1 | Page December, 2019 President’s Message 1 Award Recipients 2 Award Application 3 Travelogue 3 E-News Editor 4 Goodwill 4 Knitters & Crafters 4 Health 5 Bridge 6 Book Club 6 Hava*Java 7 Excursions 7 District Meeting Dates 8 Scams 8 FYI 9 Scholarship 9 Merit Travel 9 Volunteering 10 Executive List 11, 12 Waiver 12 Award Form 13 https://district24.rto-ero.org Scarborough / East York 24 RTO 24 E-NEWS December 2019 E-News Editor: Annemarie McKee INSIDE THIS ISSUE: President’s Message, Paula Chambers With the surprise early snowfall in November it was easy to start getting into the holiday mood. RTO District 24 celebrated a successful Fall Craft Luncheon on November 14 th . The variety and quality of the vendors was outstanding. We particularly thank all the vendors for their donation of prizes for our luncheon. Thank you, Sue Watson, Robin Bethke and team, for all the hard work. We can’t have these events without our members volunteering to organize them. This year, RTO District 24 has initiated an award for Outstanding Service to the District. I am pleased to announce that Bob Cook and Marilyn Hodge were the first recipients of the Outstanding Member Award. Their long service to the District was well known by those in attendance at the luncheon and many came over to congratulate them. Thanks also to Annemarie McKee for all the work preparing for the presentations. At our luncheon we had the opportunity to present a cheque from RTO/ERO Service to Others Grant to the Tony Stacey Center for Veterans Care. Carol Nelson, the Chair of the committee, who wrote the proposal, was proud to present a check for $3,000 for the use of the residents for crafts and excursions. This is one way that RTO gives back to the community. Before we get excited about the coloured lights and decorations, stop and think about our colleagues in the schools. Most districts voted overwhelmingly for a strike mandate and work to rule starting in November. Be ready to offer moral support if a strike should occur. Finally, I hope to see you at our Christmas Luncheon at the Scarboro Golf and Country Club. Thank you, Les Coombs, for chairing this popular event. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa!
Transcript
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December, 2019
President’s Message 1
Award Recipients 2
Award Application 3
Travelogue 3
E-News Editor 4
Goodwill 4
Knitters & Crafters 4
Health 5
Bridge 6
Book Club 6
Hava*Java 7
Excursions 7
District Meeting Dates 8
Scams 8
FYI 9
Scholarship 9
Merit Travel 9
Volunteering 10
Executive List 11, 12
Waiver 12
Award Form 13
https://district24.rto -ero.org Scarborough / East York 24
RTO 24 E-NEWS December 2019 E-News Editor: Annemarie McKee
I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :
President’s Message, Paula Chambers With the surprise early snowfall in November it was easy to start getting into the holiday mood. RTO District 24 celebrated a successful Fall Craft Luncheon on November 14th. The variety and quality of the vendors was outstanding. We particularly thank all the vendors for their donation of prizes for our luncheon. Thank you, Sue Watson, Robin Bethke and team, for all the hard work. We can’t have these events without our members volunteering to organize them.
This year, RTO District 24 has initiated an award for Outstanding Service to the District. I am pleased to announce that Bob Cook and Marilyn Hodge were the first recipients of the Outstanding Member Award. Their long service to the District was well known by those in attendance at the luncheon and many came over to congratulate them. Thanks also to Annemarie McKee for all the work preparing for the presentations.
At our luncheon we had the opportunity to present a cheque from RTO/ERO Service to Others Grant to the Tony Stacey Center for Veterans Care. Carol Nelson, the Chair of the committee, who wrote the proposal, was proud to present a check for $3,000 for the use of the residents for crafts and excursions. This is one way that RTO gives back to the community.
Before we get excited about the coloured lights and decorations, stop and think about our colleagues in the schools. Most districts voted overwhelmingly for a strike mandate and work to rule starting in November. Be ready to offer moral support if a strike should occur. Finally, I hope to see you at our Christmas Luncheon at the Scarboro Golf and Country Club. Thank you, Les Coombs, for chairing this popular event. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa!
