E X P R E S S - CalRTA

E X P R E S S

Division 75 has organized a group of 53 volunteers to implement a Phone Tree program

for 2020-2021. Every Division 75 member will be contacted at

least once in December 2020 and once in March 2021 by a Phone

Tree caller to see how they are doing and let them know that they

have not been forgotten. (Please see page 3 for the Phone Tree Volunteer List.)

HOLIDAY: “RAZZLE, DAZZLE” GENERAL MEETING! TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020…A “ZOOM” MEETING

AGENDA (Have Pen and Mad Libs Word List handy)

9:45 AM “The Meeting Doors Open” / Log onto Zoom CONTEST FOR THE BEST DECORATED HOLIDAY HAT Gift Card Prizes: Most Creative / Funniest / Most Elaborate

DRESS FOR THE PARTY! Wear Your Best Razzle, Dazzle Outfit with your Holiday Hat!

10:00 AM Welcome / Flag Salute 10:05 AM Announce Contest Winners

Introduction of New Members 10:15 AM SHORT DIVISION UPDATES

Membership / Insurance / Gov Relations / Facebook 10:30 AM TAKE A BREAK…BREAK!

Mad Libs: The Night Before Christmas 10:45 AM EVEN SHORTER DIVISION UPDATES Postcard-Phone Tree / Communications / Mini-Grants 10:50 AM Ralphene Lee, VP and Program Chair : 10:55 AM Entertainment: The Whatever 4 Quartet (Bio on page 2) 11:20 AM Scholarship Gift Card Raffle…(See page 2 and page 6 for details) 11:25 AM Finale Song: “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” 11:30 AM Adjournment

RSVP-Holiday: “Razzle, Dazzle” Zoom Meeting: Dec. 15, 2020 - 9:45 AM to 11:30 AM Yes, I will attend Zoom meeting. Yes, I will purchase raffle chances to benefit ARC Student Scholarships.

$5.00 $10.00 $15.00 $20.00

Name:____________________________________ Email / Phone:_________________________________________

RSVP by Dec 9th: Include check for raffle chances / Mail to RTSF, P.O. Box 1451, Fair Oaks, CA 95628-1451

Division 75

Sacramento Northeast – Area III

California Retired Teachers Association

Nov. – Dec. 2020

Mar – Apr 2020

North

East

http://www.calrta.org https://www.div75.calrta.org

Register by Email by Dec 9th for Zoom General Meeting.

Send Email to: [email protected]

Need not attend Zoom meeting to win.

Make checks payable to RTSF

http://www.calrta.org/

https://www.div75.calrta.org/

https://www.div75.calrta.org/

mailto:[email protected]

A rid

HOW HIGH IS YOUR CREATIVE I.Q.? While walking through the neighborhood, I noticed a chalk drawing on the sidewalk that said, “Play A Game”. The drawing included a hopscotch game, an addition and subtraction problem, and a big star at the end that read, “You Did It!” Obviously, this obstacle course had been drawn by some highly creative children. I proceeded down the block and noticed that I had a big smile on my face.

Continuing along my customary route, I encountered some political signs encouraging people to vote. I saw additional homemade creations such as a sign that said, “Be Kind to Someone Today,” and a sign that said, “We are Humankind, Be Both”. My smile broadened.

Another homeowner had created a curbside mailbox library for someone looking for a

new book to read or had a book to share with others. The books inside this library

were supplied by the homeowner and were purchased at book fairs and garage sales.

At various times throughout the rest of the day, I thought about what I had observed

on my walk. Such a positive way to deal with the pandemic, separation anxiety and

the feeling of isolation! It made me smile, which was just what I needed!

EXPLORE YOUR CREATIVE I.Q. IT WILL MAKE YOU SMILE!

