Chicago as Seen by RTO Members · RTO / ERO District 11 FALL 2013 Page 1 Chicago as Seen by RTO...

RTO / ERO District 11 FALL 2013 Page 1

Chicago as Seen by RTO Members

http://district11.rto-ero.org

No Cubs tickets? Try a rooftop!

“The Bean” at Millennium Park

Wrigley Field—the last of the originals

FALL 2013

Fall Luncheon 3 Next Trip—Philadelphia 5 Chicago Trip in May 6-7 Security Workshop 8 Project—Service to Others 9 Government Surveillance 18 Down to the Sea 20-22


From Your President

President Brian Heggie 650-0987 Past President Leslie Uttley 395-0706 1st Vice Pres Wayne Buchholtz 748-1216 2nd Vice Pres Chuck Williams 746-8262 Secretary Maureen O’Brien 746-3328 Treasurer Doug Nosal 745-9102

Edwina Bell 658-0515 Wendy Brum 893-7138 Pat Cannon 696-3067 David Cornwall 742-6108 Bob Ernest 529-1163 John Hutfluss 745-4314 Doug Koegler 725-3531 Faye Lootsma 623-8583 Joyce Palubiski 894-4516 Jeanne Steckenreiter 746-0013

D I R E C T O R S

My first words as your president are to thank Leslie Uttley for her efforts at leading our District 11 team for the past two years. Her meeting management skills and sense of humour kept us on task and made our meetings...enjoyable. Her commitment to us, in

the light of her distant residence, was remarkable.

I begin my second term as your president with mixed feelings. On one hand, I feel honoured to be selected as District 11’s President again. In life, most often the second time you do anything, you are

more efficient and more effective at the task.

The business of running meetings and “liaising” with other districts, as well as with provincial officials should be improved. Our Board of Directors is made up of multi-talented members who come from a variety of backgrounds within the teaching profession and have done many diverse tasks in retirement. We will get things done. We will communicate what we do to the membership

through News at 11 and on our website.

On the other hand, my election as president suggests that an ‘old guard’ occupies the executive positions and might be blocking change by limiting new board members and their influence. This is not the case. Timing issues prevent some of our newer board members from advancing to our leadership roles. ‘New blood’ is transfused with each AGM and does

work its way to the top of our leadership model. Two new directors have joined us. We welcome

Wendy Brum and John Hutfluss to our ranks.

At a recent Presidents’ Workshop, we were encouraged to map out a plan for a two-year period, with a focus on activities that include as many of our members as possible. We were also encouraged to work with other districts on joint projects or presentations. We have had discussions with our Wellington colleagues and are planning at least one

activity with them in the near future.

This year, we have tried a different approach to our Project—Service to Others programme. We have given our budgeted money to one agency but under-taken a partnership to supply volunteers to another. This year’s funds were donated to CISV to support a cross-Canada bus trip. Our volunteer service is being directed to support Fairview and Parkwood Mennonite Homes as they raise money to renew kitchens at both of these facilities, which are home to some of our District 11 members. These are

not-for-profit facilities and can use our help.

I look forward to the challenges that our RTO/ERO future brings. Perhaps our greatest challenge is to mobilize our collective political clout. There will be 70 000 RTO members by the end of this year. We

vote. If we plan ahead, someone will listen to us.

Brian Heggie


NAME_____________________________________ E-MAIL____________________________________ PHONE_____________________________________ CHICKEN or FISH (Please circle one)

BenvenutiBenvenutiBenvenutiBenvenuti a tutti di a tutti di a tutti di a tutti di

RTO RTO RTO RTO DDDDistrict 11 istrict 11 istrict 11 istrict 11 FallFallFallFall LuLuLuLuncheonncheonncheonncheon Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday OctOctOctOctober 24, 2013ober 24, 2013ober 24, 2013ober 24, 2013

GolfsGolfsGolfsGolfs StStStSteakhouseeakhouseeakhouseeakhouse KitcKitcKitcKitchenerhenerhenerhener

Antipasto:Antipasto:Antipasto:Antipasto:

Italian Wedding Soup Italian Wedding Soup Italian Wedding Soup Italian Wedding Soup

Secondo:Secondo:Secondo:Secondo:

Penne Alfredo Penne Alfredo Penne Alfredo Penne Alfredo Terzo:Terzo:Terzo:Terzo:

Chicken Parmigiano with seasonal fresh vegetablesChicken Parmigiano with seasonal fresh vegetablesChicken Parmigiano with seasonal fresh vegetablesChicken Parmigiano with seasonal fresh vegetables OROROROR

Grilled Fillet of Fish with Ratatouille Grilled Fillet of Fish with Ratatouille Grilled Fillet of Fish with Ratatouille Grilled Fillet of Fish with Ratatouille

Dolce Corso:Dolce Corso:Dolce Corso:Dolce Corso:

Tiramisu or Cannoli Tiramisu or Cannoli Tiramisu or Cannoli Tiramisu or Cannoli

Buon Appetito Buon Appetito Buon Appetito Buon Appetito

What’s HappeningWhat’s HappeningWhat’s HappeningWhat’s Happening

11:30 11:30 11:30 11:30 ---- Meet & Greet Meet & Greet Meet & Greet Meet & Greet 11:45 11:45 11:45 11:45 ---- Meeting Meeting Meeting Meeting 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 ---- Enjoy your four Enjoy your four Enjoy your four Enjoy your four course mealcourse mealcourse mealcourse meal 1:00 1:00 1:00 1:00 ---- Entertainment Entertainment Entertainment Entertainment

