Pioneers of RG&E Newsletter - 02/26/2023

 

 Hello 2023!

    How is everyone? Long time no talk. 

    Kevin and I made it to South Carolina, moved down formally/fully the week of Thanksgiving. We unpacked at a super speed and are mostly settled in, and found lots of little projects to do. It did freeze down here the week of Christmas and we had some broken pipes outside by the dock - fun things to figure out with a new house - like, where does the water come from? Where do they hide their shutoffs?! 

    But, all is good. We are looking forward to Spring/Summer and getting out on the lake to enjoy some lake life. There are so many birds to watch, including bald eagles and osprey. We have a lot of house finches that sit on our deck railing. The birds sing every morning at sun rise (and let me know it is time to get to work!). There are deer that show up periodically on the road and I've even seen a couple of armadillos! It has been fun to see what new things a new place has. So far, the weather has been awesome, large swings from night to day - but this week and the past week it is 70 + degrees. I think it is unseasonably warm right now. 

Yours,

Molly

Pioneers Picnic

    I was able to book Barnard again. Save the date for the picnic - August 3, 2023. I'm going to have to figure out some logistics, but we'll make it work. 

    If anyone wants to take over the picnic, please let me know! I'll see how it goes this year - we'll have to shorten up our timeline for sending in checks and handling headcount for me to do this remotely. And worse case if I can't make it, I'll need someone to handle nametags on that day...

People (aka the living!)

Please send me things to publish!

Retirements -

Patty Gatti

Jerry O'Connor

Hot Topics from the Facebook group "RG&E Pioneer's Club"

There is a very active Facebook group that you should consider joining if you aren't on it, I think the reach there is much more than this newsletter! 

Here are some discussion highlights/topics - 

• They post obituaries and deaths
• They vent about changes at RG&E
• Dorothy Tyler retired from the Corporate Department at age 56; she’s now 100! (post from Nov 2022, she looks good!)
• Lots of chatter about the RG&E billing issues
• Russell Station retirees get together on some Wednesdays for breakfast
• There are posts about accounts, benefits, phone number questions
• There are posts with pictures - some old memories, excerpts from old RG&E publications, xmas cards, etc.

Obits

[Not necessarily in order. Sourced from Facebook posts, Legacy online obituary notifications and emails to MJ]

Mary Mattle

Howard William Shea

Barbara A. Donish

William Rugenstein

Carmen Vitali

Gordon Milan Neal

Michael P. Molinari 

Thomas A. DiTucci

Edward L. Martin

Deborah A. Piperni (Dye)

Phyllis R. Kane

Robert A. Eisenberg

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Pioneers of RG&E Newsletter - 10/10/2022

 Hello there!

    How is everyone? It has been a busy summer over here. It was nice to see everyone at the picnic this year. 

    Lots of things going on in my world - we're still working our way down to South Carolina, we had a bunch of things already planned throughout the summer and now I finally have a moment to plan a move. Mover estimates this coming week hopefully.

    In the meantime, Kevin had his open heart surgery mid-August. The trigger was pulled quickly after a surgical consult - we had the consult on a Tuesday and the surgeon said "how's Friday?"!! We did wait until the following week, but it was a whirlwind. Kevin has bicuspid aortic valve that has been deteriorating and an ascending aortic aneurysm that has been getting larger. This was a situation we have been monitoring for the last 8 years, and we probably should have had the surgery last year, but I'm SUPER happy that it is over and done with. He was a stellar patient and has recovered in record time! My superman...I love him so much!

    We've been down to our new house a few times, prepping things like wifi and working on a furniture plan and unpacking stuff we did bring down. Next time down for me should be the big move. Targeting mid-November, but since we're flexible I'm going to see what is convenient for the moving company. 

    I'm excited and nervous to move, I've never left WNY before, but timing is good and Lake Murray is beautiful. I think it will be good for the soul. The last 5 years of my life have been insane with enough major life changing events. I like to summarize it like this - I turned 40, my dad died the next week and left a 2-year clean up project of properties, I discovered I had BRCA1, which led to multiple surgeries, then we bought a house, Kevin had major open heart surgery, and now we are moving. Whew, I'm ready for a break (right after I get a mole checked out, haha). 

