The National Social Security Alumni Association held it's Annual Reunion Luncheon on May 17th, 2012, at the Turf Valley Country Club. This was the first time we had had it outside of Snyder's Willow Grove, and it was a great success.
We met in their restaurant overlooking a pleasant green vista, the day was bright and sunny, and everyone seemed to be in a festive mood.
The food was elegantly served and the taste lived up to its looks. I had the scallops and was pleasantly surprized to find that they were not loaded down with vinegar, as some restaurants insist on doing. Those who had the crab cakes seemed very happy, as were those who had the salmon or the beef. Our compliments to the chef!
I had eaten at Turf Valley before, at a HCFA/CMS function and could not believe how good their desserts were.. and how much of it they served. I was not disappointed this time either. I only ate one piece of cheesecake, and, man, was it good! There were other types of yummy desserts available.
The only complaint I received was from a person who had trouble cutting the chocolate cake. Next time, we will make sure that the pieces are more sharply sliced.
For those of you who were not able to get to this function, let me go through the program for you.
Cathy Hiebler gave an invocation that was designed to serve for everyone, regardless of their religious beliefs. Several attendees told me that it was a welcome change from other invocations.
After lunch, I introduced the National Board of Directors, most of whom were in attendance.
Next, I introduced our office staff, most of whom were also there. Several of them are also members of the Board of Directors.
I mentioned that attendees, Kathy Jeffries (Executive Officer, Human Resourses, SSA) and Hubert Davies (Executive Assistant for the Deputy of Human Resources, SSA) were instrumental in getting us the nice office space that we now enjoy in the SSA headquarters building in Woodlawn.
Carl Nesselroad was publicly thanked for being helpful to the Alumni Association by having an uncanny knack of finding obituaries for members who have passed away.
Former Presidents Betty Quinn and Harry Wade attended, and were introduced.
Each year, since 2006, the Alumni Association has awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award to a former Social Security Administration worker who, in addition to having a meaningful career at SSA, has contributed greatly to the Alumni Association and their community in their retirement years. The awardees have been:
2006 Verna Day Jones
2007 Betty Quinn
2008 Bob Whisenand
2009 Julia Sniadach
2010 Ruth Milligan
2011 Harry Wade
We try hard to keep the name of each awardee hidden until presentation time, and believe that the 2012 recipient had no idea that she was getting recognized. Delores Douglass, after serving a long and meaningful career at SSA, embarked on a retirement life of service to her community, Woodlawn, Maryland. In addition to other volunteer activity, Delores and her daughter, Debbie, plublish a free newspaper that has a very large circulation in the western suburbs of Baltimore. A couple of years ago, she was inducted into the Maryland Senior Citizen Hall of Fame, and is active in getting recognition for those other "seniors" in her community who have also contributed selflessly to the betterment of that community.
As door prizes, we awarded five envelopes containing $10 bills, and 12 flowering potted plants. A fifty-fifty lottery was also held and I believe someone took home over $70 in cash.
Based on the comments that I received, a good time was had by all and we will probably be visiting Turf Valley for next year's function.
As usual, the Social Security Alumni Association lost a little money on this event, but we are hoping to make it up by receiving dues from new members who hear about our organization from happy luncheon attendees. Those $10 dues are a great bargain.
Joe Vaughan, President SSAA
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Social Security Administration Leaders Identified
For the hundreds of you (well, maybe not that many for the scores of you (well, maybe a lot less.) OK.. for the three of you who have asked.. here are the leaders I showed in my last blog entry.. with their names attached:
IDA MERRIAM
These folks were very active in the 1960's and were responsible for making Social Security work.
I had put the following 1963 picture into my last blog to see if anyone recognised Millie Tyssowski and someone named Ron Bowers.. I'm not sure if that is the same NARFE Ron Bowers or not.. but probably. Anyway, nobody noticed.
If you have read this far, I will reward (or punish) you with an SSA story from my vaaaast repetoire:
One of the computer programs that I helped write was run on the first day of each month at the stroke of midnight. We wrote the program early in the 1960's and we never thought that the program would still be running in 1970. However, just in case it was still running on January 1st 1970, we added a "hidden" computer routine to take care of any problems that would arise with the change of the decade. However, we just left the routine in without activating it, because we did not really believe the program would still be running then.
