« August 2026

Welcome to the Androscoggin Retired Educators Association newsletter for August 2026.




Next Meeting

September 9, 2026

East Auburn Baptist Church


Here's the schedule for the year!!    AREA  2026-2027


August Registration Form  Registration Form


Or - pay through The Exchange at North Star Works -(Stripe), skip the registration form and save postage.


Dues - $10.00

Meal - $15.00


Stripe Link - https://buy.stripe.com/cNi14pcrXcGz32Q5zIbAs0j


Using Stripe is the easiest.  Save the expense of postage.  A $25.00 payment covers dues for the year and the meal for the meeting.)


DOWNLOADS FOLDER

Click here to view ALL the downloads for this month - including the registration form.  This newsletter has several downloads.   You might want to return often.


Downloads


President's Message


Dear AREA,
I hope everyone enjoyed this summer. First we had way too much rain now we haven’t had enough rain – oh well that’s Maine. I want to remind everybody that our November meeting at East Auburn Baptist Church will be on the third Wednesday of November. We found that our speaker for that meeting and many others have too many things going on on Veterans Day that conflict with trying to get to our meeting. Therefore we changed the date. My hope is that’s not too much of an inconvenience as we want everybody to enjoy our get togethers.
See you all on September 9th


Take Care
Dave Wing


Officers and Committee Chairs


Secretarial Reports

from Gina Fuller and Wendy Jacobs



Overview - End of Year Treasury

Secretary Report - April 

Treasury Report - April

Treasury End o f Year Report


A Note to all AREA members


Our November meeting will be a special meeting that will honor our Super Seniors ….all meeting that are 85 and older. We are hoping to get them all to join us and maybe offer us some bits of wisdom. 


(For those bringing materials and gifts for this event in November - Mona asks that you bring everything to the meeting in September.)


November is also the month we honor our Veterans. We have a special speaker coming for our veterans and he is preparing a bag of important information for them – especially for retirement. This is where we need your help. He needs a count. The information he is handing out will probably be great for any of your sons and daughters that are veterans or in the military. If you would like to receive one of these bags you will need to let us know so we can add your name to our list. Please contact Gina Fuller and let her know.


Gina Fuller  H 207-783-9091       C 818-438-8663
      email - gfuller1130@gmail.com



Membership Services

from Sue Conklin


Hope everyone is having a good summer. I am looking forward to seeing you in September. You should be receiving a letter in your postal mail about things that are happening this year at AREA. Included in your mailing is a form that we are requesting you fill out and bring to the first meeting. We are trying to update our records.


You will also find a card you can put on your refrigerator or with your calendar to let you know about each meeting. The registration form for the September meeting is also enclosed. If you have any questions, or don't receive the mailing, please let me know. I can be reached at sconklin@megalink.net or 207-754-3873 (leave a message if I don't answer). See you in September!!


Book Swap

from Patti LeBlanc




We would like to try something new - a book and puzzle swap. 


The Goal: 

To swap and share books and puzzles with our members.

The Plan: 
Members can bring books and/or puzzles to each meeting to share.  We will have a table set up for this.
These can be kept by members or returned and added to the collection for another month.
Please put your name in your book/puzzle (or attach a sticky note) in case there are books or puzzles left over in April.

Contact pattigleblanc@gmail.com if you have any questions or want to help make this happen


From the State House

From Crystal Ward


AREA Legislative Report for August    Crystal Ward


 It is an election year and everything is moving to high gear.  MEA has been holding screening and endorsement meeting.  The MEA Government Relations committee made a very comprehensive questionnaire for the candidates to answer.  For the Maine House of Representative and Maine Senate people who had a score  at least 80% were endorsed if running again.  This means on 11 Roll Call votes taken on bills in the House or Senate this person voted with the MEA position at least 80% of the time. Many voted with us 100% of the time!  For the rest, about 50 members from across the state met and went ovar the questionnaires very carefully and discussed and voted. These recommendations then went to the MEA BOD for their action and a list will be made to distribute to all members.  


