FCRE

VOL.XXXVII, No. 2 Fairfax County, Virginia October 2015

Sandy Ansell

Marilyn Armon

Diane Austin

Allen Britt

Diane Church

Joni Coutry

Kathryn Drinkard

Margaret Gamble

John Glaze

Elaine Gramp

Lisa Green

Kathleen Gregg

Lucia Hernandez

Pam Hewitt

Patricia Hinman

Brenda Johnson

Aziza Kaseem

Barbara Kelly

Jim Kenny

Nancy Kruger

Lisa Langley

Kaethe Lewandowski

Kathryn Liotta

Penny McConnell

Nancy Michaels

Rosa Moline

Darlene Morse

Marianne Obrien

Michelle Padgett

Carla Page

Dianna Podiack

Edwin Ridout

Jyoti Sanghani

Carol Shehan

Vibha Srinivas

Michael Stueben

Deborah Tyler

Rhonda Weiner

Donna West

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS OF FCRE by

John Dent, President

Hello to all FCRE members and a special welcome to our recently retired new members as we move from sum-

mertime schedules, vacation trips, and hot weather. As you receive this newsletter, many of us will be back on school

time assisting our families with children going back to school.

After this summer, I know that most of us look forward to the cooler fall temperatures, but at our FCRE Office,

we have been busy all summer long working on behalf of our members in planning programs for this new year, refining

our budgetary processes, and improving our communications technology. We hosted numerous meeting with FCPS

School Board members, Superintendent Dr. Karen Garza, and representatives of FCPS Benefits Office.

As we start our 2015/2016 activities, we want to encourage you to be an active participant in our programs,

travel opportunities, leisure pursuits, and volunteer positions. Whether you read our newsletter online or via mail, be

sure to look at and try some of our programs and activities.

If you are interested in working with the FCRE Board of Directors, we are still in need of a person or team to

handle the Luncheon Coordinator duties with the staff of the Elks Lodge. Additionally, we are looking for someone to

handle the Membership Director duties which deal with planning and coordinating events relating to new retiree

recruitment. The positions are fun and do not take much of your time.

This fall season also involves the election cycle of our FCPS School Board members. We want to encourage you

to stay involved and to be sure and vote in November.

Finally, I encourage you to take a look at the list of news members below, and if you know someone who is not

listed, encourage them to join and participate in our fantastic activities.

And here they are, our newest members! A very warm welcome to all of you!

We are so happy to welcome you to Fairfax County Retired Educators as you begin your retirement. And again,

if you know someone who might be interested in joining, bring them along to the Luncheon Meeting on October 8 at the

Elks Lodge.♦

If ice, snow, or other inclement weather occurs on the days of our luncheons or activities, please

listen to your radio or television. If Fairfax County Public Schools are closed, our activities are

cancelled as well. If FCPS opens late, our activities will operate on time.

2

OCTOBER 8, 2015

NEXT MEMBER

LUNCHEON LOCATED AT: Elks Lodge, 8421 Arlington Blvd. (Route 50)

Fairfax, Virginia

AGENDA:

11:00 a. m.--Social Hour and cash bar--meet and greet

friends.

11:45 a. m.--Lunch-

Program: Linda Sittig: Cut From Strong

Cloth: Ellen Canavan

--Business Meeting--choosing of the

Nominating Committee.

LUNCHEON RESERVATIONS

Reservations must be received by phone, mail, or email

no later than 12:00 noon on Friday,

October 2, 2015, we have to give the Elks Lodge the

definite number by that date and time. Please call,

mail, or email early!

1. BY MAIL--Mail your name, name(s) of guests, and

check for $15 for members, $18 for guests.

Make your checks payable to FCRE, and mail to

Fairfax County Retired Educators

Luncheon Reservations

P. O. 682

Springfield, VA 22150-0682

OR: 2. CALL: 703-923-9877

Leave your name (please spell slowly), phone number,

and guest name(s)

OR:

3. EMAIL-- luncheon@fcre.org We still want the same information--your name, and

your guest(s) if you are bringing any.

