Aarp

The life of the party planned for the vice-presidential debate Oct. 11 at Centre College will be the nation's largest organization representing retirees. AARP, a nonprofit group with more than 37 million members over age 50, announced Thursday in a joint press conference it will be the prime sponsor of the free Vice-Presidential Debate Festival to be held on the lawn between Old Centre and the Campus Center the day of the debate. The group will bring a bus with interactive exhibits and will moderate a series of “intergenerational conversations” on Medicare and Social Security.

The Rev. Kenny Speakes, pastor at Mount Zion Christian Church on Combs Ferry Road, recently performed at a meeting of AARP, Chapter 632 at the Generations Center. Speakes played guitar, sang and told humorous stories with a moral.

AARP met at 6 p.m. April 30 at the Generations Center. Paul Blackwell conducted the meeting and led the group in prayer before the potluck dinner. AARP honored tax preparers Grace Ingram, Bill Walls, Lois Thomas, Lila Omohundro, R.B. Omohundro, Walter Gleffe, Paul Atchison and Kay Atchison. They prepared 527 tax returns. Other guests were state Rep. Don Pasley, the speaker, and wife Teresa; Nancy Foster, Jessie Stapleton, Geneva Burton and Bill Burton. Fifty-five members and guests attended.

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) met July 31 at 6 p.m. at the Generations Center. Colista Ledford, president, conducted the meeting. Vesteen Pasley, Betty Elam, Betty Ratliff Smith and Janet Rose were recognized for their July birthdays. Betty Ratliff Smith was also welcomed back. She gave the blessing and the prayer for others. Don Rose led the pledge to the flag. A potluck dinner was served to 43 members and guests. Mike Butler, J. Brandenburg and Gerald Embs entertained the group with music and ong, "This Land is My Land" being among them.

The Winchester-Clark County AARP met May 29. The meeting was conducted by president Colista Ledford. Don Rose led the pledge to the flag and Wilma Ballard led the group in the Lord's prayer. The May birthdays, James Gay, Elizabeth Gay, Larry Bosco and Jean Vaughn, were recognized. A potluck dinner was served to 37 members and guests. There was one new member, Rosemary Rice. Wayne and Barbara Marlow entertained with music and song. Elizabeth Gay received thanks from the community center for the donation of toothpaste and dish detergent.

"Strings of Friendship," a dulcimer group, presented the program at the July 26 meeting of Chapter 632, AARP, held at The Generations Center. Selections included ""I'll Fly Away," "Bile Them Cabbage Down," "Red River Valley," "Shortenin' Bread," "In the Pines," "Gray Cat on a Tennessee Farm" and "Amazing Grace. " Members of the group include Jean Livolsi, Joan Richardson, Virgie Curtis, Sonya Merritt, Lois Esham, Pat Spivey, Shaun Dixon, David DeVary, Tammy Jones, Francis Hampton, Delbert Embs, Linda Jordan and Debby Dixon, leader of the group.

AARP tax preparers were special guests at the April 26 meeting of Chapter 632, AARP held at The Generations Center, 32 Meadow St. Recognized were Kay Atchison, Grace Ingram, R.B. Omohundro, Nancy Foster, Walter Gleffe, Lois Thomas and Billy Walls. Malcolm Stokely also assisted with tax preparation but was unable to be present. Omohundro and Ingram were recognized for having 19 and 20 years, respectively, as volunteer tax preparers. The volunteers were presented overnight bags and T-shirts from AARP.

The Winchester AARP met at the Generation Center, March 27 at 6 p.m., and a pot luck dinner was served to 33 members and guests. Colista Ledford, president, conducted the meeting, and Don Rose led the pledge to the flag. Wilma Ballard gave the table blessing and prayer for others. After that, June Curtis and Joe Rupis were recognized for their March birthdays. Lori Hall and Suzanne Isaacs of the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation spoke. They assist Kentuckians with disabilities to achieve employment.

Officers will be installed at Thursday night's meeting of Chapter 632, AARP, to be held at The Generations Center, 32 Meadow St. Also, funds collected for charity will be donated during this meeting. Plans for the November meeting were announced at the Oct. 25 meeting with Jean Pasley, president, conducting the meeting. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Don Rose and the invocation was given by Wilma Ballard. Following the potluck supper, an auction was held with Mrs. Ballard as auctioneer.

Local AARP Chapter 632 met April 25 at the Generations Center at 6 p.m. Colista Ledford, president, opened the meeting. Bill Burton gave the Pledge of Allegiance, and Dorothy Moberly gave the devotions. Laura Mayer celebrated her birthday and the club celebrated the first wedding anniversary of Frank and Donna Vermillion. The president asked all members to pray for sick members. Guests were AARP tax preparers and Kenny Speakes. Members present were Colista Ledford, Jean Pasley, Don Rose, Janet Rose, Gladys Hammonds, Jean Vaughn, Joyce Reffett, Stan Mullins, Maureen Lien, Laura Mayer, Dot Moberly, Jean Pasley, Rosemary Walker, Audrey King, Irene Lowry, Bill Burton, Bobbye Woodruff, Mary Rupsis, Herman Cubbison, Polly Todd, Frank Vermillion, Donna Vermillion, Joyce Barnes, Eliz Gay, James Gay, Velma Miller, Mary Leslie, Bernice Lewis and Dewey Pasley.

TODAY - AARP tax preparation, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Central Baptist Church Annex, 101 W. Lexington Ave. The service is free and all pertinent paperwork should be brought. Counselors are trained through a program sponsored by the AARP and the IRS. - Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation Chess Club free-play and optional-rated match play, 25 cents per game, 4:30 p.m., College Park Library. Visit www.winchesster.com for more information. - East Clark County Water District Board of Commissioners meeting, 7 p.m., 118 Hopkins Lane.

Local AARP Chapter 632 met March 28 at the Generations Center. New President Colista Ledford opened the meeting, Don Rose led the Pledge of Allegiance and Frank Vermillion gave the devotion. Ellie Johnston celebrated her birthday in March, and the group celebrated the 17th wedding anniversary of Elizabeth and James Gay. Rose informed the chapter the bill on land line phones was defeated, and members expressed concerns with the consumer price index. Ledford asked the chapter to pray for sick members.