AUGUST 2011

MEETING & TRIP DATESMEETING & TRIP DATES

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Our gatherings begin with a social time and refreshments at 9:30 and business meeting at 10:00. When luncheons are held, they follow the business meeting.

Meetings are held at the HISD Instructional Support Center 4810 Magnolia Cove , Kingwood, Texas

December 5 K-Park Choir with Luncheon and Holiday Gift Raffl e. Join the fun! Bring a wrapped gift.

February 13 New Adventures in Retirement and Book Sale

April 9 Zumba & Yoga Exercise and Table Top Garage Sale

May 14 Luncheon & Awards

HARTAHumble Area Retired Teachers

LOCAL ORGANIZATION OF TEXAS RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION (TRTA) . OPEN TO ALL RETIRED SCHOOL PERSONNEL FROM ALL DISTRICTS

TRTA DISTRICT IV

December, 2011

December 11 “White Christmas” musical at TUTS and dinner !Bus leaves at 1:00 p.m. and returns about 5:30 p.m.. Cost $ 57. Sponsor: Karen SeayDecember 13 Christmas Lights of Houston. Bus leaves at 6 p.m. to take us to view the downtown Christmas lights. End the evening at “Pie in the Sky” for hot chocolate and pie. Sponsor: Karen Seay

January 31 Phoenicia - new 28,000 Sq. ft. interna-tional food market and restaurant at One Park Place luxury tower downtown, -150 ft. conveyer belt bak-ing pita bread, plus much more, then stroll Discovery Green , and fi nally tour St. Arnold Brewery, our city’s fi rst micro brewery. Sponsors: Carolyn Mashburn & Claudette McKee. Sign up at December meeting.

President’s CornerPresident’s CornerHere’s hoping that you will thoroughly enjoy both your Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays! Every-one has so much to do during the holiday season but we hope you are planning to attend our December meeting and luncheon on Monday, December 5.Monday, December 5.Bring your favorite dish to share with everyone and a gift for the Holiday gift auction. You won’t want

to miss our program guests – the Kingwood Park High School Madrigal Choir will sing for us. If you have not heard them perform you are in for a treat!

We will also have copies of our Directory available for those of you who do not get our emails and gifts from the Texer-cise program for all of you who have been participating in new and fun exercises over the past few months. Take care, enjoy the season, and I hope to see you on Dec. 5!

Your President, Mary WidmierYour President, Mary Widmier

MEETING & TRIP DATES

Here’s hoping that you will thoroughly enjoy both your Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays! Every-one has so much to do during the holiday season but we hope you are planning to attend our December

to miss our program guests – the Kingwood Park High School Madrigal Choir will sing for us. If you have not heard them perform you are in for a treat!

Faith Hiller

Information & Protective Services: LET’S SHOP

SAFELY AT CHRISTMASHeed the following tips to

secure your holiday shop-

BE AWARE OF SHOULDER SURFERS: Protect credit cards, driver’s licenses and checks from wandering eyes.BE AWARE OF SKIMMERSBE AWARE OF SKIMMERS::This occurs when a clerk slides your credit card through a second machine stealing your information.

MINIMIZE PURSE/WAL-MINIMIZE PURSE/WAL-Carry

only the cards you will use.ONLINE:ONLINE: print out details of your purchase. Use a credit card, not a debit card. Be sure the website is

AND LASTLY:AND LASTLY: Do not leave your laptop, purse, or any item with credit cards, checks, driver’s license or Social security numbers visible in your car.

HAPPY SHOPPING!

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HARTA paid members = 399 HARTA friends = 90

Bank Balance as of 11/16//2011 = $9368.18Scholarship Balance = $5775.95

Help You through Help You through the Holidaysthe Holidays

Carolyn Mashburn, Health Carolyn Mashburn, Health

Did you know that some-times it is not what you don’t eat that will help you keep from gaining weight during the holidays but what you DO eat that helps?

Regular exercise does help keep you feeling and look-ing your best, but during the holidays you need not only to keep up those exer-cises but also to watch what you eat. The “super foods” listed here can help make you a nutrition star because they contain fi ber, potas-sium, antioxidants, mag-nesium, and healthy fat. So why not pick up these powerful “super foods” when you are holiday food shopping?

