Marie Bristol, Julane Williams, Betty Moore, Keith Pellham, Teri Hall, Ida Mae Huse, Norma Stillings, Kay Transano, Virginia Parsley, Eva Painter, Ruth Evans and the guest, David Norman had lunch November 8 at the Pizza Hut in Ava.
Marie Bristol welcomed everyone. Norma Stillings gave the invocation before the lunch. David Norman brought a program on why woman live longer than men.
The life expectancy for white women is 80 years while the life expectancy for white men is 75 years. There are factors that effect life expectancy such as heredity, the standard of living and the availability of healthcare.
The leading causes of death for women are heart disease, cancer, stroke, pneumonia/flu, and COPD. Some of the controllable factors that increase the risk for those diseases are smoking and drinking. Traditionally men were more likely to smoke and drink.
Those factors aside, women are more flexible and resilient. Women are more likely to make social connections. She is more likely to have yearly check-up and she takes more medications. 55% of prescriptions are for women compared to 45% for men. Women may just be tougher, but for whatever reason, it seems that they do live longer.
Men are more aggressive rigid, not as likely to make those warm-fuzzy connections. Men are less likely to go to doctors. Men have more accidents, more homicides, and suicides. Retirement can take a man out of his place of fulfillment. His feeling of worth may be tied to his job. Some men may go back to work during retirement for that reason.
The minutes and treasurer’s reports were approved as presented.
Marie announced that the Legislative Day in Jefferson City sponsored by Missouri Retired Teachers Association and Other School personnel will be February 14, 2012. A bus will be leaving from Sam’s Club parking lot and making a stop in Lebanon. The cost for the bus is $10 and people planning to go will need to register by February 1.
Marie also discussed MRTA membership goals for 2012. Membership Dues for MRTA and RTA are now payable. The group voted to pay the cost of postage for a mailing to RTA members who have not paid dues yet. Marie also reminded the members to keep their community service hours and report on them at the December RTA meeting.
The December Douglas and Ozark Counties RTA meeting will be December 13 at the Pizza Hut. Christmas music will be presented by Ava High School Students and Ava R-1 Superintendent Dr. Wilson will be speaking concerning changes coming in the 2012 school year.
