FEBRUARY 2026 General Membership Meeting

We continued our 2025-2026 theme "Celebrating the Arts" with a visit to the Halifax Historical Museum on Beach Street in Daytona.  The tour was followed by lunch at McK's Tavern. Thanks to Tammy Crow for planning this event!

Richard Crow, Tammy Crow, CJ Allen, Nora Simons, Lu-Anne Blankenship, Sue Hofstrand, Astrid Augat, Rosemary Parlade, Sandra Stephenson, Kate Maroney, Marty Price, Linda Touten, Janice Carnegie (not pictured: Marilyn Mahoney and Carolyn Horne)

JANUARY 2026 General Membership Meeting

Following our 2025-26 theme "Celebrating the Arts," VUE-R members visited the Deland House followed by lunch at Cook's Cafe.  Many thanks to Sue Hofstrand for planning this event!

Nicki Junkins, a volunteer at the Deland House, directed a tour of the historic Deland House.

October 2025 General Membership Meeting  

Many thanks to Board Members Nora Simons and Lu-Anne Blankenship.  They organized a "Painted Stencil Greeting Cards Activity" for our members.  We had great fun!

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​September 2025 General Membership Meeting 

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Guest Speaker: Nicki Junkins from the Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters of Volusia County presented:    "News: Separating Fact from Fiction"

May 2025 General Membership Meeting

Guest Speaker:  Andrew Spar, FEA President

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Guest Speaker:  Laurie Moran
with Heal the Child

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For the final general membership meeting of 2024-25, a potluck luncheon was enjoyed by members.

Andrew Spar presenting an update: The State of Education in Our State"

CJ Allen, the fearless leader of VUE-R

April 2025 General Membership Meeting

February 2025 General Membership Meeting
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Carol Swarbrick Dries, President of PFLAG Deland/Volusia, was the guest speaker for February. PFLAG is a non-partisan and non-religious group dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those that love them.

Nora Simons (L), Patty Phelan, Sandra Stephenson, Rosemary Parlade, and Kate Maroney

VUE-R members

Tammy Crow (L) and Astrid Augat "The Web Team"

CJ Allan (left), guest speaker, Carol Swarbrick Dries, and Janice Carnegie

Sue Hofstrand (left) and Joann Grasso

​January 2025 General Membership Meeting 

VUE-R president CJ Allen with guest speaker Rhianna Bowen

Rhianna Bowen with the Florida Guardian and Litem Office presented information and the need for volunteers with the program. The Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office represents abused, abandoned and neglected children in court and the community.

Douglas MacDonald who is a volunteer with the State Pension Equity for All program presented information related to the history, the current status, and the importance of staying informed and involved with the future of the Florida retirement pension program.

Sue Hofstrand, guest speaker Douglas MacDonald, and Tony Tussing

October 2024 General Meeting at Red Lobster

Kate Maroney and Linda Touten

Rosemary Parlade and Sandy Stephenson

Linda Cuthbert and CJ Allen

Marilyn Mahoney and Joanna Grasso

Janice Carnegie and Tony Tussing

Left to right: Linda Touten, Rosemary Parlade, Sandy Stephenson, Linda Cuthbert, CJ Allen, Marilyn Treush, Nora Simons, Kate Maroney. Backgr.: Sue Hofstrand, Marilyn Mahoney and Joanna Grasso.

Linda Cuthbert, CJ Allen and Sue Hostrand

Left to right clockwise: Nora Simons, Linda Cuthbert, CJ Allen, Sue Hofstrand.

From left to right: Lu-Anne Blankenship, Sue Hofstrand, CJ Allen; Marilyn Mahoney, Joanna Grasso, Jenny Dunkle, Janice Caregie and Tony Tussing.

​​September 2024 General Membership Meeting

Clay Meek: guest speaker with the League of Women Voters

Nicki Junkins: guest speaker representing the League of Women Voters

VUE-R members

Lunch was provided by VUE-R.

(standing) President CJ Allen

VUE-R member Sue Hofstrand coordinated the guest speakers for September's general membership meeting.

VUE-R members listened intently to the guest speakers' presentation

Joanna Grasso and CJ Allen

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​​May 2024 General Membership Meeting​

Speaker Aaron Warner with NEA Benefits shared information with members.

left to right: Rosemary Parlade, Astrid Augat, Linda Touten, Kate Maroney, and Nora Simons

left to right: CJ Allen, LuAnne Blankenship, Sue Hofstrand, Anne Harrell, and Charles Moskowitz

Carolyn Horne (left) and CJ Allen

The last official VUE-R meeting for the 2023-2024 school year concluded with a 'P' party. Members were encouraged to wear clothing and bring foods that began with the letter 'P'.

VUE Retired members listening to guest speaker Aaron Warner

CJ Allen was definitely in the spirit of the 'P' party by coming as a PLUMBER with her plunger and 'butt crack'. (Thank you to all the plumbers and work you do!)

​April 2024 General Membership Meeting at Red Lobster

Richard Squillante presenting "The Power of Positivity When Life Gives You Lemons"

VUE members Joretha Hayes (L) and Linda Touten

Additional local union members join VUE-R for lunch and the presentation.

VUE-R and fellow community union members

VUE-R members Carolyn Horne (R) and Luann Blankenship with presenter Richard Squillante

Vue-R Members Synthia Fletcher (L), Marilyn Treusch (R back), Nora Simons (R front)

AFL-CIO representative Stephan Ramdohr

February 2024 General Membership Meeting

Anthony Wild presenting information regarding his organization: Kids Rock the Nation

Anthony Wild presenting to the VUE-Retired group

VUE-Retired members

CJ Allen, currrent president of VUE-Retired

January 2024 General Membership Meeting at Red Lobster

VUE-R meeting at Red Lobster

(left to right) Elizabeth Albert, VUE President, Beth Friedl, and CJ Allen VUE-R President

Guest Speaker: Sandra Armstrong with Union First speaking to members regarding ways to deal with stress

November 2023 General Membership Meeting

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"Tips for a Healthy Brain" presented by Debra Boone (Certified Health Coach) and Jocelyn Daley (Fitness Professional & Wellness Educator)

Jocelyn Daley during the presentation.

 October 2023 Community Book Give Away 
 October 2023 General Membership Meeting at Red Lobster

(left to right) Mayor Derrick Henry, Elizabeth Albert, and Primrose Cameron helping to distribute books to the local community

CJ Allen helped to distribute books to children in the community.

A book fair sponsored by the City of Daytona Beach and Mayor Derrick Henry in which 32,000 books were given to children, parents and teachers.

Cheryl Lee of FLARA, Ernie Audino -Brigadier General, US Army (Retired) and District Director for Congressman Michael Waltz of 6th District, Florida CJ Allen VUE-R David Soule (our fearless leader) VP Central Labor Council, Treas. Of Local 952 and representative of FLARA

Gen. Meeting on Oct. 25th at Red Lobster which included members of Vue-R and the New York Civil Service Retirees

Vue-R President CJ Allen addressing both groups

September 2023 General Membership Meeting
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Supervisor of Elections Lisa Lewis is introduced by Carolyn Horne.

Nora Simons, CJ Allen, Andrew Sparr and Sue Hofstrand.