Retired Rochester Teachers Association is a Department of the Rochester Teachers Association NYSUT AFT NEA AFL-CIO - 30 North Union St. Rochester NY 14607Representing RCSD teachers • retired teachers • substitute teachers • school instructors • home/hospital teachers • rochester preschool parent program

Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDRochester N.Y.Permit No. 804

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Vol. 07 No. 3 August 2017 A Retired Rochester Teachers Publication

2017 RRTA CALENDARAn * indicates date not yet firm. More items

will be added as the year goes on. Only duespaying members receive timely notification ofnewly scheduled events. All RRTA activities are without profit so be nice

to the people who take the time and trouble toplan them. Please check the membership statusof your guest(s) before making payment. Paymentfor events is accepted only with a completedregistration form. Please write a separate checkfor each event or payment.

RRTA meetings are always 10 a.m. in the RTAoffice 30 North Union Street and are open to alldues payers.

If you want to be part of an RRTA work crew(stuffing envelopes collating etc.) please callMary Barnum to be put on the to-call list whenRTA needs people power. Come help yourunion enjoy a free lunch and hear the latestbuzz.

August4 Deadline for Shaw Dracula16 August RRTeacher mailed

September7 RRTA Constitutional Convention

Forum and luncheon12 Democratic Primary noon to 9 p.m.14 Annual Books for Kids Committee

meeting25 Dress A Girl

October2 Warren Kling tour of Mendon

Millionaires5 RRTA meeting13 Shaw Dracula15 Breast Cancer Walk20 RRTA Fall picnic Henrietta30 Dress A Girl

November2 RRTA meeting7 Election Day - Vote on NYS

Constitutional convention27 Dress A Girl

December5 Holiday Party

Sue Raymond Jim Grattan Linda Rapkin and Ruth Smith

Brenda Jones and Frank ValenteDiana Voellinger Zelda Artson Critchlow and Bob Allen

Kristal Tillman and Bob Gerace

We thank the army of retiree volunteers who helped with our mailing to over2000 retired Rochester teachers for our September 7 NO CON CON lunch.Pictured are some who stuck 10,000 labels and stuffed 18,000 items.

What to Do with Those White ITalked to This Voter About the

Constitutional Convention Cards WeSent You in July

Thanks to all who have talked toneighbors and friends about a no vote onNovember 7 and sent in their cards to be putin the September 7th drawing.

We suggest that you have the red whiteand blue Constitutional Conventioninformation cards in your purse or pocket togive to anyone who happens to bring up thesubject of the Constitutional Convention vote.Do not feel anxious about raising the topicyourself. But be ready if someone else does.And someone will. The closer we get toNovember 7 the more we will hear frompeople who want YES votes - on tv on theradio through phone calls and unsolicitedemails.

Be ready with the information cards withthe red stop sign! And then send us your Italked to this voter card to put in our drawing.

By Mary Barnum

Come on September 7 to hear theseleaders discuss the reasons to vote no

on November 7.

Dr. Adam Urbanski, RTA PresidentAndy Pallotta, NYSUT PresidentDan Maloney, UAW, RLC PresidentFlorence Tripi, Local 1000 AFSCME President Rich Funke, NYS Senate District 55Joseph Robach, NYS Senate District 56Harry Bronson, NYS Assembly District 138Mark Johns NYS, Assembly District 135 Joe Morelle NYS, Assembly District 136

VOTE NO! on the ConstitutionalConvention Luncheon at the

Genesee Valley Club 421 East Avenue Rochester NY Thursday September 7 2017

Registration 11:00 Forum 11:30Luncheon 12:30 Drawing 1:45

RRTA Dues Payers $17.00 Non Dues Payers $32.00

September 7 Genesee Valley ClubHosted by GVC member Gilbert A. Henner

Name ___________ Phone _____ email _______________Address ____________________Name of Guest(s) _________________________ _________________________

_________________________ _______________________________________# dues payers at $17 ___ Total $_____ # of non-dues payers at $32 ___ Total $ ______ Total amount of check $ ___Please return the completed form with your check to RTA 30 North Union StreetRochester New York 14607.

The Rochester Retired Teacher/2

RRTA Meeting May 4 2017

Attendance: R. Allen D. Altobelli Z. Artson-Crichlow K. Barkley M. Barnum L. BonanniC. Bonsignore-Kitchen B. Buckingham C.Dean K. Evans K. Fager K. Huey W.Humphrey M. Jenkins-Cox B. Jones M.McCarron L. Rapkin K. Schultz G. Shakes A.Smith D. Sullivan B. Swan G. Sweeney Y.Wooten M. Zimmer

Absent: P. Brody M. Ferenchak J. Ivanick M.Keating F. Macek S. Silvio F. Valente M.Weeks R. Wolf

Also in attendance: R. Gerace S. Raymond

1. The meeting was called to order at 10:05.2. A moment of silence was observed forteachers who have passed away in the pastmonth: Frank E. Mockevicius. A $25 donationis made to Books for Kids in memory of anyRRTA member.3. The April RRTA minutes were not presented.4. Shaw – Niagara on the Lake – MaureenMcCarron said that tickets for October’sDracula are still available and information is inthe April 2017 RRTA newspaper.5. Vote Cope – Dave Altobelli said that the VoteCope campaign began at the April 25th RA. Allthose who have contributed a minimum of $20will be eligible for the June drawing of five $50restaurant gift cards. He said that next year theminimum will be $30. The list of Vote Copecontributors is in the RRTA April newspaper. Ifyou see any discrepancies contact him.

