October Tri-Annual Breakfast Meetings on October 14th.
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Every year on February 2, a groundhog steps into the spotlight to answer a questions human have been asking for centuries: How much longer will winter last? Cameras flash, crowds cheer, and for a brief moment, a humble burrowing rodent becomes a national icon. But the story of groundhogs—and especially the famous ones who have since retired—offers more than seasonal folklore. It reflects our long relationship with nature, tradition, and even aging itself.
Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are native to North America and have been studied and observed by Indigenous communities long before European settlers arrived. Early farmers paid close attention to animal behavior to predict seasonal changes critical for planting and survival. When German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries, they brought with them Candlemas traditions that relied on animals to forecast weather. Lacking hedgehogs in the New World, they turned to the groundhog—and Groundhog Day was born.
The most famous of all is Punxsutawney Phil, first officially recognized in 1887. According to tradition, Phil has been predicting the weather for well over a century, aided by a group of caretakers known as the “Inner Circle.” Over time, Phil became a symbol of continuity—showing up year after year, steady and dependable, no matter the forecast. Of course, behind the scenes, multiple groundhogs have filled the role, each eventually retiring from public life.
And Phil is not alone. Across North America, communities have embraced their own groundhog forecasters—Staten Island Chuck in New York, Wiarton Willie in Canada, and General Beauregard Lee in Georgia, among others. Each of these groundhogs has had a “career,” complete with public appearances, caretakers, and eventually, retirement. When their time in the spotlight ends, they are often moved to sanctuaries, zoos, or quiet habitats where they can live out their remaining years in comfort.
There is something quietly meaningful about this tradition of retirement. These animals are not expected to perform forever. Their well-being matters. Their later years are respected. In many ways, this mirrors the values we hold as an Aging Committee: recognizing contributions, honoring service, and ensuring dignity, care, and connection as individuals move into new stages of life.
Groundhog Day reminds us that aging is not an ending—it’s a transition. Just as retired groundhogs continue to live purposeful, natural lives beyond their public roles, people, too, carry wisdom, experience, and value long after their working years conclude. The spotlight may fade, but meaning does not.
So, when we watch a groundhog peer out from its burrow each February, we are seeing more than a weather prediction. We are witnessing a tradition built on respect for cycles—of seasons, of service, and of life itself. And perhaps that’s the most accurate forecast of all.
Dale Koch
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...with Edits and Modifications
At NCRO, we are proud to uphold the highest standards of accuracy and quality in all our content. Our articles are meticulously crafted by advanced AI technology, rigorously reviewed, and approved by our dedicated NCRO committees before being shared on our website. This thorough process ensures that our readers receive reliable and credible information they can trust.
The National Council of Retiree Organizations (NCRO) is reminding members to review and update their contact information to ensure uninterrupted communication and continued access to important retiree advocacy updates.
MEMBERSHIP
To ensure that NCRO can provide you with the latest communications, newsletters, benefits, and company ownership updates, please check and update your information in the NCRO database.
Regarding Membership Information in the NCRO Database:
There is no linkage between Stellantis and NCRO databases. If you update Stellantis with any changes to your home address, email address, or phone numbers, these changes do not get to NCRO. You need to update both Stellantis and NCRO separately.
- Email Address: If you no longer have an email address, the only means for NCRO to provide you with written communications is through your mailing address. If it is not correct in the NCRO database, you will not receive any communications from NCRO. Please keep your address in the database current.
- Snowbirds: Many of you may travel to a warmer climate for the winter months. We cannot keep two mailing addresses for you in our database. Please provide NCRO with one main mailing address to send NCRO communications.
- Payment Addresses: All 2026 Calendar Year payment addresses used are presently in the NCRO database. If you are using the NCRO website to make payment for breakfast meetings or dues, please take the time to review your information in the database and correct it if required.
- Caregiver Address: If you are living with a caregiver, please use the caregiver’s address in the database.
How to Change Your Information:
Please go to the NCRO website (www.ncro.org) and click on. the “Members Only” tab in top right-hand corner of the front page. Follow the instructions. Please verify that your correct address and/or email address is on file.
We included a YouTube Video below.
Your information may be incorrect in FCA’s database also. So, update both NCRO and Stellantis with any changes in address and/or phone number. Make the Stellantis update at https://fcabenefits.ehr.com. Click on My Profile and on View/Edit to see your current information and make any needed changes.