As with all of the programs I was involved in or wrote, I had printed copies of each on a shelf underneath my telephone, to refer to if I got a call that there was some problem.
At midnight on January 1, 1970, my wife and I celebrated the New Year by watching the "Times Square" show and imbibing a little champagne. At precisely 12:05 A.M., the phone rang. Arden, the computer operator was all upset and said: "Mr. Vaughan, the XXXXXX program just "blew up" and isn't running. Can you come in and fix it."
Suddenly, I remembered the hidden routine, and as I spoke to Arden, I reached down under the telephone and retrieved the printed copy of the XXXXXX computer program and searched until I found a location to send her to, in order to get the program started and running again.
I quickly found the information and said to Arden: "No problem. I don't need to come in. Just "key in" KKKK and press "START" and it 'll begin working again.
Arden, not knowing that I was looking at my printed program, was not convinced and said: "Mr. Vaughan, have you been drinking?"
I replied that I had, but I told her to take a chance and do what I told her to do.
Reluctantly, she "keyed in" KKKK and pressed "START".. the "hidden" routine was activated and I could hear the tapes begin to twirl again as the program resumed its function.
Arden said, breathlessly, "Mr. Vaughan, you are a genius!"
I said: "I know." And hung up.
.....................................................................................................................
I believe that an updated copy of that XXXXXX program is still running on the first day of every month.
So long for now, and as God told Moses: "Keep taking those tablets."
Joe
.....................................................................................................................
IDA MERRIAM
These folks were very active in the 1960's and were responsible for making Social Security work.
I had put the following 1963 picture into my last blog to see if anyone recognised Millie Tyssowski and someone named Ron Bowers.. I'm not sure if that is the same NARFE Ron Bowers or not.. but probably. Anyway, nobody noticed.
If you have read this far, I will reward (or punish) you with an SSA story from my vaaaast repetoire:
One of the computer programs that I helped write was run on the first day of each month at the stroke of midnight. We wrote the program early in the 1960's and we never thought that the program would still be running in 1970. However, just in case it was still running on January 1st 1970, we added a "hidden" computer routine to take care of any problems that would arise with the change of the decade. However, we just left the routine in without activating it, because we did not really believe the program would still be running then.
As with all of the programs I was involved in or wrote, I had printed copies of each on a shelf underneath my telephone, to refer to if I got a call that there was some problem.
At midnight on January 1, 1970, my wife and I celebrated the New Year by watching the "Times Square" show and imbibing a little champagne. At precisely 12:05 A.M., the phone rang. Arden, the computer operator was all upset and said: "Mr. Vaughan, the XXXXXX program just "blew up" and isn't running. Can you come in and fix it."
Suddenly, I remembered the hidden routine, and as I spoke to Arden, I reached down under the telephone and retrieved the printed copy of the XXXXXX computer program and searched until I found a location to send her to, in order to get the program started and running again.
I quickly found the information and said to Arden: "No problem. I don't need to come in. Just "key in" KKKK and press "START" and it 'll begin working again.
Arden, not knowing that I was looking at my printed program, was not convinced and said: "Mr. Vaughan, have you been drinking?"
I replied that I had, but I told her to take a chance and do what I told her to do.
Reluctantly, she "keyed in" KKKK and pressed "START".. the "hidden" routine was activated and I could hear the tapes begin to twirl again as the program resumed its function.
Arden said, breathlessly, "Mr. Vaughan, you are a genius!"
I said: "I know." And hung up.
.....................................................................................................................
I believe that an updated copy of that XXXXXX program is still running on the first day of every month.
So long for now, and as God told Moses: "Keep taking those tablets."
Joe
.....................................................................................................................
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Social Security Administration and Alumni Notes for February 2012
Today, I'll ask for some comments on news items and pictures I have found. If enough people are interested, I'll publish more of the same.
01. Who is this famous guy? Lots of Social Security activity happened under his overall watch.
02. How about this guy? If Congress had listened to him, there would not be any question about Social Security solvency.
03. Remember this lady? A very dynamic manager at the Social Security Administration.
04. If you worked in the field, you may have known, or heard of, this guy.
05. Another manager who made a big impact at the Social Security Administration.
06. Take a close look here. If you worked at SSA, you may have known somebody who is shown.
07. A Note from Friends
I received a copy of the annual Holiday Letter from Bruce and Ruth Duncan. For those who don't know these people, let me say that they both worked at the Social Security Administration some years ago. Bruce had always wanted to be an Anglican Priest; however, he had a stuttering problem that he needed to overcome. As soon as he did that, he was accepted as a Priest and he and Ruth left SSA to pursue an interesting life in the religious community.
