Fort Bend - Harris Retired Educators - News and Notes
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Fort Bend – Harris Retired Educators
News and Notes
Editor: Eleanor Blain Vol. 7 Issue 7 March 1, 2020
East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry
Vickie Coates, Executive Director of East Fort Bend
Human Needs Ministry ( EFBHNM) was FBHRE’s
February 1 guest speaker. She explained the services
offered by EFBHNM. The Interfaith Food Pantry we
support is a part of this ministry.
Food Pantry services are provided to families and
individuals living in East Fort Bend County. After clients’
needs are assessed, they receive either full or
supplemental, nutritionally complete food orders
tailored to their special needs. Dishwashing detergent
and toiletry items are included with the food order.
The Senior Sack Program gives qualifying residents food
for weekend meals, including fresh fruit and produce.
Food baskets are distributed during the Thanksgiving
and Christmas holidays and include everything needed
to make a traditional holiday meal.
The Financial Assistance Program gives clients short-
term help with housing, utilities, medicine, and other
necessities. Clients must provide partial payment of their
bills. Once EFBHNM receives notice that the client has
complied, funds are released directly to the creditor.
Each summer, the S.O.S. (Supply our Students) Pro-
gram provides school supply packets to East Food Bend
County students from pre-K through grade 12.
The Tri-City Churches Resale Shop proceeds are re-
invested back into the programs and services provided by
EFBHN. The Resale Shop is a great source of inexpensive
clothing, household items and furniture for the community.
A truck is available to pick up your large item donations.
Volunteers are needed to help with all these services.
Contact information for EFBHN: Phone : 281-261-1006
Photo by Evelyn Smith ministry@humanneeds.org. –Eleanor Blain
11th Annual Fort Bend Empty Bowls Benefitting EAST FORT BEND HUMAN NEEDS MINISTRY
Fluor Corp, 1 Fluor Daniel Drive, Sugar Land, TX 77478
March 27, 2020, 6:30 - 9:30 PM
Tickets: $50 Purchase Tickets HERE ..
Guests will enjoy delicious soup and bread in recognition of people who do not have enough to eat,
and appetizers. Cash bar available. Activities: Auction with Honorable James Patterson as auctioneer,
Wine Pull, Whiskey Pull. Bowls painted by local artists are available for purchase.
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Legislative Update Social Security Scams
Warning!!! Check your ballot as Unfortunately, scammers are a
you vote in the March 3 primary. reality this day in age and crimi-
Candidates who did not drop out nals continue to come up with new
before ballots went to press are ways to convince people of their
still on the ballot. This year it pays legitimacy. Here are some key
to print the sample ballot, cross pieces of information to keep in
out the dropouts, and find your mind:
candidate. 1. The Social Security Administra-
You received my email on February 11 addressing this tion and the Internal Revenue Service will never
situation and including links to lesser known threaten you with arrest or threaten other legal action
candidates. Dropouts are highlighted. Sen. Cory if you do not immediately pay a fine or fee, promise a
Booker, Marianne Williamson, Julián Castro, Beto benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for
O’Rourke, and John Delaney payment, or send official letters or reports containing
Questions to ask U.S. Representative and U.S. personally identifiable information via email.
Senate candidates: Do you support public education, 2. Think before you act. Some calls can be worrisome,
or do you support vouchers or credit cards that and it is instinctual to want to fix problems quickly, but
transfer public education funds to private schools? Do take some time to think about what problem you are
you support repeal of WEP/GPO laws that rob facing and contact an advisor or trusted family
educators of earned Social Security benefits? member to get a second opinion. You can even search
Questions to ask state representative and senate for similar scams online to see if anyone else has
candidates: Do you support adequate state reported something recently.
contributions to our pension fund to maintain 3. If there is ever a problem with your Social Security
solvency? Do you support increased base funding number or record, the Social Security Administration
and a long–term funding strategy for TRS–Care will mail you a letter with instructions and payment
insurance indexed to the projected cost of health
options.
insurance over time (similar to the ERS insurance
4. If you receive a call, email, or piece of mail that you
funding for state employees)?
believe to be suspicious about a problem with your
Do you support COLA for retired school personnel?