If you have a problem updating your information in the NCRO database, please contact Pete Piccinato, and he will help to get it done. Pete’s email is: pp********@*****st.net
Update My Membership Information
The National Council of Retiree Organizations (NCRO) is reminding members to review and update their contact information to ensure uninterrupted communication and continued access to …
If you’re a retiree, chances are you own more pennies than socks—and that’s saying something. They live in jars, coffee cans, old pickle jars, desk drawers, glove compartments, and that mysterious bowl by the front door. Pennies are the glitter of American currency: once they arrive, they never truly leave.
But lately, the humble penny has been under scrutiny. Is it time to retire the penny… or will it stubbornly stick around, just like us?
The Penny: Small Coin, Big Attitude
The U.S. penny has been around since 1793. That’s longer than most of us have been alive (and longer than all of us have felt young). Featuring Abraham Lincoln since 1909, the penny has survived wars, recessions, disco, the internet, and self-checkout machines that definitely don’t want your loose change.
And yet, here we are, asking: does the penny still earn its keep?
The Case Against the Penny
Economists will tell you it costs more than one cent to make a penny. That’s right—the penny is upside down on its own balance sheet. It jingles proudly while quietly losing money.
Retailers don’t love them. Cashiers sigh when they see them. And many of us retirees have reached an age where bending down to pick one up from the floor requires a brief cost-benefit analysis and possibly a chair nearby.
Other countries—Canada, Australia, and New Zealand—have already said goodbye to their lowest-value coins. The sky did not fall. Prices were rounded. Life went on.
The Case For the Penny
Ah, but retirees know something younger generations don’t: value isn’t always about efficiency.
Pennies teach patience. They remind us of childhood piggy banks, lemonade stands, and that thrilling moment when 100 of them magically turned into a dollar. Pennies also make us feel rich when we find one we forgot about in a coat pocket from 2007.
And let’s be honest—many retirees have invested years into their penny collections. Jars labeled “Vacation Fund,” “Emergency Fund,” and “I’ll Count These Someday” don’t just represent coins. They represent optimism.
So… What’s the Penny’s Future?
Most experts predict the penny won’t disappear overnight. It may quietly fade, stop being produced, or become more of a novelty—like paper maps or remembering phone numbers without a smartphone.
And when that happens? Those jars of pennies may finally have their moment. Coin collectors may smile. Grandkids may be amazed. And retirees everywhere will feel vindicated for never throwing them away.
Final Thought
If the penny does retire, it will do so with dignity—slowly, stubbornly, and surrounded by millions of retirees who knew all along that small things add up.
So, hang on to those pennies. At the very least, they’re worth a good story. And in retirement, that might be priceless.
Content Generated with AI...
...with Edits and Modifications
At NCRO, we are proud to uphold the highest standards of accuracy and quality in all our content. Our articles are meticulously crafted by advanced AI technology, rigorously reviewed, and approved by our dedicated NCRO committees before being shared on our website. This thorough process ensures that our readers receive reliable and credible information they can trust.
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PLEASE NOTE: NCRO is a tax-exempt non-profit organization. Dues are not deductible.
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National Chrysler Retirement Organization Inc.
P.O.Box 174
Washington Township, MI 48094
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Submit Email AddressNCRO Leadership Team
Lee Iacocca
In Memoriam – Lee Iacocca 1924–2019 Honorary Chairman
Charles Austin
Founder
40 years in Chrysler engineering, an EE degree & 2 masters, Engineering and Business.
Jay Kuhnie
President
Jay retired from Chrysler at the end of 2007 after 35 years of service.
Pete Piccinato
Vice President
Deb Morrissett
Vice President
Mike Cipponeri
Treasurer
Dana Oliver
General Counsel
She has been licensed to practice law since 1979. Prior to joining Chrysler, she taught at Wayne State University Law School and Wayne State University School of Business Administration.
Judy Shumaker-Holland
Counsel, Emeritus
Vicki Bonus
Secretary
Vicki Bonus Prout retired in mid-2007 after a 23-year career at Chrysler.
Howard Baron
Director
Howard retired in 2011 after providing financial support to most of Chrysler's operational organizations for 30 years. Since 2017, he has been a Member of NCRO's Insurance Committee.
