PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE:  Pat Trenchard   203-915-2509

Greetings everyone,

Unfortunately, we were unable to meet last month, due to the snowstorm.  It was nice to see the ground covered in white, and it was even nicer to see it melt so fast.  March did indeed come in like a lion, hopefully it will go out like a lamb, and we will have no more cancellations this year. I hope to see everyone at the next meeting.  Phyllis, as usual, has a great program in store for us.  Bring a (senior) friend, and hopefully we can get our membership back up to what it used to be.  See you soon.

Stay healthy and safe

Pat

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REMINDER:  Meetings are now being held at the Southington Police Department, 69 Lazy

Lane.

 

PROGRAMS AND ENTERTAINMENT:  Chair:  Phyllis Wade:  860-621-2754

Our speaker for our March 28th membership meeting will be from DellaVecchia Funeral Home.  I'm sure we (seniors) will find this very interesting.

 

WAYS AND MEANS:  Chair:  Rachel Wache   860-621-0890

For our March 28th membership meeting we will raffle a “movie themed” gift basket, which includes two (2) theater tickets donated by Southington AMC.  Raffle tickets are:  3 for $1.00 or 7 for $2.00.

 

NO BAKE – BAKE SALE:  This is one of our annual fundraisers, instead of shopping, baking, and selling and all that that involves, we ask that you just donate what you think it would have cost you if you did bake something, or whatever you feel is appropriate or within your budget, it can even be given anonymously if you prefer.  Envelopes will be available at our March 28th meeting.  If you cannot attend the meeting, you may mail your check made out to: AARP Southington Chapter #4943 and mail it to: Ann Houle, 21 Wheeler Village Road, Southington, CT 06489.

 

50/50 RAFFLE:  Chairs:  Sharon Kupiec and Shirley Mason

Everyone loves the fun of having a chance to win money.  Raffle tickets are:  3 for $1.00 or 7 for $2.00. 

 

Buying raffle tickets gives you an opportunity to win money or gift items but also helps our Chapter raise money, which in turn helps us stay within our budget for our charitable donations, entertainment, etc.  Please come early to meetings to purchase your tickets.  We thank you for your participation.

 

INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE:  An AARP Tax Aide will be available at the Calendar House until April 14th, Tuesdays and Fridays, mornings from 9-11, for low and moderate income senior citizens ONLY by appointment.  See details in the monthly Calendar House Senior Center bulletin or call 860-621-3014.

 

SOUTHINGTON COMMUNITY SERVICES:  Chair:  Walter Jones   860-538-3473

Nonperishable (canned and packaged) food, personal care items, paper goods, even food for their pets are needed along with household items like laundry and dish soap, etc.  We have a very large number of people in our town who find themselves in a situation right now, maybe for the first time, where they really need some assistance.  The items we donate become available at SCS for Southington residents who need a little extra help to get by.  Thank you to all who contribute.  Your donations are truly appreciated.  Grocery bags: plastic, paper, or totes for people to carry their groceries home are needed.  If you have any that you won’t be using, please bring them to our meetings instead of tossing them out.  This is a “no cost to you” way to help others.  

 

WHITE SOCKS FOR OUR NEIGHBORS-IN-NEED:  Chair:  Shirley Mason   860-628-8970

The people, including families, who receive meals at Bread for Life, 31 Vermont Ave., Southington, CT, and those who go to Southington Community Services, 91 Norton St., Plantsville, CT for groceries and other much needed items; clothing, etc. will benefit from our donations of socks.  This is a year-round need, not just in winter.  Please donate new white socks, all sizes, for men, women, and children.  Bring them to Shirley at our meetings.

 

NEWSLETTER:   Chair:  Ann Houle   860-307-0774

Our newsletter is available for pick-up at the Calendar House or Southington Library.  It can also be seen on our website www.AVS4943.org.  The newest one each month is normally at these places by the Tuesday of the week after our Board Meeting (see calendar below).  Please call me if you have any questions about our Newsletters or if you have any suggestions of things that you think should be included.  If you want to receive Newsletters by mail directly to your home you must supply me with stamped, self-addressed, legal-size envelopes.

 

BOX TOPS and LABELS:  These items help get much needed supplies for our schools.  Please check them,  

I noticed that they have expiration dates.

PULL-TABS:  The Shriners use the proceeds from these to obtain medical equipment for the Children’s Hospital. 

 

Please continue to collect these little items as they help in a big way.  Bring them to Ann at meetings.

 

MEMBERSHIP:  Chair:  Ann Houle   860-307-0774

Annual dues are still only $10.00.  You may pay ahead up to the expiration date of your National membership.  There are still members who have not renewed for 2023.  Please look at your Chapter card, if your Chapter Expiration Date is 12/31/22 or older you need to renew.  Also, your National AARP membership card must be current.  Please arrive early to a meeting so we can renew your membership; have in hand the exact cash or your check (made out ahead to AARP Southington Chapter #4943).  You may renew by mail.  Send your check (please, no cash), address label from your latest (National) AARP Magazine or AARP Bulletin, your Chapter card and a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:  Ann Houle, 21   Wheeler Village Road, Southington, CT 06489.

 

CHAPTER CARD:  Please call me to get a replacement if you do not have yours.  You may also call me to find out if your membership has expired so you can come to our March 28th meeting prepared to pay your dues.

 

OUR SLOGAN:  RECRUIT ONE!  To keep our Chapter strong we must keep our current members, bring back former members who have not yet renewed their membership, and recruit new people to join.  To increase our membership we depend on you, our members, to invite your (senior: age 50 and up) family and friends to a meeting so they can enjoy time with us and consider joining.  They must belong to the National organization of AARP to join.  As a guest they are welcome to a meeting.  Most visitors do join!

 

SUNSHINE:  Chair:  Janet Ferracci-Carter   860-628-4491

Please, let me know as soon as you hear of a member who is sick, in the hospital, the death of an AARP member or of the death of an AARP member’s close family member.  An appropriate greeting card will be sent.

 

SOCIAL COMMITTEE:  Co-Chairs:   Judy Keller, Margaret Lavorgna and Walter Jones

Thank you to these members who volunteered to provide refreshments for our March 28th membership meeting:

              Sandwiches:   Ann Houle and Rachel Wache

               Desserts:  Christine Kwiat, and Lillian Sewell 

 

                                                                             CALENDAR

         Tuesday              March 28, 2023    1:00pm     Membership Meeting at the Southington Police Dept.

         Wednesday      April 12, 2023       1:00pm     Board of Directors’ meeting at the Calendar House.

         Tuesday              April 25, 2023       1:00pm     Membership Meeting at the Southington Police Dept.

 

Spring WILL come but the snow storm that cancelled February’s meeting told us that winter is still here!

 

Stay informed.  If nasty weather conditions cause us to cancel a meeting, you can find out by watching WFSB Channel 3 after 9:00am.  Also, if Southington Schools are closed or close early, we will not meet for that monthly meeting.  Sorry, we do not have a make-up day for that month.

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