Speaker Leslie Fijalkiewicz

About 40 members listened to Leslie Fijalkiewicz, Barron County Nutritionist, speaking on "Eating Healthy" at the March 21st meeting taking place at the Rolling Oaks in Barron.  Leslie's Top Ten Super Foods are not listed in any specific order, but are foods that we should have in our diets.  Why we should eat them is listed next to the food.

Outstanding Volunteer Award

Lynne Hanse receiving WREA's Outstanding Volunteer Award from President John Osterloth at the BCREA's March meeting.

January 2013 Minutes

Barron County Retired Educators

January 17, 2013

10:30 a.m

Barron County Retired Educators met on Thursday, January 17, 2013, at Bethany Lutheran church in Rice Lake at 10:30 a.m. The meeting was called to order by our president, John Osterloth. We began with our Musical Benefit Program presented by David Midboe from New Auburn and Julia Loiselle from Barron. David sang several musical selections which were greatly enjoyed by all and accompanied by Julia. What great musical talent these two people shared with us.      The business meeting was called to order and we began with Pledge Allegiance to the Flag. A moment of silence was held for Byrnie Dodge and he will be missed at our meetings.

·         Secretary’s report was read and approved by Grace Schell and Ken Mosentine.

·         Treasurer’s report was given by Sandy Steiner and approved by Jeanette Thompson. Balance in the treasury of $1,239.34. The scholarship fund has $16,204.92.

·         Barb Millerman gave us a membership update: 139 state plus 3, 78 local, plus 6. We were short 3 reservations so they will be contacted to reimburse.

·         Lynn gave a report on the school supplies donations. Last year $400 was collected and served 7 schools. They liked the clothes. Linda and Lynn delivered them to the schools.

·         Turn in your 2012 volunteer hours or send them to John.

·         Howard Hanson was thanked for his help and service as coordinator for the spring retirement seminar. He is retiring from that position so a new volunteer is needed for 2014.

Vick Bekkum gave a report on WREA activities.

·         There will be three addition editions rather than four because of the cost. It costs 9,000 for them.

·         The fall meeting at Turtle Back was one of the best with the superintendants from Superior and Cumberland presenting.

·         There will be five $2,000 awards to middle school teachers this year.

·         The spring convention will be May 7th and 8^th at Steven’s Point. Vick will be installed as president on the 8^th.

·         Monitor and watch our pension. Core plus 13.6 variables is a plus 16.9. The annuity adjustment for the core will be between zero and a minus 13% and the variable between seven and 9%. This is the last year for smoothing. The effective date is May 1^st.

·         Dues haven’t raised for 12 years so it’s likely they will increase at the convention to $50.

·         We need to try and raise attendance one idea is reduce membership for couples.

Door prizes were won by Gene Rick and Mardell Schnell. John Osterloth led us in our dinner prayer. A delicious meal was served to 44 people. Our next meeting will be March 21^st, 2013 at Rolling Oaks in Barron. The program will be “Eating Healthy” by Leslie Fijalkiewicz. Secretary, Marie Anderson

Musical Program - January 17

Dave Midboe and Julia Loiselle presented a musical program for the BCREA when we met on January 17, 2013, in Rice Lake at Bethany Lutheran Church.  Dave sang several songs while being accompanied by Julia.  About 50 people attended the meeting and were highly entertained.

Letter from the President

Happy New Year to All!

The Barron County Retired Educators will be meeting on Thursday, January 17th starting with registration at 10 am with meeting to start at 10:30 am.  This meeting will take place at Bethany Lutheran Church in Rice Lake.  Bethany's address is 35 W Messenger Street.  The presentation at the meeting will be a Dave Midboe Musical Program.  Those who attended his presentation at the November 2011 meeting will remember what a great performer he is.  If you missed that program, you will certainly want to attend this year's program.

The Minutes from the November 1st meeting that took place at Faith Lutheran Church in Cameron have been posted to the blog.  The link to the blog is at the end of this email. 

I still need to get the hours of volunteering the members did in 2012.  You can reply to this email with the total number of hours you volunteered at various locations in 2012 or you can bring them to the January meeting.  At the January meeting a form will be distributed to keep track monthly of the hours you volunteer during 2013.  I will be sending the total hours from 2012 to the WREA office following the January meeting.  Remember, all I need is the total number of hours, not where they were put in or when they were done.

