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The Huajilla Area Retired Teacher and Staff (HARTS) held its monthly meeting on Monday, October 27 at the First Baptist Church in Hondo beginning at 10 am. Lewis Stroud offered the opening prayer and blessing, followed by members singing “God Bless America.”
President Earline Schlortt welcomed the 50 members and 3 guests. A special welcome was extended to Sally Bader who recently retired from Hondo ISD as a high school business teacher. Schlortt then introduced the current officers including past president Marianne Garrett, then recognized Wendy Maxwell, Marianne Garrett, Ethel Martin, Kathleen Outlaw, Jean Sexton, Jim Rigby, including herself as October birthday celebrants, and Lewis Stroud, who will observe his birthday in November. Members honored birthday celebrants with the birthday song.
The minutes from the September meeting and the Treasurer’s report were accepted for filing
Communications Chair Betsy Polgue reported that a thank you note acknowledging Karen Muennink for scholarship funds donated in memory of her mother, May Belle Howard, as well as for Troy Langfeld, Joan Langfeld, Brenda Langley and Ted Outlaw. Nora Winkler, who has donated and stored numerous books for the Book Project, was also thanked for her hard work on the Book Project Committee.
Polgue has also sent sympathy cards to the families of former educators who have passed away and has sent get well cards to members who have had surgeries and other medical issues.
Membership chair Elaine Neuman reported that there are 172 state members and of those, 91 have local status.
Ken Hanson, Legislative Chair, reminded members to vote early, or on November 4 on the 17 state propositions as well for local communities who have additional items on the ballot. Members can log in the League of Women Voters site or the Medina.tx.org for additional explanations about the propositions.
Cindy Howard, Health and Safety chair, called attention to a home safety checklist handout and advised members to check with their doctor to determine whether they should get vaccinated against the flu, Covid, shingles, pneumonia and RSV.
In the absence of Darlene Haby, Howard added that the books in storage need to be moved and sorted prior to the December meeting when they will be distributed to various groups. Schlortt added that on National Night Out, members Bertha Benedetti and Cindy Howard in Medina Valley/Castroville; Irene Dubberly, Elaine Neuman, John and Evelyn McAnelly in Hondo, and Earline Schlortt, Dottie Weynand, Esther Johnson in D’Hanis, all manned a booth, giving out free books. There will be other opportunities to provide these books free for the taking.
Brenda Prestage, Volunteer Services chair, reminded members to keep up to date with their volunteer hours through the end of the year.
Newly assigned volunteers for the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation informed members that November is Foundation Month, but since no meeting is held in November, members were asked to donate at this meeting and at the January meeting.
Wendy Maxwell, New Teacher Basket chair, thanked all who helped her with the new teacher baskets which were presented to one new teacher at each of the schools in the area: D’Hanis, Devine, Medina Valley, Sabinal, Leakey and Pearsall, and many members were able to see the photos of the winners in the local newspapers. This was an opportunity for public school staff to be introduced to and learn about the retired segment of the education profession.
Schlortt introduced guests Melissa Ramos, District 20 TRTA President, and her husband, Jesse Ramos on the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation Board. Jesse indicated that a generous donation to TRTF has resulted in additional funds to members who have serious needs that may go beyond the $200 to $500 generally provided, citing examples such as victims of the Guadalupe River flooding. Additionally, first-year teacher grants and classroom teacher grants are available, and all applications can be completed online.
Melissa Ramos provided a brief summary of the District 20 Fall Conference in Boerne which was attended by 150 TRTA members from the 13-county area. Ramos touched on Social Security and the repeal of the WEP and the GPO, federal provisions which denied rightfully earned Social Security to public school, firefighters, and law enforcement retirees, citing that retirees were from “double-dipping” from two retirement systems. Issues continue with surviving spouses who were denied applying for the benefits due them from the deceased spouse’s contributions. Many older people who have received a one-year (2024) retroactive lump sum payment will be burdened with much higher taxes which they may not be able to afford. The myriad of scenarios often requires specific resolution from the Social Security Administration, so members must become their own advocate to search the answers to their specific situation.
Dottie Weynand added more information which was covered at the Fall Conference which was attended by nine HARTS members.
D’Anna Baucom, AMBA representative provided extensive information about lucrative financial investments and other insurance, new travel options, cancer, dental and vision plans, long term care and other health solutions and details of the extensive services that come with the medical emergency air and ground transportation, among other services and programs available only to TRTA members.
Prior to adjournment, President Schlortt recognized TRTA retiree and Hondo Anvil Herald reporter Linda Perkins, with a small appreciation gift. Ms. Perkins, a former Hondo high school English teacher.
Schlortt reminded members about membership dues, and TRTF donations. She also requested that any member who has not done so consider volunteering for any committee.
There will be no meeting in November; the Christmas Social will be on December 8 at Triple C Restaurant in Devine beginning at 11 am. More information will be posted on Facebook and by email.