Retirees’ Luncheon in Central Florida
RETIREES’ CLUB OF L.U. 3, NEW YORK, NY/CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER — A retirees’ luncheon was held in Hollywood, Fla., on March 5. The accompanying photo shows Michael Manfredi, chairman of the Central Florida retirees, along with Recording Secretary Vanessa James-Foxe, retired International Executive Council Chairman Chris Erikson Sr. and Local 3 Business Manager Chris Erikson Jr.
Michael Manfredi, P.S.
Local 3 Retirees Set Sail
RETIREES’ CLUB OF L.U. 3, NEW YORK, NY/NASSAU COUNTY CHAPTER — Our retirees set sail with more than 50 members and friends set to do battle with the mighty sea. The day was warm, and the company was even better.
While we did catch fish, they were not the ones we were looking for, and the sea won this round. However, we all had a wonderful time and are already looking forward to beating the sea at our next outing.
John Milligan, P.S.
We Built This City
RETIREES’ CLUB OF L.U. 35, HARTFORD, CT — Our local has helped build many buildings in Hartford since 1913, including Travelers Insurance, Hartford Insurance, Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance, Hartford Steam Boiler, Connecticut General Life Insurance (CIGNA), Hartford Civic Center, City Place, Gold Building, Convention Center, Connecticut Science Center, Hartford Marriott Downtown, Xerox Building, Sheraton Hartford Hotel, Aetna Insurance, Garbage Recycling and Plant, and the Yard Goats (Dunkin’ Park) baseball stadium, to name a few. I’m sure our retirees remember all these jobs.
We want to thank Business Agent Michael Nealy and his assistant, John Bowen, for the continued efforts on obtaining project labor agreements and other work for Local 35, such as the new PLA on the courthouse in Hartford.
New retirees, please join us at our next meeting June 10 at noon at the Knights of Columbus in Newington.
We hope everyone has a great summer!
Kenneth White, P.S.
Local 53 Retiree Luncheon and Service Pin Awards
RETIREES’ CLUB OF L.U. 53, KANSAS CITY, MO — Greetings, brothers and sisters. I hope everyone is doing well. Our local hosted our spring luncheon, and we had a very good turnout. It was good to see a lot of old friends and a few new ones. The food was excellent, and everyone seemed to have a good time. A big thank you to all the local staff.
Service pins were presented after lunch. The following retirees received pins: Milton Scott and Richard Whitworth (50 years); Lawrence Abshier, Ronald Bond, Jack Burkhart, Oliver Luther, Jim Lynch, John McDermott, Bob Stuart and Sammy Waterman (55 years); and James Baker (60 years). Congratulations to all!
We will be holding our 39th annual crappie tournament/fish fry April 25. I will report on that in our next article. Our fall luncheon will be Oct. 2. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone again. Stay safe and healthy.
I am sad to report that we lost some retirees since our last article: Shirley Adams, Dwight Alder, Walt Cruse, Joe Padilla, Jeano Rogers, Linda Sperry and Richard Vote. Rest in peace!
Bob Stuart, Pres.
Local 58 Retirees Roll With Changes, Keep Active and Engaged
RETIREES’ CLUB OF L.U. 58, DETROIT, MI — Our retirees’ group has been experiencing changes, with both of our luncheon venues going through some changes, too. Our west side restaurant, Mama Mia’s in Livonia, which is new to us, had an electrical fire, and we had to cancel our March luncheon. We are hopeful that it will be up and running by July 22, our next West Side luncheon.
Our east side restaurant, the Gazebo, is preparing to close by the end of this year, so we are on the lookout for a new venue. We have had some good information from members and are following those leads.
Keeping a viable and interesting agenda of events for our retirees is anything but an easy task. Our board works hard to keep our group active and engaged.
Midterm elections are this November. With all the chaos surrounding our elected officials and political appointees, this is a good time to get involved in state or federal elections. Consider a PAC donation, at ibewgov.org/ibew-pac, or mail your contribution to IBEW PAC, 900 Seventh St. NW, Washington, DC 20001. Continue to practice community engagement.
United we stand.
Pat Nuznov, P.S.
Spring Outings for Local 105 Retirees
RETIREES’ CLUB OF L.U. 105, HAMILTON, ON — We wish all our brothers and sisters a healthy and pleasant summer.
On March 25, we enjoyed a bus trip to the Windmill Country Market & Bakery and a tribute performance of the music of Billy Joel and Elton John at the Gathering Place in Caledonia with lunch included.
On April 14-17, we returned to lodging at the Cairn Croft Niagara Falls.
On April 19, we joined Local 105 for a years-of-service presentation breakfast at the Michelangelo Banquet Centre. So nice to see so many deserving members be recognized!
We returned to the Winona Vine Estates on May 3 for a dinner and dance. We were pleased to share this event with our brother/sister locals.
