The Dinner-Dance was a very successful delight. The music was great and ladies, you looked stunning, as usual. I've'attended the dance for twenty seven of the thirty years it has been presented, and there were more people in attendance. This was the largest crowd ever, I would like to thank the committee and friends for making this event a huge success.

I have known Frank Orapello for over forty years as a family man and his belief in a strong union. He always said that if you are a shop steward or an officer, you are still a letter carrier. Frank gave me my first job fourteen years ago. I promised him that he would never have any trouble with me regirding the quality of my work on the job, I remember when Frank was sworn in as president for his first term in office. He said that he would unify this union, and he hoped that no one would get in his way. He.is a caring person and an able administrator. With the assistance of Charlie Heege and the other officers, Frank changed the general character of union leadership to a higher level of quality.

On a personal note, I will always owe a debt of gratitude for what Frank has done for me and my family. Have a great retirement and stay healthy Frank. Remember friends, "Pork chow'' loves ya. Have a stupendous Holiday Season!

The following are the thoughts of those making up the workshop seminars relating to union health coverage. As the old saying goes - "if you'r not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem" - this shows in a nutshell the need for a commitment from our union members. To have lower premium and higher benefits, the NALC Health Benefit Plan needs to have more active letter carriers as members. We have seen the commitment of our retirees to the Health Benefit Plan. Now it's time to see a commitment from our younger active members. To bring more members into the Plan, the state and local leadership of the. NALC needs to show its commitment by promoting and belonging to the Health Plan whenever possible.

Belonging to a health plan is not just paying premiums, it's an investment. Every health plan operates from income derived from the premiums paid by its members, The more diverse our membership, the broader the foundation of the Plan. The broader the foundation of the Plan, the more we can provide our members in the way of increased benefits and reduced premiums.

The NALC Health Benefit Plan needs your help we need Union members helping and supporting their Union-owned health benefit plan. By doing this, we can ensure the Plan will continue to be there for all of us.

I have written about foods of the month. My favorites are collard greens, and most green vegetables, and beans give you fiber. Green vegetables are a colon cleanser. Take advantage of early fall fruits and vegetables.

We are looking for a great turnout at our annual dinner dance at the Marina Del Rey in the Bronx on November 5,2006. Time of event: 12 Noon until 5:00 p.m. We are honoring our retiring President Frank M. Orapello, who has been at the helm for 15 years, along with his fellow officers. Frank has built constructively strong leadership, and that leadership will continue to get stronger in years to come. I have earned, his respect and gained a great deal of knowledge through many years of working with him. Frank, thanks and God Bless.

Ladies, this will be your fashion show. So do your thing. Remember "Pork Chop" loves you,

Potassium is a salt fighter. Doctors at Johns Hopkins Medical Institution said that diets rich in potassium not only reduce blood pressure, they blunt the rise in blood pressure that occurs in response to sodium intake.

Here are some recommended guidelines that are rich in potassium: a cup of baked acorn squash has about 900 milligrams. A banana has 900. Other good sources are spinach, and other leafy greens, cantaloupes, oranges, tomatoes, winter squash, potatoes, beans, almonds and dairy products.

The following information is quoted from "The Pharmacy Comer" of The NALC Health Benefit Plan HBR Report:

"The NALC Prescription Drug Program has two means of obtaining your medications. When you find that it is necessary to take a particular medication on a "routine" basis. the most convenient, cost effective way to order these maintenance medications is through our mail service program.

You may be able to receive up to a 90-day supply of your medication and pay less than what you would pay for a 90-day supply of medication at your local retail pharmacy. Now that's value!

Here's all you have to do to take advantage of the savings and convenience of ordering your long termlmaintenance medication through the mail service program:
Make the most out of your prescription benefits by explaining to your doctor your ability to obtain up to a 90-day supply through your mail service program. Ask your doctor to write a new prescription for your medication indicating a 90-day supply with three refills and mail it in to Caremark.
OR
Have your physician's office call Caremark, toll free, at 1-800-378-5697 (set up specifically for physicians) to begin your money saving mail service.

