BLACK FOREST CHAPTER OF AARP #1100

“To serve, not to be served”

Chapter Web Site: http://aarpchapter1100blackforest.weebly.com

November 14, 2018

Host/Hostess: Pat and Herb Guild

Greeter: Patricia Dix, Harriet and Bill Sanderman

Program: Preventing Falls, Improving Balance. Lori Morgan, U of CO health

October Celebration

The Black Forest AARP Chapter 1100 October meeting was a lot more than just “Spooks”. It was a celebration of

good food, fellowship, community service, education, & the 46th Anniversary of Chapter 1100.

After a delicious lunch & large “birthday cake” Chapter President, Ray Rozak presented a donation check from

the Chapter membership to Mr. Bryan Spinner of Hope Restored, a faith-based 501(c)3 charity of volunteers based in

Colorado Springs, whose mission is responding to, & training others, to clean up in the wake of disasters. The donation

will be used for equipment maintenance & operation. Hope Restored, incorporated in 2011, operates entirely on dona-

tions & has responded to the needs of over 1,000 victims of fire, flood, tornado, & flood disasters across the nation as

well in the Black Forest area & throughout Colorado.

Stephanie Bevan, Community Relations & Marketing Representative from the Rocky Mountain Health Care Ser-

vices presented a program outlining the Colorado Springs organization’s operation & how it folds into the national Pro-

gram of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) model. She also answered numerous questions regarding eligibility &

requirements for inclusion in the program & how the services are funded. This organization is the Presenting Sponsor at

the Senior Resource Council’s November 17th Holiday Dinner Dance at the City Auditorium in Colorado Springs, which is

open to all seniors who make reservations. AARP Chapter 1100 will also assist by providing some volunteer services in

preparation for the event.

Chapter 1100 Special Longevity Badges were presented to several chapter members by Lavonne Hidy, the

Awards Committee Chairperson. Electa Beckner was presented a badge for being a Chapter 1100 member for 20

years. Carolyn Jaworski received a badge for 15 years, and Ray and Lin Rozak, Chuck and Shirley Karlstrum, Lavonne

Hidy, and Rosemary O’Connell each received badges for 10 years of continuous service. The recipients will wear their

distinctive badges with pride.

The “spooks” & other worldly creatures were not to be denied, however. They were all called forward & judged

by the membership. It was a close contest with several very “unique” & unusual attires shown. The winners were Herb

Guild & Lavonne Hidy. They both received a certificate for a free pie for their winning costume.

Stephanie Bevan, Community Relations & Marketing Representative from the Rocky Mountain Health Care Ser-

vices, discusses the aspects of the PACE program in Colorado Springs.

Chapter President, Ray Rozak presents a donation check to Mr. Bryan Spinney for use by the Hope Restored Charity in their service to individu-

als suffering from disasters such as fire, flood, earthquake & tornado.

Halloween Contestants:

Pat Guild, Lin Rozak, Linda Siebe, Herb Guild, Ray Rozak, Anna Skinner,

Lavonne Hidy, Rita Fitzpatrick & Anita Wolfe.

“Mr. Bones” sits front left.

SENIOR LIFE EXPO, Hotel Elegante “A community event offering seniors the latest products, services and information on healthy aging.”

Our community service event on 27 October was a very large success & we could have not done the job without the

Chapter 1100 members who volunteered at the event. Thank you to Raji & Vijay Verma, Patricia Dix, Shirley & Chuck

Karlstrum, Bev Schaab, Stephen Blucher, Ray & Lin Rozak, Pat & Herb Guild, & Stan & Electa Beckner. Thank you all!

Typical crowd around the AARP table

5 of the 13 Chapter volunteers who worked the event

Recipients of the special AARP Chapter 1100

Longevity Badges are L-R, Chuck Karlstrum,

Shirley Karlstrum, Electa Beckner, Ray Rozak,

Lin Rozak, Rosemary O’Connell & Lavonne Hidy.

Carolyn Jaworski not pictured

Secretary’s Report - October 10th meeting

President Ray Rozak opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Guest Byron Spinney offered an invocation & the

meeting was called to order. Guests included Mary Lou Anderson, Bill Hanna, Susan and Byron Spinney of Hope Restored,

Stephanie Bevan & Carolyn Wilson from Rocky Mt. Health Care Services.

Celebrating birthdays this month are Lori Belk, Rita Fitzpatrick & Bill Sanderman. Stan & Electa Beckner & Richard & Penny

Cole are celebrating anniversaries.

After lunch, those who wore costumes were summoned to the front for a picture & votes for best costume. Lavonne Hidy

took the prize with her cow costume!

