News Views
&
Contents Table of
Volume 18 Number 4 Summer 2010
COLUMNS
2
President’s Message Views From This Side of an Orb
4 5 6 7
When a Cataract is Not a Waterfall
Health Notes
In Memoriam
Contest Winners
Executive Director’s Report
20
Retired Teachers Still Have a Role
Editor`s Musings
24
Political and Economic Notes
16
What Are We Doing Now? —Marilyn Bossert
17
C ontest #6
Health Advisory Councils Created
8
11 12
18
25
Letters to the Editor
27
Frances Harcourt— 100 Years Old
Two Short Stories by James F. Lavers
19
Freedom to Choose —Judy Steiert
28
Classifieds
FEATURES
3
The Latest on the Government’s Seniors’ Pharmaceutical Strategy
9 John and Lucy Takahashi at the Vancouver Olympics
14 Frank Loehde’s Argentina
21 Ken Brown’s Olympics
News and Views is published four times a year by the Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association (ARTA). Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to 409, 11010-142 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5N 2R1. Tel.: 780-447-9474; Alberta only: 1-800-232-7208 ext 474; fax: 1-780-447-0613; e-mail:
[email protected]; website: www.albertarta.org Contributions to News and Views to the editor: David J. Flower, 409, 11010 – 142 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5N 2R1. Assistant Editor: Vi Oko; Graphic Artist: Hazel Adair; Printing by Central Web, 16940 – 110 Avenue NW, Edmonton T5P 1G9 AR-ARTA-12e
Greetings From the
President
oisvert
Paul E B
“One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words, it’s expressed in the choices one makes. In the long run we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.” —Eleanor Roosevelt
I am uncertain if it is the Christian rites of Easter or the pagan passage into spring or the many positive messages recently shared by friends that seem to have generated within me the great urge to refocus on my day to day living! Given the flood of negative news reports and the general pessimistic attitudes that seem to exude amongst people in general, a voice inside struggles to be heard. A voice that says enough already! As Lee Jampolsky, Leo Buscaglia, Zig Ziglar and so many others have put down in writing, “then comes the AWAKENING.” You realize that in the real world there are not always fairy tale endings, and that any guarantee of “happy ever after” must begin with you... and in this awakening, a sense of serenity is born of acceptance. You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are. And that is okay! You learn that people do not always say what they
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Views From This Side of an Orb mean or mean what they say, that not everyone will always be there for you and that everything is not about you. So you learn to stand on your own and take care of yourself and in the process a sense of security and safety is born of selfreliance. You remember to open up to new worlds and different points of view. You once more acknowledge the difference between needing and wanting and you begin to realize that you must discard the doctrines and values you should never have bought into to begin with. You embrace even more ardently the principles that are the mortar that hold together the foundation upon which life is built.
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This awakening vividly reminds you that you do not know everything and it is not your job to save the world. You remember how to distin guish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO! You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you believe you deserve, and that much of life truly is self-fulfilling prophecy. Being awakened, you pay greater attention to many fundamentals that you may have set aside for a time, fundamentals such as knowing that life is not always fair, you do always get what you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting good people. And, the things that bring you discomfort are not the result of someone punishing you, it is just life happening. Finally, the awakening reaffirms that you are truly thankful and take great comfort in many simple things that you have taken for granted. Then you seek to disregard or best avoid the sources of negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment before they suffocate the life out of you and poison all that surrounds you. You want to replace them with laughter, music and play. You glow in the realization that a friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the lyrics!
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Volume 18, No. 4
The Latest on the Government’s Seniors’ Pharmaceutical Strategy By now I am sure that you are all
that the new Minister of Health and Wellness, the Honourable Gene Zwozdesky, has delayed the implementation of the infamous pharmaceutical strategy aimed at a selective tax on certain seniors based on their pharmaceutical drug use. What follows is confirmation of that delay in response to a letter from the editor.
aware
Letter to the new Minister of Health and Wellness February 7, 2010 Dear Mr. Zwozdesky: I would like to congratulate you on your appointment as the Minister of Health and Wellness. At the same time I would like to inform you of my concern over the implementation of the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Seniors. I have written several letters to both your predecessor Mr. Liepert and to the Premier and have had no satisfactory answer to my concerns from either party. When the premier was elected in the provincial election, he stated unequivocally that there would be no tax increases during his watch and immediately eliminated a planned increase on liquor taxes. However, the premier does not seem to want to accept that the proposed changes to drug purchases for seniors is exactly that—a tax on seniors that they did not have to pay previously. The plan to claw back from seniors some $23 million aimed at single seniors with annual incomes of more than $21,325 and senior couples with annual incomes of more than
$42,450 is indeed a tax. The traditional activist for the poor, Robin Hood, took from the “rich” and gave to the “poor.” In Canada in 2007 the poverty line for a single person before tax was $21,666. Something does not seem to fit, Mr. Minister. What the new “Strategy” does is it takes from the old and poor and gives to those who already have plenty—a genuine “Robbing” Hood! I hope that you will reconsider this “tax!” Sincerely, David J. Flower
A response from the Minister For those of you who thought that the government’s proposed drug program had been cancelled what follows is a response from the Minister of Health and Wellness to me dated April 21, 2010. Thank you for contacting me regarding the proposed new seniors’ drug program, which has now been delayed by our Government. I appreciate the opportunity to provide you with the following information. By way of background, last year our Government announced that a proposed new seniors’ drug program would take effect July 1, 2010. However, after further consideration, I recently announced that this proposed new program is officially delayed. This delay was necessary because more time is needed to address necessary legislative and regulatory changes and, most importantly, to ensure better alignment of prescription drug coverage with
ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
other Government programs for seniors. A coordinated approach to address the needs of seniors now and in the future is required, given that Alberta’s senior population is expected to double from 400,000 today to more than 800,000 by 2030. Please note that I cannot yet specify a time-frame regarding the delay, since there are a number of issues that need to be considered more fully. In the meanwhile, our Government will continue to pay about 80 per cent of seniors’ total drug program costs through the existing seniors’ drug program, which remains available to all Albertans 65 and over. Seniors with this coverage will continue to pay a co-payment of 30 per cent of each prescription’s cost to a maximum of $25 per prescription. In other words, the existing program will continue to provide coverage for prescription drugs as has been the case to date and it will also continue to provide coverage for ambulance services, clinical psychological services and home nursing care. For more information about the existing seniors’ drug program, please contact Alberta Blue Cross at 1‑800‑661-6995 or via www. ab.bluecross.ca. I hope this information is helpful and I thank you once again for contacting me. Sincerely, Gene Zwozdesky, Minister Health and Wellness Editor’s Comment—Apparently the program is only on hold for now.