Candidates for Governor, US House of Representatives District 2 and US Senate were sent questionnaires and had a screening and endorsement with an  hour long interviews for those participating. Votes were taken and sent to the MEA BOD for final approval.  These results will be made available to all members.


The Maine elections are very important to MEA and MEAR members across the State.  Education funding, MainePers pension funding, taxes of all kinds and 100’s of laws will be decided by these people ….so voting for candidates who support us is critical.


Helping candidates is always needed; you can help in many ways big and small.  Giving $5.00 to a candidate to apply to be a clean election candidate (funding only from the State Fund )  it’s easy. Driving them around so they can knock on doors and talk to folks, writing a letter to the editor, putting up signs, or allowing a sign on you land, helping with office work, and others.  If you want to help but do not know who to contact or who is running contact Jan (John) Kosinski MEA Government Relations .  Jkosinski@maineea.org


“Elect Good People: The MEA staff and members are hard at work trying to make sure we get our friends elected to the State House and State Senate. While the Governor’s race and the US Seante race will generate all the headlines, the state house and state senate races are often decided by just a handful of votes and our members can be even more impactful.” Jkosinski


SCAM AlERT

from Mona Ervin



Online scams and other crimes against Mainers skyrocketed last year.  A new report from the Consumer Federation of America shows Maine lost roughly $400 million, or more than $280 per person, with more than half of reported losses involving cryptocurrency.  Adults age 60 and over remain the largest targeted demographic for scams. Reported losses have increased more than 60% since 2025, with the average scam costing people more than $38,000.  The vast majority of scam attempts occur on social media platforms via a direct message.  The crisis requires bold action by the federal government to hold tech companies accountable and better educate the public regarding online scams and safety.  Make sure to always pause when someone is asking you to do something quickly, to wire money quickly, to do something that seems a little bit off you can hang up.

Scammers in Penobscot County are impersonating law enforcement, calling people to claim they have an outstanding warrant and requesting bail money.

The Hancock County Sheriff's office is warning about phishing and spoofing scams. Phishing and spoofing is when someone calls by phone or  emails pretending  to be someone you know and trust. They then trick you into giving up personal information.  These scammers are aided by AI technology.

WE ARE ALL IN THE "OLDER" BRACKET AND FACE MORE POTENTIAL SCAMS THAN YOUNGER MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.  IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU ARE A VICTIM OR FEAR OF BECOMMING A VICTIM, ASK A TRUSTED FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF. 
Older consumers make up a disproportionately high amount of all fraud victims. Older people generally have more health needs, such as chronic medical conditions. They often live alone. The combination of the number of older individuals, their visibility, medical needs, dependence on others, and financial assets, make them attractive targets to those who commit fraud. As the number of dependent older people grows, so will the probability of increased fraud against them.
Of course, it is crucial that older people understand their legal rights. They are their own best protectors. However, family members also play a crucial role in helping them protect themselves. Have a trusted person help you with the following.
  1. Be on the lookout for stacks of fundraising letters, such as sweepstakes mail proclaiming them “a guaranteed winner” or offering tickets for sale.
  2. Watch for an unusual number of packages on hand.
  3. Note if they are receiving unsolicited telephone calls offering “fantastic” opportunities to claim prizes or make investments. If so, you could arrange for an unlisted phone number.
  4. Volunteer to help older family members balance their checkbooks or review transactions, and ask about any questionable checks, payments, or large withdrawals. Offer to go over credit card statements to make sure that only authorized purchases are listed.
  5. Offer to pick up the mail to see if they are receiving unsolicited sweepstakes or lottery offers. If so, they may be on a variety of “sucker lists” being circulated by con artists. Have a trusted family friend help check the mail every day.
  6. If family members are being victimized through the mail, report the matter to the Postal Service.
  7. Enroll them on the Maine Do Not Call or Do Not Write lists. You can sign up for the Do Not Call list over the internet by logging on to DONOTCALL.GOV or by calling 1-888-382-1222 from the number you wish to register. 

