Celebrate Father’s Day with This Month’s Recipe: Bacon and Ranch Cajun Baby Cheeseburgers

Tracie Eubank on May 31, 2023

Father’s Day is a great time to gather the whole family and enjoy a great backyard get-together. And a recipe with a fresh spin on the traditional cheeseburger is something the whole family will enjoy!

These delicious – and adorable – mini-cheeseburgers pull out all the stops for Dad with crisp-cooked bacon, homemade Cajun seasoning and a creamy, ranch dressing drizzle. Pair these burgers with your favorite sides and drinks and celebrate a great time!

Ingredients

Cajun Seasoning
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. dried oregano

Burgers
1 pound lean ground beef (for a heart-healthy recipe, swap ground turkey)
1 tsp. Cajun Seasoning
1 tsp. Tabasco
2 slices pepper Jack cheese
1 tsp. minced garlic
2 tbs. extra virgin olive oil
8 mini hamburger buns or dinner rolls, split
1/4 c. prepared ranch dressing
16 arugula leaves or lettuce of choice
8 Roma tomato slices
4 crisp-cooked bacon slices (or turkey bacon!)

Directions

1) Place all Cajun seasonings in a bowl and mix.

2) Place beef, seasoning, hot sauce and garlic in a large bowl and mix. Form the mixture into 8 equal-size patties.

3)  Pour oil into a large skillet over medium heat. In batches, place patties in hot skillet and cook until browned, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.

4) Quarter the two slices of cheese to make 8 slices and place a slice on top of each burger to melt.

5) Place rolls, split side down, in same skillet and cook until toasted, about 1 minute.

6) Spread the dressing onto the insides of the warm toasted rolls. Layer bottom roll with the lettuce of your choice (arugula is our favorite!), a burger, a tomato slice and a bacon slice cut in half. Close with top roll. 7) These burgers are tall – so be sure to place a pick in each to hold them together.

Makes 8 servings.

Summer Fun…For Less…Thanks to AMBA Discounts 

Tracie Eubank on May 31, 2023

Need a new outfit for a beach getaway? Want to save money on scrumptious treats for get-togethers with family and friends? Looking for the perfect west coast trip? AMBA Discounts has got you covered. We’re here to help make your cherished summer days with loved ones even better.

Tuhkana Swimwear

Tuhkana makes easy to wear, eye-catching suits with an elegant twist. Their sustainable and eco-friendly fabrics fuse timeless designs, modern fits, and comfortable materials. Every collection is thoughtfully selected for unique style that can still be easily matched with other pieces. You don’t need 10 new bikinis every summer – but you can have 10 different new styles by picking a few new pieces.

AMBA Discounts offer: 25% off entire purchase online.

Sift Dessert Bar

Sift Dessert bar won Food Network’s Cupcake Wars and is your dessert destination for gifting, treating, and celebrating. Sift is known for creating delicious innovations, like macaron flavors like Birthday Cake with vanilla and raspberry filling, Salted Caramel, and Churro; and gourmet cupcakes like almond cake with blueberry-tequila filling or raspberry cake topped with Champagne buttercream. These confections are made daily. They have three locations in California and ship delightful dessert gift boxes nationwide. 

AMBA Discounts offer: 15% off shipping orders and in-store pick-up.

Riviera Beach House

This hotel is the perfect boutique escape in Santa Barbara’s renowned Funk zone. It’s located in the heart of an incredible eclectic neighborhood and is just steps away from the beach. This lively city with small-town charm is just waiting for you to discover its artistic community and relax in breathtaking sunsets. The hotel’s guest rooms are designed with contemporary artistic sensibility.

AMBA Discounts offer: Save up to 20% off best available rates!

Explore a world of additional savings on clothing, entertainment, shopping, and car rentals by visiting www.passportcorporate.com.

More Men Are Being Diagnosed with Advanced Prostate Cancer

Tracie Eubank on May 31, 2023

After more than 20 years of decline, cases of prostate cancer in men and the number of deaths from the disease are rising.

A recent report says that a 3% rise in the number of cases took place between 2014-2019. In terms of mortality, less than 27,000 men died from prostate cancer in 2014. In 2022, that number increased to approximately 34,500.

The increase is deeply concerning. As one of the authors of the report said, “On a yearly basis, 8,000 more men died. Essentially, that’s like 16 Boeing 747s crashing.”

Are Declines In Prostate Cancer Screenings To Blame?