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When a Cataract is Not a Waterfall by Art Davison For
signs. Then a series of drops were placed in my eye. Some caused the pupil to dilate, making it easier for the surgeon to remove the cataract, others were to prevent infection and numb the eye.
those of you who have had
cataract surgery,
this account will be a trip down memory lane. But for those who are facing it in the near future, or may be contem plating it in a year or so, I hope this little tale will relieve any worries you may have regarding this procedure. My medical dictionary defines a cataract as a gradual clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye, a process that eventually happens to most of us, if we live long enough. This cloudiness scatters the incoming light so that it is not clearly focused on the retina. Contrary to popular opinion, laser surgery is not used to treat cataracts. What is employed today is a simple surgical technique that is quick, safe and suited to assemblyline methods that can treat large numbers of patients in a very short time. My own story is typical. Over the past several years my vision, particularly in the right eye, gradually deteriorated, and about six months ago it became difficult to see clearly if the lighting was poor. Night driving was especially troublesome. After consulting with my ophthalmologist, I decided to have the cataractous lens in my right eye replaced by a soft plastic intraocular lens. The waiting period at the Royal Alexandra eye clinic was about ninety days, although I could have had it done sooner at a smaller hospital outside of the city. An information package from the doctor’s office dispelled most of my
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concerns, and pre-registration by telephone made it unnecessary to go through the hospital admitting office. Nevertheless, it was with some trepidation that I arrived at the hospital at 8:45 a.m. on November 1, having had no food or drink since midnight, as instructed. When I entered the eye surgery preparation area, I was confronted by fourteen large comfortable leather armchairs where patients awaited treatment or rested after undergoing surgery. Before joining them I had to replace my upper garments with the familiar hospital gown and robe. During my stay of about an hour in this area, the nurses confirmed my identity and made certain they were treating the correct eye, checked my medical records (no allergies or serious conditions) and measured my vital
ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
News & Views
Next I was taken to the pre-op area, where I rested comfortably on a gurney under a warm blanket until the anaesthesiologist got around to me. An injection near the eye, which was less noticeable than a mosquito bite, froze the eyeball and the muscles that control it. The unusual feeling of being unable to move my eye was probably the most uncomfortable part of the whole process. After confirmation that my right eye was in fact immobile, I was finally wheeled into the operating theatre. Under the pillow on the gurney was a plastic head rest that helped to keep my head still during the operation. Positioned directly overhead was a large microscope used by the surgeon in the delicate microsurgery involved. My head was covered by a sterile cloth, except for the area around my right eye, so I was unable to observe the actual operation, which was probably a good thing. The procedure took about ten minutes, but all I could see were vague shapes and colours, accompanied by faint buzzing and murmurs from the surgeon and his assistant. My major concern was to avoid coughing. Meanwhile, the surgeon cut
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a tiny three millimetre flap in the surface of the eye, inserted a small probe, and softened the cloudy lens with ultrasound so that it could be vacuumed out of the surrounding capsule. A soft foldable intraocular lens was inserted to replace the lens and my eye was covered with a protective gauze pad and a plastic shield. Within a few minutes I was wheeled out of the operating theatre, assisted to my feet and returned to my comfortable chair for a sandwich, juice and coffee. Total elapsed time was about three hours. The next morning I returned to the hospital to have the pad removed and allow the doctor to inspect his handiwork. During the next week I was required to place drops in my eye every four hours during the day, and refrain from any vigorous exertion such as bowling. At night I had to tape a plastic shield over my eye to avoid accidental damage while sleeping. After a week I was able to resume normal activities, continuing to put drops in my eye twice daily for the next two weeks.
Health Notes Important Information About Recognizing a Stroke Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately the lack of awareness can spell disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Doctors say any bystander can recognize if an individual has had a stroke by asking four simple questions: 1. Ask the individual to SMILE. 2. Ask the individual to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (coherently)—for example “It is sunny out today.” 3. Ask the individual to RAISE BOTH ARMS. 4. Ask the individual to STICK OUT HIS/HER TONGUE – if the tongue is crooked, that is it goes out one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.
that as much as 50 per cent of cancers might be prevented by the plan; however, recent research has suggested that only around 2.5 per cent might actually be a more accurate figure. The research suggests that while eating “five-aday” fruits and vegetables is still a good idea, other factors play a significant role too including “not smoking, keeping a healthy weight, cutting down on alcohol, eating a balanced diet, being physically active and staying safe in the sun.” (Source: “Five-a-day ‘will not cut cancer’,” by Clare Murphy, BBC News, April 7, 2010)
At What Age Should You Retire From Driving? An editorial in the Canadian Medical Journal published in March calls upon provincial and municipal governments to pay specific attention to helping seniors If the individual has difficulties plan for driving retirement. with ANY ONE of these tasks call emergency immediately and The editorial suggests that doctors need to be provided with a simple The results of the surgery were describe the symptoms. Doctors “widely applicable screening assess dramatic. Objects are much clearer say that if they can get to a stroke ment tool to determine whether a and brighter and my night vision victim within three hours many, if senior is able to drive safely.”When is dramatically improved. In fact, not all, the effects can be reversed. such an assessment has been made, I no longer need to wear glasses the information should then be sent for driving. However, my exist- World Health Organization to the licensing authority, namely ing glasses do not work very well (WHO) Recommendation the province, which is responsible for reading and the optometrist Questioned for issuing or revoking licenses. In will not prescribe new lenses for In 1990, the WHO recommended addition, the authors suggest that another six weeks because my that everyone consume at least five creative solutions need to be develeye will continue to change as portions of fruit and vegetables a oped to assist seniors once they are the incision heals. Fortunately, I day to prevent cancer and other unable to drive themselves. They have another pair of glasses that chronic diseases. Many countries propose financial incentives for I bought for computer work and I adopted the idea in their nutrition carpooling, subsidized shuttle van can read quite well with them. guidelines. However, a recent study services or school buses used in To conclude, in my experience of 500,000 Europeans adds to off-peak times to take seniors cataract surgery was quick and growing evidence that “five-a-day” shopping as helping to allow people painless and I am very happy with while still extremely beneficial to to stay in their homes as long as the results. I am looking forward to health does not have the significant they wish. (Source: “Senior drivers having my other eye repaired in a impact on cancer rates as was first need more options: MDs,” CBC thought. Originally it was hoped News, March 15, 2010) year or two.
ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
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Contest Winners from Contest 5A—The Sequel A lot of contest entries were received for our last contest – identifying those cute baby photos seems to have become a favorite pastime for some of our members. There were a lot of incorrect entries received, so for your information, here are the baby photos identified: Baby A—the lovely and talented Sara Schmidt. Sara graced our News and Views magazine in a few issues. She was also instrumental in obtaining four $50.00 gift certificates compliments of Johnson Inc. where she is gainfully employed. (Note: one of the four gift certificates was awarded in Contest 5.) Baby B—is the equally gifted and accomplished Paul Boisvert. Paul graces our News and Views magazine with his photograph and his column—“Views From This Side of an Orb.” Paul is the President of the Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association. Baby C—is the equally diplomatic, agreeable and capable editor of the News and Views, David Flower. His modern day photograph graces his column “Editor’s Musings.” He would also like you to know that he just loves receiving letters to the editor, so please keep them coming. Baby D—is the equally personable, gifted, courteous and sophisticated Executive Director of ARTA, Don Mock. You probably read his “Executive Director’s Report” each issue. And if you do not read his report, perhaps you should start. Contest winners are as follows—in order of the draw: Lou Fekete of Lethbridge—Lou wins the $100.00 gift certificate from Choice Hotels. Mr. Fekete commented on the contest, “When the ARTA magazine comes in the mail, the contest is the first item I look for. In studying the young and ‘older’ pictures, I compared the clothes, the earlobes, the part in the hair and the direction they faced. Probably some luck and my wife’s assistance helped me match the pictures correctly. Thank you and keep up the super challenges.”
