Delta Kappa Gamma
Delta Kappa Gamma’s Kappa Chapter President Sandy Berry welcomed 10 members and two guests to a Kappa Chapter luncheon meeting at noon March 14 at the Kenton Elks.
Berry offered a prayer before lunch and thanked the committee of Jodine McKinley, Lori Paul and Sandy Berry as well as the Elks staff for the lovely arrangements.
Following lunch, Ohio Retired Teachers Association Director Dr. Robin Rayfield was introduced as the speaker. ORTA is the watchdog for Ohio’s State Teacher Retirement System. STRS receives income from two sources. The first is individual teacher contributions of 14%, the highest in the U.S. of non-Social Security states, and the second is 14% from schools who are the employers, the lowest in the U.S. of non-social security states. This totals around $3.5 billion while STRS spends about $7.5 billion annually. Doing the math indicates about $4 billion shortfall, which STRS must earn to stay even.
ORTA has spent seven years seeking transparency regarding its investments until last year. STRS finally provided an overview of expenses related to Ohio teacher alternative investments. A chart was provided for these 2023 investments. The costs totaled over $700 million. The return for 2023 was about $200 million, which is a huge loss. ORTA is trying to get STRS to try a different passive broad-based index such as the Russell 3000 index. Rayfield stated that this could have cost STRS about $5 million but gained $5 billion, which would have been a significant return in comparison. He says that he found the same for one-, three-, five-, seven- and 10-year periods.
STRS management has claimed that their investments have outperformed their “benchmarks” each year and have paid bonuses to the investment staff. The data provided does not substantiate these claims because STRS uses its own performance as its benchmark, according to Professor Rudy Fichtenbaum.
STRS is reviewing its asset allocations. ORTA is asking to reduce alternative resources and increase passive allocations. ORTA has requested complete records for 135 externally managed investments so that STRS can move forward. It may become a problem as STRS investment staff depends on alternatives to earn bonus pay, and Wall Street, a financial source for politicians, always welcomes Ohio’s investments from STRS. Alternative investments have no known actual value so the retired and active Ohio teachers have no way to determine if such investments are doing well. One alternative investment was Texas Panda Power, which lost $525 million with no other source included in that investment. STRS investments cannot continue with such losses.
Rayfield stated that Ohio’s STRS finances are in good shape as long as they do not pay retired teachers a cost of living adjustment as it once had been promised. At present Ohio retired teachers are missing about one-third of the actual retirement payment because of alternative investments. Rayfield stated that single one time extra payments could be in the future in coming years. It will be studied by the STRS board and management. There is a search for a new STRS director who might make a difference. He added another challenge is that private/charter schools and home-schooling do not pay into STRS pension funds, but Ohio is providing funds for these groups. Rayfield asked everyone to watch STRS public meetings on SSA.gov.
Following a period for questions and answers, the members thanked Rayfield for his information. Berry began the meeting with thanks to Teresa Harris, Norma Frederick, Elaine Hoover, Shirley Spitler and members for work done to complete Kappa’s work within the meetings. She has received the pin from charter member Beatrice Young’s estate, which was an honor. Secretary Harris gave a corrected electronic report. Treasurer Hoover’s report had nothing new, but she did pass the pin/brag bag. There is no April Kappa meeting while there is an April DKG state convention. The door prize was given to Jean Kearns.
A lengthy discussion followed as to Kappa Chapter’s future. With a motion by Elaine Hoover and seconded by Donna Myers, all voted for another year with the same officers. It was decided to hold a meeting on May 3 in Wyandot County. The committee ofSpitler, Donna Myers and Harris will make arrangements and contact the members about place and time. Hoover reminded everyone that dues can be paid at the May meeting. Having no other business, the meeting was adjourned. All were wished safe travels.
Mohawk Area Women’s Literary Club
The Mohawk Area Women’s Literary Club met at 7 p.m. March 3 in the Mohawk Community Library after their winter break. President Lori Arnold opened the meeting with a short reading of a list of strong women in the movies.
