We here in the Northeast are now enjoying nature’s splendid display of colorful flowers, greening lawns, and the melodious return of the songbirds. Don’t forget to take down your birdfeeders because the new season also marks the return of hibernating bears. 

Our April meeting at our new venue, the Mill River Country Club in Stratford, CT was a resounding success. Comments were very positive location, food, atmosphere and the attentiveness of staff. The country club has easy access from both the Merritt Parkway and I-95. 

Our next Meeting is June 9, 2022. Moving the date of our traditional May meeting to June afforded the opportunity for the Board of Directors to meet and evaluate the new venue. Because of strong positive feedback, the Board decided to continue having General Meetings at Mill River. Details of the June meeting and menu can be found elsewhere in this newsletter. 

I trust you received a pleasant surprise when you filed your CT tax form. The 50% tax exemption on your retirement pension reduced your state tax. I hope that you will thank members of the Association of Retired Teachers of Connecticut (ARTC) for all the time and energy spent on this legislation. Remember that as retired educators we have no union to represent us. ARTC’s role is to inform and demand that our legislators honor the commitments they have made to retired teachers. I urge you to spend $50 to join ARTC if you are not already a member. Information and a membership application can be found on the ARTC website - www.artct.org 

With sadness we note the passing of a number of GBRTA members. GBRTA has lost hree members of the Board of Directors in the past 15 months. Susan Berescik recorded and distributed minutes for our Board and General Meetings with extraordinary precision and clarity. She took on each task with enthusiasm and a passion for doing it well. Trudi Black, with her husband Larry, oversaw every detail of our lunch meetings. From clarifying the differences between gravy, thickened gravy, and dressing to lobbying for hot water in the Ladies’ Room, Trudi insisted that the restaurant provide the best possible dining experience for GBRTA members. Helen Scinto first served the GBRTA as its Recording Secretary and then as Newsletter Editor. When she felt “Newslettered–Out”, Helen took on the responsibility of serving as our Treasurer. She proved to be as proficient in math as she was in writing! Her final service to GBRTA was as its Member Services Chair. 

We are grateful for having known these Board members and sincerely appreciate their generous service to our organization. 

In closing, I hope you enjoy a delightful Spring and a relaxing Summer. Stay Healthy. Stay Safe.