March 2016
Utah Retired School Employees Association
BULLETIN
President’s Message
It is a new year and the beginning of new directions and new
goals for URSEA. We at the Utah Retired School Educators
Association would like to wish you a wonderful 2016. Even
though we are still locked in the winter cold, spring is just
around the corner. Spring brings a world of flowers,
color, and new life. Spring is also the time that we, at
URSEA, begin working on activities for our members,
such as the Leadership Conference in May and the Fall
Arthur Cox
General Conference in September. We are also working
on increasing our association membership. That is where you can help us.
Please tell your friends and colleagues about joining URSEA and the many
benefits they can get through membership. We are also working with AARP
to gather information for our members on protection from “senior fraud”.
Taking advantage of seniors is a multi­million dollar business for scammers
and we want to alert everyone how not to be taken advantage of. Also, we
are working to gather information for our members on how to save money
in all aspects of their senior lives. We also have board members attending the
Legislative session at the Utah State Capitol reviewing legislation and fighting
for laws that will protect your retirement and strengthen public education.
One of the positive aspects of being a URSEA member is the great affiliation
with AMBA.(Association Member Benefits Advisors). URSEA members can
access many useful benefits from AMBA, such as Health Insurance, Long
Term Care Insurance, Medical Emergency Transportation Insurance, Travel
Discounts, Identity Theft Protection, Pet Insurance, Restaurant discounts
and many other products that can enhance your quality of life.
Another great aspect of joining URSEA as a new member is that you can get
one free year of URSEA membership and a $25.00 gift card if you join as a
Continuous Member with your Utah State Retirement Pension (Membership
is only $12.00 a year, one dollar will be taken out of your pension each month).
Also, if you renew your membership from an annual member (paying
dues yearly) to a Continuing Member (the dues of $1.00 per month is
automatically taken out of your Utah State Retirement Pension), you will
also be given a $25.00 gift card. Being a member of URSEA and accessing
the many state benefits that we provide and the benefits of AMBA makes
membership a very important and useful tool for you.
We welcome any questions or information that you may want from us. Also
we welcome any ideas that you may have about making our association a
better and more useful tool for you.
Please call me, Arthur Cox, at 801­561­4528, or Roger Miner, the Executive
Director, at 801­836­2715. We welcome your input.
In This Issue
President’s Message
From the Desk of the Executive Director
Greetings From New President-Elect
What Should I Write About This Time?
Refer A Friend
Past President’s Message
True Story - A Must Read
Plants For Alkaline Soil and Clay
The Poorest Counties in The U.S.
Scholarship Flyer
Volunteer Hours
The Book Nook
URSEA Executive Board
From the Desk of the Executive Director
Roger L. Miner
Is Retirement an Extension of your Lifelong Fulfillment
and a Meaningful Vocation?
When you were employed in public education, did you consider your work as an occupation or a vocation?
Webster defines an occupation as a “job, or profession”, whereas a vocation, is described as a “career”, or a
strong desire to spend your life doing a certain kind of work. It is a lot like splitting hairs, isn’t it. I suspect
that it was sometimes one and sometimes the other during your years of service. Either way your life was
probably affected by your vocation of being an educator, whether you were in the classroom teaching, or
in other supportive positions, it became a strong part of who you are.
I look back to my years in the field of public education as a way of life as much as a career. It seemed to
dominate who I was, and it gave me purpose, challenges, and many rewards that kept me motivated to carry
forward with my chosen career. My retirement has been a mere extension of those same desires and challenges in new directions.
A few years ago I attended a motivational seminar that led to my reading a book entitled, Don’t Retire-Rewire,
written by two authors, Jeri Sedlar and Rick Miners. This book made a lot of sense to me as I entered into my
new vocation as a “Retired person”. In summary the book gave ten reasons we should “rewire” our mind set
about our own retirement, these are as follows:
1. The need for mental stimulation.
2. A desire to do something meaningful.
3. A want for activities that have been postponed, (bucket list)
4. To seek a balance between work and leisure.
5. A desire to continue to make money doing something one loves to do.
6. A chance to turn a strong interest into a vocation.
7. A basic need to stay physically and mentally healthy.
8. A desire to remain productive.
9. The hope to make a difference for others.
10. The social need to stay connected with others having similar interests.
Because we are all individuals, we have different skills, needs, and desires. Therefore we travel in our own
personal paths. However, there is one thing we do have in common. We have been fortunate to have retired
with a pension plan that will outlive our lifetimes. I can’t help but worry about the younger generation of
educators in Utah being affected by the wave of a movement throughout the United States to eliminate private
and public pension plans, leaving the burden upon the shoulders of the everyday employee to “save” for their
own senior years.
It is my desire, and the desire of the Executive Board of The Utah Retired School Employees Association to
be advocates for the retired and the active educators throughout the State of Utah.
