Osterloth, Bekkum at convention

On Oct. 2-4, more than 200 retired educators gathered at The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake to attend the convention of the Wisconsin Retired Educators' Association.
Paul Wesselmann, The Ripples Guy, was the keynote speaker who unleashed an infusion of energy and insight for convention attendees.
Chris Gleason, 2016-2017 Wisconsin Teacher of the Year representative shred how he is "lighting a fire in kids" through music.
Delegates from the Barron County Rirred Educators' Association included John Osterloth of Rice Lake and Victor Bekkum of Cumberland.  Osterloth serves on the WREA Board of Directors as chair of the WREA Member Benefits committee, and Bekkum is the Past President of WREA.  The group is a non-partisan, independent organization with more than 10,500 members statewide and 65 local units.  For details about BCREA, contact Kathy Duerr at 715-924-2120.
Article published in the Rice Lake Chronotype.

November BCREA Set

Hi!  here is the info on are upcoming meeting. Some of you are on a calling list, if you want to get this info just by email, please let me know by responding to me via email.

Hoping to see you there,  Kathy

Barron County Retired Educators Association

St Paul Lutheran Church

743 221/2 Ave. (Sth 48)

Cumberland

PROGRAM:  Wood Shaving Enterprise and Overseas Troop Entertainment

Presenter: Zach Schaff

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Coffee and Registration 9:30

Program starting at 10

Lunch at noon -  $12

Please call Kathy Duerr(715 924 2120) or e-mail (kat@chibardun.net subject line: BCREA Nov attendees)

Member Benefits Committee Meeting Held

John Osterloth and Vic Bekkum attended a Member Benefits Committee Meeting held at the WREA Office in Middleton, Wisconsin.  John is the current Chairman of the committee and Vic is an ex-officio member of the committee.  Tracy Sabol from the Insuring Success company made a presentation to the committee of the products available from her company.  An update on AMBA was given to the committee.  The committee discussed the duties of the committee and the duties of committee members as described in the bylaws of the organization.  The committee then discussed the previous goals set by the committee and developed three new goals to be revisited and adopted at the next meeting.  Next meeting date is to be determined at a later date.

Wisconsin Retired Educators Association Meetings

On Monday, July 17 and Tuesday, July 18, John Osterloth and Vic Bekkum attended several WREA meetings held at the Holiday Inn in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  A Committee Chair meeting, District Directors meeting, Board of Directors Banquet, a New Board of Directors informational meeting, and a Board of Directors meeting, were held over the 2 days.  The passing of information and very nice companionship took place during all of the mentioned activities.

BCREA Picnic

On Monday, July 10, 2017, the Barron County Retired Educators Association (BCREA) held their annual picnic at the new shelter at Narrows Park in Rice Lake.  Approximately 20 members of the organization enjoyed beautiful weather, great food, and companionship.

WREA District I Meeting Held

Four members of the Barron County Retired Educators Association (BCREA) attended the WREA District I meeting held on May 9, 2017, at Barker Island in Superior Wisconsin.

Left to Right - Jim Perala, Keith Kolpack, Vic Bekkum, John Osterloth

May BCREA Meeting Announced

PRESIDENT OF RICE LAKE WEIGHING TO ADDRESS LOCAL RETIRED EDUCATORS

The Barron County Retired Educators’ Association will meet on Thursday, May 18, at St. Paul Lutheran Church located at 743  22 1/2 Ave., Cumberland. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. with coffee and cookies being served. At 10:30 a.m., Mark Johnson, Jr., president of Rice Lake Weighing, will share information concerning the history and purpose of the company as well as educational projects it sponsors. All retired teachers, administrators, and staff are invited including guests. The cost of the noon meal is $12.  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 14.

District 1 meeting to be held

REMINDER:

Our WREA District I Spring meeting will be held May 9 at Barker's Island Inn

 in Superior. Registration, coffee and bars will be from 8:30AM to 9:00AM. 

The program includes an update on our retirement sytem by Michael Williamson, 

Executive Director of SWIB, a presentation by Mary Hoeft, 

Professor Emeritus Communications Arts speaking on 'Finding Your Political Voice.’

We'll also hear presentations from the District I WREA Challenge Award winner from 

Birchwood Schools, and a legislative update by Diane Wilcenski,

Executive Director of WREA.

Early bird registration is $25.00, postmarked by May 2. 

Check your Winter WREA News or Red Apple Express for the registration form. 

Note that BCREA will pay (reimburse) for the 1st four registrations. 

Contact Keith Kolpack (715-637-5986) or Victor Bekkum (715-822-5560) 

for a free ride and additional information.

Volunteers Needed

To All Barron County Retired Educators,

You are invited to help with School Tours at OUR Barron County Pioneer Village Museum.  You do NOT have to be an expert to supervise a building.  People are needed to supervise, provide directions, and answer questions.  You will be instructed on what to do at the building you choose to work at.

School Tour dates are:  May 11 (9-2:50), May 12 (9:30-2:35), May 18 (8:30 - 2:35) but also our Retired Educators meeting in Cumberland, May 19 (9 -2:50), May 25 (8:30 - 2:05), and May 26 (8:30 - 2:50).  You do NOT have to work every day, just pick the day or days that work for you.  It works best if you can work the entire day but even half a day will help.