Bob Cook Bob Cook has been a member of District 24 for over 20 years. He was a member of the District Executive serving in several roles not the least of which was Golf Convenor for over 10 years. Bob, in coordination with his committee, organized the Breakfast for Kids Golf Tournament and over his time grew it to become the District’s largest charitable work. The Golf Tournament has raised close to $100,000 to support the good works of the Toronto Foundation for Student Success and the Angel Foundation for Learning for over 20 years. Upon completion of his time as chair Bob continued on the District Executive as a Member-at-Large and when I first came to know him he was a font of information with his knowledge of past practice and previous decisions and practices of District 24. Bob and his wife have supported other District 24 activities as regular attendees on almost all of our trips and recently has served as a facilitator on excursions. For these reasons and for many more Bob Cook is a most worthy recipient of the inaugural District 24 Distinguished Member Award. Gary Fick (Bill Sparks)
Marilyn Hodge Marilyn Hodge became a member of RTO District 24 in 1998. In 2001 she took on the role of Chair of the Christmas luncheon. This is a big event enjoyed by many District 24 members. Marilyn was very involved in getting all the arrangements in place to make sure that the event was a success. Marilyn continued organizing the Christmas luncheon for the next fourteen years. In 2005 Marilyn also took on the additional responsibility of the Goodwill Chair. In this capacity she made sure that get well and sympathy cards were sent out to members. In addition, she personally hand-addressed hundreds of Christmas cards to members 80 years old and over, every year for thirteen years. Marilyn also participated in the many telephone calls to older members to keep them connected to District 24. Marilyn had served on other committees as needed, and has assisted with registration at luncheons. In recent years Marilyn has served as a Member at Large. On many occasions family members have mentioned how appreciative they were of Marilyn’s contact with their families. People have told of her compassion and warmth and genuine caring. We think Marilyn is a most deserving member to receive an award for her outstanding service throughout her 21 years as a member of District 24. Receiving this award would be a wonderful recognition of her generous gift of self. Paula Chambers & Linda Jarvis
Both Marilyn and Bob have chosen as their charity the “Breakfast for Kids” program.
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Outstanding Member Award, Annemarie McKee An Outstanding Member Award may be presented to a person who has shown dedication and made outstanding contributions to the District. Nominees for the Award will be selected in recognition of their outstanding and/or long-term contributions to the work of RTO/ERO at the District level. RTO/ERO members who are still serving in any capacity at the District level are normally not eligible for nomination. The recipient:
• must be a member of RTO/ERO District 24 and must be nominated by a member of District 24 and seconded by an additional member of District 24.
• must have provided volunteer service beyond the norm for at least five years. Procedures / Application Process:
• A full description of the volunteer’s activities is to be submitted to the Chair of the Awards Committee by March 1, 2020
• Nominations are not held over from year to year, but may be resubmitted.
• Names of nominated candidates will be submitted to the Awards Committee for consideration and selection. A candidate for receipt of the Award is chosen by the District Executive.
• The list of recipients will be published in the District newsletter and on the District web site.
• The Award is presented at the Annual District Meeting in May Nominations will be made to the Awards Committee chaired by the First Vice President, accompanied with a brief (250 words or less) explanation as to why the member should receive this acknowledgement. The Awards Committee will meet to consider all nominees and present to the Executive Board for final decision. The Award will consist of a memento to be presented to the member plus a donation of $250 to the charity of their choice. Please see the form at the end of the E-News.
Travelogue, Gloria Wilson-Forbes
There were 50 people in attendance at Travelogue 2019 held on Oct 17. From all reports, both the food and the photo journey on Morocco and Gibraltar were enjoyable. To quote one of the attendees " I visited Morocco and Gibraltar vicariously through the photo presentation and thoroughly enjoyed myself."
The next Travelogue will be on Thursday, October 22, 2020. Stay tuned for further details.
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E-News Editor/Webmaster, Annemarie McKee E-News is published in February, March, April, June, September, November and December. We are pleased to announce that RTO/ERO National is providing the E-News through an E-Blast. The website still has back issues of Beyond the Blackboard. Check out the Pictures tab to see some of District 24 events! Please let us know if there is any information about school anniversaries that you would like published. The latest E-News is always uploaded to the website by me on the first of the month. https://district24.rto-ero.org Follow us on our new Facebook page to see the activities in our district. Just type rtoerodistrict 24 in the search tab. It is a work in progress, but check us out to see what is happening in District 24.
