November 1st meeting in Cameron, WI

The BCREA met on November 1, 2012, at Faith Lutheran Church in Cameron, WI.  Approximately 50 people were in attendance.  A presentation was given on Farm Technology Days by Tim Jergenson and Demil Richter.  There was one new member present - Agnes Ciolkosz.

A "hat" was passed for donations for school supplies.  A report on the Fall WREA District I meeting was made by John Osterloth and Sandy Steiner.

The next meeting of the BCREA will be on January 17, 2013, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Rice Lake.

Pictures from the November 1st meeting

Presenters at the November 1st meeting were Tim Jergenson from Barron County Extension office and Demil Richter who is the Media Relations Director for the Farm Technology Days.

President John Osterloth with Agnes Ciolkosz a new member of the BCREA attending her first meeting on November 1, 2012.

Minutes from September 20, 2012 Meeting

Barron County Retired Educators'

September 20, 2012

10:30 a.m.

Barron County Retired Educators met September 20, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Cumberland.  Dinner was served to 65 people.  Our president, Frank Pieichel, called the meeting to order and introduced our guest speaker, Tom Koser. The program was " Local Radio-Past, Present, and Future."  Tom has been in the radio business for over 20 years.

·         Tom was a graduate of Barron High School but grew up in Almena.

·         Teachers inspired him and were also good friends.

·         A graduate of Plattville in broadcasting.

·         Worked in radio at Springfield and then general manager at Rockford for four years.

·         Then he bought WJMC and moved to Rice Lake and raised their two boys.

·         Later bought two stations in Rhinelander, Hayward, and five stations in upper Michigan.

·         Sold the Rhinelander stations and bought WAQE.

·         Now has 11 radio stations.

·         Radio is in with 10,000 stations. Country music is most popular. Talk radio is second and sports talk is third.  WJMC am on the air in 1939 on South Maine. 1947 fm on the air.       

What's the future of radio?

·         The amusing faze is music.

·         Keep it local:  obituaries, local news, and sports.

·         Being involved in community events.

·         In 1989, 11 employees now 33 people.

Business Meeting

·         Opened our meeting with Pledged Allegiance to the Flag.

·         Secretary's report was read and approved.  Motion was made by John Osterloth and seconded by Jim Perala to accept the report.

·         Treasurer's report was read and approved by Sandy Stiener with a balance in the treasury of $723.29.  The Scholarship Fund has $16,204.92. Motion made by Kathy Doer and seconded by John Sheiffer to accept the report

·         The Retiree Breakfast was canceled due to lack of potential attendees. 

New Business

·         Vicky Ondell, volunteer services of Barron County, is seeking a coordinator  for Wheelchair Ramp Project.

·         Victor Bekkum, president elect of WREA, gave us an update of happenings in the state.  Fall meeting is October 15 at Turtle Back.  News letter is coming out . Dave Bennett is the new district representative.

·         Barb Millerman made a motion to give $100. to the Restorative Justice Program and Jim Perala seconded it.

·         School supply donations  will be taken at our November meeting.

·         It's a good idea to reactivate the practice of "Passing The Hat" for Scholarships.

·         John Osterloth was elected president of BCRE and Steve Eichman as president -elect.

·         Door prizes were won by Bobby Monsolovich and Vicki Bonkrude.

Frank thanked all those that assisted him when he president of our organization. A round of applause was given to Frank. Joe Hagenbarth lead us in prayer before dinner.

Our next meeting is November 1 at Faith Lutheran Church in Cameron. Our guest speaker will be Tim Jergenson.

Secretary,

Marie Anderson

November 1st Meeting of BCREA

The Barron County Retired Educators’ Association will meet on Thursday, November 1, at the Faith Lutheran Church,  201 So. Fourth St., in Cameron with registration beginning at 10 a.m. and lunch at noon.  Tim Jergenson, Barron County’s Agricultural/Natural Resources/Horticultural Agent, will speak on Farm Technology Days and other related topics.  Business meeting to follow program.  All retired teachers, administrators, and staff are invited.  The cost of the meal is $10 and will be served a noon.  Educators who join the local unit for the first time will receive a complimentary meal.  Reservations may be made by calling Barb Millerman at 715-743-2390 or  e-mailing her at bamillerman@chibardun.net no later than Sunday evening, October 28.

Photos from District Meeting

President John Osterloth and President Elect Steve Eichman discuss upcoming meeting.

Pat Peichel, Past President Frank Peichel, and Treasurer Sandra Steiner meet Executive Director of WREA Dave Bennett.

Summary of District 1 Meeting

Dear WREA friends,

 I wanted to share some of the highlights from the Fall District meeting in Rice Lake with those of you who attended and also with those of you who missed the meeting.  It was great to see so many first time attendees. You brought a different perspective and much energy to our group of veteran retirees, who've been to many meetings over the years.  Thanks to all of you who participated in the meeting. 

