NARFE CHAPTER 413 OFFICERS INSTALLED FOR THE YEAR 2009 - 2010. FRAN CAPUTO, DISTRICT 2 VICE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION, ADMINISTERED THE OATH OF OFFICE TO THE NEWLY ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICERS OF SCHUYLKILL CHAPTER 413 AT A DINNER MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2008 AT THE YORKVILLE HOSE COMPANY FIRE HOUSE, POTTSVILLE.

FRONT ROW FROM LEFT: DVP2 FRANCIS L. CAPUTO;  CHARLES E. GRIFFITHS, OUTGOING PRESIDENT;  WILLIAM F. BOWLER, PRESIDENT;  EDWARD E. POGERA, SECOND VICE PRESIDENT;  PAUL KOSTURA, ALZHEIMER'S CHAIRMAN;  DENNIS J. McGLONE, FIRST VICE PRESIDENT.

BACK ROW FROM LEFT: ANTHONY H. DOWNEY, PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER;  PETER PRON, TREASURER;  VINCENT PASQUALE, MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN;  GEORGE A. LESCOSKY, SECRETARY.

MEMBERSHIP                  VINCENT PASQUALE, MEMBERSHIP       CHAIRMAN                                                 TELEPHONE:  570-386-9918                       E-MAIL: pasqvinc@ptd.net                          250    TOTAL CHAPTER MEMBERS                     (VOTING)                                             2    TOTAL NATIONAL LIFE                             MEMBERS (NON-VOTING)                31   TOTAL NATIONAL ONLY                            MEMBERS (NON-VOTING)               _____                                                          283   TOTAL MEMBERS ASSIGNED TO             SCHUYLKILL CHAPTER  413

MEETINGS

SEP. 9, 2008 AT 1:00 PM                              A LUNCHEON MEETINGWAS HELD IN WHICHTWENTY SIX MEMBERS AND GUESTS WERE IN ATTENDANCE.  GUEST SPEAKERS WERE JASON GHERGLE AND DAN PLUMBY, MANAGERS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY COMMITTEE.  JASON GHERGLE SPOKE ON BEHALF OF TONI GILHOOLEY WHO IS CAMPAIGNING FOR THE 17TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF PA.  TONI COULD NOT ATTEND BECAUSE SHE WAS TO MEET GOVERNOR PALIN IN LANCASTER.  JASON WENT ON TO SAY THAT TONI FAVORS DRILLING OFFSHORE U.S. AND IN ANWAR.  TONI ALSO WANTS TO MAKE PERMANENT THE 2001 TAX CUTS.  SHE ALSO WANTS THE DIVIDEND TAX TO REMAIN AT 15%, ELIMINATE THE DEATH TAX, AND WOULD MAKE NO CHANGES IN THE INCOME TAX.  TONI WOULD ALSO VOTE NO TO THE FOLLOWING:  INSTITUTE A SOCIALIZED HEALTH CARE PLAN, SUPPORT A FEDERAL FUNDING OF EMBROYNIC STEM CELL RESEARCH, THE IMMEDIATE TROOP WITHDRAWL FROM IRAQ, NEW TAXES ON GASOLINE, ELIMINATE SECRET BALLOT FOR UNION CERTIFICATION ELECTIONS,AND INCOME TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY ANNUITY. PRESIDENT GRIFFITHS STATED THAT ROY SILFIES TENDERED HIS RESIGNATION AS OUR TREASURER AND THAT PETER PRON HAD VOLUNTEERED TO SERVE OUT THE REMAINDER OF ROY'S TERM. OUR SECRETARY HAD MAILED 300 COPIES OF OUR CHAPTER'S NEWSLETTER WITH THE NEWLY ACQUIRED A NON-PROFIT MAILING PERMIT FOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. A NOMINATING COMMITTEE WILL SELECT CANDIDATES TO FILL CHAPTER OFFICER POSITIONS FOR THE YEAR 2009 - 2010 AT THE SCHEDULED CHAPTER MEETING IN OCTOBER.

HIGHLIGHTS OF SEPTEMBER 7-11, 2008 NATIONAL CONVENTION, LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

ATTENDANCE:  1033 CHAPTERS REGISTERED OUT OF 1500 CHAPTERS. ATTENDANCE:  1300 DELEGATES, MEMBERS AND GUESTS.   A RESOLUTION WAS PASSED TO DISCONTINUE "HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIPS" WHICH INCLUDED NON PAYMENT OF NARFE DUES.   A RESOLUTION WAS APPROVED TO ESTABLISH A NEW CATEGORY "DISTINGUISHED MEMBER" - A MEMBER WHO REACHES 85 YEARS OLD AND NO LESS THAN 20 YEARS IN NARFE - WHO WILL CONTINUE TO PAY NARFE DUES AND WILL RECEIVE A DISTINGUISHED MEMBER PIN AND ID CARD.  THIS WAS AMENDED ON THE FLOOR TO ALLOW THOSE WHO ARE CURRENT HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS TO "UPGRADE" TO DISTINGUISH MEMBERS BY RESUMING THE PAYMENT OF NARFE DUES.

