- Summit County Retired Teachers Association

SCRTA NEWS
Summit County Retired Teachers Association
THE SUMMIT COUNTY AFFILIATE OF Ohio
Retired Teachers Association
May - June 2016
retired teachers in the state of Ohio and only approximately 22,000 are members of ORTA.
Your Management Board met on April 19, 2016.
Again, I personally wish to thank those serving on the
Board for their time and dedication to our association.
Our goal is to keep our membership informed of
activities at the State and local level which affect our
retirements. If you have any questions or concerns,
please contact any member of the Management Board
listed in our quarterly mailing.
President’s Corner
Paul DiMascio, President
On April 20, 2016, the following members of
your Management Board attended a day long ORTA
Spring Conference in Alliance, Ohio. Those attending
were Gail Danford, Paul Green, Elaine Jarvis and
myself.
We attended various informative break-out
sessions, all of which were informing and motivating. I was most impressed with ORTA’s session on
the importance of representation for Retired Teachers at the state level. ORTA is our only voice with
our elected legislatures concerning proposed changes in laws effecting our Retirement benefits. As you
are aware elected officials are influenced by
numbers of voters and financial support. By law,
ORTA is not allowed to provide financial support to
elected officials. An interesting note mentioned in
the session, Charter Schools do not come under the
same restriction and may donate to individual campaigns. ORTA’s only strength is in numbers of
members. ORTA is planning a statewide membership drive during 2016. ORTA is the only voice the
Retired Teacher has at the legislative level.
All
members of SCRTA are members of ORTA due to
our joint membership resolution. All Ohio Retired
Teacher Associations are being approached to have
joint memberships with ORTA.
As the school year comes to a close, I am asking
you as a members of SCRTA, to encourage your
friends and fellow-teachers to join us in their retirement. Our greatest strength will be our number of
members in ORTA. There are approximately 115,000
Inside This Issue
June 6th SCRTA Program .................................. 2
A Fiesta Day Bus Trip ........................................ 2
2016-2018 SCRTA Management Board ............... 2
SCRTA Membership updates .............................. 3
ORTA District X Director’s Report ....................... 3
Did You Know?............................................… 4
ORTA District X Report Continued ..................... 5
ORTA Outstanding Volunteer Chapter Award ..... 5
Community Service News ................................. 6
SCRTA Calendar .............................................. 6
June 6th Meal Reservation & Membership
Forms .......................................................Insert
Junior Achievement Flyer ...........................Insert
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Vogenitz, 3326 Waterside Dr., Akron, OH 44319.
Payment in full must be made by June 1st. No credits or refunds will be issued within 30 days of the trip
unless someone else fills your seat.
Membership Meeting Program
June 6, 2016
QUESTIONS-Carolyn Vogenitz,
PH-330-645-9928, c-330-329-9929,
e-mail wtsdpub@aol.com JOIN US!
Jim Sukys, Vice President and COO of Habitat for
_____________________________
Humanity and Laura Fiegelist, Communication Coordi-
2016 - 2018
nator will be the presenters at the June 6th luncheon
SCRTA MANAGEMENT BOARD
meeting. They will include information about the
mission of Habitat for Humanity of Summit County,
community service activities, and volunteer opportunities. There will also be a question and answer
session.
________________________________________
President - Paul DiMascio (330-882-4738)
A FIESTA DAY
JUNE 30, 2016
1st VP/ Program - Ellen Goggins (330-836-3822)
2nd VP/Legislative Chair - Kay Fluke
(330-773-2097)
Past President - Mary Lou Swartz (330-644-2009)
Administrative Assistant - Judy Mervine
(330-745-7587)
Join us for a busy day in the Columbiana, Ohio
area. We will leave from Staples on Arlington Road
and travel to the HOMER LAUGHLIN COMPANY
STORE. The store specializes in "FIESTA WARE" and
you will find quality tableware at fantastic prices.
From there we will relax with a luncheon tea and tour
at the VICTORIAN C.C. THOMPSON HOUSE, experiencing the heritage and grandeur of Victorian style
living.
The Columbiana area is known for ceramic and
pottery and we will learn more with a tour at the
CERAMIC MUSEUM. Next is a pontoon ride on the
beautiful LAKE GUILFORD. From there we will head
for the LISBON HISTORICAL SOCIETY for "Fiesta
Festivities" to enjoy munchies, snacks and libations.
$99 - Tour includes: all tours and admissions,
bus transportation, luncheon tea, pontoon ride,
snacks, shopping and guide service.
