THE TRUMPETER - September 2023

RWOP Newsletter Editor: Joan Lesko, RWOP VP Communications, contact@rwop.info

September is here with the Labor Day weekend signaling the end of summer and the beginning of my favorite season, fall! The leaves will soon be changing and we will witness God's amazing beauty with the fall colors flourishing around us. It won't be much longer before we reach for our sweaters as the fall breezes pick up.

September will also usher in a time of remembrance of the devastating attack against our country on September 11th. 

For those of you who were not at our August luncheon, Mary Mallory and Pilar Hemry gave a moving presentation on the Healing Fields which honors the victims of 911 each year in Prescott Valley.

If you have never been to the Healing Fields, you must make it a point to attend and support the efforts made to honor those who lost their lives on that fateful day. For more information on the Healing Fields go to HealingFieldPV.com

Congressman Crane also announced that he will be hosting Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and 2024 US Senate candidate Sherriff Mark Lamb here in Prescott on Friday, September 8th at the Prescott Resort. There will be a VIP Reception for honored guests only and a speaking event for registered guests only. You don't want to miss out on this special event!

One of our Featured speakers, Sherriff Mark Lamb also spoke at our luncheon. It is always good to see Sherriff Lamb and hear about his efforts in protecting his region of our state.

I am pleased to announce Laura Swesey has agreed to be RWOP's new Merchandise Chair. Laura is a retired small business owner who brings her retail business experience and expertise to RWOP. Please stop by our merchandise table and say "HI" to Laura. If you are interested in volunteering to be on the merchandise team, please let Laura know. WELCOME LAURA!

August also rushed in as RWOP prepared for our SECOND Big Event of the year, "An Evening with Dennis Prager." What an incredible event it was!! Our VIP Reception and speaking event went off without a hitch thanks to the efforts of our Prager Committee: Judy Blake - Chair, Sherrie Hanna, Linda Nichols, Joan Lesko, Barbara Ernst, Elsie Tyree, Michele Hamer, Judie Vullo, Sue Tatar, and Tom Blake. Special Thanks to our Chaplain Marla Bassler who opened our program with a special prayer, Rodney Glassman who sang a Jewish Prayer, Susan Cohen, Our Americanism Chair who led the Pledge of Allegiance and our RWOP Singers who opened our program with the Star Spangled Banner! Special accolades go to the Ways & Means Team for decorating and setting up the VIP Reception, Elsie Tyree for helping with decorating and check-in, Linda Nichols and Michele Hamer for taking the photos of members with Mr. Prager and moving the many guests through the line promptly, our Membership and Education teams for setting up tables in the lobby to pass out information about our club and to Joan Lesko and Judie Vullo for taking photos Click here to see photos In speaking with Mr. Prager, he was truly impressed with our club, how well run the program was, how welcome everyone made him feel and that we even have our own singing group!! This event was a joint venture between RWOP, Scott Helfinstine, Steve Rutherford, and a group of local investors who helped share Mr. Prager's expenses with RWOP to get him here. Scott and Steve are very prominent businessmen in our community whom I have known for many years. Without the investor's involvement, this event could never have taken place. It was a pleasure working with them! Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this event a huge success!!

Scott Helfinstine's Opening Address at "An Evening with Dennis Prager"



September's luncheon promises to be very informative. Charlie Arnold will be presenting information on the Prescott City Charter Amendments that will be on the ballot to be voted on in November. Also, our LD1 Representative's Ken Bennett, Quang Nguyen and Selina Bliss will each give us an update on the hard work they have been involved in getting Bills passed and representing us. 

Unfortunately, I will not be able to be at the September luncheon as I have personal business that can only be attended to on the same date as our luncheon. I leave you in capable hands as Judy Blake, your 1st VP of Programs, will fill in for me. I look forward to seeing you again in person at our October luncheon. Thank you all for understanding.

Regards,

Sherrie Hanna

2023 RWOP President

Please note this luncheon will be held on

WEDNESDAY, September 13th, 2023!

NO SUBSTITUTIONS ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT

$35 per person​

Reserve your spot online: HERE

Reservations are on a first-come-first-served basis!

A reservation made is a reservation paid...thank you!

To help speed up our check-in process:

• Prepaying for the luncheon is encouraged - online or by check mailed prior to luncheon
• Arrive early and allow time for parking
• No large bills accepted
• Have your payment ready – CASH or CHECK (made payable to RWOP for $35 - already filled out

Wednesday, September 13th RWOP Luncheon

FEATURED SPEAKER:

GUEST SPEAKERS:

Senator Ken Bennett

​Bio

Representative Selina Bliss

​Bio

Representative Quang Nguyen

Bio

Caring for America - Nancy Grigas

Blankets4Kids is our charity of the month for September. The non-profit organization supplies blankets, hats, scarves and stuffed animals to struggling families.

These blankets provide warmth and comfort to children and their families in need. Each blanket is stuffed with a hat, scarf and a stuffed animal.

Blankets4Kids works with various local children’s agencies who collect and then distribute the blankets to the children who need them. Last year, more than 5,000 “comfort items” were delivered throughout Yavapai County.



