“To serve others in need and help one another enjoy retirement.” – PASRPresident ................................................Cheryl HinkelPresident Elect .................................. Anne KonawalikVice President .................................................. Vacant

Secretary .................................................. Rochelle BalaTreasurer ........................................................ June BlairPast President ............................................Linda Stubits

MY THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS…...From My Desk: As President of NCC-PASR I hope that everyone enjoyed their summer and created many memories with family and friends. As fall approaches, it’s time to start new projects and finish old ones that were already started. Soon the cooler weather will arrive and it will be time for picking apples and baking. Fall is my favorite time because I love to bake. Baking always makes the house smell good. Our last luncheon which was held in June at The Riverview Country Club was enjoyed by all who attended. There have been complimentary reviews by some of the members who attended the luncheon. On October 1st, 2nd, and 3rd several chapter members will participate in the PASR convention which is being held in Lancaster, PA. We still have a few vacant positions. If you are interested, please see any member of the Executive Committee. Any members who would like to contribute to the planning of our organization’s activities and projects are welcome to join us at the Executive Board meetings. Please contact Cheryl Hinkel at: auntie517@ptd.net for more information. We would love to have you. I am so grateful for all the support everyone has given to me this year so far and am honored to be given this opportunity to serve as President of this organization. I hope to see all of you at the October luncheon.

“The heat of Autumn is different from the heat of summer. One ripens apples, the other turns them to cider.” (Jane Hirshfield)

“The tints of autumn…a mighty garden blossoming under the spell of the enchanter, frost.”(John Greenleaf Whittier)

-- Cheryl A. Hinkel, President

LUNCHEON HIGHLIGHTS Our July luncheon was held at Riverview Country Club, Easton. Everyone seemed to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and a delicious meal. Presentations were made to our scholarship recipient and to the Educational Grant honoree. We hope you will be able to join us at our October luncheon on Thursday, October 19th, at Hampton Winds Restaurant (Northampton Community College).

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“Working toward a better life for our retirees.” – NCC-PASR

NORTHAMPTON COUNTYNEWSLETTER

MEMBERSHIPTime to Pay Dues If you are an annual member, dues are payable at this time. Dues for NCC-PASR are still $15.00. We hope to have a table set up at our October luncheon. If you are not attending the luncheon, please send a check payable to NCC-PASR to Kay Benson, 1713 Juniper Drive, Whitehall, PA 18052. New members’ invitations were sent out to all new retirees from Northampton County. THANK YOU to our members who volunteered to write out the invitations and prepare them for mailing. Anyone who is receiving a pension from PSERS is eligible to join our organization. Our yearly dues are only $15. You can send your membership fee along with your luncheon reservation – or you can bring it along to the luncheon when you come to our October luncheon. We hope all new members who join will take part in our luncheons and bus trips.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Four Days, Four Hundred Lunches Sincere thanks to the kind volunteers who pitched in to pack and distribute bag lunches for the Nazareth Ministerium’s 2017 Summer Lunch Program. About a dozen NCC-PASR members worked along with Schoeneck Moravian Church volunteers during the first week in July, spreading peanut butter, bagging ham or turkey sandwiches, counting snack packs, hauling coolers … all for the benefit of the community. Although it was a short week due to the July 4th holiday, demand was high, with 135 lunches being the daily record and well over 400 lunches served for the four-day week. Pastor Jeffrey Gehris reported at the program’s midpoint that more than 2,500 lunches had been served. Please join us next year—it’s a great opportunity to share your sandwich-making skills as well as to see first-hand how much your donations to area food programs are needed and appreciated. (It’s also fun!)

So Many Ways to Help Others! At the October luncheon, we will celebrate the contributions of one member as our Volunteer of the Year. As we honor this outstanding individual, we also recognize all the energetic and dedicated individuals in our organization. Each year, Northampton County PASR chapter members report over 10,000 hours of community service, volunteering their time and talent in a vast array of good works. It’s astonishing—and humbling—to tally these surveys! Members of our group are giving freely of their post-retirement “golden years” serving on boards, helping in their churches, tutoring children, visiting the elderly, singing in choirs, supporting their candidates… and the list goes on! We are so very proud and appreciative of all that you do!

