This is too cool!

 Take a field trip to the bottom of the ocean at this link:

 https://neal.fun/deep-sea/?fbclid=IwAR3jhL576rSrJynOJGSCSdmPjj-u_Bn-csPDM7Md9cUehhM1hRkIXG4ldto

Social Justice Index Ranks U.S. 36th out of 41 Developed Nations

Forgive me, but I do love charts and graphs.

 Link to this for the complete article: www.dailykos.com
Scroll down to:

Open thread for night owls: Social Justice Index ranks U.S. 36th out of 41 developed nations

Meteor Blades for Daily Kos

Events at Boston School Forest

Polar Pond Plunge, December 14, 2019--This is the only fundraiser.  Registration is open now.  They need both plungers and spectators/cheerers!

Winter Open House, January 18, 2020--CC skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, crafts, and campfire.

Earth Day Celebration, April 19, 2020--Activity stations, performances, snacks, and crafts.

Forest Family Fun Run/Walk, June 19, 2020--Free 1.75 mile run/walk sponsored by the Town of Plover.




We had a great time this summer at our July meeting held at the Boston School Forest.  For many of us, it was the first time to learn about this fantastic resource.  These events would be a great time to take the grandkids, grand nephews and nieces, or assorted other kids to a great place for some fun.

SPARTA's 50th Anniversary Bash

The 5oth Anniversary Party at Sentry was a total, wonderful success. This letter from the Steffens said it well:

Fact-Based Reality? Nah

The attack on Science continues in Ohio.  Taken to the extreme, teaching Science would become impossible; any answer would have to be accepted.  What's more important, how can citizens make informed decisions about the important issues of the day if they are basing those decisions on beliefs rather than facts?  Click on the link to learn more:


Ohio Considers Law Allowing Wrong Answers on Science if Based on Religion

NOT Satire from the Onion

Yes, it has been verified by the White House as authentic.

For thoughts on this, go to: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/lovejoyfeminism/2019/10/grappling-with-the-dystopia-we-now-call-home.html

Be There

50^th Anniversary Celebration

November 11, 2019
Sentry World
Festivities begin at 11:30 a.m.
$15.00 per person
Dinner Pre-Payments are due
October 1, 2019
Please send a check to:
     Sherrilee Wallerman
     5419 Woodland St.
     Stevens Point, WI 54482
Make checks payable to SPARTA.  Please state chicken or beef on check.

Fall into the Woods!

 

 FALL INTO THE PARK PLANNED FOR THE STEVENS POINT SCULPTURE PARK ON SEPTEMBER 21

Event to showcase new works added in 2019, live music and aerial artists

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:

Elizabeth Wellso, 715-343-1437, elizabethwellso@att.net

 

STEVENS POINT, Wis.  (September 6, 2019)  -- The public is invited to attend the ‘Fall into the Woods’ celebration planned for September 21, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Stevens Point Sculpture Park, 900 North Second Street in Stevens Point.

 

The Fall into the Park celebration will begin at 5:00 p.m. and is free to attend. Attendees will have a chance to meet artists, listen to live music and watch aerial artists, take a guided tour, enjoy interactive art as well as donated food and beverages from local businesses, and a iron pour (weather permitting). The event will occur rain or shine.

 

New work by artists debuting in the park this year are; Ann Klefstad of Duluth, Minnesota – ‘Small Herd’, and Beth Nybeck of Kansas City, Missouri – ‘Breathe’.

 

Representatives from the Stevens Point Sculpture Park as well as numerous artists will be available for interviews during the event. Several artists, with work on display in the park, will be available for a meet and greet.   

 

The Stevens Point Sculpture Park is all volunteer run and is only possible with the help of private donors and grants through the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin and the Stevens Point Tourism Commission. For more details and contact information, connect with the park through the Stevens Point Sculpture Park Facebook page.  

