Seaside Beach Bridgeport, CT

Bits and Pieces…

Teachers’ Retirement Board Approves New Insurance Contracts for 2026-2028.  Read about it in the August  Newsletter …                                

Dues—Did you know your dues help us in many ways? It should come as no surprise that all costs have gone up, so if you’re an annual dues-paying member, please send your $20 dues for 2025-2026 by September 1. Also remember to keep Ann Block and informed of any changes in addresses, etc.

Come Join Us in September!

September 18, 2025 Meeting

Hi Members:

Looking forward to seeing you all on Thursday, September 18 at 10:30 a.m. Tashua Knolls in Trumbull. The theme of the September meeting is “Oh, the Stories We Can Tell” from our teaching experiences (a special compliment to Deborah McNeill for the great idea). Tables will be set up to focus on the following topics and will be facilitated by one of the members.

  • Most memorable colleague

  • Most memorable student

  • Most memorable thing that ever happened while teaching

  • Best advice received during my first/last year of teaching

  • Best gift received during my teaching career

  • Funniest thing that ever happened while learning

  • What I learned from my students

  • A time when I totally misunderstood a class but came to love the students despite of it

If you could bring in a photo of yourself during your teaching career, that would be great. The photos will be posted at the meeting as “Guess who?”

Also, Robyn Proto is collecting donations to the Mercy Learning Center, which serves women in the greater Bridgeport area by helping them learn English, strengthen their skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, earn a high school diploma, and work toward U.S. citizenship. Many of these women face challenges such as access to quality child care and family support. To address this, MLC provides accredited child care and free preschool, a food and diaper pantry, emergency financial assistance, college and career counseling, and referrals for medical and legal support.

The GBRTA is collecting monetary donations and gift cards to help provide holiday gifts for the children of these hardworking students. Your generosity can help ensure these families experience the joy of the season while their mothers continue their courageous pursuit of education.

It would be greatly appreciated if you could bring your donations to the September 18 meeting since we will not meet again until December.

  • Cash donations are welcome

  • Checks should be made payable to: The Mercy Learning Center

If you cannot attend the meeting, you may also mail your donation directly to Robyn Proto, 2090 CutspringRoad, Stratford, CT 06614 who will deliver them to the Mercy Learning Center in late November/

Thank you.

Kathy Rubano, Correspondence Secretary

From the President:

Musings from Mary Ellen

Welcome to late summer and early fall!  I hope that you have enjoyed some type of “retreat” this summer, so that you feel refreshed.  I find that traveling to a vacation spot or reading an interesting book rejuvenates me, as well as relaxes me. Below is the first stanza of one of my favorite poems about an Irish island where the poet, William Butler Yeats, found solace:

The Lake Isle of Innisfree
William Butler Yeats

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,

And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;

Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee,

And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

Copyright Credit: W.B. Yeats, “The Lake Isle of Innisfree" from The Wanderings of Oisin and Other Poems. (London: Kagan Paul, Trench and Co., 1889.) Public domain.

In the fall, we don’t have to begin the routine of getting up early and driving to schools; instead, as retired teachers, we have choices to fill up our days: volunteer in our community, visit friends and family, work part-time, …the list goes on and on.  What is important is to keep moving and keep socializing.  GBRTA officers and board members have planned the four luncheons for the coming year, the first one taking place on Thursday, September 18th.  All the dates and details are in this newsletter.  Mark your calendars now.  Make the effort to connect with other retired teachers. 

 Dues for this coming year have a deadline as well.  Please check the information on dues so that you can help the association financially in their efforts to provide relevant information, stimulating speakers at the luncheons, and other activities to keep you active and your days filled. 

Enjoy the rest of the summer, and I hope to see you at the fall luncheon on the 18th,

Mary Ellen

 

2025-2026 Board Meetings and Luncheons

  • Our next meeting/luncheon is Thursday, September 18th, 2025

    The GBRTA Luncheon will take place at Tashua Knolls, 40 Tashua Knolls Lane, Trumbull, CT.

    See the MEETINGS page for details and to make reservations.

Officers

President: Mary Ellen Minichiello

First Vice-president: Deborah McNeill

Second Vice-president: Rose Marie D’Aquila

Corresponding Secretary: Kathy Rubano

Recording Secretary: Sheena Graham

Treasurer: Rosemary Seaman

See the entire list & contact info…

Committee Members

Communications and Newsletter: Pat DeCoster

Community Outreach: Robyn Proto

Finance:

Legislative Issues: Rita McDougald-Campbell and Marie Petitti

Lunch: Sandra Petrucelli-Carbone and Ann Block

Member Services: Marie Reshenk

Membership: Ann Block

Scholarship: Kathy Chimini

See the entire list & contact info…

  • Chalkboard

    Membership

    All retired teachers who reside in or have taught in the Greater Bridgeport Area, which includes Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Milford, Monroe, Shelton, Stratford and Trumbull, and who receive pensions from the State of Connecticut are eligible for membership in the organization.

    If you have had a change in your phone number, e-mail or street address (including a zip code change), or have questions about your dues or membership status, please contact: Ann Block

    Download the application

  • Medical Symbol

    Member Services

    If you know of any member who is hospitalized, homebound, or shut in, please notify

    Marie (Cookie) Reshenk

    In addition, “The Fund” may be able to assist members in need for their well-being and comfort.

  • Opportunities

    Many members stay active by volunteering at local centers. Check out the various volunteering opportunities and on-going projects that need your help! Check out the volunteer opportunities!

Important Resources