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Category: Life Member Luncheon

Heartland Pioneers LML 25 Apr 2023

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April 25, 2023

The doors opened today a bit early and those waiting to enter went right in to the DC Centre Banquet Facility. The officers signed again to hold our Life Member Luncheons again for 2023. Judy Coffey said the she again had over 100 registered for our first LML for this year. After everyone had a chance to visit for a little over an hour Chairperson Judy Coffey opened the meeting/luncheon at 11:30am with the pledge of allegiance and gave the blessing. Judy asked a couple of the chairs to give a short report on what their groups were engaged in now. During this time the salads were distributed to all. The meeting was over close to noon and the attendees selection of their entrees at that time were brought to their tables. The dessert was a layer cake of chocolate or vanilla with a cream filling served by the waiters.

There was a drawing for three free luncheons for the August 22, 2023 LML The officers of the Heartland Council wish to thank all that chose to have lunch with us today and hope to see all again at our August Luncheon.

The Pioneers still hold a food drive with the Life Member Luncheon and ask those attending to bring staples to the luncheon to donate to the Salvation Army. Sue and Ed Dillinger delivered the food to the Salvation Army and reported that the Salvation Army was happy to receive our donation.

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Heartland Pioneers Christmas Luncheon December 6, 2022

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Heartland Pioneers Christmas Life Member Luncheon 12/6/2022

Tuesday December 6 was a sun shiny day with the temperature around 49 degrees. This wasn’t a typical December Day in Nebraska. The doors to the DC Centre Banquet facility were set to open at 10:30 am and there was close to 35 pioneers waiting for the doors to open.

The luncheon began at about 11:30 am with the pledge of allegiance led by chair Judy Coffey. Barb Gray then delivered the blessing to the assembled group. Judy delivered her remarks and covered some problems we have encountered with US Post Office. We will be looking at some adjustments in the future so maybe we can get ahead of the Post Office. Judy showed the group a reservation that was delivered to the pioneers Post Office box, it was over a year late and a bit chewed up. The luncheon ended with a drawing to give away 4 free lunches for the April 25, 2023 LML.

After Judy had a couple of chairs deliver a few remarks about their projects (TurkeyFest and Hook & Needles) Vern Larson of the NRLN brought those that retired from Avaya up to date about what is taking place in Avaya. As Vern was talking the salads were delivered to the tables and shortly after he finished the two main courses were brought out to the tables. The total number at the LML was some where close to 110 attending. Judy thanked all for attending and said we hope to see you at the LML in April.

In conjunction with the Life Member Luncheon the Pioneers hold a food drive and ask those attending to bring staples to the luncheon to donate to the Salvation Army. N.O.W. Chapter 161 president Bob Wolkins reported that when he delivered the food items to the Salvation Army he was able to fill two 2 and 1/2 grocery carts with the donations from the luncheon.

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Heartland Council Pioneers LML 23 August 2022

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August 23, 2022

Today at approximately 10:30 am the doors to the DC Centre Banquet Facility opened for the second Heartland Pioneers Life Member Luncheon of 2022. More than a hundred attendees enjoyed visiting and catching up with what has been taking place in their lives since the last LML this spring. Chair Judy Coffey opened the meeting with the pledge of allegiance and gave a blessing. She had a couple of the chairs give a short report on what their groups were engaged in now. During this time the salads were distributed to all and then came the attendees selection of their meals either baked chicken or beef on rice. The dessert was a layer cake of chocolate or vanilla with a cream filling served by the waiters.

The highlight was Betty Golmanavich of the Hooks and Needles introducing Sharron Bailey who for years has made baby, cancer, youth and Quilts of Valor. Her specialty is quilts for kid cancer patients in the Omaha area. The Quilts of Valor Foundation (QOVF) was founded in 2003 by Catherine Roberts, its mission was to cover our nation’s military touched by war – that is, to cover them with quilts and honor their service. After she showed a quilt to the group she donated the quilt to one of the attendees of the luncheon. Sharron noted that from the first of the year to the end of August she have made and delivered 70 quilts.

There was a drawing of four free luncheon meals for the Christmas LML on December 6, 2022. The officers of the Heartland Council wish to thank all that chose to have lunch with us today and hope to see all again at our Christmas Luncheon.

