Shelby County Retired Teachers Association
An Affiliate of Illinois Retired Teachers Association
UPDATE: Out last meeting was on June 1. We enjoyed two great presentations. The first was by Cheri Burcham, from the University of Illinois Extension on Positivity & 10 hacks for Well Being. Donna Lupton from the Shelby County Historical Society spoke on the history of Shelby County Schools. SCRTA members present were Alta May Fry, Lucy Curry, David Curry, Ron Shult, John Van Voorhis, Norma Walters, Sylvia Miller, Patsy Lenz (via Zoom), Ione Elliot, Bud Wilhelm, Nancy Wilhelm, LaVonne Chaney, Kim Sparks and Jim Sparks. We were also joined by Christian county retired teachers David Curry and John Van Voorhis. Alta May Fry won the Monical's Family Pleaser certificate drawing at the conclusion of our meeting. We will give away the last of our Monical's Family Pleasers to one of our attendees at the September 7th meeting. It could be YOU!
Finally I would like to report that we were recipients of $362.22 from the Monical's Pizza Community Day Event that benefited SCRTA on July 19th. We will be looking to our membership to form a committee to develop ideas for how we can best utilize the funds to benefit teachers, students, and their schools in Shelby County.
Finally I would like to report that we were recipients of $362.22 from the Monical's Pizza Community Day Event that benefited SCRTA on July 19th. We will be looking to our membership to form a committee to develop ideas for how we can best utilize the funds to benefit teachers, students, and their schools in Shelby County.
from President Jim Sparks
Another school year has begun. Even though I’ve been retired going on 9 years, I still get an anxious feeling
in the pit of my stomach that I should be preparing for a daily audience of eager young minds. We hope that
all the students, teachers, and staff have one of their best years yet. With quality teachers in short supply and
politicians attempting to control the curriculum, it is still one of the most rewarding yet challenging of
occupations.
All around us people are facing many challenges these days. Inflation continues to be a particular problem
for those on fixed incomes, especially when purchasing groceries and fuel. Consider reaching out to your
family, friends, and even strangers to spread acts of kindness. It might be that a phone call, preparing a
special recipe to share, or simply a friendly wave will make someone’s day brighter. When the daily news
looks dismal, remember to do all that you can to spread warm care, showing that beauty still exists in our
world.
I am looking forward to our next general membership meeting on September 7th. We will be meeting at the
beautiful Army Corps of Engineers Visitors Center and will simultaneously connect through Zoom for those
who want to attend virtually. We have a couple of speakers lined up to make presentations as well as working
on developing a committee to make plans to disseminate the money we collected in July through the
Monical’s Community Day event. We want these funds to make a difference to teachers and students in
Shelby County. Please mark your calendars to be with us however you see fit.
JimSparks
jsparks7914@gmail.com
(217) 259-2669
If you have not done so please email our vice-president, Nancy Wilhelm, to let her know that you are receiving a copy of the newsletter she carefully creates with care four times a year. If you are getting the newsletter by mail consider saving our organization some money by receiving it through email as instead. Nancy's email address is njwilhelm@yahoo.com.
Another school year has begun. Even though I’ve been retired going on 9 years, I still get an anxious feeling
in the pit of my stomach that I should be preparing for a daily audience of eager young minds. We hope that
all the students, teachers, and staff have one of their best years yet. With quality teachers in short supply and
politicians attempting to control the curriculum, it is still one of the most rewarding yet challenging of
occupations.
All around us people are facing many challenges these days. Inflation continues to be a particular problem
for those on fixed incomes, especially when purchasing groceries and fuel. Consider reaching out to your
family, friends, and even strangers to spread acts of kindness. It might be that a phone call, preparing a
special recipe to share, or simply a friendly wave will make someone’s day brighter. When the daily news
looks dismal, remember to do all that you can to spread warm care, showing that beauty still exists in our
world.
I am looking forward to our next general membership meeting on September 7th. We will be meeting at the
beautiful Army Corps of Engineers Visitors Center and will simultaneously connect through Zoom for those
who want to attend virtually. We have a couple of speakers lined up to make presentations as well as working
on developing a committee to make plans to disseminate the money we collected in July through the
Monical’s Community Day event. We want these funds to make a difference to teachers and students in
Shelby County. Please mark your calendars to be with us however you see fit.
JimSparks
jsparks7914@gmail.com
(217) 259-2669
If you have not done so please email our vice-president, Nancy Wilhelm, to let her know that you are receiving a copy of the newsletter she carefully creates with care four times a year. If you are getting the newsletter by mail consider saving our organization some money by receiving it through email as instead. Nancy's email address is njwilhelm@yahoo.com.