They served the Inuits in Upper Canada, families in California, and parishes in Massachusetts, where they live now.
If you knew Bruce and Ruth and would like to have a copy of their interesting letter, let me know.
08. Social Security Organization
Former SSA Commissioner Robert Ball founded an organization devoted to International Social Insurance issues: The National Academy of Social Security. This organization has a wonderful address in Washington, DC: 1776 Massachusetts Avenue. Check the organization out at:
http://www.nasi.org/
09. Looking for fellow SSA'ers
Arthur DeRuve is looking for former OHA (now ODAR) workers/employees/professionals to form a group to meet and reminisce about the "old days".
10 We're looking for fellow SSA'ers also.
Don't forget to tell your friends to check out our Social Security Alumni website, which has just been updated:
http://www.ssaanational.org/
11. Woodlawn Villager
As I've mentioned before, the Woodlawn Villager newspaper continues to publish news and pictures about the Social Security Alumni Association. A recent spread appeared about our new office open house, with marvelous pictures. I'll talk more about them in a future blog entry. Meanwhile, if you live anywhere near Woodlawn, Maryland, check out the Villager.. its a free newspaper that can be found almost universally in the area.
..........................................................
Thanks for listening. Joe
.........................................................
01. Who is this famous guy? Lots of Social Security activity happened under his overall watch.
02. How about this guy? If Congress had listened to him, there would not be any question about Social Security solvency.
03. Remember this lady? A very dynamic manager at the Social Security Administration.
04. If you worked in the field, you may have known, or heard of, this guy.
05. Another manager who made a big impact at the Social Security Administration.
06. Take a close look here. If you worked at SSA, you may have known somebody who is shown.
07. A Note from Friends
I received a copy of the annual Holiday Letter from Bruce and Ruth Duncan. For those who don't know these people, let me say that they both worked at the Social Security Administration some years ago. Bruce had always wanted to be an Anglican Priest; however, he had a stuttering problem that he needed to overcome. As soon as he did that, he was accepted as a Priest and he and Ruth left SSA to pursue an interesting life in the religious community.
They served the Inuits in Upper Canada, families in California, and parishes in Massachusetts, where they live now.
If you knew Bruce and Ruth and would like to have a copy of their interesting letter, let me know.
08. Social Security Organization
Former SSA Commissioner Robert Ball founded an organization devoted to International Social Insurance issues: The National Academy of Social Security. This organization has a wonderful address in Washington, DC: 1776 Massachusetts Avenue. Check the organization out at:
http://www.nasi.org/
09. Looking for fellow SSA'ers
Arthur DeRuve is looking for former OHA (now ODAR) workers/employees/professionals to form a group to meet and reminisce about the "old days".
10 We're looking for fellow SSA'ers also.
Don't forget to tell your friends to check out our Social Security Alumni website, which has just been updated:
http://www.ssaanational.org/
11. Woodlawn Villager
As I've mentioned before, the Woodlawn Villager newspaper continues to publish news and pictures about the Social Security Alumni Association. A recent spread appeared about our new office open house, with marvelous pictures. I'll talk more about them in a future blog entry. Meanwhile, if you live anywhere near Woodlawn, Maryland, check out the Villager.. its a free newspaper that can be found almost universally in the area.
..........................................................
Thanks for listening. Joe
.........................................................
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Social Security Alumni Update .. January 2012
It's been a while since I posted to this blog. Lots has happened. Most importantly, we have moved into the space vacated by the Social Security History Room. That office has moved to a marvelous space in the Operations Building, where one can trace the whole history of the Social Security program through to the current day. If you can finagle a visit to this historical place, called The Social Security Museum, you will be in for a treat. Larry DeWitt has realistically recreated the environment when this great Government program was born.
Meanwhile, here are a few pictures of our new space, and some of our beautiful office workers.
Some Social Security folks have been very helpful to us in obtaining and setting up our new office. Especially helpful has been Kathy Jeffries. I don't know how we could have made it this far without her expert guidance.
