President’s Message … Margaret Schieck

Welcome to September, although the weather still feels like August.  At least we have Labor Day as a three-day weekend and Grandparents’ Day on September 10th to anticipate.  Let’s also remember that school is back in session, so drive carefully and be extra alert.

We have many upcoming events to look forward to.  The next Senior Safari at Happy Hollow will be on Thursday, September 28th.  Arrive between 9:00 and 9:55 a.m., and Admission and Parking are free.  In August, Ken and I saw two other Chapter 5151 members at the Picnic Basket where we happened to stop for a coffee break.  It’s worth the trip just to see the Giant Anteaters and to hear the zookeepers’ informative talks.

Saturday, September 30th, will be the next Lions Club glasses-sorting event. This takes place at the VISTA Center at 101 Bascom Ave. in San Jose near San Carlos. It starts at 9:00 a.m. and goes until 2:00 p.m. with a free lunch included.  It’s an easy way to earn 5 hours of volunteer activity.

We have received a grant from National AARP to reprint and update the trifold recruitment brochures.  We are working with ENCORE Printing in Campbell to get this accomplished.  Ken was the primary grant proposal writer for this project.  Thank you, Ken.

We are working on establishing a fundraising event with the Starbird Chicken Restaurant in the Pruneyard.  We should have more information in October.

Occasionally, we should brag about our Chapter’s accomplishments, so here goes.  So far in 2023, we have added 10 new members to our Chapter.  Over the past 3 years, 4 of our Volunteers of the Year have received awards from National AARP:  Thelma Bridges, Jeanne Ulrich, Harry Kiesler, and Mike Rose.  We are known by both State and National AARP organizations as one of the Chapters that actively contributes to our community.  Last year, our members put in over 4,000 hours of volunteer service.  Remember that every hour of service counts toward our total. We are also apparently known for the variety of programs we present to our members.  There is something for everyone!  Our speaker for September has presented programs to us in the past and she is always an interesting speaker. 

President’s Message … Margaret Schieck

Happy 247th Birthday to The United States of America as of July 4th, 2023. It is the longest continuing democracy in the world, quite an achievement!

July 26th marks the 33rd anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990.  It still amazes me that people with disabilities have only had basic Civil Rights, such as access to housing, education and public buildings, etc. for only 33 years.

On another note, on a recent National AARP zoom presentation call, physicians were mentioning that as we get older our internal thermostats don’t react as quickly as they once did, so on these hot days it is important that we stay hydrated.  Keep taking drinks before you actually feel thirsty.

Our July program will feature a speaker from the Santa Clara County Fire Department.  The Program is on Safety at Home for Seniors, especially on Fall Prevention.  Feel free to bring a friend. This is an important issue for all of us. Visitors are always welcome.

The next glasses sorting event with the Lions Club will be on Saturday, July 29th, at the VISTA Center at 101 North Bascom Ave., near San Carlos St.  The event lasts from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.  Lunch is included.

Please remember that we have a Suggestion Box at each meeting.  If there is a particular topic that you would like us to explore, feel free to use the suggestion box.  If you have contact information for a particular speaker, include that with your suggestion.

Have a happy and safe Independence Day!  See you at the July 18th General Meeting. 

President’s Message … Margaret Schieck

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

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

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 4th from 9:00-1:00 at the VISTA center on Bascom Ave.  Lunch is provided.

On March 12th, 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 21st, not to mention any other exciting events you may want to attend.

On St. Patrick’s Day, Friday, March 17th, 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 21st at our general meeting.

President’s Message … Margaret Schieck

Happy Holidays to all whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, or any of the other 26 religious or cultural holidays that occur between November 25th and January 6th.  Just enjoy the time and company.

At this point in time, we are looking forward to resuming in-person meetings in room Q 80 at the Campbell Community Center, # 1 West Campbell Avenue, on January 18th, 2022.  No coffee can be served as of this date.  Anyone entering the Community Center must wear a mask whether vaccinated or not.  We will update any changes to this information as we receive them.  Since our meetings must currently be limited to no more than 50 people, please sign up to attend prior to the meeting by calling Joy Walsh, Telephone Chair, or e-mailing her at joywalsh1@comcast.net.  Her phone number is in this Dispatch.  Your reservation should be made prior to January 17th, 2022.  If you do not sign up, you may not be able to attend, depending on numbers.

The Board will be discussing a slight increase in yearly dues at its next meeting.  The information will be in the next Dispatch as well as on our website.  As you know, we are spending more than we are taking in.  The cost of printing and postage has been rising for over 4 years and we can no longer subsidize the cost of sending the Dispatch.  If you can possibly receive your Dispatch via e-mail, please consider making that change on your renewal information.  I will also no longer bring copies of the Agenda to the General Meeting except for a few copies for new members.  We have been paying to print copies of the Agenda and then throwing them out after the meeting, which is a waste.  If you wish to have an Agenda in front of you at the meeting, please print and bring your own.

