Midway USA, Chapter 16 - Salina, Kansas

MEETING LOCATION/DATE: SALINE COUNTY SENIOR CENTER at 1:00 pm – Nov 9th

PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS: We have had two tables (Senior Center and Fort Riley Conference Center) set up for recruiting since our last meeting. At these two locations we have had a lot of visitors with interest, and we hope the outcome will produce good results. Nelson Newell has dedicated himself to the recruitment of members, and I like to take this time to commend him for his superb effort. We are so fortunate to have Nelson as a member of this chapter. Also, I have to say I was very pleased with members who volunteered to work at the recruiting tables. Over the past couple of years, we have had several outstanding new members join. Some of our members have fallen by the wayside, and I would sincerely like to see, an effort to get them back in attendance and participating in our activities. If they disagree with the make-up of our chapter, I hope they would step forward and take a leadership role. As a member you have the right to object or offer a motion. Not all our chapter's direction comes from the officers. Some come directly from your suggestions and proposals. And I would like to say: THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

Your President Richard (Dick) Trow

GUEST SPEAKER: Amy Crouse Supervisor Heart to Heart, Home Health Care LLC, Salina.

REMINDER: Military retirees will have four weeks to decide on their TRICARE health plan for 2019. The opportunity to make changes runs Nov. 12 - Dec. 10, 2018. Coverage starts Jan. 1, 2019. For the first time, retirees will experience Open Season -- a period when retirees can change their health plan or switch from individual to family coverage.

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS: Daniel Renard, Mark Schwaller, Bill Whitman, and Shirley Wagner.

OCTOBER MEETING: F. Ramirez WON the meeting attendance drawing a $20 gift card. Treasurer S. Wagner gave the treasurer’s report for Sept 14 to Oct 12, 2018, a checking balance of $1423.05. The chapter finalized and approved it’s 2019 budget with plans for new chapter events. New member Ernst Elkleberry, Army veteran was welcomed aboard by N. Newell, who recruited him and gave him a TREA patch. President R. Trow gave an update on the Salina 2018 Veterans Appreciation Day event; that there would not be a parade. B. Vinyard had nothing to report on the Sunset Park Memorial Expansion.

2050. THRIFT STORE/SALINA BUSINESSES: Did you know that the Store gives a 10% military discount on merchandise at the store? Also, a lot of the businesses in Salina provide a military discount (5 to 15%). Some of the names are: Lowe’s, Bayard’s, Perkins, Jimmy John’s, Orscheln, Burger King, Martinelli’s, Applebee’s, Olive Garden, Chili’s, Red Lobster, Longhorn Steakhouse, Corkie’s, Bennett GMAC, Long McArthur, Carlos O’Kelly, Pop Eyes Chicken, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Jim’s Chicken, Little Caesar’s Pizza, Marco’s Pizza, Mokas Espresso, Ad Astra Coffee House, Copy Co, Big Cheese, TACO Bell, Kansas Buffett, Sara Lee Bakery Outlet, and AutoZone.

VETERANS DAY NOVEMBER 11TH: On Veterans Day, Nov 11^th, there will be a ceremony at Sunset Park at 11:00 AM. The Salina American Legion Post 62 will provide a free lunch at 12: 00 pm at the VFW facility. It is open to all Veterans and guest. We want to say THANK YOU to all Veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much so that we can live free.

FORT RILEY RETIREE APPRECIATION DAY (RAD) ON OCTOBER 20th: We thank Shirley Wagner and Wardene Stewart, for donating gift items to the RAD. The RAD provided valuable information about the upcoming switch over to FEHBP/FEHVP (medical, dental, and vision). Fifty Salina businesses/people made monetary and gift donations to the RAD. Salina had the most contributions. The overall sponsorship/raffle gift donors total was $5829.00 worth of donations from the various businesses from Cities, Towns in Kansas and Nebraska, and Fort Riley Commissary and Post Exchange. Especially noteworthy was that at the RAD, Fort Riley Irwin Hospital Department of Public Health immunized: Influenza 172, TDAP 28, Pneumonia 28, and Shingles 8.

VETERANS DAY RESTAURANT OFFERINGS ON NOVEMBER 11TH FOR VETERANS AND ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY (at participating locations): Some of the businesses: APPLEBEE’S; CHILI’S, IHOP; LITTLE CAESARS, from 11:00 am to 2:00 p M; LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE; RIB CRIB. The restaurants will let you know what they are offering.

THANKSGIVING QUOTE: “Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men, but be careful that you do not take the day and leave out the gratitude.” E.P. Powell