Please help us keep the kids warm this winter by donating new or lightly used blankets, hats, scarves and stuffed animals. They also accept yarn for hand knit items. We will have drop boxes at the luncheon for donated items. Cash donations are also accepted.

Whatever you can contribute will be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you.

Nancy Grigas, CFA Chairperson

Cloudy Days

If anyone knows of a RWOP member or family member that is ill, passed away or just needs a note of encouragement please contact me with their address so a personal card can be mailed.  

Marla Bassler, 480-330-8150 or drop her an email at marlabassler7@gmail.com

2023 AzFRW Biennial Convention

Casino Del Sol Casino – Tucson, AZ

Dates: Oct 19-21, 2023

This is a wonderful opportunity to attend an AzFRW meeting. See flyer for further details.

Holiday Bake Sale: Select HERE

At the September 13th Lunch Meeting we will be announcing and awarding Gift Certificates to the Members that referred the most members last year. As tradition there will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards. 

As of the printing of this newsletter for the 2023 membership year, we have:

Total Members: 1007

Active Members: 788

Associates: 216

Student: 3

New Active Members:

Pati Lynne Brown

Carrie Susan Grubbs

Angela Marie Hannaford

Lewissa Katherine Ingeersoll

Patti Kellogg

Stephanie Elaine McWane

Janet Newbert

Kathrine E. Ney

Ann Kathleen Simpson

Grace Stricklett

Alice Marie Wiess

New Associate Members:

Stephen Bullock

Ellen Kay DeBerge

Mark William Finchem

Membership Directories for 2023 are available to all members at the Membership Table, before and after the Luncheon. New members, please pick up your new member packet and order your name badge.

Please keep encouraging your friends and family to join RWOP as we are the largest Federated Club in Arizona and the Nation.

Save Our Kids

Sept. 18th, 7 PM, will be on sex trafficking of American teens due to Internet "grooming" on popular teen social media sites, "sexting", pimps posing as handsome, well-heeled "boyfriends", and what goes on on the Dark Web. This is a HUGE problem for innocent, vulnerable teens looking for acceptance and love. 



August 8th Luncheon - Andrea Kadar "Save Our Kids"

Select HERE for the 2023 RWOP Luncheon Schedule!!

RWOP AT HOPE FEST BOOTH UPDATE!

This year was RWOP’s first time to participate in this amazing event.

3 Meaningful Data Points:

#1 - We talked to over 100 people

#2 - We handed out 80 membership applications

#3 - Asked each person what they are most worried about

Some of the top concerns: Lack of faith in our society, declining of the American family, Biden and government corruption, School Curriculum/education, Economy, Local leaders turning liberal, child trafficking, fentanyl, border crisis.

Email Linda Nichols to sign up for the MOST important RWOP Class.

lknichols360@yahoo.com

Please review this helpful chart comparing proficiency scores of the 3 largest school districts in the Quad Cities Area: Prescott, Humboldt and Chino Valley.

Remember, proficiency test scores are released to the public as a way to evaluate how effective our tax dollars are being spent.

From attending school board meetings and reading official statements from the district, I put together a couple Q&A scenarios: 

Public asks: Why are the test scores so low?

District answers: They are better than other schools, the test is given late in the school year, the tests are hard and you don’t have education experience

In order to evaluate properly.

Public asks: Why were test scores so high in 2010 as compared to now?

District answers: The tests back then were different than the current tests. It’s like comparing apples to oranges.

Public asks: Can PUSD be measured against other states?

District answers: No, this is impossible because of the different testing standards.

What is the answer?  Parents need to get involved and let the district know that proficiency is a top priority and have the district show them what they are doing to improve aptitude. Ask the district to measure the success of the programs they are employing to bridge the learning gap from 2020. 

DID YOU KNOW….that Labor Day has been a federal holiday since 1894?

The Labor Day holiday has become the marker for the end of summer.  Americans enjoy a last long summer holiday weekend before the weather changes. In many states, students start their new school year immediately after the Labor Day holiday. 

The U.S. was industrializing rapidly during the post-Civil War era. Cities were growing quickly as factories, offices, and housing were built. Labor laws as we know them today were just beginning to be proposed. Labor unions organized, and grew more powerful and vocal. They arranged rallies and strikes to protest poor working conditions and get more protections for employees, in the form of labor laws and union contracts that included specific worker protections.

In September 1882, the unions of New York City decided to have a parade to celebrate their members belonging to unions, and to show support for all unions. At least 20,000 people were there, and the workers had to give up a day’s pay to attend. In 1884 the Knights of Labor adopted a resolution that the first Monday in September be considered Labor Day. The idea quickly spread, and by the following year Labor Day celebrations were being held in a number of states. Oregon became the first state to grant legal status to the holiday. 

On May 4, 1886, a bomb exploded at a union rally in Chicago’s Haymarket Square, which led to violence that killed seven police officers and four others. The incident, known as “the Haymarket Affair,” led to May 1 being celebrated in many nations as Workers Day. The U.S. government chose Labor Day instead to avoid a celebration on May 1, and because New York's unions had already selected the first Monday in September for their holiday.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 14.8 million union members in the workforce in 2017. There were 17.7 million in 1983.  Just 10% of American workers belonged to a union in 2022, the lowest in Labor Department records going back to 1983, when the rate was 20%. The largest union is the National Education Association, with approximately three million members.