Ray presented Byron Spinney, founder of Hope Restored a check from the proceeds of the Black Forest Festival craft & food

sale. Hope Restored is a non-profit disaster relief organization staffed by volunteers that assist with fire mitigation & fire debris

removal projects in the Black Forest.

Following that presentation, Stephanie Bevans of Rocky Mountain Pace spoke to members about the services it offers to resi-

dents. Services to the Black Forest under this program are currently not available, but PACE has an application in to the fed-

eral government to include this zip code. She said that it is hopeful that the application will be approved within the coming

year. She outlined eligibility requirements & the comprehensive services the non-profit offers to citizens. Pat Guild described

the assistance that a friend of hers received. She stated that the services were life-saving to her friend.

Gwen Burk reminded members that they need to sign up for the November dinner so that adequate food is ordered from

caterers. Last year 30 people said they were coming, but 60 arrived for the meal. Members with last names beginning with

A-M should bring a dessert and those whose names begin with N-Z should bring a side dish to round out the meal.

Stan Beckner reminded us that volunteers are still needed to staff the Senior Life Expo to be held at the Hotel Elegante on

October 27. He also read a thank you note from the staff at the Veterans Home in Florence, CO for the wheelchair pouches

we delivered to them in September. Also, Stan reminded us to sign up for the Senior Resource Council’s Holiday Dinner

Dance to be held on November 17th. He needs additional volunteers to help with setting tables from 9-12 on the morning of

the dance.

Ray thanked Shirley Karlstrum for completing & submitting the periodic report to the state office.

Stephan Blucher announced that the next Driver Safety Class will be held next Wednesday, October 17th from 12-4 p.m. at the

Black Forest Lutheran Church.

Patricia Dix, of the Nominating Committee, announced that they are still seeking candidates to fill the positions of Legislative

Committee Chair, Legislative Advocate & Assistant Secretary.

Lavonne Hidy announced that we are celebrating our 46th year as a chapter. She distributed 20 year membership awards to

Howard Pease and Waldo Pendleton. Edna Eaton who passed in September would have been a recipient also.

Ten year membership awards went to Chuck & Shirley Karlstrum, Electa Beckner, Ray & Lin Rozak, Rosemary O’Connell &

Lavonne Hidy.

Sharon Fulton brought 20 empty Christmas Stockings from the Salvation Army to be filled by participating members for needy

children & returned by the November meeting. Gifts should be unwrapped.

Ray reminded us that we need volunteers to call members to remind them of the upcoming meeting.

Respectfully submitted, Rita Fitzpatrick

A REMINDER FOR RETIRED MILITARY AND SURVIVING SPOUSES ELIGIBLE FOR TRICARE FOR LIFE DENTAL COVERAGE

The Retiree Dental Program/Delta Dental (TRDP), through Tricare for Life, ends 12/31/2018 and will be replaced by

FEDVIP programs. If you want dental coverage in the future you will have to sign up for one of the FEDVIP dental pro-

grams (Federal Employees Dental & Vision Insurance Program). You will not automatically be enrolled in this new pro-

gram.

Enroll first for an account at https://tricare.benefeds.com. You will also be able to verify your eligibility here. Then after you

have an account you can choose which of the 7 dental program you want and sign up for it. There are also 4 vision

programs you can choose from - this is a new benefit for military retirees this year.

Sign up now (started 11/12/18) through December 10th. All relevant information is available at the website mentioned

above. If you don’t have a computer you can call BENEFEDS at 1-877-888-3337. Helen

FINANCE Black Forest AARP Chapter 1100 Financial Report

CHAPTER COMMITTEES

Health Care: Wash your hands. Waldo has a list of members willing to loan walkers, etc. so if you need one, or have one to loan, please contact him. If you have questions check with Waldo.

*** Max Stucky has 3 walkers if anybody needs to use one. Please talk to him.

Notification: Thanks to Pat Guild & Anita Wolfe for their work on the monthly telephone member notifications & thank you Patricia Dix for notifying members via e-mail.

Public Relations: PSAs were sent to 9 local newspapers,, the Gazette blog & posted to our website regarding Chapter related activities like the Senior Expo at the Hotel Elegante and the October Chapter meeting.

Sunshine: Electa sent a Thinking of You card to Lexie Manfrin and Howard Pease and a get well card to Helen Von Gunden. (Electa is the Sunshine Committee & can be reached at 596-6787. Please call her directly so she doesn’t hear about a member second hand.)

