
Card."
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services will mail new cards to those
receiving Medicare benefits beginning in
April 2018 through April 2019. The new
cards will use a unique, randomly assigned
code - not your Social Security number.
Seniors do not have to do anything to get a
new card and there is no charge for the new
Medicare cards.
Social Security numbers are being removed
from Medicare cards to prevent fraud, fight
identity theft, and keep taxpayer dollars safe
according to the Centers for Medicare and
Medica id Serv ices ' web si te a t
www.cms.gov.
Consumer watchdogs have argued for years
that Medicare needs to remove Social
Security numbers off Medicare cards
because of fraud, including medical ID
theft. Social Security numbers can be sold
over and over again on the dark web used
by criminals and can be more valuable to
fraudsters than a credit card number.
The Medicare Access and CHIP
Reauthorization Act of 2015 requires the
agency to remove Social Security numbers
from all Medicare cards by April 2019. The
new 11 character ID, called a Medicare
Beneficiary Identifier, will be made of
numbers and uppercase letters.
Seniors in Michigan can get information on
Medicare related questions by calling
800-803-7174.
Beware of Medicare Card Scammers
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