    I hope that SC is going to be that break, but it will take a while to settle in, unpack, maneuver through the house, keep up with my job, and do all those fun relocate things like changing address everywhere, find new doctors and get used to driving more for anything you want. We're about 20-25 minutes from town and about 45-55 minutes outside of Columbia, SC. I'm looking forward to the slow down and minimally the view of the lake!

    Ok, well enough about me! I hope that you are all doing well and ready for Fall. 

Yours,
Molly

Pioneers Picnic

    This year's event was about 190 people. It was warm, but still a good turnout. I already packed away my notes and stuff!

See pictures: Pioneers Picnic 2022 Pictures

    I'm not sure we'll be able to keep this up - we'll have to work on a plan for next year. Barnard/Forest Hill is fighting over a lease agreement, so we may need to consider other locations. Plus with my move to SC, this will be more difficult to manage, so we'll have to see how the new year rolls in. 

People (aka the living!)

Please send me things to publish!

To share:

Molly, 

As I had mentioned to you at the picnic, I would like to pass on the following. 

One of our fellow co-workers is now a resident of The Landing, a nursing home in Brighton on Westfall Rd. just west of Winton Rd.

He is Anton "Jim" Richmond who worked in Electric Distribution Engineering involved with Joint facilities. I believe he retired in the late 1990's.

Many are probably unaware that Jim is a WW-2 veteran. He was raised in the Quaker Church in Pumpkin Hook, Town of Farmington.  

Right after his 18th birthday he was drafted into the Army and as a Quaker sent to the Army Medic training school. 

Following his training in late 1944 he was shipped to the Pacific and assigned to the 33rd Infantry Division who had been assigned the task of pushing the Japanese out of the Philippine Island of Luzon. Assigned as a combat medic he was wounded in early June 1945 and spent six months in hospitals recovering and being discharged after Japan's surrender in August 1945.

He is the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart. 

Jim just celebrated his 96th birthday in May. He has a daughter in California and son in Canada.

I would like to encourage any of you who remember him to stop in, I know he would be happy to see you.

-Harry Standhart, Electric Distribution Engineering and T&D Lines.

Obits

[Not necessarily in order. Sourced from Facebook posts, Legacy online obituary notifications and emails to MJ]

Howard William Shea

Gregory T. Schmitt

Thomas F. Romeo

Frederick A. Ripley

Paul A. Perry

Patrick M. Tanner

Kathy (Kathleen) G. Burton

Timothy J Crawford

Tony DiPasquale (no info)

Bruce Warren Riker

John R. Hurrin

Kevin Woolever (Friday, no info yet)

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Pioneers of RG&E Newsletter - 06/05/2022

 Greetings!

    Today brings thoughts of the Pioneer Picnic - details below. What a beautiful weather weekend we've had here. I'll be looking for voluteers for the future picnics - and if anyone wants to take it over, let me know! If not, I should still be able to manage most of it remotely because...

    Kevin and I spent most of May down in South Carolina with the goal of house hunting - and we found one! A beautiful place down on Lake Murray (just west of Columbia, SC). Not sure when/how we'll be moving just yet, but the exciting transition is coming. We also both managed to pick up Covid down there, I think a friend brought it from Rochester when visiting and it catches on quicker these days. It was mostly a long weekend of a minor head cold, but I had this swimmy head feeling and headaches that seemed to continue for another week. Minor congestion still remains. 

Warmest regards,

Molly 

 

PIONEER PICNIC - AUGUST 4TH, 2022

Barnard Exempt Party House, 360 Maiden Lane

11:00 AM to 4:00 PM; food available from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM;

Cash beverages and cash bar

$17 per person

Please pay in advance by Friday, July 15th, 2022:

Make check out to “PIONEERS OF RG&E”

Please include names of attendees and Mail to:

Molly Johnston
51 Chautauqua Drive
Rochester, NY 14623

You do not need to reply if you are not attending

• Please verify your mailing address - if your check and envelope show different addresses, let me know which is correct to use.
• Sign up for news and updates at www.pioneersofrge.com or within any newsletter. Preferences and sign up forms are at the bottom of each newsletter.
• If you do NOT want to receive any future picnic postcards, or have an address to update please let me know.  
• Walk-ins are discouraged, but ok to attend. 
• Please support us with the purchase of a ticket if you plan on coming, even if you are not eating. 
• If you would like to attend and this is a financial burden, please let me know.
• Please pick up your nametag for the event when you arrive and return it at the end of the event!

