UT Retirees' Association

UT Retirees'             Association

208-B Conference Center Building  Knoxville, TN 37996-4125  Phone: (865) 974-6506 (TDD/TTY Available)  Fax: (865) 974-6066

Neal O’Steen, Editor • Spring 2005, Vol 10, No. 33

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SPRING, 2005

Dr. Don Byerly, President

Dr. Eldredge Kennedy, President-Elect

Dr. Ed Buckner, Vice President

Ms. Frances Houser CPS, Secretary

Ms. Daisy Bolton, Treasurer

Ms. Dawn Von Weisenstein, Board Member

Ms. Therese Leadbetter, Board Member/Advisor

UTRA Office number: 974-6506

Well, I have almost made it through a year as your president. It has been a pleasure doing so, and I trust that you have enjoyed the programs that the Board has put together. I encourage the membership to thank the Board and the members of the various committees for making it a good year (at least I think it was). I want to offer a special thanks to Dawn Von Weisenstein, Fran Houser, and Ed Buckner who are rotating off the Board. Our organization has been blessed with a continuum of volunteers such as their likes.

As this volunteer spirit continues to fill our ranks, so goes UTRA. There is one volunteer member who has faithfully kept UTRA going to whom I wish to pay special tribute. Neal O’Steen is truly a very loyal UTRA Vol. This Newsletter will be the last produced by Neal after 15 years of faithful service. We will miss Neal’s expertise, but wish him the very best as he pulls up stakes in Knoxville and moves to Nashville to be closer to his daughter. We cannot thank you enough, Neal.

We seem to be on a News Sentinel roll – Sam Venable this February, and the Spring meeting will feature Charlie Daniel, award-winning editorial cartoonist. This past Fall I viewed Charlie’s work displayed at the Oak Ridge Museum of Science and Energy. What a talent! He truly amazes me with his ability to hit local, regional, or national issues right on the head in an exceptionally humorous fashion.

The Spring trip this year will be to the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia. Despite all the years that I have been in this area, I am looking forward to my first visit to this famous theater. I hope you will join me (please see details of this activity elsewhere in this newsletter).

Plans will soon be made for next year’s programs and field trips. We have long talked about going to Flat Rock Theatre in North Carolina. This would almost certainly have to be an overnighter, but it is doable if enough members are interested. If you have any thoughts about this possibility, or other suggestions for programs and trips, please let the Board members know.

Wishing everyone a pleasant summer.

Sincerely,

Don W. Byerly

President

On behalf of the UT Retirees’ Association, the HR Employee Relations office, and for me personally, I wanted to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt thanks to Neal O’Steen, for serving as our UTRA Editor for the past fifteen years.

Neal has been a faithful and committed "UT volunteer" through and through. Neal has willingly without a comment or complaint adapted his schedule to accommodate the UTRA news deadlines. Never once did he say, "Oh, I’m not able to help," or "My schedule will not match your deadlines." Neal has been unwavering in his willingness to do and to help with any requests we have made over the years.

I understand one of Neal’s hobbies is history, including UT history. As far as I’m concerned, Neal has become a big part of UT history and of The UT Retirees’ Association history. So, it is with sadness that we say good-bye to Neal or we could say what my nana would say, "Don’t say good-bye, and just say so-long until we meet again." So long Neal, keep in touch. We will miss you greatly!

Warmest Regards,

Therese

Therese Leadbetter

UT Advisor and your newsletter friend

Charlie Daniel, popular News Sentinel political cartoonist, will speak at the UTRA Spring meeting, Tuesday, April 19, at the University Club.

The meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. Members will enjoy a buffet luncheon in addition to Daniel’s insights into the production of daily humorous and thought-provoking editorial-page cartoons.

A business meeting will follow the program. Top item on the business agenda will be election of new Board members, replacing Edward Buckner, Dawn Von Weisenstein, and Frances Houser, whose terms are expiring. The nominating committee, chaired by Bert Sams, UTRA past president, and including Lorayne Lester, and Frances Houser, will present a slate including: 3-year term, Lou Cox, Arts and Sciences; 3-year term, Dr. Tom Hood, Sociology; and 1-year term, Wade Meadows, Book and Supply Store.

Reservations deadline for the event will be Friday, April 8. Reservation and check for $11.00 (tip included), payable to UT Retirees’ Association, should be mailed to UTHR Employee Relations, Suite 232 Conference Center Building, 600 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN, 37996-4125 by that date.

Parking will be available at the University Club.

 

Another day trip to Abingdon, VA, for lunch at historic Martha Washington Inn and a matinee performance at equally historic Barter Theatre is planned for Retirees on Thursday, April 28.

Deadline for reservations and payment is April 8. Send check for $56.00 (includes transportation, lunch, tax, gratuity, and theatre ticket), payable to UT Retirees’ Association, to UTHR Employee Relations, Suite 232 Conference Center Building, 600 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN, 37996-4125 by that date.

Check-in at Plant Sciences Building by 7:45 a.m. for 8:00 a.m. departure. Park, with hang tag, in lot 66 across the street.

