WACO-MCLENNAN COUNTY RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION - TRTA LOCAL UNIT DIRECTORY
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Waco-McLennan County
Retired Teachers Association
March/April 2020
From the President
-- Gary Bender
We enjoyed a wonderful meeting for our March Luncheon. Attending
were more than 60 members and guests. TCP Catering, Danny
Vickers, catered our luncheon this year serving a wonderful Chicken
Cordon Bleu meal. Thanks to all who made our luncheon a success
with decorations, raffle information and the greeting table with
membership registration for 2020-2021.
Rusty Garrett, Retired Chief Weather Anchor for KWTX News 10, was
our guest speaker. Accompanying Rusty on his many adventures since
retiring was his lovely wife, Ann. A proud native Texan, Rusty has been
a student of weather science since high school in his hometown of
Victoria, Texas as a radio announcer. Following his career in radio,
Rusty embarked on his television career as head of weather departments in Longview/Tyler,
Lufkin/Nacogdoches and now for nearly 30 years in
Central Texas! Rusty's community involvement has
made him one of the most recognized leaders in our
community. He has tirelessly spearheaded Project
Tornado, a 16-county school weather safety
program. He shared with members the best safety
prevention for the home is to purchase a NOAA
radio. The most vulnerable time to be caught off
guard by a tornado is when a family is asleep. This
weather alert radio will wake residents with its
emergency alert for the impending risk for your
area. Awakening to the alert gives time for the
family to reach the safest area of the home, an Rusty Garrett
interior room absent of windows. This usually is a
bathroom which is more stable with the added structure of this room. Additionally, Rusty still
serves as local chairman for the U.S. Marine Corps "Toys for Tots" Christmas campaign.
Rusty and Ann now lead vacation trips and have one scheduled for early summer. We are
thankful for having Rusty and Ann share with WMRTA attendees.
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Delegates for the TRTA state
convention in April were confirmed.
We received notice that this year’s
67th TRTA Convention has been
canceled. WMRTA will receive
information for state business and
to vote on state officers.
April and May meetings for WMRTA
have been cancelled due to the
current health pandemic. We will
keep you informed when our next
meeting is scheduled.
Be vigilant, stay safe and respond
to symptoms. Blessings!
Spotlight
Informative & Protective Services
--Merrikay Shade, I&PS Chair
The goal of the Informative and Protective Services is to provide
information and strategies whereby members can protect
themselves from scams, fraud, recalls, natural disasters,
potential accidents, and health concerns. Each month I
research new items that will be beneficial to our members. I&PS
involves health issues, as well as safety concerns. Every day we
see new scams reported on the news that make us wary to even
venture out into the world; however, our members have always been active and aware of the
world surrounding them and will always choose to stay that way. It is this lifestyle that keeping
members aware becomes reassuring that we are on top of the latest information to keep
ourselves relevant and safe.
As an organization, we have extremely educated and savvy members. The introduction of
local agencies and personnel make our lives even more protected, as we become acquainted
with resources which we can access with ease. As members share concerns, it is the job of
the I&PS chair to find local organizations that will be the most helpful.
Living safely and living informed are areas that all are interested in attaining. Keep reading
the newsletter and attending meetings for more information each month.
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April Is Here!
April’s changeable weather can turn turbulent with stormy winds that roar like a lion. Be
cautious of home repair construction workers coming door to door after spring storms.
If you are a homeowner, it’s not uncommon to have contractors show up on your doorstep
uninvited. They say they happened to be doing some work in the neighborhood and noticed
that your house needs some repairs too. They’ll offer to fix or perform your repairs, for what
sounds like a great price. When that happens, be wary. The smiling fix-it man or woman at
your door might turn out to be an unscrupulous contractor or an outright con artist, out to
fleece you with a home improvement scam.
DO’S
• Do insist on seeing references. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends asking
past customers detailed questions, including whether the project was completed on time and
if there were unexpected costs. The FTC also suggests asking the contractor if you can visit a
job currently in progress.