See you there!

PEOPLE

Here are some things from Facebook - posted on the RG&E Pioneer's Club site.

OBITUARIES

[Not necessarily in order. Sourced from Facebook posts, Legacy online obituary notifications and emails to MJ]

Walter Luis Tono (Ginna, noted last time, here is the obit)

Kenneth J. Schneiter

Anthony Dell'Anno

Michael Loucks

David A. Beechey

Thomas F. Romeo

Pioneers of RG&E Newsletter - 04/25/2021

 

A Newsletter for Retirees and Friends of RG&E Hello friends, Happy 2021! I hope that everyone is doing well. Are you staying healthy? I expect that most of you are vaccinated by now? If you are still nervous about getting the vaccine, consider that there are now 226 million people in the US with at least their first dose, and very minimal adverse effects! Please get vaccinated. Monroe County has now fully opened up the vaccination sites with no registration required - meaning you can walk-in and get a vaccine. 16 and older are currently eligible in NYS. The Monroe County site is here: https://www.monroecounty.gov/health-covid19-vaccine. Our positivity rates are still high, so the quicker we get through this the quicker we can get back to normal hopefully! Speaking of, I’d like to know how you feel about the Picnic for this year… I think by then things will be much more opened up and since our picnic is outside our risk is on the lower side. But since most of you are likely in the high risk group, I think it will be up to you to decide. Please take the anonymous survey by clicking the link below. It is just a Yes/No survey, and you can leave a comment if desired. Please only take the survey once: PIONEER PICNIC SURVEY Thank you, Molly ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PS - For those of you on Facebook - our group is HERE. Don't forget these newsletters are also posted at www.pioneersofrge.com The old Pioneers site is active here: https://www.dynrec.com/thepioneersclub.org/index.html March Picnic I heard there was a March 8th picnic, but didn’t hear any details - got some awfully sad news from the Klein’s - “I am so sorry Jack and I couldn't make the picnic. We had to fly to Rochester March 3rd and have just returned this week. Our son, Leo, fell and had a head injury. He was bleeding internally and in Strong hospital. When we arrived he was in a coma and never woke up. Leo passed March 4th with Jack, me and our daughter at his side. We had his children on the laptop to say their goodbyes. The nurses were so nice to cover all the cords so the children wouldn't see all the cords. Leo is at peace and in heaven with our families. We will find peace through all our friends and family. Were there many people at the picnic? Shall we do it again next year? Take care. Hope to hear from some of you. Love, Jack and Christy Klein” Personal Updates Rick Meier, formerly Corporate Communications, moved to Phoenix, Arizona in December 2019. All of our children had moved to Phoenix and with the arrival of two grandsons in 2019, staying in Western New York wasn't where Angela and I wanted to be. We took four days to drive across the country. Stopped to have my picture taken "standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona..." Playing some golf. Hiking in the deserts. Enjoying the grandsons and family. Recent Avangrid Phone Numbers: 1-855-577-4237 (Benefits Center) 1-833-246-6347 (One HR) Obits From Legacy notifications: John William "Jack" Klemmer Lorenzo F. Aloisio Monica Krenzer Giles Jane Hysner Trula Elizabeth Thompson Richard Michael (Bumpa) Sheehan Eugene R. Porter Joseph F. Sudore Roseanna B. Tait James "Jimmy" Quadd Paul J. Knipper From Facebook posts: Angelo J. "Jake" Cocuzzi Carol H. Laniak - Dave Laniak’s wife Robert F. Guelzow Bernard Pezzimenti Lester (Bud) J. Fischer From an email from Karen Baker: A special rememberance for Julie Baker from Ginna, who was murdered last year. The man accused was convicted on Friday. https://13wham.com/news/local/verdict-reached-in-william-fricke-trial Copyright (C) 2021 Pioneers of RG&E. All rights reserved. Update Preferences | Unsubscribe

Pioneers of RG&E Newsletter - 12/05/2020

 

