President’s Message

President … Ken Schieck

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I hope everyone has an enjoyable and safe celebration of July 4.  Find a big place (like a stadium) to watch all the fireworks.  Don’t get cocky like my cousin about 60 years ago; he bought firecrackers in Chinatown and put some into my mother’s flower pot with dirt.  When the pot exploded and sent pieces all over the yard, he wondered why!

If you would like information about what AARP state liaison officers are discussing with our reps in Sacramento, please let me know. The information I have received from Antoine Cook indicates that the major issues are prescription drug costs, internet and voice-over privacy, and long-term care support and services.

Information will be forthcoming about the yearly AARP Service Day, which usually occurs in August.

Other notable dates in July:

  • July 1, 1863 — the beginning of the battle of Gettysburg;
  • July 2, 1776 — the Continental Congress issues a proclamation declaring the colonies independent of Great Britain;
  • July 4, 1863 — Vicksburg, the last Confederate stronghold, surrenders to the Union army;
  • July 4, 1872 — Calvin Coolidge is born in Plymouth, Vermont;
  • July 15, 1606 — Dutch painter Rembrandt is born in Leiden, Holland;
  • July 16, 1969 — Apollo lunar landing mission begins;
  • July 20, 1954 — a conference in Geneva, Switzerland, ends hostilities between the French forces in Vietnam and the People’s Army of Vietnam.
  • July 31, 1790 — U.S.Patent Office opens its doors.

President … Ken Schieck

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Let us prayerfully reflect on June 6, the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the invasion of Normandy. That bloody Allied invasion was the beginning of the end for Hitler and his war machine. All of us probably have relatives or friends who served that day, some of whom may not have returned. The world is a better place because of the sacrifices of ‘The Greatest Generation.’

June 14 is Flag Day;; if you have a flag, please fly it.

Celebrate ‘Senior Safari Walk’ on Thursday, June 27, at Happy Hollow in Kelly Park near Keyes and Senter in San Jose;; the park opens at 8:30, and the entry is free before 10 AM. Breakfast items can be purchased inside. This is the second of three or four of these ‘walks.’

The AARP regional and national phone conversations I have participated in the last two months have centered around prescription drug prices. For more information, please go to aarp.org/rx. I participated in one on Thursday, May 30, and this one was centered on the acronym VMF- Veterans, Military, and Families. Did you know that 4 million veterans belong to AARP nationwide? A few months ago, Antoine Cook, Associate State Director for AARP and our speaker in January, asked me to join a committee to study more effective ways that AARP, at the State and Chapter level, can assist veterans, active military and their families. One area that national AARP is working on is fraud;; veterans are twice as likely than the general population to be targeted for scams. I am certainly going to give this serious consideration and would welcome any ideas that you might have. For more information, go to aarp.org/veterans.

Remember that our chapter is urgently seeking a Vice-President

President … Ken Schieck

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May is Older Americans Month and will be celebrated throughout the nation.  There will be a special celebration at the County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, May 7 at 9:30 a.m.  The reception is in appreciation of the work of the Seniors’ Agenda and its partners for making Santa Clara an age-friendly county.  To RSVP please contact Diana Miller @408/755-7695 or diana.miller@ssa.sccgov.org.  For more information on Older Americans Month, go to act.gov/oam.

In 1999, Congress also designated May as Military Appreciation Month; be sure to thank the veterans in our chapter for their service to America and let Angie Jaggars know if you have friends or relatives on active duty overseas.  Check local websites, TV, radio and newspapers for special veteran-related activities.

As many of you know, the Levines, Nancy Tepperman and myself are all members of the Orchard City Community Chorus; we are preparing for our annual spring concert on Friday, May 31, 7:30 pm at Campbell United Methodist church, 1675 S. Winchester (near Hamilton), Campbell.  Plan to attend and hear fabulous music themed on ‘Hollywood Meets Broadway’; ticket prices are $15 if purchased before May 15 at www.orchardcitychorus.org, $20 thereafter or if purchased at the door.  Refreshments afterward in the social hall.

Remember that our chapter is still seeking a Vice-President.

President … Ken Schieck

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Welcome to the month of April, the first full month of the spring season. During this month, we celebrate Passover, Easter, and the IRS! Last week, I and a few Board members toured the new AARP regional office on St. John Street in San Jose. When going there, I was reminded why I am grateful for the County Light Rail System!

