Retiree Council 23 Luncheon, June 7

Larry Ryan, Jane Flood, Alberta Scot, Vickie Newell, Teddy Emmanuel

The view from the windows of Captain Bill’s Restaurant in Bay Shore was hazy and smoke-filled due to the Canadian wildfires, but the atmosphere inside a roomful of retirees was spirited and happy. Retiree Council 23 (RC 23) held its spring luncheon there June 7. Much was discussed and brought to our attention, including:  NYSHIP changes (recently published and distributed in the Empire Plan Special Report), Medicare, the need for continued VOTE-COPE donations, the state of Tier 6 employees in terms of pension and contributions, and how far we have progressed as a union over the years.

A special guest was recognized as well, as the RC 23 COMMUNITY SERVICES award-winner ~ Christine Pendergast, wife of deceased R-UTN member, Chris Pendergast. She offered us words of wisdom and much gratitude for supporting Chris’s legacy, the ALS Ride for Life.

It was an informative, enjoyable couple of hours! The next luncheon will be held in October, and the Retiree Conference will also take place that month at the Marriott on Route 110. Stay tuned for details later in the summer. 

A Very Successful Happy Hour

Sharon Wolpert, Larry Ryan, Jane McNamara, Judy Bensimon, Mary Ellen Mack

A Happy Hour indeed! A few R-UTN friends gathered at Napper Tandy’s on Thursday, June 8, to share stories, have an afternoon snack and drink ~ lots of laughter and chatter could be heard!

Many thanks to Nancy and Jane M. for making the arrangements. Watch for announcements about our next gathering and make plans to join us!

More photos on our Photo Gallery webpage!

R-UTN Wants You!

We Need You! Judy Bensimon, our faithful Membership Secretary, has served for over 20 years and would like to to one day retire from her “retirement job”. She is looking for an R-UTN member to shadow her and learn the ropes. Please volunteer to help us keep our membership connected and informed. It is a rewarding position – and a great way to connect with former colleagues and friends.

If you are interested please send an email to [email protected] and an Executive Board member will be in touch!

Sad News

Fred Rowe, retired Northport High School science teacher and husband of High School art teacher Doris Rowe, passed away on June 8. We have no additional information at this time, but will post more when it becomes available.

Annual UTN End of Year Gala

The UTN end of year celebration was held at View in Crab Meadow on June 2 and a highlight of the afternoon was the awarding of six scholarships to very deserving seniors by the R-UTN. The scholarship recipients are all children of UTN members: Brian Zarnitz – son of Krista Zarnitz, NMS 5th grade teacher; Fiona Turner – daughter of Paul Turner, NHS Social Studies teacher; Aiden Bisson – son of Jen Bisson, Ocean Ave. Kindergarten teacher; Carley Gaddis – daughter of Janice Gaddis, Norwood Ave. Teaching Assistant; Marryn Gruhn – daughter of Marybeth Gruhn, NHS Teaching Assistant; and Ally Karkota – daughter of Kristen Karkota, ENMS School Psychologist. Brian, Fiona and Aiden were in attendance, and Ally however, was represented by her mom.

In addition to the scholarship recipients, the 2023 “class” of retiring teachers were feted with applause and flowers on their jobs VERY well done! Congratulations and good luck to all present!

2023 Retirees

To see more photos from the event, visit our Photo Gallery webpage.