Seats are limited, so if interested, get your reservation and check or money order (made out to
Summit County Retired Teachers Association) in as
soon as possible. Mail reservations to: Carolyn
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Treasurer - Paul Green (330-733-7311)
Asst. Treasurer/Membership - Gail Danford
(330-524-8890)
Public Relations - Ruby Winter (330-644-6886)
Newsletter Editor - Elaine Jarvis (330-607-0226)
Travel - Carolyn Vogenitz (330-645-9928)
Web Master - Leroy Martin (330-666-3984)
Nominating Committee: 3 elected members Johnnette Curry (330-699-4123); Carol Caughron
(330-745-1776); Lennie Green (330-630-2440); and
2 Members at Large - Mary Anasson (330-836-
4272) - Informative and Protective Services; Christine Bean (330-784-4575) … Community Service
Scholarship Committee - Vicky Shaw (330-7735862) and Judi Hill (330-688-2512) … Co-Chair
Member At Large/Chaplain - Blin Scatterday
(330-721-3094)
Member at Large - Gordon Rice (330-699-3494)
ORTA District X Director’s Report
In this hyper-political year and every year, it is
important to remember the mission of the Ohio
Retired Teachers Association.
The Ohio Retired Teachers Association is the
voice of Ohio’s retired public educators. ORTA
advocates and promotes the improvement of
pensions, benefits, and services available to
Ohio’s active and retired public educators. The
association represents and takes action on
behalf of our constituents to STRS Ohio, the
Ohio legislature, and other agencies dealing
with retirement issues.
The Ohio Retired Teachers Association is nonpartisan and nonprofit. We do not incorporate into
our chapter, district, or state work any of the hot
topics or hot candidates which may or may not
appear on ballots across our Buckeye state or our
country.
We are not the League of Women Voters.
Our mission is not to explain the ballot. Our sole
mission surrounds education and educators. We are
careful to stay on topic at all levels of our organization. We have a sole purpose and a sole mission –
education and educators.
There is a lot of news on the federal level:
On Tuesday, March 29, The United State Supreme
Court reported their decision on Friedrichs v
California Teachers Association. The question
was whether public workers who choose not to join a
union could be required to pay fees that cover collective bargaining. The 4-4 decision by the court upheld
the decision from the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals
in favor of the California Teachers Association.
Also on the federal level concerning private
pensions:
The Multiemployer Pension Reform Act was
passed in late 2014. The law was designed to keep
multiemployer private pension plans solvent and
continue to pay retirees, but possibly at reduced
rates. Teamsters retired under the Central States
Pension Fund face a reduction of 50% or more in
their pensions. 48,000 Ohioans and 400,000 more
Membership News
Please use the form in this newsletter to submit
your membership information and dues for 2016.
There are approximately 20 people who still need to
pay. If you are not sure if you are paid up, please
stop by the membership table at the June 6 luncheon
or call me. If you would like membership cards, enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and I will
send them to you or you can stop by the membership
table at the luncheon.
We will be collecting 2017 dues starting at the
November meeting through the end of the year.
We are a dual membership chapter which means that
our members are both ORTA and SCTRA members.
The dual membership is $40. We send $30 to ORTA
for each paid member. Please make your checks payable to SCRTA. Life membership is still available but
it is $560.
Please share your email address with us. There is
a place on the membership form and we will be placing sign up sheets on each table at Guy’s. We would
like to eventually send our communications via email.
Please help us to grow our membership. We have
dropped to 516 members. We are reaching out to
new retirees and would ask you to do the same. We
had four prospective members with us in April and
hope to have them join our organization. Our April
speaker, Linda Lonsdorf, is our newest member!
Please contact me with any questions, comments
or ideas.
Gail Danford/Membership & Assistant Treasurer
(Please See ORTA District X Pg. 5)
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did not. People who read magazines had a 30% lower
risk, those who socialized had a 23% lower risk, and
the people who played games had a 14% lower risk.
Those of us with healthy arteries that are clear of
calcium (hardening of the arteries) are more likely to
stay sharp in our older age. Research results, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in March of 2016, of 500 participants, age 80
and over, who had annual testing of calcium levels in
their heart arteries for 15 years, indicated that those
with the highest levels of calcium showed signs of
dementia in as little as five years. Those with the lowest levels did not show signs of dementia until over
seven years following their first measurement. To
lower the calcium buildup in our arteries, we need to
stop smoking, exercise, and manage our high blood
pressure, cholesterol levels, and diabetes. This all
might result in a substantial reduction in the incidence
of dementia.
The latest research to help our brain remain sharp
indicates that we must PUT OUR SMART PHONE ON
“SILENT.” When we need to concentrate, the smart
phone’s vibrating, ringing, buzzing, or frequent use
“…..triggers a break in concentration that can significantly impair cognitive activities such as thinking,
learning, memory, and paying attention.” Researchers
found that the interruption by signals from a cell
phone call were 28% more likely to cause us to make
an error and those of us whose phone showed a text
message were 23% more likely to make an error.
