STRSEA Holds Spring Luncheon

The St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association held its annual Spring Luncheon on Thursday, May 9, 2019, with fun, door prizes, and a silent auction which delighted many members with unexpected bargains.

The meeting took place at the Treen Instructional Technology Center in Mandeville, a facility of the St. Tammany Parish Public School System, from which members in attendance had retired. 

Donna Harvin conducted the meeting, welcoming those present and emceeing the presentation of the various officer and committee reports. Bill Brady gave the invocation, Tom Lusignan led the Pledge of Allegiance, and reports were given by Lynn Monteleone, First Vice President; Ron Caruso, treasurer; and Secretary Roxanne Lagarde.  

Jack Loup, legislative chairman

Jack Loup, legislative chairman, and Incoming president Eric Sacks gave a detailed legislative report, particularly on efforts by some state legislators to change the way retirement pensions are funded. They were glad to report that a proposal to move away from the "defined benefits" method of funding pensions had been defeated. 

Here are some pictures of the event:

A representative from Humana was on hand to provide requested information.

The Spring Luncheon began with appetizers, then went on to a delicious fish dinner accompanied by a variety of side dishes brought by members.

Joining his colleagues for lunch was Abita Springs Opry celebrity Bryan Gowland.

A number of donated items were auctioned off to help raise funds for the group's education scholarship fund. The silent auction was first held last year and proved to be one of the group's most popular activities.

Awarding special door prizes was another fun event.

Secretary Roxanne Lagarde, at right, welcomed special guest Rosemary Foster.

Margaret Sharp not only won the "split the pot" drawing....

She also read her monthly Spotlight article, this month's being about  Rodney Thornhill.

The St. Tammany Federal Credit Union not only contributed to the fish dinner for the Spring Luncheon, but it also distributed a number of prizes in its regular drawings held at STRSEA meetings. 

Parked outside the meeting hall was the Credit Union's new mobile office.

Inside

Outside

STRSEA Presents Awards

The top two member recognition awards for 2018-2019 were presented by the St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association Thursday, May 9, at the group's annual Spring Luncheon. 

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Lyn Monteleone, who as served as First Vice President for the past several years. 

Rhonda Chambers, at left, presenting Lyn Monteleone with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Dr. John Foster Service Award went to Ron Caruso, who has served as treasurer of the group for the past several years. 

Caruso, show above at right, was presented the award by Rosemary Foster, wife of the late Dr. John Foster.

Educational Scholarship Awarded

Sara Kreemer, a recent graduate of Slidell High, was awarded this year's educational scholarship by the St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association recently. She will attend Southeastern Louisiana University and major in special education. She is shown receiving a check from Tom Lusignan, scholarship chairman.

She is the daughter of Richard and Margaret Kreemer. 

In Memoriam Ceremony Held

The St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association held its traditional annual "In Memoriam" Ceremony on Thursday, May 9, at the Treen Instructional Technology Center in Mandeville. 

President Donna Harvin conducted the ceremony, with several members helping to place a rose in a special memorial vase, one rose in remembrance of each member who has passed on in the past year.

The names of those being remembered were Carol Aswad, Mary Candiotto, Patricia S. Dickinson, Emma Ruth Dubuisson, Hodge Kiffer, Sheila S. MacArthur, Francis L. Madison, Ollie Fitzmorris McGillivary, Nancy B. Reed, Albert Saucier, and George C. Thomas. 

Spotlight on Rodney Thornhill

by Margaret Sharpe

When I first asked Grover Rodney Thornhill if he would like to be the subject of the next Spotlight on a Retired Educator article, he responded with “Who, me?  I’m just a boring teacher from Sixth Ward!”

Even though I have known Rodney for years in a professional capacity, I assumed from his response that he was indeed from Sixth Ward and had taught there all of his teaching career until his retirement in 2013.  

Well, I was wrong on so many levels!

First, I found out quickly that Rodney does not live in Sixth Ward, and he is not boring!  How could someone whose father worked for an airline and flew his son all over the United States to attend major league baseball games grow up to be boring?  Not your typical father-son weekend outing!

Rodney actually grew up in New Orleans, attended Mater Dolorosa Catholic School, was a Rummel High Raider and then graduated from Loyola.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Rodney’s first job while he was working his way through college was at Moisant Airport in New Orleans working for Continental Airlines in Operations, specifically in Weights and Balances among other areas.  

