MCI’s Holiday Happening!

MCI has scheduled their Holiday Happening for Wednesday, December 17^th at 11am.  The event will be held in the Wander Inn, formerly known as the ODR.  Warden Bunting has generously invited us to participate.  There is no set program, just an opportunity to share a free lunch with fellow retirees and former co-workers. 

If you already have your MCI Retiree ID card, all you need to do is bring it and show up at the appointed time.  If you don’t yet have your MCI Retiree ID card, just call Kathy Hamilton in the Warden’s Office.  She will place your name on a gate pass for that day.  You can then enjoy the event, and have an ID made for you after lunch.

Charles Daniel, President

Invitation - 2014 MCI Men’s Conference – “Your Life on Demand”

This morning I received an invitation from Warden Bunting for the male retirees of MCI.  Below is the content of the invitation.  Attached should also be the MS Publisher file containing their poster, plus an MS Word-compatible version.

As noted, please contact Kathy Hamilton to confirm your desire to participate, or if you have any questions about the event.

John Mathew

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Subject:          2014 MCI Men’s Conference – “Your Life on Demand” 

Dear Retirees:

On behalf of the men of MCI, we would like to extend you an invite to attend!   We would be honored to have you.

When:              Friday, October 24, 2014

Time: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Where:            Marion County FOP Lodge

5327 Harding Highway (309)

Caledonia, Ohio

What to Expect:         *  Fun and Fellowship

*  Door Prizes

*  Guest Speakers

*  Campo Brothers & George’s BBQ Provided

*  Potluck

Agenda:

8:00am to 8:30am: Meet/Greet and Opening Remarks (C. Blankenship, G. Blake and J. Skinner)

·         8:30am to 9:00am: Team Building: “Egg Drop” (J. Bunting)

·         9:00am to 9:15am: “Who Am I” (J. Skinner)

·         9:15am to 9:30am: Break

·         9:30am to 10:30am: “Live Well, Take Charge!”  (DAS)

·         10:30am to 11:30am: “Finances 101” (R. Shafer)

·         11:30am to 12:15pm: Lunch (Guy, Lee and George)

·         12:15pm to 12:30pm: “Who Am I” (J. Skinner)

·         12:30pm to 1:30pm: “Personal Self-Care” (M. Bellamy)

·         1:30pm to 2:30pm: “Working from a New Perspective” (Pastor Tim)

·         2:30pm to 2:45pm: Break

·         2:45pm to 3:45pm: “Employee Engagement” (G. Mohr)

·         3:45pm to 4:00pm: Closing Remarks (J. Bunting)

Please confirm your participation with Kathy Hamilton as soon as possible.

Hope to see you.

Sincerely,

Jason Bunting, Warden

The Employee Activity Committee at Marion Correctional has extended an offer to the retirees.  They arranged for a discount at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for Saturday, August 30^th.  The options we may choose from are:

Package #1 - $21.99/pp (a $55 value!)

-  All-day admission to BOTH Zoombezi Bay and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and FREE parking.

- Picnic Lunch: 11:00 a.m.—1:30 p.m.  Hamburger, Hot Dog, Chips, Pasta Salad,

Cookies, Fountain Soda

Package #2 - $32.99/pp (a $75 value!)

- Includes everything in Package #1

- Ride Wristband: Admission to Jungle Jack’s Landing, Zoo rides, and Dinosaur Island

- Souvenir Bottle: Includes free refills day of event!

Please Note:

-This offer can be purchased online only through Wednesday, August 27, 2014

- Tickets available only online through the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium website “Buy Tickets” section and entering a unique promo code for your organization—www.columbuszoo.org

- Tickets will not be offered at the Zoo/Zoombezi Bay for purchase and are subject to space availability

- For operating hours and general information, please call 1-800-MONKEYS

- a promotion code is required to receive the discount.  Email John Mathew at copta2003@yaho.com to receive the promotion code.

Yes, this is the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, but it does represent a significant savings over normal admission prices.  If you occasionally take the grandkids to the Columbus Zoo, this will be considerably cheaper.

We have two additional reminders:

#1 - The first is for our twice-annual MCI Retirees Luncheon at Ryan’s.  The next one will be on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at noon.  Other than paying for your own meal, there is no charge. 

#2 - The second is for the monthly free lunches at MCI’s Wander Inn, which is the current name of the ODR.  Lunches are free for retirees.  Just like when we worked there, the Wander Inn (ODR) closes at noon, so get there early to eat lunch.