Please remember that many Please remember that many Please remember that many Please remember that many are sensitive to strong scents are sensitive to strong scents are sensitive to strong scents are sensitive to strong scents so be aware that RTO events so be aware that RTO events so be aware that RTO events so be aware that RTO events

are are are are FRAGRANCE FREEFRAGRANCE FREEFRAGRANCE FREEFRAGRANCE FREE

Cost : $20.00Cost : $20.00Cost : $20.00Cost : $20.00

(subsidized by District 11)(subsidized by District 11)(subsidized by District 11)(subsidized by District 11)

Return by OCTOBER 17Return by OCTOBER 17Return by OCTOBER 17Return by OCTOBER 17

14TOBER 14 14TOBER 14 14TOBER 14 14TOBER 14 RTO FALL LUNCHEONRTO FALL LUNCHEONRTO FALL LUNCHEONRTO FALL LUNCHEON c/o RTO Waterloo District 11c/o RTO Waterloo District 11c/o RTO Waterloo District 11c/o RTO Waterloo District 11 658 Erb Street West658 Erb Street West658 Erb Street West658 Erb Street West PO Box 33001 Ira NeedlesPO Box 33001 Ira NeedlesPO Box 33001 Ira NeedlesPO Box 33001 Ira Needles Waterloo ON N2T 2M9Waterloo ON N2T 2M9Waterloo ON N2T 2M9Waterloo ON N2T 2M9

Bring donations for silent auction


Membership Information

If you have made any changes in your mailing address or phone number, contact

Dianne Vezeau Membership RTO/ERO Provincial Office

18 Spadina Road, Suite 300 Toronto, ON M5R 2S7

1-416-962-9463 or 1-800-361-9888 [email protected]

If you know of a retired teacher who is not a member of RTO/ERO, please encourage him/her to join. Information can be obtained from the provincial office or

www.rto-ero.org As well, information about membership, local activities and updated items can be obtained from our website


Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Phone 1-800-668-0105 or visit the website at www.otpp.com

Johnson Insurance Phone 1-877-406-9007

18 Spadina Road, Suite 100A Toronto, ON M5R 2S7 www.johnson.ca

NEWSLETTER STAFF Rod Colquhoun Layout Brian Heggie Editor Lois Earl-Davidson Editor Marilyn Coxon Editor Cathy Hesch Editor Sandra Groff Editor

This is the first of what we hope will become a regular feature highlighting Apps for mobile devices. This column will relate to iOS devices. All are available for download through Apple’s App Store on

your device.

Apple’s Calendar and Contacts apps which come preinstalled on Apple’s devices are very useful and user friendly. If you use more than one Apple product, the information you enter on one device will synch automatically with each device making ‘on the

go’ information readily accessible.

For those who enjoy reading, and especially reading and travelling, iBooks lets you download titles through iBookstore so you can have a ready selection of titles without the weight. There are also apps for Kobo and Kindle where you can purchase a wide range of books. Many titles are available free for

these eReaders as well, particularly the Classics.

With iTunes, you can enjoy your favourite music on the go. To connect through social media, there are

apps for Facebook, Twitter, and Linked In.

For storage of your photos and files that you wish to access when away from home, there is a wide variety of cloud storage options. Dropbox and Box are secure sites where you can create folders and give some people access if you wish. For instance, you may want to share some family photos without bogging down email messages with large attachments. For any cloud storage or social media site it is advisable to check your settings to set the security that you need. You will probably want to avoid uploading particularly private or sensitive

information as security breaches can happen.

AppsGoneFree gives a daily selection of paid apps which are free for a short period of time. This is a good way to sample a variety of different apps to see

what is useful to you.

Contact either Marilyn Coxon [email protected] or

Brian Heggie [email protected]

to share app recommendations for this or any other

platform.

Apps Review by Marilyn Coxon


Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s largest city, should need no introduction. Anyone with basic knowledge of U.S. history or a DVD collection that includes the Rocky saga knows a thing or two about this hidden

gem.

It’s where the Founding Fathers of the United States wrestled with the wording of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. constitution. It’s the home of the Liberty Bell and where Rocky Balboa trained for his shot at the world heavyweight

championship.

RTO travellers have tasted deep-dish pizza in Chicago, New England clam chowder in Boston and the ever-famous street vendor hot dogs in New York City. It’s time for Philly Cheesesteaks from

Philadelphia!

Next year, our local group will be venturing to this hidden gem to explore its history, art and food. We will also be stopping in Lancaster for one night to

explore our region’s Mennonite roots.

This is a new venture both for us and MacDonald Tours, who will be visiting the city and its surroundings, to put together another great trip for our group next spring. Needless to say, details at time of publication remain vague and we will not

have details till mid fall.

