Volume 23, Issue 2 • Spring/Summer 2014

BCBSM Retirees NewsletterProduced for and by members of the

BCBSM Retiree Association

Lunch and laughs at Genitti’s highlight year’s first outing“Murder at the Fountain of Youth” couldn’t compete with stories by Agatha Christie and other well-known crime writers. But the “interactive lunch theater” production at Genitti’s Hole-in-the-Wall did produce plenty of laughs and left Retiree Association members smiling as they exited the theater.

Nearly 100 members and their guests enjoyed our March 3 lunch outing at Genitti’s restaurant theater in Northville. A several-course lunch, served family-style, included Italian wedding soup, pasta, antipasto salad, baked chicken, “Italian steak” (pork cutlets), Italian sausage, vegetables, potatoes and cannoli for dessert.

Following lunch, we entered the theater, just a few steps away from the dining room. The setting for the “whodunit” was the Fountain of Youth Home for forgotten TV stars — a soap opera actress, game show host, variety show singer, sitcom actor and cop show detective. The main action involved a talent show and a murder.

During the talent show, the former entertainers each called members of the audience to the stage. John McCrary, John Dowe (Connie’s husband), Ron Kurkowski, Margaret Bucienski, Gwendolyn Smith, Joyce Obenhoff, Ray Newak and Kay Jones all did a great job playing along with the actors and adding to the fun.

All in all, the good food and entertainment made for a pleasant day. The service was welcoming and friendly, and many of those who attended asked if we could plan another event at Genitti’s in the future.

Subscription renewal info coming soonTo help us prepare our mailing lists for 2015, we will soon be sending a subscription renewal form to everyone on the current lists. This will allow us to make corrections and to add or subtract individuals from the e-mail or U.S. mail listing as needed. We will send two notices. The first will go out with our next events flyer and the second with the fall newsletter. Your prompt reply will be appreciated.

Joyce Obenhoff (right) held her own on stage at Genitti’s Hole-in-the-Wall. Genitti’s continued on page 2

August 15 – BILL BURKE MEMORIAL GOLF OUTING, CLARKSTONThis year’s golf outing takes place at a new venue, the Fountains Golf and Banquet center. Registration deadline is July 1.

September 23 – PARADE COMPANY TOUR, DETROITJoin us for a behind-the-scenes look at the floats, costumes, papier-mache heads and more at the Parade Company Studio followed by lunch.

October 23 – ANNUAL MEETING, ST. CLAIR SHORESThe annual business meeting and luncheon is set for the Lakeland Manor banquet center.

November 13 – MASONIC TEMPLE, DETROITTour this beautiful and historic building which is said to be the world’s largest Masonic Temple. After the tour enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant with fellow retirees.

December 4 – HOLIDAY PARTY, WARRENThe holiday party will be a luncheon at the Gazebo Banquet Center in Warren.

Mark your calendars for these events

Be sure to check our website at miretireeassoc.com for the most up‑to‑date information on Association events. Information about events is posted as soon as details become available.

Pat and Ron Kurkowski

Christine Thomas (left) and Gloria Butler

Left to right, Kathy Adamus, Mary Ann Gehringer (hidden behind Kathy), Marilyn Wozniacki and Linda Guthrie enjoy the musical entertainment before lunch.

John Flint and Pat Hey pick up name tags.

Genitti’s continued

Kay Jones and Eleanor Christie Linda Wells (left) and Debbie Pawlak, first-time Bowl-a-Rama attendees.

Bowl-a-Rama makes for a fun afternoon

Happy 75th anniversary to the Blues

Our annual Bowl-a-Rama charity event held on April 12 is fast becoming a Retiree Association tradition. This year marked its fourth year with the highest attendance so far. It was held at Country Lanes of Farmington on Nine Mile Road.

Beginners as well as seasoned bowlers are always welcome to participate in Bowl-a-Rama. Grandkids were well represented this year. Lela Thomas came with her grandson, Bryce Thomas; Bernadette Parris brought her granddaughter Kennedi Parris, and Kath Arndt brought grandson Xavier Arndt and granddaughter Aaliyah Gates.