Note from Roger - We all need to pay attention to this stuff.  I was recently "phished" by a group pretending to be Apple.  They are still trying to bill me for about $16,000.00 of fraudulent charges and still threaten to cut off all my credit and internet services. Be careful out there and never give out personal details or passwords unless you are absolutely certain of the person's identity.  This is all very real.



QUIZ

From Mona Ervin


How well do we as educators know of the contributions of those who have paved the way for us?

Educators on Educators Quiz

Here are the names of some important educators.  See how many you can match with their descriptions below.

Jamie Escalante
Confucius
Booker T. Washington
Crystal Ward
Horace Mann
Anne Sullivan
John Dewey
Maria Montessor
Socrates


  1. This man during his time serving as a representative and senator in the legislature of Massachusetts and lastly Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education, used his influence to advance changes in the American educational system. We can thank him for teacher training colleges, free libraries, and free public education to all children through taxation.
  2. This man knew first hand the difference an education can make in a person’s life. As the head of an all Black college he knew first hand the difference an education can make in a person’s life. He became a dominant and influential figure among politicians and the general public and did much to pave the way for later civil rights and desegregation of public education. It was his belief that education was the African-American community’s best chance for social equality and a better future.
  3. This woman developed methods that remain the popular choice for many parents who seek an alternative education for their children, especially for the early childhood through the primary years. She began day cares that put her theories into practice for "backward" children.
  4. This educator is known for his work teaching mathematics to underprivileged students in Los Angeles.  He proved that with the right support, every student can succeed. His story, told in the film Stand and Deliver, continues to motivate teachers around the world.
  5. This woman's impact has been immense.  As a teacher of a unique special needs student, her patience and innovation in teaching communication to a deaf-blind student demonstrated how empathy and persistence can redefine what education means.
  6. This individual encouraged students to ask questions and think critically instead of memorizing facts. His legacy shaped the principles of Western education and inspired thinkers for centuries.
  7. This individual is often called one of the greatest teachers of the world. He emphasized respect, morality, and lifelong learning. ........................................................
  8. A high school teacher, she made history when she became the first American civilian selected to go into space in 1985. On January 28, 1986,she and her crewmates boarded the Challenger space shuttle in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The shuttle exploded shortly after lift-off, killing everyone on board. As a tribute to her memory, a planetarium in Concord was named after her, as well as an asteroid and a crater on the moon. In addition, a Center at Framingham State College was established in her name to carry on her legacy and support the advancement of educational practices throughout the region.
  9. This educator promoted learning by doing, emphasizing experience and reflection in education. His ideas inspired project-based and experiential learning models used today in international programs and schools. Dewey’s vision helped redefine what it means to prepare students for real-world challenges.
  10. This educator keeps her fellow educators abreast of all legislative issues that impact students, learning, educators and educational support staff.


Peach Bars with an oatmeal crust

EZEEE KWEEZEEN


Peach Oatmeal Breakfast Bars - 

Our peach tree did very well this year - for the first time in four years.  This recipe is from Barefoot in the Kitchen.  

I will try adding a cup of dried canberries for a special autumn taste.  We actually got to freeze about half the peaches this year.


Ingredients 


Peach Filling Ingredients

  • 5 cups peaches thinly sliced
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Crust Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour*
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1½ cups old fashioned oats
  • 1 cup butter melted

 

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9×13 pan with butter and set aside. Combine the peaches with the white sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cornstarch in a large mixing bowl.
  • Stir to coat and add the lemon juice. Stir again and the let the peaches rest while preparing the crust.
  • In a separate mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, and brown sugar. Add then melted butter. Stir to combine.
  • Press half of this mixture into a buttered 9×13 pan. Pour the fruit over the bottom crust and then sprinkle the rest of the dry mixture on top.
  • Bake for 34-36 minutes, until the crust turns golden brown. Let cool completely and slice into bars.



Many thanks to all those who contributed to this newsletter.  It's a long newsletter, yes, but worth it!

Thanks to Mona, Crystal, Gina, Sue C., Sue T., and David. 



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