• Visit the Chapter website at http://aarpchapter1100blackforest.weebly.com/ so you too can see the latest Chapter information and upcoming events. Many people visit our website during the month and our members find it useful.

• The “Black Forest AARP Volunteer Drivers” are taking a well deserved break. Thank you to Linda Siebe and Lori Belk for their work on senior’s behalf.

• REMINDER OF CHAPTER MEETING CANCELLATION POLICY: If School District 20 cancels classes, or is on late reporting, Chapter meetings will not take place.

• No Senior Social during November and December. It will return in January 2019!

2018MONTHLY YEAR TO DATE

Income

Dues $510.00

Gifts or Donations $700.00

Social Events: 50/50 Drawing $28.00 $194.00

Advertising Income $200.00

Black Forest Festival ________ $230.00

TOTAL INCOME $28.00 $1,834.00

ExpenseMeeting Expense (rent) $75.00 $295.00

Gifts or Donations ($230 Hope Restored,

$10.00 Edna Eaton remembrance.) $240.00 $590.00

Social Events:

Black Forest Pavilion $100.00

Supplies (Cake $53.58, $33.26 cups, plates) $86.84 $108.02

Administrative Cost ($10 State Incorporation) $10.00 $441.55

Newsletter Cost (paper) $35.71 $114.43

0ther $196.62

Overcharge on safe deposit box ________ $4.16

TOTAL EXPENDITURES $447.55 $1,849.78

10/31/18 Checking Account Balance $2,823.85

CD Account Balance (interest $1.92) $1,655.00

Thanks to Bill Sanderman (also a Chapter member) for

sending me this CO AARP Driver Safety News, 3rd Qtr. 2018.

It has good info for all of us. Helen

Avoid Scams this Holiday Season

Scammers & criminals don’t take a break during the holidays, in fact they might ramp up their efforts. This holiday season be on the

lookout for different ways scammers might try to take advantage of you. Here are a few steps you can take to ensure this holiday

season is joyous & scam-free:

▪ When purchasing a gift card, be sure to inspect it thoroughly for tampering. Ensure the PIN number on the back of the card is not

visible. Consider purchasing it online directly from the retailer for an extra layer of security. Be sure to give the receipt for the gift card

to the recipient.

▪ Outsmart door-to-door thieves! If you are shipping a package, it is a good idea to require a signature upon delivery or provide spe-

cific instructions for the delivery company to ensure the package is not stolen.

▪ Avoid shopping online when you are connected to free public Wi-Fi. Networks that are not secure can expose your personal & fi-

nancial information to criminals connected to the same network.

▪ Charitable solicitations are abundant this time of year. Do your research before giving through www.checkthecharity.com or

www.charitynavigator.org to check the legitimacy of the organization. Avoid donating to an unsolicited caller.

▪ When shopping on Craigslist, eBay or other marketplace sites, never wire money to pay for goods or services. If you are asked to

wire funds or pay using pre-paid gift cards, consider it a scam.

If you have a question about a potential holiday fraud or scam & want to talk it through with a trained AARP Foundation ElderWatch

volunteer, please call 800-222-4444 & select option 2. Have a happy & safe holiday season!

This newsletter was published and distributed with the assistance of the following merchants:

Black Forest Jeweler, Quality Repair – Custom Design.

Watch Batteries. Free Jewelry inspection & Cleaning.

Candles – Pottery

(719) 495-8816

11425 Black Forest Rd., 80908

Firehouse Famous Texas BBQ on the Run

www.firehouseontherun.com

(719) 495-8453

12480 Black Forest Rd., 80908

R & R Coffee Café

www.rnrcoffeecafe.com

(719) 494-8300

11424 Black Forest Rd., 80908

Rockin B Feed and Supply. Feed, hay, pet foods, health supplies, saddles, tack. www.rockinbfeed.com

(719) 495-3463

12440 Black Forest Rd., 80908

The Original Black Forest Pies & Grinders, Pizza, subs,

wings & more. Dine in – Take out – Delivery

https://blackforestpiesandgrinders.com/

(719) 495-8555

11470 Black Forest Rd., 80908

Chiropractic of Black Forest. Dr. Russell T. Swain.

Walk-ins always welcome

(719) 494-0900

11590 Black Forest Rd.#20, 80908

Black Tree Yoga Center https://www.blacktreeyoga@gmail.com

(719) 494-8101

12490 Black Forest Rd. 80908

Mountain View Café

(719) 465-1555

11425 Black Forest Rd., 80908

“Acceptance of advertising or other assistance in this newsletter does not constitute

endorsement or approval of this chapter of AARP of any service, product or advertiser.”