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https://lanetechalumni.org/events/calendar/#id=152&wid=901&cid=1605https://lanetechalumni.org/events/calendar/#id=152&wid=901&cid=1605

We've got some Bicentennials and 75ers cruising on Monday. Come join us! South loop marina is easier access than Navy Pier, as is the early boarding time... and there's a covered lower deck in case it gets "spitty" or you get "thirsty"! https://lanetechalumni.org/events/calendar/#id=152&wid=901&cid=1605

07/23/23 06:27 PM

#1688

Ken Ortiz

Hello all,

I got to renew my Lane Alumni membership this morning (hopefully, the rest of you will also) and as I was on my laptop taking care of that and sipping coffee from my Lane Tech coffee mug that I got at our 40 year reunion (2016 for those that are mathematically challenged, and for which I am sure that NONE of us are), I noticed that my mug is a bit worn out. The picture of our high school that is on the mug is just a bit faded and also the lettering, etc. Actually, I do not remember what the original artwork was on our Lane Tech mug as it is that faded. It will come to the point where again, I will tell the truth about something and people will not believe me. Because I will tell them: “Hey! Check out my Lane Tech coffee mug!” And they will go: “Yeah, sure it is, uh-huh” (with eye roll).

So, I went to the Alumni store during my renewal to see if I could purchase a new one but I did not see any. So, maybe someone can let me know how I could get a new one. This time maybe I will put a coating or protective layer on it to keep the artwork from fading.

Check out my original Lane Tech mug from our 40^th reunion:

You can see just a bit of the artwork at the top of the handle, unfortunately, all the rest is faded out, but I can assure you that it IS an official Lane Tech coffee mug (Michelle can vouch for me) and I still use it for my coffee. It’s microwavable too in case I need to warm up coffee that has cooled off. Hopefully, we still have some of these around.

07/24/23 08:07 PM

#1689

Maja Wiesinger (Ramirez)

Ken, please don't microwave OR put any coating over what's left of your mug. Plastics & their ilk should never be exposed to high heat/microwaved; they shed tiny pieces of themselves (microbits) into what we want to eat/drink. IF you can find one unsullied, only use it for cool drinks.

07/25/23 07:34 PM

#1690

2023 LTAA Golfing for Grants (lanetechalumni.org)

Kenny... thank you for renewing and being such a loyal alum! Here's what those cups looked like at the time of our reunion. Clearly you are disciplined about washing your coffee mug! (I agree with Maya... don't nuke your plastic anymore no matter what THEY say).

We wiped out the inventory of these mugs back in 2016 but are introducing a super sexy YETI tumbler in the next few weeks. It may be time for an upgrade my friend.

Also, for those of you who like LT swag... we're auctioning off some very cool and in some cases, one-of-a-kind Lane items at the silent auction at the Golf Outing dinner on August 17th at White Pines in Bensenville. Come on out and join us for BBQ. Super cool coffee table book on the murals, Chef's apron with customized Lane grilling tools, LT pole banner from Chicago streets & san and more!

07/26/23 07:19 PM

#1691

Hey Jeff, I think it is safe to say that my bowling days are over after the left Achilles surgery in 2019. I'm lucky that I can still walk and skate somewhat. Tennis as I knew is out too. Here's a picture of The Rooster, Larry Roos '76, making like an abscounder of my '71 Plymouth which was painted in Corvette LeMans Blue with monster metal flake! Picture was taken the day Jimmy Carter came to town in the late 70's. The Kennedy Expressway was closed down by the Secret Service and we were watching the motorcade fly by somewhere on Bryn Mawr & Sayre.

07/26/23 07:25 PM

#1692

Ken, Having lived on the east and west sides of Humboldt Park for 17 years, getting around that part of town on parade day is a nightmare. I'd usually hang out at a girlfriend's or friend's house or just leave town altogether until the weekend was over. BTW, I have my LT '76 mug in original, pristine condition, never used. Let the auction begin to the highest bidder!

08/10/23 02:03 PM

#1693

Meet the latest Bicentennial... or at least addition to the Cole family.

JOEY!

Yes... that's right... I've brought home an ewok!

Joey is 10 weeks old. She's a miniature bernedoodle. Her mom was a Bernese Mountain Dog and her dad was a miniature poodle. She'll grow up to be about 35-50 pounds. Right now... about 7-1/2 pounds. Just a little fluff ball.

08/11/23 07:28 PM

#1694

Cute. Why not name him Ewok? For Halloween, you can dress Joey up!

08/15/23 08:20 PM

#1695

Per C Pearson

It's hard to compete with a cute little face like Joey!

