Henry-Stark county teachers meet

GALVA — The Henry/Stark Unit of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association met at noon on Sept. 10 at McKays Fine Dining in Galva. Following the buffet lunch, Co-President Roger Hawk entertained members with a few “Senior” Riddles. Co-President Susan Busenbark then introduced Norma Hedges, Area 1 representative.

Hedges discussed the brochure concerning the Constitutional Convention and urged all members to read it and be able to discuss why we do not want the convention to be called. She noted that IRTA has not yet made political endorsements for the November election, but will be doing so soon. She also outlined the purpose of REPAC (Retired Educators Political Action Comm-ittee), and told of the four major areas of the Foundation. They include grants to retired teachers who have very small incomes, scholarships to college juniors or seniors studying to become teachers, grants to active classroom teachers, and the I Care program, an ombudsmen program for teachers in nursing homes.

Busenbark then introduced first time attendees Gary DeMoss, Geneseo and Ann Larson, Wethersfield.

 Roger Hawk introduced Tom Steele, a Geneseo retired teacher, who has written and published two novels, “Muddy Water; Romance and Murder in Henry County” and “Perish; Murder in Wicker Park.”

Following his program, Hawk presented Steele with a golf towel and a donation to the charity of his choice. Hawk also presented Hedges with flowers.

The next meeting will be held Nov. 12 at the First Congregational Church in Toulon.