Member Update

Deb Pflasterer and her family own and manage an Ice Cream Shop and Grill in their town. As you can guess, this keeps them plenty busy!

She and her husband have three children ages 18, 10 and 8. She also still helps out at State Fair with entries, etc.

Good to see you, Deb!

Flashback to '76

Lynn Bredemeyer was working in  North Suburban Cook County as Assistant Extension Adviser, Home Economics. Her bachelor's degree was from Southern Illinois University, and she had been in Cook County since 1975.

Southern Region Retirees Meet

Southern Region IEAFCS Retirees and Friends met at the home of Curt & Priscilla Barnes for their September get together. As shown in the photo at left, Priscilla gave a tour of her beautiful home which features Geo-thermal heating and lots of handicap accessibility ideas. She even allowed us to have lunch there and take over her dining room for our short meeting.




                                                                                 

Those pictured are Priscilla Barnes, Rusti Grogan, Janet Burnett, Carol Schlitt, Donna Rumsey, Martha Speir, Lois Smith, and Patti Faughn. Others who attended were Shirley Prewitt, Kathy Harrison, Joyce Pyatt, and Joy Richey.

The weather was beautiful, and everyone agreed we had a very enjoyable day! It was great to catch up with many old friends.

Please send photos of your activities as they occur.

Medicare Premiums Could Increase

Medicare premiums could increase from $104.90 to $151.30 per month in 2016 for Federal Retirees covered by CSRS, but who do not draw Social Security.

Those who have their insurance premiums withheld from their Social Security checks are protected from a Medicare Premium increase if the cost of living adjustment does not go up enough to cover extra costs. There is a clause in the laws that does not allow Social Security benefits to decrease.

However, those who are excluded from receiving Social Security do not have this protection. It is not yet known if there will be a cost of living increase this year. If only the CSRS retirees (who make up 30% of the total number of beneficiaries)  have to bear the full cost of the Medicare increase, that means the 52% jump in the cost could occur. NARFE is working with legislators to keep this from happening.

The most recent issue of FYI was released on 9/11. It mentions the passing of Curt Eisenmeyer on Sept. 4th. Our condolences to his family and friends.

There is also news that the Department of Human and Community Development within  the College of ACES had been renamed The Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS).

Here is the link to FYI 9/11/15:  http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/fyi/

 

Member Update

Debbie McLellan said that she had just completed her first hand quilted quilt. One child graduated from Eastern in July, and another one is also there.

Her family likes to go trail riding, and they take their horses to lots of different places for camping and riding.

Sorry this photo isn't very clear. Camera man must have moved!  Debbie looks good, though!

Member Update

Rosie Myers-Bradley is currently an Academic Adviser for Family and Consumer Science Programs at Eastern Illinois University. She is like several of our IEAFCS Life Members who are still in the work force.

She has daughters in Nashville, TN, and recently spent her 60th birthday in New Orleans.

I know she was an Extension Home Economist in Pope-Hardin Counties in Illinois, and I believe she also worked in at least one other county during her time in Extension. It was good to see you at the recent IEAFCS Summer Reunion, Rosie!

Summer Reunion Was Very Enjoyable!

The annual IEAFCS Summer Reunion was held July 30th in Springfield at American Harvest Eatery. We were happy to see many old friends and former co-workers.  Pictured from left to right in the back row (standing) are: Martha Winter, Ellen Burton,  Sheryl Hodges, Barb Farner, Amy Griswold, Joy Richey, Rachel Schwarzendruber, Rosie Bradley, Ruth Hensen, Debbie McClellan, Sharon Kuhns, Marjorie LaFont, Michelle Pride, Cammy Seguin, Jananne Finck, and Mary Ann Fugate.

Front row (seated) includes Carol Schlitt, Chelsey Byers Gerstenecker (current IEAFCS president), Cheri Burcham (IEAFCS immediate past president), Janet Burnett, Deb Pflasterer, Pat Hildebrand, Ruby Lingle, Shirley Camp, and Bev Combs.

It was good to catch up on all the things individuals are involved in.  We are surely still carrying on with helping others and supporting community efforts. More details will be shared later.

IEAFCS now has 28 active members. That is good news that the number of Family and Consumer Science staff members in Illinois Extension is increasing.

Sad news included the passing of several former Agriculture Advisers just recently. Condolences to the families of Larry Paszkiewicz, Bill Whiteside, Jim McCurdy, and Elmer Rankin. Well wishes are extended to Kay Mayberry and Catherine Mauck who are having some health issues.

Those who had attended the Kentucky Derby showed off their hats. Mary Ann Fugate, Carol Schlitt, Joy Richey, and Sheryl Hodges modeled theirs for the group. Pat Hildebrand also attended the Derby, but did not bring her hat that day.

The 2016 date for the Reunion is July 28th, so mark your calendar now!

Thanks to the planning committee for organizing the event--Sharon Kuhns, Bev Combs, Jananne Finck, and Joy Richey.