This is an article from the Pew Charitable Trust explaining state funded retirement systems. Once again, thanks in large part to WREA, we're in one of the best. The problem is to keep what we've got.
http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2017/11/basic-legal-protections-vary-widely-for-participants-in-public-retirement-plans
Friday, December 29, 2017
Saturday, November 4, 2017
Book Sale Success!
Once again, the Book Sale Committee carried out a smoothly-run, highly productive book sale. Together with help from WI/Nicaragua Partners, SPARTA volunteer shift workers, and an unexpected show of muscle power at closing from the Wolfpack, the operation went smoothly.
Thanks to this huge effort, enough money was raised for us to continue our scholarship and grant programs.
A big shout-out to the Children's Museum for all their support. They help us out in so many ways, from renting us the property for a tremendously generous rate, posting and advertising the sale, being very cooperative about scheduling, and supporting us in so many other ways. A BIG THANKS!
See You In November
SPARTA
Stevens Point Area
Retired Teachers’ Association
November Meeting
Announcement
Agenda, minutes
& news attached.
November 13, 2017 –
11:30 a.m.
Program – Mike
Thompson of the
Central Wisconsin
Never Forgotten Honor Flight
The Moose Lodge
1025 Second St. N.
Stevens Point, WI
Meal - $11.00
Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, Salad Bar, Roll,
Coffee/Milk, Ice Cream and a Cookie
R.S.V.P. by November 9th -
Noon
Call – Sherrilee at 715-344-0031or swallerman@charter.net
Make Checks Payable
to: The Moose Lodge
Monday, September 25, 2017
Chasing Coral
Hi,Considering the latest weather events of extreme droughts and severe hurricanes, this is an important documentary to see. I hope to see you at the UU.Rita PachalCHASING CORALA documentary on climate changeThursday, September 28, 20176:30 – 8:00 PMUniversalist Unitarian Church504 Grant St., WausauFree and Open to the PublicChasing Coral documents the increasing destruction of coral reefs due to the warming of our oceans. Coral provides a wonderfully productive habitat for a multitude of sea creatures and its loss threatens the stability of ocean life. This film was three years in the making and highlights our own role in this unfolding tragedy. The good news is we can still save the coral world; come and find out how. Produced by Jeff Orlowski (producer of Chasing Ice) Chasing Coral won first place for documentaries at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. It is a must see!Sponsored by Citizens Climate Lobby and Wausau United to Amend
Sunday, September 24, 2017
October Meeting
Our next meeting will be held at 11:15 on Monday, October 9 at the Park Ridge Family Restaurant (formerly the Blue Top.) Our presenter will be Sandy Williams from the Central Wisconsin Children's Museum (our very kind landlords.)
The meal will be served family style and include:
soup
bread
roast pork
mashed potatoes
gravy
dressing
peas
cake
coffee
All for the price of $13, which includes tax and tips.
A good meal, fellowship, and an interesting speaker. Excellent!
Anyone brave enough to wear their dirndl or lederhosen?
Ready to Get Going?
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September Meeting
Our guest presenters at the September meeting provided us with a taste of the different groups that they represented.
Pick Two: All the Things You Never Had Time to Do” featuring Barb Evans from RSVP, Barb Towey with Music. Music, Music, Linda Weber from Nicaragua Partnership, Anne Rogalski from the LIFE program, Jerry Lineberger from Friends of Schmeekle, and Nancy from AMBA
Sunday, September 10, 2017
Volunteer Hours
PLEASE bring your list of volunteer hours to the September meeting! If you can't be there, please email a copy to Santha Bickford!! Thank you!!!
Monday, September 4, 2017
Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics --Mark Twain*
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--University of York |
Here are a few random statistics to brighten your day:
Louisiana Republicans who blame Katrina on Obama: 29% (Um, Katrina-2005)
US voting-age population voting in 2016 presidential election: 55.7%, 27th among nations
Total cost of US wars since 2001: $1.8 trillion
Americans who think human activity has added to climate change: 48%
Americans who think that humans were created "as is" 10,000 years ago: 42%
Americans who think vaccines are extremely or very important: 84%
Democrats/Left Leaners who think higher education has a positive impact on the country: 72%
Republicans/Right Leaners who think higher education has a negative impact on the country: 58%
US foreign aid: 1% of the national budget
Highest personal income tax: Denmark, 53.9%
Happiest country: Iceland (And that's before they beat Britain in the quarter-finals!)
