Piscataquis Region Retired Educators Association news
GUILFORD — Twelve members and one guest met at the Piscataquis Country Club clubhouse in Guilford for the monthly meeting of the Piscataquis Region Retired Educators Association.
Gilbert Reynolds’ daughter Jane came with her dad as she is on summer break from her teaching responsibilities. The secretary’s report was accepted on a motion by Donna Caruso and a second by Carol Sherburne. The treasurer reported that we have $492.62 on hand and that dues are due in September. There was no formal legislative report but we are reminded to be aware of local elections as well as state elections. There was no necrology update.
POUND PARTY — Piscataquis Region Retired Educators Association President Judy Dow, shares her “Pound Party” purchase to Treasurer Priscilla Higgins during a recent meeting in Guilford. Members were encouraged to bring a wrapped gift weighing approximately one pound to the meeting. The room was filled with laughter as the items were unwrapped and shared with others. A sum of $101 was added to the coffers after this fundraising activity.
In old business, Secretary Janie Lander created the poster and tickets for the upcoming quilt raffle. With the assistance of Karen Longevin tickets were numbered and sorted into envelopes containing 15 tickets. Members were encouraged to take an envelope or two to sell prior to the Oct. 22 drawing.
Longevin and Lander had also created a list of area events where tickets could be sold, with the new banner on the table and the quilt on display. The association needs members to help sell raffle tickets at the following events: July 21 at SummerFest in Monson, July 27 at the Piscataquis River Festival in Guilford, Aug. 2-4 at Dover-Foxcroft Shiretown Homecoming (no parade this year), Aug. 10 at the Maine Red Hot Dog Festival in Dexter, and Sept. 5-8 at the International Seaplane Fly-In in Greenville. .
Longevin and Lander had been in touch with Christine Hession at Millworks Custom Apparel in Dexter regarding ordering polo shirts for members. Longevin read a recent email with information and it was voted to order a blue polo shirt with the logo printed on it. Ten people signed up for polo shirts at the meeting. There needs to be a minimum of 24 shirts to order so need members to contact Lander with your size so she can order them soon.
Priscilla Higgins is the contact person for the community dinner on Aug. 19. Lander circulated a sign-up sheet and asked those not in attendance at the meeting to contact Higgins directly.
The scholarship committee will meet next to get the name of a Greenville graduate or new teacher to receive the annual award. The committee will also meet to get a head start on planning locations and programs for 2025.
A surprise visitor shared a very special reading. Erwin Dellaire, Class of 1964 at PCHS and a retired educator, happened to be playing golf and learned that the group was meeting in the clubhouse. He had written a lovely poem after losing his wife last fall and asked if the association would give him feedback. It was lovely and a very special tribute to women.
The meeting concluded with the annual “Pound Party”. There were laughs galore as bids were made, outbid, winners recognized, and “prizes” unwrapped. Prizes ranged from a specially made PRREA mug, a vegetable chopper, books, a crazy plant pot, a red/white/blue themed goodies bowl, and a box of pancake mix. A sum of $101 was added to the coffers — what a creative group!
Many attendees decided to skip their bagged lunch and headed to the takeout window to order Gifford’s ice cream for their lunch. It was a lovely day and the ice cream was yummy.
The next meeting is on July 23 at the Lakeshore Pub in Monson. Come at 11 a.m.