Looking Ahead As Back-to-School sales morph into Thanksgiving decorations and Christmas lights, let’s think about some small ways we can contribute to our community. Your donations of new or gently-used children’s books are very much appreciated by Cops ‘n’ Kids of Easton. Also, if you bring some canned or boxed food staples to any luncheon, we’ll drop them off at the Nazareth Area Food Bank. Finally, since our sock collection was so successful last holiday season, let’s share the warmth again.

-- Community Service Co-Chair, Natalie Damico

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Summer lunch program volunteer JoAnn Baiey packs lunches for distribution, while Diane Werkheiser, Gail Vasko and Cheryl Hinkel prep bags for the next day.

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NCC-PASR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM Last year the Educational Support Committee undertook a re-organization for both our grant and scholarship. At the June meeting, our chapter presented a $1000 scholarship to Shane Hurley, a graduate of Nazareth Area High School, who will attend West Chester University as a music major. The $1000 grant was awarded to the Music Department of Wilson Area High School in honor of William Curnow, a music teacher at the school district. In our re-organization, the grant is to be awarded to a specific school district in honor of a former employee. This October is the time for our membership to nominate an educator for this grant. If you have already submitted a nomination

last year, they are already in our file. However, we encourage all of you to submit a nomination. You will find the application form in this newsletter and it is due by October 30th.

SOCIAL SERVICE MEMORIAL HONOR FUND NEWS Last spring we received thank you notes from Desiree DeNicola, Ruth Gafford, Rose Wilburn and Carl Millard. They really appreciate being remembered by their fellow members. We currently have 15 Special Care members in our chapter. Over the past several months we have lost members Edward Christman, Bernard Cole, Geraldine Felver, Henrietta Pessin, and Maisie Sandwick. May they rest in peace. Let me know of any NCC-PASR members who are confined to home or a care facility. We want to keep in touch with those members. At the October luncheon meeting the names of Special Care members will be available for you to keep in touch. Just get a name or two and send a note or card monthly. If you will not be at theluncheon meeting, contact JoAnn Bailey at 484-515-2205 to get involved in communicating with our Special Care members. Please remember that our SSMHF Committee can always use your donation to help us serve others. Give a monetary gift to memorialize, honor, or celebrate a person or occasion. Send your contribution, with a note, to Mechanicsburg, or wait and use the form available at the October luncheon. In advance, thank you for serving your fellow members.

THANK YOU FOR THE DONATIONS We really appreciate your generosity. A big thank you goes to the following people for their donations at the June luncheon. Anne Konawalik Evelyn Kilpatrick Frances Eckert Pat Auerbach Dan & Ruby Ifkowitz Patricia Ackerman JoAnn Bailey Arletta Nolf June Blair Darrell Crook Jeanne Boehm Frank Kovacs Bob & Colette Fisher Bill & Nancy Brackbill Phil & Mary Jean Spaziani Barry & Ann Marie Bretz

STATE PASR TRIPS Information about trips for 2018 can be found on the state’s PASR website. In the spring, there will be the opportunity to enjoy a bus trip exploring Maine’s Southern Coast from May 20-25. In the fall, the group will cruise to Canada and New England from September 20-29.

Rochelle Bala read the nomination form she submitted regarding Mr. William Curnow, for our $1,000 educational grant in his honor.

Shane Hurley was presented with our chapter’s $1,000 scholarship.