Statewide Vote Cope is working ondisseminating information about the Vote “No”for the Constitutional Convention.

September 7 there will be an RRTAinformational forum and luncheon at whichthere will be another drawing for thoseattendees who have returned the pledge cardswhich ensured that you have spoken to othersabout the Constitutional Convention and thereason to vote no. Please bring anyone wantingmore information to the luncheon. Moreinformation was reported by the NCC (seebelow).

It is important to become a Vote Copecontributor so that the NYSUT political groupwill have the funds to fight the NYSConstitutional Convention that without a “no”vote could put our pensions at risk. Also thereis a case coming to the Supreme Court theJanus decision that could destroy all laborunions that needs political clout to defeat.6. Dress a Girl – Gaya Shakes reported that thecommittee was very busy at their last gettogether. They made 48 dresses and 8 dolls.They also prepared dresses for several groupstraveling abroad. A Jupiter Florida retireegroup are going to Tanzania; a Lifetime group toZululand; and a group to Haiti. RochesterTeachers Care featured Dress a Girl and youcan see the video on RTA’s Facebook pageYouTube or by going to the RTA website for thelink. Rochester Teachers Care will also bepresenting Books for Kids. Gaya said that as aresult of the video they got one more sewingvolunteer and donations of material.7. Books for Kids – Mary Barnum reported thatthere is $8,435 in the treasury. RochesterTeachers Care will be filming today at Barnesand Noble and again at School 41 on May 22.This will be their final visit but theorganizational meeting for the 2017 – 18school year is scheduled for September 14 at11 am. All are welcome to join the group. Ifyou cannot make the meeting contact MaryBarnum to have your name included.8. NCC Committee – (No to the ConstitutionalConvention Committee) Ken Schultz reportedabout the September 7 informational luncheon.It will begin at 11:15 at the Genesee ValleyClub at 420 East Avenue. Active RRTA

members will pay $17 and non members willpay $32 for lunch. Tickets are limited. Therewill be a table to sign up RRTA members. Itwill begin with a short presentation from aNYSUT representative and there will be apanel of about 7 to 8 people on the panelincluding local union presidents (ie CSEA)legislators and Adam Urbanski. Informationand the form to sign up will be in the AprilRRTA newspaper and more information willbe sent out in August. On June 27 and 28 at10 am there will be a mailing to the 2000names of RCSD retirees. All volunteers arewelcome to help with the mailing. Includedin the mailing will be the pledge cards askingyou to speak with family and friends tocommit to vote no for the NYS ConstitutionalConvention on November 7. Those whoreturn their pledge cards will be eligible forthe drawing.

Committee members are working on otherareas also. Maureen McCarron isspearheading members to write letters to theeditor some of the committee is working onthe luncheon and others on buttons and thepledge cards. If you would like to help orhave ideas write to Ken Schultz atkzschultz@gmail.com.

There was an informational article thatwas well written in the last NYSUT Teachermagazine that can be used for talking points.Ken said he would mail the NYSUT powerpoint to the RRTA reps. It is important to speakto more than just teachers about losing theirpensions. There are other factors at risk suchas rights to worker’s compensation collectivebargaining right to a free public educationstate land and forest protections andAdirondack “Forever Wild” protections. Itcan be explained that changes can be madeto the constitution through amendments andthat a convention could cost taxpayers up to$100 million. Those voted to go to theconvention would most likely be the samelegislators receiving a second salary as adelegate (double dipping) to do the same jobthey could do as a legislator to amend.9. RTA Officers Election – May 5 is thedeadline to return your ballots. Counting isMay 9 and the results will be on the RTAHotline and reported out at the May repmeeting.10. RRTA membership – Mary Barnumreported that there are 698 registered RRTAmembers.

The RRTA representative election – formsare in the April RRTA newspaper with a list ofthose whose terms expire and those who haveanother year. The deadline for nominations isJune 1 for a written nomination and at theRRTA meeting on Thursday June 1nominations will be taken at the meeting.There are 16 positions open.11. Calendar – The calendar was reviewedthat Mary Barnum had copied from the AprilRRTA newspaper. There will be an RRTAThursday morning meeting October 5. LindaRapkin is organizing a Hurds luncheon ineither September or October. The HolidayParty will be December 5 at the Brookhouse. 12. RRTA Newspaper – The August RRTAnewspaper deadline is July 13. Mary Barnumshared the articles and pictures that she hasalready or that have been promised. If youhave any articles and/or pictures of activitiesyou’d like to share with retirees send them toMary Barnum at RTA.13. Mary Barnum shared a memo from thestate AFL-CIO organization and Mario Cilentoabout a change in NYS laws that will allow astate deduction for union dues.14. Thanks to June Ivanick for her many yearsof service as RRTA Vice Chair. We would alsowelcome Gaya Shakes as the new Vice Chair.

