Chapter 1757
Middle Peninsula

Virginia Federation of NARFE

Charter Date:  03/01/1981

Annual Chapter Dues:  $5.00

Meeting Location:  Olivia\’s in the Village, Main Street, Gloucester Court House, VA 23061

Meeting Information:  3rd Tuesday of the month April through December

Chapter 1757 meets the THIRD TUESDAY of the month from April through December. PLEASE NOTE: This is a change from the previous schedule. Meetings begin at 11:30 a.m. at Olivia’s in the Village, Main Street, Gloucester Court House, VA 23061.  Members order from a large array of choices on Olivia’s menu.  Most meetings feature an interesting and informative presentation and are generally announced in the Gloucester-Mathews Gazette Journal Newspaper.  Reminders of meetings and speakers are sent via email to all members with email addresses.   For those members without email addresses, telephone calls are made to remind members of the next meeting.  The December meeting is the annual Christmas and Holiday Party. 

Pictured from left: Wanda Ware, Marilyn Riddle (VFN Chaplain), Bob Howe (Chapter 1757 President), Frances Boatman (VFN 2nd VP/Membership Chair), Jeanne Garrison (Area I Vice President), Arlene Arthur (VFN Service Officer), Jim Bradbury (Chapter 1757 Membership Chair). 

The regular third Tuesday at 11:30 meeting of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Chapter 1757 Middle Peninsula_Gloucester was especially lively and informative on March 15. Officers of the Virginia Federation of NARFE joined local members and friends, adding more tables at Olivia\’s for lunch in Gloucester. Frances Boatman gave many helpful suggestions for increasing membership, and Arlene Arthur and Jeanne Garrison, also from the VA Federation of NARFE, added helpful information. 

 

Chapter Officers

President

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Alzheimer’s Chair

Membership Chair

National Legislative Chair

Program Chair

Public Relations Chair

Service Officer

State Legislative Chair

 

Robert B. Howe

Jim Bradbury

Debra F. Thompson

Mary Sinisi

Vacant   (Hank Furniss)

James R. Bradbury

Howard Mowbry

Vacant (Don Mitchell)

Gloria C. Wajciechowski

Vacant 

Vacant  (Howard Mowbry)

LOOK AT WHAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED:

   If you have not been a regular attendee at our Local Chapter 1757 luncheon meetings you have missed out on receiving a ton of good information from speakers and information from and about your local chapter.

  • Ann Dyal–Gloucester/Mathews Habitat for Humanity
  • Holly Smith—Gloucester County Commonwealth’s Attorney
  • Paul Harper—Captured World War II Survivor
  • Mary Sinisi—Elected our Service Officer
  • Lucy Mirabella—Resigned as Chapter President due to moving out of state
  • John Meyer, Jr.—Chairman, Gloucester Board of Supervisors
  • Special Chapter Meeting—Vote for continuation of Chapter 1757
  • Results of Membership Survey with Discussion
  • Slate of Officers Proposed for 2018
  • Recap of NARFE Virginia Federation of Chapters Convention attended by Mary Sinisi representing Chapter 1757
  • Learning about Gloucester’s G.U.E.S.T. Program to help Gloucester homeless men, women and children
  • Opportunities to support NARFE’s Alzheimer’s Program
  • Annual Christmas and Holiday Party with games and prizes

Here is a partial list of recent Local Chapter 1757 Activities

  • Informative and interesting speakers discussing issues of interest to current and retired Federal employees
  • Periodic Newsletters with information of interest to current, former and retired Federal employees, spouses and survivor annuitants
  • Support for Alzheimer’s research fund raising activities
  • Support to non-profit organizations in the form of donations and community service by our members.  Recently Chapter 1757 members donated items such as toiletries such as travel sized toothpaste, lotions, shampoos, toothbrushes, socks, hats, gloves, etc. to the Gloucester United Emergency Shelter Team (G.U.E.S.T.)  The G.U.E.S.T. program is a coalition of local churches and organizations that work together to provide emergency shelter for homeless men, women and children in the Gloucester area during the winter months.  Participating churches and organizations provide overnight lodging and meals to those who have no home of their own.
  • Chapter Service Officer, Mary Lou Sinisi to assist members, families and survivors with issues involving filing government paperwork
  • Annual Christmas and Holiday Party with games and prizes

At the NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees) Chapter 1757 April 17th meeting, Donald and Christy Talbott of Gloucester will share their experiences and emotions from their personal journey of dealing with Alzheimer ’s disease. Don was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease at the age of 41. Since his diagnosis, the Talbotts have dedicated themselves to Alzheimer’s Advocacy and Research, being involved in studies at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. In 2017, their story was included in a Nationwide PBS documentary called Alzheimer’s: The Caregiver’s Perspective. They have received numerous awards for their dedicated advocacy and support of Alzheimer’s Research.

Since 1985 NARFE members have played a major role in seeking a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease. Through its partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association, NARFE supports research into the cause, prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease as well as a cure for Alzheimer’s and related disorders. Public education on the need for research is also an important focus.

In collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association, NARFE members have donated more than $12 million to the NARFE Alzheimer’s Fund with 100 percent of NARFE donations being allocated to research. At the 2016 NARFE National Convention, delegates voted to extend NARFE’s current goal to $13 million in 2018.

Chapter 1757 invites all active and retired federal employees and annuitants, to attend the April 17th meeting at 11:30 a.m. at Olivia’s in the Village, Main Street, Gloucester, to hear the Talbotts heart-touching journey of living with Alzheimer’s Disease. The information you hear at this meeting will enhance your knowledge of Alzheimer’s Disease and the Alzheimer’s Disease TrialMatch program. TrialMatch operated by the Alzheimer’s Association, is a free, easy-to-use clinical studies matching service that connects individuals with Alzheimer’s, caregivers, and healthy volunteers with current studies. The database of clinical trials includes more than 225 promising clinical studies being conducted at nearly 700 trial sites across the country. The Talbotts regularly present to groups to spread awareness and education about Alzheimer’s Disease.

NARFE CHAPTER 1757 ENTERS PARADE IN THE GLOUCESTER PARKS AND RECREATION VIRTUAL SHOEBOX PARADE.

Covid did not shut down the yearly Holiday Parade in Gloucester, VA. Instead of the traditional Holiday Parade as in years past, the office of the Gloucester Parks, Recreation and Tourism decided to have participants submit floats that were no larger than a Size Ten shoebox. Our Local Chapter 1757 entered a NARFE Chapter 1757 Shoebox Float highlighting the benefits of NARFE. Jim and Edie Bradbury along with Mary Lou Sinisi were hard at work designing and executing a shoebox float for NARFE Chapter 1757 that met the dimension requirements set by the Gloucester Parks and Recreation Department.

The shoebox floats were filmed using historical Gloucester backdrops and each float included a narrative about the float. Local TV channels broadcast the parade in an effort to ensure the safety of the public using shoebox-sized floats.   Covid did not shut us down completely. Everyone did a great job and the floats were wonderful. Gloucester did have a proper kick-off of the holiday season after all and Covid did not completely shut us down.

Happy Holidays to all of our members and we pray that all of you will remain well and safe throughout 2020, 2021 and beyond.

 

Installation of Chapter 1757 Officers for 2020

Jeanne Garrison, Area I Vice President, installed officers:

Gloria Wajciechowski, Public Relations; Mary Sinisi, Treasurer; Jim Bradbury, Membership and Acting Vice President; Bob Howe, President; Deb Thompson, Secretary.  Not pictured Hank Furniss, Alzheimer\’s Chair; Howard Mowry, Legislative Officer.