1 PETERBOROUGH DISTRICT PETERBOROUGH DISTRICT NEWS NEWS Peterborough District NEWS October 2018 October 2018 by Pat Rattenbury by Pat Rattenbury ...continued on page 8 https://district36.rto-ero.org Use it or lose it Use it or lose it - a recipe for healthy retirement a recipe for healthy retirement My dad was a YMCA Physi- cal and Aquatic Director who lived to be 92. He said to me there was an easy rule to living life and keeping healthy , " use it or lose it! " This meant both physically and men- tally. Since my retirement I have taken that advice to heart and kept myself involved. With the sudden death of my husband 14 years ago, I returned to music. I hadn't played for 48 years, since leaving college!! Joining the New Horizons Band was like finding a new family with many former teachers and friends. A woman from the band suggested that I might like kayaking. She brought one to the lake for me to try. I loved it and bought a kayak on the way home! It is very peaceful being on the lakes and rivers where one can paddle right up to wildlife, a turtle on a log, or watch a heron take off right in front of you and no, I do not roll or do white water!! Some of the kayakers hiked, so I joined the Ganaraska hik- ing club. I then took up Tai Chi and Yoga for balance and flexibility . A couple of years ago I felt a need to continue challenging myself , so I went to the Peterbor- ough Concert Band , a more advanced band celebrating its 160th this year! Three years ago I added square dancing.
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1
PETERBOROUGH DISTRICTPETERBOROUGH DISTRICT
NEWSNEWS
Peterborough District NEWS
October 2018October 2018
by Pat Rattenburyby Pat Rattenbury
...continued on page 8
https://district36.rto-ero.org
Use it or lose it Use it or lose it -- a recipe for healthy retirementa recipe for healthy retirement
My dad was a YMCA Physi-cal and Aquatic Director who lived to be 92. He said to me there was an easy rule to living life and keeping healthy , " use it or lose it! " This meant both physically and men-tally.
Since my retirement I have taken that advice to heart and kept myself involved. With the sudden death of my husband 14 years ago, I returned to music. I hadn't played for 48
years, since leaving college!! Joining the New Horizons
Band was like finding a new family with many former teachers and friends.
A woman from the band suggested that I might like kayaking. She brought one to the lake for me to try.
I loved it and bought a kayak on the way home! It is very
peaceful being on the lakes and rivers where one can paddle right up
to wildlife, a turtle on a log, or watch a heron take off right in front of you and no, I do not roll or do white water!!
Some of the kayakers hiked, so I joined the Ganaraska hik-ing club. I then took up Tai Chi and Yoga for balance and flexibility .
A couple of years ago I felt a need to continue challenging myself , so I went to the Peterbor-ough Concert Band , a more advanced band celebrating its 160th this year! Three years ago I added square dancing.
District 36 on Social MediaDistrict 36 on Social Media by Hilda Jolleyby Hilda Jolley
Social Media is a growing and powerful method of giving infor-mation about RTO-ERO events.
If you have a Facebook account, search for RTO Peterborough District 36. Then like and share our page with your friends.
If you are not on Facebook, you can access our page through the internet. Search for RTO Peterborough District 36 Facebook.
You can find us on Twitter using RTO/ERO Peterborough or @PtboRTO.
Join us for breakfastJoin us for breakfast In this issue:In this issue:
District NEWS is available in an interactive format. This means that those of you who receive the online version of the newsletter will be able to navigate through the newsletter or visit a website by clicking the underlined blue text hyperlinks. To return to this Table of Contents, click on the newsletter title at the bottom of each page. Clicking on a highlighted blue email address will open your email system automatically.
Peterborough District NEWS
3rd Wednesdays 8:30 a.m.
Holiday Inn
Oct 17, Nov 21, Dec 19
Drop in to share conversation and a meal with your RTO colleagues.
