Member Update

Kathy Harrison and husband Joe have become faithful travelers on the IEAFCS bus trips. They enjoyed the Natchez tour last spring and were one of the first to sign up for Mackinac Island. Other couples are following their lead, and we have at least three spouses planning to go on the fall trip.

Kathy & Joe are also avid SIU basketball fans. They divide their time between southern Illinois in the winter--so they can go to basketball games and Kentucky Lake in the summer. Fishing is a favorite activity there.

The southern region IEAFCS group visited the Kentucky home, and we can vouch for the fact that the fish are plentiful and delicious!

Member Update

Lois Smith and her husband took a long trip to Germany last fall. Jimmy retired in the summer, and she is holding him to his promise that they will do some traveling. She is pictured here with a plate of chocolates she brought back to share at the Southern Region Christmas meeting.

Lois also spends quite a lot of time with the grand kids in Iowa. And she still helps take care of an elderly lady that she and Jim have befriended.

She enjoyed the Natchez trip, and is looking forward to the one in Michigan this fall.

Benefits Choice Information

If you have not read the Message to Plan Members that arrived in your mailbox recently, you may want to do that.

There is a list of changes in HMO and Quality Care plans. Information is also included concerning Quality Care coordination of benefits for those who have Medicare.

In 2014 Medicare primary retirees, annuitants and survivors will be required to enroll in a state-sponsored Medicare plan. Letters will be sent in the coming months to explain this in more detail.

All retirees, annuitants, and survivors will be charged a percentage of their combined annuity value to cover the costs of the basic program of group health benefits. Medicare eligible individuals will pay 1% of the value of their annual annuity from all five State retirement systems. Non-Medicare eligible individuals will pay 2% of the value of their annual annuity from all five State retirement systems.

You may want to check out the website or try to obtain more information about these changes and how they will affect you.

Condolences for Delores Pourchot

Deloris Ellis Pourchot died Friday and her funeral will be today (April 15) in Havana, IL. 

“Dee” as many of us called her, served as NEAFCS President in 1983. 

The photo is of Dee and Mary Ann Fugate in 1983.  Dee is cutting the ribbon to the 1983 Annual Session Exhibit Hall  in Atlanta, Georgia and Mary Ann was the Exhibit’s chairman.  To the left of Dee is President-elect, Charlotte Young and to the right of Mary Ann is Ed Long, Exhibit’s Co-Chair. 

This is Dee’s obituary:

Deloris J. Pourchot, 74, of Lincoln, Illinois, passed away at Memorial Medical Center, Springfield, at 9:30 am on Thursday, April 11, 2013. She was born September 25, 1938 in Peoria to Ralph and Marie (Blakeley) Gregory.

She married Leonard Pourchot on October 3, 1992 in Peoria and he preceded her in death on March 7, 2013. She is survived by two step-sons, Doug (Barbara) Ellis of Latham, IL and Roger Ellis of California. She is also survived by two sisters, Darlene Urish of Easton, IL and Diane (Ron) Ebken of Kilbourne, IL and three step-grandchildren, Susan, Janet and Wesley Ellis.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother, Ralph Gregory.

She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lincoln. She was also a member of the League of Women Voters, was President of the Coalition of Women Church Members, served as President of National Association of Retired Federal Employees and President of National Association of Extension Home Economists. She worked for the Cooperative Extension Service at the University of Illinois and at Virginia Tech for 36 years.

Services will be held on Monday, April 15, 2013 at 11:00 am at Hurley Funeral Home in Havana, IL with Pastor Brian Lesemann officiating. Visitation will be held at 10:00 am. Burial will follow services at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the University of Illinois, Northern Illinois University, Immanuel Lutheran Church or St. John‘s Lutheran Church. Online messages may be left for the family at www.hurleyfh.com. Hurley Funeral Home in Havana is in charge of arrangements.

Delores Ellis Pourchot - 1983 NEAFCS President

Member Update

Cammy Seguin has grandkids in Virginia and Maryland, so that makes for travel opportunities. She also really enjoyed the Natchez trip.

She was able to burn her mortgage during the past year. Cammy also likes to attend plays and musicals.

In addition, she volunteers for her church and the local food pantry.

Spring is Here!

Spring has finally made it to southern Illinois! Hope you are enjoying the beautiful blooms.

Member Update

Carol Schlitt is a very busy lady!

She has established her own business, Safe and Savory Solutions. She still teaches many workshops and classes in the areas of nutrition, food preparation, and food safety. Her expertise provides a valuable resource since there are no Extension Nutrition and Wellness Educators in southern Illinois.

During 2012 Carol served IEAFCS as Awards Chair until the office could be filled. She also provided leadership to the Futuring Committee that helped make recommendations for future operations.

Carol is our official IEAFCS trip coordinator. We have had a wonderful trip for the past two years, and another is set for fall to Mackinac Island.The bus is already full!

In addition to that she has traveled to Washington DC and attended NEAFCS in Columbus, Ohio during the past year. And she and  Donna Falconnier visited Peru this winter.

Carol has also been successful in losing quite a lot of weight. Looking good Carol! Thanks for all you do for our organization.