Eventually, Rodney became a salesman, trying to support a young family and help his wife finish her nursing degree. He soon discovered that he was NOT cut out to be a salesman!

When Rodney’s wife Sandy began her career as a Nurse Practitioner, Rodney was able to work towards becoming a teacher, getting first his Master’s and then a Specialist Degree in Administration at Southeastern Louisiana College.

During these busy years, Rodney and Sandy were happily raising three children who all proudly graduated from Mandeville High School. Their oldest daughter Alison grew up to become an Army Nurse, retiring from the military as a major after 23 years.  She also has become a Nurse Practitioner like her mother and is now the mother of a 10-year-old daughter named Parker who attends Mandeville Middle School.  

Rodney and Sandy also had twins Jennifer and Jeffery.  Jennifer, a Speech Pathologist and her husband Kevin are raising three children:  Olivia, 13, who goes to Mandeville Junior High, Amelia, 10, who attends Tchefuncte Middle School and Eli, 5, who is a preschooler. 

The other twin, Jeffery, who was a Marine for five years, is married to Melissa.  They have two daughters:  Caroline, 11, and Lily, 8.  Both girls attend Lancaster Elementary.  From memory, Rodney was able to tell me the names, ages, and schools that all of his grandchildren attend since he can often be found in after-school bus lines picking up those grandchildren.  

In fact, he was ready to tell me all of their teachers’ names as well!  It is obvious he is proud of his family and loves each one of them dearly.

Rodney’s first teaching assignment was at Catherine Strehle Elementary School in Avondale where he taught sixth grade and was the only male on the faculty!  Although living in New Orleans, he lobbied Mr. Jabbia to give him a chance in St. Tammany Parish.  

While visiting Sixth Ward Junior High School, he fell in love with the little country K-8 school in Pearl River and landed the job as a teacher at Sixth Ward, moving his family to their home in River Forest Subdivision where they lived for 25 years.  Eventually, Rodney served as RHT for 3 years and assistant principal for five years at Sixth Ward Elementary.  His students knew him affectionately as “Mr. T.”  

But now, when not acting as Uber driver for his grandchildren, Mr. T can be found at the gym near his home in Madisonville.  Sandy is currently working part-time so they have found themselves going back and forth redecorating their vacation home in Destin, Florida.  That is, when they are not traveling around the globe!  

Last year they took 4 of their grandchildren on a memorable trip to Paris, Venice and Florence!  Last month, Rodney and Sandy took a river cruise to Amsterdam, Germany and Switzerland.  And in a few days, they will be leaving for Ireland!

When I asked Rodney what he misses most about his years as an educator, he said it was the socialization with people every day.  It is obvious that he loves people and lives by his own motto:  Let life come to me!

Grover Rodney Thornhill is living his life to the fullest with a family he loves and a wonderful, carefree attitude.  No, Mr. T is not a boring teacher from a little country school.  He has places yet to go and people yet to meet!

Retired Teachers To Meet May 9

The St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association will meet on Thursday, May 9., at the Treen Technology Center in Mandeville, beginning with a social networking time starting at 9:30 a.m. and the general meeting starting at 10 a.m. 

The Spring luncheon will feature the election of officers, the memoriam for members who have passed on during the past year, and the awarding of the annual college scholarship. Several annual awards will also be presented, including the John Foster Member of the Year Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award

Silent Auction

A silent auction will be held, with money raised from the auction of donated items to go towards the group's scholarship fund. To download a Auction Donor Form, CLICK HERE.

The organization currently has 845 members and welcomes newly-retired school system employees to join and keep up-to-date about topics of local interest, opportunities to volunteer in the community, and visit with colleagues. A new membership directory will be printed in the fall, so new members will want to be included in that publication. Existing members may want to update their information as well. 

Spotlight on Ella Selmon

We often hear the term “Hometown Hero” and think of famous soldiers, policemen, or firemen who are honored with a lot of fanfare.  This morning I would like to introduce you to a true Hometown Hero who quietly goes about her business of making her community the best that it can be.

Ella Mae Davis Selmon was born at Lallie Kemp Hospital in Independence, LA on November 23, 1944.  She came home to Covington where two older brothers and two older sisters were waiting for her.  It is in this part of Covington that Ella grew up, attended Rosenwald School, and went on to live and work in this same area for all of her 74 years.