We are always looking for new members to our organization.  If you know someone who was in education, but has not joined, please encourage them to come to a meeting with you.  You can tell them that first time attendees are eligible for a free meal on BCREA.

I am sorry to report that Byron Dodge died on Friday, January 4th.  Many of our members knew Byron and he will be missed.

Hope to see you all at the January 17th meeting.  Be sure and check the blog for up to date information and pictures of events.  Remember to submit items that you think should be added to the blog.  Pictures of events are really appreciated.

Newspaper Release - January Mtg

The Barron County Retired Educators’ Association will meet on Thursday, January 17, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 35 West Messenger St., in Rice Lake with reservations beginning at 10 a.m. and lunch at noon.  A musical program will be presented by Dave Midboe (New Auburn) and Julia Loiselle (Barron). A special monetary collection will be taken for Emergency Clothing Supplies for local elementary schools.  All retired teachers, administrators, and staff are invited as well as their guests.  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, January 13.

Some of you knew Bynie Dodge and Janet Campbell (Lloyd's wife) of Barron.

Bynie's visitation is from 4-7 p.m. today (Tues.) at Rausch & Steel Funeral Home in Barron; the funeral at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Lutheran Church in Barron on the corner of West LaSalle Avenue.

Janet's visitation is from 4-7 p.m. Friday evening, January 11, same funeral home, and her funeral is at 11 a.m. on Saturday at First Lutheran in Barron.

November Minutes

Barron County Retired Educators

November 1, 2012

10:30 a.m

            Baron County Retired Educators met November 1, 2012, at Faith Lutheran Church in Cameron at 10.30  a.m. The meeting was called to order by our new president, John Osterloth. He introduced our guest speaker, Tim Jergenson, who presented the program “Agriculture and the Adoption of Technology”. Tim is the Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Horticulture Agent for Baron County. He has served in Baron County for 29 years. Demille Richter who is also on the technology team came with him. Some of the highlights were:

·        1940s to the 60s, there were great changes from horses to tractors.

·        Today you see minimum till to save the soil. It keeps it in place.

·        The newest is robotic milkers.

·        Use of cell phone for checking on pests.

·        1950-1960’s  No soy beans

·        Soy beans and corn are herbicide crops.

·        Use of unmanned aircraft to monitor crops.

·        Phosphorous is a no-no!!!!

60^th Farm Technology Days

·        Expect 50 to 60,0000 visitors in July

·        1987- Sutherland  Farm  near Cumberland

·        First show in Wisconsin in 1954 with emphasis on education.

·        Today it’s the cutting edge in technology with leadership development.

·        3years ago it was in Pierce County.

·        It’s July 9-11 2013 at Breezy Hill Dairy, Alex and Mary Olson Farm on County highway A between and Ridgeland and Dallas.

o   1,200 volunteers involved

o   Economic benefits for 15,000 people: food, business vendors, etc.

o   485 cows plus young stock

Business Meeting:

·        Began the meeting with Pledge Allegiance To The Flag

·        Recognized one new member

·        Secretaries’ report with one correction made: Dave Bennett is our new executive director. Motion made to accept the minutes by Karen Schroeder  and seconded by Frank Peichel

·         Treasurer’s report given by Sandy with a balance in the treasury of $1,135.54. Report was approved by Stan Bergum. No change in the Scholarship  Fund

·        Barb Millerman gave a membership update

·        Donations were collected for school supplies and those who didn’t give will do so in January.

·        We also decided to continue passing the hat for scholarships.

·        Several people attended the fall district meeting.

o   We received Unit Of Distinction Award

o   We also had the second largest symbolic check for recognizing volunteer hours by our members. ( $222,565.90 volunteer  time)

o   Superintendent panel : Cumberland and Superior

·        Door prizes were won by Roberta Neuman and John Osterloth

·        Our dinner prayer was given by Harold Thorson

Dinner was served to 49 people. Our next meeting is January 17, 2013 at 10:30 a.m  at Bethany Lutheran Church in Rice Lake.

Secretary,

Marie Anderson