No photo available
Wilma Gibson of Calgary—Wilma was supposed to win the buffet gift certificate from the Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel, but informed us that she would not be able to use the prize. A substitute prize was awarded. This means that the Coast Edmonton Buffet Certificate will be up for grabs in the next contest. Elsie Roth of St. Albert—Elsie wrote in to say, “I feel very happy and excited to have won the $50.00 Petro Can certificate. I felt fairly confident about one of my choices but had to work harder on the other ones. I considered the eye, eyebrow, chin and ear shapes and the colors. It was difficult (one of the pictures was not as clear as the others) so I would put it aside and confirm my choices by trying again later. Thank you and I am looking forward to receiving the prize.” Linda Repp from Calgary—Linda will be gassing up her vehicle compliments of Johnson Inc. She took home a $50.00 gift certificate from Petro Can. Her secret to identifying the photos was this: “I had identified the pictures by using an idea from a ‘facial features’ course I had taken while attending a Learning Disabilities Conference. I learned that a person’s ears are very distinctive and I used that premise to identify the baby pictures of the members. To my surprise, I was declared a winner for the Petro Can gift certificate. Thank you for the great news.” Sharon Huntrods of Lethbridge—Sharon was our fifth winner. She was the winner of our last $50.00 Petro Canada gift certificate. Sharon would like to thank ARTA for sponsoring the contest. “We are so lucky to have this fine professional organization. I look forward to receiving the News and Views. I really enjoy the articles and letters expressing the personal experiences of teachers and other professionals. I have many fond memories of my years at Ross Sheppard Composite High School and Dan Knott Junior High. It is at Ross Sheppard that I met the unforgettable Don Mock—a part of the infamous Social Studies Department. These were wonderful years spent getting to know terrific friends and colleagues as well as so many students. I think of them often and wonder where they are and hope they are all doing well.”
A special thank you to Johnson Inc., Choice Hotels and Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotels for furnishing the prizes in our contest. Without these businesses contributing prizes, ARTA would not be able to run the contests and you would not be able to win the prizes.
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ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
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Volume 18, No. 4
Health Advisory Councils Created In the fall of 2009 Alberta Health Services (AHS) completed appointments to twelve Health Advisory Councils (HAC) across the province. HAC 1 has fifteen members and includes La Crete, High Level, Fort Vermilion, Paddle Prairie and Zama City. HAC 2 has fifteen members and includes Spirit River, Fairview, Peace River, Grande Prairie, Valleyview, Beaverlodge and adjoining communities. HAC 3 has fifteen members and includes High Prairie, Wabasca, Gift Lake, Grouard, Faust and Flat Bush. HAC 4 has twelve members and all are from Fort McMurray. HAC 5 has fifteen members and includes Elk Point, Cold Lake, St. Paul, Bonnyville, Lac La Biche, Grassland, Ashmont and adjoining areas. HAC 6 has ten members and includes Barrhead, Westlock, Jasper, Whitecourt, Hinton, Edson and Mayerthorpe. HAC 7 has fifteen members and includes Edmonton, St. Albert, Thorsby, Stony Plain, Warburg and Sherwood Park. HAC 8 has fifteen members and includes Provost, Vermilion, Wainwright, Viking, Tofield, Hardisty, Vegreville, Lloydminster, Two Hills, Camrose and Daysland. HAC 9 has fifteen members and includes Red Deer, Coronation, Rocky Mountain House, Sundre, Hobbema, Innisfail, Drumheller, Ponoka, Stettler, Drayton Valley and Sylvan Lake. HAC 10 has fifteen members and includes Okotoks, Carseland, Calgary, Claresholm, Canmore, Irricana and Airdrie. HAC 11 has twelve members and includes Bow Island, Medicine Hat, Oyen, Bassano, Redcliff and Brooks. HAC 12 has fifteen members and includes Lethbridge, Pincher Creek, Taber, Coutts, Fort Macleod, Coaldale and Barnwell. The role of the councils is to engage community members by gathering input and feedback on local health service delivery. The AHS Board appointed council members to two- and three-year terms to establish a stagger turnover and help maintain experience on councils. Each council is expected to meet four to six times a year. For names of members of the councils go to Google and type Alberta Health Advisory Councils and look for press release “Working Together to Improve Lives.” Under the note on the right hand side “More Information” click on Health Advisory Council Membership.
Effective May 1, 2010, Canadians travelling to Cuba will be required to have proof of travel insurance before entering Cuba. Upon request after their arrival, travellers must present a policy, insurance certificate or travelling assistance card valid for the time span they will stay in Cuba. The absence of proof of such coverage could mean a traveller will have to purchase duplicate medical insurance coverage in Cuba ARTA members enrolled under the ARTA Health With Travel Plan, who are travelling to Cuba should contact Johnson Inc. toll free at 1-877-989-2600 prior to departure to ensure they have appropriate documentation. ARTA members who have Extended Health Care coverage through the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan (ASEBP) and are travelling to Cuba should contact an ASEBP Benefits Specialist tollfree at 1-877-431-4786 prior to departure.
ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
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Executive Director’s Report
k
Don Moc
New Affinity (Discount) Booklets—
By now each member should have received an updated affinity booklet for 2010. This is the first year that we have mailed out this information in this format. The purpose of this program is to provide our members with savings at hotels, car rentals, airport parking, select consumer purchases, etc. In the two years that we have had this program in place, we have received very positive feedback from our members who used the booklet to find discount prices. It is our view that a member can easily save the cost of their yearly ARTA membership by using the discount program and their membership card with our vendor participants.