President’s Corner KATHY HOUSER 1 (916) 962-1359

[email protected]

1 (916) 488-4363

Board of Directors –

CalRTA Division 75

Sacramento Northeast President

Kathy Houser

Vice President / Programs

Ralphene Lee

Secretary

Carolyn Fisher

Treasurer

Judy Croce

President Emeritus

Ron Dworitz

Budget

Dick Baron

Bylaws / Parliamentarian

Pat Boyd

Communications

Jola Jones

Facebook / Volunteers

Chris Graser

Government Relations

Sandra Edwards

Insurance

Don Houser

Membership

Vickie McGregor

Newsletter Editors

Kathy Houser

Don Houser

Scholarship Foundation

Marti Gohring

Kathy Houser

Social

Pat Boyd

Sunshine

Gale Hooper

Technology / Directory

Vickie McGregor

Web Master

Pat Morgan

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The Whatever 4 Quartet will perform

Holiday songs for us at our December

15th Zoom Meeting.

These gals sing four-part harmony,

acapella style. Patty, Patti, Marty and

Sue have been entertaining and

delighting Northern California audiences

for years

You’ll love their vocal harmonies and holiday enthusiasm.

They will absolutely “Razzle, Dazzle” You!

Scholarship Raffle Prize Winners

For each $5.00 you donate, your name

will be placed in the “jar”.

The names of 16 winners will be pre-drawn and announced at the Zoom

General Meeting. Target gift cards will be mailed to you. Donate anytime but

Raffle Donations end on Dec. 9th (See page 1)

Gale Hooper

needs to hear from you

if you know someone

who needs a card – a

cheery note – a caring

remembrance Call:

1 (916) 988-6880

2


• Medicare Part B Premiums: Scheduled for a 6% increase from $144.60/month in 2020 to

about $153.00 in 2021. There is a bill in Congress to limit this increase to 25% of what is

planned. If this bill were to pass, the Part B Premium would not increase more than $2.00.

• Other Medicare Changes: Acupuncture treatments and telehealth services are now included; certain

prescription drugs costs and surcharges have been reduced.

• Medicare Open Enrollment: Began on October 15th and will continue until December 7th. There is no

penalty for changes made during this period. Any new plans will become effective January 1, 2021.

• Social Security Cost of Living: Social Security recipients will get a 1.3% COLA increase in 2021.

• Social Security Earnings: The wages subject to the Social Security tax will climb to $142,800.

• More Detailed Information: Detailed Information on Medicare and Social Security is available on their

websites.

Seniors Now Eligible To Renew Drivers’ Licenses Online!

By order of Governor Newsom on October 29, 2020, licenses for drivers age 70 and older

that expire in March 2020 or throughout the Covid-19 emergency (or until modified) are

now eligible to renew without an office visit. Beginning December 6th, Seniors Age 70 and older who meet the criteria, will be now able to

renew their licenses online, as well as by mail, without visiting a DMV office.

To access this press release of the California Department of Motor Vehicles, enter this

website into your browser/search engine (Google/Safari): https://tinyurl.com/y6sws9mb

or scan this Quick Response (QR) Code with your smartphone’s camera. Don Houser

Medicare and Social Security Changes for 2021

Thank You Phone Tree Volunteers!