The state AARP is advocating for what they call an age-friendly network (AFN) of livable communities, which include San Jose, Saratoga, Sunnyvale, and, hopefully, Campbell. They want to promote what they call the “8 domains of livability,” which include: (1) Transportation, (2) Housing, (3) Social Participation, (4) Respect and Social Inclusion, (5) Civic Participation and Engagement, (6) Communication and Information, (7) Community Support and Health Services, and (8) Outdoor Spaces and Buildings. More information will be forthcoming.

Remember that our chapter is still seeking a Vice- President.

President … Ken Schieck

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AARP Associate State Director Antoine Cook left our January meeting with at least two positive impressions:

1) No other California chapter sponsors lunches after a general meeting;

2) He was impressed with the idea of “Glad Tidings” (thanks to Marilyn Clough for that phrase).

I know from other conversations with Antoine that he is also impressed with the scope of the Dispatch and the fact that it is published monthly.

These activities only come about because members of our chapter are willing to step up and use their talents to serve the larger community be that our AARP chapter or the neighborhoods and cities where we live (and sometimes work!). Furthermore, Mr. Cook also said that the Board positions of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer are absolutely necessary for a chapter to stay in existence.  I bring this up to you because the position of Vice-President is currently vacant. If you appreciate the speakers that have informed our meetings over the years, you have an idea of what the Vice-President’s main responsibility is.  Anyone with powers of persuasion and knowledge of the interests of seniors should consider volunteering in this position.

If you are interested, please see Jan Delucchi or myself; I served in this capacity recently for two years.  Thank you for your interest.

Please read newly posted articles on our website and this issue of the Dispatch

President…Ken Schieck

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First of all, I wish a very happy and prosperous 2019 to all of you;; some of us had a very prosperous 2018, others just want to forget about the past year and get on with the new one. To all the members who joined (or returned to) our chapter in 2018, I offer a big “thank you.” Please consider lending your talents to the activities that will be planned this year.

Below is a letter from our vice-president, Gene Lennon, who will be moving in a different direction for the time being. Perhaps you can fill his position.

Dear Campbell Area AARP Chapter 5151 members,

Many of you may be wondering why I have not been attending the monthly meetings and fulfilling my obligation as Vice President/Program Director. In the past few months, I have experienced some major lifestyle changes that have prevented me from completing my requirements of the position.

I am truly sorry for my inability to fully serve you as was expected of me, but hope you did appreciate what programs I was able to secure during my time as V.P.

You voted me into the position with expectations of my ability to provide educational, entertaining, and informative programs for a period of 2 years and I was going to extend for another, but things changed. Life is unpredictable and sometimes alters the course we choose.

I have enjoyed meeting all of you and helping to bring value to the Chapter and would not hesitate to volunteer once again if things should change. As of now, I am unable to attend the monthly meetings and participate in the Board of Director meetings which are to guide, direct, implement and administer policies that benefit the chapter.

Please give your support to the board and to Paddy Wray for helping me complete that which I cannot. Her contributions to this chapter are immeasurable and should not go unrecognized, respected and appreciated. With all my heart, I thank you for the opportunity to serve you.

Sincerely,
Gene Lennon V.P. Campbell Area AARP Chapter 5151

President…Ken Schieck

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I wish all of you Happy Holidays: Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Kwanzaa and Seasons Greetings (hopefully, I didn’t forget any greeting). Let’s do what we can this
holiday season to assist those who lost so much in the Camp fire and Malibu fire with our prayers and material offerings (which can also be given after the holiday season.)

The Monday after Thanksgiving, I went to Ace Hardware at Lark and Los Gatos Blvd. in Los Gatos; I was looking for the government-approved (N95) masks for ‘bad air’ days such as we recently experienced. Although I didn’t hold out much hope that they had any, I was told they had just received a new shipment. So I bought a few boxes for family use. My point is that the other hardware stores probably have new shipments as well and it might be a good idea to make your purchase before they run out again.

Look for some changes in the DISPATCH to protect personal privacy and increase reading ability.

At our Dec.18 general meeting, we will be honored with Liz Gibbons, a chapter member, administering the oath of office to our Board and Committee members for 2019.  I want to again thank the chapter members who volunteered to take on assignments for the first time:  Sharon and Paul Levine, Charlene Silva, Lily Hirota, Rosaleine Higgins, Leona Fails, Jeanne Ulrich, and Harry Kiesler.

President…Ken Schieck

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Our incoming officers and committee chairs for 2019 are listed below.  You will have the opportunity to vote for these members at the General Meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 20.  Remember that these positions are vital to our chapter; without volunteers like these members, the chapter will become inactive.