OCT. 14, 2008 AT 1:00 PM

LEGISLATIVE CHAIRMAN WILLIAM BOWLER INTRODUCED OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER CONGRESSMAN TIM HOLDEN FROM THE 17TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF PA.  THE CONGRESSMAN SPOKE ON VARIOUS CAMPAIGN ISSUES INCLUDING THE 750 BILLION DOLLAR BAILOUT/RECOVERY OF WALL STREET, ECONOMIC ISSUES, AND THE WAR IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN.  HE ALSO ANSWERED QUESTIONS POSED TO HIM FROM THE FLOOR WHICH INCLUDED ENTITLEMENT, MEDICARE, SOCIAL SECURITY, PREMIUM CONVERSION, AND THE GPO AND THE WEP.  A REPRESENTATIVE FROM RADIO STATION WPPA ATTENDED THE MEETING AND TAPED THE CONGRESSMAN'S REMARKS AND HIS RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS POSED TO HIM FROM CHAPTER MEMBERS. AMONG OUR THIRTY THREE (33) MEMBERS AND GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE WERE DIXIE GASPER, PRESIDENT OF THE LEBANON VALLEY CHAPTER, AND MARIA RITZMAN, FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF THE PA. FEDERATION OF CHAPTERS.  MARIA WAS ACCOMPANIED BY HER HUSBAND ART. THE SECRETARY GAVE A REPORT ON THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION WHICH WAS HELD IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY. A CHECK IN THE AMOUNT OF $132 FROM OUR TREASURY ALONG WITH FOUR ONE YEAR GIFT MEMBERSHIPS WAS SUBMITTED TO NARFE MEMBERSHIP SERVICES FOR THE FOLLOWING: ELVIN MORROW - - - -SPONSORED BY PETER PRON JAMES MORROW- - - -SPONSORED BY PETER PRON JAMES SANTAI- - -  SPONSORED BY BILL WISCOUNT KATHLEEN SANTAI-SPONSORED BY BILL WISCOUNT   THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE SELECTED THE FOLLOWING CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION TO FILL CHAPTER OFFICER POSITIONS TO SERVE A TWO YEAR TERM 2009 - 2010: PRESIDENT- - - - - - - - - - - - -WILLIAM F. BOWLER FIRST VICE PRESIDENT - - -DENNIS J. McGLONE SECOND VICE PRESIDENT- EDWARD E. POGERA SECRETARY- - - - - - - - - -- - -GEORGE A. LESCOSKY TREASURER- - - - - - - - - - - - PETER PRON   APPOINTED OFFICERS: LEGISLATIVE CHAIR- - - - - - -WILLIAM F. BOWLER CHAPLAIN- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -VINCENT PASQUALE MEMBERSHIP CHAIR- - - - - - -VINCENT PASQUALE SERVICE OFFICER - - - - - - - - CHARLES E. GRIFFITHS PUBLIC RELATIONS- - - - - - - -ANTHONY H. DOWNEY ALZHEIMER'S CHAIR- - - - - - - PAUL KOSTURA NARFE-PAC CHAIR- - - - - - - - -PETER PRON NEWSLETTER EDITOR-- - - - - -GEORGE A. LESCOSKY NARFE-NET COORDINATOR- -GEORGE A. LESCOSKY   DENNIS McGLONE IS GOING TO PROVIDE INFORMATION VIA E-MAIL TO PRESIDENT GRIFFITHS TO DISSEMINATE TO CHAPTER MEMBERS TO REMEMBER THOSE LOCAL SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING OUR COUNTRY IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN WITH A PERSONAL NOTE OF "THANKS", CHRISTMAS CARDS, PHONE CARDS, E-MAILS, ETC.   IN LIEU OF MONETARY DONATIONS FOR OUR ANNUAL TURKEY WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS DINNER MEETING, WE ARE ASKING FOR DONATIONS OF CANNED GOODS AND OTHER NON PERISHABLE ITEMS WHICH WILL BE GIVEN TO A LOCAL FOOD PANTRY - GREATLY NEEDED ESPECIALLY FOR THIS UPCOMING HOLIDAY SEASON.