Mary Zimmer - RRTA Secretary

VOTE COPE 2017And the winners are:

Our annual VOTE COPE drawing forrestaurant gift cards took place at the JuneRepresentative Assembly which was at theRoger Robach Center at Charlotte Beach.Winners were chosen by SuperintendentBarbara Deane-Williams and Teacher CenterDirector Yolanda Montalvo.

The lucky recipients were: JenniferLoewke #4 School; Lisa Rivera-FrenchRRTA; Christine Windheim #2 School; JoWilson RRTA; Elizabeth Foran EAST; KarenTucker C.O.; Kimberly Vasta #45 School;Jacquelyn Dobson #3 School.How safe are our PENSIONS?

In case you have not yet been informedabout the Constitutional Conventionreferendum that will appear on November’selection ballot there is one critical piece ofinformation that you absolutely need toknow. Our pensions can be jeopardizedthat is to say they can be eliminated withoutany grandfather clause to safeguard them.

RRTA is sponsoring a No ConstitutionalConvention luncheon on September 7 at theGenesee Valley Club. You were sent aninvitation that included information andpledge cards. If you did not receive aninvitation please call RTA. If you areconcerned about maintaining your monthlybenefit please join us in our efforts tosafeguard them. This is not the time to be anaysayer and sit on the sidelines hopingothers will do the “heavy lifting.” Rememberthat our union is only as strong as its weakestlink. Please participate in any or all activitiesthat we have planned. Your help will be thedifference in our successful campaign todefeat the referendum.

The luncheon:We will have a panel of speakers that

include members of our state senate andassembly. Additionally local labor leadersincluding President Dr. Adam Urbanski willparticipate. There will be a drawing forseveral restaurant gift cards for those retireeswho participate in getting out the NO vote.The menu: Genesee Valley ClubGrapevine SaladChicken French with Sherry Butter Sauce

Beef BourguignonSeasonal VegetablesChef’s StarchFreshly Brewed Coffee & CookiesComplimentary cold beverage

If you have any dietary restrictions pleasenotify me prior to the luncheon.

David A. Altobelli

The Rochester Retired Teacher/7

PLEASE INFORM THE RTA WITH ANYCHANGE OF HOME OR

PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS

BOOKS FOR KIDS DONATIONMy tax deductible donation in the amount of ______ is enclosed.I am interested in joining the B for K committee ____________Name ______________________________ Phone ___________Email _________________________________________________Address _______________________________________________

Checks should be made out to RRTA Books for Kids FLACE andreturned with this completed form to Books for Kids RTA office 30North Union Street Rochester NY 14607

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF BOOKS FOR KIDS

DONATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO BOOKS FOR KIDS IN MEMORY

OF

Jim Brown retired from East HighKen Silvio retired from CSD Technology

RRTA TOURS LOLLYPOP FARMOn June 8 eight of us

were treated to a behind thescenes tour of Lollypop Farm.Our tour leader Cathie Wrightexplained that the farm hasbeen in existence since 1873and that this state of the artfacility has built a national

reputation for its programs and services.   She radiated enthusiasmas she talked about the farm and its many services.  Situated on 134acres the farm employs over 100 paid employees plus 800 plusvolunteers.  Some of the programs include 300 foster care homeswhere dedicated volunteers take care of special needs animalsprovide extra socialization to ready an animal for adoption andbottle feed newborn kittens amongother duties. Another very successfulprogram is the Pet Assisted TherapyProgram where some 60 volunteers visitover 100 locations such as assistedliving facilities nursing homes schoolshospitals and classrooms. Scouts meetthere  and school break and summercamps provide an education forhundreds of children. Lollypop alsoprovides training for pet CPR and firstaid and runs a hotline for pet behaviorissues and advice on small animal care.

In addition Lollypop provides lowcost spay/neuter services and takes partin a Trap/Neuter/Return program whereferal cats are spayed/neutered andreturned to managed colonies. Over 1000 cats were seen this pastyear!  Three full time law enforcement officers work in thecommunity.

First stop on the tour was the cat area.  In addition to spaciouscages there are two large free roaming cat rooms with screened inporches.  All of the cats were being petted and the smiles on thefaces of  the volunteers were contagious!  We next toured the dogobedience wing and classrooms where education classes are held.Then on to the clinic – surely one of the highlights of the tour.  Theclinic was state of the art – it truly looked like a regular hospitalwith the latest in equipment including a room just for x rays and afloor to ceiling sterilizer.  The animal recovery area featured heated

floors and when we were thereseveral animals were recoveringeach with its own humanproviding care blankets pettingetc.  Then the animals arewhisked off to recovery areascats and dogs in separate roomsto lessen the stress of recovery.

