Director Elaine Housley received the following from George by way of Grace:
I worked at Western Electric in Columbus Ohio for 11 years before moving to Ft Lauderdale and becoming an Installation/Repair Tech in 1973. Oh the good old days!!
Submitted by Director Elaine Housley
ABOUT THE LRO & THE LUCENT CHAPTER
THE LUCENT RETIREES ORGANIZATION (LRO) was chartered in January 2003 in the state of New York. Its purpose is to address the interests of 127,000 individuals under the Lucent pension plan that embodies all Lucent and Bell Labs retirees, including those who retired when the company was known as Western Electric and/or AT&T Network Systems, plus subsidiaries such as Teletype and Sandia. Western Electric — AT&T Network Systems Division — Lucent Technologies — Alcatel Lucent and NOW: NOKIA!! Throughout, the Lucent Retirees Organization — your LRO — has done its best to represent the interests of its retirees with whatever of the foregoing names. AND all retirees can be assured that the LRO will continue to make sure that company promises made to all of us are kept — no matter the latest corporate name or headquarters location!!” And now we have teamed as a chapter of the National Retirees Legislative Network. The remaining Nokia issues of pensions, life and health care insurance increasingly require lobbying Congress for national solutions. Benefits, including pensions, life insurance, prescription drug costs, Social Security and Medicare are ongoing national issues that face Lucent / Nokia retirees and former Lucent employees who will retire from Nokia in the future and most if not all other NRLN association, chapter and individual members. These issues will impact our kids and grandkids in the future if our generation doesn’t address them now. Your Chapter will continue the fight, with the support of two million other NRLN retirees and professional staff to lobby for legislation that will protect current and future retirees. The NRLN has the numbers, experience on Capitol Hill and the expertise to influence legislation. The LRO’s 17,000 retirees represents a powerful component of that force. Your active participation can make a difference. Over the years over 17,000 retirees have been members, and over 13.000 are still active. Membership is open to current retirees with a Lucent pension, a person vested for a Lucent pension, or the spouse of any such retiree or vested person. JOIN US to receive email updates.
FOR THOSE REVIEWING THEIR MEDICARE OPTIONS,
BE SURE TO CONTACT STATE HELP FREE
Submitted by Webmaster
Harry “Glen” Herbst
He was a member of St. Louis Family Church, a Board of Director Emeritus at Pond Athletic Association, retired Associate Engineer at Lucent Technologies/AT&T/Western Electric, cherished youth baseball and softball coach, a Mineral Area College Alumnus, proud Vietnam Veteran, and a devoted Kentucky Wildcat fan.
Beloved husband to Judy Herbst of Wildwood, Missouri; loving father of Dionna (Austin) Helfers of Labadie, Missouri; Todd (Tanya) Norman of Cape Coral, Florida; Lora (Monty) Duke of Wingo, Kentucky; dear brother of Mary (Terry) Mabery of Highland, Illinois; brother-in-law to Larry Richard of Town and Country, Missouri; Tammy (Jerry) Hall of Sarasota, Kentucky; loving Papa Glen to 8 grandchildren: Ryan (Brandi) Duke, Lindsay (Matt) Ross, Alex Carollo, Marcus Norman, Brody Norman, William Helfers, Addison Helfers, Carson Helfers; 7 great grandchildren: Levi Frizzell, Abigail Frizzell, Jonah Duke, Georgia Duke, Hannah Ross, Paige Ross, Kyle Ross; uncle to Tanner Hall of Sarasota, Kentucky; Tyler Hall of Wingo, Kentucky; Shelley (Chris) Ball of Valparaiso, Indiana; Brett Mabery of York, Nebraska; great uncle to Michael (Romi) Ball of Summerville, South Carolina; Brandon Ball of Summerville, South Carolina; Bryce, Payton and Juliana Ball of Valparaiso, Indiana, Cousin to many, a loving “Papa Glen” and friend to everyone he met. He was the proud son of the late Earl and Irene Herbst.
Services at St. Louis Family Church, Chesterfield, Missouri, Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., Burial will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made to the children of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the youth baseball and softball program at Pond Athletic Association, P.O. Box 111, Wildwood, MO 63040. Visitation at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Missouri, Monday, September 28, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life is planned for Sunday, September 27, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Pond Athletic Association in Wildwood, Missouri.
Schrader Funeral Home and Crematory
14960 Manchester Road
Holloway, Ballwin, Missouri
Submitted by New Outlook Region Director Elaine Housley
Mission Lexington Food Bank
Pioneers Anne and her husband Don (both retirees of Bell Labs) are working independently in Lexington making a donation to the Mission Lexington Food Bank. There is no pioneer council or club located close to Lexington, SC, so they are working through the Atlantic Coast Chapter 133. Anne and Don both retired from the Bell Labs in NJ and they have retired to their home in Lexington, SC.
