Retired teachers donate to Charles Howard memorial

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 October 2016 at 10:18 am

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Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County chapter of the New York State Retired Teachers on Tuesday picked the group’s officers for 2017, including, from left: Kay Van Nostrand, vice president; Georgia Thomas, co-president; Joycelyn Jennings, co-president; and Ann Czajkowski, treasurer. (Nancy Walker also will serve as recording secretary and Marianne Holcomb will be corresponding secretary.)

Frank Berger is the outgoing president for the Retired Teachers in Orleans County.

Frank Berger is the outgoing president for the Retired Teachers in Orleans County.

The group meets twice yearly, and advocates for retired teachers for retirement benefits including cost of living increases.

The local chapter also donates to a cause each year and decided to support the efforts for a bronze statue in Albion in honor of Charles Howard, the founder of a Santa Claus School.  The Retired Teachers donated $360 towards the project on Tuesday.

Howard ran the school from 1937 until his death in 1966. He also developed Christmas Park in Albion. (The school still bears Howard’s name and is now located in Midland, Mich.)

The Albion Betterment Committee is leading the fund-raising effort for the Howard memorial. Two of the ABC directors – Gary Kent and Gary Derwick – are retired teachers and addressed the local chapter during a luncheon on Tuesday at the United Methodist Church’s fellowship hall in Knowlesville.

About 20 people attended Tuesday’s luncheon. The local chapter of the New York State Retired Teachers in Orleans County has about 50 members. The group welcomes more retirees to join. Contact membership chairwoman Barbara Dunham at (585) 798-4935 for more information.

About 20 people attended Tuesday’s luncheon. The local chapter of the New York State Retired Teachers in Orleans County has about 50 members. The group welcomes more retirees to join. Contact membership chairwoman Barbara Dunham at (585) 798-4935 for more information.