Merry Christmas!

Can it possibly be?

Christmas is only 13 days away?

Where has the time gone?

To borrow from the world’s most famous author, Anonymous, Thanksgiving has passed and the last of the turkey has (finally) disappeared. The expanded edition of Black Friday is over, although the scent of pepper spray lingers in the air. The Super-Sized version of Cyber Monday went by more quietly, but some detect the scent of scorched plastic drifting through Ethernet connections. Locally we’ve also had our first official snowfall of the year.  It was not enough for purists, but more than enough for those Florida-bound.  Despite all the issues and concerns, what better time of the year could there be?

December is a month of parties, events, and festivities. It is hard to resist being included in gatherings in our community, with family, and within our various social groups. Culminating with New Year’s Eve celebrations, December is probably the brightest month of the year. Each community has special displays and programs, Nativity scenes and services. Even if you enjoy the bustle of the season, these are a great way to relax, recharge, and reconnect with the things most meaningful during the holidays. Don’t know where any of these might be? Just ask your family or neighbors! Chances are they will point you in the right direction.

We’ve been told that many of our number were able to take advantage of MCI’s “Holiday Happening” meal on December 5^th.  We appreciate Warden Bunting’s invitation, and have been assured others will follow. 

One invitation that has already been announced to those who attended the “Holiday Happening” involves the Wander Inn.  For a variety of reasons, several years ago MCI closed the staff dining area, affectionately known as the ODR.  The Red Cross, learning of the situation, made a commitment to address this.  In a display of joint cooperation the Wander Inn was created.  Operating from the former ODR, it serves lunches from 10:30am to noon on weekdays.  Prices are similar to those found in the local community, so those remembering the days of the 15 cent honor system would normally need to take a deep breath. 

Not this time!

Warden Bunting has extended an offer to all MCI retirees of a free lunch the first Wednesday of each month.  All that is needed is to call the Warden’s Office no later than the working day before to have your name added to the gate pass (740-382-5781, extension #2210).  On your initial visit they will prepare an MCI Retiree badge for you, eliminating the need for gate passes for future “free lunch” days.  A better offer than this will be hard to find.

In keeping with the season, there are a few dates to mark on your calendar:

December 25, 2012. Christmas. 

December 31, 2012.  New Year’s Eve. 

It’s not too late to select a Designated Driver!

January 1, 2013. New Year’s Day.  The day when the resolutions meet the treadmill.  Or not.

May 7, 2013 @ noon.  Our twice annual MCI Retiree’s Luncheon, at Ryan’s.

To close, we have a lesson to share gained from years of watching bowl games:

Pace yourself!

Have a happy holiday and a wonderful new year.

Robert Ferguson, President

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MCI Holiday Happening Meal

Just like your favorite local TV station, we have

“Breaking News”

On Wednesday, December 5^th, the MCI Employee Activity Committee is sponsoring a “Holiday Happening” meal.  It will be in the MCI Chapel starting at 11am.  All MCI retirees are invited as guests of Warden Bunting.  Those able to attend will need to call the Warden’s Office to have your name included on the gate pass:  (740) 382-5781, extension 2210.  If at all possible, please call before the afternoon of December 4^th.  Those attending should arrive at the A-Building by 10:30am on the 5th for processing.

We know this is short notice, but it is a free meal!  Please share this information with other retirees you know so all who are interested can have the opportunity to attend.

Robert Ferguson, President

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Welcome to Summer!

It seems like summer actually arrived in March with a round of 90 degree temperatures that eventually settled into the 80’s.  There have been temporary dips back into the 70’s, but warm weather seems to be here to stay.  As example, highs for later this week are forecast to be near 100 degrees.  Despite all this, one sobering image allows us to place this in a proper perspective:  One year from today little ones will be ripping open presents while hoping that we truly had a white Christmas.

Although some of our regulars were unable to make it, our luncheon in May was among our best attended.  For those who were able to make it, great!  For those who didn’t, schedules are like that.  As we’ve all learned, being retired doesn’t make you immune from schedules, your time just fills with different things.

While we are talking about schedules, mark your calendars now.  The next one is on Tuesday, September 4th, at noon. We have again reserved the meeting area of Ryan’s in Marion. Make your plans accordingly.

Speaking of summer, last year we posted Anna Lætitia Barbauld’s Ode to Spring.  That resulted in such positive comments it seemed to be an appropriate time to advance our focus.  Below is an offering from Shaliss Hassell, appropriately titled Ode to Summer. 

As summer knocks upon my door
my heart is lit with glee.
Nostalgic are the smell of barbeques,
blossoming honey suckle and lemon iced tea.
Cocoa-buttered skin
warmed by the summer sun
make me think of block parties
and super soaker guns.
Taking me back to times before
when I wished the sun would never set…
with family on road trips to Carolina
asking “Are we there yet??”
We laughed out loud with heads tilted back
and ran with the wind like birds…
climbing the sturdy limbs of trees
believing we were squirrels.
Laying in the grass
looking up to the sky
Seeing “Wild Things” in the clouds
and flying kites.
At that age
not thinking about the past
just listening for the ice cream man
and happy to be free of class.
Jumping fences
and breaking rules…
in that summer heat
any pool would do.
Make-shift picnics
in the backyard…
Riding bikes, hands free, down hilly streets
didn’t matter how far.
Hopscotch, freeze tag, Mother May I, hide-n-seek…
Holding our breath under water
to see who’d beat.
I loved those days of yours, Dear Summer…
they never seemed to grow stale…
and even as the years go by
the excitement never fails.

For those desiring additional information on this artist, check this web site:  http://shalissmonethassell.wordpress.com/about/

See you in September!

Robert Ferguson, President

So that was winter?

We know, we know. It is too soon to think about such things. Spring actually starts on March 20^th at 1:14am. Even after that it is too soon to declare that winter is over. Some of our older friends remember horrendous snows in April. One shared a story from his grandmother, who recalled that snow flurries made an appearance the morning of an Independence Day parade in the early 1900’s. No matter how you view it, spring is on the way. Daylight savings time has kicked in, and actual daylight is increasing at the rate of 2 minutes 40+ seconds per day. As this is being written the forecast is for a high of 79 degrees, with sunny skies. Lest we forget, February last year saw the worst snow of the winter, followed in March by the worst flooding to hit our area since 1963. Like winter, even spring has its challenges.

Mark your calendars!

As spring approaches, it is time to mark your calendars for our twice-annual luncheon. The next one is on Tuesday, May 1st, at noon. We have again reserved the meeting area of Ryan’s in Marion. Make your plans accordingly.


Over the years we have tried to notify as many retirees as possible, but find we don’t always have an address, either postal or email, to send a card. If you know of someone we’ve missed, let us know their contact information. Or, better yet, bring them along! There is no membership initiation process, no dues to pay, and no high-pressure presentations. We concentrate on pleasant conversation over lunch with former co-workers, afterwards going our separate ways until we repeat the process in September. If you know how we could make it a better deal, let us know!



See you on May 1st!

Robert Ferguson, President

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