Then it was on to the dog areaand the attached small barnwhere new and special needs

farm animals are housed.  We alsopassed the bird room and the

spacious small animal room where rabbits hamsters and mice andrats among others are housed.

After the tour ended some of us did the farm walk chatting withvolunteer dog walkers visiting the ducks geese pigs goats sheepand horses.  The horses all had turn out shelters as well as stalls inthe barn and a new barn just completed features a large indoorarea where horses can get the extra training they need to ready themfor adoption.

Healthy adoptable animals are kept for as long as it takes to findadoptable homes.  Some cats have been waiting for over a year!

Donations are always welcome and especially blankets andtowels.  Some people even knit blankets to fit in the bottom of cageswhich go home with adoptees to help them acclimate to their newhomes.

It truly was a great and enlightening tour and Cathie said thatanyone is welcome at any time to take a behind the scenespersonalized tour!

On a final note check out Lollypop’s facebook page as well asDoDo a website for animals.  It features lollypop’s very own sad cat(not to be confused with Grumpy Cat).  Nutmeg. Sad cat finallyfound a forever home and now sports an adorable teeny tiny smile!I understand it’s gone viral!

by Karen Huey (whom we thank for arranging our tour)

BOOKS FOR KIDSBooks for Kids was started by Rochester Retired Teachers in 1996.

Using money donated by Rochester retired teachers we buy hardcovered books for 1st graders in Rochester public schools.

We typically visit one school per monthfrom October through May. Ourcommittee meets once a year (this yearSeptember 14) to select schools andvolunteer hosts for each school.

Hosts meet with the teacher of theclassroom selected and do an interestinventory for each student in the class so we can select books thatinterest the kids. We then gather at Barnes and Noble in Pittsford(whichgrants us a good discount) and select books. We have some dandydebates but we want that special book for each first grader! Finally wevisit the school and personally give that book to that child. And thenwe read to them or they read to us! We are in and out in 45 minutes.

If you would like to join the B for K committee come to our annualmeeting on September 14 at 11 a.m. at the RTA office or call the RTAoffice 546 2681 and leave your name or complete and return the formbelow. Mary Barnum will call you and fill you in.

Books for Kids lives by the donations of retirees. If you would liketo help you may use the form below.

Below is a list of the schools where we have presented books to 1stgraders.

1996-7 School 41997-8 School 371998-9 School 22 1999-2000 Schools 5 352000-01 Schools 29 172001– 2 Schools 7 19 42 4 162002-3 Schools 33 14 33 43 34 12 2003-4 Schools 9 3 25 20 2 8 2004-5 Schools 39 45 50 36 22 6 302005-6 Schools 46 52 28 42 41 46 17 2006-7 Schools Inquiry 15 2 23 27 33 57 442007-8 Schools 19. 17 54 16 5 29 35 7 2008-9 Schools 33(2) 4(4) 3(3) 34(2) 45(2) 43(4) 14 12(2) 2009-10 Schools 50 39 20 9 25(2) 57 2 302010-11 Schools 28 46 6 52 36 8 41 582011-12 Schools 42 15 41 23 54 10 44 162012-13 Schools 5 17 57 35 7 1 44 452013-14 Schools 19 Wilson Foundation, 17 22 34 12 3 33 2014-15 Schools 42 Wilson 12 9 50 2 25 2015-16 Schools 25 57 12 3 1 28 52 45 2016-17 Schools 4 57 12 44 8 46 41(2)

Kathy Eavans, Cathie Wright,Genevieve McKee

Post-Op on the heated floor

The Rochester Retired Teacher/6

RRTA PICNICThe June Picnic was held on Friday June 23rd at the

Canandaigua Yacht Club. The weather held off; it was cloudybut the people in attendance brightened the day with their smiles.Although the attendance was small everyone had a great timeand enjoyed the food expertly cooked by Charlie Dean and WillieHumphrey.

If you missed the June picnic be sure to mark your calendarfor the Fall Picnic on October 20. The date has been changedfrom September to make way for our September 7 lunch to informyou on the latest on voting against a Constitutional Convention.The picnic will be held in Henrietta in Veteran’s Memorial Parkwhich is off Calkins Road on Friday October 20th. 11 untilwhenever hot dogs ready 12 noon. We will be in the Robert’sCabin which has heat and indoor plumbing and plenty of roomto park. Bring $6 or a dish to pass. Invite your friends to join you.Please call Sue Raymond at 585-359-2860 to make reservationsby Wednesday October 18th so we know how much food isneeded.

By Sue Raymond

Genevieve McKee Mary Barnum and Karen Huey were delightedto see Polly Bradbury at our Canandaigua picnic where we hadbeautiful Dick Raymond weather.

Kathy Fager Sue Raymond Kevin Fager and Wille Humphrey at ourJune 2017 picnic.