A Newsletter for Retirees * Also posted at www.pioneersofrge.com Hello friends,    I hope you are continuing to stay healthy and taking the appropriate precautions to keep you safe. 2020 has been quite the year for everyone.     In my own journey, I had the preventative mastectomies on 8/31 and am feeling pretty much back to normal at this point, with some residual healing that is still taking place. I've captured my journey here for those of you following me.     We actually have a few things within this newsletter, so grab your favorite beverage and enjoy!    I wish you the best for your holiday season and hope for a refreshing 2021 that allows us to get together again.  Best regards, Molly ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PS - For those of you on Facebook - our group is HERE.  Don't forget these newsletters are also posted at www.pioneersofrge.com The old Pioneers site is active here:  https://www.dynrec.com/thepioneersclub.org/index.html Ed Messmer and Family - could use some support "Nearly 3 years have passed since our good friend and co-worker, Ed Messmer suffered a debilitating stroke.  It has been a long, hard road for both him and his family as they face the challenges of even day to day tasks.  Ed’s progress has been slow, but considering the severity of his stroke, he has come a long way. With the help and support of his loving family, wife Debbie and daughters Nicole and Katie, Ed continues to improve. On November 28th the Messmer family suffered another tragedy.  Their home caught fire and has been deemed un-inhabitable.  The family is looking to rehab/rebuild what they can, but this will take months.  Most items in their home have been damaged if not completely destroyed.  Thankfully, they have been able to find temporary housing and start the healing/rebuilding process.  We are hoping to help the Messmer family in any way we can to get through this difficult time, especially during the holiday season.  Thank you for taking the time to read this posting and for continued prayers and support for their family. Any contributions will be greatly appreciated by this gracious family." Please click HERE for donation information. Special thanks to Melissa Enright and Victor Novello for putting this together for them.  [OR if you feel more comfortable writing a check to Pioneers of RG&E (send to 51 Chautauqua Dr, Rochester 14623, put Ed Messmer in the memo), I'd be happy to make the online donation on your behalf.] Veterans Day Ceremony Was canceled this year since there was not a Covid-19 vaccine, or a cure.  However, we look forward to the possibility of holding a 2021 Memorial Day Ceremony, next Spring. "Picnic" pictures If you recall, in the last newsletter Jeff Trost suggested you send some pics in lieu of the picnic we couldn't have. Below is what I received - from left to right - Gary Graus and Bob McGraw, Tom Raisbeck, Jeff Trost, Dave Whitlock. Roger Kober  I suspect many of you have received a letter in the mail from lawyers regarding Roger Kober and the search for people that knew him.  The information I received is that he passed away from mesothelioma and they are looking for information about companies that supplied asbestos to RG&E. If you wanted to share anything regarding that, the lawyer is Joe Belluck, his number is (917)-204-2544 and his email is jbelluck@belluckfox.com.  A note from Bob Eisenburg (anyone interested in Dodger history?) "We have moved again and are downsizing.  I have a couple of Bankers boxes of  Brooklyn Dodger history.  "The Dodgers and Me", by  Leo Durocher ; Branch Rickey's "Little Blue Book"; of course "The Boys of Summer", Roger Kahn and "Bum's",  Peter Golenbock.  There are others including Duke Snider story, Jackie Robinson, Sandy Koufax and maybe "Wait Till Next Year' Doris Kearns Goodwin.  There are also Dodger Blue Books and a complete set of Tot Holmes "Dugout" monthly's.  I tried to contact the local SABR group; but never found a contact.  Kevin Thompson, although a Yankee fan (Dodgers and Yankees are the water and oil of baseball) may know a Dodger fan who needs a boost for his archive.  For nearly fifteen years the Dodgers made the Yankees look good.  In any event please let him know I remember Maria and him fondly, although I would have caught the fly ball he hit to the wall during our last game; but my astigmatism was taking control." ~~~~~~~ Let me know and I'll put you in touch - Molly A bit of RG&E History I received an email from Dr. Pierce at U of R - has a bit of history for all of us! "Molly, I have collected some information on the RG&E steam system which I have put on line at: www.waterworkshistory.us/NY/Rochester/steam.htm I have made use of many of the old newsletter and yearbooks your have posted, many thanks for those! Feel free to share this link with others. I am also working on an article on the steam system for the Rochester History journal and will be given a presentation on it at the Rochester Central Library sometime in April. I also have some information on the RG&E electric system at: http://www.waterworkshistory.us/NY/Rochester/history.htm#elec   Thanks Morris A. Pierce, PhD Department of History University of Rochester" YOU! I would LOVE to share pics of you or letters with updates if you want to share your lives. It is SO nice to be able to publish something other that obituaries - wouldn't you all like to hear about each other instead of who died? I'd rather post current life updates...Click HERE to share something for the next newsletter - a small paragraph of your status, location and what you are enjoying would be nice! (Please make it clear if there is something you don't want me to post). Thanks! Obits (Click names to see obituary) Not in any particular order Note that most of the ones without obit links, I'm finding out from the Facebook group posts.  Leonard G. Whitcraft (Mike Whitcraft's dad - Mike says HI to everyone) Robert Joseph DeSeyn Wilbert L. Burns Arthur Ernest (Ernie) Lynn Patricia Werner Leroy W. Brown John P. Haschmann Joseph F. Magro Harry J. Sowles Sandra Lee Hutchinson David D. Horton Frederick S. "Fritz" Tytler Robert Calus (did not see an obituary, his family posted on Facebook) -  The family of Robert Calus would like to share that Bob peacefully passed away this morning at home. We appreciate all of your well wishes and in lieu of flowers, please donate to The Irondequoit Community Cupboard: ICC c/o Debbi Evans PO Box 17834 Rochester, NY 14617    From our friends at Ginna Jason James Davis William I. "Bill" Schipper Eugene Francis Palmer Jr Arthur Morris June E. Anderson   Newsletter & User Maintenance: Unsubscribe Update Profile - help us collect retiree info! Subscribe Contact: molly@pioneersofrge.com / pioneersofrge@gmail.com   Share Tweet Forward Copyright © 2020 Pioneers of RG&E, All rights reserved.

