Verizon Maryland Pioneers
York & Shawan Rds. G8
Cockeysville, MD 21030

 

NEIGHBORHOODS

March 2010

A report on Verizon Maryland TelecomPioneers Activities

Mary Weber
Chapter President

Inside this issue:

As president of the Maryland Chapter, I am excited about the new era of Pioneering we are about to enter.  In 2011, Pioneering will be 100 years old. On November 2, 1911 the first Pioneer Meeting was held in Boston.  The new group called themselves the Telephone Pioneers of America. Since that meeting, Pioneers have continued to answer the call of need… always changing and keeping up with the needs of the community, their sponsoring companies and their members. 
The Maryland Chapter has many projects which are addressing the current needs of our state and nation.  Our Blankets of Honor project is making no-sew fleece blankets for returning injured soldiers and veterans.  For more information or instructions, visit our website www.verizonmarylandpioneers.org.  We also do a Military Picnic in July for our troops and in November collect items for Operation Shoebox for hundreds of soldiers serving overseas.
The Pioneers main focus of volunteerism is in Education. Book’em has impacted over 300,000 children since 1993.  Volunteer readers ignite the love of reading in children and present each child with a book of their own. Pioneers are bringing Students Under Construction to sixteen Maryland schools. These schools determine areas of improvement they wish their students to engage in from attendance, punctuality, politeness, volunteerism etc.  When a teacher witnesses an improvement, a ‘pog’ is awarded.  Students accumulate these pogs and shop at a pantry of school supplies provided and manned by Pioneers. Our Dictionary and Atlas Program gives third-graders dictionaries. Our newest project, Internet Safety Course (using Thinkfinity as a resource), teaches children the dangers of sharing information on the Internet and the consequences of Cyber Bullying.  We continue making Hug-A-Bears, working in local Food Pantries, Hospices and Nursing Homes.
The Maryland Chapter Pioneers want to invite you to join us and get involved in some of the above projects. As we begin this new era of Pioneering, we hope that Pioneering will ‘spark’ you into becoming an active Pioneer and keeping this legacy of helping others alive in Maryland.

Yours in Pioneering,  Mary Weber – President

Maryland Chapter TelecomPioneers
18TH ANNUAL PIONEER DAY ATHERSHEYPARK
                       DATE: SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2010
                      TIME: 10:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M.
                      PRICE: $23.00 Per Person (Children 2 and under free)
PARK IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC - NO REFUNDS AND NO RAIN DATE
Concessions will be open and free parking will be provided
Water Park will not open until Memorial Day
LUNCH: All you can eat picnic lunch served 12:00 noon thru 3:00 p.m.
  Price $16.00 per person.  (Children 3 thru 8: $11.00 each)
  Lunch includes:  Flamebroiled all-beef hamburger*hot dog
 *potato chips*pasta salad*fruit salad*lettuce, tomato*
*sliced cheese*ice cream novelties*sodas & lemonade.
*Lunch tickets will not be sold after April 11th.
Mail orders must be postmarked no later than April 8, 2010. 
Tickets purchased from April 12th   thru April 24th will be $26.00 per person
Special Lodging Rate per night:  Quality Inn & Suites: (717) 583-5151, $134.99 & 179.99 for Suite, these rates are for per night, or the Best Western Inn Hershey: (717) 533-5665, $89.00 per night.  Reservations must be made by April 5th.  Please say you are with the Verizon Pioneers.
MONEY ORDERS OR CERTIFIED CHECK ONLY, PAYABLE TO: MD CHAPTER PIONEERS & MAIL TO:  PIONEER OFFICE, 99 SHAWAN RD., RM G-8, COCKEYSVILLE, MD 21030.
Tickets will be available March 1, 2010.  Any questions call  Nancy Mazepa on 410-281-7534 or the Pioneer Office (410) 393-6648 or 6649.
TO ORDER BY CREDIT CARD GO TO OUR WEBSITE www.verizonmarylandpioneers.org. 
There will be a processing charge of $2.50 per order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCLUDE A SELF-ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE; NO COMPANY MAIL
If ordering more than 10 tickets, use 6.5” x 9.5”envelope with appropriate postage.
(No Stamp-No Return)   NO PERSONAL CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED.  
CASH ACCEPTED IF PAYING IN PERSON. 
Name_________________________________________Telephone_________________
Address______________________________________________________ZipCode_______
ADMISSION                     |   LUNCH
# of Tickets____x $23.00   |   # of Adult Lunch_____ x $16.00  # of Child Lunch____x $11.00