RESULTS OF RRTA REP ELECTIONIn response to the April call for nominations for RRTA

Representatives the following were nominated: Bob AllenKatherine Barkley Carol Bonsignore Kitchen Marie Jenkins CoxKevin Fager Willie Humphrey Freddi Macek Ellen Robinson KenSchultz Gaya Shakes Sharon Silvio Deborah Sullivan GraceSweeney Diana Voellinger Mary Zimmer.

Since we were nominating and electing for 16 positions andonly 15 nominations were received there is no need for anelection; all 15 nominated are declared elected to 2 year terms toexpire June 30 2019.

The terms of the following expire June 30 2018: David AltobelliZelda Artson Crichlow Mary Barnum Lillian Bonanni Patti BrodyBarbara Buckingham Charlie Dean Marie Ferenchak Karen HueyJune Ivanick Brenda Jones Martha Keating Maureen McCarronLinda Rapkin Al Smith Barry Swan Frank Valente YolandaWooten.

With 697 dues paying members RRTA is entitled 34 Reps.Therefore we have 1 unfilled position.

A Rep is expected to attend monthly RA and RRTA meetings.

By Mary Barnum

BREAST CANCER WALK

October 15from Frontier Field

RTA will give you a walk shirt if you walk.Call Mary Barnum at 546 2681 if you plan to walk

so we can order a shirt for you.

GET OUT AND VOTE NO ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

“Shall there be a convention to revise the constitution andamend the same?”

These are the words that voters will see on the top of the ballotNovember 7 2017. These are the words that were first included inNY’s 1846 Constitution. Article 19 Section 2 to be exact providesthat every 20 years the people of our State of New York are askedwhat seems like a pretty simple question; as simple as this seems thisquestion will have a major impact not only on NYSUT members buton each and every citizen of our State. 

Interestingly the every-20-year-referendum appears on the ballotin off-election years you know the election which is very “Ho Hum,”the one in which voters tend to not make it to the polls worse thanthe other times they don’t make it to the polls! Local elections likemayor and city council county legislature town council sheriff -these elections don’t seem to move voters to run to their pollingplaces. 

But how about the vote for the Constitutional Convention(ConCon)? Will this be important enough to get voters out? Isknowing that the cost of too many “Yes” votes could cost taxpayers apossible $345 million to fiddle around with our wages benefits andrights including our pension enough to get voters out to vote NO toa Convention? 

Did you know that the Constitution can be amended through thepassage of individual bills to amend specific language by twoseparately election state Legislatures? If passed such bills would thenappear on the following November ballot as a referendum. Thisoption to a Convention has been used 200 times since 1894 and itworks! And it doesn’t cost a possible $350 million to the taxpayers!And it won’t allow Albany politicians to make up to $80,000 on topof the taxpayer-funded salaries they already receive! Sounds goodright?

WHO’S INTERESTED? The following groups support NYSUT andRTA’s position on voting NO ConCon on November 7th:

• Public and private organized Labor including government workers police and teachers

• Environmentalists and conservationists• Advocates for public education at all levels including

parents• Casino and gaming Interests• All citizens and taxpayers groups• Social welfare advocates• Fiscal conservatives and government watchdog groups

There are more if these don’t grab your attention!

WHY WORRY? As the entire constitution would be opened theserights along with many others would be at risk:

• Guaranteeing the right to a free public education • Prohibiting reductions in public pension benefits• Rights to workers’ compensation• Rights to be a member of a union and bargain collectively• Requiring the state to provide for social welfare needs• Public schools higher education institutions and libraries

Is this enough to get voters to run to their polls? If not there aremore. Do some research or ask RRTA. 

WHAT CAN YOU DO?• Stay informed! Read look listen.• Understand what any proposed changes could mean.• Inform friends and family about the impact of a ConCon.• Use social media to spread the word.• Be proactive in the NO ConCon campaign.• Register to vote; update your voter registration if you’ve moved.

“Shall there be a convention to revise the constitution and amendthe same?”

It is up to you the voter to help decide. VOTE NO ConCon onNovember 7th! 

by Sharon Silvio

DON’T STAY HOME ON NOVEMBER 7!

The Rochester Retired Teacher/3

At the RTA annual Retirement dinner on June 13 at Casa Larga RRTA membersKathy Evans Maureen McCarron and Mary Barnumprepare to meet the newretirees.

Kathy Evans pins a flower on new retiree Robert Shaver justas she pinned on every new retiree that attended RTA’sretirement dinner on June 13.