If you can help, please contact Museum Director Tammy Schutz at 715-764-0158 or email her at:  museum1@chibardun.net

Following is information that Tammy has previously supplied:

Pioneer Village Museum

School Tours 2017

Start times are 15 minutes before school groups arrive, so everyone can get situated ahead of time.  The students will have an orientation when they arrive, so that will give us an additional 15 minutes to prepare.  Remember to bring a sack lunch, which can be kept cold in the refrigerator in the Volunteer Building.  We will break for a half hour lunch when the Church bell is rung (11:30).  We can start closing buildings after the groups have gone, so the end time is set for 5 minutes after the groups said they were leaving.
Suggested ideas:
*If you can, come in a period costume.  We asked students to dress up, as well.

* Activities are suggested for many of the stations.  We would love it if you wanted to do the activity, but it is not required.  If nothing is suggested, feel free to come up with your own.  Talk to Tammy about how we could make some of these things possible.  Example: we could have the students take turns shaking a jar of cream to make butter.

Information on Caboose Project

To Barron County Retired Educators members,

If you were at today's meeting (Thursday, March 16), and donated to our Barron County Museum caboose fund, Thank You Very Much!
If you weren't there and haven't heard about this project, here is the Blog I created to inform people:
barroncountymuseumcabooseproject.blogspot.com

If you haven't had the opportunity to donate to the caboose restoration, you can make out a check to Barron County Museum and put 'Caboose Fund' in the Memo line.  Mail the check to Barron County Museum, Box 242, Cameron, WI 54822.  THANKS!

Also, the Museum is looking for volunteers to help host at our Museum, especially during School Tours in May.  If you would like to help, please contact Museum Director Tammy Schutz at
museum1@chibardun.net or director@pioneervillagemuseum.onmicrosoft.com

Arlyn Colby
barroncaboose@yahoo.com

March BCREA Meeting Held

The March meeting of the Barron County Retired Educators Association (BCREA) was held on Thursday, March 16th, 2017.  It was held at First United Methodist Church in Barron. Approximately 37 members enjoyed the presentation by Arlyn Colby about the history of the railroads in the Barron County area and the information on the Caboose project taking place at the Barron County Museum.  This project was designated as the BCREA service project for 2016/17.  A collection was taken from those members present a a little over $1000 was collected.
A business meeting was held following the presentation lead by Kathy Duerr.  As part of this meeting, possible changes to the by laws of the organization were discussed.  It was also voted to help defray the cost of those attending the district meeting to be held in Superior on Tuesday, May 9th.
A delicious meet served by the ladies of the Methodist Church took place following the business meeting.
The next meeting of the BCREA will take place on Thursday, May 18th at St Paul's Lutheran Church in Cumberland.  The presentation will be made by someone from Rice Lake Weighing.

Arlyn Colby with copies of his books on trains.

March BCREA Meeting Announced

To All BCREA Members & Guests: One of our own members, Arlyn Colby, is assembling a very interesting pictorial presentation on some of the history of Barron County including the railroads and the Barron County Museum Caboose Project.

As our service project for this year, we will be accepting contributions to help restore and display this caboose.

BARRON COUNTY RETIRED EDUCATORS’ ASSOCIATION MEETING

Date:  Thursday, March 16, 2017

Time:  Coffee & Cookies w/Registration:  9:30 a.m.

Program begins at:  10:30 a.m.

Program & Presenter:  Arlyn Colby – Barron County History

(including the railroads & the addition of a caboose)

Place:  First United Methodist Church-Barron

154 Memorial Dr., Barron (across the street from Northland Mayo Clinic/Hospital)

Cost of Complete Noon Meal:  $12

Reservations due by:  Sunday evening, March 12

Contact:  Barb Millerman at bamillerman@chibardun.net or at 715-743-2390

REMEMBER:  Guests are always welcome!!!

January BCREA Meeting

On Thursday, January 19, 2017, the Barron Country Retired Educators Association met at the Faith Lutheran Church in Cameron, Wisconsin.  The program was presented by Christian Cold of the WDNR Bureau of Wildlife Management.  His power point presentation has many informative and entertaining pictures dealing with wildlife and their habitats.  He informed those in attendance of different species that live in our area and what to look for or what to listen for when in the outdoors.  He ended his presentation with showing a pine snake and an owl.  Everyone in attendance enjoyed what Mr. Cold had to say.
A short business meeting followed the presentation.  After reports by the secretary, treasurer, and membership chairperson, several new pieces of information were presented by the BCREA president, Kathy Duerr.
The ladies of Faith Lutheran gave the 35 members in attendance an excellent chicken dinner.

Christian Cold and his Owl.

The next meeting will take place on Thursday, March 16, 2017, at the United Methodist Church in Barron.  The program will be presented by Arlyn Colby, dealing with TRAINS, Then and Now.  Make plans now to be in attendance

Christian Cold and his Owl.

January BCREA Meeting Set

The Barron County Retired Educators’ Association will meet on Thursday, January 19, at Faith Lutheran Church located at 201 S. Fourth St. in Cameron.  Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. with coffee and cookies being served.  At 10:30 a.m., Christian Cold from the WDNR Bureau of Wildlife Management, will do an interesting presentation on Wildlife & Their Habitat.  All retired teachers, administrators, and staff are invited including guests.  The cost of the noon meal is $12.  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, January 15.