There is an old saying that ---“there is strength in numbers”. We need each of you to stand together with us
as advocates for our future retirement benefits. Let advocacy become one of your vocations. We are fortunate
that our State of Utah has a strong retirement plan that should last into future generations. We can only hope
that the failures of other State plans do not affect our Legislators to take away any more retirement benefits
of our younger educators than they have already done in 2010. All indications show that our Utah retirement
system is currently healthy and it continues to grow and prosper each year.
May each of you succeed in your personal endeavors to make retirement a meaningful vocation.
Greetings from your new president-elect!!!!
I am Sarah Voigt and have been serving for several years on URSEA Executive Board as Community
Presence Chair. Thank you for sending your volunteer hours to me. The Executive Board went to
the Utah State Capitol and presented an over-sized check representing the cash amount to the
Lt. Governor, Spencer Cox on January 20.th We were well received! He is such a nice person.
He had very good things to say about “US SENIORS” and our volunteer activities. We “save”
Utah thousands of dollars each year with our volunteer efforts. He congratulated us on all we
do contributing to our State of Utah. So kudos to all of you!!!!!! You have done a great service
for our State. Thank You!!!!
Lt. Governor, Spencer Cox also congratulated Alice Cipollini on winning the national award from
NRTA – National Retired Teachers Association. It is the With Our Youth! Excellence award. She
showed him the Little Red Wagon she received as part of her awards. NRTA is part of America’s
Promise – to make youth a national priority. America’s Promise founding chairman Colin Powell
stated, “Every child should have a Little Red Wagon…A Little Red Wagon
to pull around the heavy load of life…A Little Red Wagon to pull around
your dream…and a Little Red Wagon has a long black handle so that an
adult can come along and help when the road is particularly difficult
or rocky.” There are five key resources youth need in order to thrive:
a continuing relationship with a caring adult; a healthy start; safe places
to learn and grow; a marketable skill through effective education; and an
opportunity to serve in their communities. Alice embraced these key resources to support her
work with youth at the Give Me A Chance Learning Center, Inc. (GMAC) in Ogden, UT.
Dara Dann, vice president for NRTA: AARP’s Educator Community had this to say: Alice
Cipollini is a shining example of educators who work in retirement to improve the lives of
children. Alice is disrupting aging by embracing retirement as an opportunity to contribute
even more to society. We thank Alice for her steadfast passion to serve Utah’s youth who are
in need of academic support from a caring adult.”
URSEA’s Executive Director Roger Miner shared these comments: “We are proud and honored
to have Alice win this award. Her commitment to enriching the lives of children and
maximizing their potential is inspirational. She is truly deserving of this award and we
applaud her dedication to academic excellence.”
We are so proud of Alice winning this prestigious award! She serves as a good example for all
the good volunteers we have in our great state of Utah.
Sarah Voigt President-Elect
What Should I Write About This Time
I am sitting at my computer this Monday afternoon, January 18, wondering what I should write about for the
next URSEA Bulletin. I have just finished putting together the fact sheet I use to help me respond to some of
the bills proposed during the Utah Legislative session, and my “Concerns” sheet that I use when I meet with
my legislators before or early in the legislative session. My wife is relaxing in the family room reading and
watching TV. While her body recovers from its second knee replacement surgery, done a week ago. My
oldest son, 50 years old, hearing impaired, with mild cerebral palsy, and some higher level learning
difficulties, recently divorced and now living with us in our guest room, is off doing some personal
errands. It occurs that perhaps I should write something about each of those things.
Legislative things first. I do the fact sheet to help me in my assignment as Legislative Chair for the Association.
It takes several days of research to update what I can about the facts. One of the things that I found interesting
in this year’s update was that when the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) adjusted NAEP test scores and rankings
for student characteristics, student family background, school socioeconomic status and race composition, and
teacher characteristics, Utah students’ basic average ranking on the tests dropped significantly. I couldn’t find
an actual ranking of our students’ NAEP scores, but I could find the numerical average for each of the
tests, and could tell that Utah’s students were close to average in all of the tests. But when the EPI did
their adjustment, our students were ranked 44th-47th in Math and Reading, which is way below average. My
guess is that a major factor in that drop is our high student-teacher ratio. Another fact I included in the sheet
that I didn’t have before was that poor and middle-class Utahans pay nearly twice as much of their earnings
for tax as do the wealthiest 1 percent.(SLTribune)
What should I say about my wife’s knee surgery, other than the fact that she has a great surgeon and is recovering
very well? Well, I can only imagine what our financial situation would be now if we didn’t have good insurance
coverage and sufficient pension and social security benefits. At the end of every year I do a personal finance
report for the year. In 2015 our household had no major surgeries, but I had a lot of follow-up stuff from a
cancer operation a couple years ago. Between the two of us we had two colonoscopies, several CT scans, and
MRI’s, several follow-up appointments, pre-glaucoma procedures, etc. Our cost for Medicare and supplement
insurance was approximately $6550. But the insurance and Medicare paid out about $11,000, so we
definitely came out ahead there. But in addition to insurance and Medicare we paid out-of-pocket about
$8000 for prescriptions and other things not covered by insurance. My guess is that our expenses are at least
average for our age group (71-74). We are so grateful for the coverage we have, and that most of our health
problems have arrived after we qualified for Medicare. It is so fun to sit with a group of people about our age
and talk about health issues: knee surgeries, hip replacements, rotator cuff surgeries, cancer, irritable bowel
syndrome, digestion issues, memory issues, COPD, etc.