Here are a few possible highlights:

• Independence Hall

• National Constitution Centre

• Reading Terminal Market

• Philadelphia Museum of Art

• Eastern State Penitentiary (Not our accommodation, but you will see Al

Capone’s cell)

• Longwood Gardens

• The Barnes Foundation (Impressionist Art)

• Valley Forge National Historic Park

• Liberty Bell Centre

• Rodin Museum

• Franklin Institute

• The Hershey Story (mmmm, chocolate)

• Gettysburg National Park

• Amish Experience Theatre

• Mennonite Information Center

• Guided tours of downtown Lancaster & environs

and historic Philadelphia

• Lancaster Quilt and Textile Museum

Our tour guide, Brian Boisvert, has promised a visit to at least one outlet mall for shoppers and there is always the option to step off the tour and explore on

your own.

Because we will be including Lancaster on our itinerary we will be extending the duration of the trip by one day to six. We will continue with tradition, having the trip take place the week after our May

long weekend.

If you are interested in hearing the final details and wish to be considered for this exciting trip, let us

know via email or phone.

Doug and Debbie Koegler

Email [email protected]

Phone 519-725-3531

It’s Time for Philly Cheesesteak! by Doug Koegler

Downtown Philadelphia (photo courtesy of pachd.com)


On the Chicago River architecture tour

Mist in the Windy City

Happy campers on the bus

District 11 Tours Chicago 2013

Chicago from the Willis Tower


A

Street art in downtown Chicago

At Giordano’s—home of Chicago’s best deep dish pizza

Chicago photo credits: Jim Bowman, David Cornwall, Jane Gunton, Marg Hunking, Doug Koegler, Barb Larke, Kay Wentzell, Mike Yessis

More Fun in Chicago

Chicago’s architecture has a style of its own—seen from the ferris wheel at Navy Pier

Gangsta Gals Joanne Stapleton, Pat Waters, Marg Hunking and Heather Sasiela at Tommy Gun’s Restaurant


Security for Seniors Workshop by Wayne Buchholtz

RTO District 11 is planning a Security for Seniors workshop. Topics will include all areas related to keeping seniors safe. This workshop is open to everyone and is free. When: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 Time: 9:00 am to noon Location: Conestoga Place (formerly the Knights of Columbus Hall)

110 Manitou Dr, Kitchener This workshop is organized by David Cornwall and Wayne Buchholtz. They ask that everyone pre-register by calling Wayne at 519-748-1216 or emailing [email protected]

What Is Project—Service To Others ? by Pat Cannon

Project—Service to Others is a Provincial RTO/ERO programme which provides grants to Districts for initiatives which support the concept of “Service to Others”. The intent is to raise the profile of retired teachers by visibly demonstrating to active teachers and to the public at large that retired teachers care about their communities and about public education, and are willing to do something to help those who need assistance. These projects could be in any form that supports the goals of Project—Service to Others as outlined below. What are the Goals of Project—Service to Others? • To provide financial assistance to education-

related and other community projects • To facilitate member participation in education

and community assistance projects • To help serve the educational and other needs of

the disadvantaged in the community • To promote District/Unit participation in local,

provincial and overseas educational/community projects

• To raise the profile of retired teachers and of RTO/ERO

• To demonstrate to the general public that retired teachers continue to serve after retirement

• To demonstrate to potential RTO/ERO members (active teachers) that RTO/ERO is a dynamic organization to which they should consider belonging when they retire from active teaching

District 11 Service to Others Locally, we have decided to choose the actual project, using suggestions from our members based on the following specific criteria: 1. The project will be a regional project (i.e. within

the Region of Waterloo) that involves, whenever possible, active and retired teachers.

2. Preference will be given to smaller agencies or groups serving an under-serviced population.

3. Preferential consideration will be given to programmes that support children and youth (up to the age of 18). We ask that you as RTO members recommend a project with reference to the above criteria. Please forward your suggestions to:

Pat Cannon

c/o RTO Waterloo District 11

658 Erb Street West

PO Box 33001 Ira Needles

Waterloo ON N2T 2M9

Applications must be submitted by November 30, 2013. The District 11 RTO Executive will make a selection and forward information regarding the project to Toronto by March 1, 2014. District 11 will contribute to the total donation. The planned donation amount will cover a two year period. We will also require a yearly financial statement from the recipient agency/group.


Missing Mail? by Lois Earl-Davidson

If you know of any members who did not receive this RTO District 11 newsletter, please ask them to call RTO Toronto to make sure their contact information is correct. Due to privacy regulations we cannot change members’ addresses at the local level. We will be happy to mail a copy to anyone who did not receive it. Call Brian at 519-650-0987 and leave your full name and address.

Project—Service To Others: Fairview and Parkwood Mennonite Homes by Brian Heggie

Both Fairview and Parkwood Mennonite Homes are outstanding examples of not-for-profit nursing homes. Several of District 11’s directors know this first hand as we have relatives who reside there or we have visited these facilities delivering Christmas poinsettias to our most senior members who live there. When we were approached for assistance with

this project, it was easy to say yes.

Our efforts at assistance focus on a gala dinner to be held at Bingeman’s on November 4, 2013. Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemens will be the featured speaker. The first wave of support is for our members to purchase tickets for this dinner. With a price tag of $150 per person (with a $100 tax receipt) it is unlikely that many of our members will participate directly. If you do wish to purchase a ticket, you may do so by

calling Brenda Ostrowka at 519-653-5719.

