October–November 2018 Retiree Newsletter Volume No. 266 ...pgeretirees.org/Retirees...
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1 HRCS-1311-10-18 Rev. 10/3/18 Retiree Newsletter Holiday craft bazaar Tuesday, Nov. 13, and Wednesday, Nov. 14 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. 2 World Trade Center Plaza Conference Room Employees, contingent workers, retirees, friends and family members are invited to join and sell their wares or crafts. Each participant receives a 6- x 3-ft table to display their items. You do not need to work at WTC to participate. In years past, makers and vendors have sold honey, jewelry, knitted blankets, crochet work, baked goods, woodwork, bags, handcrafted paper, baskets, hair sparkles, lotions, makeup, ornaments, team blankets and paintings. Email Sara Boyd at [email protected] by Monday, Nov. 5, to register and learn more. The cost to participate is $15 per person through myCommunity, and 100 percent of this fee goes to the Providence Portland Medical Foundation and can be matched through the Employee Giving Campaign. Vendors wanted! October–November 2018 Volume No. 266 Sylvia Handris, Editor 503‑518‑1182 [email protected] What’s Inside Open enrollment (See page 1) Holiday craft bazaar (See page 1) Holiday luncheon (See page 2) Box seats at Providence Park (See page 2) Bob’s Red Mill tour (See page 2) Willamette River boat tour (See page 3) Board meeting (See page 3) President’s corner (See page 3) Blood drive (See page 4) Bowling (See page 4) Skydiving (See page 4) Golf (See page 4) Portland Fine Art Guild classes (See page 5) Volunteer (See page 5) Galaxy of Giving (See page 5) TriMet Hop card giveaway (See page 6) Retirements (See page 7) Remembering colleagues (See page 7) Group get‑ togethers (See page 8) Safe driving classes (See page 9) Blast from the past (See page 9) Quick facts from the past (See page 9) Thoughts from our editor (See page 9) Things to know (See page 10) Open Enrollment is coming Wednesday, Nov. 14–28! What you need to know Watch your mailbox during the first week in November. Open Enrollment for nonbargaining retirees begins Wednesday, Nov. 14, and ends Wednesday, Nov. 28. If you wish to make a change to your health plan, this is your opportunity to change your benefits for 2019. If you do not want to make any changes, no action is necessary. If you decide to make any changes in either your or a family member’s choice of medical plan, it is very important that you submit your completed and signed 2019 Election Form no later than Wednesday, Nov. 28. You will receive a business reply envelope you can use to return your form to: PGE Benefits 121 SW Salmon St, 1WTC0605 Portland OR 97204 If you have specific questions about the health plan provisions, contact the health plan providers or call PGE Benefits at 503‑464‑7250, select Benefits option. Activities and events
Transcript of October–November 2018 Retiree Newsletter Volume No. 266 ...pgeretirees.org/Retirees...
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Holiday craft bazaarTuesday, Nov. 13, and Wednesday, Nov. 14 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. 2 World Trade Center Plaza Conference Room
Employees, contingent workers, retirees, friends and family members are invited to join and sell their wares or crafts. Each participant receives a 6- x 3-ft table to display their items. You do not need to work at WTC to participate. In years past, makers and vendors have sold honey, jewelry, knitted blankets, crochet work, baked goods, woodwork, bags, handcrafted paper, baskets, hair sparkles, lotions, makeup, ornaments, team blankets and paintings.
Email Sara Boyd at [email protected] by Monday, Nov. 5, to register and learn more. The cost to participate is $15 per person through myCommunity, and 100 percent of this fee goes to the Providence Portland Medical Foundation and can be matched through the Employee Giving Campaign.
Vendors wanted!
October–November 2018Volume No. 266 Sylvia Handris, Editor 503‑518‑1182 [email protected]
What’s InsideOpen enrollment(See page 1)
Holiday craft bazaar(See page 1)
Holiday luncheon(See page 2)
Box seats at Providence Park(See page 2)
Bob’s Red Mill tour(See page 2)
Willamette River boat tour(See page 3)
Board meeting(See page 3)
President’s corner(See page 3)
Blood drive(See page 4)
Bowling(See page 4)
Skydiving(See page 4)
Golf(See page 4)
Portland Fine Art Guild classes(See page 5)
Volunteer(See page 5)
Galaxy of Giving(See page 5)
TriMet Hop card giveaway(See page 6)
Retirements(See page 7)
Remembering colleagues(See page 7)
Group get‑togethers(See page 8)
Safe driving classes(See page 9)
Blast from the past(See page 9)
Quick facts from the past(See page 9)
Thoughts from our editor(See page 9)
Things to know(See page 10)
Open Enrollment is coming Wednesday, Nov. 14–28!What you need to knowWatch your mailbox during the first week in November. Open Enrollment for nonbargaining retirees begins Wednesday, Nov. 14, and ends Wednesday, Nov. 28. If you wish to make a change to your health plan, this is your opportunity to change your benefits for 2019.