Pioneers of RG&E Newsletter - 08/02/2020

A Newsletter for Retirees * Also posted at www.pioneersofrge.com Hello friends,    I hope you are staying healthy and taking the appropriate precautions to keep you safe.     This week would have been our 82nd annual Pioneer Picnic! Unfortunately, it was decided to cancel this year's picnic due to the risks of Covid-19. I did have a couple inquiries about it, and Barnard would have let us have it, but our group is considered high-risk and it is probably best not to put us all in a situation that is inadvisable by health officials. I also took a poll with the group on Facebook and a large percentage also agreed it is not worth it.    And in response to that Jeff Trost says "I say every retiree should submit a picture of them with a beer and a hot dog the week of the picnic." - Hahaha, so if you guys want to do that, email me a pic and I'll figure out how to put something together and share it in the next newsletter! Best regards, Molly PS - For those of you on Facebook - our group is HERE.  Don't forget these newsletters are also posted at www.pioneersofrge.com The old Pioneers site is active here:  https://www.dynrec.com/thepioneersclub.org/index.html From Heinz Kepplinger - Bit of RG&E news.[...]   Roland Lee turned 90 on June 11. He is retired from Distribution Engineering, and was a lineman before that.[...]The attached photo shows Roland in the middle flanked by Ron Weber and Nick Karp. Also in attendence were Ron Reitz and Heinz Kepplinger. Retirement After 47 years of service, Bill Meyers (Substation Operations) has finally decided to officially retire! Obits (Click names to see obituary) Not in any particular order Note that most of the ones without obit links, I'm finding out from the Facebook group posts.  Robert E. Wood (found obit, was listed in last newsletter, Ginna) John A. Cavaleri Arthur T. Buss Donn E. Schroeder Charles "Chuck" Yatteau (this guy wasn't from RG&E, but because his obit mentions it in one of his "sayings", it is cute to read. Plus his description reminds me of you guys!) Natalie A. Slocum (Ginna) Robert A. "Bob" LaMonica   Newsletter & User Maintenance: Unsubscribe Update Profile - help us collect retiree info! Subscribe Contact: molly@pioneersofrge.com / info@pioneersofrge.com   Share Tweet Forward Copyright © 2020 Pioneers of RG&E, All rights reserved.