Goodwill Committee, Lynne Horvath Our annual telephone campaign is nearly completed for 2019. Thanks to several volunteers, we have completed over 500 calls. If you are able to assist us with these calls, once a year, please let me know. We will need six new volunteers to help us for our 2020 campaign. We also send out birthday and Happy Holiday cards to our members, 85 years of age and older. Last month we sent out 30 birthday cards along with 364 holiday cards for the month of December. We are still finding that some members have moved and have changed addresses and/or phone numbers and have NOT contacted the RTO/ERO National office. If you have any changes, please contact them at 1-800-361-9888 or by e-mail at [email protected] . If you are aware of anyone who needs a Get Well card or a Sympathy card for a family member, please call Lynne Horvath at 647-479-7377 or send an email to [email protected] and I will send them out, as soon as possible.
Knitters and Crafters, Chris Eliot
The Knitters and Crafters are well into another season of producing highly original Twiddlemuffs for donation to local retirement homes. The group meets at the Ellesmere Community Centre, 20 Canadian Rd. (off Warden at Ellesmere, opposite Costco) on one Monday each month. All the Twiddlemuffs are made from donated materials and we are always on the lookout for acrylic yarn and other materials (lace, buttons, beads, kitchen sponges, crocheted flowers, belt buckles - the list is endless) to create these items enjoyed by dementia and Alzheimer patients.
If you have items to donate, or know of someone who would be a grateful recipient of a Twiddlemuff, please contact Chris Elliot - 416-497-6192 or [email protected] Upcoming dates for meetings (all Mondays) are December 9th, 2019, January 13, 2020, and February 10, 2020.
Preventing heart attacks: Is aspirin a safe choice? You’ve probably heard that taking a daily dose of aspirin can lower your risk of heart attack. With about 20% of older adults taking aspirin as a preventative strategy, there is no question that it is commonly prescribed. But do its benefits outweigh its risks? This has been a matter
of controversy, especially when it comes to healthy adults. Why prescribe aspirin to prevent heart attacks? Aspirin (or acetylsalicylic acid) prevents blood clots. Blood clotting occurs when cells called platelets clump together and seal up a bleeding wound. Because blood clots that block the flow of blood to the heart can lead to a heart attack, stopping this process lowers your risk of a heart attack. What’s the catch? Because taking aspirin can make it difficult to form blood clots, it also increases the risk of internal bleeding. So, is aspirin a safe choice for heart attack prevention when both the benefits and risks are considered together? This is a matter of hot debate. Some guidelines recommend it for people at a higher risk for heart attack, whereas other guidelines don’t recommend it at all. And while there is research that supports its use in people with a history of heart attack or stroke, evidence supporting its use in healthy adults is less clear. A systematic review took a closer look at the benefits and risks of aspirin use in adults with no history of heart disease—including outcomes such as stroke, heart attacks, blood clots in the legs, and so on. So, just what did this review find? What the research tells us. The results showed that taking aspirin didn’t lower the risk of death from any cause in adults without a history of heart disease, compared to those taking placebo or nothing at all. These findings held true even when considering people’s risk of major cardiovascular events, if they had diabetes or not, and the dose of aspirin they were taking (in most cases, people were taking 75 mg to 100 mg per day). What’s more, aspirin didn’t reduce the risk of death from heart disease-related complications or the risk of stroke. With respect to having a heart attack, the results varied across studies; but even in the best-case scenario heart attacks were slightly less common in adults taking aspirin—about 3 fewer people out of 1000 having a heart attack. That being said, when older studies were removed from the analysis and only newer studies considered, no reduction in heart attacks among those taking aspirin was seen. In terms of negative side effects, those taking aspirin were more likely to experience major bleeding—including bleeding inside the brain or skull. So, in people with no history of heart disease, aspirin may do more harm than good. But, before tossing your bottle of aspirin from your medicine cabinet, make sure to talk to your health care provider about its potential risks and benefits for you as an individual. Folks should also keep in mind that the findings discussed here are for adults who do not have a history of heart disease, and so do not apply to those with a history of heart disease or stroke. mcmasteroptimalaging.org
On Tuesday, November 5 we had the largest turnout ever - 45 people came out to play! We have started the year with a bang. So many small slams have been bid and made already. Here is a photo and list of the partners who made successful slams.
