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President’s Message…Margaret Schieck

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I hope you all had wonderful December Holidays and are looking forward to a Happy, Healthy New Year.

There will be no General Meeting in January as we will be celebrating our 29th anniversary as a Chapter of AARP with a special luncheon at Jack’s Restaurant on Saratoga Avenue in Campbell.  For detailed information, please see Lynda Martinez’s January Holiday Luncheon message in the righthand column.

Thank you to the 14 members who came to the Home Church on December 11th to help sort toys and games.  I have never seen so many stuffed animals in one place in my life!  We will do this again next year.

On February 3rd, we will volunteer (with the Lions Club) at the VISTA Center for the Blind, 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. (morning coffee and lunch included).  The Center is located at 101 No. Bascom Avenue in San Jose.  Come to the back of the parking lot.  We have been exemplary as a Chapter in living up to the motto of AARP: “To Serve, Not Be Served.”

Speaking of service, I have received a Volunteer of the Year Award nomination form from National and look forward to hearing your recommendation for a nominee from our Chapter.  We have been able to give this award for the last 3 years to an outstanding volunteer from our Chapter and hope to continue the trend.  So far, I have heard from four people.  Please let me or another Board member know your thoughts. Remember, until given, the award is a secret.

We will resume our regular schedule of meetings on Tuesday, February 20th.  Hope to see you at the Luncheon and at the Lions’ VISTA event before then.

President’s Message … Margaret Schieck

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Here we are in November and the days grow colder and the nights become darker!  It seems like it happened abruptly.  I hope you remembered to turn your clocks back on Sunday, November 5th, as Daylight Savings Time ended at 2 a.m. that day.  Personally, I turned ours back on Saturday night as I didn’t intend to be up at 2:00 a.m.

Veterans Day is on Saturday, November 11th.  Remember to thank the Veterans you know and to honor those whom you may not know.

Our Chapter’s annual anniversary luncheon will be held at Jack’s this year. See Lynda Martinez’s notice for details.  Guests are welcome to attend.  All payments must be made in advance as no money will be accepted at the door.  Checks can be brought to the November and December meetings or payment in cash also.  The cost is $36 per person.

I hope to have more detailed information regarding our participation in the Campbell Area Christmas Toy Drive and wrapping before the November meeting.  Also, please see Paul’s column regarding a switch in speakers for this meeting and the one in February.

I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving.  I will be giving thanks for all of you and especially for Chapter 5151’s executive board, committee chairs, and all other volunteers.  You make my life much easier and enjoyable.

President’s Message

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Welcome to the “dog days” of August and “Back to School” events!  Remember when school didn’t start until after Labor Day?  Not so, anymore.  See Marilyn’s note about contributing to Sacred Heart’s pack-a- backpack drive.

The July informative presentation on Home Safety and Fall Prevention was gratefully received by our Chapter members.  Also, in late July, our members participated in the Senior Safari Walk at Happy Hallow.  The next Senior Safari will be on Thursday, August 24th.  Simply arrive between 9:00 and 9:55 AM for free parking and admission.  Even in the heat, it’s good to get out for some moderate exercise in stimulating surroundings.

Late July also saw our members participate in the glasses sorting event at the VISTA center on Bascom Ave. near San Carlos.  The date for the next event has not yet been set, but I will let members know as soon as I know.

SCAM ALERT:  They’re at it again.  You may receive a letter in the mail purporting to be from the IRS, asking you to send them a copy of your Real ID or Driver’s License.  They will even send you a return envelope. That service already knows who you are and, if you do as directed, you have given the scammers everything they need to steal your identity.  Also, the grandparent callers are at it again.  I received two of these calls in the past month.  Don’t fall for it.

Our August speaker is Candace Roney who will be giving information on volunteer activities at the Humane Society as well as some other volunteer opportunities.  In addition, Gloria Hayes will give a brief presentation on Lawn Bowling for Seniors at a local venue.

In the meantime, try to stay cool and remember to drink before you feel thirsty.

President’s Message … Margaret Schieck

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Happy Mothers’ Day to all mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, and anyone filling the role of Mother figure.  Enjoy your Day!

The next glasses sorting opportunity will be on May 6th from 9:00 a.m. to approximately 2:00 p.m. with lunch provided.  This is an easy way to contribute 5 hours of volunteer time, and it’s fun.  The event takes place at the Santa Clara County VISTA Center, 101 No. Bascom in San Jose (cross street is San Carlos).  The event is sponsored by the Campbell-West San Jose Lions Club. See you there.