Fun and games with statistics! I could do this all day! And just have!
Speaking of Statistics
National Priorities Project is an interesting website that shows what the government is spending on different programs. It allows you to see what the trade-offs could be. For example:
For Corporate Tax Avoidance (Profits Held Offshore), taxpayers in Portage County, Wisconsin are paying $106.92 million per year. Here's what those tax dollars could have paid for instead:
- + edit ➜ 1,393 Elementary School Teachers for 1 Year, or
- + edit ➜ 1,443 Clean Energy Jobs Created for 1 Year, or
- + edit ➜ 1,924 Infrastructure Jobs Created for 1 Year, or
- + edit ➜ 1,069 Jobs with Supports Created in High Poverty Communities for 1 Year, or
- + edit ➜ 13,364 Head Start Slots for Children for 1 Year, or
- + edit ➜ 10,063 Military Veterans Receiving VA Medical Care for 1 Year, or
- + edit ➜ 3,115 Scholarships for University Students for 4 Years, or
- + edit ➜ 4,596 Students Receiving Pell Grants of $5,815 for 4 Years, or
- + edit ➜ 72,715 Children Receiving Low-Income Healthcare for 1 Year, or
- + edit ➜ 155,765 Households with Wind Power for 1 Year, or
- + edit ➜ 39,830 Adults Receiving Low-Income Healthcare for 1 Year, or
- + edit ➜ 96,215 Households with Solar Electricity for 1 Year
See You Monday!
SPARTA
Stevens Point Area Retired Teachers Association
September Meeting Announcement
September 11, 2017 – 11:30 a.m.
Program –
All the Things You Never Had Time To Do
Memories
2811 Plover Springs Dr.
Plover, WI 54467
Meal - $11.00
R.S.V.P. by September 7th
Call – Sherrilee at 715-344-0031 or swallerman@charter.net
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Helping Houston
Hurricane Harvey could be the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history with a potential price tag of $190 billion, according to a preliminary estimate from private weather firm AccuWeather.
This is equal to the combined cost of Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, and represents a 0.8% economic hit to the gross national product, AccuWeather said.
--USA Today, Aug. 31, 2017
Many of us want to help the people in the Houston area who are suffering from the Hurricane Harvey disaster. It's easy to go online to donate to reputable organizations. However, it's prudent to check the organizations before you give.
Charity Navigator is a resource that rates all these organizations. It also has links to reputable groups for Hurricane Harvey relief. You can link to them here: https://www.charitynavigator.org
And, as always, there are bad guys out there running scams. This link will take you to the government website warning of these scams: https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/current-activity/2017/08/28/Potential-Hurricane-Harvey-Phishing-Scams
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Classroom Supply Closet
We've learned of a new organization in town that collects supplies for teachers. Located at 3100 Minnesota Ave. in Stevens Point, they are just getting up and running. We will be collecting donations at our September meeting. For more information about them, go to www.classroomsupply closet.org or info@classroomsupplycloset.org.
We know you've been dying to start saving washed out peanut butter jars, shoe boxes, and 2 liter pop bottles again. Here's your chance!
The list of items wanted and unwanted can be located in the sidebar below. You may want to print it out for future reference.
We know you've been dying to start saving washed out peanut butter jars, shoe boxes, and 2 liter pop bottles again. Here's your chance!
The list of items wanted and unwanted can be located in the sidebar below. You may want to print it out for future reference.
Time to Apply for Grants
September 5 is the deadline for applying for the fall grants. If you know of an organization that would qualify, pass the application found in the sidebar along.
Report from Parliamentarians: "Approving" Treasurer's Reports Not Advised

At the May meeting, President Bickford announced that a member had challenged our custom of not approving the treasurer's report. Subsequently, that month's report was voted on and approved.
In researching this issue, there is found to be strong consensus among parliamentarians and parliamentarian groups that the treasurer's report should NOT be approved by the organization.