6 Diamonds - Pauline Ireland and Bob Rabbior, Chris Joys and Bob Smith, Norm Rhora and Jane H.
6 Hearts - Dale Smith and Suzanne Cecchini, Carlton DeRyck and Dale Smith, Marianne Massey and Bob Wevers, Susan Rabbior and Angela Moreau, Catharine Molyneux and Bob Rabbior, Joan Williams and Susan Rabbior 6 Spades - Susan Rabbior and Penny King, Chris Joys and Carmen Visconti
6 No Trump - Barb Rex and Jan Hodgson, Brian Farn and AnnieYu, Joan Williams and Suzanne Cecchini, Fred Argue and Jane H.
Oddly, no one has bid and made 6 Clubs. Maybe it will happen in 2020?
If you know how to play bridge, and would like to join the group, please contact Terry or Dale Smith at 416 438-0430.
Book Club “A”, Gloria Courtney & June Bourdon Our November selection is Warlight by Michael Ondaatje, a novel that follows the lives of two abandoned children in London, England, after the Blitz. Theirs was a life of mystery and intrigue. As always discussion was brisk. There is no meeting in December, and we will resume on January 29, 2020, with The Radium Girls by Kate Moore. Thanks to RTO for providing coffee for our meetings.
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District 24 Hava Java Social, Chris Elliot By popular demand this well attended social WILL occur in December this year. So, mark your calendars for Monday, December 30, 2019 to attend Hava* Java at the Calabria Bakery, 1770 Midland Avenue in Scarborough (between Ellesmere Ave. and Lawrence Ave., E. on the west side). This drop-in social runs from 10:00 a.m. until noon on the last Monday of the month and all RTO District 24 members are welcome. Bring a spouse or one guest each month and enjoy a free coffee and pastry courtesy of RTO District 24.
Upcoming Hava Java Dates
• Monday December 30, 2019
• Monday, January 27, 2020
• Monday, February 24, 2020
• Monday, March 30, 2020
RTO/ERO District 24, 2020 Excursions, Marilyn Tregwin
Well, what’s up for next year? The theatre playbills were just made available for booking, so as you read this, I will be in the process of arranging a series of events for your enjoyment in 2020. I hope to book us into the new Tom Patterson Theatre in Stratford which is scheduled to open next April. The musical Chicago is coming back to the Stratford Festival Theatre after many years, and Hello Dolly is the featured musical at the Shaw Festival Theatre in
Niagara-on-the- Lake. Many of you have not attended a play offered by Drayton Entertainment. They own several theatres that are close to us - St. Jacobs, Cambridge and the town of Drayton itself. Their productions feature creative set design and first-class talent (acting, singing, dancing),often with actors you might recognize from larger productions in Stratford. Read the reviews in your Beyond the Blackboard newsletter, and give them a try. A full list of our selections and the accompanying coupons will be outlined in the winter edition of Beyond the Blackboard, being mailed to you about mid-January. When you get it (or look for it online if you are away at that time), take note of the registration deadlines and act quickly - we don’t want to have to cancel. Theatre companies require confirmation of ticket reservations 4-5 weeks prior to a selected performance; hence the deadline for our first trip in March is short and comes quickly after you receive your newsletter. Special news: In an effort to increase members’ interest and participation, your Executive has authorized an increased Excursion budget for 2020 in order to subsidize some of the upcoming offerings. Don’t miss out! Last year, yet another trip was sold out well before the deadline, so read the Excursion pages in your winter Beyond the Blackboard, make your choices, send in your cheques and coupons, and mark your calendars ASAP to avoid any disappointment - then you’ll be ready to go.
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Our Executive Meetings: 2019 – 2020 The Executive Meetings are held at Cedarbrook Lodge Retirement Residence, 520 Markham Road, Scarborough, ON M1H 3A1. Refreshments are available beginning at 9:00 a.m. with the business meeting beginning at 9:30 a.m. We should be finished before noon. All District 24 members are invited to attend Executive Meetings.