NOV. 12, 2008 AT 1:00 PM ANNUAL TURKEY DINNER MEETING A TOTAL OF TWENTY FIVE (25) MEMBERS AND GUESTS, DISTRICT 2 VICE PRESIDENT FRANCIS CAPUTO ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE GLADYS AND A NEW CHAPTER MEMBER BEVERLY FISH ENJOYED A SPECIAL HOLIDAY DINNER PREPARED BY THE OFFICER'S WIVES.  THE MEAL CONSISTED OF FRESH ROASTED TURKEY, DRUMSTICKS, FILLING, GRAVY, GLAZED SWEET POTATOES, GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE, CRANBERRY SAUCE, DINNER ROLLS, HOME MADE DESSERTS, AND BEVERAGES.  PRIOR TO THE MEETING EVERYONE WAS ASKED TO BRING CANNED GOODS AND OTHER NON-PERISHABLE ITEMS TO BE DONATED TO A LOCAL FOOD PANTRY WHICH WERE GREATLY NEEDED ESPECIALLY DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.  DVP2 FRAN CAPUTO ADMINISTERED THE OATH OF OFFICE TO THE NEWLY ELECTED AND APPOINTED SCHUYLKILL CHAPTER 413 OFFICERS FOR A TWO YEAR TERM 2009-2010.  GRIFFITHS, LESCOSKY, AND PASQUALE WILL BE ATTENDING THE FIRST DISTRICT 2 MEETING OF CHAPTERS HOSTED BY FRAN CAPUTO ON NOVEMBER 19TH AT THE POTTSTOWN FAMILY DINER.

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DEC. 9, 2008 AT 1:00 PM ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY TWENTY SEVEN MEMBERS AND GUESTS WERE IN ATTENDANCE.  PRESIDENT BOWLER STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A THANK YOU LETTER FROM THE CATHOLIC CHARITIES FOR THE FOOD DONATIONS RECEIVED FROM OUR CHAPTER MEMBERS AT THE NOVEMBER MEETING.   A LUNCHEON MEAL AND A VARIETY OF DELICIOUS BAKED GOODS WERE OFFERED BY THE OFFICER AND OTHER MEMBERS WIVES.  THE SECRETARY STATED THAT HE HAD MAILED OUR UPDATED CHAPTER OFFICER ROSTER REPORT (F-7) TO SELECTED NARFE OFFICIALS AS REQUIRED BY JANUARY 1, 2009.  AFTER AN ABBREVIATED BUSINESS MEETING THE FESTIVITIES CONTINUED WITH GAMES OF BINGO AND CARD PLAYING.

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JAN. 13, 2009 AT 1:00 PM TWENTY MEMBERS AND GUESTS WERE IN ATTENDANCE.  MR. EDWIN EBLING, CPA, GAVE HIS ANNUAL PRESENTATION ON THE NEW INCOME TAX LAWS,  CORRECTLY FILLING OUT THE REQUIRED FORMS, AND THE PA. STATE INCOME TAX FORMS.  AT THE CONCLUSION OF MR. EBLING'S REMARKS PRESIDENT BOWLER BOWLER PRESENTED HIM WITH A GIFT CERTIFICATE TO THE SUMMIT VIEW RESTAURANT.  THE TREASURER'S REPORT WAS GIVEN BY PAUL KOSTURA SINCE OUR TREASURER PETER PRON WAS RECUPERATING FROM A CONCUSSION SUFFERED FROM A FALL ON THE ICE.  WE ALL WISH PETE A SPEEDY RECOVERY AND TO GET BACK TO HIS NORMAL LIFE STYLE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.  A CHECK IN THE AMOUNT OF $100 WAS PRESENTED TO A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE YORKVILLE HOSE COMPANY FOR RENTAL OF THEIR FACILITY FOR THE YEAR 2009.

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FEBRUARY  2009   NO MEETING!

MAR. 10, 2009 AT 1:00 PM   TWENTY NINE MEMBERS AND GUESTS ATTENDED THE MEETING.  OUR GUEST SPEAKER, DAVID "BIG OWL"MCSURDY GAVE A PRESENTATION ON PENNSYLVANIA INDIAN LORE AND LEGENDS.  PLANS ARE IN THE MAKING TO HAVE ANOTHER YARD SALE ;  ED DONAHUE IS GOING TO COORDINATE THE DATE AND TIME WITH THE YORKVILLE HOSE COMPANY.  THE PICNIC COMMITTEE IS MAKING PLANS FOR OUR CHAPTER'S ANNUAL PICNIC.  DATE,  LOCATION, AND CATERER  HAVE TO BE DECIDED UPON.  AN INVITATION WILL BE MAILED TO ALL CHAPTER MEMBERS AFTER ALL THE PLANS ARE FINALIZED. A MOTION WAS MADE BY CHARLES GRIFFITHS AND SECONDED BY HELEN LESCOSKY TO PAY THE NATIONAL YEARLY DUES OF AN ELIGIBLE MEMBER OF OUR CHAPTER WHO RECEIVES A "DISTINGUISHED MEMBERSHIP";  CHAPTER DUES WOULD BE WAIVED.  MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY ACCEPTED BY A VOICE VOTE OF THE MEMBERSHIP PRESENT.  THE SECRETARY STATED THAT HE MAILED 300 COPIES OF OUR LATEST NEWSLETTER AND BY UTILIZING OUR NON-PROFIT STAMP OUR CHAPTER SAVED $77.98.