 

OFFICERS

President – Ken Schieck

VP/Programs – Gene Lennon

Secretary – Fannie Young

Treasurer — David More

Asst. Treasurer – Barbara Robinson

Past President – Marlene Hruby

 

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Community Service – Leona Fails

Legislative – Daniel Nnorth

Membership – Shelly Schwartz

Opportunity Drawing — Paul and Sharon Levine

Opportunity Drawing — Sheila Bailey

Newsletter — Harry Kiesler/Jeanne Ulrich

Refreshments – Gene Lennon

Sunshine – Sue McMillin

Telephone – Thelma Bridges

Social Activities – Paddy Wray

Treasure Chest – Jan Delucchi

Troop Support – Angie Jaggars

Lunch Co-ordinator – Libby Harbour

Books – Charlene Silva

Greeters – Lily Hirota/Roslyn Higgins

Badges — Sue McMillin

Nominating Committee – Jan Delucchi

Public Relations – HOW ABOUT YOU?

 

 

Sad News:  Longtime member Marilyn Simpkins passed away on October 16, 2018.

Funeral service will be on November 13, 11:00, at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, 48800 Warm Springs Blvd., Fremont.

Memorial to follow at 12:00 noon at Adobe Park on Wessex Place, Milpitas.

President…Ken Schieck

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This month I must pass on the sad news that both Daphne

and George Depold died recently; they were members of AARP until about 4 years ago, and they were living recently in an assisted-living facility in Santa Clara. George was a participant in the D-Day offensive and was well known in the local veteran community. George had close ties to many local veterans’ organizations: our American Legion post, the San Jose Veterans Center, and The Olive Tree (Campbell’s Veterans Memorial Foundation). George started our troop support effort in 2006, mailing care packages to troops in Afghanistan and Iraq before this activity became a chapter project. He served on our board of directors for many years and was responsible for getting us involved in the Moffett Field gift wrap extravaganza. George had two bricks in his honor at the Campbell Veterans Memorial Foundation and they have an 8 x 8 paver in place to honor him as their first ‘veteran of the year.’ He was also an honorary chaplain for the organization. In addition, George was the troops chairperson, and he was in charge of the AARP Christmas wrap with the sheriff. Daphne was involved in the Campbell Seniors Caring Hearts Club. They make little hats and blankets for babies in the hospitals. George and Daphne met during World War II while he was in the Army stationed in England. Daphne came to our country with him as a war bride, was a member of the local war brides association, and a leader and expert knitter in our Community Center’s Busy Hands/Caring Hearts group. Their involvement in so many activities is a true example of what “Community Service” is all about. We can all try to follow in their footsteps. The Foundation will let us know after their Oct. 5 meeting how they plan to honor him.

AARP has a voter engagement campaign titled ‘BE THE DIFFERENCE VOTE’. If you haven’t already, please commit to voting on Nov.6th by signing our voters’ pledge and visit https://action.aarp.org/site/SPageNavigator/2018 _Voter_Pledge.html

The county of Santa Clara is looking for election officers; volunteer stipends range from $115 to $200. For more information, go to the county home page @sccgov.org. VOTE ON TUESDAY, NOV.6

DON’T FORGET TO OBTAIN YOUR FLU SHOT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

DON’T FORGET TO PLACE YOUR IDEAS FOR OUR CHAPTER IN THE SUGGESTION BOX AT THE GENERAL MEETING.

The way to keep our chapter going is to volunteer. Please consider a position in Community Service, Public Relations and Assistant Treasurer.

President…Ken Schieck

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I spoke at the August general meeting about AAPR’s National Day of Service, which takes place on Tuesday, September 11. Please volunteer on your own with a group in your local community. This is such an important volunteer commitment that there is a separate category for it on your service/ volunteer hour report at the bottom of the general meeting agenda and the Dispatch. For more information, visit aarpfoundation.org/volunteer. As part of your volunteer effort, consider helping anyone you know who might be experiencing social isolation. Help is available for them at connect2affect.org. We are looking for volunteers to staff our table at two senior resource fairs this month. The first one will be held at Wesley Manor (right up Winchester next to Campbell United Methodist Church) on Friday, Sept. 21. The second one will be held at Liberty Towers in Santa Clara on Friday, Sept.28. We are asked to staff the tables on each day from 10 am to noon. If interested, please call me, Ken Schieck, or see me at the general meeting on Tuesday, Sept.18.