Social Security number or account, hang up or do not
Do you support Pension Fund Contribution Fairness,
whereby college and university employees pay into respond. You can report any suspicious activity using
TRS at the same rate as the K-12 public school the Social Security online form at https://oig.ssa.gov.
employees? Sources:
Make your voices heard loudly and clearly. The https://www.wealthyauthority.com/articles/start-
retirees who called, emailed, or visited state 2020-by-avoiding-these-socialsecurity-scams/
representatives were instrumental in calling attention https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-
to the need for pension fund and health care reforms about-new-twist-to-socialsecurity-phone-scams/
we received in the last legislative session. Your efforts --Kathaleen Eppler, Informative/Protective Chair
are appreciated. –Eleanor Blain
May 22, 2020
Vote in the Super Tuesday Primary March 3.
Be an Informed Voter
“Democracy cannot succeed unless
those who express their choice are
prepared to choose wisely. The real
safeguard of democracy, therefore, is
education.”
― Franklin D. Roosevelt
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Calendar of Events Advice from Leezo’s Care Connection
Mar. 12, 1 pm: “Butterfly
Gardening,” FBC Master
Gardeners.
Apr. 6-8: TRTA Convention,
Corpus Christi
Apr. 9, 1 pm: FBISD Candidate Forum
May 14, 11-1 pm: Luncheon. Bring a dish to share
Installation of officers. Recognition of member
achievement.
Volunteer Hours
Please report your volunteer hours on the sign-
in sheet at each meeting. You may also keep a
log of your hours on a form to be submitted at
the January 2021 meeting. Access the Volunteer Hours
form first by clicking on http://www. localunits.org /Fort
BendHarris/ and then by clicking on Forms.
Food Pantry Project
Donations of 1- 2 lb. bags of
flour and sugar, strong plastic
bags, or monetary donations --Submitted by Evelyn Smith
are accepted on behalf of the
Fort Bend Human Needs I've sure gotten old!
food pantry at each I've had two bypass surgeries, a
meeting. hip replacement, new knees,
Book Project: fought prostate cancer and
For the Children’s Book diabetes. I'm half blind, can't hear
Project, new books for anything quieter than a jet engine,
2nd and 3rd take 40 different medications that
grade and --Photo by Evelyn Smith make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts
monetary donations are accepted. A basket and dementia; hardly feel my hands and feet
for donations will be available at our monthly anymore. Can’t remember if I’m 85 or 93. Have
meetings. lost all my friends. Thank God I still have my driver
license! –Submitted by Mary Ann Dolezal
What do you do every day to keep your mind alert?
Here are some games that target memory and attention:
1. Name two objects for every letter in your first name. Work up to five objects, trying to use
different items each time.
2. Say the months of the year in alphabetical order.
3. Name six or more things you can wear on your feet beginning with “s”
4. Look around wherever you are and, within two minutes, try to find five red things that will
fit in your pockets, and five blue objects that are too big to fit. https://supercarers.com/blog/games-for-
elderly/ .
Bingo is a fun and easy activity that can be played in large or small groups. It can help to stimulate three key
senses: hearing ,touch and sight, plus Bingo is also a great social activity. We have an opportunity to go play
Bingo! You may have noticed in the Fort Bend Focus an advertisement for a Senior Bingo Night (50+). We will
miss the one in February, but I got the next three dates!
Not a game. Click on the blue link for a video well worth watching: Dr Peter Lin Video About
Coronavirus – Video Results. –Debbie Reynolds
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Three Bingo Opportunities
th
• March 19 - 9:00-11:00 AM Breakfast, Bingo $5
• April 16th-5:00-7:00 PM, Dinner, Bingo $5
• May 21- 9:00-11:00 AM Breakfast, Bingo $5
Location- Rec. and Tennis Center
2701 Cypress Point Drive, Missouri City
281 403-8637
Field Trips Coming Up!