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APR. 14, 2009 AT 1:00 PM TWENTY THREE MEMBERS AND GUESTS ATTENDED THE MEETING.  OUR PRAYERS WERE OFFERED IN MEMORY OF MARGARET A. MATUS, A FORMER LIFE MEMBER OF OUR CHAPTER FORMERLY OF BERWICK, PA.  RECOGNIZED WAS SANDY PAYNE OF WEST HAZLETON WHO RECENTLY BECAME THE FIRST "DISTINGUISHED MEMBER" OF OUR CHAPTER.  ONCE AGAIN NATIONAL IS URGING  ALL CHAPTER MEMBERS TO VOTE FOR A SINGLE DUES REFERENDUM WHICH, IF PASSED, WOULD RAISE OUR CURRENT DUES TO $40 PER YEAR WITH ALL CHAPTERS RECEIVING $9 FROM THE INCREASE.  PRESENTLY OUR CHAPTER CHARGES $5 PER YEAR.  OUR NEW CHAPTER MEMBER WILMER GEORGE AND HIS WIFE SUE PRESENTED A TALK ON CARVING OBJECTS FROM DIFFERENT KINDS OF WOODS.  ITEMS ON DISPLAY WERE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR SALE.

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MAY 12, 2009 AT 1:00 PM

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JUNE 16, 2009 AT 12:00 PM ANNUAL PICNIC LOCATION, TIME, CATERER, PRICE   TBA WATCH THE MAIL FOR YOUR PERSONAL INVITATION.

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JULY & AUGUST 2009 NO MEETINGS - HAPPY VACATION!

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS   BENZA, STEPHEN OF BERWICK, PA. BREIT, ALBERT L. OF TOWER CITY, PA CONDASH, GEORGE J. OF TRESCOW, PA. DONAHUE, EDWARD J. OF POTTSVILLE, PA. FREAS, FOSTER D. OF BERWICK, PA. GEARHART, MARION M. OF RINGTOWN, PA. KUPKO, ANTHONY R. OF POTTSVILLE, PA. PLAVCHAK, ANNA OF FREELAND, PA. PLOCINIK, MATILDA OF GILBERTON, PA. POLCHIN, EDWARD J. OF HAZLETON, PA. SNYDER, ROBERT F. OF HAZLETON, PA. WALSH, HELEN M. OF MINERSVILLE, PA   SPECIAL NOTE:  THIS BENEFIT WAS DISCONTINUED AT THE 2008 NATIONAL CONVENTION.

DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS   PAYNE, SANDY M.  OF WEST HAZLETON, PA.         THIS IS A NEW CATEGORY ESTABLISHED AS A RESULT OF THE 2008 NATIONAL CONVENTION.  TO BE ELIGIBLE A MEMBER MUST HAVE REACHED 85 YEARS OF AGE  AND NO LESS THAN 20 YEARS IN NARFE.  YOU WILL ALSO HAVE TO CONTINUE TO PAY NARFE DUES AND WILL RECEIVE A DISTINGUISHED MEMBER PIN AND ID CARD. IF YOU MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS CALL THE SECRETARY AT 570-739-1550 OR ANY CHAPTER OFFICER WITH YOUR DATE OF BIRTH AND THE MONTH AND YEAR YOU BECAME A MEMBER OF NARFE.

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DECEASED CHAPTER MEMBERS   MISLYAN, MARY H., FORMERLY OF SYKESVILLE, MD. KAUFMAN, CATHERINE S., FORMERLY OF TREMONT, PA. BOREESE, KATHLEEN C., FORMERLY OF RINGTOWN, PA. DEMARCO, CARLO, FORMERLY OF HAZLETON, PA. KREBS, JOHN D., FORMERLY OF SAINT CLAIR, PA. BAUM, LEAH J., FORMERLY OF NUREMBERG, PA. CERULLO, WILLIAM J., FORMERLY OF POTTSVILLE, PA. MATUS, MARGARET A., FORMERLY OF BERWICK, PA.

CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES   SENATOR ARLEN SPECTER HARRISBURG:  717-782-3951 WASHINGTON: 202-224-4254 E-MAIL:  www.specter.senate.gov   SENATOR BOB CASEY HARRISBURG:  717-231-7540 WASHINGTON: 202-224-6324 E-MAIL:  www.casey.senate.gov   REPRESENTATIVE TIM HOLDEN POTTSVILLE:   570-622-4212 WASHINGTON: 202-225-5546 E-MAIL:  www.holden.house.gov

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