1 Active Retirement
2 Monthly Breakfasts
2 Upcoming Events
2 Social Media Links
3 Christmas Luncheon
4 President’s Message
4 Knitting Together
5 Social Isolation
6 Retirement Planning Workshop
7 Insurance Comparison
8 Write for your newsletter
9 Muriel McRae remembered
10 High School Merit Awards
11 District 36 Pub Night
12 Week in Panama
12 Teach in Nunavut
12 McMaster Optimal Aging Portal
14 ACER-CART
15 New Members & In Memoriam
15 The Fine Print - Activity Waiver
16 Peterborough District Executive List
11 RTO-ERO Scholarships
11 New Canadian Centre
13 Hell with the Bell Photos
Oct 9 80+ Birthday Party
Oct 17 Breakfast - Holiday Inn
Nov 20 Retirement Planning Workshop
Nov 21 Breakfast - Holiday Inn
Dec 12 Christmas Party - Holiday Inn
Dec 19 Breakfast - Holiday Inn
Oct 22 Pub Night
Mark your Mark your calendar….calendar….
3 Peterborough District NEWS
Make cheque payable to RTO/ERO District 36 and deliver or mail to: Georgina Eldridge, 844 Hewitt Drive, Peterborough, K9K 1V4 705-743-1629
PLEASE REGISTER BY DECEMBER 3, 2018.
Registration for this event indicates that I/we have read and agree to the RTO/ERO Event Waiver in our newsletter or on our website.
Registration: 10:30 a.m. with beverages / pastries
Wheelchair accessible Free Parking
Entertainment by singer / musician Art Lajambe
Registrations due by Monday, December 3
Please allow at least one full week for payments sent by mail.
Please note that we have to give numbers in advance and pay for the meals we have ordered. We cannot change the numbers or offer refunds for cancellations after the registration deadline date.
4
President’s MessagePresident’s Message
Peterborough District NEWS
Happy Autumn! I hope everyone enjoyed the hot and humid summer! As for me, I am ready for fall. I love to see the changing seasons and now that I don’t have the anxiety associated with going back to school, I really enjoy September!
Welcome to all our new members!
Congratulations on beginning the next chapter in your life. At our recent To Hell with the Bell event, I asked for input on possible social events for you to enjoy. There are so many things to get involved with!
If you are looking for a Book Club, the Peterbor-ough Public Library hosts meetings the last Tuesday of the month at two times, 2:00 – 3:00 in the multipur-pose room and 7:00 – 8:00
p.m. in the Boardroom. Check their website for the titles they are reading.
Check the rest of this newsletter to find some other social events being offered!
Social Isolation is an ongoing issue with some of our members and is the focus during the month of October for our Foundation. The graphic on the next page (remember using the hamburger model to teach creative writing? But I digress.), is a good reminder of how important being socially active can be to our health. So, I guess the message, and I know I am repeating myself, is to stay social! Not only will you have fun but you will be healthier too!
Hope to see you at some of our upcoming events! We slipped upWe slipped up
In our last edition we misspelled the name of the author of our feature article “Mindful Journey to India”. The author was Avril SiddleAvril Siddle. We apologize for the error.
Got some extra wool to use up?
Have a knitting project to com-plete?
Looking for a new project to do?
Join me, in my home,
888 Valleyview Drive, on November 7th 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Let your working colleagues know:Let your working colleagues know:
Retirement Planning Workshop Retirement Planning Workshop this Novemberthis November
Our February workshop was so successful that we ran out of space so we are planning to hold another this Fall.
Tuesday, November 20 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Canoe Museum
Light supper served between presentations.
Please let your former colleagues who are planning to retire in the next few years know about this valuable workshop.
If you or they have any questions about this Retirement Planning Workshop or would like to know more about RTO, please feel free to contact Ceris Higgs at 705-748-9282 or email [email protected].
These workshops are open to anyone who will retire with a pension from OMERS or the OTPP and others employed in the field of education.
For a full list of upcoming Retirement Planning Workshops in other areas, please visit our provincial website, www.rto-ero.org.
After an exhaustive review of the research literature, here's the final word on nutrition and health:
Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
Germans drink beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
We may have found the problemWe may have found the problem
I am not always on the go. I love to read, have tea with friends and have also been a " hooker " since 1972. I love to use that line! Of course you realize I mean rug hooking! I do my own designs.
I decided to take my first art lesson three years ago. That has opened a whole new world to me and I see nature in a different light. If you are stopped at a traf-fic light and the first person in line is slow to start up when it turns green, that is probably me enchanted by the cloud formation and wishing I could paint that!