Also ask your doctor to write a 30-day prescription for your immediate use to be filled at your local retail pharmacy (if appropriate).
After you submit your first prescription for a medication through the mail service, obtaining refills is easy. Read on for some helpful information on how to obtain refills quickly and easily. Obtaining Refills from the Mail Service Program is quick and easy with three convenient options to choose from

Internet: Log onto Caremark's website (either through www.nalc.org/depart/hbp or www.caremark.com) 24 hours a day - seven days a week to - order prescription refills: order status of prescriptions filled at the mail service pharmacy; locate retail pharmacies near you: review valuable health information.
Phone: Call 1-800-933-6252 and follow the easy step-by-step instructions.
Mail: To order your refill through the mail service program, simply affix the Order Refill label, received with your most recent fill of medication, to your mail service order form. Complete the form. Determine the amount of your payment and, if necessary, include the payment with the order form. Return the completed form, order refill label, and payment to Caremark in a mail service order form envelope provided with your last prescription fill.

Reminder - If you enrolled in the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) and it is the primary carrier, you must use the benefits of your Part D carrier first. When Medicare Part D is primary, you cannot use the NALC mail order prescription service." If you have any questions, you could call the NALC Health Benefit Plan directly at: 1-888-636-6252.

Regarding compensation, if you get hurt on-the-job, please see you Shop Steward or call Branch 36 for information.

About generic drugs and other health matters, here are some answers quoted from The NALC Health Benefit Plan HBR Report as well as the Pharmacy Comer:

Generic drugs undergo a strict FDA approval process. Here' are just some of the FDA standards and practices that generic manufacturers must follow:
A generic medicine must be the bioequivalent (performs in the same manner) of its brand name counterpart.
A generic medicine must pass the FDA's review for both active and inactive ingredients.
The manufacturing facility of the generic medicine must pass FDA inspection
The generic medicine must have the same active ingredients and be available in the same strength and dosage form as its brand name counterpart.
The label of the generic medicine must include the same information found on the packaging of its brand name counterpart. Finally, the FDA continues to monitor the generic drug for quality control after it has been approved.

That's good news for most of us, because we're back in the saddle again. We're stampeding back to our steaks. Before you fire up the grill, however, remember that good health doesn't mean downing a pound of porterhouse for dinner. Keep portions at reasonable sizes.

Beef, pork and other red meats are rich in iron, and iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the U.S. It's one of the main reasons why people drag themselves to the doctor. Without enough iron, they're tired much of the time. Meat contains heme iron, which is the most absorbable kind. Plant foods contain nonheme iron, which is less absorbable. Beef also contains vitamins B6 and B12, niacin, and zinc.

It's symbolic of a situation that is getting worse all across the country, particularly with baby boomers. They want to stay healthy and vibrant. but some aren't being smart about how they go about it. They feel like they're 20, but their bodies are older.

Turning 40 can be a pain in the neck, and in the ankles, back, groin, shoulders, and hamstrings. Baby boomers are suffering more than a million sports injuries every year. The highest numbers are from bicycling. basketball, baseball, and running, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The idea of exercise is to stay in good physical condition. Biking on mountain trails or trying to relive your glory days playing basketball or football in a weekend warrier style is not the way to do it.
Aging can't be avoided, but injuries can. Exercise appropriately and watch for signs like muscle soreness and joint pain. Then change your routine.

LOSE A POUND AND SAVE YOUR KNEES

Even small amounts of weight loss can improve knee function. especially in osteoarthritic adults.

Remember, "PORK CHOPS" loves ya!

The United Negro College Fund's slogan says a mind is a terrible thing to waste. The labor movement has always been a part of the struggle to live better life.

At our regular membership meeting on February 9, 2006, we will celebrate
Black History month. Come be a part of the celebration with music, food and discussion. If you want to participate, please contact me at union headquarters at: (212) 239-3901.

We had a great year in 2005 and we hope to have a better year in 2006. The picnic is scheduled tentatively for July 30,2006, rain or shine. The Dinner-Dance will be held on November 12, 2006 at the Marina Del Rey in the Bronx. Attend union meetings and help support our programs.
Stay healthy and well. Remember, "Pork Chops" loves ya!