**Please note:  The free lunches at MCI are only held

on the first Wednesday of each month.**

 

Charles Daniel, President

Summertime!

Yes, it is warm, but after last winter’s polar vortex, it feels pretty nice. 
We have several things to share, so we’ll start with an event coming up shortly.

Today we were informed that one aspect of MCI’s 60^th Anniversary Observance is scheduled for July 20^th.  Here is the content of their flyer:

MCI Family, Friends & Retirees Tour Day

Staff and Retiree’s are welcome to bring

family and friends to the MCI’s Tour Day.

On Sunday, July 20^th, 2014

From 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. &

4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.

Hot dogs, chips and water will be supplied for staff and guests.

For reservations and questions, please contact:

Lt. Mike Byrd, ext. 2323

Michael.Byrd@odrc.state.oh.us

Marcus McLittle, ext. 2298

Marcus.McLittle@odrc.state.oh.us

This differs slightly from earlier discussions, but represents an opportunity for our friends and families to check out the place we spent much of our lives.  As any current employee can attest, this isn’t the same place we retired from, in many positive ways.  We have been told there will be additional events and activities.  As the schedule is shared with us, we will share it with you.

On Tuesday, September 2, 2014, at noon, we will be gathering at Ryan’s in Marion for our twice-yearly luncheon.  The room is already reserved.  All you are responsible for is attending, and paying for your own lunch.  If you see or talk to other retirees, be sure to let them know about Ryan’s, and about the free lunches at the Wander Inn the first Wednesday of the month.  If you can find a better deal for lunch, let us know!

The process we use to notify retirees of our meetings, activities, and updates will soon be revised.  Our mailing list consists of 156 listings, covering 162 retirees.   Of those, we have email addresses for 51 listings.  The expense of postage and cards for the remaining 105 listings is slightly over $50 per mailing.  We could use your help.  If you have an email address we can use rather than having us mail a postcard, please let us know. 

That’s all we have for now.  Enjoy the warmth of summer, and I’ll see you at the MCI Family, Friends & Retirees Tour Day on the 20th.

Charles Daniel, President

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Spring is here!

Finally.  Not that we’d claim that this was one of the worst winters we’ve had for a while (decades), but it has seemed to drag on forever.  Shortly after my last post we had our first snow of the season, and Ohio has been like an ice cube ever since.  

Despite the weather, we continue to meet at MCI’s Wander Inn the first Wednesday each month.  For those who have not yet taken advantage of this offer, all that is needed is to call the Warden’s Office no later than the working day before.  They add your name to the gate pass (740-382-5781, extension #2210).  On your initial visit PNN will prepare an MCI Retiree badge for you.  When you leave you take this “MCI Retiree” pass with you, eliminating the need for gate passes for future free lunch days.  The lunches are offered the first Wednesday of each month from 10:30am until the Wander Inn closes, around noon. 

Marion Correctional has been working on their 60^th Anniversary observance in 2014.  Responding to our earlier post, many retirees have made available old photos and mementos to be used during MCI’s ceremony.  PNN has been able to reproduce all sorts of photos and documents, returning the originals, and can handle more.  If you have something historical tucked away in drawers, closets, or boxes, let them know.  Those who were present for the 50^th Anniversary observance received a DVD containing the images and videos used during the ceremony.  A similar plan is in place for this event. 

MCI is looking for volunteers to assist during the 60^th Anniversary observance.  Any MCI retirees interested in assisting can make it known by either contacting us by email (mcria43302@yahoo.com), or contacting the Warden’s office (740-382-5781, extension #2210).  All that is needed is your name and contact information.  It is too soon to know specific program details at this point, but they will be shared as they become available.

Our next meeting will be at Ryan’s in Marion, at noon on Tuesday, May 6^th.  We are working to secure a speaker to discuss potential changes to the PERS health insurance plans.  When arrangements are firm we will post details.

An additional issue we will be discussing is the process we use to notify retirees of our meetings, activities, and updates.  Our mailing list consists of 156 listings, covering 162 retirees.   Of those, we have email addresses for 51 listings.  The expense of postage and cards for the remaining 105 listings is slightly over $50 per mailing.  We could use your help.  If you have an email address we can use rather than having us mail a postcard, please let us know.  Since our only revenue source is the donations we receive twice a year at our Ryan’s luncheons, this will help significantly.

That’s all we have for now.  Enjoy the vibrant colors of spring, and I’ll see you at the Wander Inn.

Charles Daniel, President

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