Recent Retirees
Each week, I copy down the names of those people whose retirements are advertised. In addition, some folks send me such information. Here are the names that I either received or recorded myself during the last three or four months.
Henry Gonshor
Bob Vaccaro
Debbie Wargo
Mike Gesuele
Bill Tate
Alyanda Joyce Garnett
Bill Smith
Roger Hicks
Lori Jones
Rick Friedman
Charlie Leatherman
Phil Itzkowitz
Terry Ashby
Mary Ellen Walsh
Phil Pickering
Sarah Ellen Akers
Kitty Chilcoat
Tim Kelley
Neil Whaley
Sherry Harris
Elaine Scott
Gloria Hartwell
Deaths
Wife of Jack Dowd
Wife of Ron Mayer
Grandson of Delores Douglass
Father of Cheryl Levi
Daughter of Katrina Elliott and Granddaughter of Chris Tucker
C. Ellen Engelhardt
Mary Patricia Youskauskas
Jim Marsheck
Sherman Clagg
Brian Murphy
Carl Couchoud
I apologize if I have shown anyone in error in my lists. I am now an old "dude" and make mistakes a lot easier than when I was a young "whippersnapper."
......................................................................................................................................
Meanwhile, here are a few pictures of our new space, and some of our beautiful office workers.
Some Social Security folks have been very helpful to us in obtaining and setting up our new office. Especially helpful has been Kathy Jeffries. I don't know how we could have made it this far without her expert guidance.
Recent Retirees
Each week, I copy down the names of those people whose retirements are advertised. In addition, some folks send me such information. Here are the names that I either received or recorded myself during the last three or four months.
Henry Gonshor
Bob Vaccaro
Debbie Wargo
Mike Gesuele
Bill Tate
Alyanda Joyce Garnett
Bill Smith
Roger Hicks
Lori Jones
Rick Friedman
Charlie Leatherman
Phil Itzkowitz
Terry Ashby
Mary Ellen Walsh
Phil Pickering
Sarah Ellen Akers
Kitty Chilcoat
Tim Kelley
Neil Whaley
Sherry Harris
Elaine Scott
Gloria Hartwell
Deaths
Wife of Jack Dowd
Wife of Ron Mayer
Grandson of Delores Douglass
Father of Cheryl Levi
Daughter of Katrina Elliott and Granddaughter of Chris Tucker
C. Ellen Engelhardt
Mary Patricia Youskauskas
Jim Marsheck
Sherman Clagg
Brian Murphy
Carl Couchoud
I apologize if I have shown anyone in error in my lists. I am now an old "dude" and make mistakes a lot easier than when I was a young "whippersnapper."
......................................................................................................................................
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Update on Social Security Retirements/Deaths and Alumni Activity
Hi! I hope that you are all well. It's time for me to supplement the information given in the very informative Social Security Alumni Association newsletter: Social Times.
I want to cover five areas today:
1. SSA Retirements
2. SSA Deaths
3. The Social Security Alumni Association move into the old History Room.
4. Update on Alumni trips.
5. Alumni website
Note: If you are a retiree from SSA, the only way to get copies of the OASIS magazine mailed to you, is to join the Alumni Association.
1. SSA Retirements
This list is compiled from E-Mails that I receive from SSA employees. Although most of these people are recent retiree, some were mentioned in my last blog entry.