On March 10th our retirees will welcome the spring
azalea season with a trip to the famous Bayou Bend
Collection and Gardens. Listed in the National
Registry of Historic Places, Ima Hogg’s donation to
MFAH includes 14 acres of organically well-maintained
gardens and a world-famous
collection of early American
furniture (from 1620), fine arts, Spotlighting Cigna Lump Sum Heart and
and collectables along with her Stroke Insurance
home built in 1928. After a
fresh lunch at Shandy’s, a little
neighborhood eatery, we will take a short drive to see
the lush 4 acre gardens of The Rienze Home. There is The costs associated with an unexpected stroke can
a free audio tour of the gardens via cell phone. For be overwhelming. A lump sum policy provides a
better insight and details about these Houston cash benefit to help cover out-of-pocket medical
treasures, visit www.mfah.org. Since we have to pre- expenses and daily expenses, so you can worry less
pay, the trip will be held rain or shine, freeze or heat about financial issues and stay focused on your
wave with no refunds. Approximately one week prior recovery.
to the trip, updated details will be sent to those who Some features of the TRTA endorsed Cigna Heart
signed up for the field trip. Questions Attack and Stroke policies offered by AMBA follow:
may be texted to Tricia at 281-658-
4179 or emailed to Patricia.Fridye@ • For an affordable monthly premium, you select a
gmail.com. base policy with a maximum benefit amount of
April 4th Upcoming Field Trip: San $5,000 to $100,000 upon diagnosis.
Felipe de Austin State Historic Site • Policies can be issued from ages 18 to 99 and can
A state-of the-art museum which opened in 2018, include coverage for dependents.
the San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site preserves • Policies pay in addition to any other existing health
the memory and story of Texas history beginning in coverage in force without interference.
1823 before independence • Policies will cover “out-of-pocket” expenses
from Mexico was won. San associated with physical therapy, rehabilitation, co-
Felipe was the first social, pays and deductibles because the lump sum is used
economic, and political where you need it.
center of the “old 300” • You can choose to add more benefits for an
until the colony’s residents additional premium, such as a restoration coverage
burned and fled their homes, farms, and businesses in for a later heart attack or stroke diagnosis or
what is known as the runaway scrape. Tickets are procedure and other riders for specific situations.
complimentary with Smithsonian Museum Day passes • Your policy is Guaranteed Renewable for Life.
which can be downloaded beginning February
27 from www.smithsonian mag. com. Email SPatricia For more information, contact AMBA at 800-
.fridye@gmail.com or sign up at the March 12 FBHRE 258-7041.
meeting. –Tricia Fridye —Dianne McDonald and Mary Ellen McCarthy,
Member Benefits Co-Chairs
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Field Trip to Clements Play
Theresa Fridye, Tricia Fridye, Gary Fridye, Carl
Garrison
Twelve retirees enjoyed dinner at Antoina’s Italian
Restaurant and attended "Heather's, The Musical":
(High School Edition) performed by the talented and
energetic Clements Thespian Troupe. FBISD gold
cards were used for admittance to the production on
January 30, 2020, at Clements Auditorium. The play
used satire to shine a light on very real issues that
teens face such as bullying, violence, peer pressure,
suicide, and more. Several of the attending retirees
fondly remember the days they actively supported
their own children who were involved in theater. At
least one (Eleanor Blain) has a grandson Jordan
Tannous, who is a professional actor and a former
Clements thespian! Jerry Garrison, Evelyn Smith, Eleanor Blain, Ruth
McMahan, Brenda Plummer
--Tricia Fridye Photos by Tricia Fridye
2nd Annual Children’s Book Project Raffle
The countdown to our March 12 raffle has begun! We have gift cards, Easter items,
original art, home décor, plants, and so much more!! If you have something to
contribute, please e-mail Cathy Duvall at cmduvall@aol.com so enough
space is set up for the items. Items include gift cards, home décor,
homemade jams and jellies, Easter items, books, and so much more! Raffle
tickets are one for $1, six for $5, thirteen for $10, and thirty for $20. The
drawing will be held at the end of the March 12th meeting. All proceeds will be used to purchase books for
2nd & 3rd grade students at Burton and Goodman Elementary Schools.