For an organization our size, it is appropriate that an informational report be given at each meeting, It can be questioned, but not voted on for adoption or approval. At the end of our fiscal year (on or about September 1), a committee examines the books and determines if they are correct. At the September meeting, their findings are presented to the membership who may then vote to "accept the report."
The following three articles elaborate on this topic:
In Memorium
We said good-bye to these colleagues this summer: They will be missed.
- Thomas Gloudemans, May 24
- Ana Marie Burch, June 13
- Ed Poock, June 16
- Andrea Drifka, June 19
Back to the Fifties a Hit
We're Back!
So sorry for that. After the May meeting, a vacation seemed in order. So now, there's all these things to catch up on.
First of all, the May meeting: We met at the Golden Corral. Evaluations showed that while the majority of the members were positive about most aspects, there was just not enough room.
Our guest speaker was Dr. Ray Reser from the UWSP faculty. His presentation of the History and Future of Native Americans was quite interesting and included the latest theories of the timeline of aboriginal settlement in Wisconsin.
First of all, the May meeting: We met at the Golden Corral. Evaluations showed that while the majority of the members were positive about most aspects, there was just not enough room.
Our guest speaker was Dr. Ray Reser from the UWSP faculty. His presentation of the History and Future of Native Americans was quite interesting and included the latest theories of the timeline of aboriginal settlement in Wisconsin.
See the minutes from the meeting located in the sidebar for details.
Sunday, May 7, 2017
May 8 Meeting at the Golden Corral
Don't forget to come to the last meeting before summer. We're trying out a few new locations for our meetings. This one will be at the Golden Corral. Be there at 11:30 to pick out your lunch. The cost is $8.69 for your food and $2.39 for drinks. If you need help with your tray, there will be help.
The business meeting will start at about 12:15 and the program speaker at 12:30. Out guest speaker is Dr. Ray Reser, UWSP, on the history and future of Native Americans.
The agenda, notes, and minutes are posted in the News and Notes section of the sidebar.
The business meeting will start at about 12:15 and the program speaker at 12:30. Out guest speaker is Dr. Ray Reser, UWSP, on the history and future of Native Americans.
The agenda, notes, and minutes are posted in the News and Notes section of the sidebar.
Saturday, April 22, 2017
No Good Deed is in Vain
We received these thank you notes for the St. Patrick's Day cards that were sent out. Kudos to our President for this initiative.
Ramona Weisbrod passed away April 4, 2017.
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
2017 SPARTA Scholarship Recipient
The SPARTA Scholarship Committee is please to announce that our 2017 Scholarship winner is Brittany Gagas, Rosholt. The alternative chosen if she is unable to accept is Morgann Glazer, Stevens Point.
Congratulations!
Forever in Our Memory
Our sincere sympathies to out to the family and friends of these fellow educators
who have passed away this month:
Ramona M. Weisbrod
Ramona Marie (Rozek) Weisbrod
passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 4. While heaven gained a gentle soul,
our world has lost some of its warmth. She was born April 19, 1926 to August
and Martha (Kedrowicz) Rozek on the family farm in Polonia. She had three older
brothers (Ernest, Fabian and Henry) and three older sisters (Loretta, Emily and
Evelyn) and a younger sister Theresa/Tess. Only Emiily and Tess survive her.
Ramona attended school in Polonia
and graduated from St. Joseph's Academy in 1944. She attended Central State
Teachers College earning a 2-year teaching certificate and eventually earned
her degree at Wisconsin State University - Stevens Point.
Ramona married the love of her
life, Clarence Weisbrod, on June 7, 1947 and they celebrated their 67th
anniversary before Clarence passed away in 2014. Together they raised five
children: Nancy (Brian) Wilhelm of Neenah, Joseph (Mary Ann) Weisbrod of
Rosholt, Barbara (Russell) Golla of Plover, John (Kathy) Weisbrod of Stevens
Point, and Dori (Mike Meverden) of Spring Grove, Illinois. They were blessed
with ten grandchildren: Eric (Tonya) Weisbrod, Lindsey (Jeremy) Leick, Tracy
(Patrick) Weishan, Erin Wilhelm, Megan Golla, Kara (Tyler) Shogren, Lauren
Golla, Logan Golla, Anna Weisbrod, and Jacob Weisbrod. They also found much joy
in their five great grandchildren: Hannah and Jacob Weisbrod, Elizabeth and
Alexander Leick, and Emily Shogren.