 

The Stevens Point Sculpture Park is a twenty-acre site featuring woodlands, wetlands, ponds and prairie. The mission of the Stevens Point Sculpture Park is to provide a welcoming and accessible outdoor venue for environmental arts exhibitions, activities, and educational programs. In addition to the rotating sculpture exhibits, the Stevens Point Sculpture Park will host a variety of art programs and events, including an artist in residency program. The park is open to the public. For more information visit www.stevenspointsculpturepark.org.

From the Desk of the President

Dear Fellow SPARTA Members,

If you weren’t able to make the meeting Monday, you missed a good time and we missed you! If you were there, don’t you agree? As usual, Jan Langton had prepared a great Power Point to guide us through the meeting (and entertain along the way!) As soon as Heather and her crew from Parkridge Family had our orders, we launched into business with Dave Blado introducing his former student Brandi Makuski who has spent her career working in the newspaper business in Stevens Point. She explained what’s been happening with newspapers in Point and all over the country: the evolution, much lack of local ownership and MANY fewer reporters, etc. Hopefully we can have her back to present a more complete program. She is currently the editor of an on-line weekly about all things local called Metro Wire. I have been subscribing for a few months and am very pleased with her coverage. You may want to check it out!

Jan explained that “The Books” passed the informal audit conducted by our Audit Committee and she presented next year’s budget, pointing out changes and explaining them. We are so fortunate to have a good source of income and competent people to manage it!

We then launched headlong into Supt. Craig Gerlach’s program to bring us up to date on all the repairs and improvements made possible by the referendum. We turned the order of our meeting around because the School Board had catered in lunch for the Washington staff on that day, and Mr. Gerlach wanted to get over there and personally thank them for their patience and extra efforts involved with the very close timeline on the extensive projects there. (I personally love to see our current staff members continue our great reputation and traditions, and even greater to see that the administration and Board appreciate them!)

Eileen Payne reported that several members have signed up for the bus trip to Fireside to the Buddy Holly Show on Wednesday, so those of us who can’t go, think of them and be jealous as they eat that great food and see such lively entertainment!

The Book Committee passed a sign up sheet and they are pleading for all the help they can get, especially with set-up and tear down of the upcoming sale Oct. 16-19. Several of our faithful workers have had injuries, sprains, and signs of wear and, as Janeen Kwarciani’s husband said, “It’s time to bring in the second team!” Let’s step up and grab any young, strong backs we can to help us with the heavy work too! Fran Vollrath distributed flyers for members to disperse in the community. Let’s make this sale another great one!!

The Grant Committee is happy that we allocated the most we ever have ($8,000 thanks to our book sales) for our community grants this year, and they are now soliciting and accepting applications. We will vote on their recommendations as we enter our big celebration in November.

Joyce Chekouras thanked us for emailing and calling our representatives when WREA puts out the word, and she urges us to continue doing so. She gave us background on several issues and then moved on to reiterate the need for us all to turn in the summary of our volunteer hours to her by email (daveandjoycechekouras@gmail.com), phone (715 446 1485), or mail (204699 Lake Drive, Rosholt 54473) She needs them by Sept. 20!

Mary Ann represented the Health Committee to remind us to get our flu shots! If our pharmacy has a waiting list, her advice is to get your name on it!

Lynne Kagelmann reminded us all of our priority for the new school year: Recruit! Recruit! Recruit! Perhaps some folks would be inspired to attend the anniversary celebration, and we have until the end of the month to sign up for that with Barb Clementi (715 572 6564), Sandy Schroeder (715 344 8435), or Sherrilee Wallerman (715 344 0031). Let’s reel ‘em in!

And Sandy and Barb promise us that they are planning a very fun time (Their lips are sealed about what all that entails, but we are invited to dress in clothes from the 60s if we can remember what we wore and if we can fit into any) Nov. 11 at Sentry for our

big anniversary, so buy a ticket for your spouse or best friend too!