Larry Alexander
Al Bimbiras
Rita Biser
John Chlumsky
Cindy Dudley
Kathi Hanim
Bob Knauf
Denny Lessner
Carl Medura
Richard Miles
Sandra Moody
Janice Mosley
Jan Peddicord
Vashti Pullum
Benzener Stallings
Betsey Stevens
Tom Tobin
Trina Wetherald
Patti Zentz
Sheryll Ziporkin
2. SSA-related Deaths
Lillian R. Bovelsk
Al Celentano
Ellen Engelhardt
David Greenberg
Jacqueline McCloud
Jackie Powell
Margaret Anne (Peggy) Wells
Janet Balcer's mother
Demetia Brannon's step-father
Carrol Donahey's mother
Joanne Dickinson's father
Dhanapal Gopegowda's father
Angela Johnson's husband
Steve Kautsch's mother
Russ Klunk's daughter
Pat Koehn's father
Robin Ott's father-in-law
Suzanne Rawling's husband
Darlene Restivo's father
Gloria Taylor's father
Janet Taylor's mother
3. The Alumni Office move to the old SSA History Room.
Last Friday, the Social Security Alumni Association office relocated to the old SSA History Room, located in the Altmeyer Building, near the front entrance. You remember, that's the area with a glass wall, inviting you to come in and share the SSA experience. The History Room material has been updated and expanded and transformed into the remarkable SSA Museum, located in the Operations Building (which is now called the Robert Ball Building.) Larry DeWitt is still in charge of the SSA History material and might be able to arrange a visit to see some extrememly interesting articles, pictures, and videos.
We are very excited about our new location in the Altmeyer Building. We should now be able to recruit new members from the ranks of the SSA employed... and we need new members!
4. Alumni Trips
Is it the economy? We have had to cancel our sixth trip last week. It was a trip to the Eastern Shore of Maryland for a crab feast, followed by a boat trip in Annapolis. During the two prior years, our crab feast trips were sold out and had waiting lists. This year, we had only 18 people sign up for the trip which required a minimum of 40. Earlier in the year, we had to cancel five of our day trips because of lack of reservations. Perhaps in the future, we could entice current SSA employees to join us.
Over the 37 years that the Alumni Association has been in existence, we have had Nation-wide participation in Caribbean cruises and European tours. Now, we are afraid to even set one up, because of the monetary loss if we are not able to get enough reservations.
If you have any suggestions on how we can get back to well-attended trips, please let us know. (You can always contact me at jvaughan9@msn.com or 410-848-1838.)
5. Alumni Website
Don't forget to visit our website http://www.ssaanational.org/
----------------
Pleast forward this information to anyone you know who work for SSA now, or worked for SSA at any time in the past.
---------------
I want to cover five areas today:
1. SSA Retirements
2. SSA Deaths
3. The Social Security Alumni Association move into the old History Room.
4. Update on Alumni trips.
5. Alumni website
Note: If you are a retiree from SSA, the only way to get copies of the OASIS magazine mailed to you, is to join the Alumni Association.
1. SSA Retirements
This list is compiled from E-Mails that I receive from SSA employees. Although most of these people are recent retiree, some were mentioned in my last blog entry.
Larry Alexander
Al Bimbiras
Rita Biser
John Chlumsky
Cindy Dudley
Kathi Hanim
Bob Knauf
Denny Lessner
Carl Medura
Richard Miles
Sandra Moody
Janice Mosley
Jan Peddicord
Vashti Pullum
Benzener Stallings
Betsey Stevens
Tom Tobin
Trina Wetherald
Patti Zentz
Sheryll Ziporkin
2. SSA-related Deaths
Lillian R. Bovelsk
Al Celentano
Ellen Engelhardt
David Greenberg
Jacqueline McCloud
Jackie Powell
Margaret Anne (Peggy) Wells
Janet Balcer's mother
Demetia Brannon's step-father
Carrol Donahey's mother
Joanne Dickinson's father
Dhanapal Gopegowda's father
Angela Johnson's husband
Steve Kautsch's mother
Russ Klunk's daughter
Pat Koehn's father
Robin Ott's father-in-law
Suzanne Rawling's husband
Darlene Restivo's father
Gloria Taylor's father
Janet Taylor's mother
3. The Alumni Office move to the old SSA History Room.
Last Friday, the Social Security Alumni Association office relocated to the old SSA History Room, located in the Altmeyer Building, near the front entrance. You remember, that's the area with a glass wall, inviting you to come in and share the SSA experience. The History Room material has been updated and expanded and transformed into the remarkable SSA Museum, located in the Operations Building (which is now called the Robert Ball Building.) Larry DeWitt is still in charge of the SSA History material and might be able to arrange a visit to see some extrememly interesting articles, pictures, and videos.
We are very excited about our new location in the Altmeyer Building. We should now be able to recruit new members from the ranks of the SSA employed... and we need new members!
4. Alumni Trips
Is it the economy? We have had to cancel our sixth trip last week. It was a trip to the Eastern Shore of Maryland for a crab feast, followed by a boat trip in Annapolis. During the two prior years, our crab feast trips were sold out and had waiting lists. This year, we had only 18 people sign up for the trip which required a minimum of 40. Earlier in the year, we had to cancel five of our day trips because of lack of reservations. Perhaps in the future, we could entice current SSA employees to join us.
