On December 5, many of Branch Nine’s retirees gathered with their spouses, friends, and some of the Branch officials for the annual Retirees’ holiday party, at the Babcock VFW Post in Richfield. This annual tradition is eagerly anticipated by many of us -- good food, terrific company, and a good time to share fellowship and general camaraderie. Santa had even stopped by.

Each guest was greeted by a welcoming committee, and treated to a hot-off-the-presses NALC 2013 Retirees’ calendar, and a special Branch Nine Christmas tree ornament crafted by one of Santa’s elves --- who bears a suspicious resemblance to our intrepid and indispensable Branch Nine secretary, Angie!

We hope that it was the beginning of a joyous holiday season for the retirees, and all of you! See you there next year!

Joining Branch 9 in Retirement At this writing (late November), I just got done calling the Main Office retirees to tell them about the Main Office Christmas/Retirement party. Our Branch Secretary, Angie, updated my list of telephone numbers of retirees who had worked at the Main Office.

However, to my appalled surprise, I am finding a disturbing new trend: a couple of letter carriers who were faithful brothers during their career have dropped their membership with the NALC in retirement. The number isn’t large; in fact, it’s very small. But I’m astonished that it exists at all. Sisters and brothers, continuing in the NALC after retirement isn’t a burden --- it’s practically all gravy, like so many parts of retirement.

If anything, the great benefits of membership in Branch 9 magnify in retirement. The Branch sponsors the monthly retirement breakfasts, a terrific opportunity to exchange information and camaraderie. Twice per year are big branch-wide dinners, one before Christmas and one in the spring. And the Red-Gold Dinner (the one in the Spring) is FREE if you just show up. Great food, great companionship. Besides, I continue to bang the drum of the responsibilities we retirees bear for our working brothers and sisters. Not only do we continue to participate fully in the MDA and Food Drive charities for which our Branch is famous; but recently with the idiotic WOO program wiping out spare time of active carriers, we retirees find ourselves bearing the increasing burden of things like the bag stuffing for the National Convention, or working our Branch 9 booth at the state fair.

But it’s a light burden compared to the advantages. We find ourselves welcomed at all Branch social events and helping out in every respect. We are still eligible for all of the terrific advantages of NALC membership (like the wonderful NALC Health Plan); and all this for less than $5 per month. Sisters and Brothers, I preach to all my active friends to get out of the Big Blue Lunatic Asylum as soon as you can. Retirement is a wonderful time of your life, something we all look forward to. Just be sure you continue your NALC membership to derive even more of its many benefits.

Rotten Rodney Anderson

Retirement Breakfasts One of the great pleasures of taking over this assignment is all the new friends I am making, under the best of circumstances. At this writing, I have been to an AFL-CIO Regional Labor Federation event, and I’m looking forward to attending the Minnesota State Retiree Council. Furthermore, our Branch leaders have taken pains to acquaint me not only with issues and opportunities for Retirees, but many of the people involved as well.

One which we can all enjoy is the Branch Retirement Breakfasts. These are open to Branch 9 retirees, obviously. But in my experience they bring friends (even grandchildren!), Branch officers, and occasionally even some active carriers (who are off) will show up. All these are welcome. The breakfasts are generally agendafree, other than the impromptu shenanigans we can dream up. But it’s an opportunity to renew acquaintances, and keep up with old friends. Conversation is usually light, occasionally serious and information can be exchanged.

The “Northside” breakfasts are held on the first Tuesday of each month at Elsie’s (729 Marshall St NE) at 9:30AM. The “Southside” breakfasts are on the second Tuesday of the month at the Fred Babcock VFW (6715 Lakeshore Drive in Richfield) at 9:00AM. The Nokomis Station even has its own breakfast, also at the Fred Babcock VFW at 9:00AM on the 4th Tuesday of the month. I urge you to try a local Retirement Breakfast, especially if you are retired.

I think you will find an opportunity for general bonhommie and a good breakfast at a very reasonable rate. I don’t think you will be disappointed, and perhaps you will make them a good habit!

 

Branch 9 Retiree Gold Tournament at Shamrock Golf Gourse

The Retiree Golf Tournament was held on August 16th and we had 27 people in attendance. I hope that everyone had a good time, I know I did. I’d like to give a special thanks to Dan Molitor for setting everything up and taking charge. Also thanks to Julie Waldemar for taking pictures and all of the help she gave me. See you all again next year! Cheryl Stately

 

 

2011 Honored Guests Red and Gold Retiree Banquet
60 Year Members
Robert Andersen, Leonard Bergstrom, Robert Nelson, Frank Newman & Robert Solberg

50 Year Members
Richard Anderson, Larry Blesi, Larry Dahlberg, Lindahl Gleason, Herbert Halverson, Adrian Hames, Lee Holsman, Anthony Kruse, Arthur Kujawa, Robert Logelin, Robert Masuda, Glenn Paulson, Francis Rice, Russell Swanson & David Thompson

Attention retired members: The "Making Work Pay" tax credit expired Dec. 31. The credit was originally included as a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (President Obama's economic stimulus package). As a result, many retirees could see higher federal tax withholding amounts this year, although due to an IRS delay, any adjustment of withholding levels did not actually take place until Feb. 1. Click here to read an explanation of the tax credit, and click here to read a PDF explaining the change. Federal Times

 

 

 

 

January Northside Retirees breakfast
 on Thursday,   
January 3 at Elsie's.