Retired teacher host guests at March meeting

The Carroll County Retired Teachers Association met March 15 at Pat’s  Place, where they enjoyed a lunch prepared by Donna Parish.

There were 10 members in attendance The first item of business was the reading of the minutes from the October meeting by secretary Velma Hunt. The treasurer’s report was given by Cassandra McBurney. She stated CCRTA has 31 members. She also reported that the district dues had been paid, a food angel was purchased in December and a donation was made to the district food bank. The money in the food bank will be divided at the June district meeting between nine counties for each local food bank.

Under the heading of old business the president, Ms. McBurney, reported that Carroll County did not have any entries in the AARP Grandparent Essay Contest. She also had reports of the December and March district meetings.

The KRTA president, Dr. Jim Frank, was the guest speaker at the December meeting. He reminded the members that KRTA is the only organization in the state whose sole purpose is to look out for the welfare of retired teachers. He also stated that it is important to keep the defined benefit plan and keep Kentucky Retired Teachers System as currently constituted with an elected board rather than an appointed one.

This meeting also had a speaker who talked about Bay Alarm Medical and Humana Critical Illness and Cancer. Information on both of these was in the March issue of KRTA News.

There were two speakers at the March district meeting. One was Linda Owen Miller of Owen Funeral Home. She talked about the five letter word that no one wants to talk about- death.  She discussed dealing with grief in your own life and in the lives of others. She thought it was important to have pre-arrangements made and paid for. She stressed the importance of being truthful in all areas of concern.

The second speaker was Jane Gilbert, director of retiree health care. She stated that the third tier non-formulary drugs could increase in co-pay to as much as 50 percent at retail and mail-in for the 2014 year. Also, there will be a new enrollment for those under 65 in 2014.

 In new business, Ms. McBurney reported that the year-end report to KRTA showed that Carroll County donated 21 bags of school supplies, 245 food items, and had 715 volunteer hours.

Teresa Kemper of Restoration Fitness, talked to the group about her business. She gave everyone a pamphlet and a free pass for a week.

The next meeting of CCRTA will be May 17. Members will be notified by e-mail or phone of the time and location.