Senior Safari events have returned to Happy Hollow Park and Zoo.  The first free event will be on May 25th. Seniors enter free and parking is free as long as you enter between 9:00 a.m. and 9:59 a.m.  If it is your first visit, you will receive an admission card with the future events listed and any subsequent visits will not require you to stand in line.  Once in the park, you may stay as long as you wish.  Coffee and light breakfast fare are available for purchase.

On Memorial Day, May 29th, let us not fail to honor those who gave “the last full measure of devotion” for our country.  The Campbell Veterans Memorial Foundation will hold its annual Ceremony at 9:00 a.m. at the Memorial site on Orchard City Green at City Hall.  The ceremony will also be streamed live on Facebook.

CHAPTERS:  There are 16 local AARP Chapters left in the State of California.  Only 5 of these are in Northern California, and only 2 of the 5 are in the San Francisco Bay Area.  The Campbell Area Chapter 5151 is proudly one of those 2.  One does not have to be a Campbell resident to belong to this Chapter.  More about the various cities represented next month.

SUGGESTION BOX:  Please note that our Secretary, Fannie Young, brings a suggestion box to every general meeting.  It is located on the table at the front of the meeting room.  We welcome suggestions for speakers/programs.  Please feel free to make suggestions for speakers by using this box.  Please include contact information if you can provide it.

Have a great month of May.  We’ll see you at the meeting on May 16th.

President’s Message … Margaret Schieck

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Happy Mothers’ Day to all mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, and anyone filling the role of Mother figure.  Enjoy your Day!

The next glasses sorting opportunity will be on May 6th from 9:00 a.m. to approximately 2:00 p.m. with lunch provided.  This is an easy way to contribute 5 hours of volunteer time, and it’s fun.  The event takes place at the Santa Clara County VISTA Center, 101 No. Bascom in San Jose (cross street is San Carlos).  The event is sponsored by the Campbell-West San Jose Lions Club. See you there.

Senior Safari events have returned to Happy Hollow Park and Zoo.  The first free event will be on May 25th. Seniors enter free and parking is free as long as you enter between 9:00 a.m. and 9:59 a.m.  If it is your first visit, you will receive an admission card with the future events listed and any subsequent visits will not require you to stand in line.  Once in the park, you may stay as long as you wish.  Coffee and light breakfast fare are available for purchase.

On Memorial Day, May 29th, let us not fail to honor those who gave “the last full measure of devotion” for our country.  The Campbell Veterans Memorial Foundation will hold its annual Ceremony at 9:00 a.m. at the Memorial site on Orchard City Green at City Hall.  The ceremony will also be streamed live on Facebook.

CHAPTERS:  There are 16 local AARP Chapters left in the State of California.  Only 5 of these are in Northern California, and only 2 of the 5 are in the San Francisco Bay Area.  The Campbell Area Chapter 5151 is proudly one of those 2.  One does not have to be a Campbell resident to belong to this Chapter.  More about the various cities represented next month.

SUGGESTION BOX:  Please note that our Secretary, Fannie Young, brings a suggestion box to every general meeting.  It is located on the table at the front of the meeting room.  We welcome suggestions for speakers/programs.  Please feel free to make suggestions for speakers by using this box.  Please include contact information if you can provide it.

Have a great month of May.  We’ll see you at the meeting on May 16th.

President’s Message .. Margaret Schieck

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Happy Easter and a Joyous Passover to all our members.  Hopefully, the celebrations will not be waterlogged!

In March, we had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Art Low and Mr. Dave Kaplow give one of the most dynamic and interesting programs we have had.  The subject was the Lions In Sight program.  (See page 3 for a photograph of our guest speakers.)

For those of you who would like to consider volunteering, the next glasses sorting event will be held on Saturday, May 6th, from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Coffee is ready in the morning and lunch is served to the volunteers.  You can just show up at the VISTA Center at 101 Bascom Ave. near San Carlos in San Jose, or you can sign up in advance on the Lions website.

In April, we will have a program presented by a representative from Google regarding information technology for Senior Citizens. (See Paul’s article for details.)

Remember to sign up to bring refreshments for the May meeting if you can.  Of course, last-minute goodies are always welcome.

I hope you all have pleasant Spring Holidays — it really will get warmer!

President’s Message…Margaret Schieck

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Happy New Year and best wishes for a healthy 2023.  Also, have a reflective Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on January 16th.  By chance, we get two long weekends in January and get to celebrate Lunar New Year on January 22nd!

Please remember that there will be NO General Meeting at the Community Center this month. Instead, we will have our annual luncheon on January 17th at Casa Lupe in Campbell at 11:30 a.m.  Parking is somewhat limited, so informal (arranged on your own) carpools are encouraged.  Remember to get your reservations and payment in by January 9th.   Guests are welcome, but reservations MUST be made in advance.