About my son? In my LDS ward there are three other men about my son’s age, with comparable issues, three
of them living with aging single mothers. Two of them are not able to get employment, and two of them must
accept low-wage and/or temp work, not sufficient income in either situation to survive if the parents pass
away before they do. Our society doesn’t do well in dealing with such situations.
Well, that pretty much covers what I wanted to say. I hope that you have paid attention to what your legislators
have done or are doing in the legislative session, that you have let them know how you feel or felt about
important issues, and when you cast your vote in the 2016 General Election remember what they did, and
vote accordingly, please.
Fred Ash Legislation Chairperson
Refer A Friend
WE ARE STANDING STRONG!
YOU CAN HELP US STRENGTHEN OUR
INFLUENCE.
Please Send
Information about
ursea to the following:
Name_________________________
Address______________________
City__________________________
State_____ zip code___________
~
Name_________________________
Address______________________
City__________________________
State_____ zip code___________
~
Name_________________________
Address______________________
City__________________________
State_____ zip code___________
Who to refer?
Public school employees—
active or retired,
beneficiaries, family and
friends
IF EACH URSEA MEMBER RECRUITS
ONE NEW MEMBER, WE WILL HAVE
A MUCH STRONGER “VOICE” IN
PROTECTING RETIRED SCHOOL
EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT BENEFITS.
COMPLETE THIS REFERRAL FORM TODAY
MAIL TO:
MARY ANN BUNDY, MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
672 NORTH 1025 EAST
LAYTON, UT 84040
OR EMAIL:
[email protected]
OR:
MEMBERS CAN REQUEST RECRUITMENT PACKETS
FROM URSEA AND PERSONALLY CONTACT INDIVIDUALS WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN JOINING US.
EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEE IS WELCOME
TO JOIN----WHETHER THEY ARE RETIRED OR
ACTIVE SCHOOL EMPLOYEES.
DON’T DELAY!!! SHARE URSEA!!!
Past President’s Message
In the month of February we celebrate the birthday of two
of the Greatest Presidents of this great country of the United
States, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Bother were
born in a period of time that was pivotal in the history of our
country. George Washington was instrumental in establishing
the Constitution, which created a government as stated in the
Declaration of Independence of the people, by the people, for
the people. He overcame great obstacles as he commanded the
Revolutionary Army in the war against the British which resulted in the birth of freedom. He was a master at
utilizing the resources and the talents of people around him.
One example of his greatness is in the association he had with a wealthy Jew that lived in Philadelphia by
the name of Haym Solomon. Under Washington’s direction Haym designed the one-dollar bill, which is a
masterful creation full of symbolisms. I would like to explain those symbolisms.
As you read this you might want to look carefully at a one-dollar bill. On the rear of the One Dollar Bill, you
will see two circles. Together, they compromise the Great Seal of the United States. The First Continental
Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them four years
to accomplish this task and another two years to get it approved.
If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a pyramid. Notice the front is
lighted, and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning. We had
not begun to explore the west or decided what we could do for Western
Civilization. The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not
even close to being finished. Inside the Capstone you have the all-seeing eye,
an ancient symbol of divinity. It was Franklin’s belief that one man couldn’t
do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything. “IN
GOD WE TRUST” is on this currency.
The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means, “God has favored
our undertaking.” The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDOSECLORUM, means, “a new order has
begun.” At the base of the pyramid is the Roman numeral for 1776. (MDCCLXXVI)
If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery
in the United States. It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery,
and is the centerpiece of most heroes’ monuments. Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the
United States, and it is always visible whenever he speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols
mean.
The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons: First, he
is not afraid of a storm: he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it.
Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of
England. Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand
on its own. At the top of the shield there is a white bar signifying congress, a
unifying factor. We were coming together as one nation.
In the Eagle’s beak you will read. “E PLURIBUS UNUM” meaning, “from
many – one.” Above the Eagle, we have the thirteen stars, representing the
thirteen original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away.
Again, we were coming together as one. Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch
in one and arrows in the other. This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve
peace. The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows.
