january 2012 - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Retiree Association

BCBSM Retirees Newsletter
Produced for and by members of the
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Retiree Association
Volume 21, Issue 1 • Winter 2012
Mystery train riders solve Blissfield whodunit
Tiny Blissfield, Mich., was the destination for Association
members on Sept. 29 where they caught a ride on the
Blissfield Murder Mystery Train. The event included
transportation to Blissfield via bus from Warren and
Farmington Hills and “dinner, drinks and a dead guy” on
the mystery train.
The mystery train, with cars dating from the 1930s,
40s and 50s, travels along a segment of the Erie &
Kalamazoo Railroad Line that began operations in 1836.
Along the historic route riders get a view of Michigan’s
rich farmland.
Along with a sit-down dinner at cozy tables for
four, members participated in a murder mystery
called “School’s Out” in which performers provided
background information and a series of clues to help
the audience guess the murderer — with lots of laughs
along the way.
On the return to Blissfield some of the visitors took
advantage of the opportunity to visit Blissfield’s
antique shops. Then everyone boarded their bus back
to the pickup locations. All in all, it was a fun and
entertaining day.
More photos on page 2…
Murder Mystery Train performer “Coach Pat” with Leonard and Mary Hicks
Blissfield mystery...
(continued from page 1)
Sharon Jones, right
(retiree Kathie Helms’s
sister) hams it up with
performer “Paula Lean”
Kathy Dolan, one of the event
coordinators, goes over the
day’s agenda on the bus
headed for Blissfield
Alice Reynolds and
Marilyn Radlicki
Linda Jamison, left, a friend
and Brenda Johnson are ready
to board the bus
Ed Barszcz leaving
the train
Kathy Adamus
boards the train
Edith Glaspie and
DiAnn Vaughn at
the station
Wanda Black and
Sarah Durrough
Thanks to Kath Arndt, Edith Glaspie, Linda Jamison
and Delores Gelemey Newak for contributing photos
for this issue. To view more photos,
go to bcbsmretireeassoc.com.
Exciting event lineup set for 2012
February 10
September
COFFEE CONCERT WITH THE DSO,
DETROIT
JACKSON PRISON TOUR, JACKSON
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra plays Rachmaninoff
and Shostakovich at the Max M. Fisher Music Center.
October 18
March 3
“SOUTH PACIFIC” AT THE FOX
THEATER, DETROIT
Lunch and tour of the historic prison.
ANNUAL MEETING & LUNCHEON,
STERLING HEIGHTS
Join us for the annual business meeting and lunch at
the Best Western Sterling Inn.
Lunch on the Mezzanine followed by “South Pacific.”
November 14
March 13
DIA, DETROIT
SNOWBIRD LUNCHEON, WESLEY
CHAPEL, FL
The snowbirds will convene at Remington’s Steak
House. For more info, call Dee Stilson at
727-815-3526.
April 14
BOWL-A-RAMA, FARMINGTON HILLS
Charity fundraiser at Country Lanes of Farmington.
Pizza, pop and lots of prizes!
May 17
SPRING LUNCHEON, GROSSE POINTE
SHORES
Luncheon at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House will
include a tour of the estate.
June
CLINTON RIVER CRUISE, MT. CLEMENS
Lunch and cruise on the Clinton River.
July
DETROIT TIGERS, DETROIT
Join our annual outing to cheer on the Tigers.
August 10 or 17
BILL BURKE MEMORIAL GOLF
OUTING, HOLLY
The 22nd annual golf outing is set for the Heather
Highlands Golf Course.
Enjoy lunch and see the Faberge exhibit at the Detroit
Institute of Arts.
December 6
HOLIDAY PARTY, LIVONIA
Join your friends for the holiday luncheon at the Italian
American Club in Livonia.
Be sure to check our Web site at bcbsmretireeassoc.com
for more information about our Association events.
28th Annual Holiday Party a sparkling event
What better way to kick off the holiday season than
spending time with old friends and new at the Retiree
Association’s annual holiday get-together. This year’s
celebration was an evening event at the Club Venetian
in Madison Heights on Dec. 7.
The tasty full-course dinner, holiday decorations and
entertainment by Detroit’s Blue Dawne band (playing
blues, jazz and soul) all made for a festive evening.
As always, party-goers gave generously to the charity
auction and 50/50 raffle. Those who won auction items
were Sue Grzelewski-Fessler, Kathleen Roten, Mary Kay
Fedak, Delores Gelemey Newak, Kay Jones, Rosemary
Nixon, Christine Kuljurgis, Claudea Meadows and Mary
Kay Kelly. The 50/50 raffle winners were Vicki Moore
($175), Sandy Lasiuta ($125) and Sandy Bright ($60).
