PITTSBURGH NORTH HILLS AARP CHAPTER #595

WEBSITE:  aarp-595.mailchimpsites.com

Hampton Presbyterian Church; 2942 E Hardies Road, Gibsonia, PA  15044

May 14, 2025

General Meeting:  Tuesday, June 3, 2025 @ 12:30 p.m.  

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – JANET RUSHMORE

It’s truly been my pleasure to preside over Chapter 595 meetings and events this past year. We accomplished a lot and were widely recognized in local papers and websites for our first-ever community service book drive project, organized by Leslie Molyneaux. Our travel team, Herman and Elaine, were awarded AARP National’s Community Service Award recognizing their generosity and expertise hosting and arranging multiple travel opportunities plus organizing a highly successful international cruise with another domestic cruise scheduled this Autumn. We have moved into the digital age with our very own website (now featuring photos),expanded email newsletter service, and automated accounting system. Carol Schreiber had already extended her special event responsibilities to include reservation obligations, and now secures all supplies and decorations for meetings. Beverly Klinefelter wears two hats as our treasurer and special events co-chairperson. She packs and sells food from luncheons, creating a significant additional income, and often with Carol, stays late to tidy the kitchen. Nancy Jackson continues to create our newsletter, orchestrate the printing, and patiently handles the complex post-office bureaucracy to keep members informed. Linda Erjavac has been a saint sorting out conversations during meetings to produce an accurate account of what really matters for our minutes. Diane Ratay replaced two long-term program chairpersons and introduced new and interesting entertainers for our members to enjoy. Give& Take table has a fresh new name and lots to offer with Sharon Smarto at the helm. Marilyn Ritz never misses a beat when a card needs to be sent to cheer our members. Jim Smith steps in annually to audit our accounting records, make recommendations, and confirm all is well. Our past president, Mary Lee Steinmetz efficiently installs our officers and board members without fail. Jack Myers is always ready to sub as vice president, and he makes sure we have chairs (and tables) for each meeting with help from his trusty team. We’re lucky to have Ruth Dollin and now Darlene Brylka to organize the refreshments and cookie volunteers for regular meetings. The appointment of assistant treasurer, Chris Hartung and now Ray Murawski has proven to be quite an asset for our chapter. And... my 45-year partner in life, Bill Rushmore, has supported me in so many ways, especially managing the membership of 300 (+/-) members over the past year while mastering the website with events, newsletters, photos, and more. I’m especially thankful to Joanne Cahill who helps him at the membership table every month. It’s been an exciting year and as you can tell, we have a great team! I’m pleased and proud of all members and look forward to another year as president working with the nicest group of people who are willing “To serve, Not to Be Served.” Thanks to all of you for your continued support.

GENERAL MEETING – LINDA ERJAVAC

Janet Rushmore, President opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of God Bless America. Karen Schmidt from Hampton Presbyterian Church promoted 2 church events.  Janet reported we have 297 members to date and the balance to date in the treasury is $9,298.81.  Carol Schreiber reported she has 119 reservations for the June 3^rd luncheon with a deadline of May 27. Herman Boehmig and Elaine Benec were presented with the 2025 AARP National Service Award.  Herman reported itineraries and luggage tags for Mackinac Island trip were available at their table today for travelers.  Donations were encouraged for the Hosanna Glove Drive. Janet Rushmore presented the names of the  candidates for officers and board members: Pres, Janet Rushmore, VP, Jack Myers Treas, Beverly Klinefelter, Sec, Linda Erjavac and Board members, Elaine Benec, Herman Boehmig, Nancy Jackson, Bill Rushmore and Carol Schreiber. Audrey Newcamp and Kathleen Shaulis made motions to approve and members accepted and approved nominations. Candidates will be installed at the next meeting June 3. Motions were made to adjourn the meeting and members were entertained by Regina Ketter/violinist.

MEMBERSHIP/WEBMASTER – BILL RUSHMORE

Thanks for signing in at the welcome desk. Membership is stable and dues remain at $10 per person. Those who have not renewed have been dropped from the newsletter mailing list and are not eligible for discounted luncheons. Please invite friends, relatives or neighbors to our meetings and expand their social lives. Checks payable to AARP 595 may be mailed to Bill Rushmore, 2601 Lynnhaven Drive, Allison Park, PA 15101.

SPECIAL EVENTS – CAROL SCHREIBER AND BEVERLY KLINEFELTER

Our Installation Luncheon is set for Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Prior to the meeting on May 6, we have 119 reservations. You still have time to reserve your lunch. Reservation form and menu are included in this newsletter. If you plan to attend, please get your reservation in as soon as possible. It is important that you send Carol your form as this is how she tracks the reservations. Deadline for reservations is May 27, 2025,as this is when Carol calls in the reservations and when checks are deposited. Should you need to cancel your reservation, May 27 is the last date to do so. Carol will destroy your check and reservation form. She can be reached at 412-486-6879 and there is an answering machine to take your call should she not be available. Please leave your return phone number as part of your message. Should you have to cancel after May 28, please consider having someone pick up your meal(s) as a take-out. This is possible for all our luncheons. Hope to see you then.