Since 1994, screening tests for prostate cancer had been a standard part of annual exams for men over 55. But in 2008, officials recommended against screening for men 75 years old and up. The concern was that doctors were over-diagnosing as well as treating too many men whose prostate cancer might progress so slowly that the men would die of something else before the cancer advanced became a problem. Treatments could lead to potential side effects such as incontinence and sexual dysfunction. The guidance against prostate exams increased for all men in 2012.

The changed guidelines and reduced number of screenings may be responsible for the initial decrease in incidence. The findings of this new study suggest the worries among some doctors and researchers that many older men were not getting screened and are now being diagnosed with advanced cancer.

Researchers now believe that, while not going back to how pervasive screening had previously been (or going back to men with slow-growing cancers receiving treatments that adversely affected their quality of life), there might need to be a rebalancing to increase the current guidelines to reverse the new trend of more death and possibly more metastatic diseases at the time of diagnosis.

The good news is that there have been spectacular advances in treatments, even for many with advanced cancers. A Cancer policy from NCRGEA and AMBA helps protect you and your family in the case of a cancer diagnosis. Although the rates of successful treatment are better than ever, travel, care, and other out-of-pocket expenses are costly. This plan pays cash in one lump sum upon the first diagnosis of internal cancer or malignant melanoma. You can even add an optional Heart and Stroke rider to your policy. Learn more by requesting a Benefits Review at amba-review.com/NCRGEA or speak with a skilled AMBA representative by calling 866-615-4063.

 

Source: https://www.urologytimes.com/view/rates-of-advanced-prostate-cancer-are-on-the-rise-new-data-show

Congratulations Montrena Hadley: NCRGEA 2023 Lifetime Service Award Recipient

Tracie Eubank on May 30, 2023

May 24, 2023

Congratulations to the NCRGEA 2023 Lifetime Service Award recipient, Montrena Hadley, of District 4.  NCRGEA honored retired local government employee Montrena Hadley for her combined 30 years of service to the city of Mebane as Planning Director. Upon retirement in 2020, Hadley was elected the same year to the Mebane City Council and is currently serving as its first Black female member. 

NCRGEA Executive Director, Tim O’Connell, presented her with the award in front of more than 100 members and staff of the North Carolina General Assembly, pictured below in Image 1 on right.  The Association’s President of the Board of Directors, Mike Taylor, was also on hand to present the award, pictured below in Image 1 on left.  Montrena was nominated by District 4’s David Ray and it was the decision of the Board of Directors to select Montrena as this year’s recipient.

We had a great turnout for the Public Service Recognition and Advocacy Day May 24th at Bicentennial Plaza; over 400 attendees were at our lunch catered by Parker’s BBQ of Wilson, including a good portion of the legislators and their staff.

Having broadband issues? We can hear you!

Tracie Eubank on May 25, 2023

Tim O'Connell at broadband conference
photo: NCRGEA Executive Director Tim O'Connell and NC Secretary of Information Technology Jim Weaver

NCRGEA Executive Director Tim O’Connell attended the “Closing the Digital Divide Conference” with state and association leaders advocating for improved access to high-speed internet.  Expansion of broadband is an important legislative agenda item to our members for many reasons, including the expansion of telehealth opportunities.

Share your feedback with the state Broadband leaders by completing their Digital Equity survey.

NCRGEA Celebration of Public Service and Advocacy Day, scheduled for May 9, is now rescheduled for May 24.

Tracie Eubank on May 5, 2023

NCRGEA was informed earlier today the legislators had made a calendar adjustment for next week. There will be no committee meetings until possibly the latter part of next week. For this reason, we are expecting a fair amount of the legislators to not be in the General Assembly Building next week as many will remain in their home districts.

What Do You Need to Do?

We want you to join us on May 24! Please register to attend on the 24th using this link: tinyurl.com/2p99fyy7. It is important to register so we get our lunch count correct.

What About Meeting with My Representatives?

Your advocacy work on this day will be so much more impactful if you take a moment to schedule your time with your representatives. You can find their contact information and the name of their legislative assistant here:  https://rgea.info/advocacy/findmylegislator/. Please book (or re-book) appointments with your legislators for the new date of May 24. Please use the registration form at the link tinyurl.com/2p99fyy7 and fill in the name and time of your appointment with your Legislator so our NCRGEA Lobbyists can be aware and help us with follow up!