NOTE: If you email us with your reservation, ex-

pect a reply that your reservation has been received. If

you don't receive a reply, please send again because we

did not receive your reservation.

Cost of luncheon: $15.00 for members of FCRE

$18 for each guest.

Members and guests without reservations may be ac-

commodated at $21.00 per person only if space is avail-

able.

VICE PRESIDENT'S

CORNER by

EVA PAPPAS, Vice President and

Program Chairman

CUT FROM STRONG CLOTH

Born in New York City and raised in northern

New Jersey, Linda Sittig's love of history and a commit-

ment to family and literacy led her to a three decade career

in Fairfax County Public Schools. On the side, Ms. Sittig

began writing articles, newspaper column, and books on

how to instill the love of reading in children of all ages.

Selected as the Greater Washington Reading Council's

Teacher of the Year in 1982, Ms. Sittig was also chosen

as Teacher of the Year by the Virginia State Reading

Association in 1983 and the International Reading

Association in 1994.

After retiring from FCPS, Ms. Sittig decided to

combine her passion for history, stories, and women of

extraordinary achievement by writing full time and blog-

ging at www.strongwomeninhistory.wordpress.com.

Twice recognized by the Virginia Press

Association, Ms. Sittig's stories have appeared in the

Washington Post, The Loudoun Times-Mirror, and the

Reston Connection. Her stories have also appeared in

numerous journals and short story anthologies.

At our FCRE October 8, 2015 Luncheon Meeting,

Ms. Sittig will be speaking about her debut novel:

CUT FROM STRONG CLOTH which was inspired by a

real woman. Ellen Canavan was a young Irish immigrant

who struggled to establish herself as an entrepreneur in the

cut-throat textile industry of 1861 Philadelphia. As Ellen

Canavan fought to stake her claim in the textile business,

the Civil War erupted. And a malicious arsonist set out to

destroy her.

So make your reservation for the FCRE Luncheon

and hear what happens to Ellen Canavan! (See second col-

umn on this page for reservations.)

In Linda Sittig's own words: One Fun Fact You

Don't Know About Me: "I was the Hula Hoop Champion

of my 6th grade class in Glen Rock, New Jersey. But I fi-

nally graduated from spinning hoops to spinning stories,

and the story of Ellen Canavan is my favorite."

See you at the Luncheon! Information is in the

second column on this page!♦

3

MEMBER SERVICES TOURS by

Doris Patteson, Director

OCTOBER 27, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.! MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

PRESENTATIONS OF UK by RAIL, IMPERIAL CITIES, AND THE

COLORADO ROCKIES!!!!

AT THE FCRE OFFICE, SPRINGFIELD APPLE FEDERAL CREDIT

UNION, 6708 BACKLICK ROAD, Springfield, VA 22150.

Be sure to mark your calendar for the presentation of three more trips on October 27, 2015, at the FCRE Of-

fice in the Apple Federal Credit Union in Springfield, Va. We have a few spaces left on our fall trips, so give me a

call, Doris Patteson at 703-534-3975.

The trips for this fall are: Splendid Sicily, leaving October 16, 2015; Heart of the South, leaving

November 10, 2015; and Southern California (featuring the Tournament of Roses Parade on

New Year's Day) leaving December 29, 2015!

TRIPS FOR 2016!!!!!! JANUARY 24-30, 2016--WINTER IN YELLOW-

STONE-- a small group trip which features Jack-

son Hole, Grand Tetons, sleigh ride on the Elk

Reserve, Yellowstone Park, Old Faithful. Enjoy the

magic of wintertime in a lovely cold setting. The

deposit date has passed, but there are some spaces

available.

FEBRUARY 20-28, 2016--TROPICAL COSTA

RICO-- This trip is filled.

MARCH 9-22, 2016--EXPLORING SOUTH

AFRICA, VICTORIA FALLS AND BOTS-

WANA-- This is an explorer trip which limits

the number of participants to 12-24 people.

