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."
......................................................................................................................................
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
