The AARP Chapter, Ice Box of the Nation gathered for the first meeting of 2011 at 1 p.m. Jan. 12 at Koochiching County Senior Center. President Thomas Wagner presided.
The membership began paying a very small yearly fee after having the fee suspended for one year. New members, aged 50 and older, are welcome and may join at any time.
Discussed were the cuts to Medicare that Congress is considering and the decision to hold Social Security payments in 2011 to the 2010 level. It was noted that many new financial scams have been created, scams that target senior citizens. Many times the “scam” can only be recognized by very carefully reading all the fine print in an offer.
Information concerning the proposed apartments in the Backus building was presented and discussed. Also presented was information about the Minnesota fuel assistance program, the AARP KOOTASCA free income tax service and the possible changes in fees for the Koochiching County Transfer Station, recycling program and yard waste collection area.
Members again talked about the need for a dialysis center in International Falls and the convenience of having the newly licensed Alzheimers Care Unit in Northome.
The meeting closed with Mavis Tanem providing refreshments and with Violet Johnson offering to provide them for the next meeting set for Feb. 9.