Call now! 703-534-3975

JUNE 4-13, 2016--UK BY RAIL!-- This is a new

trip. The deposit is due November 27, 2015. Cost

is $4339 per person, double occupancy, early

booking discount of $250. Includes air fare.

JULY 23-31, 2015--THE COLORADO ROCKIES. The deposit date for this trip is January 15, 2016. Cost

is $2804 per person, double occupancy, and includes air

fare.

Our other trips include:

IMPERIAL CITIES-- featuring Prague, Vienna, and Bu-

dapest. Some of us are going to add an extension to Berlin.

This trip is scheduled for August 29-September 8, 2016.

ALBUQUERQUE BALLOON FIESTA, scheduled for

September 29-October 4, 2016.

More information will be in future newsletters.

SPOT-

LIGHT TOURS--Collette has added several spotlight

tours which are single hotel stays. Some of these include:

Dublin, Ireland; London, Paris, French Riviera, Florence,

Rome, Venice, Barcelona, Madrid, Beijing, San Francisco,

New York, San Antonio, and New Orleans. Most of these

trips are from 5 to 9 days.

If you are interested in any of the Spotlight Tours,

call me. I can book these trips through our World Connect

Program which is separate from our group tours. And

don't forget, I can book Collette trips for you to take at

your convenience.

Call me, Doris Patteson, at 703-534-3975, with

any of your concerns or email me at:

dpatteson@verizon.net.

4

MEMBER ACTIVITIES by

Barbara Marshall, Director

BOOK GROUPS BRIDGE GROUPS

● Annandale Book Group--Dottie Addison, coordinator.

Meets the 2nd Wednesday at 12 noon in various places.

Call 703-971-8479 for more information.

● Fairfax City Group--Sue Williams, coordinator. Meets

at 10:30 a.m. on the 1st Thursday in Barnes and Noble

at Fairlakes.

● Vienna Tuesday Book Group--Joey Graves,

coordinator. Meets the 2nd Tuesday at the Providence

Community Center. The book for October is The Boys

in the Boat by Daniel James Brown.

●Vienna Retired Ladies Group--Marlene Gregory,

coordinator. The next meeting will be the 2nd Wednes-

day at 12:30 p.m. at the Oakton Library. The book for

October is Cage of Stars by Jacquelyn Mitchard.

● FCRE Group--Meets 2nd and 4th Monday mornings

Contact person is Barbara Marshall at

571-203-0375 or bmarshall12@verizon.net. This

group will meet at the Vienna American Legion.

The Legion is located at 303 Center St.,

Vienna, VA 22180.

● Tuesday Morning Group--Coordinator is Sandy

Smith. Meets the 2nd Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in homes.

● Third Monday Evening Group--Coordinators are

Claudette Coffey and Joey Graves. Meets in homes

at 7:00 p.m.

● 1st, 3rd, and 5th Monday Bridge Group--Coordinator

is Nancy Smagala. Meets at David R. Pinn

Community Center on Zion Road in Burke at 9:45-

12:00. Players do not stay for lunch. Email

nsmagala@aol.com for more information.

● The Review Bridge Group meets at 1:00 p.m. at

The Vienna American Legion on the 2nd and 4th

Mondays after the morning bridge there. The Review

Bridge Group is led by Dave Meadows.

CINEMA ARTS GROUP!

Meet your friends at the Cinema Arts Group which meets at the Cinema Arts Theater on the 3rd Wednes-

day of the month at the Cinema Arts Theatre in Pickett Shopping Center across from Woodson High School. Join your

friends for a good movie and lunch afterwards at the First Watch Café.

Contact person is Alicia Clelland at clellaap@cox.net Email Alicia if you would like to be included on

the email list for the next film.

FCRE Request for Digital Version of Advocate Newsletter

If you are interested in receiving the FCRE newsletter in a digital format instead of the

hard copy presently mailed to you, please fill out the form below and return it to the

FCRE office. We are offering this option as we move towards digital communications

with our members.