My Lane mug at work is always a topic of conversation.

09/17/23 03:53 PM

#1696

Ken Ortiz

Hello all,

Happy 65^th to some of you. Not sure how many of our Alumni have reached “Medicare" age by now, but I have not as I was a younger 76’er and I will hit 65 in March. But one thing I noticed is that I have been getting “Welcome to Medicare" guides in the mail from various entities with access to “Live Licensed Insurance Agents" (LLIA's for you acronym lovers) to answer any questions. I am presently employed and will probably still be after 65, but I am a bit confused about not having to enroll when I am 65 if I still have company insurance. It bit my mom in the butt as she was still employed after 65, but when she quit working and enrolled, she got hit with a penalty for late enrollment and will always be paying it. I am not sure why. So I am studying my various Medicare guides to make sure I do it right. AARP has a good guide and I am reading up on it.

Speaking of “old age", is 65 old age nowadays? I don’t think so because I have not developed “Old People Smell" (OPS) yet. At least I haven't noticed (sniffs self). Maybe I need to hang around more youngsters as when we were young, we did notice “OPS" from some of our elders. Maybe my grandson (2 ½ years old now) will one day sniff me and then crinkle his nose and make a face. Then I will know that I have it. There was actually an article I read recently about “Old People Smell" and there has been research into this phenomena. It’s a real thing they claim and it has to do with the compounds and chemicals our skin produces as we age as well as diet, lifestyle and environment. So I guess I better get my Old Spice and Hai Karate (and any other vintage) colognes/aftershaves ready.

As I work 3^rd shift, I have a public service announcement for you all. Please check your headlights. You cannot guess how many cars I see on my drive to work (between 9 and 9:30pm) with only one headlight working. I have also noticed those “driving too slow and cautious” because they over-extended their “Happy Hour" and a few with no headlights on and even a couple of “weavers" having a hard time staying in their lane. Another public service announcement: If you are drunk, do not think using a self-driving car will work.

My daughter was “baby free" the Sunday of Labor Day weekend and we got to do a Daddy/Daughter outing that day. What a fun time we had. We had lunch at Kuma's Corner in Schaumburg. I recall the one in Chicago (around Belmont and California I think). The one in Schaumburg (Scumbag for those who make fun of the burbs and neighborhoods and I have a million of them...Hangover Park, Rolling Ghettos, Arlington Frights.,Juankegan, Crystal Fake, Unpleasant Prairie, Kenowhere, Glenphew, Bolingcrook, Horny Park, Avonfail, Scumdolt Park (where I grew up), etc (Please add yours). Bucktown would be a Parental Advisory one as well as Wicker Park. But I digress. Anyway, the Kuma’s corner in Schaumburg has a goth, metal-ly, headbanger-ry theme. And our server was dressed goth and was a really cool person. I even impressed her when I mentioned that I still have the System of a Down - Toxicity CD. She also had a really good knowledge of rock in our day. So we got to talk about 70’s rock. I got to hang out with one Lane 76’er back in the day and he had an amazing Rock album collection. If he kept it, it would probably be worth boo-koo(bu-ku?) bucks by now as vinyl is back.

So after that cool lunch AXEperience, my Daughter took me to an MFTE. My First Time Ever...I did AXE throwing. And it was also an MFTE for my daughter too. So, I guess that would be an “OFTE” (Our First Time Ever). What a fun time that was. It took a while for us to get the technique down, but after awhile, we both were “sticking our AXE's on target”. We had an AXEcellent time there and it AXEceeded my AXEpectations.

And I took Maja’s advice about microwaving my Lane Tech mug and am now using a ceramic one to reheat and drink my coffee. It fits with my work shift as it has the logo “Up All Night".

09/18/23 11:56 AM

#1697

Hey Ken.

Yeah, Medicare is CONFUSING AS HELL. There are a lot of insurance agents out there that will represent Medicare options to you and help you navigate the proces at no charge. They get paid by the insurance companies. We found a very good one and visit him every year.

Watch out for that "late enrollment penalty". It'll bite you for the rest of your life. I don't remember the letters, but one of the Medicare plans you have to enroll for or you get hit with the penalty. The others are optional and you don't need them if you're on your employer's insurance. No penalties.

You might want to see how your employer plan coordinates with Medicare. My employer plan was no better than Medicare and cost a lot more. So, turning 65 saved A BUNCH of money for me. I dropped my employer insurance and went with a Medicare Advantage plan with 0$ premiums. But, don't look to me for advice. It's different for everyone.