If you do not want to make any changes, no action is necessary.
If you decide to make any changes in either your or a family member’s choice of medical plan, it is very important that you submit your completed and signed 2019 Election Form no later than Wednesday, Nov. 28. You will receive a business reply envelope you can use to return your form to:
PGE Benefits 121 SW Salmon St, 1WTC0605 Portland OR 97204
If you have specific questions about the health plan provisions, contact the health plan providers or call PGE Benefits at 503‑464‑7250, select Benefits option.
Activities and events
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December 2017
Fall is here, but the fun never ends!The following fun activities and events have been planned. A big thank you goes to Terry Judkins for his tireless efforts to bring the retirees together to have educational and entertaining tours and activities. Contact Terry Judkins at 503‑804‑8870 or [email protected] if you want more information, and send him your email if you want to be automatically notified.
FREE! Tickets for box seats at Providence ParkSaturday, Oct. 13
Free tickets are available for the college football game between Portland State and Northern Colorado State. Call Norby Chartrey at 503‑357‑2614.
Tour of Bob’s Red Mill and lunchThursday, Oct. 18 13521 SE Pheasant Ct Milwaukie
Arrive at 9:30 a.m. The tour starts at 10:00 a.m.
Have lunch at Bob’s Red Mill Store after the tour. Lunch costs $10 and will consist of a sandwich, pickle, chips, drink and a big cookie.
This is a popular tour so don’t delay! Make out your check for $10 and send it to:
PGE Retirees c/o Ed Miska 745 3rd St Lake Oswego OR 97034
Activities and events, con’tGet ready! Here come the holidays! SAVE THE DATE for our most popular event!Annual Retiree Holiday Luncheon Thursday, Dec. 6 Monarch Hotel and Convention Center 12566 SE 92nd Ave, Clackamas
The PGE Retirees Annual Holiday Luncheon will be held at the Monarch Hotel and Convention Center in Clackamas on Thursday, Dec. 6. Doors open at 11 a.m. for the social hour, and lunch will be served at noon.
The luncheon is open to PGE retirees and limited to one guest per retiree, with a special invitation to new retirees and those who haven’t joined us before.
To reserve your place, send an RSVP as soon as possible. Make your check for $10 per person payable to PGE Retirees and send it to:
PGE Retirees c/o Ed Miska 745 3rd St Lake Oswego OR 97034
Please include your name and the name of your guest and if you prefer the vegetarian lunch or have any other special diet requirements. Sorry, no special diet request will be accepted on the day of the luncheon.
These luncheons take a lot of work to organize, so thanks in advance to the committee. If you would like to help or have any questions, contact Russ Bailey at 503‑708‑8650 or [email protected], Phyllis or Ed Miska at 503‑636‑6052 or [email protected], or Pat Thompson at 503‑319‑6861 or [email protected]. The PGE Retiree Board hosts many great
events to keep in touch with friends you have made through working at PGE. The PGE Retiree Newsletter is a great resource for events and information. If you have an idea for an event, contact Terry Judkins.
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Willamette River boat tourAs reported by “Joy” Judkins
On Aug. 23, 13 PGE retirees took a very wet, wild, fast, water trip in a blue, flat-bottomed boat on the Willamette River, going about 50 mph with fast stopping and water flying. Luckily we were in the capable hands of our captain.
Wet was the name of the game, much to the enjoyment of all onboard. The tour was very informative as well as fun.
We saw osprey on top of a PGE tower by the Oregon City/West Linn Bridge and an eagle’s nest on the West Linn side of the river. We learned the Indians got their elk meat by chasing the elk over the cliff, and the Indians on the other side of the bank recovered it for butchering.
Another exciting experience was going into the West Linn Locks, which has always had a barrier preventing going into the river-level lock, but our captain took the boat right up to the lock door. We also had a close-up view of the Sullivan Plant, which powers many of the industrial sites near the falls.
Our captain was great and made us laugh a lot, so who cared about a little water drenching! If there is enough interest, we hope we can repeat this adventure. So come enjoy the fun!