Name (please print): ____________________________________________

Email address (please print): _____________________________________

Send this form to:

FCRE

P.O. Box 682

Springfield, VA 22150-0682

5

HOLIDAY FUND RAISER FOR

W. HAROLD FORD SCHOLARSHIPS!

DECEMBER 10, 2015!

BRING YOUR SALE ITEMS TO

OCTOBER 8 LUNCHEON!!!!

or call the FCRE Office. We can

pick up items. CALL : 703-923-9877 AND LEAVE A MESSAGE!!!!

GET READY! FIND YOUR THINGS THAT YOU

WANT TO CONTRIBUTE

FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER! BE-

LOW IS A LIST OF ITEMS

THAT ARE SUGGESTIONS: Jewelry: necklaces, earrings, rings

Scarves--time to refresh your wardrobe-give us your

old ones!

Christmas decorations--any and

all!

Watches

Clocks

Tea pots

Tea sets

LAST DAY TO DONATE YOUR TREASURES TO FCRE IS TUESDAY,

NOVEMBER 10, 2015!!

***NOTE: IF YOU WOULD PUT A SUGGESTED PRICE ON YOUR ITEMS, WE WOULD APPRECIATE

IT.!! REMEMBER, ALL PROCEEDS GOTO THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND!

Tablet covers for iPads, etc.

Cookbooks that you can part with

Set of good kitchen knives

Small kitchen appliances( hand mixers, expresso

machine, toaster, small vacuum cleaner

Year supply of Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies

Set of drinking glasses

Gift basket of your favorite cheese

Children toys

Children books

Children DVDs

Toy Store gift certificates

Gift certificate from a lawn service

Basket of spa products—pampering is fun!

Basket of fine soaps, lotion

Gift certificate from a nursery

Gardening tools

Gently used purses and bags, tote bags

Sunglasses

Tent, sleeping bags, camp lantern

Hammer, Phillips head screw driver

Straight edge screw driver,

Electric drill

Silk or dried floral arrangement

Vases

Glass bowls

CHECK OUT OUR

WEBSITE ! Be sure to check our the FCRE website:

www.fcre.org!

We have added information about Volunteer

Opportunities in case you are looking for something to

do. Don't forget, volunteer to FCRE first!

The Scholarship page now suggests more options

for donating to the W. Harold Ford Scholarship Founda-

tion including bequests and security transfers.

Our Calendar of Events has been updated to in-

clude all 2015-2016 dates for membership luncheons,

book groups, bridge groups, Executive Committee and

Board of Directors meetings, etc.

If there is something you would like added to the

website, email webmaster@fcre.org

Be sure to check us out!

6

REMEMBER: FCRE Recommendation: Do NOT under any circum-

stances withdraw from your Fairfax County Public

Schools-sponsored health insurance plan. If you do,

you cannot rejoin!

THANK YOU! FCRE would like to take this opportunity to thank the

Apple Federal Credit Union for their continued sup-

port in our activities. We really appreciate you!

STAY TUNED: OCTOBER IS USUALLY THE

BEGINNING OF HEALTH

BENEFITS NOTIFICATIONS.

WATCH THE MAILS AND

EMAILS FOR NOTICES FROM YOUR

HEALTH INSURANCE

PROVIDERS!

NOMINATING COMMITEE

TO BE CHOSEN

ON OCTOBER 8, 2015

The duty of the FCRE Nominating Committee is

to select a slate of officers to lead FCRE. Every year, the

Vice President and Secretary serve a one year term.

The Nominating Committee will select a slate of

officers for the positions of Vice President and Secretary

for the fiscal year 2016-2017.

The Nominating Committee shall include five (5)

to seven (7) members elected by the general membership.

The selection of nominees to this committee will take

place during the business portion of the second member-

ship meeting of the year, October 8, 2015. Nominations

for election of committee members shall be made from the

floor, provided the individual has agreed to be nominated.

If 5 to 7 people are nominated from the floor, the presi-

dent may entertain a motion that the five to seven nomi-

nees be elected by acclamation.