A better way for the majority of us to help is with the silent auction that will take place during the dinner. RTO has been asked to help organize this silent

auction. There are two phases to this:

• Getting donations for the auction. This is where we seek the most help. We need members to go to restaurants, service providers, stores…to collect anything of value for the auction tables. We are

hoping for minimum $25 donations. We are trying to get at least 100 items. If you know anyone who is in a position to donate, please ask them. Tax receipts are available for

donations over $25.

• Donating artwork or craftwork pieces made by RTO members. If you are able to donate a piece of work or an item, we will gladly pick it up for the auction. Tax receipts for fair market

value will be issued.

We are committed to making this event a success. If you have items to donate, you can do so at Parkwood Mennonite Home, 726 New Hampshire St., Waterloo. The contact person there is Jennifer King. You can reach her at 519-885-4810. You can also drop items off at Fairview Mennonite Home, 515 Langs Drive, Cambridge. The contact person there is Brenda Ostrowka at 519-653-5719. If you have donations and need to have them picked up, call any director listed on page 2. A table will be set up for donations at our October 24 luncheon for last minute donations. Your help is essential to the success of this project.

Brian Heggie with Brenda Hallman and Tim Kennell, administrators from Parkwood and Fairview


District 11 Service to Others—Award of Distinction by Pat Cannon

Many of our members have contributed exceptional service to our community. Through the nomination process, District 11 honours one of these individuals by presenting him/her with the annual Service to Others—Award of Distinction. We invite you to nominate a deserving member this year. The recipient of this Service to Others—Award of Distinction will be chosen based on the following:

Criteria:

The Nominee must be a member in good standing in District 11 who shows some, but not necessarily all of the following : 1. Demonstrates an outstanding caring commit-

ment to volunteer service in the community 2. Participates actively in organizations where

helping others is the prime directive, locally or abroad

3. Contributes freely of his/her time and talents to assist others in need

4. Encourages or mentors others in an educational or support setting

5. Longevity of service will be considered Process:

Members can be nominated by other members of District 11 by filling out the nomination form and attaching letters of recommendation and other supporting data for your nominee. Please also attach a current picture of the nominee for use in our newsletter. Nominations must be submitted by November 30 to:

STO Committee

c/o RTO Waterloo District 11

658 Erb Street West PO Box 33001 Ira Needles Waterloo ON N2T 2M9

Submissions will be evaluated by the STO Committee based on the above criteria. The recipient of the Award will be honoured at the AGM meeting at the Spring Luncheon. Recipient, significant other and nominator will receive complimentary tickets to the luncheon. The Award of Distinction—Service to Others recipient will receive a plaque in honour of his/her accomplishment as well as a donation in his/her name for $250 to the charity or organization of their choice. A large collective plaque will be kept by the Executive and updated yearly with each new recognized recipient.

Do You Know Where This Is ?Do You Know Where This Is ?Do You Know Where This Is ?Do You Know Where This Is ?

by Cathy Hesch

(for the answer, see p 19)


Please outline how your nominee meets the criteria on p 10.

Based on the above criteria, why do you think this individual is deserving of this award? Please feel free to include additional information that may not fit on this form. Letters of recommendation and support as well as brochures to explain the organization and/or your nominee’s commitment would be helpful and may also be attached to your nomination package.

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Nominee Nominator

Name

Address

Phone

email

Has the nominee been

informed of his/her

nomination?

Yes

No

Has picture been

included or is a digital

picture available?

Yes

No

RTO/ERO District 11

Service to Others—Award of Distinction

Nomination Form

Date Submitted Date Received


New MembersNew MembersNew MembersNew Members

Margaret Barette Catherine Bond Nanette Bourgon Anne Cameron Catherine Catton Frank Clifford Murray Cloutier David Conlon Catherine DeCoo Sharon Dodd Pamala J Druar Ann Dube Betty Dyck Linda Egleston James Ferney Janice Foerster Theresa Forde Leslie From Kathy Gottfried Laura Green Allan Haehn E Wayne Hall Peter Hardy Peter Harley Gene P Heesaker Frieda Heibein Brian Henry Lois Hogg Pearl Horvath Robert Horvath Charles R House John Hutfluss Kevin Hynes Margaret Johnson Nelleke Johnstone Gerard Jong Terrance Jutzi Diane Karges Jenny-Lynn Keeler Richard Koskela Soula Kostas Edward Langevin Colleen Lisi John MacPhail Fonsina McArthur

Jocelyne McDowell Elizabeth McDowell Heagy Patricia McKenty Donald McNiven Christina Mereu David Minnes Pamela Oliver Hedi Pattenden Carla Patterson Carolyn Pigott Michael Quigley Rosemary Regan Sharon Rice Mary Anne Richer M Jacquelyn Ritter Dale Roberts Elizabeth A Rolf Beverly Sauer Jo-Anne Soye Dennis Stacey Margaret Swanson Brenda Uchimaru Kevin Waitson Lynda Weatherdon Mary Catherine Whyte Paul Wittig Anne Woolner Kathryn Broadfoot Mary Cardillo Jane B Cutler C A Ross Dowdall Janet Ertel Carol Fisher Morag Harrow Barb Harvey Kristin Higgins Janet C Holland Daniel Hooker Rose Kit Gloria Kubisewsky Joan Magazine Irene O’Toole Frances Powell Cheryl Saunders Harriet Speropoulos