New Affinity Booklets Distributed ARTA as an Advocate for Retirees—Our association is committed to supporting our members on issues of importance to them. As you know from past issues of this magazine, we have been very active in questioning the Government of Alberta’s proposed new drug plan for seniors. These efforts show the strength of an organization that can mobilize its 10,000 members to address issues affecting seniors. With the help of our branches across the province and from the work of our individual ARTA members who wrote letters and met with MLAs on this matter, the new Minister of Health, Gene Zwozdesky, has delayed the meanstested, premium-based plan. That
ARTA Branches Calgary Retired Teachers’ Association (CRTA) Northeastern Alberta Retired Teachers (NEARTA) Camrose and District Retired Teachers (CDRTA) Northwestern Alberta Retired Teachers (NWARTA) Central Eastern Alberta Retired Teachers (CERTA) Ponoka & District Retired Teachers (PDARTA) Central Alberta Retired Teachers (CARTA) Strathcona County Retired Teachers (SCRTA) Edmonton Retired Teachers (ERTA) St. Albert Area Retired Teachers (STARTA) Foothills Retired Teachers (FRTA) Southwest Alberta Retired Teachers (SWARTA) Medicine Hat & District Retired Teachers (MHADRTA) Wainwright Retired Teachers (WRTA) Rocky View Retired Teachers Stettler and District Retired Teachers (SDRTA) Okanagan Retired Teachers (satellite branch) (OKARTA)
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ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
means the previous government plan, which pays 70% of formulary drugs for all seniors, will continue as before unless it is changed later. The Minister should be applauded for recognizing the problems that the original proposed changes would have created for seniors. We can only hope that if they re-introduce the now delayed drug plan, they abandon the idea of an incometested premium and instead provide one with universal coverage paid for out of general tax revenues. Any move away from the principal of universality and a single, publicly-funded approach is a move away from what has made our health care coverage one that best meets the needs of our citizens.
Local Presidents President: Marg Brucker (403) 241-0244 President: Brian Scott (780) 639-3497 President: Ron Williams (780) 376-3753 President: Marlene Reddekopp (780) 538-1810 President: Margaret Wolters (780) 853-2493 President: Juanita Knight (403) 783-3145 President: Edna Warriner (403) 342-7277 President: Glen Buchan (780) 998-0908 President: Vi Oko (780) 459-8013 President Jack Flaherty (780) 459-9217 President: Shirley Jones (403) 256-3781 President: Ken Brown (403) 647-3586 President: Clarence Goldade (403) 527-5751 President Erika Foley (780) 842-3795 President: Larry Wilson (403) 742-3596 President: Fred Resler (250) 767-2727
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Volume 18, No. 4
John and Lucy Takahashi at the Vancouver Olympics
Robson Square—Lantern Forest: “Return to Innocence” The thousands of paper lanterns crafted by school children. Each is lit-up at night.
A few of the many large images of Olympic Athletes that adorns the walls of buildings.
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Local teenagers entertaining the crowd as they wend their way to the Pacific Coliseum for the Compulsory Dance Figure Skating.
Canadian Compulsory Dance Figure Skaters.
Olympic Mascots at Pacific Coliseum— Miga & Quatchi.
2-man bobsleigh.
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In Memoriam Lorne Dale Sparks passed away on March 9, 2010. Lorne was raised and educated in Sedgewick, Alberta. After two years of Pharmacy at the University Margaret (Peggy) Vance of Alberta, Lorne joined the Marriott passed away on April 3, RCAF in 1958 and served as 2010. Peggy graduated from a jet pilot in 416 Squadron for Edmonton Normal School and seven years. He then returned taught in a number of rural to the University of Alberta and Helen Brosseau (formerly schools before meeting and earned his Bachelor of Education Helen Daily) passed away on marrying her husband. She also degree. Lorne began his teachFebruary 26, 2010. Helen taught in Edmonton, Bonnyville ing career in 1966 at Queen enjoyed her teaching career in and Sherwood Park well into her Elizabeth Senior High School in Ashmont and in Edmonton at retirement years. the Social Studies Department. Montrose Elementary School and He later taught Social Studies at the Glenrose Hospital School. and English at M.E. LaZerte. Please note the Calgary Lorne also taught at Ross t eachers who have passed Mary Forest passed away on Shephard and retired from Harry away are remembered on February 21, 2010. Mary taught Ainlay in 1993. He was involved the CRTA website at at Namao and Camilla Schools in student activities as diverse as in Sturgeon County. After www.calgaryretiredteachers.ca curling and debate. Lorne moved retirement she was the drivto Chemainus, British Columbia, ing force behind the creation of the St. Albert Retired Teachers’ Gwyneth Violet Peel (née Jones) in 2007 and fulfilled a lifelong Association and served as its first passed away on November 17, dream of sailing his own boat in 2009. Gwyneth attended Normal the waters off Vancouver Island. president. School in Edmonton and taught Lorne will be remembered for his Joan Greene (née Wood) passed for several years in a one-room knowledge and the passion with away on February 21, 2010. schoolhouse at the beginning of which he approached his career Joan taught at Bonnie Doon High her teaching career. After she and all other aspects of his life. School and participated in many married and raised her family, Ernest (Ernie) Phil Wynychuk facets of the Edmonton arts Gwyneth spent most of her life world as well as various charities. as a teacher with the Edmonton passed away on April 29, 2010. Ernie spent his career teaching Public School Board, mentoring Donald Glen Kross passed away many hundreds of her beloved physical education and other classes in the Edmonton Public on February 22, 2010. Don “school kids.” School system. He preferred taught business education at Victoria Composite High School Robert (Bob) Lang Stauffer teaching at the junior high level passed away on April 2, 2010. and was a school principal until until his retirement in 1985. Bob taught drafting, graphic arts retiring in 1992. On retireMargaret Christina Lyon passed and building construction for ment Ernie became a part-time away on April 7, 2010. Marg was 32 years at Jasper Place High instructor in Grant MacEwan’s a wonderful teacher who taught School. He retired from teaching education program and served at various schools in Sherwood in 1998 and filled his retirement three terms as a trustee on Park, including Campbelltown, years with many of his life-long St. Albert Protestant School Westboro and Mills Haven. She ambitions and dreams. Board. Ramola Balachandra passed away on April 24, 2010. Ramola and her husband emigrated from India and started teaching for the Pembina Hills School District in Barrhead in 1967. She taught for thirty-five years before retiring and moving to Edmonton in 2004.
loved helping children get a good start in school and was genuinely concerned about their personal well-being.
ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
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Editor’s Musings by David Flower
The Fallout From the Economic Collapse of 2008 wer David Flo
About four years ago, during a trip
to Tuscany, I was discussing the financial state of affairs with a young archaeology student. The discussion had started over the replacement of the lira as Italy’s currency with the euro. The reaction from the student was quite heated saying the people had been cheated, that the cost of everything had increased and the wages had not improved at all. The average person was definitely worse off as a result of the change. I told the story to more financially savy friends when I returned to Alberta and was assured that the problem was one of transition. I was even reminded of the change-over in the early 1970s in
England from the old pounds, shillings and pence currency to the new decimal currency currently in use and how that process had upset so many people. It was just a matter of time, I was assured, before everything would work out. The debt crisis of 2008 seems to have brought the issue to the fore once again and to my way of thinking the European Union has brought on the problem all by itself. In the mid-1950s when there was talk of a European Common Market, it seemed to make a great deal of sense to open up borders for trade between the countries of Europe to give all countries a chance to benefit from a larger market. The
problem started when there was talk of a political European Union— when there might be created a European government with a Euro pean bureaucracy and European rules that would, or could, over-ride national European governments. I remember my wife and I having a long, oddly amicable, debate about tribalism and nationalism and agreeing that such deep-seated feelings could not simply be swept aside and replaced by something both foreign and out-of-touch. Then, of course, the European Union decided to expand, to add countries from eastern Europe and from the Balkans and observers had to wonder about the sustainability of such a move. Was the enthusiasm for a larger politically united Europe replacing common sense? Was the hope to establish the euro as a threat to the American dollar as the world currency of choice a motivating factor in the desire for growth? I am no financial expert— I am a geographer—and it seemed to me that the boundaries were being stretched too quickly and with far too many expectations of the countries attempting to join. What the economic crisis brought about, at least from my point of view, was the collapse of the system built on promises and greed rather than on fiscal reality. Many years ago I had asked my father-in-law, a
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Volume 18, No. 4
banker, whether there was a limit to growth. It seemed to me then, and continues to now, that the enthusiasm for growth (the Dow is up, the NASDQ is up, oil prices are up) that apparently incessant growth of the economy must at some point cease—there has to be a limit to growth. Apparently some of the European countries have reached that point now. The most serious case is Greece. Investor confidence in Greece has bottomed-out. How on earth does that happen and where on earth is the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund going to find the kind of money that is needed over the next few years to bail out Greece and get it back on its feet? Who is watching the banks? Who is watching the investors? For any one of us if we get into financial trouble the bank quickly informs us, yet here are countries with huge debt levels and what is the chance that they will be able to pay their bills? We have read stories about the plight of South American nations and how they have suffered
trying to deal with loans from the World Bank with so many strings attached. How is Ireland going to handle the problem? How will Spain? How will Portugal and Italy? Apparently all these five PIIGS (Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Spain) suffer from high government debt, high unemployment and weak economic growth. So, my question is, what happens to the people in these countries? Are there going to be revolutions in Greece, in Italy, in Portugal? Are the ordinary working people going to protest that enough is enough and that the gap between the rich and the poor in those countries is now so profound that social unrest becomes inevitable. A British property tycoon speaking at his company’s annual lunch in early April stated: “I spend twelve hours, once a week, driving around the country. I don’t like what I see. We are creating a two-tier country where I fear that the consequential effects of significant unemployment will be social unrest.” There is a genuine fear that things have
gone dramatically wrong for some of these nations and that they need all the assistance they can get to right the problem. I am not sure, however, that asking Greece to consider voluntarily “stepping outside the eurozone,” as one German politician has suggested, is the answer. Surely proposing such a move and it being accepted by those countries in difficulty would undermine the credibility of the European Union very seriously indeed.
The European Union flag
The EU is the biggest single developed market in the world with more than 450 million consumers (notice the term—not citizens) in 27 countries.
A tourist stopped a local in a village he was visiting and asked; “What is the quickest way to the lake? The local thought for awhile. “Are you walking or driving?” he asked the tourist. “I’m driving.” “That is the quickest way!” the local said.
ARTA Scholarship Certificate/Diploma Program ARTA funds and manages this annual $5,000 scholarship. ARTA accepts applications from students attending accredited post secondary institutions and currently enrolled in programs of two or more years which lead to a certificate/diploma. Applications must be sponsored by relatives who are ARTA members. Application forms and criteria are available in writing to: ARTA, #409 11010 142 Street NW, Edmonton AB T5N 2R1 Or may be downloaded from ARTA’s website at www.albertarta.org Application deadline: July 31, 2010
ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
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Volume 18, No. 4
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el Torres d
hile
Centre-Lake Dist
Paine, C
Son Jason at Camp 3
Inexorab le Advan
ce
Majestic
Argentina with F
Do we ever really need an excuse to see more of this wond desire to climb the highest mountain outside of the Himala me to want to join him after his breathtaking ascent and then
Argentina has much to offer for the visitor ranging through the the steamy jungle on the Brazilian border, the serene splendo Torre and Fitz Roy and the literally “galloping” fifteen-store
Passing by herds of llama-like guanacos we reached the s Paine straddling the Chilean border. To say it will literally “t Sheer del Paine granite drops
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ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
The infrastructure provided in the National Parks of Argenti ‘tenter,’ a hosteller or prefer to frequent more sedate and u I have not mentioned the cosmopolitan beauty of Buenos Ai Mendoza nestled in the shadows of the Andes just a sample
News & Views
Volume 18, No. 3
trict at Beriloche
El Chalt
en Park
c Guanaco
Franklin Loehde
derful planet we inhabit? I do not, and in this case my son’s ayas, Mount Aconcagua, was more than sufficient cause for n trek together around the fascinating country of Argentina.
6,982 metre Mount Aconcagua, the panoramic Iguazu Falls in our of the Bariloche lake district, the granite peaks of Cerros ey high front of Perito Moreno glacier near El Calafate.
southern-most glaciers and peaks of Patagonia’s Torres del take your breath away” is a vast understatement.
ina and Chile is first class whether you are a backpacker and upscale accommodation. It is all there at reasonable prices. ires or the delights of visiting the fine vineyards and food of of what you might be missing in the land of the gauchos.
ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
Sunset on Mount Aconcagua
News & Views
Volume 18, No. 3
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What Are We Doing Now? Retirement is a time to do what we want when we want if we want. This column is designed to share with you stories of how retired teachers are doing just that. ossert
Marilyn B
My name is Ed Fergusson. I retired
from the Edmonton Public School Board in 2000 at age sixty-five after teaching for thirty-seven years, the last five at the Edmonton Young Offenders Centre. I previously taught at M.E.LaZerte, Eastglen, and Victoria Composite a variety of subjects including Carpentry, Automotive, Welding and Woodwork as well as Social, Science, Math and Sociology. During these years I coached weightlifting and power training for a variety of athletes after school on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. I also competed in weightlifting two or three times each year. After I supervised the set-up of equipment at the venue and competed in the World Masters Games in Edmonton in September 2005 (bronze medal in weightlifting) my
wife, Brenda, and I retired to our present home in Parksville, B.C. We immediately built an addition to our home with the help of friend Rolf Kugetstadt. In May 2006 we joined a U.of A. Alumni conducted tour to Ukraine and in June of the same year my cousin, Ralph, and I drove to Whitehorse via the Stewart/ Cassiar Highway. My wife and my sister from Toronto joined us in Whitehorse where we visited friends. We toured Dawson City and other points in Yukon before heading back to B.C. Then in the fall we flew to Amsterdam and travelled to Scotland and York, England. Our next trip was to Argostole on the Greek island of Kefalonia in the fall of 2008 where I competed in the World Masters Weightlifting Championships (finished 5th). We
then toured Athens and several sites in Italy. Having been bit by the travel bug, in September 2009 we visited Nice and Paris in France as well as spent two wonderful weeks in Arle and Avignon in the Provence region. We are scheduled to visit Portugal and Spain in the fall of 2010. With our move I brought two weightlifting sets with me from Edmonton; one is at the Nanaimo Athletic Club and the other is at Lifestyles Fitness in Port Alberni. I coach once a week at each of the clubs. My wife and I train twice per week and I help coach at Jim’s Gym in Parksville. As well as coaching the Olympic weightlifting, I compete two or three times each year and I also help friends and neighbours with various carpentry projects.
