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May/June 2018
Newsletter Brothers and Sisters:
May is here in all its glory, with summer rolling in on June 21st.
 Armed Forces Day is May 19th. This is a day to pay tribute to men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces. At the end of the month, on May 28th, we celebrate Memorial Day – a day of remembrance for those who have died serving our country. In June, Flag Day is on the 14th and Father’s Day is the 17th.
On Sunday May 6th, the retirees again hosted their annual cookout for the regular members of the union. The weather was perfect and our volunteers did an exceptional job. Thanks to all – from our team of cooks, again led by the head chef Rich Parker and his sous chefs, Bradley Schmidt and Joe Skiratko, to our ticket sellers and the hall setup crew. You all rocked. The 3,2,1 drawing was held; winners were Mike Brett, Tom Miskimon and Tim Marvel.
The annual Motorcycle ride will be on June 17th. The annual Eastern Shore golf tournament will be held at Queenstown Golf Course, Queenstown, MD, on June 23rd. Call the hall for more information on either of these events.
Bowling is done for this season. The bowling banquet was on May 9th and a great time was had by all. We hope to see more bowlers  when the new season begins at the end of August.
Pineapples
The pineapple is a member of the bromeliad family. It is extremely rare that bromeliads produce edible fruit. The pineapple is the only available edible bromeliad today. It is a multiple fruit. One pineapple is actually made up of dozens of individual flowerets that grow together to form the entire fruit. Each scale on a pineapple is evidence of a separate flower. Pineapples stop ripening the minute they are picked. No special way of storing them will help ripen them further. Color is relatively unimportant in determining ripeness.
Choose your pineapple by smell. If it smells fresh, tropical and sweet, it will be a good fruit. The more scales on the pineapple, the sweeter and juicier the taste. After you cut off the top, you can plant it. It should grow much like a sweet potato will.
This delicious fruit is not only sweet and tropical; it also offers many benefits to our health. Pineapple is a remarkable fruit. We find it enjoyable because of its lush, sweet and exotic flavor, but it may also be one of the most healthful foods available today. If we take a more detailed look at it, we will find that pineapple is valuable for easing indigestion, arthritis or sinusitis. The juice has an anthelmintic effect; it helps get rid of intestinal worms.
Let's look at how pineapple affects other conditions: Pineapple is high in manganese, a mineral that is critical to development of strong bones and connective tissue. A cup of fresh pineapple will give you nearly 75% of the recommended daily amount. It is particularly helpful to older adults; whose bones tend to become brittle with age.
Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme, is the key to pineapple's value. Proteolytic means "breaks down protein", which is why pineapple is known to be a digestive aid. It helps the body digest proteins more efficiently. Bromelain is also considered an effective anti-inflammatory. Regular ingestion of at least one-half cup of fresh pineapple daily is purported to relieve painful joints common to osteoarthritis. It also produces mild pain relief. In Germany, bromelain is approved as a post-injury medication because it is thought to reduce inflammation and swelling.
Orange juice is a popular liquid for those suffering from a cold because it is high in Vitamin C. Fresh pineapple is not only high in this vitamin, but because of the Bromelain, it has the ability to reduce mucous in the throat. If you have a cold with a productive cough, add pineapple to your diet. It is commonly used in Europe as a post-operative measure to cut mucous after certain sinus and throat operations. Those individuals who eat fresh pineapple daily report fewer sinus problems related to allergies. In and of itself, pineapple has a very low risk for allergies.
Pineapple is also known to discourage blood clot development. This makes it a valuable dietary addition for frequent fliers and others who may be at risk for blood clots.
An old folk remedy for morning sickness is fresh pineapple juice. It really works! Fresh juice and some nuts first thing in the morning often make a difference. It's also good for a healthier mouth. The fresh juice discourages plaque growth.
Word of Caution: The benefits of eating pineapple are clear from the impressive list of qualities that you just read, but any food or fruit should be eaten in moderation, including pineapple. The bromelain enzyme present in pineapple is primarily a meat-tenderizing enzyme, which helps in the digestion of tough foods. This can result in the softening or tenderness of your ‘meat’ as well, meaning that your lips, gums, and tongue may experience some tenderness or sensitivity if you eat too much pineapple. Bromelain and vitamin C are present in high proportions in pineapple, and an “overdose” can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and nausea. Also, bromelain has been known to stimulate menstruation, so pregnant women should avoid excessive intake of pineapple in order to prevent any chances of a miscarriage. Keeping the health concerns in mind, grab one of these spiky tropical fruits and dig in. Your body will thank you for it!
New Members: None
Sick Members: Tyrone Howard, John McMillon, Ernest Boritz, Perry Conway, Jesse R. Taylor, Emanuel Brown, Maurice Crosby, Willie Webb, Ernie Shipley, Ron Molz, Gary Rausch, Norman Scott and George Booker.
Deceased Members: Joe Gardner (Sunpapers), Willie Morrison (Leaseway), John Braxton (US Foods) and Joseph Ireland (102) (Preston Trucking).
Please keep these members and their families in your thoughts and prayers.
The next meetings will be on May 17 and June21 in the Sullivan Hall at Teamsters Local 355, 1030 S. Dukeland Street, Baltimore, MD. Coffee and donuts are served at 9:30 a.m. The Executive Board meets at 10 a.m., and the general meeting begins at 11 a.m. A light lunch is served following the general meeting. Hope to see you there. Remember to bring another retiree with you.
Fraternally,
Bob Eney
President
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