Embedded Files
Margaret Sigmon
12/24/2025
Barbara Kinsey
12/13/2026
Lois Strickland
5/5/2024
We honor and remember our members who have passed away this past year. Margaret was the first special education teacher in Watauga County in the early 1960s. She switched in 1965 to teaching 7th gade at Hardin Park Elementary and taught there for over 30 years. Barbara taught Englsh and Latin in public schools, including at Watauga High School and also at the college level for 38 years. Lois spent many years educating students, starting out as a kindergarten teacher and advancing to assistant principal at Bethel Elementary. These teachers are no longer with us but the students they taught are shaping the next generation.
Pat Lanno and Sondra Edwards opened our meeting by Playing a flute and piano duet of "Amazing Grace".
Colleen Lanier, who is from the Legislative Office of NCRSP and our Unpaid Lobbyist in Raleigh, was the Guest Speaker for today. She addressed the topic "Retirees Deserve Better". See more info on NCRSP.org website.
Sondra Edwards and Melony Winkelman
Mark Hamilton, usually the first person to welcome you to our meetings. Make sure to check in with him to get your name tag.
Lynn Green, Martha Johnson and Carolyn Shockley
Norm and Karen Crotts have many talents besides being former educators, they are also our "hospitality hosts". Norm and Karen provide a wonderful meal at every meeting. in addition, Karen makes sure the tables our attractive and welcoming.
Janice Burns, Becky Steel and Mary Linda Dooley
Susan McKay, Saralyn Kader and Janice Burns
Jane Brown, Wendy Nicholson Laumer, Susan Phipps and Candace Hall
Several of our members were at the May 16th ribbon cutting for Watauga County's newest elementary school, Valle Crucis. Flooding during Helene forced the students, teachers and support staff to abandon the old school ahead of the completion of the construction that had already been started earlier. Two alternate sites within the county offered their facilities for the school 'without a building'. Those helping were Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute at the Watauga County location and Valle Crucis Conference Center for over a school year until the new building in Valle Crusis
Sondra Edwards and Trimella Chaney, Guest
Also present at the ceremony were members Candace Hall and Nanci Tolbert-Nance.
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could be completed. Gary Childers in the center of the photo (above/left) is the Watauga County School Board Chair and a proud member of our organization made up of retired school personnel.
Leadership for 2025-2026
President: Sondra Edwards
Vice President: position not filled
Treasurer: Norm Crotts
Membership: Mark Hamilton
Legislative Committee: Susan Phipps & Mark Hamilton
Scholarship: Melony Winkelman
Community Care: Saralyn Kader
Memorials: Candace Hall & Anne Winkler
Volunteer Hours: June Mann
Communications/Red Pencil Newsletter: Becky Steele
Panorama Newsletter: Nanci Tolbert-Nance
Hospitality: Karen Crotts
Electronic Scrapbook/Historian: Margaret Stumb
Webmaster/Recognitions: Lee Stroupe
Programs: Bill Winkler
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