The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE, Va. (VR) – The Alleghany Retired Teachers Association met on May 2 at the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center in Clifton Forge. President Joan Green welcomed the ARTA members and guests then led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The program started with opening remarks about the Arts and Crafts Center from Betsy Carter, retired schoolteacher, and an arts center volunteer.
Vice President Anita Rice introduced Connie Baker, the executive director of the Arts and Crafts Center. Baker explained that since the art center opened in 1984, it has had three main goals: to provide art education for K-12 students as well as for adults; a place where local artists can display their art productions; and a place where artists can sell or market their creations.
The art center relies heavily on volunteers, and the ARTA members were encouraged to join the current staff of volunteers. Baker noted that more information about the art center and its offerings could be found in the brochures and handouts at each table or on the center’s website- highlandsartsandcrafts.org.
Chuck Swope from Creekside Insurance Advisors spoke briefly concerning the services that his company offers ARTA members. Since Creekside is an insurance broker, they will search to find lower rates for Medicare supplements and for property and casualty insurance rates. He also wanted to make members aware that he can presently offer a multiple-year annuity for a 5.38% fixed rate for 3 years with a minimum of $10,000.
During the business meeting, secretary Margaret Sams distributed the minutes from the March meeting to the members. They were filed as presented.
Renee Warren, treasurer, presented the treasurer’s report. The report was accepted as presented.
Scholarship co-chairman Dewey Lawson announced that $52 had been collected for the 50/50 drawing. Betty Kern won the drawing and donated her winnings back to the scholarship fund.
Renee Warren reported that Joan Green and Kathy Cvizic had attended the recent District P meeting in Roanoke with her. The meeting program was a travel agent from AAA, Austin Needels. He gave the members several options that AAA can assist with travel such as river cruises, ocean cruises, land vacations, family travel and solo travel. AAA travel agents offer such services free of charge, get you discounts on packaged trips, and provide tips for travel.
Green provided an update on the VRTA spring meeting held in Midlothian and said that at the opening luncheon they heard from Lily Liu, a historian for the National Retired Teachers’ Association and AARP. Liu gave a history of NRTA and AARP, providing a wealth of information about Ethel Percy Andrus, founder of NRTA and AARP and California’s first woman high school principal.
Jim DeBrueler with Creekside Insurance Advisors gave an update and said they work on behalf of the VRTA members. For the legislative session, a panel of two high school seniors, two college students and a teacher moderator gave a presentation on violence in the schools. VRS Director Trish Bishop gave an update on VRS which continues to have strong earnings and the COLA for VRS recipients in August 2023 will be 5%. VRS recipients were advised to keep their survivor information up to date. All recipients should also have a Form 901(a power of attorney) on file with VRS which can be completed online.
Green announced that a total of 4,870 volunteer hours have been reported to date for this year from the ARTA members. These hours are used by the VRTA lobbyist to take to the General Assembly and converted into a dollar amount.
Green gave dates for upcoming events. The ARTA September meeting will be Sept. 5, and the ARTA December meeting will be on Dec. 5. The VRTA Fall The conference will be Sept. 26-27 in Midlothian, and the VRTA spring conference will be on April 16-17, 2024. The District P meeting in Roanoke will be held the first week of October, and the spring District P will be held April 22, 2024.
Since the March meeting, Green mentioned that get well and sympathy cards have been sent to several members.
Harriet Snead reminded members that May 11 is the last day to receive free COVID tests. She also mentioned that May 23 is Give Local Alleghany Highlands Day and encouraged members to consider giving locally.
Beautiful flower baskets were given to Sams and Green for extending their officer responsibilities an additional year.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Rice gave a prayer of thanksgiving for the lunch which was prepared by Carter.