Today we associate Labor Day less with unions, and more with honoring all types of workers. That, and a long weekend often spent traveling to spend with family or friends!

Freedom Caucus unveils demands to support spending bill, avoid shutdown

The Freedom Caucus has unveiled a list of demands that they want included in a stopgap spending measure to keep the federal government running after the end of September.

Historically, members of the Freedom Caucus rarely support short-term spending bills to keep the government open, but with Republicans holding just a five-seat majority in the House, they have significant leverage over the agenda. Still, McCarthy will likely need votes from Democrats to pass a short-term funding measure than can also get through the Senate and be signed into law.

Among the demands from the House Freedom Caucus:

— Spending levels below the top-line numbers that McCarthy had agreed to with President Joe Biden as part of a bill to increase the nation's debt ceiling.

— Inclusion of a bill that aims to build more wall at the southern border and restrict asylum for those seeking to remain in the U.S. for fear of persecution or harm.

— Addressing what they call the “unprecedented weaponization of the Justice Department and FBI" to conduct political “witch hunts.”

— And opposing any “blank check for Ukraine." The White House has asked Congress to provide more than $13 billion in emergency defense aid and an additional $8 billion for humanitarian support as Ukraine defends itself from Russia's invasion.

The House Freedom Caucus labeled its message as “No Security, No Funding.” Some of the group's members have embraced the idea of a government work stoppage to force lower non-defense spending, though many Republicans disagree with that approach for fear of taking the blame from voters.

Lawmakers will return to Washington after Labor Day and won't have time to get all 12 government funding bills approved before the new fiscal year begins on Oct. 1. McCarthy last week floated the prospect of a short-term bridge that would give the House and Senate more time to reach a compromise on final spending levels for the year.

If Congress fails to pass the spending bills into law by Jan. 1, it raises the possibility of an across-the-board 1% reduction in spending for the year that would kick in at the end of April.

Flag Installation — Community volunteers from First Responders and Veteran groups will install the flags on the field on Friday, Sept. 8. Each flagpole bears the name and information about the victims of the attacks. If you would like to volunteer to install or take down the flags, maintain the field during the week, or serve in the information booth, visit healingfieldpv.com to sign up.

Patriot Run/Walk at 7 a.m. All proceeds will go toward the Central Arizona Honor Guard. For more information and to register for the event, visit patriotrunpv.com/ or the Facebook page at facebook.com/pvpatriotrun.

Benefit Pancake Breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. The breakfast is sponsored by local restaurant Ciao Bella. All donation proceeds go to purchasing the flags and maintenance of the fields at the Prescott Valley Civic Center.

Blessing of the Field Ceremony at 10:30 a.m. The Blessing Ceremony will take place at the Theater on the Green, 7501 E. Skoog Blvd.

Patriot Day Ceremony at 6 p.m. Monday, September 11. The Town will host the annual 9/11 ceremony at the Theater on the Green. The ceremony will include fire and police Honor Guards, National Anthem, and rifle volley and taps by the American Legion Post #6 Honor Guard. The keynote speaker this year will be Stacey Goodman, a police patrol officer on Long Island on 9/11.

Christmas Cards for Deployed Military –

RWOP is hosting a Christmas Card writing event in the cafeteria of U.S. VETS – Prescott!  We hope to have some of the veterans that live there join us. Anyone who has been deployed knows what a boost in morale it is to get cards from home!  Cards and pens are provided at this event. If you want to join us, please contact Deb Robbins to sign up so we can ensure there is enough space. 

You are welcome to bring any Christmas cards you have too. Last year just a few people wrote over 300 cards that we sent with care packages. This year, we will open the invitation to the entire membership to write cards from home, but this is an opportunity to do something with veterans and in a group.

Make Mugshots Great Again

Arizona has a Presidential Preference Election (PPE) on March 19, 2024. Yes, Donald Trump’s name will be on the ballot. This time, we will be watching the Democrats like a hawk. But we are also going to take a few pages out of the Democrat Play Book. Per the AZ State Republican Chair Jeff DeWit, he will be asking you to vote early; we are going to “harvest” ballots, and ask that you to volunteer in some capacity during the 2024 Election. The Primary is August 6, 2024 and the General is November 5, 2024.



Please call the office of Yavapai County Recorder Michelle Burchill and ask how you can help participate in this process: (928) 771-3250.



The more they indict, the more we unite! 

HEADS UP FOR THE 2023 COAT & BLANKET DRIVE

Start cleaning out your closets. 

We will be collecting coats at the October 10 Luncheon. 

Sponsor Business Card Ads are $100 for 12 months of inclusion in the monthly newsletters. Your ad will also be highlighted on RWOP website. If you are interested in highlighting your business, please contact Joan Lesko rwopweb@gmail.com

SELECT BUSINESS CARD BELOW TO GO DIRECTLY TO THEIR BUSINESS WEBSITE OR FACEBOOK PAGE

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