Holly Album Karen Ann ArcherPeter BaillargeonDonald BannisterValerie BarattiniDiane BeaudoinLarry BedgoodMarie BellantiKathie J. BelluscioLinda BerkyPeter BlairSamuel BorgesMary Catherine BosnerPaul BrandweinGloria BrooksVernetta BrownLaurie BuchkoLinda CampbellFrancisco JavierJeffrey ColeMary Jo CookIrasema De La Torre KashLorie DeweyKaren DrummPatricia DuryeaThomas DyerTheresa Fiermonte

Sharon FlynnCaroline GalvanoPatricia GodleskiCarol GrahamAna Guevara ZunigaLaurel M HardgersPaul HetlandConnie IzzoKenneth KelbaughMarilyn KendrickCarol LantermanPatricia Lynch GauseDelphine MacallBeverly MaidaSusan McGuiganJudith MillerAnnette MinichielloJayne MorganSusan MoroniMary Ellen MulhernFlorence PalmerEileen ParkHolly Partyka ConnellyDarlene Pelow SullivanDebra RathSheryl ReidRoseanne Ricci

Renee RieferGail RizzoJayne Rockell AlbaPamela RodriguezLynn SchramelRobin SchunkLucetta SercuRobert ShaverCathy SmithThomas SouleKenneth SteffenEdward D. StevensCarolyn StoutGarfield TaylorJeffrey TemkinMary TyndallJames VanderhoofTimothy WalshNancy WestendorfKathleen WestermanKathleen WilliamJanet WitterCarin WohlfeldMargaret ZimmerEva Zweifler

2017 NEW RETIREES

The Rochester Retired Teacher/4

SUPERINTENDENT’S LETTERRECOGNIZING

DRESS-A-GIRLROCHESTER TEACHERS CARE PROJECT

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FORNOVEMBER

PHONE BANKSIf you can spare an hour or two come help

us phone our members on October 31November 1 November 2 and/or November 6from noon to five o’clock at the RTA office 30North Union Street. RRTA will call every retiredmember to remind each to vote on November 7NO on the Constitutional Convention. This is aneasy task; we give you a script and you are callingonly friendly people. Arrive by noon and we willorder lunch for you. Stay as long as want.

Call Mary Barnum at 546-2681 to let us knowyou are coming.

VOTE NO ONNOVEMBER 7TH!

COST OF LIVING INCREASE:THANK VOTE/COPE

Our pension checks will increase in September. This cola happens because of the drive put on

by NYSUT funded by Vote/Cope which resulted inthe NYS Legislature passing the pension cola billin 2001. Before that every year public employeesincluding teachers had to beg the legislature foran increase in our pension.

In 2000 NYSUT using your Vote/Copecontributions went all out in its lobbying effort toget our Assembly persons and Senators to pass apension cola bill and the governor to sign the cola.Vote/Cope funds paid for buses to bring retireesfrom all over New York to Empire State Plaza inAlbany on the hottest day of the year wherethousands of us (including Dick Raymond andJohn Rigney bless them) marched around, wavedsigns and screamed ourselves hoarse.

Vote/Cope supported the efforts of Alan LubinNYSUT Vice-President to put together the publicemployee coalition which authored thecompromise that resulted in all NYS publicemployee pension funds being included in thepension cola bill. For once we fought this battlewith our brother and sister public employeeunionists.

And as a wise Rochester retiree Aggie Perrypointed out to me the resultant cola was sensiblenot an unsustainable drain on local taxes.

So when you receive your NYSTRS check inSeptember think about that Vote/Cope history andwrite a check to Vote/Cope for 10 or 15 dollars.Those who wish to weaken our pension system stillare working to hurt us. Our only defense isVote/Cope.

Send your check to RTA 30 North UnionRochester 14607 and we will send it on toNYSUT.

by Mary Barnum

June 10 was a perfect baseball evening for 2017 RRTA at the RedWings. Here is part of the retiree group who enjoyed the night; the

Grattans and the Humphreys are up front.

MORE MANSIONS AND MILLIONAIRES

TOUR AND LUNCHEONMonday October 2 2017

The Rochester Retired Teacher/5

The Rochester Retired TeacherPublished by the Rochester Retired Teachers Association a Department of the Rochester TeachersAssociation affiliated with the New York State United Teachers the American Federation of Teachers (Local616) National Education Association AFL-CIO and the Greater Rochester Labor Council.

Tel: (585) 546-2681• Hotline: (585) 546-2768 • Fax: (585) 546-4123Website: www.rochesterteachers.com

RRTeacher StaffMary Barnum

Bill GerberProofreaders

David Altobelli, Kathy Evans, Karen Huey, Mary ZimmerPhotographers

Charlie Dean, Bill Gerber, Karen Huey

Officers

Chair .......................................... Charlie DeanVice-Chair ................................. Gaya ShakesSecretary ................................... Mary Zimmer

Robert Allen 544 0078 aballen@rochester.rr.comDavid Altobelli 247 0027 Maltobel24@rochester.rr.comZelda Artson Crichlow 461 3963 zeldajac@aol.comKatherine Barkley 442 8865 kgbarkley@frontiernet.netMary Barnum 377 0313mbarnum@rochesterteachers.comLillian Bonnani 385 3289 lbonanni@frontiernet.netCarol BonsignoreKitchenPatti Brody 451 8476 brody2940Aaol.comBarbara Buckingham 247 5127Charlie Dean 865 1735 DEANSWIM@aol.comKathy Evans 455 6161 kathleencevans@gmail.comKevin Fager 442 3175 marinphoto@aol.comMarie Ferenchak 544 8033billmarie138@rochester.rr.comKaren Huey 227 6101 kahuey56@aol.comWillie Humphrey 264 9645 whumphrey14@yahoo.comJune Ivanick 621 2557Marie Jenkins Cox 723 8861 jenkjoyce@aol.com