 The Superintendents panel was interesting with Janna Stevens, from Superior, and Barry Rose, from Cumberland, sharing what has been happening in their school districts. They certainly gave us much to think about.  I was reminded how important it is that we need to support our schools and express our thanks to school employees - all of them, especially in this time of unprecedented changes and challenges.  Keep up your volunteering and interest in education.

 I hope you enjoyed meeting Sarah Simac and Nanci Foster, the Kindergarten teachers from Eagle River Elementary School, who won the WREA Foundation Challenge award.  Their enthusiasm for teaching was wonderful.  Their innovative project was to instill in their kindergartners a life long awareness for freedom, patriotism and heroism. Classroom activities during and after school helped the students to focus in on what makes someone who is an ordinary person into a hero and to learn who are our heroes. 

  Mary Mennes, Member Benefits Liaison, reminded us to share with our unit members how many benefits we are entitled to use through our membership in WREA. We all want to save money and this is one way to do so. 

  Our honored guests were Jim Perala, Green Valley, Arizona, Satellite Director, and Vic Bekkum, WREA President Elect. Jim and Vic are also the past District I Co-Directors.  Together they bring many years of experience to District I meetings.

 We had a chance to share ideas, and brainstorm as we worked together in Dave Bennett's strategic planning session on Retaining and Acquiring Membership.

Vivian Markley
WREA District I Director

Fall District Meeting Set

2012 WREA Fall District Meetings
Theme: Navigating to Our Future
Locations
Monday, October 15, 2012 District I  Turtleback in Rice Lake hosted by Polk Burnett REA  
Tuesday, October 16, 2012  District III  Best Western in Tomah, hosted by Monroe County REA
Wednesday, October 17, 2012  District II The Bull at Pinehurst Farms in Sheboygan hosted by Sheboygan County Area REA
Thursday, October 18, 2012 District IV Cedar Ridge in West Bend hosted by Washington County REA
Friday, October 19, 2012 District V Elks Club in Janesville hosted by Janesville Area REA                      
Program
 8:15 - 8:45 a.m.   Meet and Greet Ice Breaker
Coffee, Registration, Raffle, Exhibits and Tip Table
 8:45 - 9:00 a.m. Welcome
   Welcome and Overview of the Day
Elections in Districts II and IV
Carol Lamp, WREA President
 9:00 - 9:30 a.m.   Member Benefits
    Mary Mennes, WREA Secretary and Member Benefits Liaison
 9:30 - 9:40 a.m.   Break
 9:40 - 11:15 a.m.   School Superintendents Panel
Panelists Introduced by District Directors
Facilitator: Berland Meyer, WREA Past President
11:15 - 12:00 p.m.   WREA Foundation Challenge Award
    Presented by Carol Lamp, WREA President
Greater Insurance Service (GIS) Representative
12:00 – 12:45 p.m.   Lunch
12:45 – 12:55 p.m.   Legislative Update
    Dave Bennett, WREA Executive Director and Lobbyist
12:55 – 2:30 p.m.   It’s All About Membership:  Strategic Planning Session on Retaining and
Acquiring Members
    Dave Bennett, Facilitator
    District Directors
 2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.   Wrapping It Up
    Volunteer Hour Recognition, Door Prizes, and Evaluations
    District Directors
    Carol Lamp, WREA President
    Berland Meyer, WREA Past President

All members of WREA are encouraged to attend on of these meetings.
Early bird registration $25.00
To print registration form click on: https://www.wrea.net/userfiles/file/2012%20Fall%20District%20Registration%20Form.pdf

2012/13 Meeting dates, sites, & programs

November 1, 2012 - Faith Lutheran Church in Cameron - Tim Jergenson/Farm Technology Days.
January 17, 2013 - Bethany Lutheran Church in Rice Lake - Dave Midboe/Musical Program
March 21, 2013 - Rolling Oaks in Barron - Leslie Fijalkiewicz/Eating Health!
May 2, 2013 - R'Bar between Cameron & Chetek - Jeff French/Barron County Government

1st Meeting of Year - September 20th

The first meeting for the Barron County Retired Educators will soon be here.  If you have never joined our local association and choose to do so on the 20th of September, you will receive a complimentary meal.  Please invite educators you know to join us for our first meeting of the 2012-13 school year. Email reservations to Barb Millerman at bamillerman@hotmail.com.  