ENTERTAINMENT – DIANE RATAY

Regina Ketter’s heart-felt renditions of classic and modern music captivated our audience and brought some to tears. Her presentation with an ultra-modern electric violin mesmerized our members into complete silence. Let’s give our undivided attention next month to guitarist and singer Richard Sneed who will be performing for your pleasure.  Please join us and be respectful as he plays for our enjoyment.

Cleanup and chair removal will begin AFTER our entertainers have finished their performance. If you must leave early, just quietly go and someone will take care of the chairs.

SUNSHINE COMMITTEE – MARILYN RITZ

Contact Marilyn Ritz at 412-487-8698 if you know a member who is ill, suffered a loss or is home bound.  Thinking of You cards were mailed to Carol Thompson, Judy Kowalewski, Mary Sansonetti, Janet Koynock and Tess Craig.  Sympathy card was mailed to Judy Kasperowski and Ed Bruno on the passing of Ed’s sister.

HOSPITALITY – DARLENE BRYLKA

No cookies needed until September! We’re looking for a committed group of four people to support the chairperson on a regular basis. It’s only six times a year to facilitate setting up cookies and beverages then clearing up after those meetings. Please consider signing up to be part of this committee, get to know more members, and make new friends. More hands make less work!

TRAVEL – HERMAN & ELAINE BOEHMIG

ATTENTION:  Registration Form must be included with payment.  Pay with separate checks for multiple trips.  When mailing payments to us, only one envelope is necessary. Thankyou.

Mackinac Island with a visit to Frankenmuth (May 28 – May 31, 2025)   Travelers – Arrive at Hampton Presbyterian Church on May 28 at 7:45 A.M. Bus departs at 8:00 A.M. Timed itineraries and luggage tags have been distributed.

SISTER ACT (Sunday, June 22, 2025) Travel to Midland, PA to see “Sister Act” at the Lincoln Performing Arts Center.  Enjoy dinner at the Willows Restaurant after the show.  This trip is going.  Tickets are still available.  Call us if interested.

Cost:  $170 ($20 theater ticket is nonrefundable)

NOTE:  Pickup location is at Home Depot (Shopper’s Plaza), 4960 William Flynn Highway, Allison Park, PA

LAKE ERIE LUNCH CRUISE (Thursday, August 14, 2025) We are taking 2 buses, but space is limited to 80 people boat capacity.  Wait List is available.  Call if interested. Travel to Erie, PA to board the authentic paddle wheeler, Victorian Princess, for a lunch cruise on Lake Erie.  The lunch menu is chicken salad, ox roast sliders, macaroni salad, coleslaw, Caesar salad and fruit salad.  Then visit Dobbins Landing at the edge of Presque Isle Bay which includes enjoying the views of Lake Erie on the top observation deck of the Bicentennial Tower.

Cost:  $140

NOAH @ SIGHT & SOUND, LANCASTER, PA (Wednesday, October 22, 2025)  We need a minimum of 40 people for this trip. We need 12 more people for this trip to go. If you have sent us a check, we will not deposit it until we have enough travelers for the trip. Call us if interested 724-586-9638. Enjoy a matinee performance of Noah returning for a special 30^th anniversary season. After the show, enjoy a lunch smorgasbord at the new Hershey Farm Restaurant.  Following lunch, depart for home.

Cost:  $232

9 NIGHT CANADA & NEW ENGLAND CRUISE (September 11-20, 2025) This trip is sold out!  

Flyers and registration forms are available on our website

COMMUNITY SERVICE – LESLIE MOLYNEAUX

Please be generous during our “Glove Drive” with a few extra dollars to help us reach our $500 goal. We already have collected $284 and will be passing the basket around again at the June meeting which is the last day we will be asking for donations. If you’re unable to make the meetings, you can send a check payable to AARP 595 to Leslie Molyneaux, 502 Beech Street, Gibsonia, PA 15044.

BOARD MEMBERS – 2024/2025

President:  Janet Rushmore 412-486-7465                                          Membership: Bill Rushmore 412-486-7465

Vice President:  Jack Myers 724-444-5635                                          Reservations: Carol Schreiber 412-486-6879

Treasurer:  Beverly Klinefelter 724-316-3628                                              Travel: Herman & Elaine Boehmig 724-586-9638

Secretary:  Linda Erjavac 814-590-3300                                                     Newsletter Editor:  Nancy Jackson 724-443-7526

COMMITTEES

Entertainment:  Diane Ratay 412-370-1503                                          Hospitality: Darlene Brylka 412-215-2121

Sunshine: Marilyn Ritz 412-487-8698                                                    Community Service/Greeter: Leslie Molyneaux

Special Events:  Carol Shreiber 412-486-6879                                                                                      412-610-2257

Beverly Klinefelter 724-316-3628                                                        Nominating: Mary Lee Steinmetz 412-487-5654

Auditor:  Jim Smith 412-486-5953                                                        Assistant Treasurer: Ray Murawski 412-487-4265

Give & Take Table: Sharon Smarto 412-335-0041                            Webmaster: Bill Rushmore 412-486-7465