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WEBSITES As a PASR member, you have access to the association’s website. However, you must be a state member to use the Members Only section. This site includes a wealth of information, benefits, and forms that are important to you as a retired school employee. To log on to the Members Only section the first time, use your member ID number (found above your name on the mailing label of the PASR Newsletter) as your user name; the password is the first letter of your first name followed by your last name, all lower case. Clicking on the Login button will bring up the box that allows you to update your profile. When you’ve finished, click the Submit/Changes button; that brings you to the Change Password page where you can create the password of your choice. One last click on Submit will take you to the Overview/Welcome page. On subsequent logins, your username will be the email address you’ve provided, and your password will be the one you chose. You can also find information at the chapter website:

www.orgsites.com/pa/chapter-northampton-pasr

LEGISLATIVE AND L/PEC UPDATE A message from your L/PEC representatives Phil Spaziani, Northampton County Chapter Chair and JoAnn Bailey, Region Chair: Our state committee needs your help to educate the public, our legislators, other elected officials, and our fellow members about the needs of retirees and to also educate them about the facts as to why our retirement system is in such a financial state; it is not the fault of the retirees. When Act 9 was passed in 2001, this was the last year that we received a COLA. At that time both the state and school districts had paid minimal amounts into our retirement system for more than ten years, while those employed by the state, us, continued to pay our full share. The public has the false notion that we enjoy large pensions when the truth of this matter, as reported by PASR, for those of us who retired prior to 2001 our pension is only $14,800. The medium annuity for those retirees is even lower. The average annuity for a retired employee who retired in 2016 was $25,203. The medium annuity, halfway point between the highest and lowest annuity, would be lower. Rarely are any of these numbers used when describing our pension benefits. PASR is taking a serious approach to the issue of a COLA. In 2001, when Act 9 was passed and we received our last graduated COLA, our legislators and other elected officials received a 50% increase in their retirement and have benefited from an automatic COLA each year since. L/PEC is working with our Legislative Committee and other PASR people to advocate for a new COLA benefit. We are asking you to send a donation to L/PEC to help in this endeavor. Any amount you can afford will certainly help. Be assured that L/PEC’s funds are not used to endorse candidates; your money is used to educate the public, elected officials, and our own members about our needs. Please use the form provided below to help us help you. In advance, thank you for your donation.

Northampton County Chapter

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Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees

Educational Grant

Honoree Application

Please complete the following application for an honoree of our educational grant. The name of this educational grant will have a different honoree year to year to recognize retired school employees from Northampton County school district. An application will be active in our files henceforth.

Name of Applicant:________________________________________________________

Contact Information:______________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

School District:___________________________________________________________

Positions:________________________________________________________________

Number of Years of Service________________________________________________

Member of PSERS (yes or no)______________________________________________

Explain why you chose this person to be honored.

In your writing include the contributions of this individual in the school community and beyond. Please attach to this application.

Send application to Susan Whalen, 686 Creamery Rd., Nazareth 18064 or Jane Lou-pos, 370 East Dannersville Rd., Bath, PA 18014.

*PASR members continue to promote the field of education.

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NCC-PASR TRIPS

• Tuesday, November 7, 2017 – Mount Airy Casino & Resort – tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Leave 9:30 A.M. and return home 5:30 P.M. Trip includes bus, $10 slot, lunch buffet, and show. There will also be a pickup in Wind Gap. Cost - $63 per person.

• Thursday, December 7, 2017 – Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular 2017. Depart 8 A.M. for the 11 A.M. show. We will be sitting on the left side on the orchestra level. Depart from NYC at 1:30 P.M. Eat at Cracker Barrel. Cost is $100 per person.

• Thursday, December 28, 2017 – Hunterdon Hills Playhouse – Rock & Roll Christmas Party with The Mahoney Brothers’ latest impersonation production of such great performers like Elvis and Bruce Springsteen. Be there by 11:00 A.M. to eat a delicious meal with tasty desserts before the show. Cost - $63 per person. There will be carpooling if someone needs a ride.

• Monday, March 19, 2018 – LiGreci’s Staaten in Staten Island for the Italian Feast of St. Joseph starring the Number One Sinatra Stylist Steve Maglio & famous Italian-American comedian Chris Monty. Trip includes bus, show and a great luncheon, one-hour open bar, dessert, and coffee. Cost - $98.00 per person.