W. Brenda JonesMartha Keating 248 5945 maskerade6@aol.comFreddi Macek 244 9611 freddimacek@gamail.comMaureen McCarron 346 2425maureen.mccarron@gmail.comMarianne Overcash 621 4372 Movercash64@gmail.comLinda Rapkin 244 9489 linroed@aol.comEllen Robinson 426 5206 erobins1@rochester.rr.comGaya Shakes Ken Schultz 271 2754 kzschultz@gmail.comSharon Silvio 244 1912 Sharonpsilvio@gmail.comAl Smith 544 2839 asmith1@rochester.rr.comDeborah Sullivan 385 0087 westminsterdeb@yahoo.comBarry Swan 461 5137 BASWAN@aol.comGrace Sweeney 217 3808 sweeney1187@gmail.comFrank Valente 271 7882 fpvvalente@yahoo.comDiana Voellinger 260 1574 dvoellinger682@hotmail.comYolanda Wooten 235 1252 lydawooten@aol.comMary Zimmer 352 4982 Zimval@aol.com

RRTA Reps to RTA Assembly

We cordially invite you to join us as an RRTAdues-paying member. Pay your dues and you willreceive all RRTA mailings including the RRTAnewspaper and prompt notification of all ouractivities. Non-dues payers receive only 2 mailingsper year. You are entitled to run for office and vote in RTA and RRTAelections including elections for NYSUT AFT and NEA delegates.(Each year at the NYSUT convention about 25% of the items votedon deal with retiree issues.) You elect 34 RRTA Reps to the RTARepresentative Assembly based upon our present membership of697 dues-paying retirees.You elect a Department Chair who is a voting member of the RTAExecutive Council. Your email will be included in our retireedistribution list and receive timely RTA information. You will receivediscounts on many RRTA activities which are held wheneverpossible during school hours. And of course you will receive a 2017-2018 pocket calendar to keep track of all your retiree activities.RRTA dues are set at 10% of RTA dues. Presently that is $39.30.Our membership year is September 1 to August 31. But we are happyto accept dues at any time.

ROCHESTER RETIRED TEACHERS RRTAApplication of Dues-Paying

Membership 2017 -18

2017-2018 RRTA dues payment

Name ________________________ Former School________________________

Year Retired __________Address ___________________ Zip ______

If you wish your email______________________________________________

Please print clearly. Send completed form and check for $39.30made out to RRTA and note that the check is for 2017–18 RRTAdues. Send to 30 North Union Street Rochester New YorkNY14607

GIVING BACK—VOLUNTEERING WITHFRIENDS OF STRONG MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Are you looking for a way to remain active and continueserving the community while in retirement? Volunteering with

the Friends of StrongMemorial Hospitalmay be the perfectopportunity for youto maintain theactive lifestyleyou’ve come tolove.

“Over the yearswe’ve found that ourretired teachers tendto be some of thebest volunteers,”says JoyceStadtmillerVolunteer ProgramManager for Friendsof Strong. “The

uniquely valuable talents that teachers bring to the programfulfill a niche skillset within the health care context.”

Nearly 1,300 volunteers provided some 140,000 hours ofservice in 2016—positively improving patient- and family-centered care for our neighbors and friends throughout westernNew York.

“Our volunteers areinvaluable—we love them,”adds Sandy Arbasak Directorof Friends of Strong. “They helpus create a happier healingenvironment for our patientsfamilies and visitors whichreally speaks to our mission.”

Friends of Strong volunteerstypically commit to serving the community for a period of oneyear usually with a three-hour shift once per week. Of coursethere’s flexibility for vacations special events and the like. Thenext sign-up period begins in August and adult volunteerassignments start in September.

While the core of the program’s volunteer opportunities arelocated within Strong Memorial Hospital proper a growingnumber of off-site locations are now coming online—makingthe volunteer experience convenient for those who may notwant to venture to the Hospital campus. UR Medicine’s StrongWest Clinton Crossings and Sawgrass clinics are a few of the off-site locations where volunteers can serve.

People have long given back to the Rochester community byvolunteering at Strong beginning in 1926 when the hospitalopened. Those first volunteers lent their services in areas such asthe Patient Library or Surgical Dressing Program.

Today while some volunteers assist in the Family WaitingRoom—which includes a small library—many are stationedacross more than 40 patient care areas. Some of the moreprominent volunteer roles are in Behavioral Health theEmergency Department Patient Discharge Wilmot CancerInstitute and in Orthopaedics.

Friends of Strong is dedicated to advancing the mission ofStrong Memorial Hospital an 830-bed University-ownedteaching hospital by providing these services to patientsfamilies and visitors promoting the hospital in the communityand raising money to support patient care needs.

