Harry Kiesler

Welcome to February, the shortest month of the year, which can often seem like the longest.  At least we have Valentine’s Day and President’s Day to look forward to celebrating!

In January, thirty-two members of Chapter 5151 enjoyed our 28^th anniversary luncheon at Casa Lupe.  At that time, we were pleased to announce that members of our local chapter had amassed 4,606.75 hours of volunteer service to the community in 2022.  That is impressive!  Many thanks to all of you who volunteered in any capacity in 2022.  Let’s keep it up in 2023.  Remember to keep reporting your volunteer activity hours to Leona Fails.

For those of you who like to plan in advance, the next opportunity to accrue volunteer hours at a “glasses sorting” day, in co-operation with the Lions Club, will be on Saturday, March 4^th, starting at 9:00 a.m.  The event takes place at the Vista Center on Bascom Ave.  It is actually fun to work with new people and across many generations.

Ken and I had the pleasure of attending the 2^nd anniversary celebration of the founding of The Campbell Press, which took place at the Pruneyard Doubletree Hotel on January 21^st.  We got to meet and chat with other contributors to the newspaper as well as members of the Chamber of Commerce.  We may even pick up some speakers from these contacts.

Remember that AARP tax preparation assistance starts on February 3^rd at the Campbell Community Center in room C-35 on Tuesdays from 1:00 to 4:00 PM and on Fridays from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

Tune in to PBS Great Performances on February 17^th at 9:00 PM to catch the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards.  You may get some good tips about films and performances that resonate well with older adults.

Hope to see you at the February 21^st meeting.

Here we are at the beginning of a month that supposedly comes “in like a lion,” but it feels more like a polar bear this year!  It is also Women’s History Month, so the best advice seems to be to stay warm and comfortable and watch some of the outstanding Women’s History Programs on PBS.

Speaking of Lions, our speakers for March will be talking about the Campbell-West San Jose Lions Club’s donated glasses program.  Some of our members will again participate in the glasses sorting event on Saturday, March 4^th from 9:00-1:00 at the VISTA center on Bascom Ave.  Lunch is provided.

On March 12^th, don’t forget to set your clocks AHEAD one hour for Daylight Savings Time.  After all, you wouldn’t want to be late for our Chapter meeting on the 21^st, not to mention any other exciting events you may want to attend.

On St. Patrick’s Day, Friday, March 17^th, several of Chapter 5151’s members will be singing in the annual fund-raising concert for Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence.  The concert will be held at the Campbell United Methodist Church on Winchester at 7:30 P.M.  Tickets are $25.00 at the door.  If you have never attended this concert before, you are in for a treat.  Several local choruses combine to put on a great show to support this organization.  There is always a wonderful “massed chorus” finale.

I hope you all have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day and that we’ll see you on the 21^st at our general meeting.

With a cold snap in the air, snow in the mountains and the promise of rain here, winter is making her presence known! 

December is also the month of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, and Kwanzaa.  A lot of celebrations in one month!

Our December program will be an entertainment program for the first time in quite a while. Musicians from Harpers’ Hall will perform for us.  After a two-year hiatus due to COVID, we look forward to hearing them again.

Don’t forget to wear your most outrageous “Ugly Christmas” sweater or sweatshirt to our meeting on December 20th; there will be a prize for the most outlandish garment.

Don’t forget to see Lynda Martinez to make your reservation for the January Anniversary Luncheon at Casa Lupe on Winchester Blvd. in January.  There will be no general meeting on January 17th as the luncheon will take its place.  Remember to think about items to donate as door prizes for the luncheon.  You can bring them the day of the luncheon.  Just let Lynda or me know that you have a prize to donate so we will know how many we have to give away!

We will be celebrating the 28th anniversary of the founding of the Campbell Area Chapter 5151 of AARP.

Happy Holidays to all and hope to see you on December 20th.

Happy August to everyone.  August is a rather uneventful month with no national holidays, but at least August 7^th is Friendship Day, so if there is someone you haven’t contacted in a while, pick up the phone or write a letter and let them know that you are thinking of them!  Otherwise, enjoy the summer.

On a more somber note, another Chapter of AARP has closed.  The San Bruno Chapter folded this past week.  This has happened due to not having members step up to take on leadership positions rather than due to lack of membership.  The San Bruno Chapter had no one willing to be President or Vice President or Treasurer.  If nobody takes on these roles, chapters must close.  In 2016, there were 200 active chapters in California.  Now there are only 14, according to the State Office.  We cannot function without leadership.  Please think more than twice about filling a vacant post.  Many thanks to Lynda Martinez for volunteering to be Social Chair.

For those of you who may be interested in a one-day opportunity for volunteering, the West San Jose/Campbell Lions club is asking for assistance on Saturday August 13^th.  Remember all those old glasses we bring into meetings to be donated?  They need to be sorted, cleaned and packed for shipping.  This event will take place at the Vista Center for the Blind at 101 N. Bascom Ave., San Jose.  For more information send an e-mail to: bob@lionstewart.com

The next Senior Safari will take place on August 25^th at Happy Hallow Park and Zoo.  This is a walking (or in my case, wheeling) event that is free for Seniors.  Arrive after 9:00, but before 10:00; parking and admission are free.  Ken and I are planning to attend on August 25^th, as our pool exercise class is over for the summer.  We hope some of you will join us.

The Campbell Press article for August features some of the comments from David More regarding what he misses about AARP.  Try to pick up a copy.

Welcome to February!  Happy Valentines’ Day and Happy Lunar New Year!  This month is packed with all kinds of celebrations and commemorations.  It is Black History Month, Women’s Heart Health Month, The Olympics are starting, and there is also Presidents’ Day!

Unfortunately, it does not represent a return to in-person meetings month.  It has been determined that many of our members are nervous about returning to in-person meetings, so for February we will still be on ZOOM.  We are allowed to have up to 50 people at a meeting in-person, but that will have to wait until April.

In March, we will have our annual luncheon for members and guests.  Again, we can have up to 50 people.  The venue will be Casa Lupe at 2165 Winchester in Campbell.  Enter the parking lot from Cherry.  The date is March 15^th and the time is 11:30 a.m.  It will be in a private room and Buffet Style.  The menu will consist of cheese or chicken enchiladas, beef burritos, rice and beans and sauteed seasonal vegetables.  Coffee, tea, water or a soft drink is included as well as tax and tip. Cost is $23.25 per person.  Please send checks in advance to Sharon Levine, Treasurer, at 4622 Calle De Farrar, San Jose, Ca. 95118-1914.  Checks should be made out to Chapter 5151 AARP and write “luncheon” in the memo line.  NO MONEY WILL BE COLLECTED AT THE DOOR.  The deadline for payment is March 8^th.

I have been on several COVID-19 state and national calls and the advice is as follows:  1. Get your Vaccinations.  2. Wear your masks.  3. Get out and LIVE YOUR LIFE!  We need to start doing this again! This “surge” is supposed to disappear by mid- February.  In the meantime, wear a mask to the Community Center in April until further notice.

Depression and loneliness are taking lives as well as the virus.  The Suicide Hotline number is 855-278-4204.

Hope to see you in March if not on-line in February.