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Photo Ops Evelyn Smith
Candidates for FBISD Board of Trustees: Election: May 2, 2020
Jason Burdine, Candidate for re-election to Position 1
jason.burdine@fortbendisd.com
Term Expires - 2020
Jason Burdine was re-elected in 2017 and is serving his second term as the Board President.
His family has called Fort Bend their home for over 10 years. He is a graduate of Texas A&M
University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Education. Jason is a Financial Advisor and
has earned numerous accolades for his commitment to exemplary service.
Jason was appointed by Governor Abbott to a two-year term to the Texas School Safety Center
Board. In the Fort Bend community, he has mentored at-risk youth and has served as a member of the Ridgemont
Elementary Campus-Based Leadership Team. Other community involvement includes volunteering at M.D. Anderson
Cancer Center, where he has logged 500 volunteer hours over the past 11 years. Additionally, he served on the District
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Strategic Plan Steering Committee working collaboratively on the Facilities Master Plan for FBISD. Jason completed the
Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Leadership Forum class of 2017.
ANGIE HANAN
Candidate for election to Position 1
AngieHanan@gmail.com
My name is Angie Hanan and I have been advocating for students of diverse backgrounds
and abilities my entire adult life. I want to broaden my advocacy efforts to promote
positive forward progress in Fort Bend ISD every single day, for every single child.
KRISTIN K. TASSIN
Candidate for re-election to At-Large Position 4
kristin.tassin@fortbendisd.com
Term Expires - 2020
Kristin Tassin was elected to Position 4 in 2014 and re-elected in 2017. She and her husband,
Shannon, and family currently live in Missouri City They have lived in Fort Bend for the last eight
years, and she is a leader in both the community and her profession. She is an Enterprise Data
Architect and licensed 23 years. Kristin is a graduate of Louisiana State University, where she
obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Quantitative Business Analysis (Computer Science
option). She also earned her Juris Doctor from Louisiana State University Law School. She was a
founding attorney at the law firm Dry & Tassin, PLLC, where she practiced Intellectual Property law until she was elected
to the FBISD Board of Trustees. She is co-founder/director of the charitable organization Father’s Joy.
SHIRLEY ROSE-GILLIAM, PHD
At Large Position 4 Candidate. Challenger to Kristin Tassin
Shirley Rose-Gilliam, PhD, a long-time Fort Bend County resident and a 30-year veteran educator
and administrator has a proven track record for turning around struggling schools and knows the uphill
battles that some schools face when not in more affluent areas. For 25-years she serviced Fort Bend
Independent School District, where she spent 10 years as a high school teacher and another 15 years
as a campus administrator. While in Fort Bend, she was tapped by the superintendent to lead the
turnaround effort at Thurgood Marshall High School, a campus that successfully emerged from an academically
unacceptable rating during her tenure. She also served as principal at George Bush High School and Christa McAuliffe
Middle School, both in Fort Bend ISD. She now serves as the principal of Wheatley High School, Houston ISD. Dr. Rose-
Gilliam holds a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Houston, a Master of Education degree from University of
Houston-Victoria, and a Doctor of Education from Texas A&M University. Her motto “Believe in the Possibilities!” has
followed her from campus to campus and now district to district! Her purpose in life is to serve others.
ALLISON DREW
Candidate for re-election to Position 5
allison.drew@fortbendisd.com
Term Expires - 2020
Allison Drew is currently serving her first term as an FBISD Board Member. A resident of Fort
Bend for the last nine years, she is a leader in both the community and her profession. She
completed her studies in Mathematics and Journalism at Pennsylvania State University and
Rutgers University. Allison has worked for industry leaders including the University Texas
System, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She is also an Enterprise Data Architect and Licensed
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Nurse, Allison and her husband Jim, FBISD’s Director of Fine Arts, have two children who attend FBISD schools. She
enjoys meeting new people and travel.
REGGIE ABRAHAM
Candidate for election to Position 5
apreggie@yahoo.com
Health Care Executive, CEO. Lives in Missouri City.
DENETTA R. WILLIAMS
Candidate for election to Position 5
denettawilliams@aol.com
Real Estate Broker. Business address: 3309 Primrose Canyon Ln, Pearland
TX 77584
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