Members representing us in LaCrosse at the annual convention are Jan Langton, Sherrillee Wallerman, Dave Blado, and me with Joyce Chekouras and Eileen Payne serving as alternates. Lynne Kagelmann will be there too representing our District III. We promise to take care of business and not be too wild, or at least I do!

We had some news that I consider really great: Park Ridge Family Restaurant is once again opening on Mondays, so our 2020 meetings are on the books there! (I love being able to order from the menu and not having to make reservations and the food is good too!)

I intended to have this be a brief note, so I’m stopping here! This is certainly not the Minutes, but my usual dashed-off note to my friends! I hope you are all well and that I’ll see you soon!

Santha

Thought of the Day

One of the best ways to win arguments is to be so completely wrong that there's no way anyone could feasibly correct you without teaching three entry level college courses in the process.

@MatyBeRad

It's September!

What: September General Meeting
Where: Park Ridge Family Restaurant (Old Blue Top)
When: September 9, 2019 at 11:00

1. PLEASE bring your completed volunteer sheet!!!

Joyce C. will love you forever!!

You can download a copy from the WREA website: https://cdn.ymaws.com/wrea.net/resource/resmgr/pdf_s/wrea_2018-2019_volunteer_ind.pdf

2. Also, fill out and bring your 2019-2020 Membership form with your dues.  You can download a form from the "News and Notes" section in the sidebar.

3. The newsletter is missing all the graphics; our website doesn't seem to want to copy them and won't allow copying of pdfs.  Anyone out there who can straighten me out?

Congratulations to the U.S. Women's Soccer Team!

The U.S. Women's Soccer team won it's fourth World Cup on Sunday, beating the Netherlands 2-0.  It was the Netherlands team's first appearance in the World Cup tournament, so good on them, too.

picture from the NY Times

 The fans in the crowd chanted "Equal Pay!" in response to the victory.  And before the question's  asked, the women's team brings in more money than the men's team.

chart from Pharyngula

July Meeting!

Check the sidebar to download the July newsletter!

Make Your Reservations for the July Meeting

 SPARTA

Stevens Point Area Retired Teachers’ Association

July Meeting Announcement

“Retirement’s a Picnic”

July 8, 2019 – 11:30 a.m.

Program – What’s going on in the forest today?

Boston School Forest

5084 Lincoln Ave.

Plover, WI 54467

Meal - $12.00

Grilled Chicken or Burger (Choose One), Potato Salad, Marinated Vegetables, Potato Chips,

Fresh Fruit Salad, Dessert Bar, Beverages (supplied by SPARTA)

Reservation Required by June 21st – Noon

Bring a Friend!

Call – Sherrilee at 715-344-0031or swallerman@charter.net

Please state Chicken or Burger Choice

Make Checks Payable to: SPARTA - PAY AT THE DOOR

See you Monday, May 13

Find the entire newsletter in the sidebar under "News and Notes."

Looking Ahead

The Book Sale is off and running.  It's not too early to mark these dates on your calendar:

Book take-in days:

Monday, June 24
Monday, July 22
Monday, August 26
Monday, September 23

 Please do not block the sidewalk or leave books in the hallway!

The Fall Book Sale will be Wednesday, October 16, 2019 through Saturday, October 19, 2019.

Link to Book Sale Information

Click on this link to access information about the book sale.

https://stevenspoint.news/

The Flying Spaghetti Monster Has Spoken!

 Remember the re-scheduled spaghetti dinner benefit for the Kollocks on Tues, April 16, from 4:30 to 7:30 pm at the Point of Discovery School at 1900 W Zinda Dr in Stevens Point.  Please help support this family.

The Book Sale is Coming

The SPARTA Spring Book Sale is right around the corner.  You can find us on the first floor of the Central Wisconsin Children's Museum Building, 1100 Main St., Stevens Point.

Times are:

Wednesday, May 1  -noon - 7pm

Thursday, May 2     - 9am - 7pm

Friday, May 3          - 9am - 7pm

Saturday, May 4      - 9am - 2pm

If you can work a shift, contact Nancy Mezyk. 