Bowlers played three games. Shoes and refreshments (pizza, soda and cinnamon buns) were also included in the entry fee.

High scorers received a $50 Kohls gift card for each game won. The winners were Alice Iaconelli (first and third games) and Rose Johnson (second game). The 50/50 raffle winners were Eleanor Christie ($20) and Imogene King-Dugan ($9). A variety of door prizes were also given away.

As always, all of the proceeds go to charity. This year’s event raised $529. Event coordinator Beleta Williams says thanks to all who participated and those who donated money or gifts.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan reached a milestone anniversary on March 8 this year, celebrating its 75th year as a nonprofit health insurer.

“Our company is 75, but we’re not acting our age by any means,” BCBSM President and CEO Daniel J. Loepp said in a press release posted on the Blues website. “We’re a modern, dynamic company prepared to serve and guide our stakeholders as health care transforms under the Affordable Care Act.”

According to the press release, BCBSM and Blue Care Network together provide health coverage to 4.45 million members in Michigan and hundreds of thousands of others who work for Michigan companies but reside in other states.

“Our character as a nonprofit organization remains our guiding force, despite the changes that have taken

place over our history and our growth as a business,” said Loepp. “Our stakeholders benefit from Blue Cross’ experience and strong Michigan roots.”

BCBSM has built on this foundation in many ways: It has constructed the largest Patient-Centered Medical Home program in the nation, committed to providing $1.56 billion over 18 years to the Michigan Health Endowment, and since 2005 provided $8 million in grants to free and low-cost clinics across the state. It is the only insurer offering Affordable Care Act-compliant coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace to people living in each of Michigan’s 83 counties.

“Much has changed throughout the years, but our commitment to Michigan stays the same,” said Loepp.

For more news and information about the Blues, check out the Blue Cross website at www.bcbsm.com/newsroom.

Barbara Losert (left) with Annette Foster who is talking up the upcoming Bay City trip before bowling starts.

Globetrotters profile: Karen Stecher explores India and Nepal

T he Taj Mahal is one famous site world traveler Karen Stecher had always wanted to visit. So in the fall of 2013 she joined a guided tour to India and Nepal.

“My goal going to India was to see the Taj Mahal but when we got there I discovered there were so many other interesting and beautiful things to see,” said Karen.

The Taj Mahal lived up to her expectations. “It was smaller than I imagined it but very beautiful. The decorations are intricate and parts of the memorial are even inlaid with gemstones. The builder hired Italian artisans to teach the Indian workers how to do the inlay work and it is still an Indian industry today,” she said.

The tour began in the busy city of Delhi and focused on the northern, and cooler, part of the country. In addition to a stay in Delhi and the visit to the Taj Mahal, Karen visited the temples of ecstasy in Khajuraho, which date back to the 10th to 12th centuries; the holy city of Varnasi, where Hindu pilgrims come to visit the Ganges, and the Ranthambore National Park. In Nepal, she flew over the Himalayas to see Mt. Everest.

Karen said there were many highlights on the trip but the visit to Ranthambore Park was near the top. The park is a game preserve where a park naturalist takes visitors on a driving tour to look for a variety of native animals.

“We were very lucky the day we were there to see a Royal Bengal tiger. They are now an endangered species. There are only 26 in the park and only 11 sites in the country where they still live,” said Karen.

Overseas Adventure Travel, which sponsored the trip, lived up to its name. The adventure included a hot air balloon ride over the city of Jaipur and a camel ride at an OAT camp, where the group stayed overnight in tents.

“Northern India is very dry and dusty, and I was surprised that they still used camels for transportation. We were guests for tea and cookies in one village we visited. We met local people when walking around some of the sites we visited. The children seemed to want to try out their English on us,” said Karen.

Karen Stecher poses in front of the Taj Mahal.