• Do require a bid in writing and compare bids from multiple contractors before agreeing to
any work.
• Do check the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website to see contractors’ ratings and whether
any complaints have been filed against them.
• Do get a written contract before you pay any money and before the work starts.
• Do read the fine print. The BBB says a contract should include a detailed description of the
work, material costs, start and completion dates, and warranty information.
• Do verify, before you make the final payment, that all work has been completed to your
satisfaction, any subcontractors or suppliers have been paid and the job site has been
cleaned up.
DON’T’S
• Don’t pay cash. The FTC recommends using a check or credit card, or arranging financing.
• Don’t put down a big deposit. The initial payment should be no more than a third of the total
estimate, payable on the day the materials arrive.
• Don’t automatically take the lowest bid. Some contractors cut corners to come in lower than
competitors, according to the BBB. The FTC recommends that if one contractor’s estimate is
significantly less than those of competitors, ask why.
• Don’t let the contractor arrange financing for you. The FTC warns that you might be tricked
into signing up for a home-equity loan with hefty fees or a high interest rate, or one in which
the lender pays the contractor directly, giving him or her little incentive to complete the job.
--AARP.com Home Improvement Scams
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Humana Go 365 Program…Gift Cards for You
--Karen Kay
One of our members mentioned she got a gift card last year from Humana for her wellness
visits and activities. I decided I needed to explore that further since I just started with Humana
last September. I called the phone number on the back of my card (1-800-320-9566). When
prompted to choose a number for phone routing, I said “representative” to get someone to
answer. Be sure to have your Humana ID number handy. I found that everyone is enrolled
and wellness doctor visits were already “on account.” The program is to encourage wellness
and healthy activities up to $200 per year. I already met my yearly quota on social activities
for $20. Volunteer work, our monthly meetings, and game nights with friends are just a few
qualifying social activities. My minimum eight workouts a month has already given me $10
rewards for Jan. and Feb. When I get my mammogram in April, it will be worth $30. My
annual checkup with be worth $25. Flu shot is $10 credit. There are other categories that
count. The representative is sending me a packet with the information along with a workout
tracker form to send in. You have to claim your gift cards in the same calendar year. I have
$30 gift card to Walmart coming already. There are other gift card options. You can wait until
the end of the year or do it in increments. I suggest everyone in Humana take advantage of
this before we roll into another health plan next year. You will not automatically get your gift
cards; you have to contact them.
WMRTA March/April Member Benefits
--Lynn Allen, Member Benefits Chair
BENEFITS
MASA – Medical Air Services Association provides lifesaving emergency assistance from
home or while traveling. Protects TRTA members against catastrophic financial loss when
emergencies arise.
DISCOUNTS – Summer Vacation is right around the corner.
Texas Mobile Imaging offers three painless cardiovascular ultrasounds for the early
detection and prevention of stroke due to fatty plaque buildup in the carotid arteries of the
neck, sudden death from rupture of an unfound abdominal aorta aneurysm and leg
amputation due to (P.A.D.), which is blocked arteries in the legs. TRTA Members receive a
discounted price of $110 ($135 regularly) for all three vascular scans ($300 - $1500 each in
hospital) which will also include complimentary ultrasound scans of the thyroid, gall bladder,
liver and kidneys for any stones, cysts, or tumors that could be cancerous, as well a
complimentary heart rhythm screening for atrial fibrillation.
American Hearing Benefits • 1.888.200.5701 •
www.americanhearingbenefits.com/partners/amba •
Complete hearing evaluation, warranty on digital hearing technology aids in any style, loss
and damage protection, and batteries with a complete benefit package. Use code AMBA
AMBATravelPerx • 1.800.480.4080 • www.ambatravelperx.com •
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Membership News – JOIN NOW!
--Walter Drake, Membership Chair!
YES! WE ARE OPEN FOR MEMBERSHIPS!