CISV National Peace Bus Project

by Kennedy Lopez-Nguyen, Peace Bus Delegate

Children’s International Summer Villages (CISV) Coast to Coast (C2C) National Peace Bus project consists of two 39 day cross-Canada adventure journeys in a “carbon neutral” 15 passenger van for 12 delegates (14-18 yrs), 1 junior leader (19+) and two facilitators/leaders/drivers (24+). They visit CISV chapters and community programmes while camping across Canada. The Peace Bus makes 2 trips, one from Victoria BC to Halifax NS, and the other trip from Halifax back to Victoria. The Peace Bus, a national Mosaic project, is primarily a camping, team building, volunteering and discovering Canada experience! The Peace Bus mission is to educate and inspire action among Canadian youth for a more just and peaceful world. This will be accomplished by carrying out community oriented projects and organizing a series of activities and workshops across the country. CISV Canada and the C2C Peace Bus warmly welcome the Retired Teachers of Ontario as a sponsor for the 2013 Peace Bus. This year’s Peace Bus participants are fortunate to have a community minded “teachers for life” sponsor. Youth delegates from across Canada planned to spread peace with the Retired Teachers of Ontario this past summer. RTO District 11 Waterloo was part sponsor of this initiative through Project—Service to Others.


ESL Social and Retirement dinner

Retired ESL teachers met for a dinner in June to celebrate with their new retiring members.

Back: Anne Lambert, Maaike Buma, Cathy Catton, Shirley Losee Front: Anne Cameron, Betty Thiessen, Patrice Thorn (new retiree),

Sharon Bergen (new retiree), Sandra Roemer


Community Support Connections—Meals on Wheels and More by Lois Earl-Davidson

Community Support Connections—Meals on Wheels and More (CSC) is an organization that provides a variety of services to assist individuals to live independently in their homes. For many RTO members this organization provides a variety of opportunities to volunteer by delivering meals, visiting seniors or adults with disabilities, or driving clients to medical appointments and grocery shopping. Volunteers serve clients at community dining sites, lead exercise classes, answer phones at CSC’s offices, or call clients to check on their well being. CSC services are provided 28% by employees and 72% by volunteers. Other RTO members may need to use these or other CSC services, such as the “shopping bus”. In Cambridge and New Dumfries the former VON programme, “People Assisting in Transporting Elderly Residents” (PATER) is now integrated with CSC. CSC and Home Support Services serve residents in Waterloo providing a variety of services. A single coordinator assesses client needs. Programmes and Services Offered by CSC: • Meals on Wheels - Hot and frozen meals are

delivered to homes to suit dietary requirements. There is a fee for this service.

• Friendly Visiting - Volunteer visitors provide companionship each week to seniors and special needs adults. No fee.

• Care Coordination - Care coordinators meet with clients to assess their needs and develop a service plan. No fee.

• Homemaking - Screened workers provide house-keeping services. A low hourly rate is paid to the service provider by the client.

• Home Maintenance - Yard work services (cutting grass, trimming, weeding) are offered. A low hourly rate is paid to the provider by the client.

• Snow Removal - Snow is cleared from sidewalks and driveways. A low hourly rate is paid to the

service provider. • Community Dining - A group dinner meal is

served at noon hour at community locations. There is a fee for this service.

• Senior Fitness - Weekly gentle exercise classes, either in home or at community locations, are led by certified instructors. This programme is free.

• Crisis Intervention - Assistance is available to vulnerable elderly adults. No fee.

• Caregiver Relief and Support - Volunteers provide companionship and relief to the caregivers to help reduce stress and isolation. Information is offered about supports and options available.

Community Support Connections have offices at the following locations in Waterloo Region: • 40 Shirley Ave. Kitchener ON N2B 2E1 • 887 Langs Dr. Cambridge ON N3H 5P6 • 420 Weber St. N. Waterloo ON N2L 4E7 To contact any of the three CSC offices, phone 519-772-8787 or check the website

Gerry Engel and Susan Moore carry meals to the wheels


Words, Words, Words—from the Spring Luncheon by Pat Cannon

Word games were played, many words were used to describe the delicious meal and many words were shared about—words of course. Our Spring Luncheon showcased a delicious meal of cream of asparagus soup and a choice of two dinner salad plates. Diners enjoyed a sumptuous Salade Nicoise with grilled fresh tuna or Cobb Salad that included grilled sirloin and chicken and fresh local vegetables. Dessert followed and was enjoyed as our guest speaker, Katherine Barber, Canada’s Word Lady, brought us to laughter with her fascinating stories about the origins of words and their meanings. You certainly know that a group of whales is called a ‘pod’ or a group of lions is called a ‘pride’, but did you know that a group of alligators is called a ‘congregation’ or that a group of butterflies is called a ‘flutter’ or a ‘flight’?

One of our games tested the knowledge of participants on this particular use of words. I have included a small selection of animal names if you would like to test your knowledge. 1. Emu 2. Grasshoppers 3. Leopards 4. Giraffes 5. Rattlesnakes 6. Rhinoceroses 7. Sharks 8. Trout 9. Skylarks 10. Owls (See page 19 for the answers) In keeping with the theme of Words, door prizes were all word or letter related. They included novels, word puzzle books, various word games, Scrabble and crossword-decorated items for the home and baskets of goodies that also included such interesting items as Alpha-Getti and Alpha-Bits cereal. A number of the prizes were geared to help with overnights with the grandkids. Our Annual General Meeting took place before the luncheon and the new Board of Directors was elected for the coming year (see p 2).