If anyone will be donating an item for a door prize, please let Lynda Martinez know.  There will be a free drawing at the luncheon, but we need to know how many prizes we will have.

The next glasses-sorting/cleaning Lions Club event will be held on Saturday, January 7th at the VISTA Center from 9:00 a.m.to approximately 2:00 p.m. (lunch included).  The location is 101 No. Bascom Ave., just off San Carlos. You do not have to stay for the entire time.  Come and meet new friends while discovering what happens to your eyewear donations.

Many thanks to the Harpers’ Hall musicians for the wonderful Holiday program they presented at our December meeting.  The group has already set aside December 19th, 2023, to come and play for us at that meeting!

Don’t forget to join or renew your membership in AARP Chapter 5151 this month.  Have a great January and we hope to see you at the luncheon.

President’s Message … Margaret Schieck

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HAPPY 246th BIRTHDAY to the United States of America!  I hope you enjoyed the holiday.

July is “BRING A FRIEND” month for the Campbell Area Chapter of AARP.  Please invite someone to come to our meeting along with you, or separately. A guest does not pay for membership dues until they have attended 3 free meetings.  Of course, guests may also join at any meeting.  One does not have to be a Campbell resident to come to our meetings. “Campbell Area” includes San Jose, Milpitas, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Cupertino and Santa Clara as well as Campbell.  Coffee time is at 9:15 am and the speaker starts at 10:00 a.m.  The July meeting will take place on July 19th in Room Q80 of the Campbell Community Center, 1 West Campbell Ave. in Campbell.  As you enter the Center’s driveway, there is a large parking lot on the left, very close to our meeting room, Q80.

Last month, I mentioned the Senior Safari walks at Happy Hollow Park and Zoo.  Parking and Admission are free if you arrive before 10:00 a.m.  The senior walks take place on the 4th Thursday of the month through October.  Also, for a senior discount rate of $10.00, there are docent-led walks through History San Jose from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. every Thursday for the summer months.  Both venues are located in Kelly Park in San Jose.

Many thanks to all of the AARP Chapter members who came to Angie Jaggars Memorial Service.  It was well attended.

Remember, BRING A FRIEND TO OUR MEETING.

Campbell Area AARP Chapter Meetings

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Campbell Area Chapter 5151 meets at the Campbell Community Center on the third Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in Room Q80. Don’t sit at home with little to do! Come join this active group. Make new friends. Expand your horizons. Meetings are open to residents of all communities, but membership in the National AARP is required for Chapter membership, which provides, for an annual fee, a mailed black-and-white local newsletter or an emailed color version.

Members often share common interests. Monthly general meetings provide a forum to keep people informed about various local, state, and federal issues, such as legal news, health, identity theft, personal safety, utility regulations, musical programs, magicians, dance and drama groups, and much more.

Members are encouraged to volunteer in the local area to help fulfill the National AARP, “To serve, not be served.” Chapter 5151 has provided commendable volunteer service to many organizations, even throughout the pandemic of 2020-2022.

Come visit us at our next meeting on the third Tuesday of the month and bring a friend.

President’s Message…Margaret Schieck

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HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!!  I hope you all enjoyed the holiday break.  We start a new year with new challenges and new opportunities!

Our General Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 18, in Room Q80 at the Campbell Community Center.  Social time is at 9:15 a.m. with the program scheduled for 10:00.  Meetings are limited to 50 participants, so please sign up in advance prior to January 17, by emailing Joy Walsh or calling her.  We MUST enforce the 50-person limit. If you do not sign up in advance, you may not be able to attend. Officers and Committee Chairs are automatically on the sign-up sheet.  Thank you, Joy for doing this.

Masks are required to enter the Community Center buildings, regardless of vaccination status.

The information regarding in-person meetings is contingent upon COVID guidelines staying as currently defined; we may have to switch to ZOOM at the last minute.

Our Chapter has been operating at a deficit for several years, mostly due to printing and mailing costs, and we find it necessary to raise membership dues for 2022.  Effective March 1, 2022, dues for members receiving the Dispatch via email will be $15.00 and for those receiving it via snail mail dues will be $20.00. These changes represent a $1.00 increase or a $3.00 increase, respectively, for a yearly membership.

On a brighter note, the social committee has chosen a venue for our annual luncheon on March 15, 2022. We will be meeting at Casa Lupe Restaurant in Campbell on Winchester at Cherry at 11:30. The luncheon will be a buffet in a private room, with seating for 50 people with plenty of space. More details to follow at the January meeting.

Many thanks to Sue Yeager for stepping up to manage the Book Exchange table.  There will be no post- meeting lunch in January as no one has volunteered to be lunch coordinator.  For events to take place, we must have volunteers.

See you on January 18!