In conjunction with the Life Member Luncheon the Pioneers hold a food drive and ask those attending to bring staples to the luncheon to donate to the Salvation Army. Chapter president Bob Wolkins reported that when he delivered the food items to the Salvation Army he was able to fill two grocery carts with the donations from the luncheon. The lady at the Salvation Army told Bob it was hard today to put a value on the food and assured him the two grocery carts had a estimated 100 pounds of food.

Submitted by the Heartland Councils Assistant Editor

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Omaha Works Pioneers Life Member Luncheon 5 Apr 2022

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On April 5, 2022 the Heartland Pioneers sponsored a Life Member Luncheon for all the retirees of the Omaha Works. There was also a food drive in connection with the luncheon. The food that was collected was donated to the Salvation Army when the luncheon was over.

The Pioneer LML was held at the DC Centre this time as Antony’s Steakhouse closed this spring and a new location was needed to be secured for the luncheons for 2022. Everyone enjoyed the comradery with old friends from work and look forward to seeing everyone at the summer luncheon on August 23, 2022. Steve Dawkins was recognized for his 21 years of leadership with the Hug A Bears project. There was a special Spring Fling drawing for four free lunches for the Summer luncheon. Notices will be mailed one month prior to the event and a notice will be on the Heartland Pioneers website at this link https://heartlandpioneers.com/category/news/life-member-luncheon/

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Heartland Council Pioneers Life Member Lunch 12/7/2021

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Omaha Works Pioneers Christmas Life Member Luncheon December 7, 2021

On December 7 the Heartland Council sponsored a Life Member Luncheon for all the retirees of the Omaha Works, 1956 – 2011. There was also a food drive in connection with the luncheon. Chapter president Bob Wolkins left to deliver the donated food to the Salvation Army when the luncheon was over.

The LML had over 112 retirees attending the luncheon. They enjoyed the comradery with old friends from work and voted after the meal to keep the luncheon at Anthony’s in 2022.

This year we were able to get a number of surplus promotional items from Pioneer headquarters. Judy wrapped the items and held a grab bag and everyone got a surprise gift.

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Heartland Council Pioneers Life Member Luncheons Resume

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The last pioneer life member luncheon was on December 5, 2019 and they resumed on July 29, 2021. The LML resumed at a new venue the German-American Society and will be held there in the future. The luncheon had 105 pioneer life members attend the luncheon and they enjoyed seeing each other again. In conjunction with LML the pioneers held a food drive for the Salvation Army. President Bob Wolkins collected the food to be delivered after the luncheon to the Salvation Army.

There were three speakers to update the pioneers of important things for them to know about. The New Outlook Region Director Elaine Housley from Columbus, Ohio was the first speaker. She introduced herself and spoke about her work history starting with Western Electric and becoming a director with the pioneers after retirement in 2000.

Vern Larson and Cindy Hadsell with the NRLN followed Elaine. Vern spoke first updating the benefits for those that retired from Avaya. Cindy’s key points were the action alerts and how important they are to let those in congress know what those back home are interested in. Cindy mentioned the voting records of the senators in NE and IA.

You can click on the picture to enlarge the picture and on the right side is a arrow to advance the them.

Submitted by Gordy Viner

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Heartland Council Meets New Outlook Region Director Elaine Housley

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During our spring conference call president Bob Wolkins made a note about Heartland Council restarting our life member luncheons this coming summer. Elaine called him said she would like to know the date and was going to make arrangements to come out to Omaha and attend the LML.

The LML was set for July 29, 2021. Bob and Elaine discussed that since she would be flying out the day before that the council should have a meeting and supper to meet her and the officers could get to know her.

Bob made a reservation at Brother Sebastian’s for Wednesday evening of July 28, 2021. The officers had a meeting with Elaine before supper and after supper Elaine discussed her back ground and then opened it up to a question and answer session that was very informative. The New Outlook reorganization was the big topic of discussion.

Front Row L to R; Deb Grady, Judy Coffey, Elaine Housley, Virginia Fugger
Middle Row L to R; Gordy Viner, Sandy Viner, Joe Bonaiuto, Ray Fugger
Back Row L to R; Jerry Golmanavich, Betty Golmanavich, Bob Wolkins, Carolyn Wolkins, Steve Dawkins

Submitted by Gordy Viner

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