An (untrue) old-fashioned belief says that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a worldwide
belief. You will almost never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor. But think
about this America, which relies on God (not a number) to direct and lead, boldly chose:
13 original colonies
13 signers of the Declaration of Independence,
13 stripes on our flag,
13 steps on the pyramid,
13 letters in “Annuit Coeptis
13 letters in “E Pluribus Unum,”
13 stars above the Eagle,
13 bars on the shield,
13 leaves on the olive branch
13 fruits, and if you look closely,
13 arrows
And finally, notice the arrangement of the 13 stars in the right-hand circle. You will
see that they are arranged as a Star of David.
This was ordered by George Washington, who, when he asked Haym Solomon, a
wealthy Philadelphia Jew, what he would like as a personal reward for his services to
the Continental Army. Solomon said he wanted nothing for himself, but he would like
something for his people. The Star of David was the result.
Few people know it was Haym Solomon who saved the army through his financial
contributions…then died a pauper. Haym Solomon gave $25 million to save the
Continental Army, money that was sorely needed to help realize America, our freedom and independence from England.
I hope you will share this with your family and friends so they can learn about the United States Dollar Bill
and what it stands for.
This is just one example of the genius of George Washington in establishing and leading this great country.
Thank You!!
Past President Larry Blanch
TRUE STORY- A MUST READ
This true story is of the 1967 experience of a young 12 year old lad in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. It is
about the vivid memory of a privately rebuilt P-51 from WWII, and its famous owner/pilot.
“In the morning sun, I could not believe my eyes. There, in our little airport, sat a majestic P-51. They
said it had flown in during the night from some U.S. airport, on its way to an air show. The pilot had been tired,
so he just happened to choose Kingston for his stopover.
It was to take to the air again very soon. I marveled at the size of the plane, dwarfing the Pipers and
Canucks tied down near her. It was much larger than in the movies. She glistened in the sun like a bulwark of
security from days gone by.
The pilot arrived by cab, paid the driver, and then stepped into the pilot’s lounge. He was an older
man; his wavy hair was gray and tossed. It looked like it might have been combed, say, around the turn of
the century. His flight jacket was checked, creased and worn - it smelled old and genuine. Old Glory was
prominently sewn to its shoulders. He projected a quiet air of proficiency and pride, devoid of arrogance.
He filed a quick flight plan to Montreal(“Expo-67 Air Show”) then walked across the tarmac.
After taking several minutes to perform his walk-around check, the tall, lanky man returned to the
flight lounge to ask if anyone would be available to stand by with fire extinguishers while he “flashed the old
bird up, just to be safe.” Though only 12 at the time I was allowed to stand by with an extinguisher after brief
instruction on its use -- “If you see a fire, point, then pull this lever!”, he said. (I later became a firefighter,
but that’s another story.) The air around the exhaust manifolds shimmered like a mirror from fuel fumes as
the huge prop started to rotate. One manifold, then another, and yet another barked -- I stepped back with the
others. In moments the Packard-built Merlin engine came to life with a thunderous roar. Blue flames knifed from
her manifolds with an arrogant snarl. I looked at the others’ faces; there was no concern. I lowered the bell of
my extinguisher. One of the guys signaled to walk back to the lounge. We did. Several minutes later we could
hear the pilot doing his pre-flight run-up. He’d taxied to the end of runway 19, out of sight. All went quiet for
several seconds. We ran to the second story deck to see if we could catch a glimpse of the P-51 as she started
down the runway. We could not. There we stood, eyes fixed to a spot half way down 19. Then a roar ripped
across the field, much louder than before. Like a furious hell spawn set loose -- something mighty this way was
coming. “Listen to that thing!” said the controller.
In seconds the Mustang burst into our line of sight. It’s tail was already off the runway and it was moving
faster than anything I’d ever seen by that point on 19. Two-thirds of the way down 19 the Mustang was airborne
with her gear going up. The prop tips were supersonic. We clasped our ears as the Mustang climbed hellishly
fast into the circuit to be eaten up by the dog-day haze. We stood for a few moments, in stunned silence, trying
to digest what we’d just seen.
The radio controller rushed by me to the radio. “Kingston tower calling Mustang.” He looked back to
us as he waited for an acknowledgment. The radio crackled, “Go ahead, Kingston.” “Roger, Mustang. Kingston
tower would like to advise the circuit is clear for a low level pass.” I stood in shock because the controller
had just, more or less, asked the pilot to return for an impromptu air show! The controller looked at us. “Well,
what?” he asked. “I can’t let that guy go without asking. I couldn’t forgive myself!”
The radio crackled once again, “Kingston, do I have permission for a low level pass, east to west, across
the field?” “Roger, Mustang, the circuit is clear for an east to west pass.” “Roger, Kingston, I’m coming out of
3,000 feet, stand by.”
