Piscataquis Region Retired Educators Association news
DEXTER — Thirteen members of the Piscataquis Region Retired Educators Association and one guest met at the FAMBily Restaurant in Dexter for their monthly meeting on May 28.
President Judy Dow called the meeting to order, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Guest speaker Susan Mackey Andrews shared a wealth of information about Helping Hands with Heart, an organization now celebrating 25 years of supporting children and families in the area. Coincidentally, member Carol Sherburne brought a beautiful handmade quilt to the meeting with the idea that the group could raffle it off as a fundraiser for one of our many projects. Members quickly unanimously voted to indeed raffle the quilt with the proceeds to benefit the Helping Hands with Heart organization, with the drawing to be held at the Oct. 22 meeting.
A delicious lunch was enjoyed while we pondered the thought for the day, “Be the attitude you want to be around” (Tim DeTellis).
The business meeting began with a roll call, reading of the secretary’s report and an explanation of the treasurer’s report. There was no legislative report nor necrology report this month. Rheba Michaud did have extra copies of the April issue of The Clarion to share.
In old business the fundraisers this year will be the Pound Party (June 25), the Silent Auction (Sept. 24) and the Quilt Raffle (Oct. 22). Karen Longevin and Janie Lander agreed to do the necessary research for embroidered polo shirts and bring options to the group at the June meeting.
Michaud was pleased to share highlights of the 72nd MEA-Retired Convention & Annual Meeting on May 2. With over 200 attendees from around the State of Maine, our little regional group of eight attendees were awarded the “Convention Award for the Largest Percentage of Membership in Attendance”! Way to go ladies! Nancy Grant was presented with the Leadership Award for PREEA!
In new business it was decided to change the start time of our meeting to 11 a.m. to give us time to chat before the official meeting begins. Lynne Snow made the motion and it was seconded by Jane Conroy. Longevin made a motion to change the location of the Aug. 27 meeting to the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church and program change to chair yoga (Becky Rollins), with a second by Donna C. Priscilla is the contact person for the community dinner on Aug. 19 at the Congregational church. We will go with the “summery” menu: macaroni salad, cold cuts, sliced cucumbers and tomatoes, some sort of bread and a wrapped cookie or two. We will plan on 130 or more for the August dinner.
Members are reminded to watch for updated information on the meeting locations. June is our annual Pound Party and members are to bring an item weighing approximately one pound, wrapped to entice a bidder and bring your money for the auction!