Thursday, January 9, 2020 Thursday, March 26, 2010 Thursday, June 11, 2010
Political Advocacy /Pensions, Terry Smith
SCAM OF THE MONTH In this series I am going to try to outline some of the new scams that have arisen in the past few years as well as revisit some of the more successful old favorites. Remember that a good scam never goes away, it just goes on vacation for a while!! While numbers show that fewer Canadians were victims to fraud and scams in the past few years unfortunately, scammers are now reaching more Canadians than ever. EMPLOYMENT SCAMS: You likely didn’t apply; much less get an interview for a job you can do from home. It’s just a cheque cashing scheme that is simply too good to be true! REMEMBER: Do your research on any company before accepting a position. If you are asked to deposit a cheque and send money back, it’s not a real job. ROMANCE SCAMS: Online dating is big business to scammers. Canadians give away a lot of money as they give away their hearts to catphishers. Catphishing is when a fraudster fakes an identity and tricks someone via dating sites into a phony romantic relationship for financial gain. REMEMBER: Do not wire money to someone you’ve never met. If they are out of the country or can never meet in person, walk away. (all information courtesy of: bit.ly/top10scams)
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FYI
2019-2020 Scholarship Application
If you can answer “Yes” to each of the following questions, you are eligible to apply:
• I am a student who is attending a post-secondary university, college, or other institute, in the final year/semester of my program, and when I graduate, I will receive credentials that are recognized in Canada.
• I will graduate on or before September 30, 2020.
If you cannot answer Yes” to the questions above, you are not eligible.
NEW 'RELATIVE' DEFINITION for 2020: the lengthy list of relatives of RTO/ERO members who may apply has been revised to simply read: be “family and step family members.”
The 2019-2020 Scholarship application is now posted on the RTO/ERO website at:
As an RTO/ERO member, you are entitled to save and receive exclusive offers and unique benefits when choosing to travel with Merit Travel. No matter how you like to travel, where you like to go or what you like to do on your vacations, we’re here to give you the best experience and help you save as well! All RTO members receive 5% OFF any Merit Travel Golf or Ski vacation package, any Merit Hosted Tour package and most of our Merit Long Stay packages. We also offer 5% to 15% off a variety of Cruise and Land operators. Contact your local Merit Travel expert and start planning your next trip! (416) 345-9726 or 1-877-872-3826
Disclaimer: Third-party items are presented for information only. Endorsement is neither intended nor implied. Information contained in this document is intended for general interest. Other third-party content is provided on the understanding that it may be of interest to some members and is not an endorsement by RTO/ERO nor RTO/ERO Toronto District 24. Before making personal decisions, contact with the appropriate agency or professional is highly recommended.
EDITOR: The provision of information regarding Provincial or Federal legislation does not imply support for the party in power. Items presented are those considered to be of interest to members who may be affected by pending legislation or regulation changes. Material is provided for general interest to all members. Municipal, provincial and Federal websites are also excellent sources of data on many topics and you are encouraged to do your own research.
The Waiver THE WAIVER: Acknowledgement, Waiver and Release… ~ Provincial Executive, January 2010 The participant in (the "Event") acknowledges and agrees that RTO/ERO, including District 24, will not be responsible for any loss, injury or damage of any nature, including death, howsoever arising in connection with this trip/excursion/event. Participants in the Event are therefore hereby advised to carry their own insurance in connection therewith. By signing the activity coupon and in consideration of the participant's attendance at the Event, the participant hereby releases and forever discharges RTO/ERO, District 24, and their respective directors, officers, members, agents, employees and volunteers (collectively, the "Releasees") from any and all actions, causes of action, claims, and demands (collectively, the "Claims") from any loss, injury or damage of any nature, including death which has arisen or may arise from the participant's attendance at the Event, unless such loss, injury or damage has arisen as a result of the sole negligence of one or more of the Releasees. Any claims arising out of the participant's attendance at the event will be governed by the laws of Ontario, Canada, and the participant consents to the exclusive jurisdiction.
NOMINATION FORM RTO/ERO DISTRICT 24 SCARBOROUGH and EAST YORK
Distinguished Member Award
Nominations must be submitted by mail to: Vice President, Annemarie McKee [email protected]
Outline your nominee’s outstanding and/or long-term contributions to the work of RTO/ERO District 24 locally and provide other comments if you so wish. If you need more space, please use the reverse of this sheet.
Submission Deadline: March 1, 2020
Name of Nominee: ____________________________________________________________________ Nominator: _______________________________ Seconder: _________________________________