Learn more about Friends of Strong their Volunteer Programand how you can get involved by visiting fos.urmc.edu orcontacting Joyce at (585) 275-2420 or fos@urmc.rochester.edu.

Rose Faucette was at School No. 4 andretired in 2002.  In addition to being avolunteer she is also president of theFriends of Strong council.

The Rochester Retired Teacher/8

Six retired teachers got together for a holiday lunch at the homeof Marie Ferenchak in December. Several of them did not know eachother until they joined the RRTA. They try to get together for lunchoccasionally to keep in touch and talk about the “good old days” inthe classroom.

Row 1 Liz Derry (retired from Lofton) Marie Ferenchak (#6) PatPittman (#6) Row 2 Janet Juneau (#35) Kathy Evans (#42) CarrollChiarielle (#6) Missing Mary Zimmer (#9)

Please send to mbarnum@rochesterteachers.com pictures of anygathering of Rochester retired teachers and we will print! Don’t forgeta caption!

My daughter once gave me a book mark with this quote by LouisaMay Alcott: “She is too fond of books and it has addled her brain.”Happily I am not alone. The RRTA is populated with a great numberof book & film lovers. Have you ever finished what you thought was aterrific book but had no one to talk to about it? Have you ever wishedto ask a like-minded person what they thought about a recent film?

This fall we would like to start just that sort of monthly book & filmclub discussion group. Our first meeting will be just a gathering overcoffee and cookies to decide which book or film to discuss first.

If you think you would like to get together informally with otherRRTA members to discuss books and films please call MaureenMcCarron (585) 233-6094 or email: maureen.mccarron@gmail.com.We will set up a meeting time and place based on response some timethis Fall.

In the meantime: keep up your beach reading!

By Maureen McCarron

FILM & BOOK DISCUSSIONS ANYONE?

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO MARY GENTRY?

Finding new things to do in retirement.  I moved to FloridaNovember 2016.   I am still playing my hammered dulcimer.  I playfor mentally handicapped adults.  The place is called Altrusa House.It is a day care for older adults.   I also go to a Florida State Park calledDudley Farm twice a month.  There I play with a group for adults andchildren visiting the farm.

I am learning to deal with lots of bugs and no snow.  We do likethe new friends we have metin Gainesville Florida.   Theweather has been dry. 

We purchased a townhouse (or PUD as they call it)so we have lots of greatneighbors.  We are withinwalking distance of twogrocery stores drug storepost office neighborhoodplay house and our doctor.We do drive to church butnot far.  It is all aboutlearning to stay busy andactive and exploring newterritory. I am now teachingBible classes to young women at the county jail. I am also playing myhammered dulcimer at Haven Hospice.

Spicey as you can see is all decked out in a new bow tie.   He haslots of squirrels crows little lizards to chase and lots of good placesto walk.   I usually just let him tell me where he would like to go. 

All our fun from Florida.   We miss our friends in Rochester butenjoying the new places to explore.

By Mary Gentry

Ed. note: Send us pictures and news about your retirement and wewill print when we have room. Retirees like to hear what happenedto so and so.

RRTA HOLIDAY LUNCHEONTUESDAY DECEMBER 5 2017

Red Fedele’s Brook House920 Elmridge Center Drive Greece(off West Ridge Rd. Route 104)

11:00 a.m. Meet and greet cash bar

Dress A Girl auction/drawing

12:00 Buffet lunch

This years’ holiday luncheon at Red Fedele’s Brook House promises tosparkle!  The decorations need to be seen to be believed as Red trulygoes over the top!  Invite your friends to join you to kick off the seasonin grand style  as this is always a joyful occasion with time to catchup and renew friendships. 

Cost:  $21.00 for dues payers$28.00 non dues payers

Price includes a buffet of olive and cheese antipasto and fruit traysalads vegetables roasted potatoes pasta with red sauce pasta withbroccoli and cheese top sirloin chicken parmigiana Italian breaddessert beverage tax and gratuity.

Deadline for reservations is November 6 2017.

Again this year instead of a gift exchange we ask that you bring anonperishable food item to donate to a local food cupboard. ThisHoliday Party is also the major fundraiser for our RRTA Dress A GirlSavvy Sew-ers who meet once a month at RTA to make dresses forgirls who otherwise might not have them. This is the happiest groupthat meets at RTA! Come ready to help buy fabric et al so this joyousproject will continue.

RRTA Holiday Luncheon December 5 2017Deadline for reservations:  November 6 2017

Name____________________________________________________Phone _______________ Email ______________________________Address___________________________________________________City/town_____________________________________ Zip ________

Number of $21 dues payer lunches ___ Total $ _____Number of $28 Non dues lunches ___ Total $ _____Total amount of check made out to RRTA $ _____

Please print the name of your guests______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please make checks payable to RRTA. Return completed form andcheck attention Karen Huey to Rochester Teachers Association 30North Union Street Rochester NY 14607