What if I Cannot Attend on May 24, but my legislator is still willing to meet me on May 9?

By all means, if you cannot make May 24 and your legislator is still available on May 9, you are welcome to keep your appointment. If you would like a member of the NCRGEA lobby team to join you on a May 9 visit, please email tim@rgea.info.

We thank you for your willingness to be an advocate for governmental retirees. We sincerely hope your schedule will allow you to participate in the Celebration of Public Service with us and your legislators on May 24! Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at 919.834.4652.

Public Service Week May 22to26

NCRGEA On the Road with Community Engagement Meetings

Tracie Eubank on May 4, 2023

Good news! North Carolina Retired Governmental Employees’ Association’s Community Engagement Meetings are growing and Josephine Lanier, the Association’s Insurance Director and Human Resources Outreach Coordinator is on the road again and coming to a town near you!
Her latest meetings in Selma, New Bern, Franklin and Wilmington were well received with attendance at each meeting growing and lots of questions being asked and information on the needs of our members being passed to the leadership of the Association. Lanier believes that sharing information and programs thru social media, emails, and the Association’s website is important, the opportunity for face-to-face meetings is more important, especially to members who may not be using social media and computers.
“It’s so good to meet our members and public service retirees one-on-one and let them share their concerns,” said Lanier. “As one retiree in New Bern told me, she was so happy to attend the meeting and she now understands what NCRGEA is all about and how it champions for the Public Service Retirees.”
While the General Assembly is in session, and with several bills and issues being discussed and voted on, these meetings allow Lanier to update the retirees and field questions. Josephine believes that sharing information and programs thru social media, our website NCRGEA.com, Facebook and Twitter is very important, the opportunity for personal meetings are so very import to reach all our members — some who may not be using social media and computers.

In May and June, Lanier is ready to travel the highways and byways of North Carolina to meet more NCRGEA members and their guests. She has nine meetings scheduled.

Community Outreach

May 16th – Tea and Cookies – 2:00pm-3:00pm
Currituck County Center
120 Community Way
Barco NC 27917

May 17th – Coffee and Donuts – 10:00am-11:00am
NC Cooperative Extension-Pasquotank County Center
1209 McPherson St
Elizabeth City NC 27909

May 18th – Coffee and Donuts – 11:00am-12pm
City of Rocky Mount Senior Center
427-S Church St
Rocky Mount NC 27804

May 23rd – Tea and Cookies – 2:00pm-3:00pm
Roy B Culler Senior Center
921 Eastchester Dr., Suite 1230
High Point NC 27262

May 24th – Coffee and Donuts – 10:00am-11:00am
Brown Recreation Center, Room 101
302 E. Vandalia Rd
Greensboro NC 27402

May 25th – Coffee and Donuts – 10:00am-11:00am
Kernodle Senior Center, Room A/B
1535 S Mebane St
Burlington NC 27215

June 6th – Tea and Cookies – 2:00pm-3:00pm
Cabarrus County Government, Milestone Facility
4855 Milestone Ave
Kannapolis NC 28081

June 7th – Tea and Cookies – 2:00pm-3:00 pm
The Enrichment Center of Lee County
1615 S. 3rd St
Sanford NC 27330

June 21st – Coffee and Donuts – 10:00am-11:00am
Passmore Center/Orange County Department on Aging
103 Meadowlands Dr.
Hillsborough NC 27278

If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Josephine@rgea.info or call the NCRGEA at 919-834-4652.
The Association would love for members to join us and encourages them to bring a friend who is a public service retiree. Refreshments are provided and a $25 gift card is given away at each meeting.

LGFCU extends the date of Independence

Tracie Eubank on May 4, 2023

April 28, 2023

A message from CEO Dwayne Naylor

In recent months, we’ve heard from many of you about our plans to become an independent credit union, and our goal to build a better experience that meets your needs. We have carefully considered your thoughtful input, and your ideas about in-person service, cash management, and new products and services.

We’ve decided that we need more time to innovate, to ensure that you receive the exceptional service you deserve. So, instead of introducing our new Credit Union platform to members in March 2024, we have extended our timetable for independence from State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) to 2025. SECU is supporting us fully through this transition.

This will give us time to apply all that we’ve learned from those of you who attended our summits, Annual Meeting, and small group meetings we’ve hosted throughout the state, and the scores of you who reached out to us by phone and email.

Full story here: tinyurl.com/38xuz92x