To all GMLSRC Members and GM Salaried Retirees everywhere.

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GMLSRC President’s Message 

Summer seemed to be going along swimmingly until we all got the bad news from GM about deletion of health care coverage for those (most) of us over 65.  The announcement has kicked off a lot of conversation around the breakfast and lunch gatherings, and driven up the volume of hits on the club website and e-mails to the board.  Currently, we’re mostly in a “wait & see” position, with GM’s promises of information coming in the mail, informational meetings, and the offer of assistance by the Extend Health organization.  GM said retiree clubs would be involved in setting up meetings.  We haven’t heard anything yet, but assume we will.  For those who wish to be more politically active on the issue, check the information from the “Over The Hill Car People” sent to all members with an e-mail address.  Or log into their website www.overthehillcarpeople.com to see what you can do.  That site has a long list of questions and answers covered during a conference call they made with GM people on July 30.  Their list very well summarizes everything that was known on that date.

Many of you are computer proficient, and on-line.  A fact of life is that e-mail addresses are changed for a number of reasons.  With input from Membership Chairman, Fred Kane, the club’s web manager, Dan Foltz, keeps a group distribution list of those addresses.  We recently sent out mass-mailings using that list and got back 102 “wrong addresses”.  That’s why it’s important that you let us know when yours is changed.  Go to the club website and check your address on the roster.  If it’s incorrect, use the “FEEDBACK/ASKUS” link to submit the correct one, or send an e-mail to ClubFeedback@gmlsrc.org.

Since the May newsletter, we lost one of our long-time members, Jack Cooper.  He had faithfully served as treasurer of the club for many years, until 2007 when his health would no longer allow it.  Jack worked in Olds Hourly Payroll, retiring after 34 years of service.  He was a devoted family man, strong in his Christian faith and values.  We miss him and salute his memory.  In Jack’s honor, the board authorized sending a donation of $50 to Eaton Community Hospice.

A couple of our members have received honors lately, as noted in the Lansing State Journal.  Pass on you congratulations when you see them.

• Chuck Furney, in his tenth season as boys’ golf coach at Lansing Catholic Central High School, was chosen as State Journal coach of the year for 2008.  The team came within one shot of winning a state championship in its division.
• Dick Buckmaster, with fourteen years of teaching driver safety, was presented with a Shining Star Volunteer Performance award by the AARP.  Dick has been involved with the AARP Driver Safety Program since 1994, first as an instructor, then a trainer and mentor of new instructors.  Now, he is lead instructor trainer for the entire state of Michigan.

This year’s two Summer Social golf outings were very successful.  Rain delayed the start in June, with another sprinkle along the way, but we finished in fine form, with a tasty lunch, prizes, and fun talk afterwards.  In July, everything was perfect, including the weather.  A big THANK YOU to golf chairman Larry Parker and his cadre of willing helpers that makes these outings so much fun.  Keep the dates in mind for June and July of 2009.

Another THANK YOU to John Fox for capably making all the arrangements for the Detroit Tigers bus trip   He managed to arrange for fine weather, and a win by the Tigers with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth, just shortly after they’d been on a losing streak.

One more THANKS – Larry Lennon has been doing the coordination between club and plant for some tours of the Lansing Delta Township Plant.  I took advantage to join the group in July, and was really impressed by the knowledge and enthusiasm of our tour guide Lyle Birchman.  There is one more tour scheduled for August 15.  Contact Larry to see if he has any space left.

I’ll be seeing you at the Annual Business Meeting, Thursday, September 11, at the MSU Kellogg Center.  The staff there treats us very well, and it’s so much fun to have an adult beverage, renew old friendships, enjoy a fine meal, and a thoughtful presentation, before finally conducting a little necessary club business.