A Place for all the Old Timers to Get Together

 

The Pioneer's Club

The Pioneer’s Club Newsletter

Volume 6, Issue  5

May 2012

Annual Picnic

 

Obituary Page

We lost  four individuals that I am aware of since the last newsletter.

 

They will be missed by who knew them.

 

Charles E. Ferguson - April 2, 2012 in Hamlin, NY at age 57.

 

Joseph J. DeMarco - April 8, 2012 in Hamlin, NY at age 74. Joe worked in Underground Department.

 

Lester S. Abbamonte - April 7, 2012 in Rochester, NY at age 94. Les was an Army Veteran of WWII and a retiree from the Transportation Department.

 

Lauren J. Blood - April 14, 2012 in Livonia, NY at age 75. Lauren retired from General Maintance.

 

      Howard J. Prentice - April 14, 2012 at age 98.Army Veteran of WWII, retiree          of Rochester Gas & Electric (Electric Appliance Service), member & past officer of American Legion Post #468 and VFW Post #4658 and New York State 14th Armored Division Assoc, RG&E Armed Forces Club and former usher at St. John's.

          

Carl Rogers— I received an email today that Carl just passed away. There has been nothing in the D&C Obituary notices as yet. I will send a death notice as soon as I get more information.

May Events

Here are the important dates for April

 

May 1 —  May Day

May 2—    Substations Lunch

 

May 3 —  Constitution Day (Japan)

 

May 4  - Greenery Day (Japan)

 

May 5  - Cinco de Mayo

 

May 7  — Bank Holiday (UK)

 

May 8  - National Teachers Day

 

May 13 — Mother’s Day

 

May 19 — Armed Forces Day

 

May 21 — Victoria Day (Canada)

 

May 28 — Memorial Day

 

May Birthdays

Florida Picnic

Our Retiree Benefits

Well this is the first time in months that I don’t have any complaint emails to post.

 

Actually I have some success stories to note. Maybe the system is fixed? (I hope my comment doesn’t jinks it.)

Cook Book? One more appeal

This a group picture of the attendees of this years Florida Picnic. Next year we need to make sure everybody takes their hats and sunglasses off so we can see their smiling faces.

 

Thanks to all who attended and the committee who made all the arrangements for this years success.

Hello Tom,

 

Would you print this in the next newsletter? A 91-year-old woman in Nebraska (formerly of Rochester) is looking to replace her “Favorite Holiday Recipes” book.  She lent hers to an exchange student who used a cookie recipe to enter a entry in the Nebraska state fair contest.  The student won! 

 

But in the process, the student lost the “Favorite Holiday Recipes” book.  I sent the woman something similar, but it would be nice to be able to replace the book.  Perhaps someone has a copy and would let me borrow it and make a copy.

 

 

Rick Meier

RG&E

585.724.8413

I guess that request goes in the “No good Dead goes unpunished” file. Well actually it just shows that even displaced Rochesterians help others in achieving their goals.

 

I personally don’t have any of the old receipt booklets. So I’m going to attach a copy of the cover to make it easier to find in your collection of booklets. If you find it. Please contact Rick.

Gas Stations

I know this seems early, but the Annual Pioneers Club Picnic is rapidly approaching. I just got a note from Arnie that he was firming the price, getting the post card mailing address, and all the other fun stuff that goes into making this party a success.

 

The Picnic is still scheduled for the first Thursday in August. That will be August 2nd from 11:00 to 4:00 at Bernard Exempt on Maiden Lane. We hope that it will finally be warm by then.

 

So make your calendars to save the date, And I don’t want to hear anyone complain that their old work group, department, or good friends aren’t there. It’s up to you to touch base with them and make the necessary plans to meet.

4/6

 

Hi Tom,

 

Just wanted to give you the results of the "Notice of Right to Appeal" letter that Iberdola told me to file if I had a "grievance" after having to pay $472 more to keep our benefits. This all started in December 2011. We did write it, enclosed the proper documentation from Summit, and had it "walked" to the 7th floor by security.  Two weeks ago, not having heard anything, I contacted Susan Reamer, and she said she would look into it.  She returned the call just two days later saying she was contacting the "proper personnel" and she would get back to me.  She did call and told me that yes indeed there was an error and we should be receiving a check within two weeks.  It came today!  Kudos to Susan!!!

 

4/4

 

On another note I'd like to let some of our retirees know about the new outsource group that the Company has hired to work on our benefits.  My health care insurance was really a mess there for a while especially my going to Medicare as of January and this new group, at least the reps I dealt with, were so helpful and knew things needed to get straightened out and fast.  They worked with me for the past few months and as of April 1, like they said, things would get better.  They kept in touch with me to let me know they hadn't forgotten about me and things were still in progress.  I appreciated that.  And I just found out through my April check that things indeed did get put in order.  I think they're going to work out well - they just had one heck of a mess to go through from what was handed to them.  At least they seem to CARE and willing to jump through hoops to help with any problems and get answers for you as soon as they can.  I'm hoping they're finding their way through the utter chaos that was left to them from the other contractor and will now continue to stay on track with us.  And ... you have to deal with all this over the phone instead of to someone in person like when we had a Benefits Department at 89 East Ave. w/knowledgeable personnel.  It can really be a very stressful time when important matters are in such disarray - especially in this day and age of drastic health care changes. 

Take care and can't wait to see you again at the next Pioneer's Picnic.

 

3/30

 

Tom,

              After reading the last newsletter I am concerned for the continuation of my wife’s Health Care coverage. Two of my friends who either worked for the company or were the spouse of an employee upon turning 65 have had nothing but problems with lost or misplaced forms for the continuation of their Health Coverage. Do you have any suggestions for easing the transition from pre 65 to post 65 or the name of someone to call regarding this transition. My wife does not turn 65 until July but I am preparing for some kind of a problem(s) at that point. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Should I have a sit down with MVP or their representative to ease this transition. Thanks for any info or suggestions.

 

Editor’s Note:

 

On behalf of all or membership and email subscribers (573) we’d like to thank the Benefits Department (or what they’re named now) for a job well done.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to Jim White for sharing.

Memorial Day

I don’t know if the Vet’s Club is is planning a service this year but Arnie sent me this photo. It says a lot.

It’s Titled, “Standing Guard”