• Wednesday, April 25, 2018 – Jesus, a show that takes you on a miraculous story alongside the most famous person to ever walk the earth and the everyday people whose lives he changed forever, at Sight N Sound. Leave at 8:15 A.M. for the 11 A.M. show. Lunch at Shady Maple Smorgasbord before departing for home. Cost is $120 per person.

• Wednesday, May 16, 2018 – New York City to see a show. One will be School of Rock. More is forthcoming. Cost will be show and bus.

• Tuesday, June 12, 2018 - Hunterdon Hills Playhouse – The House is Rockin’ with The Mahoney Brothers, with music from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Be there by 11:00 A.M. to eat a delicious meal with delicious desserts before the show. Cost - $63 per person. There will be carpooling if someone needs a ride.

• Tuesday, July 17, 2018 – Nittany Wine Trail – Touring & tasting at Mt. Nittany Winery, eating a buffet lunch at the Penn Stater Hotel, visiting the Creamery, Tait Farm Foods, and then departing for home. Cost - $100 per person.

• Tuesday, August 14, 2018 - American Music Theatre in Lancaster, PA for the Sounds of the Silver Screen show, with live performances from the AMT cast as they bring you the biggest hits from movies past and present, with cinematic songs made famous by Elvis Presley, Julie Andrews, Bette Midler, John Williams, Barbra Streisand, and more. Lunch at Shady Maple before the 3 P.M. show. Cost - $83 per person

• Tuesday, September 11, 2018 – Williamsport Big Hitters – Visiting the interactive exhibits at the Little League Museum & touring the Little League World Headquarters’ grounds including Lamade Stadium, then dining in the gourmet restaurant, former mansion of Peter Herdic, founder of Millionaires’ Row, and next have a relaxing Susquehanna River cruise aboard the Hiawatha riverboat, and learn about the local history, including the saw mills, legendary lumberjack, “Cherry Tree” McCreary, and a conductor on the Underground Railroad. Cost $129 per person.

• Wednesday, November 14, 2018 – Philadelphia Museum of the American Revolution, lunch at Cracker Barrel (on your own), and then a bus tour of Valley Forge. Cost -$55 per person.

• Wednesday, December 5, 2018 – Christmas at Longwood Gardens – Enjoy the holiday horticulture showcasing more than 600 seasonal plants. Outside, will be the illuminated stars twinkling above, colorful fountains dancing to holiday music, and 500,000 lights brightening the night. Leave after noon, so eat beforehand. Supper can be eaten in the café. Cost - $66 per person.

Monies are due at least a month ahead of date of trip. In 2017, we will leave from the parking lot on Illicks Mill Road, across from the Pennsylvania Playhouse. Please be there 15 minutes ahead of time so we can take roll and get everyone on the bus for takeoff time. We thank each and every one of you for your participation on the trips. Starting in 2018, we will have pickup at the Park & Ride on the William Penn Highway and Route 33.

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NCC-PASR TRIP FORMS

For all trips, games, and shows, all members be sure to wear your Green Pin. If you need a Green Pin, let June Blair know. If you want to reserve a seat on one of the trips, please let us know. Please make checks payable to NCC-PASR and mail to June Blair, 2040 Lehigh St., Apt. 614, Easton, PA 18042-3842. If you have any questions, call April Kucsan (610-759-5137) or June (484-894-8438).

Name ________________________ Phone Number ________________ Total Amount Enclosed _________

Address_________________________________________________________________________________

Email __________________________________________________________________________________

1. Tuesday, November 7, 2017 - Mt. Airy Casino–Tribute to Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons - $63 each Tickets _________ Total Cost_________________

2. Thursday, December 7, 2017 – Radio City Music Hall – Christmas Spectacular - $100 per person Tickets _________ Total Cost_________________

3. Thursday, December 28, 2017 – Hunterdon Hills Playhouse – Rock and Roll Christmas Party - $63.00 Tickets _________ Total Cost_________________