Retirees attending their first
Association event, from left
to right, Adrienne Starling,
Gary Lassic, Vicki Moore, Rita
McClendon, Lucy Foerg, Helen
Russell, Patricia Roach, Rick
Polomski, Veronica Farrell,
Ruvester Kelley, Patricia
Norris, Ruth Diane SpeightJohnson, Robbie Sherman and
Cellestine Carter.
Gene and Susan
Dubois-Reetz
From left to right,
Barb Lipinski, Karen
McCrary, Kathleen
Jacka and Patrick
and Patricia Roach
Agnes and Harry
Tokatlian
Left to right, Helen
Russell and Pat and
Ken Shelton
Blue Dawne lead
singer Daune Smith
Ruth Diane SpeightJohnson, Veronica
Farrell, Karen Stecher
and Terry Rotare
Janetta and Robert
Pittman
Rod Meyer and
Paul Marzec
Lois Carter and
Philip Jackson at the
hors d’oeuvre table
Philip Howell and
Tom Skiba
Stella Mullen and
Rita McClendon
Elections, lunch, Medicare
update round out annual
meeting agenda
The 29th Annual Membership Meeting and Luncheon
was held Oct. 20 in Canton at the Summit on the Park
Banquet & Conference Center.
Outgoing Association president Spencer Brown
presided over the business portion of the meeting.
He introduced the board officers and committee
chairpersons. Attendees received handouts that
included the annual financial report, reports from each
committee of the board and the Retirement Plans Key
Indicators Report. The election of officers followed.
The 2012 officers are:
• President, Ray Newak
• Vice President, John McCrary
• Secretary, Marie Bjerke
• Treasurer, Joyce Obenhoff
• Immediate Past President, Spencer Brown
2012 officers, seated from left, Marie Bjerke and Joyce Obenhoff;
standing from left, Ray Newak, John McCrary and Spencer Brown.
John Dowsley, Senior Markets Consultant at the Blues,
was the guest speaker. He gave a general overview of
where Medicare is headed and some of the changes on
the horizon. Expanded preventive benefits like an annual
wellness exam and gradual closing of the “donut hole”
for drug coverage are two positive changes, he said.
Following his talk, John was peppered with Medicarerelated questions from the audience. Many of the
questions focused on the process for enrolling in
Medicare Advantage when retirees approach age 65.
Association board members collected the names and
phone numbers of those with unanswered questions
and shared them with company representatives for
follow-up.
“We are pleased that after the meeting Retirement
Adminstration and Employee Benefits staff contacted
everyone on the list to assist them in resolving their
issues,” said Board President Ray Newak. “Our
feedback from the individuals we heard from indicates
that they were very satisfied with the outcome.”
This lively discussion was followed by a buffet luncheon,
a charity auction, 50/50 raffle and the traditional
giveaway of table centerpieces. Winners of charity
auction items were Norma Taylor, Annette Foster,
Maryann Monk, Linda Little, Joyce Obenhoff, Marlene
Sadlowski, Carl Bentz, Linda Lee and Mike Cartier.
The 50/50 raffle winners were Joyce Obenhoff, $100;
Janice Crossland, $35, and Denise Coggins, $20.
Carl Benz poses a question
Janet Crain and
Elaine Schoder look
over reports
Mike Cartier claiming his prize
in the charity auction from
(left to right) Kay Jones, Beleta
Williams and Annette Foster
Guest speaker John Dowsley
Who’s Who in the BCBSM Retiree Association
Officers
President
Ray Newak
Vice President
John McCrary
Treasurer
Joyce Obenhoff
Secretary
Marie Bjerke
Immediate Past President
Spencer Brown
Committees
Operations
John McCrary, chairperson; Marie Bjerke, BCBSM liaison and records retention;
Saundra Freeman, committee member
Social
Annette Foster, chairperson; Kathy Dolan, Connie Dowe and Ed Barszcz,
committee members; Nick Grabowski, golf outing; Dee Stilson, Florida luncheon
Planning
John Flint and Phyllis Hampton, co-chairpersons
Finance
Richard Dow, chairperson
Membership
Communications
Kath Arndt, Web master and photographer; Janice Crossland, newsletter editor
Membership Liaison
Beleta Williams, chairperson; Kay Jones, coordinator
Fundraising
Beleta Williams, chairperson
Contact Information
Association Web site
bcbsmretireeassoc.com
Association e-mail
information@bcbsmretireeassoc.com
BCBSM Retirement
Administration
Toll-free: 1-800-922-0699
Local: 313-225-9609
Fax: 1-866-238-3295
E-mail: retirementadministration@bcbsm.com
Change of address, phone
number
All changes must be made in writing to Retirement Administration via Fax, e-mail
or U.S. Mail at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Retirement Administration,
Mail Code 0126, 600 East Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226.
