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HARTA

Humble Area Retired Teachers Association Local Unit of Texas Retired Teachers Association

(TRTA) - District 4

Open to all retired school personnel.

HARTA OFFICERS President Pat Kahak 1ST VP Membership Betty Coburn 2nd VP Books & PR Cathy Shepeard 3rd VP Programs Marian Mannix Secretary Brenda Pearson Treasurer Marjo Stach Parliamentarian Mary Widmier

HARTA MEETINGS August 19 Welcome luncheon September 16 Your Safety in Public Places October 14 The Mind Diet Works for You December 9 Holiday Music! February 10 Legislative Action April 20 Investing Wisely May 18 Installation, Awards, Lunch!

Social time—9:30 a.m.; Meeting—10:00 a.m. Eggers ISC, 4810 Magnolia Cove Drive, Kingwood, TX 77345. (HARTA web page currently under construction)

August 2019

PONDERINGS FROM PRESIDENT PAT Welcome to a New HARTA Year! Your leadership team met in July to plan some exciting programs, trips, and volunteer opportunities for 2019-2020. Be sure you check out upcoming activities in this newsletter.

HARTA is so much more than 7 meetings! Along with our volunteer hours and area philanthropic projects, we have lots of fun and fellowship with our monthly trips and tours; we award scholarships, grants, and special recognitions to teachers; we provide scholarships to graduating seniors; we actively lobby to improve TRS benefits and public schools, and we keep members informed of issues that affect our pensions and health care. We collect new and gently used books for our “Book Initiative” to put books in the hands of children who would not otherwise have books of their own. Yes, we are more than just 7 meetings. Hopefully, you can find something that fits your interests or needs. Please come and join us. HARTA membership is only $5.00 for lots of fun.

Our August 19th meeting will be in a different fun and informative format as we welcome the newly retired with a covered dish luncheon and a new “not to be missed” video presentation by Bill Beard. Please bring a favorite dish to share with others.

Also, in August we bring books for our many book projects and donations of school supplies for HAAM to distribute to needy students in our area. Supplies needed are: pencils, wide-ruled paper, map pencils, pocket folders with brads, markers, dividers, 2” binders, rulers, highlighters, pens, spiral notebooks, and erasers. Monetary donations work, too, with checks made out to Humble Area Assistance Ministry. Thank you for helping!

See you on August 19th! Bring new or gently used books Bring school supplies for HAAM Bring a covered dish to share

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Donations for August

BEVERAGES Linda Spiro, Gayle Noll, Carol Hood, Fran

Simister, Janie Branham

DESSERT Patty Murphy, Linda Genco, Nancy

Morrison, Jan Ressell, Sandra Fountain, Pat Kahak,

Gayle Knoll, Virginia Cowen, Linda Spiro, Judy Ardoin,

Delores McCarter, Bette Guillo

DOOR PRIZES Shelley Ricks, Trilla Cook, Juanita Jordan, Nick & Gloria, Linda Avina, Patsy Spitzmiller, Nancy Morrison, Dollie Smith, Beckye Hendricks, Jan Resell, Ida Baggett, Latreca Black, Carolyn Mashburn

AUGUST PROGRAM

by Marian Mannix

The program agenda for August promises an interesting and informative time for HARTA members. Members will be

pleasantly surprised with the opportunity to interact with committees and to get to know HARTA and its future plans. This social experience should encourage

fellowship to form a strong HARTA family.

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

3 Gwen Prewett 7 Cynthia Calvert 8 Glinda Munsinger 9 Carolyn Monroe, Terri Velvin 10 Chris Pearce 12 Mary Widmier 13 Elaine Koester 16 Shelley Ricks, Betty Whitehead 18 Pat Kahak 19 Susan Clark 22 Glenna Bagley 23 Cynthia Babich 30 Trilla Cook, Melissa Hunt

Membership Matters! by Betty Coburn Welcome new and returning members! I hope that you are continuing to enjoy your summer and that you will attend our August gathering feeling renewed and refreshed. Speaking of renewed,

some of us may have relaxed a little too much this summer. Did you know that unless your dues are deducted monthly either from your annuity or from your bank, your TRTA/HARTA memberships expired on June 30? Even if your TRTA dues are deducted monthly, your HARTA dues are not and your HARTA membership has expired. Yikes! Please take the time right now to complete a membership form and send it along with your check to the address listed on the form. TRTA wants to reach their goal of 100,000 members this year, so everyone who enrolls or renews has a chance to win one of four $250 cash prizes. And speaking of cash prizes, if you renewed your membership before June 15, you have a chance to win a $50 cash prize to be presented at the August gathering. See you then!

Healthy Living with Latreca

Black and Linda Rhodes

In a recent study, those who ate three or more vegetable servings per day fared better on a stroke risk factor known as carotid artery

intima-media than those who had two servings per day or fewer. All vegetables are healthy, but this study suggests that cruciferous ones, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower, seem to be the most beneficial. Why? Sulforaphane, a compound in them inhibits inflammation.

