Piscataquis retired educator news
DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Piscataquis County Retired Educators met at the Bear’s Den July 23, with 11 members and one guest attending. Martha Rollins introduced her guest, Joan Cross Forester, formerly of Dover-Foxcroft now living in California.
President Gil Reynolds opened the meeting and led the Collect and Pledge of Allegiance. He also reported that the Community Caring Project has not been started and he will follow up on that.
The secretary’s report was read and accepted with one correction, being the name of the Esther Pennington Scholarship recipient as Decker, not Dickers. The treasurer’s report was given and accepted.
There was much discussion of COLA and Social Security benefits or lack thereof for retired teachers. It was suggested we have someone from the Social Security office speak at a later meeting.
Reynolds read the “work list” for Homecoming and asked for more volunteers to work that day. He plans to be there as well as other retired teachers. The raffle will be another picnic basket like we did last year. It contains two bottles of wine, mixed nuts, crackers, cheese, tablecloth, napkins chocolates, $25 gift certificate from Greenville and other picnic items. Proceeds will go to the Piscataquis County Retired Educators Association’s Esther Pennington Scholarship which is awarded to students from Greenville, Dover-Foxcroft, Guilford and Milo. The scholarship amount was raised to $400 this year. It is a great help to college students. We hope all alumni will buy tickets
There being no more business, Reynolds adjourned the meeting and introduced Minnie McCormick who spoke of GFWC Maine President’s Project Newborns in Need (NIN). McCormick is chairman of the project and wants the public to know more about it. NIN serves children from fetal demise to 2 years of age. Club members all over the state are making or purchasing items which are donated the those in need, not matter race or financial status. A bag of baby clothes, blankets and other items are packed and ready when the call comes.
A bag for newborns and several tiny blankets and fetal demise or miscarriage bags have been donated to Mayo Regional Hospital. Letters have been sent to all area hospitals, funeral homes and Foxcroft Academy. More letters with NIN information will be sent to other agencies so we can help babies in need. It is a worthwhile project and will continue until May 2014 and then the Piscataquis Chapter will take over. Anyone wishing to be a member and participate in the chapter is asked to call McCormick at 564-2663. She showed several different items that she and other members have made.
The next meeting will be Aug. 27 at 11:30 a.m. at the Bear’s Den. Program will be announced later.