Kastin at Lifestyles Fitness in Port Alberni
Nicolette at Jim’s Gym in Parksville
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Volume 18, No. 4
Contest 6—The Travelodge Photos Contest 6 is as simple as the last contest where you had to identify a few very cute little babies. In this contest, you have to identify the city these Travelodge properties are located. There are four photos of Travelodge locations and all you have to do is match the city to the photo and you could win a gift certificate for $100 or for $75. If there is more than one Travelodge in a particular city, like Edmonton, you need to specify where that Travelodge is. ie) Travelodge Edmonton East, or Travelodge Edmonton West, or Travelodge Edmonton South. Incomplete answers will not be accepted Hint—checking out the Travelodge website may give you invaluable information.(www.travelodge.ca) Submit your entry to: Contest 6, ARTA, #409 11010 – 142 Street NW, Edmonton AB T5N 2R1. The first two correct entries drawn on July 5, 2010 will win : 1) A $100 Gift Certificate from Travelodge Edmonton West 2) A $75 Gift Certificate from Travelodge Canada Contest 6 officially closes July 5, 2010 at 1:15 pm. Entries received after this date and time will be disqualified. Winners will be notified shortly after. Winners may be required to answer a skill testing question. Decision of the judges is final. This contest is open to all ARTA members in good standing—regular and affiliate.
A
B
C
D
Photo A__________________________________
Photo B_ _________________________________
Photo C__________________________________
Photo D_ _________________________________
ARTA Update Records Contest Update your ARTA online information for a chance to win a laptop! Enter to Win!
Contest details will be in the Fall News and Views magazine. http://www.albertarta.org/ ARTA Communications and Technology Committee
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Volume 18, No. 4
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Two Short Stories by James F. Lavers Amos Knew the Answer Amos had been sitting front and centre for three weeks.
He did not know why he was a threat to “Little Man,” as the class had named their teacher. Now he was just about to enter the room and Jacob whispered “Little Man is attacking.” Amos smiled. The teacher glared at Amos first, then round the room, before setting his combination walking stick, pointer and knuckle-rapper on his desk. Amos had been fascinated by that stick the first time he had seen “Little Man” walking toward the school with it swinging back and forth. He did not use it like a stick, for poking fire, tipping something over or switching at flies. It seemed like an extension of his arm as he walked unnecessarily quickly. Amos had learned what “quick march” meant the hard way—in to see the priest.
“Little Man,” as he did every day, picked up his walking stick and moved exactly to the centre of the front of the room, the only real empty space not occupied by bodies, desks, books, slates or clothes. He tipped forward on his toes, as he did every day, thus elevating himself, and asked a question. The end of the question always coincided exactly with his heels reaching the floor and his pointer pointing exactly as he finished. This time the pointer aimed at Amos who, wanting to be absolutely sure of his answer, hesitated. The pointer unfroze momentarily, only to be pointed at others in the row. Each aiming and unfreezing brought no response and so it went, in terrible silence, to the largest boy at the back of the farthest row. No response. “Little Man” turned on his heel and smashed his walking stick on the desk, as he had done before, but this time it broke. Enraged, he stalked from the room. He never realized that Amos, and all the others, knew the answer.
Grandpa and the Glacier We stood in the huge basin with the roadway a
few yards away. The remains of a stream from the glacier, now a trickle, was not far away. Grandfather said: “I spent the coldest night of my life right here in 1895.” I must have looked startled since his sojourn as a teenager looking after a herd of cattle on the open range in winter, living in a tent, partly dug down into the ground before it “froze in,” was one of the legends of the family. “The ice here,” he said, pointing at the ground, “was sixty-five feet thick and we camped on top of it so triangulations could be made in the morning. The terminal moraine (swinging his arm across the valley) was where the ice ended.” I did not know that my grandfather and his brother had been part of the Dominion Geological Survey, first as a wrangler, then as part of the survey crew, so that words like “triangulation” and “Terminal moraine” were familiar to him. That remembrance, that visitation, occurred fifty years ago. Angel Glacier is no more, having retreated into nothingness. So in one hundred and fifteen years, a mere blip in geological time, a valley full of ice, thousands of years old, has vanished, never to return.
I went fishing this morning on Falgout Canal, but after a short time I ran out of worms. Then I saw a cottonmouth with a frog in his mouth. Frogs are good bass bait. Knowing the snake could not bite me with the frog in his mouth I grabbed him right behind the head, took the frog, and put it in my bait bucket. Now the dilemma was how to release the snake without getting bitten. So, I grabbed my bottle of Jack Daniels and poured a little whiskey in its mouth. His eyes rolled back, he went limp. I released him into the lake without incident and carried on fishing using the frog. A little later, I felt a nudge on my foot. There was that same snake with two frogs in his mouth.
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ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
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Volume 18, No. 4
Freedom to Choose by Judy Steiert
“We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” —E.M.Forster
As the ARTA Benefits Wellness
in a different way. Comments like “I am seeking, I am filled with gratitude, this is incredible, I am taking time, I am happy with life, I enjoy my companions, I get to spend time with my husband or wife, and I am looking for ways to fit in” demonstrate how many of the group members had looked into other “dimensions of the aging process.”