Over the 37 years that the Alumni Association has been in existence, we have had Nation-wide participation in Caribbean cruises and European tours. Now, we are afraid to even set one up, because of the monetary loss if we are not able to get enough reservations.
If you have any suggestions on how we can get back to well-attended trips, please let us know. (You can always contact me at jvaughan9@msn.com or 410-848-1838.)
5. Alumni Website
Don't forget to visit our website http://www.ssaanational.org/
----------------
Pleast forward this information to anyone you know who work for SSA now, or worked for SSA at any time in the past.
---------------
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Latest News about Social Security People
I haven't been keeping this blog up to date lately, so let me catch up a bit. First.. deaths. Next.. retirements.. and finally two recent enjoyable events that may or may not interest you. If coaxed, I may even throw in a joke that I love to tell.
Deaths
Al Celentano
Gloria Taylor's father
Carol Donahey's mother
Diane Restivo's father
Carole Hood's father
Joan Mohorn
Donald Anthony Kresechi
Winifred Lemkau Baechtel
Marguerite C. Doyle
Adrien M. Pryor
Lillian R. Bovelsh
Mararet Anne "Peggy" Wells
Robert Ott's father in law
David Greenberg
C. Ellen Engelhardt
Janet Balcer's mother
Pat Koehn's father
Retirements
Henry Drumheller
John Chlumsky
Bob Knauff
Kathi Harrison
Benzener Stallings
Carl Medura
Tom Tobin
Larry Alexander
Gwendolyn Hairston
Stacia Mobley
Retirement Celebration for Henry Drumheller
Recently, I attended the retirement celebration for Henry Drumheller. Henry worked at SSA for 49 years! Henry worked in my Title-II Branch for many years and was the Section Chief responsible for one of the most important Systems computer programs for SSA... RETAP. The celebration was held in the Headquarters Building and I spent a pleasant couple of hours recalling both fun times and stressful times with Henry, Dick Eckert, John Taylor and other "techies."
Howard County, Maryland Luncheon for SSA Retirees
I spent an enjoyable couple of hours today at a luncheon for SSA retirees, held at the China Legend retaurant in Howard County.. near the old Enchanted Forest location, for those who remember it.
A real nice guy named Don Stucky coordinates this luncheon on a periodic basis for retirees who reside mainly in Howard County, Maryland. I had talked to Don on a couple of occasions, but I had him mixed up with a Systems guy with the same name. This Don worked in Policy, and several of the attendees worked there as well.
Don gave me some time to introduce myself, tell a joke, give an update on the present state of the Woodlawn complex, and invite everyone to the SSA Alumni annual luncheon on May 19th at Snyders Willow Grove. I also invited everyone to accompany us on our annual crab feast in August on Kent Island. After filling our bellies with delicious crabs, we will go on a boat tour of the Annapolis harbor, where we can watch Plebes trying to raise sails on their little boats and become sailors.
The food at the restaurant was cheap, plentiful and delicious. Don provided everyone with a worksheet so that they could calculate what they owed. I had a little extra food so that I could bring something to Elaine.. and I calculated a price of $25. Somebody else, more mathematically astute than I, figured that I had miscalculated, and I was given a refund of $10. Hard to believe that so much food only cost $15.. and in upscale Howard County too!
Besides the food from the restaurant, Don Stucky provided an unbelievable assortment of cakes, cupcakes, fruit salads, and other goodies.... all at his own expense. Don certainly is a nice guy!
I had a great time. I knew a couple of the people there and I recognized people I had seen around the Woodlawn building for years.. and I made a lot of new friends... all in all, a very enjoyable day for me.
OK OK You talked me into it.. I will tell the joke that I mentioned:
Years ago, Mrs Astor (fabled society lady) wore around her neck, a Chinese circular piece of metal she had paid a fortune for at a jewelry shop. It was a beautiful thing, with a hole in the middle, and lots of Chinese characters engraved around the edges. She was very proud of this treasure.
For years, she had been curious about what the Chinese characters meant. She was sure it was something like: "The bearer of this amulet is a member of the aristocracy.".. or some such.