Our Annual Luncheon has been moved to March 15th.  More details will follow in the January Dispatch and at the General Meeting regarding place, menu, and cost.  Payment will be collected at the January and February meetings.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone in person in January.

President’s Message … Margaret Schieck

Welcome to Fall, everyone.  There is a lot happening in the month of October.  The Campbell Octoberfest will be on October 16th and 17th in downtown Campbell.  Even if you are not a beer drinker, it’s lots of fun to be downtown and outdoors.  October 11th is both Indigenous People’s Day and Columbus Day with celebrations to match and, of course, Halloween is on the 31st. If you choose to come in costume to our general meeting, even if virtual, feel free to do so.

We still do not know when National AARP will give an okay for in-person group meetings.  I just keep getting told “until further notice” no meetings of more than five people indoors.  I will let you know as soon as I know.  I have asked for exemption because we are in a city that is over 90% vaccinated, and a county that is over 80% vaccinated, but cannot get an approval from National.  I’ll keep trying.

As promised, I did attend the meeting on Heat Stroke, Climate Change, and Seniors.  The greatest danger to older adults is not when we would think, but in the winter.  More seniors die of heat stroke when there is an unexpected heat surge in the winter because our bodies have not had a chance to acclimate to a warming up.  This used to be more common in Southern California, but with climate change the phenomenon is moving north as well.  Be aware that warming weather in January or February means drink more water and stay cool.

President’s Message … Margaret Schieck

Happy birthday to the United States Coast Guard (founded 1790).  That’s about the most significant event that occurred in the “Dog Days” of August.

At this time, we believe we will be able to begin in-person meetings in Room Q 80 of the Campbell Community Center on September 21st.  As we know, all information regarding COVID-19 is subject to change.  As of now, all participants will be required to wear a mask, both those who have been vaccinated and those who have not, at all indoor meetings.  We are unsure as to whether or not we can have coffee yet.  I expect to have more information from the Adult Center as we approach the date.

Many, many thanks to the telephone committee and to our ZOOM participants and officers who have held our chapter together during these past difficult 18 months!

I am including important information regarding a Virtual Lobbying Day on Aug. 18th for the P.R.O.T.E.C.T. bill for nursing home reform.  Please read the information in the box below and register for training if you want to get involved.

President’s Message … Margaret Schieck

Here we are six months into 2021 with maybe some light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel.

It looks as though we will be meeting on ZOOM for at least another four to five months as the Campbell Community Center does not expect to open for large groups before October.

In the meantime, Happy Father’s Day to all you fathers and grandfathers and all who are fulfilling a “father figure” role.  This is your month.

For those of you who are uncomfortable using Social Media, the Office of Volunteer Engagement has affiliated with Senior Planet for free technology sessions called Older Adults Technology Services (OATS).  You are invited to join Facebook Fridays for training.  Tech Tuesdays are also available for novice users and for training on hosting meetings.  Have fun!  For more information, contact Sharon Stewart at  sbinns@aarp.org.

President’s Message … Margaret Schieck

Here we are in March and it is another busy month!  Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all, as well as Happy First Day of Spring, Happy Passover, and Happy Easter (in early April)!  It is also Women’s History month. (For a virtual Women’s History exhibit, go to:  losaltoshistory.org/rise-up.)

Wow! There are a lot of items to cover this month.

Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead 1 hour for Daylight Savings Time on March 14th.  Don’t forget to read Angie’s article on “Have a Heart for Sacred Heart” food drive contributions in this newsletter. 

Also, the 11th Annual Benefit Concert “For Love” supporting Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence will take place virtually this year on March 20th at 7:30 p.m.  The concert is free this year, but donations are strongly encouraged.  For access to the concert, please send an e-mail request to:  2021forlove@gmail.com.  As many of you know, several of our AARP members sing with the Orchard City Community Chorus, which is one of the 10 choruses contributing voices to this virtual event.

I would also like to encourage our members to remember Mama Mia’s restaurant when they are thinking of ordering meals.  We may or may not be able to have our annual luncheon this year, but Frank has been very supportive of our group in keeping costs reasonable for us at the luncheon.  He could use our support now.  In addition, remember Sorelle’s as well.  They have accommodated after-meeting lunches and our need for separate checks.

I hope everyone has a Happy Spring and I’m looking forward to seeing you all on-line on March 16th and, hopefully, in person soon.