Street scene in Kathmandu. Extended families typically live together in these three- and four-story houses.

Globetrotters profile continued on next page

Globetrotters profile continued

On the final leg of the trip, Karen traveled to Nepal where the group stayed in Kathmandu for five days. Kathmandu was the jumping-off point to several UNESCO World Heritage sites as well the flight to see Mt. Everest.

In addition to her world travels Karen, who retired from the Blues in 1996, was an active member of the Retiree Association board for about 15 years and served as president from 2008 to 2010.

A typical scene in northern India where camels still provide transportation.

Who’s Who in the BCBSM Retiree AssociationOfficersPresident John McCraryVice President Kathy ElstonTreasurer Joyce ObenhoffSecretary Adrienne StarlingImmediate Past President Ray NewakContact InformationFinance Richard Dow, chairpersonFundraising, Membership Liaison

Beleta Williams, chairperson

Internet Communications Kath Arndt, chairperson; Imogene King-Dugan, committee memberNewsletter Editor Janice Crossland, chairpersonOperations John McCrary, chairperson; Linda Hall and Betty Zwolak, committee membersPlanning John Flint, chairperson; Kathy Elston, Shirley Epps, Kay Jones and Ray Newak,

committee membersSocial Annette Foster, chairperson; Kathy Dolan and Connie Dowe, committee members;

Nick Grabowski, golf outing; Dee Stilson, Florida luncheonRepresentative to BCBSM Senior Advisory Committee

Phyllis Hampton

Contact InformationBCBSM Retiree Association

Website: miretireeassoc.com Email: information@miretireeassoc.comU.S. Mail: BCBSM Mail Code 0126

BCBSM Retirement Administration

Toll-free: 1-800-922-0699Local: 313-225-9609Fax: 1-866-238-3295E-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.

Brenda Ar-RasheedPhyllis BallValerie BallPatricia BanasinskiTerese BarbieriArlene BarszczRenee BauerTina BeauchampMarjorie BeckerAundretta BenderDiane BenglianDebra BitnerJudith BlovitsGerald BoddyDonald BolakPamela BoltonBarbara BondyBrenda BovePaula BrawdyYvonne BrobeckerEdwina BrockKaren BrowerDavid BrownDonna BrownMary BruceBeverly BrunerEleanor BryantDerrick BuckinghamThomas BurzynskiGaye ButlerPatricia CampbellJohn CarbottHorst CawiSusan ChadwickShirley ChandlerDeborah CheathamMarie ClarkVera ConwellCynthia CouchRobin CravenMaureen CulhaneJohn DalyCheri DanceyGregory DanigelisJoyce DanowskiDorothy DeanJun Dela FuenteHarold DennisFrancine DixonJudy DuckettAleane EdwardsGeorge EichornPaula EizonasLynne EndlichCynthia EngleCarren EnglehartJeffery EnglishSandy Erhart

Linda EwellEdward FahyKathleen FinleyGregory ForrestRose FrankWanda FranklinDebra FrensleyMary GamlinElizabeth GarofaliBarbara GarrettShirley GarthHelen GasparovichSusan GeigerJohnnie GeorgeRegina GibsonMichael GilliamCarolyn GinottiLaura GitrePaul GliesmanCynthia GrantAnita GrayMarquetta GreenRobert Grosscup IINancy GunnellMichael GurneyMary HaferJulie HalashMariah HallDennis HandleyRoxanne HarrisSheri HarrisGerald HartKaren HeratyPatty HinesPatti HodgsonBrenda HolmesRenee HowardW. HubbardJoyce HudyHugh HufnagelEcho HuntNancy HykalAlfred Jackson JrCarl JamisonMartin JenkinsRobert Jenkins JrBarbara JohnsonDebra JonesLouise JonesWilliam JordanCharles KalealAjeet KangArlene KaniaKatherine KelleyRobin KelmensonLynne KingBethany KleinTeresa Klotz