For ten years I have volunteered at Showplace , a performance Centre that offers a wide variety of shows ( sometimes I use earplugs and my hands over my ears!!) and at a Theatre that just puts on plays and musicals.
These activities help me keep my body moving and my mind challenged , although I still go downstairs and wonder what I came down for! I understand that is not a memory problem, that it is nature's way of making older people get more exercise!
Use it.. Use it.. continued from page 1
Do you have the write stuff?Do you have the write stuff?
Last January we began to feature articles from and about our members and these have been well received. We look to continue this feature in our newsletters and need people to contribute. Examples of stories could be memories about life in Peterborough, activities and achievements since retiring, and exciting or interesting places our travelling members have visited.
If you have an idea for a story or know someone we should interview for an article, please let us know and we’ll contact you and work with you to get
your stories into print.
There are great stories out there among District 36 members. Let’s share them! Contact 705-748-9282 or email [email protected]
Stories from and about members make District newsletters better.
Muriel Muriel McRae’McRae’s history continues to inspires history continues to inspire by Jim Grieve, Executive Director, RTOby Jim Grieve, Executive Director, RTO--EROERO
RTO/ERO Districts are filled with almost 80,000 truly unique personal stories. Muriel McRae, who sadly passed away in her 107th year this summer, was one such remarkable District 36 member. I know that when I came to Peterborough as one of my first official visits in 2015, I was delighted to spend time with Muriel at your District’s 80 plus party.
From that brief encounter, I was moved to include Muriel’s early experiences as a teacher in the Marmora area into my presentations to members across the country. As some will know, Muriel served as a teacher during the depression in our area of Ontario. She recounted some of those early experiences to me over the course of that luncheon.
Imagine being a teacher in a one room school house where you were responsible for the curriculum and instruction of children between the ages of 6 and 18. In addition, Muriel served as custodian, principal, maintenance person and, of course, ‘heating expert’.
One of the incidents she recounted about working in that school house related to this ‘heating expert’ duty. Her role each morning was to make sure that the wood stove in the basement of the school house was properly stoked and fed fresh wood. That school, like most in Ontario, relied upon radiant heating. Not radiators with water, but radiant heat that would rise into the classroom through wooden grates cut into the floor of the classroom.
Muriel recalled that one day, much to her sur-prise and embarrassment, as she was standing on the wooden grate and teaching a lesson, the grate broke and she disappeared into the base-ment. Fortunately only her pride was damaged and she dusted herself off and went back to the
lesson. One can only imagine the reaction of the children when their teacher sud-denly dropped out of sight. Muriel laughed at that recollection 80 years later, which was likely the reaction of the children at the time, once they
knew she was unhurt.
Muriel also talked about rooming with her Trustee and his family, in the neighbourhood of the school. She boarded her horse in the barn and rode it year round back and forth to the school. For those of us who did our teaching a little more recently, the thought of rooming with one of our school board trustees creates all sorts of reactions. I suspect modern trustees might also have a thought or two about that concept.
Muriel’s story and her experiences as a teacher have been told across our organization in deep recognition and appreciation for the work of teachers and indeed all members of the broader education sector who are members of RTO/ERO. Her story and the legacy stories of each of our dedicated members need to be told and appreciated by all those who are joining this great organization. It is our stories and connec-tions that set RTO/ERO uniquely apart from any other organization in Canada.
Jim Grieve and Muriel McRae at the 80+ Party in 2015
10 Peterborough District NEWS
Eric Bradburn receives the award from Joe Webster.
St. Peters Norwood DHS
Emma Beavis receives the award presented by Karen Vandenberg
Adam Scott CVI
Zakaria Yusuf receives the award presented by Lorraine Knowles
Peterborough District RTOPeterborough District RTO--ERO presents High School ERO presents High School Merit AwardsMerit Awards
In May and June RTO District 36 Merit Awards were presented to the winners of the Kawartha Art Gallery ‘Best of High School Art’ Competition and to a graduate of PACE – Peterborough Alternative and Continu-ing Education Program at PCVS and to graduates our secondary schools. Thank you to the Executive and Members of our district who offered to personally attend the ceremonies
and offer our sincere congratula-tions and encouragement to the successful recipients. We received ‘Thank you’ emails and cards from both the recipients, KAGS, and the schools for RTO District 36 participation in the support of the students.
by Audrey Mooreby Audrey Moore
P A C E
Michael Duffett receives the award from Lorraine Knowles
Dillon Beauchamp receives the award from Pat Smith
TASS
Kawartha Art Gallery
Emily Davison and Lilly Munro receive the award from Barry Breen.