4. Monday, March 19, 2018 – LiGreci’s – Italian Feast of St. Joseph – $98 per person Tickets _________ Total Cost________________

5. Wednesday, April 25, 2018 – Jesus at Sight N Sound - $120 per person Tickets _________ Total Cost_________________

6. Wednesday, May 16, 2018 – New York City

7. Tuesday, June 12, 2018 – Hunterdon Hills Playhouse – The House is Rockin’ - $63 per person Tickets _________ Total Cost_________________

8. Tuesday, July 17, 2018 – Nittany Wine Trail - $100 per person Tickets _________ Total Cost_________________

9. Tuesday, August 14, 2018 – American Music Theatre – Sounds of the Silver Screen - $83 per person Tickets _________ Total Cost_________________

10. Tuesday, September 11, 2018 – Williamsport Big Hitters - $129 per person Tickets _________ Total Cost_________________

11. Wednesday, November 14, 2018 – Philadelphia Trip - $55 per person Tickets _________ Total Cost_________________

12. Wednesday, December 5, 2018 – Christmas at Longwood Gardens - $66 per person Tickets _________ Total Cost_________________

__________ I am a member and need a Green Pin

Monies are to be in one month ahead of the show. All bus trips in 2017 leave from the parking lot on Illicks Mill Road across from the Pennsylvania Playhouse. Please be there 15 minutes ahead of time so we can take roll and get everyone on the bus for takeoff time. We thank each and every one of you for your participation on the trips. Starting in 2018, pickup will be at the park and ride at the William Penn Highway and Route 33.

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NORTHAMPTON COUNTY CHAPTER – PASR

NEXT MEETING: Thursday, October 19, 2017 PLACE: Hampton Winds Restaurant (NCC) 3835 Green Pond Road Bethlehem, PA 18020 Meeting at 11:15 AM/Luncheon at 12:00 PM PROGRAM: Speaker: PASR’s new Executive Director, Mark McKillo COST: $25.00 per person (checks payable - (NCC-PASR) Send your remittance to: Ms. Eleanor Petrich, P. O. Box 856, Cherryville, PA 18035-0856 (610) 767-2719. Return no later than Monday, October 9, 2017.

------------------------------------------------------------

_____ Amount I/We are contributing to the 2017 NCC - PASR Scholarship Fund, print / mail the newsletter, Educational Support, Social Service/Memorial Honor Fund. (Pls circle choice)_____ Please reserve _____ tickets @ 63pp – Mount Airy Resort – Tribute to Frankie Valli – Tuesday, Nov 7_____ Please reserve _____ tickets @ 100 pp – Radio City Music Hall – Thursday, December 7_____ Please reserve _____ tickets @ $63 pp –Hunterdon Hills–Rock & Roll Christmas– Thursday, December 28_____ Please reserve _____ tickets @ $98 pp –LiGreci’s – Italian Feast of St. Joseph – Monday, March 19, 2018_____ Please reserve _____ tickets @ 120 pp – Jesus at Sight and Sound – Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Please mail all responses to this form to Eleanor Petrich, P. O. Box 856, Cherryville, PA 18035-0856.

We support recycling – pass your newsletter on to a non-member after you have read it and made personal notes. Membership forms are available from Kay Benson.

Remember! All annuitants of PSERS are eligible for membership in NCC and State PASR.

Entre Selection:PLEASE CHECK (X) YOUR MENU CHOICE:_____Chicken Milan – spinach, prosciutto ham, plum tomato, provolone & ricotta cheese_____Salmon Oscar – crabmeat asparagus_____Beef Wellington – puff pastry and mushroom duxelle ______ (x) if this is the first meeting you are attending _______ Year I retired

______ age 90 or above ________I’m 89 - Birthday is ________________

REMITTANCE FORM_____ No, I am sorry that I cannot attend; but am responding to the inquiries._____ Number of reservations at $ 25.00 = $__________

NAME: ___________________________________ TELEPHONE: ( _____) _________________

ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________

CITY: ___________________________________ STATE: ___________ ZIP CODE: _________