Rich Brown
Director
Rich currently chairs the NCRO’s Insurance Committee. He retired from DaimlerChrysler at the end of 2005 after about 32 years of service
Terry Crockatt
Director
Terry started his 29 year automotive career at Ford in 1978 after serving 5 years in the Army. He spent 6 years there in various Product Development and Product Planning positions
John Glotzbach
Director
Rick Golpe
Director
Working with the dedicated people on the NCRO board and the enthusiastic volunteers for the purpose of advancing the causes affecting Chrysler retirees is both rewarding and educational.
Grainger Goodman
Director
Ted Gray
Director
Ted retired from Chrysler after 32 years all in Sales and Marketing. Ted began his career in 1975 in the Sales Division at the Chicago Zone Sales office
Pete Hollinshead
Director
Joe Huber
Director
Joe retired in 2000 after 32 years of service. He began his career in manufacturing at the Windsor Assembly Plant. Held numerous positions in Industrial, Resident, Process, Quality and Product Engineering.
John Kaiser
Director
John worked for Chrysler for 34 years retiring in February 2001. His entire career was in Finance beginning as a Budget Analyst at Warren Stamping in 1967.
Dale Koch
Director
Dale retired from Chrysler (FCA) in June of 2014, after 33 years of service. After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Michigan State, he started out in an R&D group in Highland Park Building 136 in 1978.
Kathleen S. Neal
Director
Integrated Health Care & Disability Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Kathleen S. Neal was appointed Director Integrated Health Care & Disability, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, on March 1, 2009 and retired in March, 2019 .
Dave Slates
Director
Dave worked for Chrysler for 35 years in the Controller’s Department, supporting the manufacturing side of the business for most of his career
Chris Dyrda
Director Emeritus
Chris retired after a 35 year career with Chrysler where he worked in Vehicle Development as Manager of Vehicle Programs, Program Management, Defense,
Doran Samples
Director Emeritus –
Doran Samples retired in 1996 after a 38-year career at Chrysler. He received several degrees in Engineering and Business, including a degree from the Chrysler Institute.
Roy H. Sjoberg, Jr.
In Memoriam Director
Stan Hurst
In Memoriam – Director
Michael Kane
In Memoriam - Director
Ray Pasternak
In Memoriam – Director
About the NCRO
The History of the National Chrysler Retirement Organization (NCRO) Beginning of 2008Formation of GroupRetirees Meet to Discuss Options (L -R) Chris Dyrda, John Glotzbach, Dana …
The National Chrysler Retirement Organization Mission is to: Protect pension and other benefits | Do our part to keep FCA USA LLC viable and strong Inform, Educate, and Communicate Build camaraderie and fellowship
The mailing address for payments to NCRO or the Contingency Action Fund is:
NCRO Inc.
P.O. Box 174
Washington Township, MI 48094
Our office address:
NCRO, Inc.
880 W. Long Lake
Suite 225
Troy, MI 48098
We are over 6,700 members strong but we need to continue to grow.
Chrysler non-union retirees and workers had no real means to communicate with Chrysler on retiree benefit issues. There currently was no way for non-union retirees to communicate with each other or to speak as one voice with the company. Retirees have continued to support the company and have trusted management. We relied on the company to provide the benefits we all earned while we were active employees. Unfortunately times have changed, as has the company’s commitment to maintain retiree benefits. After the termination of health and life insurance benefits, several retirees joined together to organize a non-union retiree organization to present a united front to the company. The NCRO was formed in May 2008 with the goals to preserve retiree benefits, improve communication, and foster fellowship among retirees. It’s clear a few people can not take on all the responsibilities associated with developing and managing a retiree organization.
We ask that you join the NCRO and your fellow retirees!
The NCRO Leadership Team
- In Memoriam – Lee Iaccoca
- Founder – Charles Austin
- President – Jay Kuhnie
- Vice President – Deb Morrissett
- Vice President – Peter Piccinato
- Treasurer – Mike Cipponeri
- Secretary – Vicki Bonus
- General Counsel – Dana Oliver
- General Council – Judy Shumaker-Holland, Emeritus
- Director – Howard Baron
- Director – Rich Brown
- Director – Terry Crockatt
- Director – John Glotzbach
- Director – Rick Golpe
- Director – Grainger Goodman
- Director – Ted Gray
- Director – Pete Hollinshead
- Director – Joe Huber
- Director – John Kaiser
- Director – Dale Koch
- Director – Kathleen Neal
- Director – Dave Slates
- Director Emeritus – Chris Dyrda
- Director Emeritus – Doran Samples
- In Memoriam Director – Roy H. Sjoberg, Jr.