Protecting HARTA Members by Virginia Cowen Monitor Your Credit Reports Bev O’Shea of NerdWallet writes, “Monitoring your credit reports should be like flossing: a routine that’s not fascinating but that can

help prevent something painful from developing.” (USA Today. Rpt. in Amarillo Globe-News. Oct. 22, 2017. B 11.)

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Member Benefits by Beckye

Hendricks TRTA offers super deals and great discounts on health, travel, insurance and entertainment. For specific information or updates on members benefits visit: www.trta.org/memberbenefits

Readers Love Teachers by

Cathy Sheapard

Traci Walker, 1st grade Applied Skills Teacher at Falcon Ridge Elementary in Huffman ISD, is our “Readers Love Teachers” Teacher

of the Month for August. Student Claire Faul nominated her because “students get to read lots of books in her class.” Want to help with this? See me.

Legislation by Carolyn Monroe

The TRS Pension is Actuarially Sound! Retirees to receive thirteenth check in September! We thank the Texas Legislators while remembering the hard work of TRTA and its nearly

100,000 members across Texas

2019 Grants to Educators by

Susan Burroughs HARTA continued its generous support of active teachers by awarding $5000 to educators who

applied for grants and scholarships through the Humble ISD Foundation. Twelve grants were awarded in 2019. The deadline for applications for 2020 awards is December 2, 2019 so that recipients can receive funds for conferences, workshops, or courses for the coming year. One of this year’s recipients, Valencia Anderson, is a Reading and Language Arts teacher at Humble Middle School. She has worked in Humble ISD for 10 years and applied for $500 to attend the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta. She plans to “provide outstanding academic instruction that is both dynamic and disciplined thereby allowing teachers to instill that same energy into America’s youth.” A Health Science instructor at Atascocita High School, Monica Askew, teaches Medical Terminology and Pathophysiology to Health Science pathway students. She received $350 to attend the THOA conference where “attendees learn new teaching strategies, collaborate with fellow teachers, communicate with vendors, and discover new teaching resources.” A twenty-three-year veteran of teaching, Donna Burkett is a Dyslexia Specialist at River Pines Elementary School. She received $230 to attend the International Dyslexia Association Conference in Austin. A current goal is “to increase self-esteem and build perseverance in my dyslexic students.” Active educators are encouraged to visit the HISD website and apply for HARTA grants or scholarships.

Texas Retired Teachers Foundation by Linda Genco

“Giving is not just about making a donation, it’s about making a difference.” –Kathy Calvin. Hi, I’m Linda Genco your new Foundation

Chair. HARTA needs your help on behalf of the Foundation in order to provide assistance for Beginning Teacher Scholarships, Classroom Assistance Grants, “A Helping Hand”, and Disaster Relief Fund. Please see our display at the upcoming August meeting.

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MORE HUMBLE HISTORY From Julia Nation

The man who settled the Humble area was Joseph Dunman. He carried a letter requesting more troops from Travis at the Alamo to Sam Houston in Liberty County. That's the reason he survived and was able to settle in Humble. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas had a program to honor him in April, 2018.

HARTA Nominations Committee: 2020-2021:

Want to help HARTA? Suggest yourself for a HARTA job! Speak to one of these committee members.

• Kathy Spirakes, Chairperson

• Gayle Noll • Linda Rhodes

• Susan Burroughs

• Latreca Black

Treasurer"s Report by Marjo

Stach Haven't paid your annual dues yet? Don't worry, you can pay your TRTA dues ($35) and your HARTA dues ($5) at our August 19, 2019 meeting. Look for us at

the table with the big green poster board with the dollar $ sign. Bring your check for $40 and have fun with us all year. Hope to see you there!

Healthy Recipe Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad 8 Servings from Linda Rhodes and

Latreca Black Ingredients 1/2 head of broccoli and 1/2 head of cauliflower, washed and cut into pieces 2 pieces of bacon, cooked, cooked crisp and crumbled 1/4 cup onion, chopped 1/2 cup raisins 1/2 cup low-fat mayonnaise (or plain non-fat yogurt; you could also use Greek yogurt) 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons sugar or Stevia Directions 1. Combine broccoli, cauliflower, bacon, onion, and raisins. 2. Make dressing of mayonnaise or yogurt, vinegar, and sugar. 3. Stir in dressing. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 to 2 hours.

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TRIPS AND FUN NEWS!

HARTA FRIENDS ATTENDED A JAZZ CONCERT AT BENDER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, 611 HIGGINS, HUMBLE.

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HART

NNIWH Elaine Kimzie visited William and Mary to see her daughter receive a doctorate!