Research also “…..suggests that our smart phone can
make us more stupid by increasing our risk for cognitive failures associated with forgetfulness, lack of
awareness of our surroundings, or inattention.”
Mobile phones may be nice, but there is also a need to
log off and think how current technology is “impacting
our capacity of focus…..” New technology is wonderful, but we must consider the “underlying consequences to our cognitive capabilities.” We must take “brain
breaks.” Go outdoors. Take a short walk. Visit a
different environment. In other words, we must also
take a short mental vacation from all this new
technology for our brain’s sake!
Mary Kostas Anasson, Chair
Informative and Protective Services
(Resources available upon request)
MAINTAINING MENTAL FITNESS
A healthy diet may be the key to a keener mind
and a more balanced mood in our senior years. Diet
has a very important effect on brain function and
cognition. Paying attention to the kinds and qualities
of foods we eat helps our chances of remaining
sharp and mentally healthy. Researchers have found
that “…….a healthy diet of fresh vegetables, fruit,
salad, and grilled fish…..” showed an increase in
volume of the left hippocampus on brain scans, while
those who ate the unhealthy diet showed a
decrease. Diet accounted for 62% of the decline in
the left hippocampal volume, independent of other
factors, such as health and socioeconomic status.”
If we want to protect our aging brains, we must
eat foods that reduce the risk for cardiovascular
disease, obesity, inflammation, and other health issues that may damage the brain. Three of these
diets are: the DASH diet (Dietary Approach to Stop
Hypertension); the Mediterranean diet; and the
MIND diet (a combination of DASH and Mediterranean diets).
Besides oxygen and water, a healthy brain needs
glucose (the best source being from complex forms
that come from fruit, whole grains, vegetables, and
legumes). A healthy brain needs amino acids, the
building blocks of neurotransmitters-- the messengers that allow brain cells to communicate with each
other (the best are found in lean meat, fish, eggs,
poultry, low-fat dairy products, grains, legume, nuts,
and seeds). And, a healthy brain needs micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that
are vital for our brain’s defense system by controlling
free radicals—highly reactive forms of oxygen that
can damage our brain cells).
Your computer is also a good source of a memory
booster. On-line chatting, computer games, and emailing are good ways for you to maintain a keen
memory. The regular user of these computer activities has a 42% reduced risk of developing MCI (Mild
Cognitive Impairment). In a four-year study of 1900
older adults, scientists found that those who used a
computer at least once a week had a 42% lower risk
for memory and thinking problems than those who
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(ORTA District X Report Continued)
retirees across the nation receive pensions through
the Central States Pension Fund.
US Senator Bernie Sanders and US Representative Marcy Kaptur have introduced the Keep
Our Pension Promises Act. This act would repeal
the 2014 multiemployer pension law. US Senator
Rob Portman has also introduced legislation intended to give workers and retirees binding votes on pension plan changes.
Also on the Federal level concerning public
pensions:
The Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) were the focus of a
March 22 hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives under the title Social Security and Public
Servants: Ensuring Equal Treatment. The GPO –
Government Pension Offset and WEP – Windfall Elimination Provision reduce the Social Security benefits
earned by educators, police, fire fighters, and other
public employees.
In the US House of Representatives, HR 711
seeks to repeal the windfall elimination provision of
the Social Security Act. Another bill, HR 973, the
Social Security Fairness Act of 2015, also seeks
to repeal the Windfall Elimination Requirement
through a computation fix. US Representative
Dave Joyce of Ohio is a co-sponsor of both bills.
There are questions surrounding the benefit or
harm that the change in computation will bring. Stay
aware of these US Senate and US House bills.
We receive a public pension. Our State Teachers
Retirement System of Ohio is solvent. The Ohio
Retired Teachers Association is attentive to
any change in pension law, public or private.
Concerning our STRS health insurance:
I am a Baby Boomer. Boomers are turning 70. The
healthcare industry refers to us as the silver tsunami. Medicare can expect significantly higher costs
because of the increase in the number of beneficiaries. On the whole, Boomers will live longer in poorer
health.
We must recognize the healthcare funding challenges facing STRS. The STRS Health Care Program
costs for fiscal year 2015 totaled more than $1.8
million per day.
At the recent STRS Retreat, the board took an
intensive look at the funding challenges facing the
STRS Ohio Health Care Program. The key takeaway
is that the projected life of the health care fund has
significantly dropped due to increasing health
care claims payments and the lack of a dedicated source of funds for health care. The STRS
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Board identified several steps for staff to
pursue while continuing to study potential
funding solutions. These steps include:
 Determine the components that deliver a plan
that represents a good value
 Evaluate additional health care plan changes in
the areas of eligibility, plan design and subsidy
levels.