Initiative continues, I have had the opportunity to facilitate March and April workshops in Red Deer, St. Albert and Stettler. During the introductions, where the partici- Joan Chittister refers to forty of pants state their names and years these “other dimensions” in her of life experience, I chose to carry book The Gift of Years—Growing Older Gracefully. Some of the out an informal survey by asking topics include meaning, joy, trans- uncertainty about what is to hapeach elder to name one or two high- formation, adjustment, letting go, pen, and other feelings surfaced as lights of his/her retirement. One of wisdom, dreams, limitations, soli- well. Some people expressed that the delights of these encounters is tude, agelessness and forgiveness. they were too busy and sometimes how much we learn about each The author writes of the burden not doing the most meaningful other at this time. Very few of those and blessing of each dimension. activities. In their book Spiritual attending limit themselves Literacy—Reading the to two highlights—we are sacred in everyday life, “A blessing of these years is that we Fred and Mary Ann Brussat often touched by stories state that “Busyness often can come to understand that it is the waiting to be told. takes us away from relaquality of what we think and say that Those people who registionships and actions that makes us valuable members of society, tered in these three workmatter; boredom imprisons shops listed the top five not how fast or busy we are.” us in the blahs or puts us highlights of their retireon automatic pilot; and ment as travel, time with distraction kidnaps our grandchildren, choice of what to For example, “A blessing of these consciousness and holds us hostage do, volunteering, and time for hob- years is that we can come to under- to trivial pursuits.” Sometimes bies and projects. The enthusiasm stand that it is the quality of what being busy is confused with having for each of these choices was conta we think and say that makes us meaning in our lives. In these three gious. The common theme emerged valuable members of society, not communities, I sensed that the elders were present to each other as the “freedom to choose” rather how fast or busy we are.” than being controlled by the system Other activity related highlights and ready to help overcome some of these feelings of limitation. or the demands of others. included art, theatre, music, fitness opportunities, church involvement, In the wisdom circle which summaThough the experiences were fasworking, technology development rized the day, it was confirmed that cinating in the top five highlights, I everyone needs time to reflect, be and farming. was intrigued with those individual refreshed, be affirmed, feel gratiresponses where I discovered the As the workshop activities con- tude, share stories and know that regrets, frustrations, we are in this journey together. inner work of the sage happening tinued,
ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
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Retired Teachers Still Have a Role Retired teachers spend countless
giving back to their community by volunteering for various organizations. GETCA (Greater Edmonton Teachers’ Convention Association) has been fortunate to have benefited from such volunteers. In particular, GETCA has had the opportunity to welcome retired teachers who set aside the
hours
last two weekdays each February to chair sessions for the Teachers’ Convention. Bea Ceretzke and Sheila MacKay, retired teachers from the Edmonton Public School Board, have done just that for the last several years. By giving of their time to chair sessions for GETCA, they say they experienced personal growth and
receive inspiration in return. Sheila explains that she enjoys chairing sessions and looks forward to keeping in touch with her colleagues in this way. Bea adds that she finds it helpful that she can choose to chair sessions that coincide with her interests. Bea generally selects sessions related to teaching math, while Sheila prefers sessions that are associated with the ATA or student teaching. Karen Sucie, President of GETCA, says that GETCA is so appreciative of retired teachers who continue to serve their colleagues in this tangible way. Their participation confirms that teachers continue to be life-long learners even after their classroom service has been completed. Bea and Sheila have seen several school districts in Alberta work at attracting retired teachers to chair sessions at their local teachers’ conventions. They encourage other districts around the province to seek out retired teachers to serve in this capacity. Interested retired teachers should contact the president of their local convention association for more information on how to get involved.
Bea Ceretzke and Sheila MacKay at GETCA 2010.
ARTA–Johnson Scholarship Degree Program ARTA manages a $5,000 annual ARTA–Johnson Scholarship fund. ARTA accepts applications from students attending accredited post-secondary institutions and currently enrolled in second, third or fourth year of a program leading to a degree. Applications must be sponsored by relatives who are ARTA members. Application forms and criteria are available in writing to: ARTA, #409 11010 142 Street NW, Edmonton AB T5N 2R1 Or may be downloaded from ARTA’s website at www.albertarta.org Application deadline: July 31, 2010
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ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
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Volume 18, No. 4
Vancouver 2010
The Journey of a Lifetime by Ken Brown My journey to the 2010 Olympic
Games began well over two years before they were to start. I had submitted my name to volunteer at the Games and was invited to Calgary to attend a mandatory screening meeting. We had to bring all of our documentation— passport, driver’s licence, and an initial criminal record check. The meeting lasted about three hours and introduced us to what might be expected of a volunteer during the Games. It took better than a year of waiting to find out if I would be selected for the Games. The call finally arrived—and I had been assigned to work within the International Protocol Unit. Along with the acceptance came the invitation to attend some training. Dates were suggested throughout the summer and fall months. The Organizing Committee finally began to understand that most out of town volunteers were not going to get to Vancouver and Whistler to do any training much before the Games were to begin. For all
of us out-of-town volunteers, the Organizing Committee set up some “Just in Time” training sessions that fit our schedules much better. My “first day on the job” was a drive from Lion’s Bay, on the way to Squamish, into Vancouver to pick up my uniform. The drive was not as nerve-wracking as I thought it might be and I arrived at my appointed time. The uniform centre was at the Pacific Coliseum, in the Pacific National Exhibition grounds (PNE). This venue site was transformed into the figure skating venue for the Games. It took about an hour to try on the entire wardrobe for sizing, pick up my accreditation card, a new uniform, and leave the building. With my “smurf” suit in hand, I made my way back to a bus hub in West Vancouver where I parked my vehicle and rode the public transportation system back into the heart of the city to Robson Street and onto Granville Street. Even before the Games began,
d owntown Vancouver was “THE” place to be. Several downtown buildings were decorated, one with a huge Canadian flag and the three official Olympic mascots on another. Robson Street was closed off to vehicle traffic and it was full of people arrayed in many colourful coats, toques, and scarves. Many of the “Vancouverites” were wearing Canada hockey jerseys. The feeling was incredible and only got better as the Games progressed. At one time there were estimates of 60,000 people in downtown Vancouver. It was alive! One of my favourite times was walking in downtown Vancouver late one evening and listening to many versions of the Canadian national anthem – most off key, several with different words, and in both “official” languages. People embraced the “Canadian” spirit, some for the first time, it seemed. I met an East Indian family—father, mother, and five children from ages five to fifteen years all sporting Team Canada jerseys with THE red mittens,
photo credit: Robyn Beck
photo credit: Yuri Kadobnov
What Canadian wasn’t watching “Sid the Kid” score the overtime goal?
Joannie Rochette in her “triumph over grief” at the end of the compulsory skate.
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The face of a winner!—Jon Montgomery. Later, the helmet was replaced by the jug of beer.
The joy of winning expressed on the face of Shelley Ann Brown!
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photo credit: Tony Gentile
photo credit: Shaun Botterill
“Canada” toques, and “Go Canada Go” scarves wrapped around their necks. It was exhilarating to see people normally attired in ethnic clothing pull on a jersey and wave a Canadian flag as they took in the sights and sounds of a very lively city. I was assigned to three venues for the Olympic Games—the biathlon, cross country, and ski jumping. I was part of a team that included interpreters, venue hosts, transportation specialists, drivers, catering staff, and security. Our job was to meet and greet the official Olympic families, heads of state, royalty, and honoured guests, escort them to a lounge area complete with food, beverages, closed circuit television sets, and computers, and then show them to their reserved seating area where they could watch the events. There were no medal ceremonies at our venues. The medal presentations happened at night in the Medals Plaza at Whistler Village. We did enjoy the flower ceremonies that took place after each event. The winning athletes were paraded to a wooden stand, given their traditional bouquet of flowers and then paraded back to the antidoping labs. We escorted our guests back to their lounge area to await transportation back to Vancouver. You probably heard or read about the tight security surrounding
the Games. Police officers were brought in from across Canada to provide the security. The Canadian army, mostly reserves, were at every venue, unseen by spectators. Their vantage points were up in the trees surrounding the venues. All of the visiting heads of state, etc. had their own personal security. They travelled everywhere with them but none of them had accreditation to sit in the stadiums, so they stood with our team and watched everywhere except at the event taking place. One of the officers attending the King and Queen of Norway told me that, if the Canadian government had not provided such a tight security blanket around the Games, none of the various royal families would have come. He said that we just did not understand the dangers royalty face all the time. Prince Albert of Monaco, a five-time Olympic athlete, chose to live in the Athletes’ Village during his stay. One day of the cross country competitions a volunteer from another group was assigned to us. She had recently had a cast removed from her ankle and was walking with quite a limp. Our seating section was not very full that day, so we invited her to sit in our section as a spectator. We sat her on the bottom row of seats where she was enjoying the competition when Prince Albert arrived and was seated next to this
ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
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young volunteer. When any royalty arrived, the media seemed to arrive in droves, and this day was no exception. The Monaco newspaper sent its own photographer and he wanted some photos of the Prince watching the event. Our volunteer was right next to the Prince and made some comments about “being famous” etc. without knowing who was sitting next to her. At the end of the competition, we asked the volunteer if she realized she was sitting next to royalty. She did not, of course, and her facial expression of disbelief was special. She could hardly wait to tell all of her friends that she sat next to a Prince. I was especially impressed with the athletes after their competition. The winners were assembled after the race to be awarded the traditional bouquet of flowers. Those winners from the European countries always looked to their respective royal families and were acknowledged by the monarchs with a wave and a huge smile. On the way back, the athletes held up their bouquets to the royal families and, again there was the recognition from royalty. Our venue was the last to close after each competition. We helped in the lounge and our interpreters attended the press conferences to
Volume 18, No. 4
There were even Mounties at the closing ceremonies!
