Retired employees gather in Caribou
NARFE group elects officers
CARIBOU — The Aroostook Chapter 2132 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees recently hosted the 39th Maine Federation of Chapters State Convention at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center.
Kermit Staples of Aroostook Chapter 2132 was selected as Service Officer of the Year.
The election of officers was conducted and the new slate includes: Lloyd Woods of Madawaska Lake, president; Charles Tanzosh of Fort Fairfield, first vice president; Elizabeth Jean Mayberry of Brewer, second vice president; Arthur Pike of Mapleton, secretary; and Dan Strauss of Brunswick, treasurer.
The first day’s activities included a banquet where Blue Cross/Blue Shield representative Andrew Sinclair presented their “Best Friend Award” to Connie Lewis≠ Hooker of the Merrymeeting Chapter of Bath/Brunswick/Lewiston/Auburn.
Maine State Rep. Carol McElwee of Caribou, who represents District 149, was the speaker for the evening. Entertainment was provided by The Maine Event Barbershop Group and members of The Maine Dance Academy. Several vendors had displays on both days of the event.
The convention’s second-day activities included the general meeting of the chapters. After the invocation by Chaplain Lyn Clarke and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Elizabeth Jean Mayberry, the National Anthem was sung by Juanita Goetz.
The keynote speaker was Jessica Klement, NARFE legislative director. She is responsible for carrying out the legislative and political strategies of NARFE, the nation’s largest federal employees and retiree organization. The afternoon speaker was James Crawford, Region 1 vice president.
After the conclusion of the business meeting, door prizes and silent auction items were given out. It was voted to hold the 40th State Convention in Brunswick in 2018.
NARFE Region 1 includes New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New York.