It was at Rosenwald School where one of her fondest memories is of her favorite teacher, Ms. Rawls, who taught her English.  She still remembers how finely dressed Ms. Rawls was every day with heels, stockings, and lipstick.  Her professionalism impressed young Ella.
At age 20, Ella married Edward Selmon and together they raised two children.  

Their son, Antonio Paul, graduated from CHS and went on to a career in the Army.  Antonio’s daughter Candace graduated from Slidell High.  Ella and Edward’s daughter Jennette graduated from CHS in 1979 and went on to spend seven years in the Navy, finally settling down in Baltimore, Maryland.  

Ella’s first job was as a School Crossing Guard right in her Rosenwald neighborhood where she had attended school.  After this job, Ella began substitute teaching but did not care for being inside very much, so she began substituting as a bus driver, especially on her  husband Edward’s school bus.  She was a substitute bus driver for 17 years.  Eventually, she got her own Special Ed bus and began transporting special needs students for 13 years until she retired.

While Ella is officially retired, she has not slowed down one bit.  She is a proud member of her neighborhood church, the Mount Zion Pilgrim Missionary Church, and has attended their annual convention in cities from Texas to Florida for many years.  She has been a Sunday School teacher and is still an active member of the choir, even though she admits her singing voice is not the best!  

All of these things have made Ella an important member of her Covington neighborhood.  But this is not all she does!  She is a regular participant in the Jail Ministry where she shares Bible Lessons with interested female prisoners.  Ella is a regular volunteer at the Northshore Food Bank and often walks across the street to volunteer at the Covington Boys and Girls Club.  

She is an important member of the St. Tammany Parish Fair Association, as well as a board member of the Covington Housing Authority.  Other board positions include the Covington Civil Service Board, and the Covington Tree Board.  

And she does all of this without any expectation of payment or praise.  Her volunteering comes from the heart.  When asked if she did anything for her own pure enjoyment, she said she reads the First Baptist Church Daily Lessons and the devotional books Daily Guideposts. 

Speaking of books, in Ella’s “spare time,” she admits that she is busy writing a book detailing her years growing up in the sleepy little Southern town that Covington was some 70 years ago.  While she has not divulged the name of the book yet, I think we can all agree it will be a big hit!

Ella’s tireless energy and boundless volunteering to improve the community where she grew up defines the term Hometown Hero.  When asked what she would like to put on her Bucket List, Ella responded that she wished she had a beautiful singing voice.  My guess is the Lord hears only beautiful music when Ella sings!

Retired Teachers To Meet March 14 at Mandeville Center

The St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association wll meet on Thursday, March 14, to hear LSU Agricultural Center County Agent Will Afton speak about Superplants and soil and lawn maintenance. 

The meeting will take place at the David Treen Instructional Technology Center in Mandeville, with a social networking time starting at 9:30 a.m. and the general meeting starting at 10 a.m.

In connection with the presentation, there will be a "plant swap" and members are invited to bring a plant and take a plant of their liking. Group president Donna Harvin says, "Please bring a cutting or bulb from your favorite plant. Attach the name of the  plant as well as hints for the best light and watering conditions."

New  retiree memberships are always welcome. The decoration theme for this month's meeting is "St. Patrick's Day," so wearing the green is encouraged. For more information about the STRSEA, call Donna Harvin, STRSEA President at 985-502-9501. 

Festive Christmas Meeting Held

The St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association met Thursday, with more than 70 members turning out for the festive Christmas luncheon despite the drizzling rain.

Music was provided by Talented Music Teacher Mel Rogers of Covington High and three of his Covington High music students. They entertained the group with a variety of Christmas songs. 

Members enjoyed a report on the recent Home Tour of Houmas House held the week before, where 41 members participated. The group made $139 from the trip, which will go into the Educational Scholarship Fund. 

Jack Loup announced there would be no legislatve meeting in January, so the group will hold its next meeting next March, according to Donna Harvin, President. 

Lunch was served

How many words can you make using the
letters from the phrase: Merry Christmas?

Music provided by CHS Mel Rogers and three of his students

Covington High School retirees at the meeting

To see even more photos, click on this link 

for a PDF File.