Our Latest Good Deed is Done

Sandy Williams, at far right, executive director of the Central Wisconsin Children’s Museum, demonstrates the recently installed Automatic Door Operator donated by the Stevens Point Area Retired Teachers’ Association (SPARTA) from profits of a recent book sale. The north entrance off the city parking lot is now handicapped accessible to the Museum and businesses on the first floor. SPARTA book committee members pictured, from left, are Janeen Kwarciany, Janet Swiston, Nancy Kemmeter with Maya Kemmeter, Mary Marks, Nancy Mezyk, Charlene Laurent, and Santha Bickford, president of SPARTA. The next SPARTA book sale is Wednesday, May 1, to Saturday, May 4.

Paid Your Taxes Yet?

https://itep.org/notadime/

60 Companies Avoiding All Federal Income Taxes in 2018

U.S. Income and Federal Tax figures in millions of dollars.

Company	U.S. Income	Federal Tax	Effective Tax Rate	Industry
Activision Blizzard	$447	$-228	-51%	Computers, office equip, software, data
AECOM Technology	$238	$-122	-51%	Engineering & construction
Alaska Air Group	$576	$-5	-1%	Transportation
Amazon.com	$10,835	$-129	-1%	Retail & wholesale trade
Ameren	$1,035	$-10	-1%	Utilities, gas and electric
American Electric Power	$1,943	$-32	-2%	Utilities, gas and electric
Aramark	$315	$-48	-15%	Miscellaneous services
Arrow Electronics	$167	$-12	-7%	Retail & wholesale trade
Arthur Gallagher	$322	—	—	Financial
Atmos Energy	$600	$-10	-2%	Utilities, gas and electric
Avis Budget Group	$78	$-7	-9%	Motor vehicles and parts
Celanese	$480	$-142	-30%	Chemicals
Chevron	$4,547	$-181	-4%	Oil, gas & pipelines
Cliffs Natural Resources	$565	$-1	0%	Oil, gas & pipelines
CMS Energy	$774	$-67	-9%	Utilities, gas and electric
Deere	$2,152	$-268	-12%	Industrial machinery
Delta Air Lines	$5,073	$-187	-4%	Transportation
Devon Energy	$1,297	$-14	-1%	Oil, gas & pipelines
Dominion Resources	$3,021	$-45	-1%	Utilities, gas and electric
DTE Energy	$1,215	$-17	-1%	Utilities, gas and electric
Duke Energy	$3,029	$-647	-21%	Utilities, gas and electric
Eli Lilly	$598	$-54	-9%	Pharmaceuticals & medical products
EOG Resources	$4,067	$-304	-7%	Oil, gas & pipelines
FirstEnergy	$1,495	$-16	-1%	Utilities, gas and electric
Gannett	$7	$-11	-164%	Publishing, printing
General Motors	$4,320	$-104	-2%	Motor vehicles and parts
Goodyear Tire & Rubber	$440	$-15	-3%	Motor vehicles and parts
Halliburton	$1,082	$-19	-2%	Oil, gas & pipelines
Honeywell International	$2,830	$-21	-1%	Industrial machinery
International Business Machines	$500	$-342	-68%	Computers, office equip, software, data
JetBlue Airways	$219	$-60	-27%	Transportation
Kinder Morgan	$1,784	$-22	-1%	Oil, gas & pipelines
MDU Resources	$314	$-16	-5%	Oil, gas & pipelines
MGM Resorts International	$648	$-12	-2%	Miscellaneous services
Molson Coors	$1,325	$-23	-2%	Food & beverages & tobacco
Netflix	$856	$-22	-3%	Retail & wholesale trade
Occidental Petroleum	$3,379	$-23	-1%	Oil, gas & pipelines
Owens Corning	$405	$-10	-2%	Miscellaneous manufacturing
Penske Automotive Group	$393	$-16	-4%	Motor vehicles and parts
Performance Food Group	$192	$-9	-4%	Retail & wholesale trade
Pioneer Natural Resources	$1,249	—	—	Oil, gas & pipelines
Pitney Bowes	$125	$-50	-40%	Computers, office equip, software, data
PPL	$1,110	$-19	-2%	Utilities, gas and electric
Principal Financial	$1,641	$-49	-3%	Financial
Prudential Financial	$1,440	$-346	-24%	Financial
Public Service Enterprise Group	$1,772	$-97	-5%	Utilities, gas and electric
PulteGroup	$1,340	$-44	-3%	Miscellaneous manufacturing
Realogy	$199	$-13	-7%	Miscellaneous services
Rockwell Collins	$719	$-16	-2%	Aerospace & defense
Ryder System	$350	$-23	-7%	Transportation
Salesforce.com	$800	—	—	Computers, office equip, software, data
SpartanNash	$40	$-2	-4%	Retail & wholesale trade
SPX	$66	$-5	-8%	Industrial machinery
Tech Data	$203	$-10	-5%	Retail & wholesale trade
TOTAL, THESE COMPANIES	$79,025	$-4	-5%
Trinity Industries	$138	$-19	-14%	Miscellaneous manufacturing
UGI	$550	$-3	0%	Utilities, gas and electric
United States Steel	$432	$-40	-9%	Metals & metal products
Whirlpool	$717	$-70	-10%	Electronics, electrical equipment
Wisconsin Energy	$1,139	$-218	-19%	Utilities, gas and electric
Xcel Energy	$1,434	$-34	-2%	Utilities, gas and electric

