DO YOU KNOW…….?
Introducing our
Canasta Instructor
Ruth Kiefer
Ruth Kiefer
was born and raised in Landover, Maryland, just outside the
nation’s Capitol. As a young woman, she served in the Executive
Office of the President of the United States during the Truman
Administration. In the early 1950’s she joined The Equitable
Life Assurance Society of the U.S., NYC as its Medical
Administrator, serving in this corporate executive capacity for
37 years.
During this time, Equitable’s president appointed Ruth to his
Women’s Advisory Committee as well as his Management Advisory
Committee. During her career, she was elected President of the
Occupational Medical Administrators’ Association and Chairman of
the Board of the American Academy of Medical Administrators, the
two national professional organizations in her field consisting
of thousands of hospital administrators, nursing home
administrators, those in the military, in industry, etc. When
the Academy established its Research & Education Foundation,
Ruth was named its Board Chairman. To fulfill these
responsibilities, she had the opportunity to travel throughout
all North America. She served on the Board of Directors of
Prospect Hospital and of Fordham Hill Owners’ Corporation, NYC.
Ruth is listed in “Who’s Who of American Women” and “Women of
the World.”
Ruth and her
late husband, Norvin C. Kiefer, M.D. retired to New Port Richey,
Florida in 1989. She is a member of Asbury United Methodist
Church. She participates in community affairs, particularly
through our Elfers Senior Center where she has been our Canasta
Instructor for approximately 13 years.
Ruth likes to travel and when we don’t see her here on
Wednesdays afternoons, we know she is off on another adventure.
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Meet
CARES Elfers Center Treasurer
Jim Melito
Introducing Jim
Melito, CARES Elfers Center Volunteer Treasurer and Bingo
Coordinator. Jim was born in Newark, NJ but lived most of his life
in Bloomfield, NJ. He served in the Navy on heavy cruisers in the
South Pacific. After the service, he started work for Ronson
Lighters in Newark, NJ. From there he worked for General Motors for
31 years.
After Jim retired in 1985, he moved to Florida and started looking
for ways to keep busy. He joined the Italian American Club and held
several positions: membership chairman, vice president, house
manager and board member. It was there he met his wife, Joyce. Joyce
was volunteering at Elfers travel office and she introduced Jim to
our former director, Sandra Howard. Jim started volunteering with
the bingo games and this is where you will find him every Monday
afternoon. Jim also drove the bus for a few years and he still is
Elfers Senior Center treasurer and serves on Elfers Planning
Committee. Another interest of Jim’s is the General Motor Retirees
Club, founded in 1987 with 16 people. He has served as Vice
President and President. The group has monthly luncheons with
speakers and also takes group trips. Jim and Joyce have seven
children, twelve grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. They
enjoy taking trips and cruises when they can find time. Jim’s
favorite destination is Biloxi. He also likes to make model cars and
working around the house carrying out Joyce’s “honey do list.”
According to Jim, he enjoys volunteering and meeting people.
“Everyone should volunteer; keeping busy helps you live longer and
healthier as you forget about your aches and pains.” It also
provides invaluable help in the essential day-to-day running of the
center. Without volunteers, the Elfers Senior Center could not
exist.
So, if you are
sitting there wondering what to do with your time, go visit the
Elfers Senior Center and pick up the monthly newsletter
“Communicator” to check out the different groups that meet there,
or, better yet, ask what you could do to help. There are no lonely
or idle people at the Elfers Senior Center
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