Also, plan on re-evaluating your Medicare every October for the rest of your life. The plans change so much every year, and your situation may change, that it may be adventageous for your to change plans periodically. Do you take a lot of medications... Maybe THIS plan is best. Do you take some medication that's supid expensive... Maybe THAT plan is best. Are you planning some major medical expense the next year... Maybe THIS plan is best. I had a major surgery planned for one year. Changed plans for that year only and saved THOUSANDS.

My advisor guy keeps a spreadhseet of all the plans, which I'm eligible for, and how they all compare. Makes my decision a lot easier each year.

A while back my cousin married a guy who had two headbanger teenage kids. I impressed the HELL outta them when they saw my collection of "Surf Nazis" and "Dead Kennedys". Hey... I'm OLD, but not DEAD!
Then I introduced them to the joys of Frank Zappa. They never did get into the Dead, though. And, 1970's "drug music" like Tull, Floyd and ELP was beyond them.

09/18/23 01:05 PM

#1698

Robert S Young

I agree with Robert Cole. My guess is, your employer will offer a Medicare package that allows you to enroll in Medicare and possibly receive supplements for the parts they don't readily cover.

I turned 65 last fall and for me, being retired Military it was pretty simple. But, based on the number of "offers" for help o know it can be pretty confusing.
Good luck!

09/18/23 04:10 PM

#1699

Edward Mc Carthy

Ken....thanks for your updates. Yes, Medicare is a slippery slope. If you are employed you don't need to apply for medicare as you have approved bonafied insurance through your employer. Should you loose that, you will need to move to medicare toot sweet! That said, you CAN still APPLY at age 65 plus of minus 6 months. This way you are in the system. Your employer insurance is and will continue to be primary.

Mr. Coles comment about penalty is true . Failure to follow dates and deadlines will increase monthly fees for the rest of your life. Each year, there is open enrollment for supliments to Mecicare and you can move in and out of different programs and providers at that time. Some have enhanced dental, vision, meds etc. so if you feel dental work one year is a priority, move to a provider for your supplimental coverage that offers increased dental coverage. Next year, you need glasses.....switch. The system allows tremendous flexibility if you know how to use it.

Yes, the mail and phone calls are many. All in an effort to get you to buy that company's part B etc etc etc. C and so on. Also, all fees are predicated on income. So watch what you drtaw from your retirements accounts. Play the income numbers from year to year.

All this info is available on line. You have plenty of time so do your homework. I hit the big 6 5 in 2 months so I have been doing my homework too. I called it quits last year and my wife provides insurance for us as she will work a couple more years. As sick as it seems, I sometimes miss the grind of work challenges and making people the best version of themselves.....however between hobbies, our lake home and Florida home, my adult kids bitch slap me anytime I bring up even part time work. All of our generation has worked hard to attain the rewards of senior living. Sadly, our kids will have a much different retirement picture. Gen X, Y, millenials....the world they will deal with will be much different than ours.

Mr Young.....thank you for your service. Much admiration and thanks to all our vets.

Be well all. EM

09/19/23 03:31 PM

#1700

Don't hold me to this but, Medicare Part A is the "hospitalization" part. It's no charge but if you don't sign up for it when you're 65 you get hit with a penalty for the rest of your life. So, even if you're employed, sign up for Part A.

Part B is the "major medical" part and it is optional if you have other coverage, like an employer plan. It is the part that is not free. But, the cost and coverage aren't bad. Whenever you lose your other coverage you can enroll for Part B. No penalties.

In my case, my employer had no coordinating plan with Medicare. Medicare would pay first and they'd pay what's left. But, it would still cost me as much as the full employee plan. So, I dropped the employer plan altogether and went full Medicare. Still good coverage and saved a bundle.

Part D is drug coverage, costs and is optional.

Lots of other options for other coverage. "Supplemental" covers the gaps Medicare doesn't cover. There are retstrictions there so get help.

Part C is "Medicare Advantage". Those are plans offered by insurance companies that take over your Parts A, B and maybe D, and may offer greater coverage, and other benefits like dental (remember, Medicare doesn't cover dental or eye coverage, like most employer plans do). There are a million of those and they change every year. Some are better if you need hospitalization. Some have better physical therapy benefits, if you regularly use that. Some have better drug coverage, if you take a lot of drugs. Some have no monthly premium. Some have an additional monthly cost. Some offer freebies like free health club memberships or free medicalert medallions ("I've fallen and I can't get up!") So, picking those depends on your individual situation. I found that Medicare Advantage plans were most like the traditional employer plan I was used to, so I went that route.

