From the President’s Desk_______

Let’s work together to keep NARFE strong. Stay a member and be active! Join the NARFE Chapter 717 “Armchair Activists.” If you have a computer, get on the NARFE web site at www.narfe.org. There you can send an e-mail to our Senators and Congressmen.

At the March Chapter meeting, the Legislative Officer, Ben Martorella, again distributed petitions for us to sign during the meeting. He thereafter sent them to our Florida Congressional delegation. Well done, Ben!

Annual Fund Raising Auction – April 15, 2004 at the Holiday Inn in Venice. Bring those unwanted holiday gifts. They will find a new home! Money raised will go into the Chapter treasury for general expenses. This will be a super event. We have several fine new items already. Bring your tax refund spending money and unwanted items to the meeting. Our member auctioneer, Al Angelastri, will lead the auction with his usual humor and grace. Guests welcome. Meal reservations are required.

The Annual NARFE Chapter 717 picnic will be at the pavilion at Lemon Bay Park at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 22, 2004. There will be no charge and guests are welcome. The Chapter will provide the meat (sandwich ham), bread, beverage (soda) and ice, and plastic plates, tableware and napkins. Gladys Green (497-7256) is coordinating this event. Call her and let her know that you will be attending and what food you will be bringing. Last year we had over 40 members and guests attend the picnic. This is a big, clean, beautiful park at the bay. There will be a presentation by the Sarasota County Naturalist assigned to the park. Please plan to attend.

Florida Federation Convention Delegates. If you are planning to attend the NARFE Florida Federation Convention May 17-21, you can be designated a voting delegate and represent the Chapter. Call me if you are interested.

NARFE Alzheimer’s Fund. The official NARFE charity is Alzheimer’s funding for research, and to that end we push now for donations to the NARFE Alzheimer’s Fund. Since donations to the NARFE Alzheimer’s Fund are tax deductible, please think about donating and get the tax benefit. Make your check out to “NARFE Chapter 717.” In the MEMO section write “Alzheimer’s Fund.” Send your check to NARFE Chapter 717, PO Box 2203, Venice, FL 34284-2203. Thank you.

Mark your calendar for these special events:

1. Fourth Annual Fund Raising Auction – April 15, 2004 at the Holiday Inn in Venice. Bring those unwanted holiday gifts. They will find a new home!

2. The Chapter 717 Annual Picnic will be 11:00 am on Thursday, April 22, 2004 at the Lemon Bay Park Pavilion in Englewood. All are welcome. No charge for this event. Chapter will provide sandwich ham, bread, condiments, soft drinks, paper goods, etc. You will provide salads, desserts, etc. Contact Gladys Green, Food Coordinator at 941-497-7256 if you plan to bring food.

3. The NARFE Florida Federation Convention will be May 17–21, 2004, at the Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs outside of Orlando. Those interested should contact the Secretary or me ASAP. Hotel rate is $72 plus tax per night.

HELP WANTED We have the following critical appointed officer and committee position vacancies. Urgent – we need you to volunteer!
- Luncheon Greeters. Welcome new members, potential new members and guests at the monthly luncheon meeting. Contact Dick Brettle, Recruitment and Retention Dir.
- Recruitment and Retention Contact Caller. Assist the Recruitment and Retention Director by contacting current and potential Chapter members. Be a part of the team!
- Ways and Means - Duties related to raising money for the chapter.
Anyone interested in more information or volunteering should call me. Isn’t it your turn to help out for a year? It’s only a few hours a month. You can do it. Contact me now.

Our Chapter web site is for you. Please view it at: www.narfe717.org. Webmaster Bill Leatham runs the best NARFE web site in Florida and maybe in all of NARFE! It is very informative and has links to other sites. You can join our e-mail list by clicking on the subscribe button in the web site.

Reminder: When you are called about meeting meal reservations, please make a reservation only if you are relatively sure you will be attending the meeting. This is especially necessary if you reserve a special meal. No reservation? You can attend the meeting anyway. We usually have a few extra meals on hand for late deciders and guests.

We are looking for your input. Do you have a recommendation for a luncheon speaker? Tell Bill Leatham or me who you would like us to have as a guest speaker. Do you have a suggestion for an all Chapter 717 event? Tell me what it is, and we’ll discuss the idea before the Executive Committee.

All members are responsible for membership growth. Bring a retired or current federal employee to a meeting or give them an application for membership. Remember, only you can keep NARFE and Chapter 717 strong. Need an application for membership? Contact the Membership Committee or any officer.

Think about paying your dues through dues withholding or obtaining a NARFE Life Membership. NARFE National dues are increasing to $29.00. If you pay your dues by automatic dues deduction by OPM, you will receive the lower rate of $24.85 per year – a saving of over $4.00 per year. If you reached your 85th birthday and are a 20-year NARFE member, you are eligible for Honorary Life Membership (no more dues). Call the Membership Chair or me for more info.