Domestic Violence continues to rise in our nation.  Supporting Verizon’s lead, we aided several domestic shelters throughout our area.  Recently, we took the women and children from one shelter to Disney on Ice. In addition, the Pioneers bought them a computer to aid in job searches and help the children with homework.  Thirty pairs of children’s pajamas were also purchased for another shelter. 

Southern Region President Tim Vagell presenting computer and printer to shelter personnel

Verizon-Telecom Pioneer Telephone Museum Richmond, Virginia

          In the early 1990s, Life Members of the Richmond council of the Old Dominion chapter brought together a significant quantity of telephone equipment and material and established a telephone museum in Richmond.  The equipment and material came from the former Plant Training school, storage at the former Western Electric/Bell Atlantic distribution center, abandoned Public Relations archives and many other sources including gifts from employees, both retired and active.  Through the generosity of Verizon-Virginia, the museum now occupies approximately three thousand square feet of space in the Headquarters building at 713 E. Grace St. in downtown Richmond.
          Today, this equipment and material is on display not only for the public, but also for retired employees and their families to enjoy.  Displays include equipment and examples of its use by Outside Plant forces; several traffic switchboards, including one position of the manual board from Boyce, Virginia, the last office in Virginia to be converted to dial; two positions from the former 3CL toll board in Newport News;  and a WECo. 706 PBX.  The test board formerly used in the White House in Washington DC is a featured display. Also on display are a variety of telephone instruments with wooden wall sets from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, early desk stands, early and later cradle sets, numerous desk and wall sets in many colors and many of the decorator sets of the 1970s.  One set proudly displayed is a 1963 black Princess telephone which was in the Middleburg, Virginia, home of the late President John F. Kennedy.  Several of wooden and metal telephone booths and signs from the past line one wall of the museum.  Tools used by craft forces in the early and middle 20th century fill one room.
          Maryland Pioneers, we welcome your visits.  Currently the museum is open by appointment.  Curbside parking is available and also free on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays in downtown Richmond.  Therefore, we suggest those days for visits.   In the event weekend days are not convenient, arrangements can be made for other days. Please call (804) 772-1118 to schedule a visit.
          Should you have any old telephones or other telephone related material you would like to contribute to the Museum, we would be glad to receive it.  The Museum is a 501 (c) (3) corporation.  All gifts are deductible from Federal and State taxes.

              Book’em
Book’em is off to a 2009-2010 record breaking year.  Since October 2009, we have read to 7981 children around the State of Maryland. To date, we have impacted 299,527 children and engaged thousands of Pioneers to volunteer in Maryland schools.
One of the most loyal volunteers groups are Pioneer ‘grandparents’. Today’s grandparents are more energetic and community minded than ever. Some remain productive in the workplace while enjoying a wide variety of volunteer and leisure activities while other grandparents retire early to take an active role in the daily care of their grandchildren.
The Pioneers want to promote this grandparent’s volunteerism and will help Pioneers become the ‘hero’ they deserve to be.  Any Pioneer who reads in their grandchildren’s school will receive a new Scholastic book for, not only their grandchildren, but for all of their classmates.
Recently, Pioneer Paul Truntich and his Pioneer Partner Barbara read in Beach Elementary, Gale-Bailey Elementary and Tracy’s Landing Elementary schools where their daughters teach and grandchildren attend. Paul and Barbara enjoyed the experience but really enjoyed watching their grandchildren’s eyes light up with joy when they walked into the classroom.
       
While parents have difficulty getting time off work to volunteer or participate in their children’s school activities, grandparents have a wealth of time to get involved in volunteering in their grandchild’s school.  This is where memories are made. Your grandchildren will always remember your visit to their classroom and the love a reading you demonstrated. Call your grandchild’s school, make a reading date and email PioneersRead@msn.com with your book order.
Whatever the volunteer activity, all grandparents should know that the rewards are great. Nothing compares to a child’s spontaneous hug or proud smile! The Pioneers know that these school volunteer opportunities create a legacy of learning the grandchildren will never forget and continue to build on.