We rushed back onto the second-story deck, eyes fixed toward the eastern haze. The sound was subtle
at first, a high-pitched whine, a muffled screech, a distant scream. Moments later the P-51 burst through the
haze. Her airframe straining against positive G’s and gravity. Her wing tips spilling contrails of condensed air,
prop-tips again supersonic. The burnished bird blasted across the eastern margin of the field shredding and
tearing the air. At about 500 mph and 150 yards from where we stood she passed with the old American pilot
saluting. Imagine! A salute! I felt like laughing; I felt like crying; she glistened; she screamed; the building
shook; my heart pounded. Then the old pilot pulled her up and rolled, and rolled, and rolled out of sight into
the broken clouds and indelibly into my memory.
I’ve never wanted to be an American more than on that day! It was a time when many nations in the
world looked to America as their big brother. A steady and even-handed beacon of security who navigated
difficult political waters with grace and style; not unlike the old American pilot who’d just flown into my
memory. He was proud, not arrogant, humble, not a braggart, old and honest, projecting an aura of America
at its best.
That America will return one day! I know it will! Until that time, I’ll just send off this story.
Call it a loving reciprocal salute to a Country, and specially to that old American pilot: the late-JIMMY
STEWART (1908-1997), Actor, real WWII Hero (Commander of a US Army Air Force Bomber Wing
stationed in England), and a USAF Reserves Brigadier General, who wove a wonderfully fantastic memory
for a young Canadian boy that’s lasted a lifetime.” 1967, STEWART WAS 59. HE DIED AT 89.
Plants For Alkaline Soils and Clay
Alkaline soil occurs naturally in limestone areas, but is also created by the inclusion of builder’s rubble in the
soil, often around the bases of walls, where clematis thrives. Although gardeners with this soil are fortunate
in that lime-loving plants are more numerous than acid-loving plants, dry, alkaline soil does need added leaf
mold and compost to increase the nutrient content and water-retaining capacity.
Plants that prefer to grow in an alkaline soil, that is, with a pH of 7.0 or higher, are called Calciole plants.
You will see that there is a wide range of attractive trees, shurbs, conducing clematis, lonicera (honeysuckle),
sorbus and virurnums, that like these conditions. The list of plants also includes many herbaceous perennials,
and many members of the pea family.
Many gardens have certain areas with more alkaline soil than other parts, in particular where builder’s rubble
has accumulated, often near house walls, or patios. This is particularly true of many town gardens in areas
around garden walls where old lime mortar may turn the soil from acid to alkaline. These are ideal situations
for lime-loving plants, especially clematis that you shelter their roots from hot sun.
Plants for Alkaline Soils
Gold Plate (Achillea filipendulina) YARROW Heights 3 ft. Hardy
Flowering season: Later summer/early autumn
This herbaceous perennial has a compact upright habit, with broad, finely divided,
slightly hairy, dull green leaves. The lemon-yellow flowers are held erect above the
foliage in bold flat cluster. Propagate by lifting the clumps in early spring, diving
them into smaller portions of 4-5 shoots and replanting them in the growing site.
Delphinium “Lord Butler” Delphinium/Perennial larkspur Height: 5 ft. Hardy/half
hardy Flowering season: Summer
Hardy perennials which bloom in mid-summer with tall spikes of flowers which are, by
tradition, blue, but are available in a color range from white, through mauve to indigo.
They do best in deep well-drained soil enriched with compost or manure and full sun.
They require staking which must be done early and it is a good idea to thin out the shoots.
Cut down the flower spikes after flowering and divide every four years in spring. Raise
from see or take basal cuttings in spring.
Eremurus himalaicus Foxtail lily/King’s Spear Height: 8 ft. Hardy Flowering season:
early summer
This is a truly majestic perennial. The bright green, narrow, strap-like leaves are produced in
spring, but die down in summer as the flower spike develops. Tall spikes of white, cp-shped
flowers are produced from May onwards. E. robusta has soft pink flowers and E x isabellimus Shelford Hybrids produce pink, orange or white flowers. Propagation is by seed sown
in autumn, or by division in spring. These plants prefer sun and well-drained soil and come
into growth early in spring, so many suffer frost damage.
Geranium (Johnson’s Blue) Cranesbill Height 2 ½ Ft. Hardy (most) Flowering season: Late spring.
The leaves of many of these versatile herbaceous perennials are their main attraction.
Deeply notched to form a palm like shape, they are carried on tough, think leaf stalks
and in many varieties turn orange-scarlet in autumn. The flowers appear in large
clusters of small, saucer-shaped blooms. There are a large number of geraniums and
among the easiest to grow are: G. “Johnson’s Blue” and G. endressii. They prefer
a sunny position in well-drained garden soil. Propagation is by division in early
spring.