If more than seven people are nominated for this

committee, the election of seven members will be held at

the business portion of the third membership meeting of

the year (December 10, 2015).

Start thinking of people to serve on this

committee! Be sure to get permission before you nomi-

nate anyone!♦

ARE YOU IN THE PINK?

IF SO, IT IS TIME TO

RENEW YOUR

MEMBERSHIP!!!! 1. Check the expiration date above your name on your

mailing label. If it reads, "Expires June 30, 2015" and

is marked in pink, it is time to RENEW!

2. It is easy to renew; here is what you do:

3. Write your check (payable to FCRE) for $75.00 for a

3 year renewal, or $30.00 for a 1 (one) year

renewal.

4. Please write your membership number (it is on the

line above your name on your mailing label) and the

word, Renewal, on the memo line of your check.

5. Mail your check to:

FCRE

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

P.O. BOX 0682

SPRINGFIELD, VA.22150-0682

6. That's all you do to renew!

HISTORY AND

RECORDS by

Linda Beuhring and Phyllis McDevitt,

Directors

SMILE! You are on camera!!! At least that is

what we hope. Many of you are participating in our groups

and activities such as bridge, books, movies. We would

like to be sure that we capture in pictures the fun you are

having and that you will take pictures of your activities.

There is space in this year's first semester and sec-

ond semester photo books to include pictures of your

gatherings.

We would like to ask you to take your pictures with

that little digital camera that you have! Digital phones do

not give enough resolution to record your fabulous doings!

Just put that camera on flash and take several photos. Do

several shots that are horizontal as well as vertical. Make

sure you have not cut off anybody's head, that eyes are not

closed, and guess what! You have pictures of what your

special group or activity is doing!

We will try to drop in on some of your groups and

activities, but we need your help to make sure we have

recorded the events of this year.

And after you have taken your pictures, call the

FCRE OFFICE at 703-923-9877 or email FCRE at

fcre@fcre.org We will get back to you on what to do

next! Thank you so much for helping us get your great

pictures of your groups and activities!♦

7

W. HAROLD FORD SCHOLARSHIP CONTRIBUTION

501 C 3 TAX DEDUCTIBLE

CHOOSE TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION OF:

____$5.00____$10.00_____$15.00 _____$20.00

______whatever you can __________Annual Or ________Endowment

NAME_______________________________________________

ADDRESS____________________________________________

____________________________________________

TELEPHONE NUMBER:_______________________________

EMAIL ADDRESS_____________________________________

MAKE CHECKS TO: W. HAROLD FORD SCHOLAR-

SHIP FUND

SEND TO: W. HAROLD FORD SCHOLARSHIP FUND

FCRE

P. O. BOX 682

SPRINGFIELD, VA 22150-0682

DETACH THIS FORM AND

MAIL IT WITH YOUR CON-

TRIBUTION. YOU WILL RE-

CEIVE A RECEIPT FOR YOUR

TAX RECORDS.

THIS YEAR: POLITICAL ELECTIONS ARE LOCAL! by

Barbara Allen, Director, Government Relations Team

Every four years we vote for candidates for "local" FCPS School Board, "local" Fairfax Board of Supervisors,

"local" members of the Virginia House of Delegates, and our "local" State Senators. In some districts it can be as many

as 20 candidates running for all of those offices. What to do?

Research the candidates that you will be voting for to be sure that they are going to be supporting the retiree

issues that are important to you and to educators throughout the Commonwealth. There are many groups who endorse

candidates who support educational issues that are important to us. Read their literature, ask them questions, and be-

come a well informed voter. Voting is a right that makes your voice heard.

After the November elections, the Government Relations Team, representing members of the Fairfax County

Retired Educators and the Fairfax Education Association--Retired will need you to help more than ever!

There will be newly elected officials who will need to be informed of the issues that are important to retirees and

educators.