President’s cornerby Stan Chiotti
The PGE summer picnics were both a great success. About 4,000 employees and retirees gathered at the Mt. Hood Ski Bowl for the employee picnic. The next employee picnic will take place again in 2020, and I hope they have an easier way for us “old-timers” to register by then. Not all of us are computer savvy, so a phone number response to our rotary dial device would be nice.
About 40 retirees gathered at Tualatin Community Park for delicious food in perfect weather! There were more prizes than people, so everyone won at least once, a few twice and the very lucky ones three times! Come join us next year so you too can be a winner!
Activities for retirees are always available. Our new golf chairman, John McLain, will be working on the 2019 schedule. Bowling has started and is open to one and all who are looking for some fun evenings. The next blood drive is Wednesday, Nov. 7, and the holiday luncheon is Thursday, Dec. 6, at the Monarch Hotel. Field trips are held almost year round. Numerous groups have monthly breakfasts or lunches together.
Join us at any or all events. Read your newsletters or go to our website at www.pgeretirees.org for details!
Activities and events, con’t
The next board meetings is Monday, Oct. 8, 9:30 a.m.
at the Oregon City Service Center
Conference Room 209 Warner Milne Rd
Oregon City OR 97045
All retirees, spouses and significant others are welcome to attend.
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PGE blood driveWednesday, Nov. 7 8 a.m.–2 p.m. 2WTC Plaza Conference Room
PGE has been holding blood drives for decades. With your help, we can make a difference for so many!
Know Before You Go!• Blood donors must weigh at least 110 lb and be in good health, meaning you feel well and can perform
normal activities.• If you have had a shingles shot, you must wait four weeks before you can donate blood.• If you have had a flu shot, you can donate anytime.• If you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes, your condition should be under control.• If you’re not feeling well on the day of your donation, come another time!See the most common reasons people may not be able to give blood at https://www.redcrossblood.org/.
Questions? Want to volunteer? Contact any of the following:
• Linda Peerenboom (volunteer coordinator): 503-810-1914 or [email protected]• Stan Chiotti: 503-397-0805 or [email protected]• Jeanette Mullins: 503-397-3348 or [email protected]• Linda Reed: 503-256-7903 or [email protected]• Jim Rodman: 503-407-6053 or [email protected]• Bob Steele: 503-282-3646 or [email protected]
SportsBowlingWhen: First and third Wednesdays September through May 12:30 p.m. (practice starts at noon)
Where: Kellogg Bowl 10306 SE Main St Milwaukie
Who: All retirees, family members and friends
Cost: $10 for three games, ball and shoe rental and a chance at the $5 door prize!
Come join the fun and friendship. Questions? Contact Al Maynard at 503‑654‑4149, [email protected] or Al Richardson at 503‑518‑8600, [email protected].
GolfGolf will resume in September. If you would like to play or have any questions, contact Mark Lander (503-691-6853, [email protected]).
SkydivingYes, skydiving! Former President George G. W. Bush went skydiving several times on his birthday, the last when he turned 90! And last August our own Barbara Bergmans celebrated her birthday the same way — with a flying leap from an airplane!
If you are interested in trying it out, Barb jumps from SkyDiveOregon in Molalla. Call 503-829-3483 or check out their website at http://skydiveoregon.com.
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Portland Fine Arts Guild classesClass Date Time InstructorWatercolor/Pen and Ink Monday, Oct. 15 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Angela WrahtzColored Pencil Mondays, Nov. 5, 12 and 19 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Pat AverillWatercolors Mondays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Sandra Stephenson
About Portland Fine Arts Guild Classes
When MondaysWhere Rivercrest Community Church
Community Room, Lower Level 3201 NE 148th Avenue, Portland
Parking Please park and enter on the north side of the church..Cost $15 per class for guild members
$20 for nonguild members $10 if it is your first class with the guild
Registration You do not have to preregister for these classes. Just come and enjoy!Website http://portlandfineartsguild.org. For details about classes, click on “Classes.”
The Portland Fine Arts Guild is a nonprofit organization.
Volunteering is fun for you, and it helps others too! Register for an event and get all the details. Did you know that your volunteer hours accumulate toward a Cause Card, worth $200 for your favorite eligible charity or school? Check it out on the myCommunity website at www.portlandgeneral.com/mycommunity.
myCommunity is PGE’s website for volunteering and employee/retiree giving. It’s where you go to register and find all the information you need to know about an event. The interactive site helps you find and post volunteer projects, record your volunteer hours and earn money for your favorite charities. Register for an event and get all the details!
For more information or if you have forgotten your employee number or don’t have a computer, contact Whitney Welsh at 503‑464‑2916 or [email protected].