Iris germanica Common German flag Height 2 ½ ft. Hardy. Flowering season: spring/summer
The tough evergreen plant has dark green, strap-like leaves up to 2 ft. in length. The primrosescented flowers have silky purple petals with a yellow center. They are carried on short stems
in late spring. Among many good hybrids are: I. “Black Swan” with deep, blue-black flowers
with a dark blue beard, and the free-flowering I. “Wabash”, which has white standards and
violet-blue falls. Bearded irises of which this is one will grow in most ordinary soils enriched
by compost. Propagation is by division of established plants immediately after flowering.
Plants for Clay Soils
Although part of the garden landscape in many areas, clay soil can be difficult to deal with, becoming waterlogged in winter and baked hard in summer. Plants suffer alternately from too much water or from drought.
Here are a few plants that are attractive and tough enough to cope with these far from idea conditions.
Clay is one of those substances that is wonderful in small quantities, but a real nuisance if you have too much
of it. It is an essential part of a good soil, because it holds onto the nutrients that plants need for healthy
growth, and retains moisture, so that plants growing in it suffer less from drought in all but the driest of summers. Unfortunately, despite these advantages, really heavy, wet, sticky clay soil is often totally unworkable,
and it is also cold in spring, which can quickly rot delicate plants. Many members of the rose family thrive
in these conditions, and aronia, chaenomeles (auince) cotoneaster, crataegus (hawthorn) malus (crab apple)
and pyracantha do particularly well. If the soil can be improved to make it more workable by the addition of
organic matter to loosen it up, it will retain plant nutrients for longe periods than other soils, so that plants are
able to use more of them before they are leached away by rain. Fertilizer applications are than more effective
and the nutrients released by organic matter as it rots are used more effectively.
Alcea rosea Chater’s Double Group Hollyhock Height 8 ft. Hardy Flowering season: summer.
Hollyhocks are hardy biennial plans although in some cases they are short lived perennials.
They are a familiar sight throughout cottage gardens in the country and their large upright
flower spikes make a focal point in any border. They should be raised from seed sown in a
prepared bed in May and planted out in position in October. Hollyhocks like well-drained soil
and a sunny position. Rust may be a problem.
Aruncus dioicus Goat’s Bear Height 5 ft. Hardy Flowering season: summer.
The hummock-forming perennial has large, light green, deeply-veined leaves which
are made up of several strap-like leaflets, held on tough sturdy stem. In the summer,
large feathery plumes of creamy-white flowers are carried on strong thin reddishgreen stems. In the autumn the female plants bear chestnut brown seed-heads, but it
is the male plants that produce the best flowers. It will grown in any well-drained soil
and likes full sun. Propagation is by division in winter.
Digitalis grandiflora Foxglove Height: 3 ft. Hardy Flowering season: late summer.
This superb perennial foxglove forms a clump of strap-like leaves which are mid green and
covered with soft hairs particularly on the underside. The clear, pale yellow flowers have a
pattern of brown, net-like markings on the inside, and are carried on tall flower spikes up to
3 ft. or more in height. Foxgloves grow best in most well-drained soil and semi-shade. This
plant is relatively short-lived and must be replaced every third or fourth year. Propagation is
by seed sown in late spring or early summer.
Hosta “Spinners” Plantain lily Height: 2 ft. Hardy Flowering season: late summer/early autumn
These hardy herbaceous perennials are grown for their attractive foliage. Leaf shapes range
from long and narrow to oval with a pointed tip. Leaf colors can vary from blue to rich
combinations of silver or golden variegations. The flowers are carried on spikes above the
leaves. H. sieboldiana ver. Elegans has broadly spear-shaped, glossy, bluish-green leaves
with prominent veins, and soft lilac-blue flowers. Propagation is by division in early spring,
but replant immediately. The leaves are very prone to slug and snail damage.
Leucanthemum x superbum Shasta daisy Height: 3 ft. Hardy. Flowering season: mid/late summer
Formerlyknown as Chrysanthemum x superbbum this is a valued perennial, with
strap-shaped, dark green leaves. The single flowers are white with a golden center,
carried on tall green stems. The species is rarely grown, as cultivars with improved
flowers have been introduced. These include L. x s. “Snowcap”, with a dwarfing
habit and white daisy-like flowers, and I. x s “Wirral Supreme”, with large double
flowers with a golden center. Propagation is by division in winter or by basal
cuttings taken in spring.
Salix caprea Goat willow/ Pussy willow Height 30 ft. Hardy Flowering season: Spring
This familiar large shrub or small tree is most noticeable in spring when male trees produce
large, yellow catkins later becoming soft, silvery-gray “pussy –willows” catkins. The fluffy
seeds shed in early summer. The elliptical leaves are dark green on the upper surface and
gray-green and hairy on the underside. As the shrub ages the gray-brown bark becomes
deeply fissured. Propagation is by hardwood cuttings taken in winter and planted outside.
The disease anthrancnose often causes brown spots on leave and stem die-back.