The NARFE Florida Federation web site is at www.flfed-narfe.org. Check it out.

Federal Times has joined with NARFE to extend a Special Discount Offer to NARFE members. Support NARFE by subscribing to Federal Times for 52 weekly issues for only $36. In addition to a great rate, Federal Times will remit $5 of every subscription to NARFE! Call 1-800-368-5718.

Kudos to the volunteers and Officers of the Chapter who are working so professionally to keep the Chapter strong and provide the services you expect! A special thank you to the Picnic Coordinator Gladys Green. Special thanks also to all who donate food for the picnic, items for the auction and door prizes for the Chapter meeting!

The March 18, 2004, Chapter Meeting at Holiday Inn of Venice opened at 11:30 p.m. with 48 members and guests present. Chaplain Bill Kennedy led the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. Legislative Officer Ben Martorella distributed a petition for signature. Bob Samuels, Chairman and CEO, Florida Prostate Cancer Network, gave a highly informative and entertaining presentation. The 50/50 and door prize games were played. Anniversary and Birthday wishes were extended thanks to the singing voice of Linda Braswell. The meeting adjourned at approximately 2:00 p.m.

Address correct? Snow Birds need to remind us that you are leaving Paradise.

ASAP! THOSE IN VENICE WHO ARE BEING CONVERTED TO ZIP CODE 34285 MUST NOTIFY US OF THE CHANGE AND INCLUDE YOUR FULL NEW ZIP+4 DIGIT NUMBERS! WE WILL NOTIFY NARFE HQ OF THE CHANGES. You can get your new ZIP Plus 4 from your address on your electric bill. It’s there! Send an e-mail to Nancy Marik, Membership Chair, or call me.

We hope to see you at the next Chapter meeting on April 15, 2004.
Chapter Picnic April 22, 2004. The next Executive Committee meeting will be on April 1, 2004.

Regards to all,
Steve Shoub, Pres.

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LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Ben Martorella.
Legislative officer

I am not a fan of partisan politics and I deplore negative campaign advertising. Recently, on TV there was an ad showing an elderly couple being toppled by having the rug they were standing on pulled out from under them.

As distasteful as this ad was, it closely depicts what the new Medicare reform legislation can become if it remains in its present form.

We must not become complacent and need to continually contact our Senators, Nelson and Graham, encouraging their support of S. 1369 and any other legislation.

Remember, the purpose of NARFE is to protect our RETIREMENT and our HEALTH BENEFITS.

Senator Bob Graham
Toll free 866 418- 9569
Fax 202 224 2237

Senator Bill Nelson
Toll free 888 671 4091
Fax 202 228-2183

Congresswoman Katherine Harris
Sarasota ph: 941-951-6643
D.C. 202-225-5015
Local fax 941-951-2972
D. C. Fax 202 226- 0828

If you have any questions, you may contact me by phone 941 473-7946 or email benmax@ewol.com.

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PICNIC - Directions to Lemon Bay Park:

From the NORTH (Venice Area);

Go south on Route 776, turn right on Old Englewood Road, turn right on Ohio Street, turn left at the first street – Curtis Blvd. Turn right at the fifth street – Brengle Avenue. Go all the way to the end and turn right. The entrance to Lemon Bay Park is on the left.

From the South (Englewood Area);

Go north on Route 776 or west on Dearborn. If going north on Route 776 turn left on Dearborn, turn right on to Old Englewood Road, Turn left at Stewart Street (the 5th street), follow Stewart to Curtis Blvd. Turn right on Curtis Blvd. Make a left turn on Brengle Avenue. Go all the way to the end of Brengle and turn right. The entrance to Lemon Bay Park is on the left.

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SUNSHINE REPORT
(Gladys Green)

Herbert Lake, father of our membership chair, Nancy Marik, passed away on March 3. Our sympathy is extended to Nancy and her family.

On the sick list since our previous newsletter: Myron Gerbitz, Rich Liberty, John Sellner, and Tillie Besaw. The chapter sends best wishes to all for a speedy recovery.

Although our chapter sends a get-well card to each member who is ill, we encourage other members to send their own individual cards. Help to cheer up someone who is stuck indoors because of illness—send a card or give them a call.

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CHAPTER MEETING

The next meeting of Englewood Venice Chapter 717 will be held on April 15, 2004 at the Venice Holiday Inn, 455 US 41 Bypass, Venice, FL. The annual White Elephant Auction will be held at this meeting. The luncheon meeting will start at 11:30 and the cost is $13.00. All current and retired Federal employees are welcome to attend.


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Petite Garden Salad with Dressings

Ham Steak with Pineapple

Candied Yams

Green Beans

Chef's Choice Dessert

Iced Tea, Coffee and Decaf
 

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