Katherine Barber Roma Talboom (L) and Anne Grant play the word game


Grandmothers Helping Grandmothers by Margaret Spencer

Since retiring in 1998, I have participated in various volunteer and other activities, but it was in 2009 that I discovered a truly dynamic group with the unusual name of Omas Siskona of KW. It means

Grandmothers Together.

The more than 100 grandmother and “grandother” members of Omas support the work of the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers to Grandmoth-ers Campaign. This national movement has over 245 groups in Canada whose mission is to support grandmothers in sub-Saharan Africa as they strug-gle to provide for children left in their care, many of whom have been orphaned by the effects of the

AIDS pandemic.

“The Stephen Lewis Foundation works with grass-roots organizations in fifteen sub-Saharan African countries to provide counselling, education about HIV prevention, care and treatment, and to distribute food and medication and much more. The Grandmothers’ campaign strives to provide dignity in the present and hope for the future for African grandmothers.” (from Grandmothers Campaign

brochure)

Omas Siskona of KW focuses on three areas: fund-raising, education and advocacy. Omas’ major thrust is fundraising. Our annual Scrabble event, Good Words for Africa to be held this year on Sunday, November 10 at Parkminster Church, is the year’s highlight. The community joins us by enjoying a game of Scrabble, the Tea Room, and the Market showcasing excellent original crafts, jewellery, baking and preserves. Donations and pledges collected will go to the all-important cause of relieving suffering among victims of AIDS in

sub-Saharan Africa.

On February 9, 2013, Omas hosted a fundraising concert by the renowned Toronto Percussion

Quartet (TORQ). Omas holds Car Trunk Sales,

and in 2012 enjoyed an art and garden party. One of our upcoming projects for 2014 is Creating Futures, Threads of Hope for African Grandmothers, a Textile Art Exhibit and Auction whose opening on May 21, 2014 at the Waterloo Museum (at Conestoga Mall) will

be a very special event.

Since its founding in 2008, Omas Siskona of K-W has sent over $230 000 to the Stephen Lewis Foundation. In fact, one of our RTO members, Carol Schmidt and her friend, Mary Ann Gilhuly, raised $12 000 when they walked the El Camino de Compostella trek in

Spain in 2010.

Omas members participate in speaking engagements in an effort to educate the community about the needs of hundreds of thousands of African women and their families affected by AIDS. We have prepared presentations for adult groups and age appropriate lessons for school classes. With a view to broadening our own awareness of the ravages of the AIDS pandemic, we invite guest speakers to our monthly meetings, watch video material from the Foundation on the projects they support and exchange information

through books and presentations.

All of this may sound very earnest and serious for a volunteer activity, but one of the best aspects of belonging to Omas Siskona is the fun we all have together working toward a common goal that is much bigger than ourselves as individuals or as a group. We are a team. Each has a role to play as we remember our pledge to African grandmothers: “We shall not rest until they can”. For me, this is a very uplifting and energizing group and I would like to invite you to join

us, whether you are a grandmother or not.

The monthly meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 10:00 am to noon at Christ Lutheran Church, 445 Anndale Road, Waterloo. For more information contact www.omas-siskonakw.org or Marg Spencer at [email protected] or

519-576-6954.


Some RTO “Grandmothers Together”

Front: Jean Wilson, Nancy Mensink, Thelma Hamilton, Ruthanne Snider, Carol Schmidt, Maureen Inch, Marg Spencer

Back: Debbie Koegler, Ilsedore Kautsky, Karen Stainton, Teresa Dwyer

Many thanks to Past President Leslie Uttley for her service to District 11 for the past two years


Government Surveillance of Our Private Lives by Bob Ernest

Think back twenty-five years or more. What if the government decreed that all our mail had to be checked in the name of national security? Every letter you received would have been opened and checked. Or you would take your mail to the post office with the envelopes left unsealed so they could be checked. What if all our movements were monitored and we were photographed in stores and on the streets. We would have been outraged. Yet we seemingly accept even more surveillance today. Edward Snowden made headlines in the spring when he revealed that the U.S. National Security Agency could scour the data of the cell phone and internet usage of citizens. We recently learned that we have the same situation here in Canada. A secret surveillance programme was re-instituted in 2011 by the Department of National Defence. Every phone call we make whether by cell phone or land line is recorded. Authorities can also determine where you were when you made the call. Internet data is also being monitored. If we use a U.S. based email service such as Hotmail, Gmail or Yahoo, the American government could be monitoring our communications. All of our internet usage is recorded by the internet service provider. Google and other search engines store the data they record on our usage. Visitors to a website are monitored. A website can learn who visited the website, which pages were opened and how long the user spent on each page. Companies say they monitor our usage so they can target advertising to us, but police can get a court order forcing the company to share that information. Today we don’t rely as much on Canada Post for our social communications. We send emails and text messages. We talk on our cell phones. All of this information can be accessed legally or illegally. Companies know whether you opened their advertising message. They know whether you responded to their ad or whether you started to order