Mission Lexington Food Bank
Mission Lexington has been meeting the needs of Lexington County, SC residents in crisis. Originally founded in 1978, Mission Lexington today is the hub of care for Lexington County, assisting families and individuals with life essentials, resources, and guidance. We meet over 35,000 needs in Lexington County each year. Our partner network includes local businesses and government agencies, corporations, organizations individuals and more than 50 member churches who sustain our vision daily. Today we offer a thriving thrift store, food pantry, donation center, and social services and guidance.
Submitted by Pioneers Anne and Don Mellen
What is a Santa Goodwill Tour?
Since 1985 civic organization members, as well as like-minded, adventurous people from all over the US and Canada have been traveling internationally, and have visited almost every continent! They stay in superb accommodations, are fascinated by the interesting commentary of the cities’ best guides, and thoroughly enjoy camaraderie with great travelers. During their time abroad, a goodwill visit is prearranged, such as to a home for the blind, aged, orphanages, a hospital – and the party begins! Wearing festive colorful “Santa” costumes during the goodwill visits travelers spend time with locals in need, making for a very special experience. Between the elegant hotels, best guides, incredible sightseeing, marvelous destinations, quality spas and more–a truly wonderful and memorable experience is had by all!
PIONEER and EXPERIENCED
With over 100 years of combined experience in designing and operating travel for Americans to destinations around the globe, the professionals of InConTra, Inc., are pleased to present our Santa Goodwill Tours and Customer Designed Tours. Our programs embody our philosophy of providing a meaningful travel experience, in which intercultural exchanges go beyond traditional sightseeing programs. Our founder and President was a pioneer in opening China to tour groups from the United States, and we continue this innovative spirit today.
SANTA GOODWILL FAMILY
On our Santa Goodwill Tours, which have been operating for over 20 years, travelers visit orphanages, homes for the aged and other facilities for the needy, bringing joy to the residents and themselves and spreading a unique brand of North American hospitality. Many participants in the Goodwill Tours have become part of our family, traveling with us year after year, and we welcome new members to the Santa family yearly.
CUSTOM MADE TOURS
InConTra is pleased to provide travel for service-oriented groups like Kiwanis, TeleCom Pioneers, and other companies and organizations. We tailor every element in the itinerary to match your requirements.
We invite you to join us in exploring our world!
More information about the Pioneers Goodwill Tours may be found at this link
Submitted by New Outlook Region Directors – Elaine Housley and Fred Solomon
HELPING HANDS Medical Equipment Ministry – Peace United Methodist Church
Volunteer Hours & Information
2019 and January 1 – June 30, 2020
2019:
• Total families served 3,381
(includes deliveries, pick-ups, and pick up of equipment at the church)
• Coordinator Volunteer Hours: 1960 (averaged 40 hours a week/49 weeks)
• Approximate hours given by other volunteers in HH Ministry: 5,000 – 6,000
(*See info below for “other volunteers”)
2020:
Families served before shutdown:
January 333
February 268
March 139 (thru 12th)
Shut-down due to Covid 19 virus – March 12 thru May 31
During closing we continued setting equipment outside for pick-up at the church which was requested by physical therapist, nurses, social workers
and a few folks that call the church and a few of our Peace family
Equipment was put outside the west entry doors with names attached. Paperwork completed for file, but not signed. No personal contact.
During that time 6 hospital beds were picked up at Peace. (our men and those picking up all wearing masks)
Families served during shutdown:
March 50 (March 16-31)
April 49
May 70
Reopened June 1: (2 to 3 truck runs only and only if absolutely couldn’t pick up
or drop off at Peace)
Families served after reopening:
June 249
Total families served January 1 thru June 30, 2020 – 1158
(Approximately 1690 during same time in 2019)
2020 Coordinator Volunteer Hours
January 1 through March 12: (11 weeks-open) 275 hours
March 12 – April 30: (7 weeks) (shut down) 84 hours
May: (shut down) 48 hours
June (partially open) (4 weeks) 100 hours
Total volunteer hours January – June 2020 507 hours
Important Fact! Beginning last fall, we added a volunteer helper each weekday morning to help get equipment marked and out for pick-up, getting small equipment ready for truck runs, spray dropped off equipment and move inside for scrubbing, legs back on cleaned equipment, check equipment for needed repair, etc. (cut coordinator weekday morning hours at the church in half!)
*All Other Helping Hands Ministry Volunteers
(Coordinator hours not included in figures below)
Approximate hours given by other volunteers in the ministry:
• Scrubbers (6 ladies/4 scrub a week) 3 to 3 ½ hours each = 12 to 14 hours weekly
• Call receivers (5 persons each week) 4-5 hours weekly = 20 – 25 hours weekly
• Weekday morning helpers (5 persons each week) 2 – 2 ½ each = 10 – 12 ½ hours weekly
• Repair small equipment. 2-3 hours weekly
• Truck Drivers (2 drivers each day/5 days each week) 5 – 7 hours each = 50-70 hours weekly
• Cleaning beds, mattresses, lifts -& bed repair – 5 1/2-6 1/2 hours weekly
• Office staff – unknown
Average weekly hours by other volunteers:
(at least 5 truck runs a week)
Volunteers weekly hours: 99 ½ to 131
Average annual other volunteer hours (49 weeks): 4875 ½ to 6,419
REOPENING INFORMATION GUIDELINES
Reopened partially, June 1 and planning to continue to the end of 2020 or
until vaccine is developed, approved and distributed
• Pick up at church encouraged by all equipment requests
• Drop off at church encouraged by all equipment donations and returns; all sprayed with Selectrocide before taking into building
• Everything outside for pickup – no paperwork (to avoid spreading of virus)
• Hospital beds – encouraged to pick up at Peace
• Call receivers get calls each day
• Scrubbers began Monday cleaning June 1 (wear masks/social distancing – no more than 4 each Monday) (Cleaned June 1 & 2 to catch up then each Monday)
• Truck Runs:
o Pick up equipment including hospital beds that could be left on porch, driveway, in garage, etc.
