Tennessee Retired Teachers' Association

The WCRTA met on October 4th at the shelter at Burgess Falls State Park. Members enjoyed a loaded-potato bar luncheon provided by the nearby Chestnut Oaks Farm Store and Kitchen. The meal was sponsored by State Farm Agent Jared Howard, who attended the meeting with his lovely wife. Ranger Blaine was the guest speaker and shared all the upgrades and opportunities for leisure activities at the park. Always a special occurrence, Mrs. Mabel Moore, our 96-year-old chapter icon, was in attendance.  A short business meeting concluded the gathering.

In August, WCRTA members donated over $1000 for its annual "Love a Rookie Teacher" project, using the money to create uplifting gifts for first-time teachers straight out of college.

Rookies have to work almost six weeks without a paycheck, so retirees made sure rookies received money bouquets for food and gas, a coffee and soup mug, packets of soup, a soup spoon, and plenty of candy. 

These were delivered to rookies at each school by WCRTA members on September 5th to help them get through the final two weeks until payday, and this year there were 24 rookies in the White County School System, a record! Here are just a few of the smiles!

November 2--President Diane Cozart called the Wilson County RTA meeting to order. The Rutland Place Singers began the morning with a beautiful rendition of "God Bless America." The prayer and morning devotion was given by Nancy James.

TRTA Executive Director Dr. Duran Williams provided an update from the state office, a legislative outlook, and information about the October regional meetings. Betty Anderson - secretary for WCRTA - gave a meeting minutes report for the October 5th meeting.

WCRTA has a " Books from Birth" (connected to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library campaign) each year. The members bring in books and make donations to the program. They raised over $1,000 last year through donations for this important program! 

WCRTA also takes donations for the Wilson County Family Resource Center (last month donations were raised for the Lebanon Family Resource Center). The committee chairpersons provided reports on their recent activities. 

WCRTA currently has 104 members.  The members enjoyed a delicious lunch of chicken salad, fruit medley, and chocolate chip cookies.

The December 2nd meeting and Christmas luncheon will be at the First Church of the Nazarene in Lebanon.

October 5th--The Wilson Co RTA met at The Arcade Square on Lebanon Square. President Diane Cozart conducted the meeting. The devotional was read by member Fran Massey. Hal Bone, Kevin Carr, and Jill Wagner representing Bone and Associates were the guest speakers. They provided updates and fielded questions about Senior Living and Options. 

Sept. 7 – Wilson Co. RTA met at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Mt. Juliet for its first meeting of the new year with good attendance! All WCRTA committees provided a report. --Diane Cozart reporting.