Tradescantia x andersoniana “Purple Dome’ Spiderwort/Flower-of-a-day Height: 2 ft. Hardy Flowering
season: summer/autumn
This herbaceous perennial is a popular plant for the mixed border, as it requires very
little care and attention and flowers throughout the summer. It is attractive with dull
green, strap-like leaves which taper to a narrow point. The flowers consist of three
petals and are produced in small clusters. Among the hybrids are “Blue Stone”, with
deep blue flowers, and “Isis”, with rich purple ones. Propagate by division in March
or April.
THE POOREST C0UNTIES IN THE U.S.
In every state, there are rich and there are poor counties. The poorest county in each state
can be much poorer than the state’s median household income, or the difference can be much
smaller. Delaware has smallest income gap, with the typical household in the poorest county
earning $6,700 less annually than the state’s median income. In Maryland and Virginia the
difference is the largest, with a typical household earning more than $37,000 less than the
states’ respective median household incomes? 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the poorest county in
each state based on data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Incomes vary considerably within each state. Even in many of the nation’s wealthiest states,
households in the poorest counties earn incomes below the national median. The two exceptions
are the poorest counties in Connecticut and Delaware, where the typical household still earns
more annually than to the national median of $53,482.
People living in low-income areas are far more likely to live in poverty than those living in
richer areas. With the exception of only Red Willow, Nebraska, the poverty rate in each of these
counties exceeds the state poverty rate. Compared to the national level, however, poverty in
some of the poorest counties is exceptionally high. In five states, the poorest county’s poverty
rate is lower than the national rate of 15.6%. Read the complete report at 24/7 Wall St.
The vast majority of income is generated through employment, and a low unemployment rate
contributes to higher incomes in an area. The jobless rate is also a reflection of the health of an
area’s economy, which can be weakened by lower income jobs. In all but 10 states, the poorest
county’s unemployment rate is greater than the 2014 national rate of 6.2%.
People who earn high wages often have more education. The higher education and income
allow for more opportunities in life and socioeconomic improvements. However, education
levels tend to be lower in these counties. With the exception of only nine poor counties on this
list, the share of adults who finished high school does not exceed the state share. Similarly,
the college attainment rate in all but five of these counties is lower than the 29.3% of adults
nationwide who have completed at least a bachelor’s degree.
The populations of these poor counties are relatively sparsely populated. The poorest county
in all but 12 states are more sparsely populated than the national density of 87.4 people per
100,000 Americans. The only urban areas with the distinction of poorest county are The Bronx
and Philadelphia in New York and Pennsylvania.
To identify the poorest counties in each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimated median
annual household incomes from 2010 through 2014 from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American
Community Survey (ACS). In order to be considered, counties or county-equivalents had to
have a population of at least 10,000 people. Five-year estimated educational attainment and
poverty rates also came from the ACS. Annual unemployment rates are for 2014 and came
from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Population density came from the Census Bureau’s 2010
decennial census.
The Utah Retired School Employees Association
(URSEA)
Is Proudly Offering F0UR:
$1,000.00 Scholarships
$1,000 Scholarships for two Elementary Teachers
and two Secondary Teachers
• Who is Eligible? Active Utah teachers who are currently in, or have been accepted in a university graduate program working towards a higher degree in the field of education.
• How to Apply? Request an application from the Utah Retired School Employees Association, (URSEA).
Choose one of the following ways to Request:
2016 Volunteer Hours
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS:
E-MAIL: El. Scholarship Chairperson: [email protected] ***Most preferred
PHONE: 801-830-0805
MAIL:
Dr. Larry Dean, 5011 West 1100 North,
highland, UT 84003
WEB: www.ursea.org
SECONDARY TEACHERS
E-MAIL: Sec. Scholarship Chairperson:
[email protected] **Most preferred
PHONE: 801-915-2196
MAIL: Joann Christensen, 2602 Mont Sur Drive,
Riverton, UT 84065
WEB: www.ursea.org
6
APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 1, 2016
Fellow members, if you know of an active teacher that is in a
graduate program, please let them know of our scholarship
opportunity. It may help them financially.
2016.
THE BOOK NOOK
This has been a great winter to read---between shoveling snow. Some great reads to look at are:
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and their Epic Quest for
Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. By Daniel James Brown
This book is about the story of the University of Washington’s
1936 eight-oar varsity crew and its rise from obscurity to
fame. The individual stories of these young men are almost as
compelling as the rise of the team itself.
George Yeoman Pocock wrote: “It’s a great art, is rowing. It’s the finest art there
is. It’s a symphony of motion. And when you’re rowing well, why its nearing perfection. And when
you near perfection, you’re touching the Divine. It touches the you of yous. Which is your soul.
Excellent story that follows nine young men through their journey to winning the gold in rowing in
the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany. Great for those of us to see the young and the unexpected to
triumph and win.
The Nightingale By Kristin Hannah.
Hannah’s new novel is an homage to the extraordinary courage
and endurance of Frenchwomen during World War II.