The 2:00 p.m. play, The Other Side of the Mountain, a Barter Theatre Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights award winner by Catherine Bush, is described as an irreverent comedy. An excerpt from a theatre blurb sets the stage: "Set in the mountains of Appalachia, this politically incorrect comedy tells the story of Evelyn Thacker, a young woman who completes her college education and returns home to Mud Creek, Kentucky. She has changed. But what about her family? Will Evelyn stay? Will she run away? What are the secrets of her past and present? This hysterical comedy takes a look at the conflict of returning home once you have seen the other side of the mountain. (This play contains adult language and situations)."

Lunch at the Martha Washington Inn (above) begins at 11:30 a.m. A selection of two meats, choice of vegetables, salad bar, dessert, and beverage will be offered. The Inn dates from 1832, and has played many roles in its 173 years: private home, finishing school for young ladies, Civil War hospital, a women’s college, and presently an elegant hotel.

Expect to return to the UT campus about 7:00 p.m.

Eighty-eight Retirees and guests packed two ballrooms at the University Club on February 23 to hear News Sentinel columnist Sam Venable expound on the topic Growing Old is OK – Just as Long as You Never Grow Up.

Sam shared a number of musings on how to tell if one is getting old, and in some cases, what to do about it. He also reminisced about his family ties to UT and expressed his strong commitment to the institution.

The columnist also autographed copies of his books.

Contributions to the UTRA Scholarship Endowment Fund are still being accepted.

The fund, established four years ago when member gifts totaled $15,000, now amounts to $21,969.13

Over the past years, UTRA scholarships have helped a number of qualified students as tuition, books, and other educational costs continue to escalate. Contributions to UT annual giving may be designated for the UTRA Scholarship or donations may be sent to Sherry Smith, Development Office, 605 Andy Holt Tower, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996.

Scholarships are funded by income from the principal amount, which may not be expended.

Along with flowers and showers, Spring always brings the time to pay UTRA annual dues.

UTRA’s fiscal year begins on May 1, 2005, and continues through April 30, 2006. A $5.00 check will pay for the year, or a lifetime membership for Retiree and spouse may be obtained with a $40.00 check.

Send check, payable to UT Retirees’ Association, to UTHR Employee Relations, Suite 232 Conference Center Building, 600 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN, 37996-4125.

Have you gotten your Lifetime Health Partners 55 Card from the UT Medical Center?

This fringe benefit card entitles UTRA members to discounted parking at the hospital, discounts (and a free cup of coffee) at the Garden Terrace Restaurant, a free Knoxville News Sentinel at the hospital’s gift shop, and free admission to UT Medical Center sponsored programs.

Call 544-6845 to sign up.

Retirees overflowing with the Volunteer spirit may find a useful outlet at the UTRA office.

There is always a need for volunteers to staff the office at the downtown Conference Center Building.

Call UTRA headquarters, 974-6506, for information.

The newsletter welcomes news you may wish to share with former colleagues.

Let us know about your latest accomplishments, travel, honors, etc., and we’ll pass it along.

 

REMEMBER PHONE LISTING

It’s time to update your personal data for the 2005-2006 UT telephone directory.

1/1/2005, Ms. Glenda Bracey, Sport & Leisure Studies

1/1/2005, Ms. Nancy Gnilka, VP Research & Info Technology

1/1/2005, Ms. Mary Hansard, University Housing

1/1/2005, Mr. Melvin Jinkins, University Housing

1/1/2005, Mr. Wendell Liemohn, Health & Exercise Science

1/1/2005, Mrs. Arline Orr, Ag Extension Service

1/1/2005, Ms. Brooxie Palmer, Ag Extention Service

1/2/2005, Dr. Carl Asp, Audiology & Speech Pathology

1/29/2005, Ms. Linda Fleming, Football

1/29/2005, Ms. Linda Hammer May, Football

1/31/2005, Ms. Carole Chamberlain, Graphic Arts Service

1/31/2005, Ms. Juanita Hardcastle, Building Services

1/31/2005, Ms. Rebecca Little, Alumni Affairs

2/1/2005, Mr. John Clark, Jr., Media Relations

2/1/2005, Mrs. Rosalie Nugent, Research Center Business Office

2/1/2005, Ms. Lavonda Phelps, Ag Extention Service

2/1/2005, Ms. Julia Travis, OIT-CIO

6/1/04, Dr. Darrell Holt, Broadcasting

1/13/05, Dr. Alan Lasater, College of Business

2/19/05, Dr. Charles Chamberlain, Animal Science

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s time again to provide your personal data for the new UT telephone directory. Complete the application form at the end of this newsletter and send it in by FRIDAY, APRIL 29, in order to be listed among UT Retirees. Add your email address in order to receive information from the administration. Having a lifetime membership does not automatically put your name in the directory.

You must send in this form to be included.

If you have questions, please call 974-6018

Even if completed in previous years, please complete again.

Addresses from the UTRA mailing list are NOT automatically included in the directory.

Dr.____ Mr. ____ Ms. ____ Mrs. ____ Other preferred title_________________________________

Retiree’s Name: ___________________________________________________________________________

^{last first middle}

Spouse’s Name: ___________________________________________________________________________

^{last first middle}

Address: _______________________________________________________________________________

^{number and street}

_______________________________________________________________________________________

^{city state zip}

Home Phone (please include area code): _________________________ Office Phone:_________________

E-mail address: _________________________________________________________________

Former Department: _____________________________________________________________

MAIL TO:

UT HUMAN RESOURCES EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

SUITE 232, CONFERENCE CENTER BLDG., KNOXVILLE, TN 37996-4125

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