Ramona served 38 years as an
elementary school teacher in and around the Stevens Point area with her last 19
years at Washington school. She was delighted to be recognized by former
students who would greet her by saying "I had you for a teacher!"
After retiring in 1988, she and
Clancy enjoyed traveling all over the United States on bus trips. Starting in
1958 they escaped to their cottage on Lake Helen in Rosholt where first their
children and later grandchildren explored outdoor life camping, fishing,
swimming and boating. Ramona also golfed, gardened and walked for exercise but
her great love was time with "this wonderful family" and a lifetime
of friends. Her family will miss her cooking and is grateful she passed along
so many of her recipes in a family cookbook. The gatherings for any (and no)
occasion won't be the same without her. Her card games with her sisters were
legendary. She also enjoyed the birds at her feeders almost as much as any
visitors on her doorstep.
Ramona was unfailingly kind and
did everything she could to care for others. In her memoir on the occasion of
her 90th birthday she stated "Our Catholic faith has been the cornerstone
on which we built our lives." She has been a faithful member of St.
Stanislaus/Holy Spirit Catholic Church since 1952. Ramona had a great reverence
for Pope Francis and enjoyed watching Sister Anjelica on EWTN.
Ramona and Clarence lived in
their dream house on Soo Marie Ave. for 52 years until making a new home in
2014 at Oakridge now Brookdale. Ramona enjoyed her many friends and activities
there until the time of her passing. The family would like to thank the
residents and staff especially Rosemary for making her feel so "at
home". Dr. Terry Hahn provided compassionate care to Ramona for many years
and her family is so grateful.
Services were held Friday,
April 7 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with visitation beginning at 11:30 AM.
Mass of the Resurrection at 1:00 PM. Burial followed at Guardian Angel
Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial in
Ramona's name will be established.
"I thank God every day for
this wonderful family"
Published in Stevens Point
Journal on Apr. 6, 2017
Gladys May Wentworth
Gladys May Wentworth, age 95,
died peacefully April 10, 2017 at Brookdale Senior Living in Stevens Point, WI.
Gladys was born May 15, 1921 to
the late Guy and Olive (Scribner) Gilman in the Buena Vista Township. She grew
up on the Gilman family farm, attended the local grade school, and graduated
from Emerson High School in 1938. Gladys subsequently attended Central State
Teachers College.
She Married Bayard S. Wentworth
on August 16, 1941 at the Buena Vista Methodist Church.
Gladys and Bayard settled in
Stevens Point after her husband was discharged from military service. She
dedicated her life to raising her four children until they began high school. Gladys
worked several secretarial positon until finding her home at Madison Elementary
School. She worked there as a school secretary until retiring in 1983.
Gladys will be remembered for her
warmth and loving nature. Family was extremely important to Gladys and she
relished spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren,
and great-great grandchildren. She also enjoyed her social circles and
conversation with good friends. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star,
the Rachel Circle, and the Fly High Group at St Paul's Methodist Church. In her
spare time, she enjoyed cross stitching and baking her famous brownies and
lemon bars. Gladys was proud of having been able to visit all fifty states; in
addition to her travel abroad. In her later years, Gladys remained active and
enjoyed walking well into her 90's.
Survivors include her children,
Barbara (special friend, Norbert Shidell) Paulson, Cheryl Wentworth, Dennis
(Michelle) Wentworth, and Kevin (Mary) Wentworth; sisters, Patricia Graham, and
Marie (Clem) Hudziak; 10 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and 2
great-great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her
husband, Bayard; sister, Jeanne; brother, Guy; and granddaughter, Lynne.
A Funeral Service was held
2:00 p.m., Friday, April 14, 2017 at St Paul's United Methodist Church with
Rev. Howard Hintzman presiding. A time of Visitation was held on Thursday
from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Boston Funeral Home and on Friday from 1:00 p.m.
until the time of service at the church. Interment will take place at Restlawn
Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date.
Published in Stevens
Point Journal on Apr. 11, 2017
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