BCBSM medical claims
inquiries
E-mail: employeeinquiry@BCBSM.com
Phone: Medicare Plus Blue customer service, 1-866-684-8216; CAREN IVR,
1-800-858-7915
BCN claims
BCN Ombudsman, 1-888-265-4703; BCN Advantage customer service,
1-866-966-2583
Retiree checks/State Street
Bank
1-888-419-8769
Congratulations and Welcome to Our New Retirees
John Anthony
Patricia Drabick
Catherine Lanier
Kenneth Setera
Thomas Bachman
Carolyn Gilmore
Cheryl McDonald
Ilene Seve
Joyce Calhoun
Marilyn Hansford
Kathleen Nauta
Barbara VanRaaphorst
Dennis Clifford
Victoria Jackson
Marianne Peterson
Rose Vital
Alan Dahlen
Sheryl Jones
Joanne Riney
Shirley Wilt
Susan Defrancis
Carol Kachaturoff
Norene Schreck
Leo Simpson in the news
If you live in the Farmington area
and read the Farmington Observer
you may have read two articles last
fall featuring BCBSM retiree Leo
Simpson — a champion speller and
blood donor.
A story in the Sept. 18 edition
of the newspaper congratulated
Leo as he donated his 144th
unit — 18 gallons — of blood at
the Farmington Hills Red Cross
Donation Center.
...May they rest in peace
Donald J. Clune
July 23, 2011
Stephen “Steve” Mass
September 7, 2011
Onofrio “Norm” Bongiorno
September 23, 2011
Robert A. Mitchell
October 19, 2011
Leo Simpson
Diane Brandt of the center said in the article Simpson
has helped 432 people with the 18 gallons, a “nearly
unheard of” quantity. Because of his generous
contribution the Farmington Center is presenting Leo
with a special “18 gallon” pin and plaque.
Simpson told the paper he’s been donating on and off
for 30 years. “It’s not as much of an obligation as it is
a wish to help somebody,” Leo said in the article. “It
doesn’t hurt and it replenishes itself quickly — it’s good
for everybody.”
Shortly after the September article appeared, Leo was
once again featured when he came in first place at the
annual Farmington Hills Senior Spelling Bee. In the Oct.
4 article Leo said that while he had participated in the
local bee for the past five years, he’d never placed first
until now.
Explaining why he enjoys participating in spelling bees,
Leo said “it’s a little bit of showing off and maybe it
helps me believe I’m not slowing down...even if I am.”
Leo retired from BCBSM in 2002. He worked for the Blues
for 46 years, the first 28 in Cleveland and the remainder
in Detroit. He worked in the legal department for most of
his tenure in Cleveland and all of his time in Michigan.
Sydney J. Turner
October 28, 2011
Ruth Cain
November 19, 2011
Betty J. Van Tongeren
December 7, 2011
Selene L. McCoy
December 14, 2011
Virginia R. Dwyer
December 28, 2011
The Retiree Association Board notes with
sadness the loss of Syd Turner, a long-time active
Association member who served on the board for
many years. He was an officer from 1991 to 1995,
serving as president in 1994 and 1995. For several
years he was also the coordinator of the annual
retiree golf outing as well as the newsletter editor.
“During my tenure on the board, I always admired
Syd and appreciated all he and his wife did in
editing the newsletter,” said Board President Ray
Newak. “Syd was a dedicated board member
whose calm and thoughtful presence at meetings,
along with his good humor, are missed by all.”
The board also mourns the loss of Don Clune, who
for many years organized the Bay Area holiday party.
The BCBSM Retirees Newsletter is published three times a year for members of the
BCBSM Retiree Association. We’d like to hear from you. If you have a comment on the newsletter or
an idea for an article, please contact us at information@bcbsmretireeassoc.com.
Also be sure to check out our Web site at bcbsmretireeassoc.com for information about upcoming events
and photos of past events. We’re on Facebook, too. You will find the link on our Web site.
E-mail Directory updates: The directory is updated periodically and sent via e-mail to everyone on the list.
If you would like to add your e-mail address, make a correction or remove your name from the list,
send your request to information@bcbsmretireeassoc.com.
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