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Issue Home May 17, 2005 Site Home

HEADLINES:
Locals Attend DAR State Conference
Local Seniors Should Be On The Alert
PASR Update
4-H News Four Seasons

 

Locals Attend DAR State Conference

The Pennsylvania State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution held their 108th State Conference in Pittsburgh April 21 through 24. In attendance were the Montrose Chapter Treasurer Marleta Shadduck, Chapter Delegate Nan Baker, and Montrose Chapter Regent Myrtle Carlson. The theme for this year’s conference was “Freedom Provides You the Ability to Accomplish Your Dreams.” The guest speaker was Mrs. Dan Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers who related her family’s adventures while traveling the Lewis and Clark Trail. Mr. and Mrs. Rooney and their family hiked and boated along much of the trail keeping true to the historical menus and stories of the time.

Mrs. Carlson, Mrs. Shadduck and Mrs. Baker will also be attending the National Daughters of the American Revolution 114th Continental Congress in Washington, D.C. this July.

Did you know that it is estimated that 20% of American women probably have an ancestor who fought in the Revolutionary War? The Montrose Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution can help you look for that ancestor. Write them at P.O. Box 72, Montrose, PA 18801.

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Local Seniors Should Be On The Alert

Many local seniors will qualify for additional federal assistance under the new Medicare prescription drug benefit, which takes effect January 1, 2006. Over the next month, seniors who may qualify for the assistance, which will be made available to those with limited income and resources, will receive information and application forms from the Social Security Administration.

With the federal assistance, Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in a drug benefit plan will receive discounts on monthly premiums, deductibles and co-payments. The value can mean an additional $2,100 in savings to beneficiaries, according to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Beneficiaries can now apply for the assistance at local Social Security Administration offices and will be notified as to whether they qualify.

“This is the first step in an ongoing effort that will take place throughout the year to help seniors learn about the new drug benefit program being offered by Medicare,” said Tom Maher, regional director for Medicare Today.

Mr. Maher said, “Seniors need to be on the lookout for this information from Social Security, which should be received in late May or early June. Medicare beneficiaries with lower incomes should take advantage of the additional assistance being offered. They can find their out-of-pocket costs for medications substantially reduced, even beyond the significant reductions that the drug benefit itself will provide.”

Seniors will be able to enroll for the new Medicare prescription drug benefit beginning on November 15, 2005.

“This is a voluntary program for seniors. Beneficiaries must choose a prescription drug benefit plan that best meets their needs and then enroll,” continued Mr. Maher. Most prescription drug plans will have a monthly premium of approximately $35, he said, for those who do not qualify for low-income assistance.

The new drug benefit will provide significant savings to seniors, Mr. Maher said. For example, a single beneficiary with annual income greater than $15,441 and annual drug costs of $2,400 will see their out-of-pocket spending reduced from $2,400 to an estimated $1,087. A married couple with income between $13,250 and $17,887 and annual drug spending of $2,400 would quality for low-income assistance, thus paying no premiums or deductibles. They will see their annual out-of-pocket spending reduced from $2,400 to an estimated $98.

Medicare Today, a coalition of organizations providing information and education on the new drug benefit, is offering seniors a free Medicare Drug Benefit Wheel, a tool that can assist in determining benefits and anticipated costs. To obtain the Wheel and additional information, seniors can call (603)-228-3342 or e-mail Tom Maher at thomas.maher2@verizon.net. Additional information is available online at www.medicaretoday.org or from the Medicare program at www.medicare.gov.

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PASR Update

At the April 19 meeting of the Executive Board of the PASR, Ruth Roman, Chapter President, introduced the following agenda items: local RECREO trips, the content of the spring newsletter, newspaper contacts for publicity items, complimentary memberships for nonagenarians, and the PASR State Convention to be held at Split Rock Resort in the Poconos in late September.

Committee reports were given by these chapter chairpersons: Community Service – Miriam Klenk; Educational Support – Betty Campbell; Legislative – Joan Peters; Membership – Anita Millard; Nominating – Mary Ketterer; and RECREO – Robert Klenk. Barbara Kelly gave the treasurer’s report. It was noted that the 2005 recipient of the Scholarship Award will be a senior at Mountain View High School.

The general membership meeting will be on Tuesday, June 21, at the New Milford Episcopal Church Hall.

At the Region 3 meeting held at Genetti’s in Wilkes-Barre on April 27, Susquehanna Chapter was represented by seven members.

Hendrick Marr led the flag salute and the singing of “America,” and Ruth Roman offered the invocation.

The following attended regional committee sessions: Chapter Presidents – Ruth Roman and Mary Ketterer; Treasurers – Barbara Kelly; L/PEC – Hendrick Marr; Legislative – Joan Peters; and Public Relations – Prudence Clark.

Important items of interest for the 64 attendees included highlights about the newly formed Chapter Leaders Commission; details of the PASR Legislative Agenda for 2005-06; and updates for the 2005 State Convention, namely, keynote speakers, enrichment seminars, state committee workshops, tours, entertainment, and leisure-time activities.

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4-H News Four Seasons

The Four Seasons 4-H Club met on April 4 at People’s National Bank, Hallstead. Kelly Purdy did a demonstration on stamps. She talked about the history of stamps, how to properly peal off a stamp after it has been soaked in water, and showed us some of her personal stamp collection. Her purpose was just to get people interested in the hobby. She did great!

The Community Service Committee decided to do a Community Service every season and everyone agreed. We chose to stuff envelopes for the Red Cross, dust books and clean for the Hallstead and Montrose libraries, and to schedule a work day at the Wildlife Rescue.

Jim Delanoy spoke to the members about Robert’s Rules of Order and how a 4-H club meeting is supposed to be run.

The list of new members that joined last meeting included Emily, Travis, and Jacob Carter.

Members of the newly-formed Four Seasons 4-H Club work on a community service project.

Members met on April 7 to do a Community Service for the Red Cross. Sixteen 4-H members met to stuff over 300 envelopes for the Red Cross’ flower sales fundraiser. Members folded the flyers, stuffed the envelopes, attached the mailing labels, and prepared the envelopes for a bulk mailing by sorting and counting the envelopes by zip code.

News Reporter: Rachel Johnson

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