PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - Yakima County School Retiree's ...
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A Newsletter for Yakima County School Retirees February 2019
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Kathy Fletcher
Happy New Year to all of you.
My Book Club just read “The Book of Joy”
by Douglas Abrams. The theme is how to find
lasting happiness in a changing world. Doug-
las Abrams is present for a week long meeting
between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and
Archbishop Desmond Tutu. These two friends
wanted to celebrate their birthdays together
and in the process leave the world with some-
thing to celebrate - a look into their views and
experiences mixed with scientific knowledge.
They asked Mr. Abrams to be present and
weave their ideas together along with his own thoughts.
Two nuggets that I came away with are:
1. You are responsible for your own joy and
2. Helping someone else is a sure way to find joy.
That being said, I am hoping that some of you in YCSRA will find joy by
volunteering to help us form a membership
~ team to go into schools in the
Yakima Valley. The time commitment need not be huge. Are you willing to contact the school district where you
worked (or a different district) and gain permission for us to come to make a short presentation to a staff ? Or
would you be willing to accompany our team into schools in the district where you worked so that YCSRA has
“gravitas”? Or would you like to be a spokesman in a presentation? Or are you able to arrange for us to address
noncertificated personnel in any school district?
Membership = Power = Clout = Change
YCSRA represents all the school district employees in Yakima and the Upper and Lower Valley. We have never
been into the schools in Grandview, Granger, Sunnyside, Mabton. It has been a long time since we visited White
Swan, Wapato, Zillah. Please take this opportunity to do something for someone else.
Contact Kathy Fletcher, fletcherk@charter.net or 509-654-0350.
Food for thought-
Our greatest joy is when we seek to do good for others.THE VOICE PAGE 2
MEETING DETAILS
Board of Directors
President
Kathy Fletcher
509 424 3814
Monday, February 4
Secretary
Linda Trepanier Location Englewood Christian Church, 511 N. 44th Avenue
509 966 7430
Social Time 12:30pm
Treasurer/Community Service
Carolyn Wilson Program 1:00pm “Let’s Talk: Heart to Heart” presented by
509 952 1911 Sandra Linder Vogel, RN
Assistant Treasurer Food Drawing Prizes
Sylvia Hall Marion Mann 452 4263 Norma Haney 966 6441
509 225 9349 Peggy Campbell 453 1680 Linda Trepanier 966 7430
Health Services/Memorials Lorry Evert 961 0125 Lorry Evert 961 0125
Lorry Evert-Garvin Cherie Bergerron 452 8478 Paul Schafer 453 2606
509 961 0125 Sheila Wilson 969 8981 Jan Saxton 658 1527
Legislative
Larry Scholl If you have changed your email
509 966 0801 Make sure we have address in the last year, please send
Membership me a corrected one. Thanks!
Joyce Meeker your proper email Sandy Gavin
509 837 7724 sandyg1948@gmail.com
Retirement
Paul Schafer
509 453 2606
Social We’ve launched our new website!
Peggy Young Come check it out.
509 453 7250
www.yakimacountysra.org
Historian
Peggy Campbell
509 453 1680
Sunshine
Millie Stenehjem
509 966 3409
Opinions expressed in The Voice Attention All M
Web Coordinator embers:
are those of the authors and do not I need your help
Sandy Gavin so I can do my
necessarily represent the view of the job. Please send
509 678 4524 or call me with
YCSRA Board or the editors. names of peop
Outreach le who need
Editorial contributions and articles as WSSRA greetin
Jan Saxton gs. I will send ou
well as ideas for articles are get well wishes, t
509 658 1527 condolences, th
yous, congratula ank
Welcome/Registration welcome. The deadline is the 15th tions, thinking
you, etc. on your of
Jan Saxton of each month. Send information to behalf.
509 658 1527 Kathy Schultz. Email: cmsteneh
jem@msn.com
509-966-3409. or
Linda Lockwood Co-editors Leave a message
no one answers. if
509 961 5571 Kathy Schultz • 509 966 9341
Mini-grants chevyhvn@charter.net
Kathy Schultz ~ Millie Steneh
509 966 9341 Eric Patrick • 509 985 7768 jem
ecpatrick@charter.netwww.yakimacountysra.org PAGE 3
“Let’s Talk: Heart to Heart”
February program presented by Sandra Linder Vogel, RN
Topics will include: How the heart works, B/P Guidelines, Medications, Exercise guidelines for bal-
ance and strength, walking program guidelines, signs for heart attack and stroke and new “Hands
Only” CPR guidelines.