Renee KnocheDonna KohlDonna KrallMary KuckaSuzanne KurtzStephen KwasnyMarilynn KyleCharlene LechnerHaliena LeclercRandal LefeversEllen LesniakSusan LettnerJudy LewisAlma LoftonLynda LongshoreElaine LovettJoan LyonsJill Mac Innis-JuozJanet MagdowskiMary MajeskiPaul Mc CowellSharon Mc CowellRebecca MccordDiane MckayKenneth MckayMichael MedlenFlorence MekovichAmanda MeyetteKatherine MichalsenRenee MillerMary MohnGail MollettDeborah MooreShariee MorrisVinita MorrisMichael MotonSally MustoJaime NassarGrace NotaroDebra NowlandDiane O`NeillGordon O`NeillJoann OczepekGinger OldhamRochelle PaigeGail ParkerGail ParksBernadette ParrisStanley PatrzalekCarol PawlCarol PawlDavid PayneMarilyn PereloffMarcy PetersJeffrey PowellKaren PriestmanConstance PuscasJanet Pushies

Katrina ReynoldsSheila RiceValerie RobbinsJanis RobinetteJudy RobinsonMichelle RodgersNancy RodriguezCesar Rosales JrEdward RossJean RossWendy RussellHolly SchaefferJackeline SearcyElaine SearlesMargaret ShannonDena SheildsBarbara SiemionBernadette SiemionFrances SinclairLetha SingletonFrank SmithBelinda Smith-BrockGary SobczakDianne SoulesKaren SpenceChristine St JohnJoan StackChristine StebensBelinda StevensVictoria StreefkerkElaine StreeterNichole SuggKathryn TaorminaPriscilla TaylorDorothy ThomasSuzanne TurnerDiane UpshawWesley VanceWendy VandermeerDavid VisCynthia VossDenise WaddellThedford WaddellD`Shanna WatsonCatherine WattsShirley WeisLinda WellsAllen WhippsLaurence WiedbuschCassandra WilliamsElizabeth WilliamsWanda WilliamsAnn WilsherJoann WolakMelanie YanchukRonald ZantRobert Zielesch

Welcome to Our New Members ��

Florida spring luncheonBecause so few Association members were able to attend this year’s snowbird luncheon we regret that it had to be canceled. But we’re looking forward to resuming the luncheon next year. As part of the planning, we’ll be investigating alternative sites and will let you know when plans are set.

Thanks, subscribersThe Retiree Association board thanks all of our members who responded to our subscription drive. More than half of you chose to stay connected with the Association by continuing to receive event flyers and the newsletter. Currently, more than 1,100 members are signed up to receive communications via e-mail and approximately 300 others have paid the $10 subscription fee to receive Association news by U.S. Mail. Your participation in the Association is appreciated!

Change of addressIf you wish to correspond with the Retiree Association by U.S. Mail, please note that we have a new mail code. Use mail code 0126 in all future correspondence.

Blues parking offerRetirees who would like to park on the Blues downtown campus may purchase an annual parking badge as part of their employee retiree benefits. The cost is $25 per year and the badge gives access to the Detroit Congress parking deck weekdays after 5 p.m. and on weekends. Contact Retirement Administration for details on how you can obtain your parking badge.

News & Notes

Stories wantedDo you have a travel story to tell or favorite volunteer activity you’d like to share? If so, we’d like to hear from you. Just send a note to information@miretireeassoc.com or write to us at Blue Cross, mail code 0126. We’ll get in touch with you for more information.

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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@miretireeassoc.com.Also be sure to check out our website at miretireeassoc.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 members who wish to share their e-mail address with fellow retirees. To add your e-mail address, make a correction or remove

your name from the list, send your request to information@miretireeassoc.com.

The BCBSM Retiree Association is an organization of former employees of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan that is not otherwise affiliated with the company.

...May they rest in peace

Donna Leatherwood January 4, 2014

Marjorie Ollivierra February 27, 2014

Mary Helen Schofield Waverly

March 12, 2014

Michael Cahill, Sr. April 4, 2014