an item and then abandoned the order. Our movements are recorded on closed circuit security cameras. You are being watched when you enter a convenience store or a large department store. You are being watched as you walk down King Street or through a mall. Your smartphone gives your geographic location whether you are using it or not. Computers and built-in GPS systems can pinpoint the location of your vehicle and trace the route you took on your vacation or shopping trip to the nearby mall. Technology exists that can record the speed you are driving and can tell if you are exceeding the speed limit. Red light cameras record your licence plate if you go through a red light or if you don’t come to a complete stop before making a right turn on a red light. If computer chips attached to birds can show migratory patterns, and if a computer chip can help you find your lost dog, how long will it be before we are all monitored in the same way? All store purchases are recorded. If you use a credit or debit card and a store loyalty card, the company knows how many frozen pizzas you have purchased and when you purchased each one. We happily share personal information through social media such as Facebook. We post pictures and names of our children and grandchildren. We share pictures while on vacation (telling everyone that we are not home but on an extended vacation in Florida). We share our address and through Google Street View anyone can get a picture of our house and our neighbourhood. Satellite pictures show what’s in our backyards. The public policy question is how much privacy are we entitled to? How much freedom are we willing to give up in order to find possible terrorist threats? Or are governments using terrorism or other illegal activity as a smokescreen to increase the surveillance of its citizenry?


Writers Wanted by Lois Earl-Davidson

Articles in the District 11 newsletter are all written by RTO members. We thank those who contributed to this issue and invite you to share your stories and pictures with us. Can you tell us about: • an unusual travel adventure • a post-retirement career • an absorbing hobby • a humorous story • volunteer activities • news about retired members • fitness activities • your original idea • a mystery picture (with details) Call Lois Earl-Davidson at 519-884-9064 or Brian Heggie at 519-650-0987 to discuss your idea before you write. Be sure to include a picture. Do not send articles to the RTO mailing address. We would also like to publish pictures of 2-generation RTO families and pictures of retiree groups. Send your digital photos in jpg format to Lois [email protected] or Brian [email protected]. Send photographs to Lois. They will be returned. Please include names!

President Obama recently said, “There are some trade-offs. You can’t have 100 percent security and also have 100 percent privacy and zero inconvenience. We’re going to have to make some choices as a society.” How much government and police surveillance do we want in our lives? In a recent interview, George Orwell’s biographer, Michael Shelden, said, “Orwell wrote 1984 as a warning. He felt that if someone didn’t sound the alarm loudly enough, eventually a lot of the freedoms he cherished would be lost and people would wake up one day and wonder where they’d gone. We have a situation now where a lot of people take this kind of intrusion into our private lives increasingly for granted. I don’t think we should.” These kinds of intrusions into our privacy happen only because we allow them to happen. If this concerns you, let your Member of Parliament and party candidates know what you are thinking on this issue and help raise public awareness.

Words, Words, Words—Answers

Answers for the animal word game on page 15 1. Mob 6. Crash 2. Cloud 7. Shiver 3. Leap 8. Hover 4. Tower 9. Exhaltation 5. Rhumba 10. Parliament

In the Spring 2013 issue, we told you about the establishment of a Chair in Geriatric Medicine at University of Toronto. If you have not contributed to this fund yet, please consider doing so. A small amount per month for a fixed period of time wouldn’t be too significant to your pocketbook, but would be very significant to this project. If you are

interested, please contact:

http://donations.helpforcharities.com/rto/

Don’t Forget….

This is the Stone Bridge over Bowman Creek in Blair. It was built by Joseph Bowman prior to 1846. It is being considered for designation as a Heritage Bridge. To find it, journey along Fountain St. near the Grand River. On the roundabout, take the exit to Blair. It is tucked away in a glade almost immediately on your right.

Mystery Picture on page 10 by Cathy Hesch


They That Go Down to the Sea in Ships by Jamie Smith

Retirement? Maybe.

Sorta. Kinda.

A few days after leaving the realms of a career that nourished me for so many years, I was sitting beside a pool in Puerto Vallarta with a margarita in my hand, soaking up glorious rays of sunshine. This was

the life. Freedom 55! I had actually beat the deadline by several months. What I soon discovered was a fresh understanding of how freedom drew me and everyone I loved into a new reality. In the words of an Alan Jackson song, “...it’s turning me every way but loose for freedom’s only bond seems to be

requiring one to keep seeking more.”

Retirement had given me more opportunity and with it more responsibility to live, really live. Taking the occasion to travel meant that I would have more chances to assist others and to form lasting relation-ships with some along the way. The vacation in Puerto Vallarta led to a friendship with Hispanic Americans from Oceanside, California; a tour of Europe developed into an association with a couple from Texas; and a renewed contact with a childhood friend living in Switzerland, blossomed into

opportunities to visit each other’s countries.

I had not even dreamed about a second career while teaching, but very soon it would become possible for me to have several. Once the first door opened I kept pushing on others. I realized that one of the things I enjoyed about the classroom was the independence it gave one to teach the curricula using strategies that best suited the students. It was not by chance that I elected to become a part time courier for a local delivery service that needed a responsible person to ensure that items ordered were in their customers’

hands that day.