Time & Date:  Registration begins at 10 a.m., Thursday, September 20, 2012
Place:  First Lutheran Church, 1180 Eighth Ave., Cumberland
Presenter & Topic:  Tom Koser, Owner of a number of radio stations in WI & MI
                    LOCAL RADIO:  PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
Registrations & Cancellations Due by:  Evening of Sunday, September 16
Cost of Meal:  $10

Schedule:

10 a.m.:  Registration and Payment of Dues:  $10 local BCREA Dues & $40 state WREA dues
10:30 a.m.:  Tom Koser's program on the radio business
11:30 a.m.:  BCREA business meeting
12 noon:  full meal

We are hoping to have an excellent turnout to "kick off" the fall months--hope you are one who can join us and remember:  new people are always MOST WELCOME!!!

Senior Discounts

Senior Citizen Discounts

Ask, and you get~~~don't, and you won't!

 Keep this list -- and send a copy to your senior friends and relatives.

As I was waiting in line behind an older gentleman at Wendy's recently, I heard him ask for his senior discount. The girl at the register apologized and charged him less. When I asked the man what the discount was, he told me that senior over age 55 gets 10% off everything on the menu, every day.

Being of 'that' age myself, I figured I might as well ask for the discount too. This incident prompted me to do some research, and I came across a list of restaurants, supermarkets, department stores, travel deals and other types of offers giving various discounts with different age requirements. I was actually surprised to see how many there are and how some of them start at the young age of 50.

This list may not only be useful for you, but for your friends and family, too.

Dunkin Donuts gives free coffee to people over 55. If you're paying for a cup every day, you might want to start getting it for free.
 
YOU must ASK for your discount!

RESTAURANTS:
Applebee's: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
Arby's: 10% off (55+)
Ben & Jerry's: 10% off (60+)
Bennigan's: discount varies by location (60+)
Bob's Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
Burger King: 10% off (60+)
Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee (55+)
Chili's: 10% off (55+)
CiCi's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Denny's: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members (55+)
Dunkin' Donuts: 10% off or free coffee (55+)
Einstein's Bagels: 10% off baker's dozen of bagels (60+)
Fuddrucker's: 10% off any senior platter (55+)
Gatti's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
Hardee's: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
IHOP: 10% off (55+)
Jack in the Box: up to 20% off (55+)
KFC: free small drink with any meal (55+)
Krispy Kreme: 10% off (50+)
Long John Silver's: various discounts at locations (55+)
McDonald's: discounts on coffee everyday (55+)
Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
Shoney's: 10% off
Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
Steak 'n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday (50+)
Subway: 10% off (60+)
Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)
Taco Bell: 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
TCBY: 10% off (55+)
Tea Room Cafe: 10% off (50+)
Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
Wendy's: 10% off (55+)
White Castle: 10% off (62+)

RETAIL & APPAREL:
Banana Republic: 10% off (50+)
Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month (50+)
Belk's: 15% off first Tuesday of every month (55+)
Big Lots: 10% off
Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days (55+)
C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
Clarks: 10% off (62+)
Dress Barn: 10% off (55+)
Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kmart: 20% off (50+)
Kohl's: 15% off (60+)
Modell's Sporting Goods: 10% off
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday (55+)
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off (55+)
Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month (55+)

GROCERY:
Albertson's: 10% off first Wednesday of each month (55+)
American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday (50+)
Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
Food Lion: 6% off every Monday (60+)
Fry's Supermarket: free Fry's VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday (55+)
Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday (50+)
Publix: 5% off every Wednesday (55+)
Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
Uncle Guiseppe's Marketplace: 5% off (62+)

TRAVEL:
Airlines:
Alaska Airlines: 10% off (65+)
American Airlines: various discounts for 65 and up
(call before booking for discount)
Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations
Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up
(call before booking for discount)
United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up
(call before booking for discount)
U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up
(call before booking for discount)

Rail:
Amtrak: 15% off (62+)

Bus:
Greyhound: 5% off (62+)
Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50+

Car Rental:
Alamo Car Rental: up to 25% off for AARP members
Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members
Best Western: 10% off (55+)
Budget Rental Cars: 10% off; up to 20% off for AARP members (50+)
Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off (50+)
Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members
Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members
Holiday Inn: 10%-30% off depending on location (62+)
National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members

Over Night Accommodations:
Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Clarion Motels: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Econo Lodge: 20%-30% off (60+)
Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance
Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler's Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
Marriott Hotels: 15% off (62+)
Motel 6: 10% off (60+)
Myrtle Beach Resort: 10% off (55+)
Quality Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Sleep Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)

ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT:
AMC Theaters: up to 30% off (55+)
Bally Total Fitness: up to $100 off memberships (62+)
Busch Gardens Tampa, FL: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)
Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)
Regal Cinemas: 30% off
Ripley's Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket (55+)
SeaWorld Orlando, FL: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)

CELL PHONE DISCOUNTS:
AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $29.99/month (65+)
Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service (50+)
Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+).