Graduating in 1979 with an Associate Degree in Nursing from Yakima Valley Community College
and becoming a Registered Nurse, Sandra began her nursing career with extensive training in Inten-
sive Care Nursing, working in the ICU and CCU at Providence Yakima Regional Medical Center,
where she would later (1998-2001) serve as lead RN and Cardiac Nurse Therapist (CNT), assisting in the development of a new
Cardiac Rehabilitation program, implementing standing orders for all patients with coronary events, and orienting new physi-
cians, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Assistants.
Before coming to the Medical Center, Sandra was Program Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation at Yakima Heart Center (1983-
1998). In 1989 she earned her Certification as CNT and became a founding member and developer of the Washington State
Association of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
Sandra worked at Inland Cardiology (2001-2003), co-managing the nursing staff and handling a host of vital activities, from
staff hiring, training, evaluation, and scheduling to establishing nursing policies and procedures, troubleshooting medical
equipment, testing Electronic Medical Record systems, providing phone triage, coordinating clinics and more, in addition to her
clinical responsibilities.
Working at Berkeley HeartLab since 2003, Sandra Vogel is currently a Clinical Liaison with Quest Diagnostics, supporting
Physicians and Medical providers with knowledge to interpret Advanced Lipid test results and discuss treatment options for pa-
tients. Through Teleconferencing / Webinars, or in-person visits, she provides up-to-date data and research and puts Providers
in touch with other clinicians to provide information and support within the Disease Management Program.
Sandra retired in June 2018 after a career spanning 39 years.
Question of the Month
?
Compiled by Judy Markham
We all enjoy a delicious meal. Where is your favorite place Yakima Steak House or
to eat that you would highly recommend to others? (equally good) Provisions.
Cowiche Canyon ~ Barbara T. ~ Kathy D.
Mel’s Diner for breakfast and Red Lobster for dinner. Yakima Steak House…
~ Don M. yum! Outback, Bob’s
I have eaten at EZ TIGER several times this fall. I‘ve Burgers, and Valley Italian and Pizza. ~ Nick S.
really enjoyed this different venue….yummy! ~ Carol M. Terrace Heights Provisions and Joy Garden (Korean)
Gasperetti’s! ~ Norma H. ~ Miscellaneous
Today, I would say Norms…I like the Cajun shrimp and Mama Valone’s in Cle Elum. ~ Marion M.
grits! ~ Linda L. I love four: Red Lobster, Olive Garden, El Porton,
I really enjoy Olive Garden. It is reasonably priced and and Whistlin’ Jack. ~ Peggy Y.
delicious. ~ Linda T. Whistlin’ Jacks. ~Shiela W.
I like to go to the White House. Their meals are I haven’t been too thrilled about restaurants in Yakima
presented in such an attractive manner. since Black Angus closed but, I do enjoy the seafood
~ Judy M. offerings at Red Lobster since fresh fish has gotten
For an evening out with my husband, I love the Yakima scarce with the closure of Deep Sea Deli. Oh, the good
Steak Company. Lunch out with friends, I enjoy the ol’ days!
White House. ~ Kathy S. ~Lorry E-GTHE VOICE PAGE 4
HEALTH MATTERS
By Lorry Evert-Garvin
So far the days of 2019 have been frigid, foggy and definitely dreary adding to depressed
feelings for many people. The weather has brought about a sort of isolation/hibernation
for many while waiting for spring. I happened upon an article in the “Parade” magazine in
our Sunday paper that made suggestions on how to brighten up feelings on these humdrum
days.
I’ll hit the high points because these appear to be on target:
• Add lots of vegetables to your diet - fresh, canned and even frozen, since it appears that veggies provide
melatonin which can be valuable in these winter months.
• Add flowers to your living space, especially yellow ones since that’s the color of sunlight.
• Gather your photo albums and choose happy memory pictures - put these photos into another album to focus
on happy times again.
• The article suggests laughing more than we do by finding things that really make us happy enough to laugh out
loud. (The one thing I picked was the Thanksgiving program of the TV show “WKRP in Cincinnati”- the late
70’s production where the idea of bombarding a shopping mall with live turkeys jettisoned from an airplane
seemed like a grand plan.)
• Surround yourself with more bright colors-clothes, household items, etc., anything that can add cheery color.
• Change your routine a bit by doing what you usually do at different times, coffee instead of tea or whatever
has been a habitual sequence for you. Another example is to skip an afternoon nap if this has become a habit.
