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We continue to lead the way for public education and critical issues

About Western Zone Retired Teachers

Our organization, RENY has over 9,990 members and represents retired educators across our state. RENY is divided into 10 geographical zones. Almost all zones are divided into units that represent retirees from local school districts or your place of residence.

Are you a member? Please think about becoming one. If you know a retired educator who does not belong to RENY/WZ, ask them to join us. The link is below.

The cost for an annual membership is $39.00. As of May 2025, our Western Zone membership is about 2000.

FOUNDERS' FUND

The Founders’ Fund is a Community Service Project of the Western Zone. It was started

in 1959 and was originally called the Home Fund. That year Gertrude Tucker of Alden gave a

legacy of $30,000 to the Western Zone to establish a fund, which would create a retired teachers’ home in Western New York. Emma Lodge, in her will, also gave a legacy of $12,365 to this Fund. Over the years, with the interests and additional legacies that were given, the Fund grew. However, the cost of the retired teachers’ home grew much faster, and it was unable to be established. In keeping with objectives of the Fund, the interest income of the Fund has been used to assist the needy of the Western Zone.

In 2023, the Western Zone of the New York State Retired Teachers' Association, moved the

Founders' Fund investments into a nonprofit 501c3 corporation, the Western Zone Retired

Teachers Founders' Fund, Inc. The Western Zone Retired Teachers' Founders' Fund, Inc.

continues to support our local Meals on Wheels as well as other charitable organizations in the

areas of our 5 counties.

PLEASE REMEMBER THE FOUNDERS FUND IN YOUR WILL AND ESTATE.

RENY Western Zone Holiday DonationS

Reny/Western Zone Board of Directors had a donation collection at their November 19, 2025 meeting at Alton’s Restaurant in Elma. We collected non-perishable food, new socks, and books for Thanksgiving and Holiday season. We collected 12 bags of food and more than 8 bags of socks and a large bag of books. Our Community Service chair, Stan Nowak transported these items.

The food was taken to the Feed More food trucks at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. The event was sponsored by radio station 97 Rock. The staff of Feed More were amazed at the number of food bags Stan delivered. A photo was taken with Stan and 97 Rock staff members. The clothing and books were donated to the Buffalo City Mission. Each delivery thanked us for the donations.

Interested in joining RENY/Western Zone, please call or email me.

Michelle Claus, 716-481-5279 or joeclaus@msn.comGracie

Teacher in Holland Awarded Grant

Gracie Mulville Receives Grant

Gracie Mulville, a third grade teacher at Harold O. Brumstead Elementary School in Holland, was awarded one of five grants from the Retired Teachers of New York, which she used to fund a Musical Theater Club for third and fourth graders. She is pictured here (second from left) with, [L to R] Elementary Principal Kelly Wetzler and Retired Teacher Association Representatives Maria Hager and Nancy White.

Retired Educators of New York Grant

Each year, the Retired Educators of New York award five grants to teachers in Erie, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Niagara or Genesee Counties. Maria Hager is the chairman of the committee that chooses those who are recipients, and explained, “This funding is given to public school teachers for a teacher-generated, classroom related and learning activity. This activity can be done in and/or outside the classroom, and has to be a cultural presentation performed by students.”

CURRENTS TRAVEL

WZ 2026 Summer Trip

The Western Zone Travel Committee invites you to explore and discover the beauty and intrigue of the Thousand Islands. Our trip to the CASTLES OF NEW YORK & THOUSAND ISLANDS is planned for July 13-16, 2026. Enjoy comfortable bus travel and four days of carefully curated sightseeing at top destinations.

A boat ride along the St Lawrence River will take you to DarkvIsland to enjoy a guided tour of the Singer Castle which was built by the Bourne Family in 1905. Later the boat will take you to Heart Island for a

self-guided tour of Boldt Castle, erected for $2.5 million in the early 1900’s, and currently generates over $46 million annually in regional economic activity. Learn the many joys and hidden sorrows of these Castles!

Singer Castle

The trip will also include Tibbett’s Point Lighthouse, Antique Boat Museum, visit to Alexandria

Bay, tasting at Thousand Islands Winery, Thousand Islands Museum – on National Registry of Historic

Places, Fort Stanwix National Monument, and other points of interest. There will be group activities

and free time to explore.

The cost for this all-inclusive trip is only $1,224 for single occupancy, $915 for double and $900 for triple.

This includes lodging at a resort along the St. Lawrence River, three breakfasts, one boxed lunch, three dinners, admission to ALL events, souvenir gift, baggage handling, bus driver tip, and all standard gratuities. Initial deposit of $100 is due by or before February 13, 2026, and final deposit by April 13, 2026.

Reservations are taken in the order received, as is the bus assignment. If the trip fills, you will be added to

the waiting list. Sign up early, to guarantee a spot. For reservation information and forms, or for any questions, contact Anne Flansburg at anneflanswz@aol.com or 716-863-3631 OR contact LaVonne Walker at 716-434-7120.

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SPECIAL ADVANCE NOTICE: Reserve September 17-20, 2026, for our Lancaster, PA Sight and Sound’s

performance of “Joshua”, Elva Hurst’s “Chalk Talk”, Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre featuring “Pretty

Woman”, Underground Railroad Trip and much more. Details and reservations will be in the February issue

of CURRENTS, and reservations will open in February.

We continue to lead the way for public education and critical issues

About Western Zone Retired Teachers

FOUNDERS' FUND

RENY Western Zone NEW OFFICERS

New Winter 2025 newsletter AVAIlABLE NOW

RENY Western Zone Holiday DonationS

Teacher in Holland Awarded Grant

Gracie Mulville Receives Grant

Retired Educators of New York Grant

CURRENTS TRAVEL

We continue to lead the way for public education and critical issues

About Western Zone Retired Teachers

FOUNDERS' FUND

RENY Western Zone NEW OFFICERS

New Winter 2025 newsletter AVAIlABLE NOW

RENY Western Zone Holiday DonationS

Teacher in Holland Awarded Grant

Gracie Mulville Receives Grant

Retired Educators of New York Grant

CURRENTS TRAVEL

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