Lower Shore Life Member Club
Contact Virginia Lane 410-742-3616 for further details.
Mar 25   Delmar Diner   Delmar
April 22   Village Inn   Ocean Pines
May 27   Going Nuts   Salisbury
June 24   Sunset Grill   Ocean City


Tidewater Life Member Club

Congratulations to Emma Johnson for receiving the Maryland Chapter 2009 Volunteer of the year award.

Lower Shore Life Member Club

Congratulations to Inez Dorr for the much deserved 2009 Jefferson Award.
 

 

Western Maryland Pioneers Help Youngest Domestic Violence Victims
Stay Warm During the Holidays
          Western Maryland Pioneers realize that, unfortunately, there is no holiday when it comes to domestic violence.  In fact, statistically, violent incidents in families occur more frequently during times of increased stress like those brought on by the holidays. 
          Most victims must leave dangerous situations quickly and bring their children with very little clothing or supplies for daily living.  Small children are often without pajamas for warmth on cold nights in the winter, having to sleep in only their underwear or diapers.
          The Hagerstown area Pioneers were made aware of the need this December and purchased 25 sets of pajamas in various sizes for children ranging in age from 6 months to 16 years old.  Each pajama set was folded, designated for boy or girl, labeled and wrapped for presentation to the local women’s shelter.
          The Pioneers in Frederick and Westminster contacted their local shelters for “wish lists” and were able to purchase and present items such as shampoo, disposable diapers, feminine hygiene products, children’s books and other items.  The needs are constant and donations of these items are deeply appreciated by those who receive them.
          Domestic Violence is a Maryland Chapter initiative in partnership with Verizon again this year. The monies used to purchase needed items comes from Pioneer fundraising efforts and dues from our active members.  Without your support we would be unable to continue our efforts in the community.  Please become a member.  Even if you do not have time to volunteer yourself, the small monthly amount for dues will go a long way, and in the end we will all be a little “warmer” in winter.
Cheryl Poole - Western Region President 2010

Pioneers Are Old Geezers!!
When you hear the word “Pioneers” do you think of people in Conestoga wagons rolling across the plains?  And when you hear the words “Telephone Pioneers” do you think of old people with a knitting needle in one hand and a crab mallet in the other?  Well, you would be right on both counts! Webster defines the word “pioneer” as “one who ventures into unknown territory” and both our forefathers and the early Telephone Pioneers did just that. 
The Telephone Pioneer organization began in 1911 which makes us almost 100 years old.  And even though some of our younger employees think we look like we were here in the beginning, we don’t have one foot in the grave just yet.  As a matter of fact, most of the things we do are geared toward youth and education.  For example, did you know that this year we will give our 300,000th book to elementary school children in Maryland?

Did you know any employee is eligible to be a reader and get free books for your child’s class? Did you know that we have pantries in schools that give free school supplies to children who might not have the opportunity or the money to purchase them?

Frederick Life Member Club
The Frederick Life Member club recently collected gifts for the mental health Association of Frederick County for operation Santa Claus. The gifts were presented to patients at local psychiatric facilities during the holiday season. The club has supported Operation Santa Claus for the past several years.

Pictured form left to right are Carroll Naik, president of the local club, Tamara Rohrer, club member and Cheryl Evans, Marketing and Outreach Director for the Mental Health Assoc. of Frederick County.

Since 1999 the Frederick Life Member Club has supported the Angel Tree project. This year 29 members and partners spent 285 hours manning the Salvation Army Angel Tree in the Francis Scott Key Mall in Frederick.
The Angel Tree provided clothing for 1,234 families with 2,251 children benefiting from the clothing purchased by the public when they picked from the tree, shopped and returned needed items in time to be delivered before Christmas.
The Salvation Army and a local radio station provided toys for the children.