In 1995, an elderly unnamed widow is moving into an Oregon
nursing home on the urging of her controlling son, Julien, a
surgeon. This trajectory is interrupted when she receives an invitation to return to
France to attend a ceremony honoring passeurs: people who aided the escape of
others during the war.
Excellent read.
The Whistling Season By Ivan Doig
Story of a young widow who is looking to start her life over
The ad read:
Can’t cook but Doesn’t Bite. Housekeeping position sought by
widow. Sound morals, exceptional disposition. No culinary
skills, but A-1 in all other household tasks. Salary negotiable,
but must include railroad fare to Montana locality; first year
of peerless care for you thereby guaranteed. Respond to
Boxholder, Box 19, Lowry Hill Postal Station, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
A widower father with some young sons replies to this add and finds his life transformed. The woman
has a past but that is quickly overlooked as the woman cares for this man’s house and children.
Good read.
Keep reading. Winter is not over yet. It is a good hobby for any time of the year.
URSEA EXECUTIVE BOARD
PresidentExecutive Director
Arthur Cox
Roger Miner
8931 Shady Meadow Dr
1449 N. 20 E.
Sandy, UT 84093
American Fork, Utah 84003
801-561-4528
801-836-2715
[email protected]
[email protected]
Membership/Correspondence
Mary Ann Bundy
672 N. 1025 E
Layton, UT 84040
801-547-0855
maryannbundy@yahoo,com
Past President
Legislation Chairperson
Community Presence
Larry Blanch
Fred Ash
Open
4751 West 500 South
10453 S. Weeping Willow Dr.
Ogden, Utah 84404 Sandy, Utah 84070
801-731-1759
801-571-1601
[email protected]
[email protected]
President-Elect
TreasurerHealth Chairman
Sarah Voigt
Open
Cliff DeGraw
401 East 500 North 4950 Sommet Dr.
Kaysville, UT 84037
Holladay, Utah 84117
801-544-8626
`
801-424-0154
[email protected]
[email protected]
Bulletin Editor/Social Media ScholarshipSecretary
Robert Shelton
Dr. Larry Dean
David Judd
2050 East Gyrfalcon Dr.
5011 W 1100 N
569 E Rosebowl Ct.
Sandy, UT 94092
Highland, UT 84003
Sandy, UT 84070
(801)259-9880
801-830-0805
801-243-8444
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Please help us!!
We are receiving checks for membership renewal from members that are also
having $1 per month taken out of their retirement check.
Look at your name and address on this bulletin. Above your name is printed “RENEWAL DATE”. If
the letters CM appear next to that date, do not send a check to renew your membership. CM means that
your membership automatically renews with the $1 per month from your Utah State retirement.
THANKS FOR BEING A MEMBER!!
UTAH RETIRED SCHOOL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
Membership and Enrollment Form
(PLEASE PRINT ALL INFORMATION)
Name______________________________________Date of Birth________________Date of Retirement_____________
Address_________________________________________City________________________State____Zip____________
Telephone______________________E-Mail___________________________Social Security #
Male Female
xxx-xx-____________
last four digits only
I authorize the Utah Retired School Employees Association to deduct from my retirement check the following dues
of $1 per month and any future increases as voted by the membership. I understand this authorization makes me a
continuing member of URSEA and may be canceled only with written authorization from me.
I prefer to pay by check. Enclosed is my check for $12 to cover the annual dues of URSEA for the year (Sept. 1. through
Aug. 31) Make check payable to: URSEA
Associate Member: Enclosed is my check for $12 to cover the annual dues of URSEA for the year (Sept. 1, through
Aug. 31). Make payable to URSEA. : “This is an active employee or someone having an interest in education”.
SIGNATURE_____________________________DATE_____________DISTRICT RETIRED FROM_______________
Please mail form to
URSEA c/o Roger L. Miner, 1449 North 20 East, American Fork, UT 84003
URSEA
1449 North 20 East,
American Fork, Utah 84003
Women Will be women
A woman was walking down the street when she was accosted by a particularly dirty and
shabbly-looking homeless woman who asked her for a couple of dollars for dinner...
The woman took out her wallet, extracted ten dollars and asked, “If I give you this money, will you buy some wine with it instead of dinner?”
“No,” I had to stop drinking years ago, the homeless woman replied.
“Will you use it to go shopping instead of buying food?” The woman asked.
“Are you NUTS!” Replied the homeless woman. “I haven’t had my hair done in 20
years!”
“Well,” said the woman,
“I’m not going to give you the money. Instead, I’m going to take
you out for dinner with my husband and myself tonight.
The homeless Woman was astounded. “Won’t your husband be
furious with you for doing that? I know I’m dirty, and I probably smell pretty disgusting.”
The woman replied, “That’s okay. It’s important for him to see
what a woman looks like after she has given up shopping, salon
and wine.