Holy Cross
Ben Phillips receives the award presented by Kathryn Reynolds.
Kenner
Barry Breen and Lorraine Campbell present the award to Emma McIlveen
11 Peterborough District NEWS
The 2018-2019 Scholarship Application is now posted on the RTO/ERO website at:
On this page you will find some background and process information on the program and a link to the application.
Some quick facts:
The Student: > completes the scholarship application, not the
member; > in order to be eligible, the student needs to
provide the sponsoring member’s member-ship number;
> in order to be eligible, the student is already at college, university or other educational institute and is in their last year/last semes-ter of their program.
Deadline Date: Close of business, February 5, 2019 – no exceptions
Scholarships availableScholarships available Support a Newcomer with Support a Newcomer with English English Volunteer Tutor Opportunities at the New Canadians Centre
The New Canadi-ans Centre (NCC) is a not-for-profit organization pro-
viding programs and services to help newcom-ers and refugees settle in Peterborough. NCC is fortunate to have a fantastic team of over 200 volunteers every year who support programs such as one-on-one English tutoring. These pro-grams are key to successful resettlement, and we could not run them without the dedication and generosity of volunteers like Karen Adams.
As a retired kindergarten teacher, Karen has mainly taught beginner English learners. She has been able to take advantage of her class-room teaching skills, and adapt the approach to fit her adult learners’ needs. Getting to know new Canadians through tutoring has “really opened up her world” and has led to many memorable moments.
Newcomers can face many language and cultural barriers that make it difficult to navigate the community and progress as they would in their home country. Tutors provide a safe environment where learning can be catered towards their needs, and help them not only learn language, but build confidence.
Help us create a welcoming and safe learning environment for newcomers by becoming a tutor.
Do you have one hour per week to help a new Canadian learn and improve their English? Contact Liana Honsinger, Volunteer and Event Administrator at [email protected] for more information, or visit our website here.
There is particular shortage of male tutors, but all applications are welcome.
Join us for Pub NightJoin us for Pub Night
Please join us for an evening of fun and music!! Free Appetizers!!
Monday, Oct. 22Monday, Oct. 22 after 6:30 p.m.after 6:30 p.m.
Bookmark the McMaster Optimal Bookmark the McMaster Optimal Aging Health Portal site Aging Health Portal site
Medical misinformation abounds on the internet. Dr. Google is not always a reliable source and sometimes, acting on what we find on the internet can be harmful to our health.
RTO has partnered with the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal to help provide our members with accurate up-to-date information from a reliable source.
http://optimalaging.mcmaster.ca/portal.html
Teach in NunavutTeach in Nunavut Bonnie Spence-Vinge, retired Executive Director, Department of Education, govern-ment of Nunavut, has requested assistance in notifying retired teachers of the serious teacher shortage in Nunavut’s 44 schools.
If any of our members want to extend their teaching careers by working in Nunavut during the 2018-19 school year, please contact Bonnie at [email protected] or telephone 1-250-426-4274.
Hell with the Bell LuncheonHell with the Bell Luncheon
Photos: Barb Lohnes for more pictures, visit our website
14 Peterborough District NEWS
Association canadienne des enseignantes et des enseignants retraitésAssociation canadienne des enseignantes et des enseignants retraités The Canadian Association of Retired TeachersThe Canadian Association of Retired Teachers
ACER-CART is a non-partisan organization consisting of 13 retired teacher associations across Canada providing a national voice for retired
teachers and a means to address issues of common concern.
The Annual General Meeting held in June receives resolutions and reports from the ACER-CART Executive, its Committees and from its Member Organizations. Each member organization sends one voting director and one observer to the AGM. During the year the ACER-CART Executive meets by teleconference and twice face-to-face, before and after the June AGM. There are six standing committees: Pension & Retirement Income, Communications, Health Services, Nominations & Elections, Political Advocacy, and Legislation.