MISCELLANEOUS:
Great Clips: $3 off haircuts (60+)
Super Cuts: $2 off haircuts (60+)

NOW, go out there and claim your discounts -- and remember -- YOU must ASK for your discount -- no ask, no discount. 

New Retirees Breakfast CANCELLED

Hi BCREA Members & Potential Members:  This has to be a very busy time of year for everyone as we had very, very few reservations for the August 16 breakfast.  I talked to Vic Bekkum, WREA president-elect, and we decided to cancel the breakfast and Rolling Oaks has been notified.  If you know of anyone who was planning on attending, please notify them of the cancellation.

Please mark your calendars for our September 20 meeting to be held at First Lutheran Church in Cumberland.  Tom Koser of WJMC Radio Station will present the program.  Please encourage new retirees as well as other potential members to join us. 

Barb Millerman, Membership Chair

New Retirees Breakfast

The Barron County Retired Educators’ Association’s Annual Breakfast recognizing recent educator retirees will be held August 16, 2012, at 9 a.m. at the Rolling Oaks Restaurant west of Barron on Hwy 8.  Recently retired teachers, administrators, and staff members will hear a brief message from President-elect of the Wisconsin Retired Educators’ Association, Vic Bekkum.  Retirees and current BCREA members attending the breakfast are asked to RSVP to Barb Millerman, Membership Chair, at 715-637-4114 or bamillerman@hotmail.com by Thursday, August 9.  The cost of the breakfast for current members is $6.50.

BCREA Executive Committee Meeting

The Barron County Retired Educators Association Executive Committee met on Wednesday, June 20th at the Perkins Restaurant in Rice Lake.  All current officers were present.  Also attending were Vic Bekkum and Steve Eichman. The agenda consisted of planning dates, locations, and programs for the 2012-2013 meetings; planning the Retirement Breakfast for new retirees; and choosing a nominee for vice-president.  Officers will be contacting potential locations for the meeting and people to present the programs.  Look for the finalized list of dates, locations, and programs that will be coming out prior to or at the first meeting of the year.  More information to follow.

May 10th Meeting Program

Monika Audette and Ted Lewis presented a program on Barron County Restorative Justice Programs.  A short video on "Teen Court" was shown to the group.  Mr. Lewis spoke on several programs that are part of Restorative Justice.

A handout was distributed on types of volunteers needed for the program; how to get their newsletter; and how to donate money to help sustain the program.

For information about volunteering, etc. call (715) 736-0940 or visit their website at www.bcrjp.org.  

State Budget Hurting Education

New study says little doubt remains

that budget hurts kids and their schools 

The evidence keeps piling up -- the cuts to public education in the 2011-13 budget are not good for children, their schools, or their communities.

Two of Wisconsin's leading education professionals studied the impact of the budget and published a policy brief entitled, "Making Matters Worse: School Funding, Achievement Gaps and Poverty under Wisconsin Act 32." The findings were startling but not unexpected: Reductions in state aid and revenue limit authority -- leaving school districts with $1.6 billion less revenue -- are and will be devastating, especially for children from poverty.

James Shaw and Carolyn Kelly wrote the policy brief for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. It examined the impact of the budget on school funding, teacher quality, student learning, and property taxes. Shaw and Kelly are state educators with expertise in school reform and school leadership development.

The pair's key findings are:

• State budget cuts hit high poverty districts the hardest.
• High poverty districts have less state revenue to support the needs of children and taxpayers in high poverty districts pay taxes at increasingly higher rates.
• Reductions in employee compensation hit high poverty districts the hardest.
• Reductions in the size of the workforce hit high poverty districts hardest.
• Act 32 (the budget) increases funding gaps for poor and minority students.

In other words, “this study paints a grim picture of funding gaps in Wisconsin public education. … The reductions in state support for public education threaten to increase achievement gaps, and challenge Wisconsin’s constitutional and long-standing commitment to equal education opportunity.”

Read the full working paper.

Convention Attendees

Jim Perala, Vic Bekkum, and John Osterloth attended the 61st annual WREA "Reinvention Convention" representing the Barron County Retired Educators.  The convention was held at the Appleton Paper Valley Radisson Hotel.  The three day convention took place from May 1st though the 3rd with more than 300 attendees. 

Next Meeting

The Barron County Retired Educators’ Association will meet on Thursday, May 10, at Rolling Oaks Restaurant,

450 W. Division Ave., in Barron beginning at 10:30 a.m. with lunch at noon.  An informative program will be

presented on Restorative Justice programs.  All retired teachers, administrators, and staff are invited. 

The cost of the meal is $10.  Reservations may be made by calling Barb Millerman at 715-743-2390

or e-mailing her at bamillerman@chibardun.net no later than Sunday evening, May 6.