Upcoming Club Member Events and Chairperson

The Verizon Maryland Pioneers were recently honored with the ‘Excellence in Fundraising International Award’ at the Annual Meeting of the Pioneers in Atlanta.  Maryland Chapter Pioneers received many accolades for offering a family-oriented fun day at Hershey Park while raising funds to support their Book’em, Students Under Construction, Thinkfinity Internet Safety Program, Dictionary Program, Blankets of Honor, Vials of Life and aiding Domestic Violence Shelters around Maryland.  The Pioneers rent out the entire park for the day in early spring and offer discounted admission tickets for $23.00 (regular admission price is $52.00) and free parking.  Hershey Park Day this year is Sunday, April 25th.
The Maryland Chapter Pioneers were also honored by being an award finalist for the Educational Excellence Award for their work with the Baltimore Parochial Schools by implementing a Internet Safety Course using Thinkfinity.  After training the teachers last summer, Pioneers challenged their students in the fall to prepare videos to warn other children about the dangers of the Internet using Thinkfinity as their resource. Pioneers voted for the best presentation and the winning schools were awarded Netbooks and flip videos.

President Mary Weber and Vice President Nancy Mazepa receiving
the Excellence award.

 For more information about joining the Pioneers, volunteering in any of our projects or to purchase tickets for Hershey Park, go to www.verizonmarylandpioneers.org or call 410 393-6649.

Maryland Pioneers and partners with Steve Kohn (left)
Vice President Verizon Pioneers

Travel with the Pioneers

Cruise from the Port of Baltimore
October 21, 2010    
Enchantment of the Seas
9 nights/ Eastern Caribbean

Balto, 2 sea days, San Juan, St. Thomas, Samana, Dominican Republic, Labadee, 2 sea days and return to Balto.

includes gov’t taxes and fees  
For more information, call Mary Ann Caguin at (410) 527-9700 ext.120 or 800 668-9077
World Travel Service * 11223 York Road* Hunt Valley, MD 21030-1996

The 80,700-ton Enchantment of the Seas is an innovative ship featuring exciting activities and amenities that the whole family will enjoy. Revel in the excitement of a rock-climbing wall, bungee trampolines and suspension bridges high above the expansive pool deck. Grab a coffee at Latte-tudes coffee house and peruse the Centrum, an open atrium with shops and a lounge. Kids will love the interactive splash deck and Adventure Ocean youth facilities with age-appropriate activities and teen lounge. The Windjammer Cafe is a casual alternative to the formal, two-level My Fair Lady Dining Room, while Chops Grille is open for reservations nightly, serving mouthwatering steak and seafood dishes. Popular night spots include the convivial Schooner Bar, the elegant Champagne Bar and Latin-themed Boleros. The Viking Crown Lounge is a Royal Caribbean signature; floating 11 decks above the ocean, it’s an observation point by day and a pulsating dance club at night. A casino and show lounge adds to the evening’s festivities. Additional highlights include a jogging track, spa and fitness center and solarium with glass-enclosed pool area and retractable roof. All staterooms include 24-hour room service, vanity area, television, telephone, hairdryer and private bathroom with shower.

Metro East Life Member Club

Come Join Us For Lunch Where: PAPPAS RESTAURANT When: MONDAY, MAY 17, 2010 1725 Taylor Ave. Parkville  (There is an elevator to the second floor) TIME: 11:30 AM Arrive in time to enjoy a relaxing drink with the Fine folks you worked with at ol' C&P, BA or Verizon  12:30 PM Lunchtime!	Menu Choices: 1. Jumbo crab cakes 2. 8 oz. New York strip steak 3. Chicken Marsala Included in all meals are crab soup, 2 vegetables, hot coffee, hot tea or ice tea. Ice cream for dessert $25.00 per person and free parking Reservations & payment due by May 10, 2010 SPACE IS LIMITED TO 60 PEOPLE
Complete and mail bottom portion with check for $25.00 for each member of your party Payable to: MARYLAND CHAPTER TP	Mail to: Lil Davis 2811 Damascus Ct Apt C Balto. Md. 21209  410 764-3933 Barbara Takesian 1806 Weyburn Rd. Balto. Md. 21237 410 866-6873
Name:________________________________________________________ Address:______________________________________________________ Luncheon Choice: 1_____ 2_____ 3_____

Blankets of Hope
One of the Chapter’s projects this year is “Blankets of Hope” which provide soft fleece blankets for local military troops.  Our goal for the year 2010 is to make 400 blankets.  So far, we have completed 149 blankets. These are no-sew blankets that can be assembled by individuals or by groups of volunteers working together. Materials for assembling the blankets can be brought to meetings along with instructions and a demonstration. Please contact Anne Butta at the following email address churchlady22@verizon.net to help with this worthy project.  Working together we can easily meet our goal this year.
       