On May 21, we went on another bus trip to “touch, watch, eat and explore.” This included a taste at Forty Creek, lunch at Betty’s restaurant, a taste of quintessential Canadian treats at Maple Leaf Place, continuing to the Watering Can Nursery to see vibrant blooms and greenhouse charm, and concluding the day at the Magnotta Winery.
June 12 will be our annual barbecue to kick-off the summer!
On Sept. 16, we look forward to a bus trip to Kitchener to see a tribute performance of “The Roy Orbison Story,” including a lunch.
Most importantly, please remember that all the events we enjoy, past and present, are made possible by our hard-working local members and executive board. Our heartfelt thanks go to all of you!
Eden McLean, P.S.
Local 134 Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day and Officer Elections
RETIREES’ CLUB OF L.U. 134, CHICAGO, IL — Summer is creeping up on us. Here in Chicago, the weather is like a box of chocolates — you never know what you are going to get. Forrest Gump taught me that.
Our monthly meeting was March 11. We celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with a delicious luncheon of corned beef and cabbage with all the trimmings and beautifully decorated, tasty desserts. There were many members in attendance who enjoyed this meal.
This meeting was also the biennial even-year election of officers and four executive members. Many have been reelected for another term. They have done an exceptional job keeping our retirees’ organization excellent, from planning our field trips and outings to typing, editing and sending our monthly newsletters to our more than 700 retired members and finding guest speakers for our meetings that interest us all.
It has been an honor for me to work with these officers and executive board members: President Keith Berls; Vice President Hale Landes; Recording Secretary Alan Sindelar; Treasurer Bernie Martin; and executive board members Charles Chathas, Mario Coletta, John Cummins and John Jazo. Thank you and congratulations to all.
Have a fun, safe and healthy summer.
Susan Kleczka, P.S.
Local 257 Celebrates 100th Anniversary
RETIREES’ CLUB OF L.U. 257, JEFFERSON CITY, MO — Our local celebrated 100 years of brotherhood March 21 at Capital Plaza and Convention Center. More than 580 members and guests attended the celebration, which included dinner, drinks, presentations and live music.
Business Manager Joel Vanderslice presided over the program, introducing Eleventh District International Vice President Mark Hager and International Representative John Fennesy. Donnie Bremmer followed with a presentation about the history of Local 257.
Local 257 was chartered Dec. 12, 1925, by O.E. Jennings as an inside local with 15 members. Two other locals were merged with Local 257. Moberly, Mo., Local 722, chartered in 1930, amalgamated with Columbia Local 795 in 1941. Then Local 795, which was chartered in 1938, was amalgamated with Local 257 in 1952.
The program continued by recognizing the contractors of Local 257. After the program, guests enjoyed live music with dancing. It was a wonderful night celebrating brotherhood, and reminiscing with members and retirees ensued.
Condolences are sent to the families of four Local 257 members:
- Tony Chambers, 79, of New Bloomfield, passed Jan. 28. He was a journeyman electrician working at various sites.
- Lloyd Libbert, 68, of Freeburg, passed Feb. 20. He worked as an electrician for Meyer Electric and Jeffries Electric.
- Mark Trippensee, 76, of Jefferson City, passed March 12. He was a master electrician, owner of MPT Electric and an instructor for the IBEW apprenticeship program.
- Henry Lamm, 65, of Columbia, passed March 20. He dedicated 40 years as an electrician with Meyer Electric.
Our thoughts and prayers are with their families during these difficult times.
Connie Hamacher, P.S.
Local 479 Mourns Brother Vern King
RETIREES’ CLUB OF L.U. 479, BEAUMONT, TX — Our local’s retirees meet the first Tuesday of each month for lunch at the hall.
Christmas dinner was at the Schooner Restaurant for retirees and their spouses.
Local 479 lost Vern King on Feb. 23. He was a 58-year member and a ham radio operator, call sign K5QDA. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge #872.
Lisa Mitchell, R.S.
Local 654 Retirees Stay Connected in Brotherhood
RETIREES’ CLUB OF L.U. 654, CHESTER, PA — Our local celebrated its 87th year by hosting a social at the union hall in late February. About two dozen retirees were in attendance at this fine gathering — yet another opportunity for our retirees to enjoy great food, entertainment and fond memories with fellow brothers and sisters.
An ongoing group of Local 654 retirees continues to meet for breakfast twice a month at a local restaurant. We welcome all Local 654 retirees at future breakfasts.
Retired Brother Bob Hart recently came up from his residence in Florida to visit family, so members of our retirees’ group met with him for a luncheon. We had a great time sharing memories with Bob, who served on our trustees’ committee for many years.
Retired brother and local contractor Bill Clinger just happened to walk into the restaurant that day, not knowing we would be there. He was surprised to see us all and ended up paying the entire bill for the luncheon! Hats off to you, Bill, and thank you from all of us retirees.
Finally, retired Brother Ed Martin graced us with his presence at a breakfast one morning. Ed was also visiting family here in Pennsylvania from his home in Florida. It was great to see Eddie, and what a fantastic memory he has after all these years.
William Faulkner, P.S.