1 Cathy Agostinelli

15 Judy Croce

29 Kathy Houser

42 Arninne Rautio

2 Dick Baron

16 Linda Darling

30 Chris Jones

43 Mary Reilley

3 Ronda Biondi

17 Kathleen Dax

31 Jola Jones

44 Audrey Samora

4 Delores Bousliman

18 Carolyn Dicks

32 Marjorie Knieriem

45 Peggy Simmonds

5 Patricia A. Boyd

19 Myra Duke

33 Gail Kozar

46 Patricia L. Speere

6 Judy Bravo

20 Jeane Dunham

34 Margaret Lawston

47 Linda Stucky-Gutierrez

7 Jeanie Campbell

21 Ron Dworitz

35 Marsha Le Doux

48 Eva Teilman

8 Illene Carroll

22 Carolyn Fisher

36 Ralphene Lee

49 Grace Thomas

9 Nola Castle

23 Carol Flackus

37 Edwina Minor

50 Debbie Watson

10 Frankie Christie

24 Marti Gohring

38 Kathy Osegueda

51 Gloria Yost

11 Luanne Clayton

25 Linda Hansen

39 Dawn Pace

Substitutes

12 Eras Cochran

26 Gale Hooper

40 Jan Parks

52 Cathy Maffei

13 Martha Coe

27 Gwen Houk

41 Noreen Rademacher

53 Joanne Arellanes

14 Georgene Cooper

28 Don Houser

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https://tinyurl.com/y6sws9mb

Volunteer Hours

Last year, Division 75 gave 57,353 volunteer hours to the community. At

a value of $31.51, we poured $1,807,193.03 into the economy. It’s time

again to start thinking of what volunteer hours you give back to your

community. Below is an easy form to fill out. You may send it back to me

via email, or by postal mail, whichever is easier for you.

It’s Retired Teachers’ Week!

CalRTA has declared November 1st through November 8th as Retired Teachers’ Week. This time has been set

aside to give special recognition to those dedicated educators who have devoted their working lifetimes to

the public-school students of California.

Division 75 will be sending personally written cards not only to our Honorary

Sweethearts to thank them for their years of service, but also to those 35 members

who reside out-of-state.

Jola Jones, Communications

$20 GIFT CARD If you switch to paying your

dues automatically, you will

receive a $20 gift card to

Amazon or Target. For an

application and details,

contact Vickie McGregor

(916) 966-0650 or

[email protected]

CalRTA Division 75 – Sacramento Northeast Voluntary Hours Survey

Your Name:_____________________________________________

Services to Senior and Church:__________ Civic and Education Services__________

Health & Welfare / Service Clubs_________ Cultural and Arts Organizations:________

Reporting Period: Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2020 Total Hours:__________

Email / Postal Mail to:

[email protected]

Chris Graser

372 Seaton Drive

Folsom, CA 95630

Let’s Talk!

Please send your current

phone or cell number to

Vickie McGregor

(916) 966-0650

[email protected]

If you would like a

2020-2022

Directory, contact Vickie McGregor

(916) 966-0650 or [email protected]

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MEMBER APPLICATION FORM - 3 Options to Join

California Retired Teachers Association – DIVISION 75

1.Dues Deduction ($5.50 / month from your STRS warrant)

I authorize the State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS) to deduct my CalRTA monthly dues. Should the amount

of dues be adjusted as deemed necessary by CalRTA, I authorize the adjusted deductions shall continue unless I

notify the CalRTA business office in writing to the contrary. To terminate dues deductions, I agree to make my

request in writing to the CalRTA office. Social Security Number (for dues deduct only) _______________________

Signature __________________________________________ Date _________________________

2.OR - Enclose your check for $66 annually payable to CalRTA

Dues Deduct or Pay by Check - please fill out the following:

Name ___________________________________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________________________________

City ________________________________________________State __________ Zip __________

Email Address ____________________________________________________________________

Dues Deduct or Pay by Check - Mail to: CalRTA; PO Box 2556; Fair Oaks, CA 95628

3.Join Online: https://div75.calrta.org - Click on Join Us - Scroll to: Apply Online

For questions contact Vickie McGregor, Membership Chair [email protected] ; 1 (916) 966-0650

We do not share your information with other organizationsl

LAST CHANCE TO WIN!

Win What? The 2020 Membership Extravaganza Money

A winner will be drawn at the December Zoom

Luncheon for all the cash in the bag.

How Can YOU Win?

Your name is placed in the bag when a

friend or relative joins

California Retired Teachers Association Division 75!

December is a great time to give the gift of membership

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https://div75.calrta.org/


ARC STUDENTS FACE INCREASED TUITION AND

BOOK COSTS!

THEY NEED YOU MORE THAN EVER!