• Exercise is often helpful for mood changes and even 5 minutes is beneficial, and moving around outside is
even better if the weather permits and doesn’t endanger you.
• Get outside for at least 10 minutes was another idea to soak in the
quiet beauty of the frozen season.
• The article suggests that you walk upright, with a steady
gait and with arm swings to benefit from good
posture and breathing.
• Lastly, smile more to pass along your happiness and
gather smiles in return.
As with everything else, care must be taken before you
venture out in the subfreezing using boots that are warm with
good tread, walks that have been cleared and de-iced (sanded
or salted), warm coat, mittens, hat (to not lose body heat) and
you have plenty of warm-ups like soups in the cupboard to get
you toasty when you return. If you have time on your hands, consider
some volunteer project since being needed is a big mental boost. Spring is
coming. I wish you happy days and good health.
You matter!www.yakimacountysra.org PAGE 5
LEGISLATIVE REPORT
By Larry Scholl
The new legislative session for 2019 began on Monday, January 14th.
District 13 will be represented by Senator Judy Warnick and Representative Tom Dent. Matt Manweller
overwhelmingly won re-election in District 13 but agreed to resign on the first day of the session amid accusations
of misconduct. His replacement should be announced by the time this report is published.
District 14 will be represented by Senator Curtis King, Representative Gina Mosbrucker and newly elected
Representative Chris Corry.
District 15 will be represented by Senator Jim Honeyford, Representative Bruce Chandler and newly elected
Representative Jeremie Dufault.
The WSSRA goals for this year may sound familiar. The organization is again striving to attain a permanent
COLA for Plan 1 TRS and PERS retirees. That is the only state retirement system that does not have a COLA built
into its retirement system. This last session we were able to get a one-time cost-of-living adjustment of 1.5%.
During the summer and fall, the bi-partisan Select Committee on Pension Policy has been meeting regularly.
That group of legislators has recommended to the legislature that a one-time 3% cost-of-living adjustment for Plan
1 TRS and PRS be funded during this legislative session.
A pension proposal coming out of the Select Committee
usually carries more weight than a proposal coming from
a single legislator. That 3% increase is also included in the
Governor’s proposed budget. WSSRA will continue to push
for a permanent COLA. WSSRA will continue to ask for an
increase in the Medicare Eligible Benefit and will aggressive-
ly strive to protect the existing benefit. WSSRA will again
try to get the Plan 2 Retirement system as the default system
for new hires into teaching. Currently, Plan 3 is the default
system. WSSRA continues to push for legislation lowering
the age that Plan 2 & 3 members can retire with full bene-
fits. WSSRA will strongly urge legislators to fully fund the
State Actuary’s recommended contribution into the state
retirement fund.
The make-up of the state legislature is overwhelmingly Democrat this session. Past experience has shown the
WSSRA that the make-up of the legislature is not necessarily predictive of what will happen to bills supported by
the WSSRA.
We need to be present and active in Olympia if we are to be heard. I plan to be in Olympia talking to all of
our legislators January 29th through January 31st. If you have not signed up to be part of a phone tree or provided
your email address to our legislative database, please do so immediately. Many times the difference between success
and failure in getting legislation passed in Olympia is the number of constituents who contact legislators asking for
support of a piece of legislation. It is absolutely critical that the WSSRA be able to “rally the troops” at a moment’s
notice to contact legislators. Legislators need to know that you are out there and are concerned about how they are
voting. Please do your part to protect your working conditions and retirement benefits. No one else is looking out
for you.Retirement Planning Workshop
The Retirement Planning Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, March 9, 2019
Yakima Valley Museum, 2105 Tieton Drive, Yakima, 8:30 am to 2:30 pm.
You are invited to attend if retirement is in your near future. There will be speakers from the Department of
Retirement Systems speaking about TRS & PERS plans 2 & 3. We have also invited representatives from the
insurance and investment communities along with banking, healthcare, and AMBA.
Please PREREGISTER by Saturday, March 2nd.
While day-of registration is an option, we are limited to 80
participants. To ensure your place, plan ahead!
Lunch and snacks are included in your workshop fee.
If you have a special diet, please bring your own food.
FEES:
Members of YCRSA $5
Member spouses $10
Non-members $15 To Pre-register
If you have questions, Send a check made out to YCSRA to:
contact Paul Schafer, Carol Mills
paulspostcards@hotmail.com 3409 Hillside Place
509 453 2606 or Yakima, WA 98908
cell 509 759 1307. memo line: retirement workshop
Wapato, WA 98951
3261 Lateral B
School Retirees’ Association
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