The 29th Annual Dinner Dance was a successful social affair. Ladies, you looked fantastically lovely and "brought the house down." It was good to see those from "new stations" participate this year. Peter Stuyvesant, Murray Hill, Washington Bridge, College and Cathedral stations were in "the House." We affectionately call the Marina Del Rey, "the House." The Dinner Dance journal was truly successful. The proceeds benefit the Scholarship and Welfare Committee work. Next year, I hope every station will give at least $5.00 per person to the Dinner Dance journal.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all those who made up the Dinner Dance Committee for a job well-done. Looking forward to next year.

The holiday season is fast approaching. Like an old friend, I advise you to be careful by not overeating and overdrinking alcoholic beverages. Eat smart amounts of fish, chicken and vegetables, especially collard greens and string beans. As usual, remember, Pork Chops (that's me) loves you!

HAVE A SAFE, HEALTHY, AND PEACEFUL HOLIDAY SEASON

The Dinner-Dance is fast approaching and I hope you are ready for this grand affair. It will be held on Sunday, Noverhber 13, 2005 from noon to 5:00 p.m. at the newly renovated Marina Del Rey, at the end of E. Tremont Avenue and Schurz Avenue. Bring your family and your friends. The cocktail hour and food are outstanding.

I would be remiss if I did not mention Al Marino, Director of Retirees. I've known Al for over thirty years and I know that he was a strong union man. Al always had kind words for you and was there to help you.

Al's passion was big band music and dancing; until about a month before his death, he continued to dance. He would always have the first dance with his gal Ginger, doing the Lindy at our dinner-dance affair.
We shared an office together and I will always miss him.

On August 27, 2005 Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc in New Orleans, the Gulf Coast of Alabama and Mississippi. This tragedy has uprooted families. It is expected to cost the loss of more than 10,000 lives. My family send our prayers and money to help ease some burdens. Please give generously to whom you please through the Red Cross, or Postal Employees' Relief Fund, P.O. Box 34422, Washington, D.C. 20043-4422, or by designating the Postal Employees' Relief Fund (CFC #9891) for a donation during the upcoming Combined Federal Campaign. Don't forget about our brother and sister letter carriers. Keep them in our prayers.

Fiber is 'essential for keeping digestion regular. To get the most from apricots, buy them when they are still firm. Don't forget collard greens and beans of all kinds.

The donations from postal customers were quickly delivered to local food banks, pantries and shelters.

Buffalo/Western New York NALC Branch 3, which collected 1,896,038 pounds, was the top NALC local branch for the third consecutive year, topping Long Island (NY) Merged Br. 6000 at 1,500,000 pounds.

Final results showed 71,301,210 pounds of non-perishable food were collected along postal routes. The 2005 total was announced at an anti-hunger rally in Washington, DC in conjunction with National Hunger Awareness Day.

NALC President William H. Young thanked all NALC members who took the time and made the effort to help those less fortunate in their communities, as well as the thousands of rural carriers and other postal employees and volunteers who helped. "Without this unselfish display of caring by NALC members and all of these volunteers, our food drive could not continue to be such a success," Young said. "The NALC Food Drive has become an icon in the anti-hunger effort in America and we are proud to be able to help our communities provide for the millions of families in need."

Young expressed special appreciation to the U.S. Postal Service and Campbell Soup Company, who together supplied 112 million postcards to promote the drive, as well as other major supporters: Valpak, the direct mail marketing firm; America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest network of food banks; United Way of America and its local United Ways; the AFL-CIO, and cartoonist Bil Keane, who yearly provides a special "Family Circus" drawing for the drive. In addition, Campbell Soup said it was earmarking 10 million cans of soup for hunger charities throughout the year in the name of the NALC drive. Ten branches -the top two in five membership categories - will receive recognition plaques from NALC. Campbell Soup will also donate 1,000 cans of soup to a food bank designated by each. (See sidebar with winners.)