Meet Martha and Ed Henderson

Volunteers Extraordinaire!

My conversation with Martha was both endearing and hilariously funny! The first thing she told me was that her husband Ed brought her here kicking and screaming! She said, “I don’t want to live in a camper in a place with old people.” Well, that didn’t last very long because, although Ed loved it from beginning, it didn’t take Martha long to realize that while maybe she didn’t want to live in a Class C, TGO might not be so bad. She started making friends and realized that she and Ed loved to play games, and there were plenty to be played here. Her “ah-ha” moment came when she walked outside and there was nothing but blue sky. In West Virginia, they had gray skies from October to May and here it was blue year round - she was soon a very happy camper. Having grown up in a small town in West Virginia with one sister, Martha went to a small state college where she met her wonderful husband of now 56 years. Although, Ed had to win over her mother since he was an “outsider” - he was from Tennessee! They have three children and eight grandchildren, all of whom live in Charlotte, NC, which makes it easy for them to spend the summer with their family. While Ed worked with Ohio Power, Martha was a 2nd grade teacher. As her children came along, Martha took a break from teaching, figuring she would get back to it when her children were older, but instead turned to substitute teaching, which turned out to be very rewarding.

cer Society. All of the proceeds went to ACS for wigs, rides, etc. for cancer patients. Because of their work they were honored with the distinction of being designated a “Relay for Life” Community and a sign proudly hangs at the entrance to TGO. After Pat passed away in 2016 and the dreaded COVID shutdowns set in, it put an end to the luncheons.

Martha has also worked with TGO’s Forever Friends Society which did many charitable projects such as making over 80 “Boo-Boo” dolls for the Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando.

She is very proud of the fact that she works with the Nature Center Flea Markets making “Baskets for Nature” to raffle off and also sits on the NC Social Committee. And she prides herself on always being the top “Tip Jar” collection winner at the markets!

After retiring, they began traveling in their Class C RV - visiting everywhere including Alaska, Canada, New England, the West, and the Southwest, but, ironically, never Florida. Thinking that they needed a steady place for the winter months, they thought about either Arizona or Florida and decided to stay in each for three months. Having found TGO in the Woodall Camping Directory, Ed was smitten from the beginning. In less than a month, they took a walk, bought a lot on Lake Drive and picked out the park home they wanted. Martha and Ed have been living and volunteering here in TGO since 1998.

If names were put into the definition of volunteering, it would certainly include Martha and Ed Henderson! Oh, where to begin??? Here, in TGO alone, they have worked with the Activities Committee, volunteered with the Nature Center, and the TGO church and St. Christopher’s. They both worked BINGO nights, with Ed calling numbers and Martha assisting the winners.

Martha’s sister and her husband, Pat and Dude Peel, moved here in 2002. Martha and Pat (a cancer survivor) started a Cancer Survivor Luncheon, raising money for it by selling candy and hosting a craft table, with the surplus going to the American Can-

Martha has been a part of the quilters group for 20 years (it holds a special place in her heart!) They have been involved in so many different projects:

• Made 58 fidget quilts for memory care patients

• Made lap quilts for seniors and nap quilts for kindergarteners

• Held a baby shower for BETA

• Made honor quilts for the military

• Made bed quilts for the Veteran’s Home

• For Meals-on-Wheels, they made 180 placemats given with each Christmas meal one year and 80 lap quilts given as Christmas gifts with the meals another year.

Not to be left out, Ed collects manufacturer coupons to be sent overseas to our military to use in their commissaries. He has collected over 6 ½ million dollars worth over 14 years. Having served in the Army, he has been invited on an Honor Flight on April 22 with his son going along as his guardian.

Martha stated she has enjoyed everything she has done and doesn’t turn much down...she just loves people and TGO. She also confided in me that it would take a lot of kicking and screaming for her to leave TGO! - Editorial and photo by Sharon Maloney

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Funny Thing Is…

April is a most incredible month. The flowers are blooming, winter is over, the beaches are full of sunbathers, the golf courses are packed, spring, love and baseball are in the air, and everyone is happy. But there is a dark side to April. There is one day in that month when rich people wish they were poor. When couples who don’t want kids wish they had 20. When the most successful entrepreneurs wish they worked in the window at McDonald’s. Yes, for one day in April the whole country acts like schizophrenic Dr. Hydes wishing all the success they’ve experienced the other 364 days of the year didn’t happen.

So, what is it that brings the most powerful, creative and enterprising people in the United States to their knees? April 15th, tax day. What were they thinking, putting the worst day of the year right in the middle of the best month? How ironic is it that tax day is in the month started by April Fools Day? Was it an April Fools day joke gone bad? I’ve heard only two types of people complain about taxes, men and women. Have you ever done your own taxes? If you try to cure a case of hemorrhoids with a blowtorch, it’s a little less painful and in the same anatomical area. Consider this. The tax system is so complicated that lawyers hire other people to do their taxes for them. Ever wonder why depreciation is so close to depression? Tax anxiety. If you send every penny you earn from January 1 to April 24 to the IRS, you can keep what you earn the rest of the year. That’s why they call April 24 Tax Freedom Day. And finally, do you know why your property tax is paid at the end of the year? Because when they were trying to decide where tax payments belong, someone jokingly said “In arrears.” Not making it up. I quote from the real estate manual: “Taxes are paid in arrears.” April 15th can be so taxing.

- Uncle Sam(my) - 34

New Law May Offer Financial Opportunities

Outside events can affect your financial strategies. And that may be the case with the recent passage of legislation known as the SECURE 2.0 Act.

For example, in your 401(k) or similar plan, you can now take your employer’s contributions on a Roth basis. While these contributions will count as taxable income, they can eventually be withdrawn, along with any earnings they generate, tax free, provided you meet certain conditions.

Here’s another change: You now must start taking withdrawals (RMDs) from your traditional IRA and 401(k) at 73, instead of 72. In 2033, this age will increase to 75. These new age limits may give you more flexibility in planning your retirement income.

And if you’re a business owner, you can now get a startup tax credit covering 100%- up from 50% - of the administrative costs of opening a 401(k) plan, up to $5,000 for each of the first three years of the plan.

The SECURE 2.0 Act contains many other elements, so you may want to consult with your tax and financial professionals to determine how you might be affected by the new law’s provisions - and how you could take advantage of them.

This content was provided by Edward Jones for use by SABINA BAKER, your Edward Jones financial advisor at 966 Florida Ave S, Rockledge. We are located just south of Cocoa Village.

Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

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