The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) – With the unpredictable December weather forcing rescheduling, Alleghany Retired Teachers Association (ARTA) was finally able to have the December meeting at Temple Baptist Church in Covington, Virginia on December 16, 2025. The meeting began in the sanctuary with the Alleghany High School Choirs entertaining the retired teachers. The choir, under the direction of Amanda Sprouse, presented a wonderful program of Christmas music. This highly anticipated musical program once again was very enjoyable and brought many smiles, especially the last selection on making a fruit cake. The ARTA members showed their appreciation by presenting a donation to the choir program in the amount of $310.
Following the musical program, the members adjourned to the fellowship hall. Joan Green, ARTA President, welcomed all in attendance, led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance, and read a short Christmas Story.
Anita Rice, ARTA Vice President, introduced the guest speaker, Denise Pillow, representing the 2025 Highlands Christmas Mother program. Denise was the 1995 Christmas Mother. Rachael Thompson, 2025 Christmas Mother chose this year’s theme to be “Christ as Your Neighbor” reflecting the program’s mission of service and compassion. This is the 77th year of the Highlands Christmas Mother Program. Mrs. Pillow gave an update on the number of families that were served by the Christmas Mother program. Denise thanked the ARTA members for their support of the program. The members presented Denise with a donation of $480 for the Christmas Mother Program, in addition to donated items.
During the business meeting led by Joan Green, the May and September minutes were passed out and approved as presented. Renee Warren, treasurer, presented the Treasurer’s Report, which was accepted as presented.
Anita Rice gave an update on the scholarship fund and the 50/50 drawing. Dewey Lawson held the 50/50 drawing for the scholarship fund. Kevin Hanna won the winnings for the drawing.
Joan gave an update on the fall Virginia Retired Teacher Association meeting held in Midlothian on September 16-17, 2025. She noted the meeting opened with a luncheon and guest speaker Dwayne Yancey of Cardinal News, who had spent 39 years with the Roanoke Times. He discussed how news had changed over the years with people getting their news online instead of buying newspapers. Presentations from Creekside Advisors and Virginia Retirement System (VRS) were heard in the afternoon. After those presentations, there was a Past President’s Roundtable in which all living presidents were invited to talk about their accomplishments and challenges during their term of office. To end the evening, there was a great reception celebrating 90 years for Social Security and VRTA. On the second day, there were four breakout sessions and members could attend two sessions. The business meeting began after the breakout sessions. The executive board is exploring options to reduce the costs of the conference, such as a one-day conference, instead of two days. They are also looking at changing district configurations.
Anita gave an update on the Fall District P meeting held at Montano’s Restaurant on October 6 in Roanoke. ARTA had four members attend. The VRTA President, Karen Whetzel was the guest speaker. ARTA was recognized with awards for scholarship participation, community service and ARTA banner displayed at state conference. Anita told the members that we have a new lobbyist, Chris Bailey, at the General Assembly for VRTA. Lobby Day is January 29, 2026. She mentioned that the Spring state newsletter will now only be on the website (vrta.us).
Green read thank you notes from the schools, Salvation Army and the Highlands Christmas Mother. Anita volunteered to fill a vacancy on the calling committee for the potential members list.
Members were reminded of upcoming dates for participation in the local, district, and state meetings. The March ARTA meeting will be March 3, 2026, at Jackson River Technical Center and members are reminded that support for the food pantries will be the service project. The May ARTA meeting will be May 5, 2026, at Cucci’s and members will turn in their community service form. The VRTA Spring Delegate Assembly will be April 28-29, 2026 in Midlothian, and the District P Spring meeting will be in May 2026 in Roanoke.
Members were thanked for their generous donations to the schools, food banks, scholarship fund, the Christmas Mother and the Alleghany High School choir. ARTA is blessed to have 37 members, even though several are not able to attend the meetings; they still donate to all the service projects that ARTA sponsors. Green wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Anita Rice read a Christmas selection and then offered the blessing for the delicious lunch prepared by Family TreeTs.