- In Memoriam – Ray Pasternak
- In Memoriam – Stan Hurst
- In Memoriam – Michael Kane
NCRO Volunteers: Thank you all from the NCRO Board!
- Bob Meyer – Database Administrator
- Brian Haw – e-Communications Administrator
- Cheri Gelnak – Insurance Committee
- Diane Cipponeri – Membership Support
- Gary Diefenthaler – Insurance Committee
- Gordie Couture – Webinar Broadcast Technician
- Howard Baron – Insurance Committee
- Jerry Nasiadka – Webinar Broadcast Technician
- Johnnie Johnson – Webinar Broadcast Technician
- Judy Hinman – Insurance Committee
- KC Mehta – Aging Information Committee
- Mark Clemons – Survey Coordinator
- Mike Stephens – Webinar Broadcast Technician
- Patricia Storto – Triannual Breakfast Committee
- Paul Gritt – Insurance Committee
- Rich Brown – Insurance Committee
- Rob Rudzewicz, – Webinar Broadcast Technician
- Ron Fassnacht – Webinar Broadcast Technician
- Ron Hormel – Webinar Broadcast Technician
- Sam Bellestri – Webinar Broadcast Technician
About the NCRO
The History of the National Chrysler Retirement Organization (NCRO) Beginning of 2008Formation of GroupRetirees Meet to Discuss Options (L -R) Chris Dyrda, John Glotzbach, Dana …
To help members stay safe and informed, NCRO recently hosted the Cybersecurity: Lock Down Your Smartphone webinar. The recorded video is now available for members to view below, offering practical, easy-to-follow guidance designed specifically for everyday smartphone users.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW
This update focuses on simple but powerful steps you can take to protect your iPhone or Android device. The presentation walks through common security risks—such as phishing messages, unsafe Wi-Fi connections, weak passwords, and outdated software—and explains how to reduce those risks without feeling overwhelmed or technical.
One of the key takeaways from the webinar is that cybersecurity does not require expensive software or advanced technical skills.
Small actions—like
- enabling automatic updates,
- using strong passcodes,
- turning on built-in security features, and
- being cautious with links and attachments—can dramatically improve your protection.
The video also explains how scammers commonly target older adults and what warning signs to watch for before clicking, responding, or downloading anything.
Webinar Feedback
A Great amount of useful information. I have only one problem that even taking notes I was unable to watch the actual searching on the iphone, listening and writing the headings. I believe, we were told that this workshop will be available on the web. Thank You,
James Stephens
Thank you for providing the subject webinar. It was very informative and helped me to enhance the security features on my mobile phone.
George Mock
I enjoyed it too. Next I need to get the Android crib sheets and work on my phone. Fine job.
Chuck Austin
Hi there. Really enjoyed Jackie’s presentation. Kathie
Kathleen S. Neal
During the webinar, members were introduced to 12 short instructional videos—six for iPhone users and six for Android users. These videos are designed to be watched at your own pace and revisited anytime. They provide visual, step-by-step demonstrations so you can see exactly where to find settings on your own device and make changes confidently.
Whether you attended the live session or are watching for the first time, this video serves as a valuable refresher and a practical guide you can return to whenever you have questions. Best of all, the information is presented in plain language, making it accessible and empowering for all members.
We encourage every NCRO member to take a few minutes to watch the Cybersecurity: Lock Down Your Smartphone video and consider making updates to their device today. Your privacy, financial security, and peace of mind are worth it.
If you have feedback or would like to share your thoughts about the webinar, please email we*****@**ro.org.
NCRO thanks you for staying engaged, informed, and proactive about your digital safety.
Take the Next Step
If you found value in the Smartphone Cybersecurity webinar, consider taking the next step:
Your Membership Multiplies the Impact
Together, education leads to empowerment—and empowerment leads to lasting change.