Since our AGM, we are very pleased that the Prime Minister has created a Ministry of Seniors and appointed Filomena Tassi as the new minister responsible for seniors care. While ACER-CART certainly would never claim full credit for the creation of this new ministry, our efforts, along with that of like-minded organizations has achieved this positive result. We have written to the new Minister to offer our congratulations and look forward to the opportunity to meet with her to intro-duce ourselves, and discuss ways we can work collaboratively to accelerate progress on the many issues affecting seniors in Canada.
Priorities of ACERPriorities of ACER--CART CART 20182018--1919
Participate in the 2019 Federal elections by co-operating with other like-minded groups to protect pensions, to advocate for a single payer national pharmacare plan, and a federal Ministry for Seniors. In support of this priority we will con-tinue to: Monitor the 10-year bilateral health
funding agreements with the prov-inces,
Oppose the surrender of the accrued benefits inherent in defined benefit plans,
President Bill Berryman (RTO-NSTU) Vice-President Gerry Tiede (BCRTA) Past President Brian Kenney (RTO-ERO) East Region Marg Urquhart (NBSRT) Ontario Martin Higgs (RTO-ERO) West Region Gordon Cooper (ARTA) Executive Director Roger Régimbal (RTO-ERO)
Member Organizations (as of June 2018) Numbers Retired Teachers’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador 5,639
Retired Teachers Organization of the Nova Scotia Teachers’ Union 7,176
New Brunswick Society of Retired Teachers 2,703
Société es enseignants retraités francophones du Nouveau Brunswick 1,985
Prince Edward Island Retired Teachers Association 1,068
Quebec Association of Retired Teachers 150
Quebec Provincial Association of Retired School Educators / Association provincial du personnel d’enseignement retraité du Québec
1,162
Retired Teachers of Ontario / Les Enseignantes et enseignants retraités de l’Ontario 66,331
Retired Teachers of Manitoba 9,722
Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan 11,322
Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association 16,790
British Columbia Retired Teachers’ Association 16,233
Yukon Retired Teachers’ Alumni 145
TOTAL: 140,426
15
District 36 News District 36 News
We publish quarterly in January, April, August and October for members of Peterborough District. Articles for publication should be submitted to the editor a minimum of two weeks before each issue. Articles may be edited for length. Editor: Martin Higgs 705-748-9282 [email protected]
Activity WaiverActivity Waiver
As a participant in RTO-ERO events, I acknowledge and agree that RTO-ERO, including District 36, cannot be held responsible for any injury or damage of any nature, however arising, in connection with this event. Participants should carry their own insur-ance.
Non RTO-ERO events and activities in our newslet-ter and our website are listed for convenience and are not necessarily endorsed by District 36 RTO-ERO. Members should always check carefully be-fore making any financial or personal commitments.
Keep in touchKeep in touch Have you moved, changed your phone number or email address?
To help us stay in touch and to continue receiving your copy of our provincial magazine Renaissance and our District News, please make sure to let the provincial office know of any changes in your contact information. Call 1-800-361-9888 or update online at www.rto-ero.org.
Membership ChangesMembership Changes
New MembersNew Members
In MemoriamIn Memoriam
Glenn Bailey Catherine Burns Ellen Dumas Karen Duncombe Barbara Ebel Louise Farrell Melanie MacLeod Mary Claire Nepotiuk Teresa Roach Janet Shillinglaw
GoodwillGoodwill If you know of any member who is seriously ill or shut-in, please notify our Goodwill Chair, Judy-
Anne Tumber at 705-295-1995. Please let us know of the passing of
any of our members so we can make a charitable donation in their memory.
Become a Become a GreenGreen MemberMember Get your newsletter onlineGet your newsletter online
Get your newsletter faster and in colour. Help protect our environment. Reduce your District’s expenses. Please join those who have switched to the online edition, by e-mailing [email protected].
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends on the passing of our colleagues.
Information taken from RTO/ERO Provincial updates since our last newsletter.
Peterborough District NEWS
Sandra Bloye Betty Brown Muriel Elliott Joan Herzog Patricia McAfee Daniel McGarity Muriel McRae Maureen Pammett Peter Roach