Keep opening your hearts to assist worthy American River College

students. During this pandemic, your continued generosity will be

so important to the students of ARC. The Scholarship Foundation will award five $1,500 scholarships

this academic year. You will meet these scholarship winners at the June General Meeting.

The Retired Teachers’ Scholarship Foundation has established a special Memorial Academic

Scholarship in the names of Marie and John Lofgren. They were charter members of the committee

that established the Foundation and they continued their support of this worthy organization

throughout their lifetimes.

See the Raffle Donation Form on page 1. Please make your check payable to RTSF, and mail to

P.O. Box 1451, Fair Oaks, CA 95628-1451 by December 9th.

If you plan to buy from Amazon this holiday season, remember to use Amazon Smile. Amazon

will donate a portion of your purchase price to the Scholarship Foundation at no cost to you.

Thank you,

Marti Gohring and Kathy Houser, Scholarship Foundation Co-Presidents

Welcome!

Welcome!

New Members

James “Jim”

Jordan

Fair Oaks, CA

Dawn Pace

Newcastle, CA

Welcome Back!

Allan Jacobson

Roseville, CA

An Important Health Tip! Improving Brain Health

• Scientists from the Global Council of Brain

Health (GCBH), sponsored by AARP,

suggest that we can help keep our minds

nimble by engaging in cognitively

stimulating activities.

• Such activities can help avoid cognitive

decline, delay it, and deal better with it,

should you eventually experience it.

• The best cognitively stimulating activities

are ones that you enjoy. Examples are

dancing, learning a new language,

adopting a new hobby, doing Sodoku and

crossword puzzles, working in your

garden, walking, or other forms of physical

activity.

• Check out [email protected]

for more information.

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TRAVEL REPORT BY Marti Gohring

“WISHFUL THINKING!”

http://[email protected]

MEMBERS ATTENDING OUR FALL HARVEST ZOOM MEETING

Pictured above are Francie Axtell, Chris Jones, Linda Stucky-Gutierrez, Audrey Samora, Jim Jordan, Dick Baron,

and in the middle, Myra Duke. These are Just a few of the 37 members who attended our Zoom General

Meeting on Tuesday, October 20th. Don’t miss out on our Holiday: Razzle, Dazzle General Meeting on

December 15th. Make your reservations to attend today.

Please join us on Facebook and see what’s going on in Division 75.

You’ll see a discussion of books and of the things book lovers do, the Express Newsletter, articles about distance learning for teachers, photos from past luncheons, videos and much more!

If you’d like to join us, you’ll need to join Facebook first (go to www.facebook.com to sign up), and then go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/calrtadivision75 to join our page.

We also posted the video of Jim Jordan, the fabulous speaker who was our entertainment at our October 20th Fall Harvest Zoom meeting.

New postings include a reminder to sign up and use our Amazon Smile page for any purchases you make. Amazon will donate a portion of your payment to the Scholarship Foundation at no cost to you.

Keep in touch; we’d love to have you join us.

Chris Graser

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http://www.facebook.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/calrtadivision75

California Retired Teachers Association Sacramento Northeast Division 75 P.O. Box 2556 Fair Oaks, CA 95628-2556

Non-Profit Org US Postage Paid

Permit #1745 Sacramento, CA

We Remember with Love

IN MEMORIAM FEROLE CORBET LOIS PENMAN

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TIPS FOR YOUR ZOOM ROOM!

From Kathy Houser

• Make sure the room or space from where you are Zooming is “over-lighted”! We brought a couple of bedside lamps into our Zoom Space so that there would be ample light.

• Sit directly in front of the computer camera and microphone in order to be easily heard and seen by other Zoomers.

• If you turn your head away from the microphone, stop talking and resume talking again when you are facing the microphone.

• Be patient when you raise your hand to speak. We will see you!

Doing these four little things will make your Zoom experience, as well as the experience of others, so much better!

HAPPY ZOOMING EVERYONE!

E X P R E S S - CalRTA

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