WMRTA is ready and able to receive your 2020-21 membership
forms and to enroll you on the TRTA and WMRTA rosters. TRTA is
more than 97,000 members strong and reaching toward 100
thousand and beyond. TRTA IS THE LEADING VOICE AND
RECOGNIZED LEADER ON ALL TRS MATTERS. See Tim Lee’s
lead article in the 2020 first quarter edition of THE VOICE. Our
membership form is attached to this newsletter. Click this link for the 2020-2021
MEMBERSHIP FORM.
If you have trouble printing the form e-mail, our membership chairman, Walter Drake, at
wdrake@grandecom.net or call 776-5960 – We will get a copy to you. JOIN NOW!
March/April Business Sponsors
Let our sponsors know we appreciate their support when using their services!
• City Tire & Battery – (254)752-9291
• Elevate Performance Automotive – (254)374-7003
• St. Paul’s U.C.C. – (254)822-1115
• Placements Unlimited – (254)741-0526
• Keller Williams Advantage Realty – (254)870-9800
• Standard Hat Works – (254)754-4287
• Infamous Ink Tattoo – (254)757-1903
• Camille Johnson Realtors – (254)315-7362
Important Links:
• WMRTA Email Address –wmrta.local@gmail.com
• WMRTA Webpage - https://localunits.org/waco/
• WMRTA Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/wmrta500
• TRTA Inside Line - TRTA Inside Line
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Healthy Living Tips
--Liz Smiley, Healthy Living Chair
10 Tips for Longevity--Healthy habits may slow aging at a cellular
level.
1. Be conscientious, pay attention to detail and think through
things.
2. Make friends; be social.
3. Choose your friends wisely; friends with a healthy lifestyle.
4. Quit smoking.
5. Take naps; get good sleep.
6. Follow the Mediterranean Diet.
7. Eat a diet full of green and yellow vegetables.
8. Get married; married people tend to live longer.
9. Lose weight.
10. Keep moving.
Joke: Out of the mouths of babes
One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes. She suddenly noticed
a few strands of white hair in striking contrast to her mother’s brunette hair.
She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, “Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?”
Her mother replied, “Well, every time you do something wrong or make me cry or unhappy,
one of my hairs turns white.”
The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, “Momma, how come ALL
of grandma’s hair is white?”
Dr Geezer's Clinic
--Merrikay Shade, Inspirations
A retired doctor became very bored in retirement and decided to open a medical clinic.
He put a sign up outside that said: "Dr. Geezer's Clinic. Get your treatment for $500. If not
cured, get back $1,000."
Doctor Young, who was positive that this old geezer didn't know beans about medicine,
thought this would be a great opportunity to get $$$. So he went to Dr. Geezer's clinic.
Dr. Young: "Dr. Geezer, I have lost all taste in my mouth. Can you please help me?"
Dr. Geezer: "Nurse, please bring medicine from box 22 and put 3 drops in Dr. Young's
mouth."
Dr. Young: "Aaagh! -- This is gasoline!"
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Dr. Geezer: "Congratulations! You've got your taste back. That will be $500."
Dr. Young gets annoyed and goes back after a couple of days figuring to recover his money.
Dr. Young: "I have lost my memory; I cannot remember anything."
Dr. Geezer: "Nurse, please bring medicine from box 22 and put 3 drops in the patient's
mouth."
Dr. Young: "Oh, no you don't ... that is gasoline!"
Dr. Geezer: "Congratulations! You've got your memory back. That will be $500."
Dr. Young (after having lost $1000) leaves angrily and comes back after several more days.
Dr. Young: "My eyesight has become weak; I can hardly see anything!"
Dr. Geezer: "Well, I don't have any medicine for that so, here's your $1000 back" (giving him
a $10 bill).
Dr. Young: "But this is only $10!"
Dr. Geezer: "Congratulations! You got your vision back! That will be $500."
Moral of story: Just because you're "young" doesn't mean that you can outsmart an "old
Geezer."
Remember: Don't make old people mad. We don't like being old in the first place, so it doesn't
take much to tick us off.
ENJOY YOUR DAY!
Reminder: Due to Covid-19 restrictions, WMRTA meetings are
cancelled until further notice.
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