How do I start?1. Beans Whether kidney, pinto, navy, or black, beans are among the most nutritious foods you can fi nd. Their high-fi ber content fi ves you nearly one third of your daily require-ment in just one half cup.2. Dark, green, leafy veggies Powerhouse foods such as spinach, collards, and kale are so low in calo-ries you can eat as much as you want. Keep and serve these “free foods” in the house during the holidays.3. Citrus Fruit Grapefruit, oranges, lemons and limes provide you with both fi ber and vitamin C. Those Texas Ruby Reds are just as delicious as they are good for you.4. Sweet Potatoes This starchy vegetable is packed with fi ber and vitamin A (as carotenoids) which are important for vision health. Choose sweet potatoes over regular pota-toes but avoid over doing

the brown sugar, butter, or marshmallows. Have you tried “French frying” them by cutting and them baking them in the oven? This is my family’s favorite way to enjoy them.5. Berries Blueber-ries, strawberries, and other varieties are packed with antioxidants, and fi ber. Make a parfait of fruit and nonfat yogurt for a great new dessert.6. Tomatoes Every-one can fi nd a way to enjoy this old standby. No matter how you like your tomatoes – pureed, raw, or in a sauce, you’ll get vital nutrients such as vitamins B C and iron.7. Fish with Omega 3s Salmon, albacore tune, mackerel, halibut and her-ring are high in omega 3 fatty acids which are impor-tant for heart health. Just stay away from breaded or fried versions. 8. Whole Grains such as oatmeal or pearled barley

are loaded with fi ber, potas-sium, chromium, omega 3 fatty acids, and folate. The germ and bran of whole grains contain the nutri-ents a grain product offers. Processed grains such as breads made from enriched wheat don’t contain these vital nutrients.9. Nuts An ounce of nuts can go a long way in providing key healthy fats and managing hunger. Nuts also give you a dose of magnesium and fi ber. Some nuts and seeds such as walnuts and fl ax seed also contain omega 3 fatty acids.10. Fat free milk and yogurt Dairy products help build strong bones and teeth. Many fortifi ed dairy products are also a good source of calcium and vitamin D. Research is emerging about the connec-tion between vitamin D and good health.

October Meeting HighlightsEveryone a� ending the October meeting was able to learn about Stilwell, a great re-tirement residence in Waco. Bob Bob HerndonHerndon, , Herndon, HerndonHerndon, Herndon shared with an entertaining power point, everyday life experi-ences at Stilwell. Stilwell provides residents with comradeship, good food, entertainment and much more for a very reasonable cost. HARTA members asked about the possibility of one closer to Houston. Maybe in the future, who knows?

about Stilwell, a great re-residence in Waco. shared with an entertaining point, everyday life experi-Stilwell. Stilwell provides with comradeship, good entertainment and much for a very reasonable cost.

HARTA members asked about the possibility of one

http://www.trta.org/ Check out the TRTA website for the latest legislative news. Highlighted is news regard-ing the pension trust fund and the TRS-Care health insurance program. TRS health care fi nancial concerns include to increased medical cost. There is better news regarding the TRS trust fund - the fund earnings exceed-ed 15 percent this year.

http://www.lonestar.edu/ Another excellent website! Lone Star offers many interesting classes. There is a book club, a movie club as well as classes on a variety of top-ics. Call 281-312-1750 or email Pat Chandler “Chandler, Patricia ” <Patricia.L.Chandler@lonestar.edu>to ask to be put on the mailing list.

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In Our PrayersIllness: Bruce Robinson, Josie Robinson’s husband, get well cards are welcomed;Tim Lee, Executive Director of TRTA is recovering from a serious illness; Bonnie Longion, at home recovering from surgery; prayers go out to Carol Parten’s husband, Ed, who is undergoing medical treatmentsCondolences: to the family of Travis Sampley who died earlier this month.

Susan Burroughs Benefi ts Chair

Your TRTA hearing plan is designed so that all members and their spouses can take advantage of their services, even if they don’t currently own or need a hearing aid. If you don’t use a hearing aid: • Annual hearing screening at no charge.

• Annual hearing screenings at no charge. • FREE hearing aid screening. • FREE fi t and performance adjustments. • FREE hearing aid analysis.

If you need a hearing aid:If you need a hearing aid: • A 10% discount off your provider’s everyday published pricing. • All follow-up care – FREE • All reprogramming and adjustment of digital and programmable hearing aids – FREE • Two-year repair warranty – Free • A two-year supply of batteries – FREE • A 30-day trial period with a maximum 10% restocking fee.If you would like to fi nd the TRTA Hearing Plan Provider in your area, call 1-866-478-8782 or visit online at www.If you would like to fi nd the TRTA Hearing Plan Provider in your area, call 1-866-478-8782 or visit online at www.If you would like to fi nd the TRTA Hearing Plan Provider in your area, call 1-866-478-8782 or visit online at www.If you would like to fi nd the TRTA Hearing Plan Provider in your area, call 1-866-478-8782 or visit online at www.

