The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE, Va. (VR) – The Alleghany Retired Teachers Association (ARTA) met at the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center in Clifton Forge, Virginia on September 2, 2025. In the absence of President Joan Green, Vice President Anita Rice called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. She reported that officers President Joan Green and Secretary Robbie Thomas were dealing with medical issues and Treasurer Renee Warren was on vacation. She thanked Valerie Humphries for taking care of Treasurer duties.
Joyce Williams, AARP State President, presented a detailed program on Social Security, highlighting the funding challenges due to demographic shifts, the impending depletion of the Social Security trust fund by 2034, and the potential for a 20 percent benefit cut if no action is taken. Members were encouraged to discuss legislative options and communicate their views to their congressional representatives and to AARP.
Chuck Swoope, CEO of Creekside Insurance Advisors, gave a short presentation on the services that his group offers to VRTA members. He wanted members to know that one important change which affects Medicare is the Birthday Rule. The Birthday Rule allows policyholders an open enrollment period each year surrounding their date of birth to have the option of enrolling in a different Medicare supplement medigap coverage.
After the guest speakers’ presentations, Rice led the Business Meeting. The minutes of the May meeting were unavailable. Rice presented the Treasurer’s Report prepared by Renee Warren, which was accepted as presented. The budget for 2025-2026 was approved on a motion made
by Cynthia Baroody and seconded by Kathy Cvizic.
Dewey Lawson gave an update on the Scholarship Fund. Kathy Cvizic was the winner of the scholarship 50/50 drawing. She donated her winnings back to the fund.
Rice gave an update on the spring District P meeting. She noted in the future all newsletters from VRTA will be emailed. Members were asked to notify President Joan Green if they are not receiving emails from Creekside. Signup sheets for the fall District P and fall VRTA conference were circulated.
Since the May meeting, cards were sent to Robbie Thomas, Helen Jean Fitzgerald, Joann Anderson and Brenda Lawson. A thank you note was received from scholarship recipient Gavin Via.
Rice announced that ARTA had reported 7, 255 volunteer hours this year but Helen Jean Fitzgerald said only 15 members had submitted their hours. Fitzgerald hopes more members will respond next year. Rice announced that last year ARTA donated $4, 175 to the community through our service projects. VRTA asks that each unit send in community service hours volunteered each year. The hours are converted into dollar amounts using a set dollar amount for each hour of volunteer service to indicate the value of service to schools and community.
Upcoming important dates for participation in district and state meetings are: VRTA Fall Delegate Assembly September 16-17, 2025, in Midlothian; VRTA Spring Delegate Assembly April 29-30, 2026, in Midlothian; District P Fall Meeting, October 6, 2025 in Roanoke; District P Spring Meeting, April or May, 2026, in Roanoke. Important meeting dates for ARTA, the local association, are: December 2, 2025 at Temple Baptist Church; March 3, 2026 at Jackson River Technical Center and May 5, 2026 at Cuccis Pizzeria.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Rice blessed the lunch prepared by the ladies of the Alleghany Arts and Craft Center.
