From: Dottie Stevens, President: 2015 - 2016.

President: Dottie Stevens 

Welcome to the 2015-16 year for the Benton Franklin School Retirees Association. I am looking forward to serving as your president with the assistance of an excellent board. Please welcome to our board Donna Brown, who will lead our Health and Protective Services and Ardith Eakin, who will lead our Greeters. 


Helen Bakshas and I met with Shirley Simmons of Country Gentleman where we have had three years of wonderful food and service. We have added some new menu items in keeping with our spring survey and hope you are delighted as we are with the additions. We will increase luncheon costs a dollar this year to $14.00. 

Luncheons will begin on August 24th at 11:30 am. We will enjoy our favorite “Indoor Picnic” with hamburgers, hotdogs, salads and brownies. 

Helen, a retired music educator and our President-Elect, will be filling our meetings with sweet melodies and musicians. Be prepared to enjoy yourself at every meeting during this 2015-2016 year. 

We will be recognizing our Unit 29 nominees for the Stan McNaughton Outreach Award – Marlys Mayer and the Patrick T. Hoban Meritorious Award – Jim Bumgarner. Don Parks will be recognized for bringing WSSRA recognition to us for high membership increases, and Hollis Morris will be recognized for 25 years of unit service for leading Health and Protective Services. 

Please assist us with our Service Goal by supporting SHAKE (Seniors Helping All Kids’ Education) at our August meeting. Our timely donations will help area youth off to a good school start (see SHAKE article this issue). 

We are also looking for interested members to assist with reorganizing our Teacher Grants Program. Contact me directly if you are interested. 

Thank you.