But, I couldn't have done any of this without the Medicare expert I consult with once a year. Yes... all this is available online but it's huge. An advisor can summarize it all for you and make it a lot easier. And, like I mentioned, they should be no charge to you. They're compensated by the insurance companies. And, the one I deal with isn't affiliated with any one, or group, of companies. He's independent so I get independent advice.

It's nice to see that, after paying into Medicare for decades, I finally get something back!
Now, if Social Security can just hang on until after I die.

09/19/23 03:41 PM

#1701

My summary... if you like to continue "full coverage" and you continue to get employer coverage you'l probably get...

Part A
It's free. Required when you're 65 and missing the boat on this one will haunt you for the rest of your life.
Employer coverage
If it coordinates well with Medicare. Or, if you like it and want to continue paying for it and not use Medicare at all.

If and when you decide to dump employer coverage. Maybe employment stops. Or maybe Medicare is just cheaper.

Add Part B

and

Add Part D
Add Supplemental

Add Part C and forget about all the others. "They're in there".

Whatever you choose, you'll need to sign up for Part A when you're 65. It's required for any of the other options.

09/19/23 11:39 PM

#1702

This is why we need a Medicare Eligibility Party!

I am curious to know if anyone has signed up for the new supplemental Plan G that includes Vision & Dental? Is it worth it?

Also... what a treat to spend time with Joan (Yamanaka) Toyama tonight! And at a Lane volleyball game no less! It took all of five minutes to remember why we became such fast friends our freshman year. She's still so cool... although the jury's still out on the pickleball thing...

I hope it's the first of many more get togethers now that she's back in the Chi.

L-A L-A L-A-N-E

T-E T-E T-E-C-H

L-A-N-E-T-E-C-H

GOOOoooooooo LANE!

09/20/23 04:24 PM

#1703

Michael Bentley

Hiya!

Since I'm an indy consultant coder, I've been mooching off of my wife's employer insurance benefits package (Alice Insley '77 btw). This year, however, I registered for Medicare parts A and B, no C, and a drug plan D.

The Medicare part A and B thing was straightforward. I was motivated by the possibility that paperwork would balloon if I hadn't done it within months of becoming eligible.

Medicare part C was...a little strange. Every insurance company on this Aerth wants you to sign up for their Medicare Advantage package for a low, low sum each month. I investigated, and didn't like what I found.

I chose instead to go for "medigap" supplemental coverage, specifically "Bridge Plan G" from Regence. There's a sigificant cost difference between an Advantage plan and a Bridge plan, the Bridge plan is obviously more, but *nothing* like paying for insurance yourself after age 60. I was shelling out $1700/mo before Alice's insurance coverage kicked in. Also, I wasn't sure if an Advantage policy actually offered much of an advantage.

I still have dental and vision coverage through Alice's employer. Vee Zhall Zee what happens. I've covered dental and vision myself directly for a while, and may fall back to that as needed.

The drug plan is $1.60/mo via Aetna. I had been taking one drug but currently I'm not taking anything, but registered for D anyway since who the heck knows what's going to happen when you qualify for Social Security for gosh sakes...

-Mike '76
Michael Brian Bentley
Vashon, WA 98070

09/20/23 05:36 PM

#1704

Maja Wiesinger (Ramirez)

Has anyone had their adult child fall off the face (of insurance), and what did s/he pick to replace? Please PM me any wise counsel...

09/24/23 03:29 PM

#1705

Andrew Skipor

It’s about 50 / 50 when it comes to selecting Adv plans or Supplement plans. Plans will depend upon the state and zip code you live in. One thing to consider is that not all hospitals/medical centers will accept Adv plans.

Here are a few good youtuber’s that discuss the merits and detractors from these plans.

Boomer Benefits

Medicare Specialist- Abt Insurance

90 Days from Retirement

Dental Insurance: basically will only cover cleaning and xrays. You will need to shop for more premium plans to cover dental repair: cracked tooth, cavities, root canal….

If a dependent ages out from parental health care coverage, there are 3 to 6 month plans. You will have to meet with an insurance agent to review these. Will have very high: deductible and max out of pocket expenses. Risky activities like climbing, hand gliding, motorcycle riding…. will bump up the premiums a lot.

Net net, stay healthy.

Andrew

10/03/23 08:52 PM

#1706

We cut our cable recently so I've been looking around for new things to stream and watch on Amazon Prime, and came across this documentary the other night. The music brought back all kinds of memories... but wowie... what a dark family tale. Their dad was just as awful as the Wilsons and the Jacksons. Yeesh!

10/04/23 01:12 AM

#1707