o Only going inside homes to set up or repair hospital beds when they had no family to assist putting together, or to pick up as needed.
o Drivers wear masks and gloves/people in homes wear mask and observe distance guidelines
o Equipment sprayed with Selectrocide (which kills the virus) when picked up and when dropped off before going inside church buildings
o Half of our drivers are not comfortable going out on runs or into homes, so truck delivery/pickup limited.
Summited by Elaine Housley Director for Linda Hottle
For three score years and ten—a lifetime!—Western Electric has helped to make possible this miracle of
communications. Since early in 1882 Western Electric has been the element of supply in the Bell System
formula. It is the manufacturer and supplier of the tools of telephone service.
Western Electric has manufactured millions of telephones, millions of miles of wire and cable, tens of
thousands of manual and dial switching units, and the thousand-and-one other kinds of apparatus that go
into the plant of the Bell System. It has purchased from thousands of other manufacturers the great variety
of supplies that are used by the Bell System.
You may access the Historical Library by clicking on this link.
Submitted by Elaine Housley New Outlook Director
2020-21 Joe Cleres/Don Sage Memorial Scholarship Awards (64 recipients) New Outlook Pioneers ($35,000) – Updated
Congratulations to all the winners. You should have received an email or US mail regarding that you will need to send the Pioneer representative a copy of your tuition bill that includes your student ID number as well as the address where the Pioneers should send the tuition check. This tuition information can be either a paper copy or a screenshot image that has been saved as either a .jpeg, .gif, or a . pdf file. This information should be sent by September 1. If you will not have this information by September 1, then send the representative a note saying when you expect to have this. If you have not been contacted by a Pioneer representative, then please contact Fred Salomon at fred_salomon@hotmail.com or call @ 331-444-3161.
Submitted by Fred Salomon Region Director
Comforting Crafts Projects – Eastern Missouri Council
Delivery of Pioneer Crafts to Mercy Hospital and Missouri Baptist Medical Center
In keeping with the requirements associated with COVID-19, the following donations made by the following volunteers, our May delivery was delayed. Through special arrangements, the deliveries were made on Wednesday, August 5, 2020.
MERCY
10- Flannel Baby Blankets (Annette Ravens)
5- Flannel Blankets -Rehabilitation Department (Annette Ravens)
1- Crocheted Baby Afghan (Dottie Dunker)
2- Crocheted Adult Shawls (Laura Shively)
10- Crocheted Baby Hats (Phyllis Huddleston and Maryann Reitz)
10- Hug -a- Pillows (Paula Fox)
10- Palm Toys (Pat Hawkins and Paula Fox)
MISSOURI BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER
10- Flannel Baby Blankets (Annette Ravens)
5- Flannel Blankets- Pediatric Department (Annette Ravens)
10- Incubator Pad Covers (Paula Fox)
1- Crocheted Baby Afghan (Dottie Dunker)
10- Crocheted Baby Hats (Phyllis Huddleston and Maryann Reitz)
15- Mother/Baby Scent Pads (Paula Fox)
10- Hug -a- Pillows (Paula Fox)
10- Palm Toys (Pat Hawkins and Paula Fox)
It is our pleasure to donate these items to provide in our small way, some additional comfort to your patients.
A special thank you to Sara Funaiola and Susan Smith for making arrangements for the deliveries.
Paula Fox
New Outlook Pioneers
Comforting Crafts Coordinator
706-669-0857
Submitted by council president Judy Herbst for Paula Fox Project Coordinator
FOREWORD
The booklet is published to acquaint you more fully with the Cornhusker Chapter of Telephone Pioneers.
The first Pioneer Club formed in 1957 and became affiliated with the Yost Chapter of Northwestern Bell. As the membership grew they became a council named Arthur B. Goetze in 1959 under the Yost Chapter. In 1978, with 1,872 members, the council petitioned the Association to become a chapter. In June of 1978 the chapter was granted and became the Cornhusker Chapter. The Pioneers remained a chapter under AT&T. Lucent Technologies reorganized the Pioneers and they were given the name Heartland Council of the New Outlook Region. When the Omaha Works was spun off to Avaya they quit supporting the Pioneer organization. At that time the Omaha Works became a self sponsored Pioneer group with no financial support which brings us to today.