If you don’t use a hearing aid: • Annual hearing screening at no charge.

• Annual hearing screenings at no charge. • FREE hearing aid screening. • FREE fi t and performance adjustments. • FREE hearing aid analysis.

• A 10% discount off your provider’s everyday published pricing. • All follow-up care – FREE • All reprogramming and adjustment of digital and programmable hearing aids – FREE • Two-year repair warranty – Free • A two-year supply of batteries – FREE • A 30-day trial period with a maximum 10% restocking fee.

Desserts for December MeetingThanks to the following members for

volunteering to bring desserts.

•Eileen Debo •Sherian Doyle•Karen Nypaver •Susan Clark•Shirley Meeker •Juanita Jordan•Linda Rhodes •Latreca Black•Barbara Buckow

Centerpieces for December MeetingThanks to the following members for volunteering to bring centerpieces.

•Linda Avina •Eileen Debo•Cheryl Moore •Judy Taylor•Juanita Jordan •Jane Turner•Gayle Cunningham •Cheryl Reid•Patsy Spi� miller • Mary Widmier

Each member attending the luncheon brings a favorite dish to share. Dig out those family recipes and wow your friends!Our annual Holiday Gift Auction is planned for the December meeting. Join in the fun. Everyone donates a wrapped gift worth abut $5.00. To facilitate the bidding, wrapped gift worth abut $5.00. To facilitate the bidding, wrapped gifta basket is placed in front of each gift where you may place as many bids as you wish. Tickets are $1 for 10 tickets! This is a fun way to donate to our scholarship fund. Come early and start bidding and take home a great gift!

your friends!

h� p://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEH4Yum4nN4&feature=youtube_gdata_playere MUST watch this. I promise you will LAUGH out loud! (just copy and paste this e-address)

at the October meeting, announced her candidacy Harris County

If you were at the meeting last month you saw LOTS & LOTS of canned goods collected for HAMM (We even exercised with some!).. We received a exercised with some!).. We received a lovely thank you note:

Dan Huberty, Texas House RepresentativeDan Huberty, Texas House Representative

The Teacher Retirement System of Texas just held an annual briefi ng on the state of their pension fund, health care fund, and TRS-Care. I am happy to report that the TRS pension is out-performing most pen-sion funds in the country, and has increased in market value from $95.7 billion at the end of August 2010, to $107.4 billion as of August 31, 2011- a very good sign for our retired teachers! Fortunately, the legisla-ture listened to our constituents and kept the fund relatively unchanged last session. I want to personally

thank each of you who traveled to the Capitol in Austin to speak your voice and educate my fellow members about the growth and positive return of the fund. The House and Senate protected the pension fund in a climate in which there was a big push to change it to a much more risky system.

Listening to the actuaries and accountants at the TRS briefi ng, I realized how fortunate our retired teachers are in Texas. In the past year, the fund has exceeded expectations and has seen a 15.5% return on market value- the average across the nation is only 8%. The fund, if current contributions stay the same, is projected to have suffi cient assets to make benefi t payments through 2075- something that gives me a lot of hope for our new teachers. I am, however, concerned about the future and what we, as a legislature, will need to do in the coming years to insure that growth continues and that our fund remains actuarially sound.

Greetings from Dr. Guy Sconzo Dear HARTA Family

Members:

I hope this finds all of you excited and getting ready for the holidays!

While I can’t believe Thanksgiving and the Christmas season are up on us, I also feel like they are not coming a day too soon for me!

As we continue to all work through the challenges of having to do more with less, I am very pleased to let you know that our Board unanimously approved salary increases for all employees this year! While the increases are no where near what we would have wanted to provide, I am very grateful to our Board for doing the most they could, especially at a time when virtually no other school district in the state is awarding salary increases this year. I also want to again thank Rep. Huberty for all of his support and help this past legislative session. He stayed focused on dong the best he could

for our district and while in the end, legislation he co-authored that would have significantly reduced our cut in state funding did not get the votes needed for passage, he worked very hard to protect our funding. I honestly believe that without his work, we would have suffered greater losses in state funding this biennium.