Before long, I found that delivering articles just on time to area businesses agreed with me, since I set my own agenda and route. If I decided I had time for a coffee break, I took it; if we were especially busy, I waited. For almost four years, I delivered tool and auto parts in the K-W, Guelph and Cambridge area. I might still be doing so had not “progress” stepped in the way. These municipalities began to grow and grow, but the highways and roads did not keep up with this growth. Soon the roadways were cluttered with traffic so that getting in and out of them safely became difficult and on some days, impossible. I realized I was an accident waiting to happen and so, rather reluctantly, I gave up my second career—

retirement number two!

Throughout the years, I have had a special friend who travels with me everywhere, one who introduced me to many people and opportunities. During the years since I left the classroom, I have renewed my relationship with this trusty amigo, my guitar. In the years of my “retirement”, I became a willing participant in the remarkably interesting and fun-filled activity of making music. Along the way, grace gave me the opportunity to write songs and

poetry. Often, I actually got paid to do things I love!

Life is not always a rose garden. Sometimes it is a perfect storm of hurricane force that strikes like an adder, without warning. On September 14, 2000, our youngest son, Sean, was killed in what has been euphemistically called a workplace tragedy. Don’t ask me what happened. I only know it should not

Jamie Smith


have occurred and that I still do not want to know the

details.

During this devastating period, old strengths rose to nourish me. Along with getting counselling, I devoured the ideas of great authors, I focused my thoughts on hope, I meditated, prayed, and wrote, and wrote and wrote. Slowly, ever so slowly, some comfort emerged from the ashes. I realized staying retired was not a great idea at this stage. So I fell back again onto the things I had enjoyed during teaching

and took a part time job selling computers.

For some time I was also part of a group called Threads of Life which attempted to educate people regarding safety in the workplace. Have you ever been charged with delivering the message to about five hundred seasoned, very tough male workers? What a challenge! These men faced enormous risks in their work every day and many had lost friends and relatives in the process. What was I to tell them? Their love, compassion and understanding over-

whelmed me.

At one point, unbeknownst to me, a cap was passed and then I was called back to the front to accept a rather large donation on behalf of our group. All I was able to stammer was, “Thank you.” After some time, I knew that by telling and re-telling our story, I had begun to think like a victim. It was time to move

along.

Just as I began to feel ready to do so, an old enemy raged onto the stage of life, leaving me with no options. Apparently, I was born with a defective aortic valve. It needed replacing. At a consultation, the surgeon asked me, “So we’re going ahead with this?” My response was, “I guess I don’t have much choice.” “Not any good ones,” he dryly informed me. So, we did it. Ten years later, I am extremely thankful for the deliverance that medical science gave. I have been able to renew my academic life at University of Waterloo, teach photography, run the seniors’ ministry at our church, preach (even at a memorial service for our son), take courses on selling and technology, and continue with my hobbies of travelling, photography, writing, music and

computing.

But, most important of all, I have remained a teacher.

Many who end up with me as their salesman, comment that I have the ability to help them dis-cover their needs and then find a good solution. When managers have asked me to share how I am successful, I simply tell them, “I do a lot of teaching out there.” The people skills that are so necessary to succeed in the classroom flood to the surface on the sales floor. I am thankful, very thankful, for my

career in education.

Recently, a new opportunity presented itself when I was asked if I wanted to reacquaint myself with Apple Computers. I was ecstatic and the first in our district to finish the Apple training, becoming an Apple Products Professional. Staples paid for my

training and I was paid for doing it!

I have purposely saved the best until last. Leaving my first career when I did allowed me to enjoy being a grandparent to the fullest extent. Our oldest grandson was just one and suddenly I had the liberty to take care of him on PD days, weekends, times when this mother needed to be somewhere vital to her work, and stints when I just plain wanted to be with him. He is now eighteen, doing well in

college and has worked with me at the same store.

We have three other grandchildren who are indeed grand children. And Poppa and Nana are there for all of them. Our special needs grandson is learning photography and how to make videos. His brother spends time with me gardening, cooking and

shopping for the food we eat, but Scott is the chef!

Alas, we have only one granddaughter, but what she


lacks in quantity, she makes up for in attention.

While Mom and Nana look after the needs of this young lady, Poppa gets to be the pony who carries her everywhere. He tells her stories,

teaches her to use the iPad and just adores her.

Retirement! What retirement? Going down to the sea in ships is of course a metaphor for life. Sometimes we mount up as

if to the heavens. At other times, we descend to the gravest depths. Henri Nouwen wrote: “As we gradually come to befriend our own reality, to look with compassion at our sorrows and joys...we can put the cup of our life to our lips and drink it slowly, carefully, but fully.” (from Selected Writings of Henri

Nouwen)

Freedom lets us emerge as who we really are!

Photos by

Jamie Smith




Oct 9 Silver Society Luncheon Oct 22-23 RTO Senate (Toronto) Oct 24 District 11 Fall Luncheon and Meeting Nov 4 Parkwood and Fairview Fundraiser Nov 20 Security for Seniors Workshop Jan 24 2014 Deadline for Spring Newsletter May 23 2014 Spring Luncheon May 24 2014 Trip to Philadelphia (tentative date) Your Board of Directors meets on the following dates: September 9 October 7 November 4 December 4 January 6 February 3 March 3 April 7 May 5 June 2 Call any of the Directors (page 2) to raise any concerns that you wish to bring forward at meetings.

RTO Waterloo District 11 658 Erb St. W. PO Box 33001 Ira Needles Waterloo, ON N2T 2M9

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