One day, at one of her famous soirees, the wife of the Chinese ambassador was in attendance. She met Mrs Astor and was staring at her necklace. Lady Astor asked her if she would tell her what the characters stood for. The ambassador's wife said that she would rather not say, but Mrs Astor insisted.
Madame ambassador reluctantly told her the meaning of the Chinese characters:
"ADMIT ONE TO THE HONG KONG BROTHEL"
...............................................................................................................................
Deaths
Al Celentano
Gloria Taylor's father
Carol Donahey's mother
Diane Restivo's father
Carole Hood's father
Joan Mohorn
Donald Anthony Kresechi
Winifred Lemkau Baechtel
Marguerite C. Doyle
Adrien M. Pryor
Lillian R. Bovelsh
Mararet Anne "Peggy" Wells
Robert Ott's father in law
David Greenberg
C. Ellen Engelhardt
Janet Balcer's mother
Pat Koehn's father
Retirements
Henry Drumheller
John Chlumsky
Bob Knauff
Kathi Harrison
Benzener Stallings
Carl Medura
Tom Tobin
Larry Alexander
Gwendolyn Hairston
Stacia Mobley
Retirement Celebration for Henry Drumheller
Recently, I attended the retirement celebration for Henry Drumheller. Henry worked at SSA for 49 years! Henry worked in my Title-II Branch for many years and was the Section Chief responsible for one of the most important Systems computer programs for SSA... RETAP. The celebration was held in the Headquarters Building and I spent a pleasant couple of hours recalling both fun times and stressful times with Henry, Dick Eckert, John Taylor and other "techies."
Howard County, Maryland Luncheon for SSA Retirees
I spent an enjoyable couple of hours today at a luncheon for SSA retirees, held at the China Legend retaurant in Howard County.. near the old Enchanted Forest location, for those who remember it.
A real nice guy named Don Stucky coordinates this luncheon on a periodic basis for retirees who reside mainly in Howard County, Maryland. I had talked to Don on a couple of occasions, but I had him mixed up with a Systems guy with the same name. This Don worked in Policy, and several of the attendees worked there as well.
Don gave me some time to introduce myself, tell a joke, give an update on the present state of the Woodlawn complex, and invite everyone to the SSA Alumni annual luncheon on May 19th at Snyders Willow Grove. I also invited everyone to accompany us on our annual crab feast in August on Kent Island. After filling our bellies with delicious crabs, we will go on a boat tour of the Annapolis harbor, where we can watch Plebes trying to raise sails on their little boats and become sailors.
The food at the restaurant was cheap, plentiful and delicious. Don provided everyone with a worksheet so that they could calculate what they owed. I had a little extra food so that I could bring something to Elaine.. and I calculated a price of $25. Somebody else, more mathematically astute than I, figured that I had miscalculated, and I was given a refund of $10. Hard to believe that so much food only cost $15.. and in upscale Howard County too!
Besides the food from the restaurant, Don Stucky provided an unbelievable assortment of cakes, cupcakes, fruit salads, and other goodies.... all at his own expense. Don certainly is a nice guy!
I had a great time. I knew a couple of the people there and I recognized people I had seen around the Woodlawn building for years.. and I made a lot of new friends... all in all, a very enjoyable day for me.
OK OK You talked me into it.. I will tell the joke that I mentioned:
Years ago, Mrs Astor (fabled society lady) wore around her neck, a Chinese circular piece of metal she had paid a fortune for at a jewelry shop. It was a beautiful thing, with a hole in the middle, and lots of Chinese characters engraved around the edges. She was very proud of this treasure.
For years, she had been curious about what the Chinese characters meant. She was sure it was something like: "The bearer of this amulet is a member of the aristocracy.".. or some such.
One day, at one of her famous soirees, the wife of the Chinese ambassador was in attendance. She met Mrs Astor and was staring at her necklace. Lady Astor asked her if she would tell her what the characters stood for. The ambassador's wife said that she would rather not say, but Mrs Astor insisted.
Madame ambassador reluctantly told her the meaning of the Chinese characters:
"ADMIT ONE TO THE HONG KONG BROTHEL"
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Social Security News
The Social Security Alumni Association will have a new SSA Office in February 2011. I'm not going to tell you where it will be yet. You will be surprized.