We are not just settling for having to do more with less for our students, our Board approved our joining the School Finance lawsuit! We will again be a co-plaintiff suing the state for grossly inadequate and inequitable funding at a time when the state is dramatically increasing standards and expectations. Much more to come on this as the litigation gets underway.

Finally, I want to be sure you are aware of the Board’s approval of my recommendation that changes Board elections on a going forward basis. This is in response to the Texas Legislature’s passage of S.B. 100 which is aligned to the Federal Military and

Overseas Empowerment Voter Act. While this is a good piece of legislation in that it makes voting in primary elections easier and more accessible, especially for our men and women serving overseas, it has had an unintended consequence as it relates to May School Board elections.

With S.B. 100 changing primary elections, we were notified by the Harris County Election Board that they can no longer support (provide voting equipment) May School Board elections in even numbered years. Since we must, under another existing state law, align our Board elections with a city municipality within the boundaries of our district, we have the choice to either remain with the City of Humble elections in an every other year (odd numbered years) election cycle, or join the City of Houston in a November elections cycle. In either scenario, our Board would have to vote to extend current Trustee terms in order to get on a different elections cycle.

In addition to not wanting Board elections to become the 15th page on a November general election ballot, there is a very real fiscal impact that caused me to recommend our staying with May elections. Our total cost for May elections prospectively would be approximately $19,400 every other year. Our total cost for November elections would be approximately $85,000 as estimated by the Harris County Clerk’s Office.

Our Board’s support of my recommendation now has been sent to the Department of Justice for their review and action. For now, however, please note that there will be no May 2012 School Board elections. The next School Board elections will be set for May 2013.

As always, thank you for being a part of a HARTA and making such an important difference for our district!

Sincerely,Guy

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DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS!

3- John Canady, 4- Joan Grajek, 5- Nancy Bryan, Shirley Meeker, JoCarol Wells, 7- Toni Gentili, 8- Autumn Hawes, Don Signorelli, 9- Beverly Silloway, Julia Winicki, 10- Harry Elrod, 11- Dorma

Kindle, JoNell Parker, 12- Marian Mannix, 14- James Ellis, Susan Lastrapes, 15- Judy Mulroy, Lorie Wright, 18- Ruth Depew, Mindy Pearson, 19- Sandra Landtroop, 21- Irmgard Davis, Diane Newport, 23- Wanda LeGrand, 24- Be� e Guillo, Brenda Pearson, 25-Mary Layton-Taylor, Gloria Nath, 26- Angela Doepping, 29- Lois Wellborn, 31- Peggy Bussard, Artie DeHart, Wendie Wilder.

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS!

1- Peggy Hanks, Sue Ellen Waters, 2- Terri Parker, 3- Janie Gray, 4- Kay Signorelli, Gloria Vallejo, 6- Barbara Hamblem, Joy Stokes, 7- Jerry Bagley, Diann Millstid, 8- Judi Adler, Gerard Probandt, 9- Ruth Meredith, 10- Nancy Rogers, 11- Lula Green, 12- Sharon Hensarling, Kent Spi� miller, Cheryl Williams, 15- Carolyn Austin, Clo Berlin, Cynthia Jones, Johnnie Faye Jones, Kay McCleney, 17- Martin Gastrell, 19- Juanita Jordan, 20-

Nancy Arnold, 22- Dorothy Shive, 23- Irma Brownlow, 26- Be� y Faircloth, Billy Ham-blem, Marcy Keating, 27- Ian Adler, Roslyn Berger, 28- Glenda Chapman, 29- Kevin Grajek, Bill Kovacs

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Happy Birthday!

Vacation Time FunOh, Yes, We Know How to Have

FUN!

The 3 Texas Tenors were FABULOUS! Good Time For

All!

Cleopatra and her friend was seen at the KING TUT exhibit! Oh no, they are Pat and Charles Dinhoble, in disguise!Fun!

Jeannette Minica, my sister Eula McKown took to the Up-per Peninsula of Michigan with RAAPS of the First Pres-byterian Church of Kingwood. We traveled by tour coach and visited the Clinton Presidential Museum and the Gerald Ford Museum as well as other museums. Also, we toured Mackinac Island and traveled through the locks at Sault Saint Marie. It was an eleven day trip, September 30 to October 10. The weather was beautiful; we were thankful for a break from the heat at that time. We saw fall foliage and beautiful sunsets over Lake Michigan. Wonderful event shared by Julia Nation.

John & Mary Widmier celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with their family at Maroon Bell National Park.near Aspen Colorado, what a fantastic way to celebrate!

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