Welcome to the Mahoning County Retired Teachers Association (MRTA), an affiliate of the Ohio Retirement for Teachers Association
Luncheon meetings take place the 2nd Wednesday of March, May, June, September, November, and December.
They take place at: Drake's Landing 2177 W. Western Reserve Rd. Canfield, OH 44406 Doors open at 11:00AM with lunch being served at 11:45AM.
If you feel your reservation will be late please call Irene Scullen at 330-542-1143 or 330-207-7050 Wednesday, September 10, 2025 Program: Jim Cain from AMBA will speak. Community Service: YWCA's Young Women with Bright Futures. Menu: Parmesan crusted chicken, pasta, parsley potatoes, sauteed vegetables, lemon dessert. Click here for the reservation form.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 Program: Dr. Jeanine Mincher from the YSU faculty will discuss Food as Medicine. Community Service: Canfield VFW Auxiliary. Menu: Roast turkey with stuffing, pasta, sweet potato casserole, broccoli with garlic butter, pumpkin dessert. Click here for the reservation form.
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 Program: ORTA Executive Director, Dr. Robin Rayfield will speak and Boardman Jazz Band. Community Service: Salvation Army. Menu: Pork tenderloin, pasta, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, cream pie. Click here for the reservation form.
You may pay for 1,2,or 3 meals at a time.
Message from Irene Scullen - Hospitality Please invite someone to join you for a meeting; a teacher friend, a friend or a spouse. It's a nice afternoon with friends for conversation, good food, entertainment and speakers. And please, mail your reservations on time, since the restaurant gives us a deadline. If you think I won't receive your reservation before the deadline, phone or text me on my cell. Thank you - Irene
All money collected for community service stays in Mahoning County!
SURVEY
The MRTA executive board is asking you to complete this brief survey. There has been a marked decrease in meeting attendance, and the questions address this and other issues. Our intent is to fashion meetings that will help make us a stronger more vibrant group. You can turn this survey in at the September meeting, mail it to Susan Harris (2025 Overcest St. , Alliance, OH 44601-3507) or send survey responses via text to Susan at 330-618-1198. Thank you.
1. MRTA currently holds six meetings a year. ______Is this too many? -----Is this too few?
2. MRTA is charging $18,00 per luncheon, (Drake's Landing is charging us $19.00 per meal). _____Too Much?
3. Do you like the meeting venue, Drake's Landing? _____Yes _____No Why?____________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Do you have any suggestions for speakers or programs? __________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Do you have any concerns you feel we need to address? ________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
COMMUNITY SERVICE - Kim Pontuti Twice a year, MRTA surveys luncheon members to see how many community service hours they have put in for the year. There were 2,250 hours logged by members January-June, 2025
MRTA SCHOLARSHIPMRTA is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a junior or senior enfrolled full time in the teacher education cerification program at Youngstown State University. Applications are available at the YSU foundation Office or online.
Contact Information for State Office Holders
Tex Fischer - 77 South High St., 13th Floor. Columbus, OH 43215 ( 614)-466-6107 www.ohiohouse.gov/tex-fischer
Representative Lauren McNally (59th District) - 77 S. High St. Floor 10, Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 466-9435 www.ohiohouse.gov/lauren-mcnally
State Senator Al Cutrona(33rd District) - ohiosenate.gov/al-cutrona (614) 466-8285 77 S High St. Ground Floor 041 Columbus, OH 43215
SOCIAL SECURITY NEWS
The Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 was signed into law this past December by President Biden. This law eliminated the WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) and the GPO (Government Pension Offset) for all public pension recipients in the U.S. The GPO prevented widows and widowers from receiving their spouse's social security payments because they were receiving a public pension. Many Ohio public employees, including educators, were penalized from receiving the full amount due because of the WEP. According to the Kiplinger Newsletter, adjusted payments were to begin in 2025, but will be delayed as the Social Security Administration manually adjusts befits. They aren't sure when adjusted benefits will begin. The Social Security Administration is understaffed, and no provision was made in the bill to fund its implementation. Over 3 million people are affected.
Guide to your ORTA MEMBER BENEFITS Dental & Vision Plans Medicare Solutions Cancer, Heart, and Stroke Insurnce Life Insurance Tax-Deferred Asset Protection Medical Air Services Association (MASA) Home Health Care Insurance Long Term Care Insurance Hospital Stay Coverage
GET YOUR BENEFITS NOW! Let's Talk: Jim Cain, Sr. Benefits Advisor (624) 946-4868
TOHUSANDS OF SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES! Wyndam Hotel Group Costico Sam's Club Whirlpool Disney Parks Herts Kohl's 1-800-flowers.com Skechers SAVE ONN THE GO WITH THE PASSPORT MOBILE APP 1. Download the Passport Mobile app from your app store or Google Play 2. Select 'Other sign in Options: and "sign in with an Activation Code" 3. Use Activation Code 'ambasavers' to access the program 4. Complete your profile and start saving!
If you have any questions about the program or would like assistance locating a specific discount or vendor, contact Passport at 800-410-4211