Spotlight on Paul Bowman

     Our Spotlight shines this month on an educator who has dedicated his career to making sure his students were never bullied!  Why?  Because he knows exactly what it feels like to be picked on as a child!  

     Paul Bowman was born in Frankfurt, Indiana.  He was the 6th of nine children.  The first eight (Max, Dale, Glen, Rex, Mark, Paul, Karl, and Gene) were all boys and Number 9 (Lois) was the lone girl!  But at birth Paul had a problem with the growth of his neck muscles which caused him to develop a severe stutter.  He became a victim of teasing and bullying by other children.  

     Paul remembers he drew his strength from the singer Mel Tillis who had a severe stutter when he spoke but could sing perfectly without stuttering.  This gave Paul hope, as well as the story that Moses was also a stutterer.  He figured if they could overcome obstacles, he could, too!  And with the help of several surgeries as a child, his stuttering was virtually eliminated!

     Following in the footsteps of his hardworking farming parents, Paul’s first job was at age seven, mowing the grass of a retired school teacher with a push lawnmower.  At age eleven, he became a farm hand, milking cows and driving a tractor for 50 cents an hour!  In later years, he became a laborer at a Firestone tire factory and an ammonia company.

     After high school, Paul left Indiana for Southeastern Louisiana College in Hammond, LA where his older brothers Rex and Glen, who had received a full basketball scholarship, attended.  Paul participated in track and field events and graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1970.  

     Although he returned to Indiana to teach science and physical education for nine years, he eventually settled in St. Tammany Parish where he taught for 30 years at Fifth Ward Junior High.  During that tenure, Paul taught life, earth and physical sciences as well as physical education.  He also coached football, basketball, volleyball, track and served as the Athletic Director.

     Retiring in 2011, Paul worked with five principals during his time at Fifth Ward:  Coyt Woods, Bruce Davis, Bill Brugman, Brandon Clanton and Jimmy Smith.  

     During these years as a teacher, Paul was also busy being a father to two sons, Adam and Derek, a step-daughter Kelli and a step-son David.  He married his current wife, the former Debra Booth from Covington in 2000.  Now he is busy being the ultimate grandfather to grandson Michael, age 15, and granddaughters Kaitlin, age 13, twin 5-year-olds Ava and Alexa, Beckett, age 2 and one on the way in June!

     While Paul is officially retired from the school system, he is still very much involved with many of the sideline activities he participated in for many years.  He has been a major figure in promoting the annual Punt/Pass and Kick contests in this area where he was recently the Head Official at the National Punt/Pass and Kick contest at the Saints Facility earlier this month. 

     Paul is one of the main officials in Track and Field meets at LSU and various universities as well as the high school championship meets.  He also coordinates, officiates and participates in the Louisiana Senior Olympic Games.

     And in his spare time, he drives a charter bus!  A lot!  He has been a certified charter bus driver for 38 years and is also a tour director for KOA Campgrounds.  He is still a full-time driver during the summer and on holidays and has been all over the United States!

     When asked what was his favorite trip while driving the charter bus, he said it was the school trips he would take with his students from Fifth Ward exploring the historic sites in Philadelphia, New York City and Washington DC.  This was a tradition every three years for many years at that school.  He cherishes the note he received from a grown man who thanked him years later for one of those trips because the man had never gone out of state again.

     This is also a very busy time of year for Paul because he creates handmade wooden Christmas ornaments for about 80 of his closest family members!  From cutting the figures out of wood to carefully painting each by hand, Paul celebrates the season with his own version of a street car, a fleur-de-lis or the St. Louis Cathedral.  He then thoughtfully wraps each one and mails them to his siblings, nieces and nephews just in time for Christmas.

     Paul enjoys meeting with what he calls the Senior Coffee Club each Monday and Wednesday around 7:45am at McDonalds in Covington.  Favorite restaurants that he and his wife Debra enjoy are Chick-Fil-A, Copelands and Texas Roadhouse.  His favorite TV show is NCIS-New Orleans, and his favorite movie is The Christmas Story.

     Paul’s bucket list includes a trip to Alaska, one of the few states he has yet to visit.  Upon reflecting on the sixth son of a farmer in Indiana, and what that little boy with a stutter has grown up to accomplish, there is no doubt that Paul will make it to Alaska soon!  And he will probably be distributing Christmas ornaments while he drives a charter bus to get there just in time to officiate a track meet!