HARTA MEMBERS ENJOYED DINNER OUT AND A TRIP TO STAGES THEATER

Kemah Fireworks with Monroe & Beard

Mashburn Family’s BIG Greek Wedding! Bob and Janet Quinn have moved to Coppell (Dallas area) to be near their daughter. Their email: thequinns@live.com

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TRIPS & TOURS

Carolyn Monroe, Carolyn Mashburn and Patsy Spitzmiller have great plans for us! Look for the Trips & Tours table at the meeting and sign up! The ASTROS have tickets for HARTA

At the August meeting, sign up to attend a game. Tickets for 39 members and friends will be available for two games: Ride the bus! Raise scholarship money.

Bus leaves ISC @ 5:30.

Houston Astros 9/5/19 Seattle Mariners game @ 7:10 Houston Astros 9/17/19 Texas Rangers game @ 7:10

UPCOMING TRIPS & TOURS

HARTA’S Coushatta trip. It will be Monday,

September 23 - Tuesday, September 24. see Patsy Spitzmiller for details!

Sign up at the HARTA meeting

HARTA & Houston Restaurant Weeks 2019 Tuesday August 13th Grace’s & Moody Gallery @ Rice University Wednesday August 14th Tony’s & MATCH Tuesday August 20th Brennen’s & The Contemporary Art Museum Tuesday August 27th Rainbow Lodge & Lawndale Art Center Friday August 30th America’s River Oaks & Menil Drawing Institute

Bernhardt Winery Trip Sunday, September 23rd, Eagles Tribute Band

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DID YOU SEE THIS ROAD SCHOLAR ARTICLE FEATURING CAROLYN MONROE IN ONE OF THEIR RECENT CATALOGUES?

When Carolyn Monroe retired from teaching, she was looking to stay connected to her educational community. She found that in HARTA: Humble Area Retired Teachers Association. “As a widow — who would I travel with?” she asked herself. “Now I have a built-in group of women I have something in common with to join me!” Each year, Carolyn and other leaders of HARTA put their heads together and choose a new destination that they want to learn about. Then, 25 retired teachers pack up their curiosity and sense of adventure and head off to places like Natchez, Santa Fe, California or even Italy with Road Scholar. Last year they had the time of their lives blending their own wine as they learned about winemaking in Napa. “Teachers are curious about things. We like to learn. That’s why we love Road Scholar,” she says. “Plus, we never have to wake up and say, ‘Where are we going today?’ We can count on Road Scholar to take care of everything for us. As one of the group organizers, I love that.”

CRUISE THE COASTS OF ITALY JUNE 3-14, 2020

We start in Venice, on to the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Montenegro, then to Sicily to walk the pedestrian-only main street leading to the 3rd century BC Greek Theater; next we see Naples, Vesuvius, the Amalfi Coast, have a full day

in Florence and then to the 5 villages of Cinque Terre. The ship will be completely renovated by April 1, 2020 and our guest Lecturer is Dr. Joseph P. Cassar, a renowned art historian.

For the full itinerary go to www.roadscholar.org, Program # 23512RJ Cost for 11 nights is $4199.00 for inside room, $4599.00 for outside room. Includes 29 meals, daily excursions, all fees, gratuities, transportation while on shore. Please let me know if you are at all interested – we already have a big HARTA group which is all the more reason you should join us! Let's meet for breakfast on the Terrace of the Aegean Odyssey on June 4Th - I am already packing my bag. -- Carolyn Monroe Carolynmonroe36@gmail.com 832-724-9052

Substitute Teachers Needed Dominique Lewis, Director of Schools at a small private Christian school called Abbey Preparatory Academy in the Humble area is hoping to connect with some retired teachers who would be interested in being on her substitute list for the upcoming school year. Classroom sizes are about 6 students currently in K5-6th grade She says it is rare that she needs subs, but it does happen from time to time, and her goal is to have a list of about 5 qualified, reliable people. Contact her if you are interested: Dominique Lewis <d.lewis@abbeyacademy.org> 281-630-0900

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JOIN THESE HAPPY HARTA MEMBERS TODAY! FILL OUT AND MAIL IN THE MEMBERSHIP FORM

________________________________________________________________________________________

HARTA SCHOLARSHIP DONATION “In Memory or In Celebration”

Your Name ___________________________________________________________ Amount _____________ Check one _____ In Memory _____ In Celebration Of (name) ________________________________

Name and Address for Acknowledgement Letter:

Make checks to HARTA & indicate SCHOLARSHIP DONATION on the memo line. Mail to HARTA, PO Box 5102, Kingwood, TX 77325 Attn: Sunny Smith

Humble Area Retired Teachers Association & Texas Retired Teachers Association Membership Enrollment Form

TRTA DUES $35.00 PER YEAR / HARTA DUES $5.00 PER YEAR/TOTAL DUES $40.00 NAME:_____________________________DATE:______________AMOUNT PAID_________ STREET:_____________________________CITY_____________STATE_TX_ZIP___________ PHONE_________________EMAIL:______________________________________________ From which school/dept./district did you retire? ___________________________________Your Birthday (mo. & day)_________

Referred by ___________________________________________________________________________

Make checks payable to HARTA. Mail to: HARTA, PO BOX 5102, Humble, TX 77325, Attn: Marjo Stach