Have you talked to anyone who has gone on one of the visits to talk with our School Board Members, our Super-

visors, or our State elected Delegates and Senators? The Government Relations Team (GRT) makes appointments to see

all of those folks so they are aware of the issues that are most important to retirees specifically. It is good if we can bring

one or two or three people to those visits, but it is even better if we can make contact with an even larger group. The say-

ing "strength in numbers" holds true because the politicians know we represent the "many". We need YOUR help and

experiences to illustrate our positions on issues.

The Government Relations Team needs YOU, and we will be meeting at the Fairfax Education Associa-

tion office on Thursday, September 17 at 10:00 a.m. Future dates will be determined at the meeting on

September 17.

We will be addressing the following issues:

1. Development of the Position Statement that will address retiree issues for the 2016 General

Assembly Session.

2. Determine lobbying schedule with legislators (possible lunch and breakfast).

3. Early plans for Lobby Day in Richmond in January, 2016.

If you are interested in hearing about , OR participating with the GRT, please send your email and telephone

number to Barbara Allen at Barbarawallaceallen@yahoo.com or call 703-978-0470. I will be happy to add your

name to our list. YOUR level of involvement will be up to you, but remember that our strength is in our well informed

members representing many!

Join us on SEPTEMBER 17, 2015, AT 10:00 a. m. at the Fairfax Education Association Office and

get involved!

**********************************************************************************************************

8

FCRE ADVOCATE OCTOBER 2015

FAIRFAX COUNTY RETIRED EDUCATORS

P.O. BOX 682

SPRINGFIELD, VA 22150-0682

PRESORTED

STANDARD CLASS MAIL

U.S.POSTAGE PAID

MERRIFIELD VA

PERMIT NO. 1175 TIME SENSITIVE!

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

FCRE LUNCHEON DATES!

Make your reservation early!

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Thursday, February 11, 2016

(Thursday, March 10, 2016--

make up day if February

Luncheon is snowed out.)

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Thursday, June 9, 2016

——————————————————

OCTOBER, 2015 FCRE Advocate Vol. XXXVII , No. 2

OCTOBER 2015 The FCRE Advocate is published by the FCRE—Fairfax

County Retired Educators exclusively for the association

membership. ©2015 Fairfax County Retired Educators, Inc.

Editors: Billie Johnson and Walt Mika

Change of address, articles, letters, and comments should be

sent by mail only to:

Fairfax County Retired Educators

FCRE Advocate

P. O. Box 682

Springfield, VA 11250-0682

Email: fcre@fcre.org

Website: www.fcre.org

*************************************************

OFFICERS FOR 2015—2016(July 1, 2015—June 30, 2016)

President………………..John Dent

Vice President…………. Eva Pappas

Secretary………………..Anita Cline

Treasurer………………..Barbara Dent

President Elect ………….Billie Johnson

Parliamentarian…............Walt Mika

****************************************

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Budget and Finance…….Walt Mika

Communications………..Ken McDaniel

Health Benefits…………Walt Mika

BOARD OF DIRECTORS, continued:

History and Records……………….Phyllis McDevitt

Linda Beuhring

Information/Publications…………..Billie Johnson

Legato School Museum……………Sue Langley

Government Relations/Legislative...Barbara Allen

Luncheon Director………………....To be filled

Membership………………………. To be filled

Member Activities…………………Barbara Marshall

Member Services-Tours……………Doris Patteson

Parliamentarian…………………….Walt Mika

Program Director…………………...Eva Pappas

W. Harold Ford Scholarship………. Phyllis Rittman

*****************************************************

Office Manager…………………….. Anita Francis

Remembrances……………………... Kathleen Donnelly

Mary McKinley

Receipts Accounting………………...FCRE Elf

Membership Records………………..Dee Kirby

TO REACH

FAIRFAX COUNTY RETIRED

EDUCATORS:

CALL: 703-923-9877 OR

EMAIL US AT: fcre@fcre.org and

luncheon@fcre.org

WEBSITE: www.fcre.org

ARE YOU IN THE

PINK?

SEE PAGE 6!