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​​​​​THE TRUSTEE 

 February 2026
Vol XIX, No. 187

Hypertension

The month of February celebrates many things including Heart Health Awareness and Random Acts of Kindness. The connection between the two may surprise you. Read on to learn more.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common but serious health condition that affects millions of adults. It occurs when the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), blood pressure is considered high when it measures 130/80 mm Hg or higher. Over time, this increased pressure can damage the body, even if a person feels normal. Because it often develops without noticeable warning signs, high blood pressure is sometimes called the “silent killer.”

The dangers of high blood pressure are significant. When blood pressure remains elevated, it puts extra strain on the heart and blood vessels. This can cause the arteries to become stiff and narrow, reducing blood flow and increasing the risk of heart attack and heart failure. High blood pressure is also a major risk factor for stroke, which occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel bursts. In addition, hypertension can damage the kidneys by harming the blood vessels that filter waste from the body. It may also affect vision by damaging delicate blood vessels in the eyes and can contribute to memory problems and cognitive decline over time. Controlling blood pressure is essential for long term health.

Most people with hypertension do not feel sick, which is why regular blood pressure checks are so important. However, in cases where blood pressure becomes extremely high—such as 180/120 mm Hg or higher—a person may experience warning signs. These can include severe headaches, chest pain, shortness of breath, blurred vision, confusion, or nosebleeds. This situation, known as a hypertensive crisis, requires immediate medical attention to prevent life-threatening complications.

The treatment for high blood pressure often involves a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. The CDC recommends adopting heart-healthy habits to help lower and control blood pressure. Suggestions include the following.

Eating a balanced diet that is low in sodium and rich in fruits and vegetables.
Regular physical activity strengthens the heart, allowing it to pump blood more efficiently.
Maintaining a healthy weight
Limiting alcohol consumption,
Quitting smoking
Managing stress,
Getting enough sleep – it is also important in prevention and control.

For some individuals, lifestyle changes alone may not be enough. In these cases, doctors may prescribe medications such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, or calcium channel blockers. It is important for patients to take these medications exactly as directed and to continue monitoring their blood pressure regularly.

High blood pressure is a widespread and dangerous condition that often goes unnoticed until serious damage has occurred. Although it may not cause obvious symptoms, it can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and other life-threatening problems. The good news is that hypertension can be managed and even prevented through healthy lifestyle choices and proper medical care. Regular blood pressure checks and early action are key to protecting overall health and reducing the risk of severe complications.

Adapted from the CDC “About High Blood Pressure”

Random Acts of Kindness

When the opportunity presents itself, choose kindness! It costs nothing and can be as simple as a smile. It creates good will which begets more good will and makes the world a better place.

Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) began as a response to the senseless violence that was occurring across the nation in the early 1980s. Writer and activist Anne Herbert wrote “Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty”  on a restaurant placement in Sausalito, California as a counter response to the headlines “random acts of violence and senseless acts of cruelty” frequently reported in the news. Herbert wrote an article using the title and the phrase was picked up and spread through grassroots. The movement continued and was formalized in 1995. Since then, the official Random Acts of Kindness day is February 17. The real hope is that kindness will be the norm and not the exception in people’s lives.

RAKs are easy to accomplish and bring positive benefits to all. See the chart below.

1. Kindness builds stronger connections- Kindness fosters trust, empathy, and connection. When kindness becomes daily habit, it creates a ripple effect that strengthens relationships- whether in school, workplaces or at home. By making kindness the norm, we cultivate an environment where all fee valued, supported, and inspired.
   
2. Kindness improves mental and physical well- being. Engaging in acts of kindness has been scientifically proven to enhance both mental and physical health. Performing kind deeds releases feel-good hormones like oxytocin and serotonin, which reduce stress and increase happiness.
   
3. Regularly practicing kindness can lead to lower blood pressure, improved mental health, and even increase lifespan. By making kindness the norm we not only uplift others, but we also promote our own well-being. Some quick stats: 
   

• Stress reduction: consistently kind individuals have 23%less cortisol (the stress hormone) and age slower than the average population.
  
• Enhanced mental health: Engaging in acts of kindness produces endorphins, the brain’s natural painkiller, leading to decreased pain and improved mood.
  
• Increased happiness: A 2020 survey found that 63% of adults reported improved mental health when kindness was shown to them and the same percentage experienced mental health benefits from being kind to others.
  

1. Kindness creates a ripple effect. Witnessing or experiencing kindness inspires others to pay it  forward, creating a chain of positivity that spreads far beyond the initial act. This ripple effect has the power to influence entire communities and spark systemic change.
   
2. Kindness breaks down barriers. Kindness transcends differences in culture, background, and beliefs. By making kindness the norm, we create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and respected. Kindness bridges gaps, fosters understanding and helps us see each other as humans first. In a divided world, it reminds us to take care of each other and encourages compassion.
   
3. Kindness inspires action. When kindness is the norm, people are more likely to step up and help.
   

How do we make Kindness the Norm? Kindness is not passive. It is a choice that leads to tangible change.

• Start small : incorporate simple acts into your daily routine- offering compliments, saying thank you, holding a door for someone, or lending a hand without being asked.
  
• Model kindness – be an example for others, especially children, by showing kindness in your words and actions.
  
• Amplify it: share stories of kindness to inspire others and spread positivity.
  

Making kindness the norm is just a high ideal- it is a practical, powerful way to improve the world. When we choose kindness, we create an environment where everyone can thrive. It is not about doing  extraordinary acts. It is about recognizing that everyday acts have extraordinary power and potential in changing the world on small act at a time. Choose kindness!

Retiree Dental Insurance

When KTF and ESP members retire from the Kingston City School District, the district provides health insurance but not dental. All retirees who want to continue with Kingston Trust Fund dental insurance must opt in and pay the premiums for it.

Over the last several years the Trust has been able to offer “premium holidays” to retirees who have been vested in the dental insurance program. Currently all new retirees pay for one year of insurance to become vested. After that point, they become eligible for premium holidays when they are offered.

Beginning July 1. 2026, only members with Kingston Trust Fund Medical Insurance will be eligible for premium holidays. At the recent meeting of the Kingston Trust Fund Board of Trustees retiree dental insurance was discussed and the following changes were approved.

“Any retired member or spouse not enrolled in the Kingston Trust Fund Medical Plan will be charged the Dental Premium for their selected coverage for the 2026-2027 plan year, payable in one payment, due before July 1, 2026, covering July1,2026- June 30, 2027, or in two installments, the first half due before July 1, 2026 and covering July 1-, 2026- December 31, 2026: and the second installment due before January 1, 2027 and covering January 1, 2027 – June 30, 2027.”

Participants will be sent a purple Dental Premium sheet prior to open enrollment period of June 2026 with instructions and a payment stub. They will choose the coverage they want and select the payment schedule they desire. They will also be asked to submit an  “opt out” of the Trust Dental Plan.

The payment and selection of coverage sheet must be postmarked prior to the July 1, 2026, term of coverage date and returned to the address below.

Kingston Trust Fund

PO BOX 4461

Kingston NY 12402

 
 

In Memoriam

Robert Moore