 Work on approaches to increase funding
 Continue open and honest communication
I am so grateful for the health insurance offered
through the State Teachers Retirement System of
Ohio. As you may know OPERS, the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, no longer sponsors
health insurance like STRS. Now, OPERS distributes
a stipend to the retiree. With the stipend, the retiree
purchases health insurance as an individual on the
open health care market. STRS is watching this
change at OPERS.
Thank you for allowing me to speak on behalf of
the Ohio Retired Teachers Association.
Rebecca Ann Zurava, PhD
2928 Silver Lake Boulevard
Silver Lake, Ohio 44224-3037
home 330 923 5695
cell 330 730 3484
Editor’s Note: The above report was presented by Dr.
Zurava at the April 4, 2016 SCRTA Membership Luncheon
at Guy’s Party Center. Reprinted with her permission .
_______________________________________________
On April 20, 2016 at the ORTA Spring Conference
in Alliance, Ohio, SCRTA President Paul DiMascio
accepted an Outstanding Volunteer Certificate from
Carol Remington, ORTA President, on behalf of the
state Association and the members of the Summit
County Community who were served. 15,000 hours
were recorded in 2015.
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
U, S, POSTAGE PAID
AKRON, OHIO 44309
Permit No. 418
Summit County Retired Teachers Association
452 Herbert Rd.
Akron, Ohio 44312
May - June
2016
SCRTA Website
www.summitcountyrta.org
ATTENTION NEWSLETTER RECIPIENTS: If your address label is
RED-LINED, this will be the last newsletter you will receive unless we receive
payment for current dues.
Leroy Martin - Webmaster
lmartin561@gmail.com
COMMUNITY SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
June 6, 2016 … SCRTA / ORTA General Luncheon Meeting
… 12 Noon at Guy’s Party Centre
Thank you letters and bulletins from the organizations we donate to are available for you to read at
our luncheons. Please continue to bring health and
beauty, paper and cleaning products for Safe Landing for Boys and Girls, Battered Women's Shelter,
and The Haven of Rest. You will receive an extra
prize ticket for if you bring 5 or more items to the
luncheons.
July 19, 2016 … SCRTA / ORTA Management Board Meeting at the AEA Building in Akron at 10:30 am.
September 6, 2016 … SCRTA / ORTA General Luncheon
Meeting … 12 Noon at Guy’s Party Centre.
September 20, 2016 … SCRTA / ORTA Management
Board Meeting … 9:30 am at the AEA Building in Akron at
Chris Bean, Community Service Chairman
9:30 am.
November 7, 2016 … SCRTA / ORTA General Luncheon
Meeting … 12 Noon at Guy’s Party Centre
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SCRTA / ORTA GENERAL LUNCHEON MEETING
Monday, June 6, 2016
Guys Party Center
500 East Waterloo Road, Akron, OH 44319
12 Noon
Price: $17.00
DOOR PRIZES
Bring 5 or more items for the Community Service Project and receive an extra door prize ticket.
When you make your reservation, you will need to indicate your entrée: Swiss Steak, Broiled Scrod,
Baked Chicken, or Vegetarian Stir Fry. Mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, garlic bread, sherbet,
coffee, tea or lemonade are included with your entrée (Tax & tip are included).
Clip this reservation form and send to: Ruby Winter 3873 Roller Ave., Akron, OH 44319 (330-644-6886)
LUNCHEON RESERVATION
NAME __________________________
ENTRÉE SELECTION: ____SWISS STEAK ____ BAKED CHICKEN
____BROILED SCROD ____VEGETARIAN STIR FRY
Check your choice of entrée, make checks payable to SCRTA and send to Ruby Winter. She must receive
this completed reservation form and your check by June 1, 2016.
DUAL-MEMBERSHIP FORM FOR SCRTA & ORTA DUES
NAME_____________________________________________PHONE____________
ADDRESS_________________________/__________________________/________
Street
City
Zip
SCRTA / ORTA DUAL-MEMBERSHP DUES $40____ (SCRTA $10 / ORTA $30)
(Dual-membership required)
YEAR YOU RETIRED________
I am a SCRTA LIFE member_____
I pay ORTA directly_____
I am an ORTA LIFE member _____
BRING THIS FORM WHEN PAYING DUES. MAKE ALL CHECKS PAYABLE TO SCRTA.
Check # ___________________ Email: _____________________________________
BY MAIL SEND TO: GAIL DANFORD – 381 LAKE OF THE WOODS BLVD., AKRON, OH 44333