Volunteer! Mission PGE: Exploring a Galaxy of GivingOct. 15–Nov. 2
If you’re enthusiastic about donating specifically during the Giving Campaign, “Mission PGE: Exploring a Galaxy of Giving” takes off on Monday, Oct. 15 and lands Friday, Nov. 2. Grab your spacesuit and step onboard! A step-by-step process for getting onboard will be coming to you soon.
But did you know that you can now request a 50 percent company match up to $2,000 any time of year? Your contribution reaches your nonprofit faster and more directly, plus there aren’t any dates to keep track of!
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Next stop: TriMet paper ticket exchange and Hop card giveaway
Exchange events provide convenient opportunity to transfer paper ticket value to Hop Fastpass® electronic fare cardTriMet will hold paper ticket exchange events at locations across the region in the coming weeks. They are setting up shop at their busiest transit centers and Milwaukie City Hall. These events will give riders who have unvalidated, foil-stamped paper tickets an opportunity to transfer their value to a Hop Fastpass® electronic fare card. Anyone who stops by and makes an exchange will receive a Hop card free of charge. Each event will be staffed with experts who can answer questions about Hop and explain this new and better way to pay.
Event Schedule
Location Date Time Served byGateway Transit Center 9900 NE Multnomah St. Portland
Wednesday, Oct. 17 Thursday, Oct. 18
3:30–6:00 p.m.. MAX Blue, Green and Red lines Bus Lines 15, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 87, Columbia Area Transit
Milwaukie City Hall 10722 SE Main St. Milwaukie
Wednesday, Oct. 24 Thursday, Oct. 25
3:30–6:00 p.m. MAX Orange Line, Bus Lines 29, 30, 32, 33, 34, 70, 75, 99, 152
How to get the most from the ticket exchange events • Choose a location most convenient to you.• Turn in unvalidated, foil-stamped Adult, Youth or Honored Citizen tickets.• Bring your patience. The process takes about five minutes, and there could be a line.• Receive a free Hop card loaded with value equal to the paper tickets.• Ask questions, get answers.• Start tapping and start saving time and money.• TriMet will gladly accept up to $250 worth of unvalidated, foil-stamped Adult, Youth or Honored Citizen tickets
at the exchange events. Paper ticket value can also be transferred to Hop at the TriMet Ticket Office. Monthly passes, 7-, 14- and 30-day passes, as well as tickets purchased on the TriMet Tickets app are still valid on TriMet’s buses and trains, so use what you have and then make the switch to Hop. With nearly 500 retail partners across the region, it’s easy to get on board.
Why Hop Fastpass®?When TriMet introduced Hop last year, they became one of the first transit agencies in the U.S. to offer fare capping. What that means is, instead of buying passes in advance, you earn them as you go, so you get the savings without the upfront cost. Hop guarantees you’ll never pay more than the cost of a day pass in a single day or a month pass within a calendar month. When you purchase a paper ticket or pass, you pay up front, and you may pay for rides you never take. With Hop, you earn passes you ride, making our system more affordable and accessible.
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August• Kevin Williamson, senior IT project manager
(6 years)
September• Thuy Bui, analyst, senior business (19 years)• Rodger Gibson, interim supervisor (38 years)• David Gundolff, specialist DBA (28 years)• Doug Honeycutt, interim manager (40 years)
• Barb Humphrey, assistant (45 years)• Nancy Miller, project manager (24 years)• Donna Stewart, specialist, Billing (23 years)
October• Luanne Berkey, specialist, Utility Asset
Management (38 years)• Darla Buyas, specialist, Billing (38 years)• Cyndi Furseth, consultant, Labor/Employee
Relations (36 years)• Ed Rainey, specialist (7 years)
• Patricia Ruch, customer service representative, Collections (41 years)
• Daniel Stewart, working foreman lineman (42 years)• Michael Syjut, backhoe operator (27 years)• Laura Taylor, coordinator, Vegetation Management
Operations (39 years)
November• Marc Bocci, specialist, high-level attorney (11 years)• Robert Green Jr., journeyman wireman (21 years)
• Cynthia Michael, customer service representative (11 years)
• John Uwagbae, engineer (33 years)
Retirements: a total of 567 years of service
Priscilla L. Alley (87)
Hassan Aman (74)
Grieg L. Anderson (75)
James Anderson (76)
Svetlana S. Arnold (95)
Raymond E. Breshears (88)
Timothy L. Danchok (69)
James P. Fergerson (80)
Ken R. Griffin, (69)
Norman H. Jackson (78)
Donald Overby (80)
Ellery A. Reed (78)
Albert J. Simonich (74)
Stanley D. Strain (87)
Remembering colleaguesWe celebrate and remember these colleagues who have recently passed away:
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Group get‑togethersAll PGE retirees, spouses and significant others are welcome to attend any of these gatherings. If you would like to start a new one closer to you — or you know one that isn’t here — contact Terry Judkins at 503‑804‑8870 or [email protected].