What Those DNA Tests Really Show

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferraff/2019/04/09/genetic-astrology-when-ancient-dna-meets-ancestry-testing/#544b604b6c69

Jennifer Raff makes these points:

1. Your DNA is not a good snapshot of your whole family tree more than a few generations back. You have many more genealogical ancestors than you have genetic ancestors.
2. Any given individual in the past (including all of the ancient people referenced in the Primeval DNA test) is extremely unlikely to have passed along their DNA to anyone, including you.
3. Any person in the distant past—be they anonymous peasant or famous monarch—who passed on their DNA into present times might be your ancestor, but he or she will also likely be the ancestor of everyone else in the world. In other words, as geneticist Dr. Adam Rutherford explained in his post on the subject for The Guardian, “we are all special, which means none of us are.”

The BIG Picture

There can be only be one?

 https://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2019/04/11/there-can-be-only-one/

This image illustrates hominin history over 4 million years, highlighting a recent discovery in the Philippines. Is anyone else as horrified by it as I am?

It illustrates 8 species of Homo in the last million years. The fossil record is spotty, so there are probably more…and the record prior to a million years ago is going to be even weaker, and the number of species is going to be even less representative of reality. Our family was a wonderful flowering bush of diversity, and now its been pared down to a single twig, us.
That’s an illustration of failure. We should be worried, especially since we’re actively exterminating even our distant cousins, taking an axe to the whole family tree. We’re working towards only supporting one primate type on the entire planet, which seems a little selfish and short-sighted.

--Pharyngula

Click on graphic to enlarge.

George Who?

During a guided tour of Mount Vernon last April with French president Emmanuel Macron, Trump learned that Washington was one of the major real-estate speculators of his era. So, he couldn’t understand why America’s first president didn’t name his historic Virginia compound or any of the other property he acquired after himself.

“If he was smart, he would’ve put his name on it,” Trump said, according to three sources briefed on the exchange. "You’ve got to put your name on stuff or no one remembers you"...

If Trump was impressed with Washington’s real estate instincts, he was less taken by Mount Vernon itself, which the first president personally expanded from a modest one-and-a-half story home into an 11,000 square foot mansion. The rooms, Trump said, were too small, the staircases too narrow, and he even spotted some unevenness in the floorboards, according to four sources briefed on his comments. He could have built the place better, he said, and for less money.

-Digby, Hullaballoo