New Deputy Commissioner:
Commissioner Astrue reports that the Senate has confirmed Carolyn Colvin as Deputy Commissioner for Social Security. She will serve as Commissioner Astrue's principal deputy and as the Secretary to the Social Security Board of Trustees.
Membership:
We will now be advertising for new members at Headquarters. We have 4x6 cards and brochures to be given out.
Puzzles:
The late Chuck Adkins was a puzzler of extraordinary ability. He was a member with me in the National Puzzlers League and was a contributor of Cryptics to Games Magazine. He also was the developer of special picture puzzles that we will hopefully be publishing in the Social Security Alumni Association newsletter, Social Times. Look for them. They are a lot of fun.
Scholarship?
We are considering setting up a scholarship fund. Contestants will write essays about the benefits of Social Security benefits.
Gift Memberships?
We are also considering giving a number of gift memberships each year to persons who are helpful to the Alumni Association and its goals.
Technician of the Year:
We will be setting up an award to be given to the SSA "Technician of the Year", as nominated by SSA personnel. This will be a cash award.
Retirements:
Central Office:
Pat Dempsy
Ben Gugliotti
Gwendolyn Hairston
Jim Kotowski
Betsy Miller
Guy Moody
Debbie Morrison
Sandy Petty
Angie Taylor
Mary Wisz
Deceased:
Birmingham Chapter:
Ann Bowron
Christine LaVecchia
Margaret Cutcliffe
San Francisco Chapter:
Hy Sholin
Kayo Tong
Helen Bargero
Los Angeles Chapter:
John Robinson
Kansas City Chapter:
Nelson Gipson
Lumun Parrot
Harry Strohm
Sylvia Tehrani
Mary Belle Flowers
Don Brooks
George Tomlinson
Sherma Faye Johnston
Terry Kenepaske
Baltimore Chapter:
Elliott Bourne, Jr
Bob Wesloh
Bob Whisenand
Thelma Whisenand
At Large:
Bob Bynum
Problems:
AP reports that:
"Seniors prepared to cut back on everything from food to charitable donations to whisky as the news spread ... that they will have to wait until 2012 to see their Social Security checks increased."
......................................................................................
New Deputy Commissioner:
Commissioner Astrue reports that the Senate has confirmed Carolyn Colvin as Deputy Commissioner for Social Security. She will serve as Commissioner Astrue's principal deputy and as the Secretary to the Social Security Board of Trustees.
Membership:
We will now be advertising for new members at Headquarters. We have 4x6 cards and brochures to be given out.
Puzzles:
The late Chuck Adkins was a puzzler of extraordinary ability. He was a member with me in the National Puzzlers League and was a contributor of Cryptics to Games Magazine. He also was the developer of special picture puzzles that we will hopefully be publishing in the Social Security Alumni Association newsletter, Social Times. Look for them. They are a lot of fun.
Scholarship?
We are considering setting up a scholarship fund. Contestants will write essays about the benefits of Social Security benefits.
Gift Memberships?
We are also considering giving a number of gift memberships each year to persons who are helpful to the Alumni Association and its goals.
Technician of the Year:
We will be setting up an award to be given to the SSA "Technician of the Year", as nominated by SSA personnel. This will be a cash award.
Retirements:
Central Office:
Pat Dempsy
Ben Gugliotti
Gwendolyn Hairston
Jim Kotowski
Betsy Miller
Guy Moody
Debbie Morrison
Sandy Petty
Angie Taylor
Mary Wisz
Deceased:
Birmingham Chapter:
Ann Bowron
Christine LaVecchia
Margaret Cutcliffe
San Francisco Chapter:
Hy Sholin
Kayo Tong
Helen Bargero
Los Angeles Chapter:
John Robinson
Kansas City Chapter:
Nelson Gipson
Lumun Parrot
Harry Strohm
Sylvia Tehrani
Mary Belle Flowers
Don Brooks
George Tomlinson
Sherma Faye Johnston
Terry Kenepaske
Baltimore Chapter:
Elliott Bourne, Jr
Bob Wesloh
Bob Whisenand
Thelma Whisenand
At Large:
Bob Bynum
Problems:
AP reports that:
"Seniors prepared to cut back on everything from food to charitable donations to whisky as the news spread ... that they will have to wait until 2012 to see their Social Security checks increased."
......................................................................................
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