Members read the club creed and song. Fifteen members answered the roll call by responding to the question “Could you be a military nurse?” Minutes were read and approved. Treasurer Beth Lininger reported the Love Gift money from the Christmas collection amounted to $290, Harmony Food Pantry received $145 and Fillmore received $145. The club’s balance was given and approved by the members.
In old business, a thank you note was read from Connie Thomas on behalf of Harmony Food Pantry. The amendment to raise dues 50 cents will be presented during the April meeting.
In new business, Tiffin Community Event Center will host Shelby Van Pelt, author of “Remarkably Smart Creatures,” and will be held on April 22. The location of club’s June meeting celebration has not been decided and suggestions were discussed. Arnold suggested possible ways for the club to have a closer tie to the community and possible projects were discussed. Next month’s read will be “Empress of the Nile” by Lynne Olson and the club will meet April 7 at Mohawk Community Library. The meeting was adjourned.
Barb Dayton was the discussion leader for “The Women,” written by Kristin Hannah. The novel follows Frankie McGrath, a young woman who enlisted as a nurse in the Vietnam War after her brother was killed in the war. The story focuses on the experiences of the nurses who served in the war and their return to the tumultuous country that showed animosity toward the Vietnam veterans. Frankie works through her trauma and its aftereffects in her personal life and the challenges that healing brings. Numerous members clearly remember this time and a lively discussion ensued.
Refreshments were offered by hostesses Beth Lininger and Virginia Shellhouse. Members were offered blackberry cobbler with a selection of nuts, chocolate and water.
Wyandot County Senior Club
The Wyandot County Senior Club met March 13 with 20 members and one guest present.
Georgia Holzwart led the Pledge of Allegiance and Pat Williams had the prayer before the meal.
“Happy Birthday” was sung to Regina Brinson, Linda Fox, Georgia Holzwart and Ruth Reier.
Katherine Whitt, director of the Upper Sandusky Community Library, was the speaker for the evening.
The library goes beyond regular books to take out, but also to include books on CD, movies, and Blu-Ray.
Also if one can’t find what one is looking for, the library had access to over 100 library systems all over Ohio that can be borrowed from. Other reading books include Playaway, Libby and Hoopla.
Volunteers from the Friends of the Library deliver books and other materials to shut-ins.
Other nontraditional items that can be borrowed are sewing machines, metal detectors, telescopes, binoculars, musical instruments, educational toys, games and puzzles, to name a few.
The Heritage Room has local history and books on genealogy. The local newspapers are on microfilm going back to 1853. The library is looking into grants to get newspaper microfilm digitized so they will be accessible online 24/7.
Some of the other programs offered are Lunch Bunch, Taste of History, Craft Party, two different book clubs, an annual clothing swap, a spring and summer plant swap and the Friends of the Library summer book sale, just to name a few. Anyone can sign up for the newsletter to find out when the programs take place.
The meeting rooms are available for the community at no charge.
Materials were handed out telling the different programs available, including Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio, homebound delivery program and proven benefits of reading for senior adults. Everyone thanked Whitt for taking the time to share what is happening at the library.
President Jean Groves conducted the business meeting, reminding everyone of the end of the month meal at Trinity Evangelical Church beginning at noon March 27. The program will be about consumer scams. A $5 donation is being asked. RSVP if one plans to attend by calling 419-294-5733.
Ruthie Reier gave the treasurer’s report and handed out the new membership directory.
John Krock called the numbers for bingo.
Carl Schlorb won the door prize.
The next meeting is 5 p.m. April 10 at the Wyandot County Council on Aging. Anyone 50 years and older is invited.
CommUNITY Circle
CommUNITY Circle’s upcoming fourth Monday event at 6:30 p.m. March 24 features Upper Sandusky Police Chief Jarod Lucas, who will discuss avoiding scams.
Lucas’ presentation, titled “Protect yourself from scams,” discusses imposters, charity fraud, identity theft, health care scams, “you’ve won” schemes and repair fraud.
The public is welcome to attend at Open Door, 212 W. Wyandot Ave., Upper Sandusky.
CommUNITY Circle members on Facebook can view the live-stream or video from this event.