Location Time DateRetired union employees: Union Hall 17200 SE Sacramento (off 182nd Avenue)
11:30 a.m. Fourth Monday of every month; potluck
Village Inn 10301 SE Stark Street
8:30 a.m. First Tuesday of even-numbered months
Black Bear Diner 237 SW 4th Street, Madras
8:30 a.m. First Wednesday of each month; contact Dave Gibson, 503‑708‑8364, for information
Village Inn Columbia River Hwy, St. Helens
9:00 a.m. First Wednesday of each month
Hale’s Restaurant 17502 SE McLoughlin Blvd
9:00 a.m. First Wednesday of each month
Elmer’s Restaurant 390 SW Adams Street, Hillsboro
9:00 a.m. Every Wednesday
Retired Customer Service employees:Wichita Bar and Grill 19140 Molalla Avenue, Oregon City
9:00 a.m. First Thursday of each month
Guest House 4850 Portland Road NE, Salem
7:30 a.m. Every Thursday
McDonald’s 192nd Avenue and TV Highway
9:30 a.m. Every Thursday
The Bomber 13515 SE McLoughlin Blvd
11:30 a.m. First Friday of odd-numbered months
J’s Restaurant 2017 Portland Road, Newberg
11:30 a.m. Second Friday of every month
Groups of retirees meet at designated restaurants to enjoy each other’s company. We would like to include photos of these gatherings in the newsletter.
If you have a photo, please send it to Sylvia Handris at [email protected]. Remember to include information about the photo — who, when and where!
PGE Retirees’ BreakfastVillage Inn, 103rd and Stark, August 7
Photo taken by Pearl Skinner
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Blast from the pastCalling all car buffs! When were these photos taken, and where are these PGE customer service offices? PGE Retiree Judy Francis is helping PGE identify historic photos for their archives. If you know, email Judy at [email protected] – and thanks!
PGE quick facts from the pastIn December of 1963:
• PGE had 1,585 employees who served 275,847 customers.
• The average usage of electricity per customer was 895 kWh per month at a cost of about $2.50.
• More than half of our customers used electricity for drying clothes, and almost all of them used it to heat water and cook.
• About 45,000 had an electrically heated home.
Source: PGE Quick Facts, Dec. 31, 1963
Thoughts from your editorHello fellow Retirees,
Fall is upon us, and the season plans to be very busy. We are trying to make the newsletter more user friendly! If you have any thoughts and ideas, please do not hesitate to tell me or any member of the Retiree Board.
As you can tell from our “Blast from the past” article, times have certainly changed, but PGE is still making history!
Remember that this newsletter is for you — the hard-working PGE retirees — so please participate and contribute to its survival. There are many fun and informative events for your enjoyment. Try not to pass them by.
See you at one or the other…
Sylvia Handris
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PGE retirees websitehttp://pgeretirees.org/
Check out the link that connects you to the PGE myCommunity site where you can record your volunteer hours or find NewsLines, Retiree Bulletins and some history of PGE.
If you want something posted or have a question, contact Retiree Webmaster Linh Huynh at 503‑328‑7915 or [email protected].
Brighten the day of a retiree! Barbara Beck, our Sunshine Chair, sent cards to several of our retirees and their spouses. Because of privacy concerns, we will no longer be sharing the names of those receiving cards, but Barbara is still sending them!
If you know of someone who isn’t feeling well, has suffered a personal loss or has a birthday, anniversary or a special occasion, contact Barbara Beck at 503‑775‑9236 or [email protected].
Things to knowLike us on Facebook!About 70 retirees (and counting) think the PGE Retirees Group Facebook page is a great way to communicate, discuss and make announcements. It is more secure than a normal Facebook membership because it is a “closed” group; you can’t see any of the information it contains unless you are a member.
If you would like to join the group, already have a Facebook account, don’t currently use Facebook or need any kind of assistance, send your email to Mark Lander at [email protected].
Did you move? Get a new phone number?You and your family (or beneficiaries) don’t want to miss important information, so let PGE know if you have changed your address or phone number. Contact Robert Gierek at 503‑464‑2259 or [email protected].
