SPOKANE CHAPTER 32 NEWSLETTER
Published Monthly except July and August
22 – 05 Advocates for Current and Former Federal Employees June 2022
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Scott Robinson
Pat Hegerberg has stepped down from the Alzheimer’s Committee after doing it during the past 13 years. Thank you, Pat, for sharing the latest, greatest, and up-to-date research information to our membership. I’m confident that many of our members appreciate your contribution to our group. Consequently, I am now seeking another person who is willing to lead this committee.
Also, Our Board continues to seek an interested person to lead the vacant Membership Committee. Please contact me if you are interested in either of these two positions. Your time and energy would be greatly appreciated by the whole membership.
Spokane Chapter 32 has two fund-raising events per year. One is the I-90 Sprague Lake Rest Stop where we provide coffee for donations. Washington’s DOT is reviving it this summer after COVID-19 restrictions. Our Chapter’s decision to participate is tabled until our membership meeting at Darcy’s Restaurant on June 13. The second event is our annual garage sale, which will be in July. Please read elsewhere in this newsletter for where and when you can donate your unused items and when to volunteer to help sale these same unused items.
Our Chapter activities will go into recess during July and August but resume with our regular membership meeting in September. Enjoy your summer, and I hope to see you in September. Please call me at 208-661-7695 or email me at scottsoriole@q.com if you have any questions regarding Spokane Chapter 32.
LEGISLATION Roger Bosky
Roger is out of the country for a few weeks. He will be returning soon and be ready to advise us again about the issues from Washington DC.
ALZHEIMER’S Pat Hegerberg
A Predictor of Alzheimer’s Disease, a new report published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia,
the Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, shows a link between daytime sleep, memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease. For the research, scientists from Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center and University of California, San Francisco, used data from the ongoing Rush Memory and Aging Project (MAP) which included more than 1,000 seniors (average age of 81). Through the research, the investigators found a link between daytime napping and Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, the research revealed that taking longer and more frequent naps was a risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s in cognitively normal seniors.
In fact, the results were so strong that the study authors describe the relationship between daytime napping and Alzheimer’s as a “vicious cycle”. And to prevent, slow, and even help treat Alzheimer’s disease (and the napping that can cause it), you should start with your lifestyle. Get regular nighttime sleep and regular exercise. Eat a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet which includes cutting out processed foods like packaged foods, cookies, and lunch meats. These foods are linked to the build-up of tau proteins. Replace these foods with fresh produce, lean meats, extra virgin olive oil, and omega-3 supplements. These lifestyle changes help protect, nourish, and energize your brain… not harm it.
References:
MEMBERSHIP
The Chapter is looking for a Membership Chair. If you are interested, please contact any of the Officers or Directors. Come be a part of a great group of people fighting for your benefits.
NARFE – PAC MaryAnn Bosky
You can contribute to NARFE – PAC using the contribution form found in the monthly NARFE Magazine or by sending a check made out to NARFE – PAC to our Post Office Box. The address is: NARFE, PO Box 4592, Spokane, WA 99220.
PAST VICE PRESIDENT Arlene Patton
To make a tax-deductible donation to the NARFE Alzheimer Research fund, please make your check payable to “NARFE Alzheimer’s Research”, write Spokane-Chapter 32 on the notation line, and mail to:
Lorie Bennett
WSF Alzheimer’s Coordinator
4310 S. Kingwood Street
Kennewick, WA. 99337-5706
SAVE THESE DATES:
Week of October 11-14, 2022: NARFE Washington State Federation (WSF) all virtual training conference – more info to come.
August 21-23, 2022: NARFE FEDCON22, in Scottsdale, AZ. See WSF website for rebate information covering the cost of registration, travel & hotel costs.
As of 5/23/2022, total Chapter 32 membership is 436 with 251 (58%) Chapter members and 185 national-only members. Over the last 60 days, we have one new member, Shelly Glenn, and three members passed away: Terry D. Wilson, Mary Hansen, and Constance H. Behrman. One member transferred into the chapter, Robert Backman; and we have 5 prospective members. Five members dropped for non-renewal and 24 members renewed.
For all those members that have renewed your membership, we thank you.
PROGRAM Chris Smith and Joanne Welch
June will be our last meeting for the summer since the chapter takes a break during July and August. Chris Smith will be joining us to talk about our chapter’s website. He has volunteered to help update the site over the coming year. Chris was a webmaster for the National Park Service in Alaska for over 20 years. He’ll be covering some possible changes to the website and how it might be improved to better meet our members' needs.
I’ll be conducting a quick survey on which programs members thought were the best over the last two years. Members will be given a ballot at the meeting (and on-line) and asked to vote for their first, second, and third favorite programs. Please vote! It’s one way to know what members are interested in for future programs. Write-in topics and comments are also welcome. Meanwhile, hope for warmer weather and enjoy the summer.
The city is giving away free disposal passes every month in partnership with Spokane Neighborhood Services. Each pass is worth $25 of trash to be taken to Waste to Energy; apply at the city’s website at myspokanecity.org
NARFE is more than just a great magazine. Let them know!
Promote NARFE anytime you can. The more members we have the more power to protect our benefits and retirement!
NARFE = YOUR BEST BET FOR THE FUTURE!
SUNSHINE Susan Harvey
If you become aware of good news, illnesses, surgeries, or a death of a member or family member, please contact me at 509-953-6828. As I recently said at the Board Meeting, I am not clairvoyant nor a mind reader.
REMINDER, spouses can be members OR can take over the membership of a deceased member. If you are interested in continuing this very valuable membership, please contact Scott Robinson. He is currently recruiting for a Membership Chair. If you are interested, please contact him.
The Chapter is sending birthday and anniversary wishes to all who celebrate in June, July, and August. Enjoy our summer, it is always shorter than winter.
The sad news is Joanne Welch recently had carotid surgery. The good news is she is recovering well and looks great.
DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR
JUNE CHAPTER MEETING (ZOOM CONNECTION)
MONDAY JUNE 13, 2022- 11:30 AM
To Join the Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 839 6653 2738
Passcode: 230631
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,83966532738#,,,,*230631# US (Tacoma)
SERVICE & OUTREACH Kathy Brooks
The annual Yard Sale and Picnic is scheduled for the weekend of July 29 & 30, 2022. Set up will be on Thursday, July 28th. Donations for the yard sale will be accepted the week of July 25th. Please contact me prior to bringing anything to my house. The caveat to the sale is: we must have at least 4 people at each of the 3-hour time slots. The time slots will be 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM (the last slot will be required to help close for the day or to pack up remaining items for donating to another charity on Saturday).
The annual picnic will be held on Saturday, July 30th, in my backyard. It is usually a potluck, with attendees bringing salads or desserts. I will provide hamburgers, brats, and chicken patties.
Spokane Washington Chapter 32
PO Box 4592
Spokane, WA 99220
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association 32
NARFE on the Web:
National: www.narfe.org WSF: https://www.narfewa.org Spokane: www.narfespokane.org