Maryland Telecom Pioneers Participate in Verizon’s Thinkfinity/Internet Safety Program

Dear Pioneers, 
Thank-You for making the Thinkfinity/Internet Safety project the big success that it is. Fifty-nine (59) pioneers voted for their favorite safety videos and the winners were clear. The link to see more about the winners is: http://ideas4us.com/safetycontest.htm. 
One of the premiere resources for Internet Safety, NetSmartz, is highlighting one of our videos on their website. You can see it at http://www.netsmartz.org/index.aspx  by scrolling down the page.  NetSmartz is sponsored by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. 
The winning schools are in Hagerstown, Baltimore City, Frederick and Baltimore County. The first and second place winners received a state of the art mini Netbook. The third and fourth place winners won Flip Video Cameras with a tripod.  
This year (2009) was a pilot for our program. We expect many more classes highlighting Thinkfinity in the New Year.  After I gave the presentation to you this summer, we continued to train teachers in the fall and training will continue in the spring. In addition, our kids will be presenting Internet Safety ideas at the Technology Showcase at Calvert Hall in March, 2010 and I will invite some of our pioneer Internet Safety trainers to attend to further support our teachers and their students.   
 Please know how very, very important the Pioneers involvement has been and continues to be.  Your participation and recognition of this important work means more than you can possibly know.  In your generous spirit of caring, you have truly made a difference to our teachers and their students. We sincerely thank-you!

Dr. Carole Redline
Director of Academic Technology
Division of Catholic Schools
Archdiocese of Baltimore

First Place Winner

From the Office of Bill Roberts, Regional President Maryland and DC
 Verizon Sponsors Black History Month Open House
More than 1,000 Patrons Enjoy Free Tour of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture

     BALTIMORE CITY, Md. – Over 1,000 guests recently attended a free open house sponsored by Verizon at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture.  The largest African American museum on the East Coast, the Lewis brings Maryland to the world with its large permanent collection, and the world to Maryland through its dynamic and educational special exhibits.
     Baltimore had an opportunity to see the public and private sectors join forces for the benefit of the community.  Congressman Elijah Cummings, Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Baltimore City Council President Jack Young, were among the dignitaries that helped greet museum guests for this special day focused on history and education.  Baltimore City Public Schools, the NAACP and other community leaders also participated in the celebratory event.
Verizon President William R. Roberts noted “Baltimore and Verizon’s histories have been intertwined since 1884 when the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company of Baltimore City was formed. “  He added “Verizon has deep community roots here as well.  In the past five years, Verizon has donated almost $6 million to Baltimore City non-profit organizations.” 
The special event included a program presented by Verizon, Radio One and Digital All Systems featuring special guests, book and poetry readings and book and laptop computer give-aways.  The Verizon Telecom Pioneers, a group of telecom employees and retirees dedicated to volunteerism, provided 200 free books to the first 200 students to arrive at the museum.  An additional 500 Black history books were provided to all patrons by Verizon. Over thirty Verizon volunteers and their families were on hand to support the event.  Verizon’s volunteer coordinator Tony Randall credited the volunteers for the successful program saying “their team spirit and dedication to community service is unmatched.”

About the Verizon Foundation:
The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational Web site, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence.  In 2008, the Verizon Foundation awarded more than $68 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad.  It also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in an additional $26 million in combined contributions to nonprofits.  Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation’s largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 3 million hours of community service since 2000.  For more information of the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

Like hearing from us?  We would love to keep in touch with you also but postage, like everything else is going up these days. If you would like to receive mail from us, please send a $5.00 check to Pioneer Happenings.  Make check payable to Maryland TP and mail to: Pioneer Office, Pioneer Happenings, 99 Shawan Rd. Cockeysville MD 21030.