One small stumble for Cheryl Bernard caused her to miss a Gold medal by centimetres.
photo credit: Jae C. Hong
photo credit: Robyn Beck
do the interpreting. Some of us, including the interpreters were also assigned to the anti-doping site which could easily add an hour or two to each shift. When all of our guests had been safely boarded in their vehicles, we were officially finished for the day. That was the easy part. Then there was always the long walk back to the buses to take us to the transportation hubs of Whistler Village, Squamish, or Vancouver. It was at least one hour after boarding the right bus to get to a transportation hub, and another drive of about forty-five minutes on a quiet day back to where I was staying. That made for a long day. On the days we went to Whistler Village to join in the excitement there, we had to keep track of when the last bus left or it would be a long walk back. It was quite a hike to get to the buses from Whistler Village as well.
newsletter, and bottled water. There were “gifts” given for every three days we worked and a parting gift for the last shift worked. It was usually faster to walk to the venues than ride the shuttle buses and allowed me some fresh air and a lovely walk in the mountains first thing every morning. It snowed for several days then rained for several more, and then the sun shone for most of the rest of the time. It was never as cold as it gets in southern Alberta.
Our work days were always twelve to fifteen hours long from the time we left our “nests” until we got back to them again. On many of the days, several of us went back to Whistler Village for the medal ceremonies and to enjoy the celebrations with the many thousands of people walking through Whistler Village. The streets were alive! The pubs were full and the waitEach day, volunteers had to go ing lines spilled out for a long way. through a security area much like Different national anthems could at an airport. Our accreditation be heard everywhere, but none as cards were scanned and, if we had loud as the Canadian anthem. I a backpack, we were “randomly” am sure that the parties went on asked to proceed to a more vigor- much after the last buses back to ous screening. We had to empty the Transportation Malls. On days our pockets, put everything in a at Whistler, it was easy to tack on tray or two, and walk through an another three to four hours to our electronic scanner just like secu- work day, but, it was worth it! I rity at an airport. After security, we have never experienced as many had to go to the workforce check- Canadians expressing their love in tent to get our meal tickets, a of country and support of athletes.
ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
That made the whole experience worth it. There was just too much to take in during my Olympic experience. Who can forget these “Canadian, eh” photos of the emotions of our athletes in grief and triumph. In my opinion, we did “own the podium.” It has been the experience of a lifetime, to be a part of Canada’s best ever Winter Olympics. The one disappointment was the decision of the Canadian Cross-Country Ski Federation to not let Brian McKeever, the legally blind skier that was named as a member of the team, ski in the fifty kilometre race. We had an opportunity to show the world that athletes with disabilities can compete with athletes without disabilities. Brian competed in the Paralympic Games and won two gold medals for Canada. Thank you to all of my family, friends, and colleagues who supported me and my madness in my quest to experience an Olympic competition “up close and personal.” I highly recommend the experience for anyone, but especially my retired teacher colleagues because everyone knows that we have nothing to fill our days with anyway, n’est-ce pas? Wouldn’t London be lovely! The Summer Games are just two years away.
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Political and Economic Notes British Politics In Britain they have had the first series of leadership debates on television ever. The leaders of the three principal parties were involved, the Labour Party under current Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Conservative Party led by David Cameron and Liberal Democrat Party led by Nick Clegg. The Labour government has been in power for the last eleven years. There was a very active campaign, particularly against Mr. Brown who took over the party leadership after the retirement of Tony Blair. The Conservative Party took a hard line against the Prime Minister and produced a series of billboards that were critical of his policies. The first series with titles such as “I increased the gap between rich and poor,” “I doubled the national debt,” and “I took billions from pensions,” all suggested that such policies justified not voting for him and his Labour party again. The second set of billboards changed the last part of the slogan to read “Let me do it again.”
The Issue of Bonuses Goes On and On Apparently the Lloyds Banking Group in Britain have a group of very upset shareholders. They are furious that the Bank’s remuneration committee judged that the chief executive should receive his full bonus of £2.3 million (over $3.5 million) despite the fact that he lead the bank to a £6.3 billion loss. A spokesperson for the remuneration committee stated that it “sought to strike a balance between the fact the bank lost money and the need to motivate key executives.” (Source: Telegraph, April 23, 2010)
Bank With Privacy A promotional advertisement in an airline magazine caught my attention lately. I have always had difficulty with banking and investment systems that aim to work hard to squirrel your money away from legitimate taxes. It was my understanding that some countries were aiming at closing down tax havens and offshore banking in order that governments could collect legitimate taxes from the wealthy. I was intrigued then to read in this promotion that “the only way to avoid being a target in the war on wealth is to minimize the wealth that predators can find.” The article goes on to explain that a new solution is needed to ensure that those governments seeking to close tax havens and monitoring even more closely where the money is going “under the guise of ‘transparency’,” will be unable to find what your assets are. The company promoting this new way of “banking in the cloud” is called Capital Conservator and claims it is “today’s technologically reincarnated version of ‘old-style Swiss banking,’ constantly updated and modified to meet the specific financial, asset protection, tax reduction and wealth preservation needs of the most discerning private banking clients. (Source: Voyager, a publication of British Midland International, April 2010)
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ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
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Volume 18, No. 4
Dear Sir
Based on this year’s prescription expenses I have attempted to determine what the costs would have been if the Alberta Seniors’ Drug Plan was in force. The numbers have lead me to ask a few questions. In order to provide a background for my questions I have taken the liberty of enclosing the spreadsheet. Total RX cost as per prescription stubs $4950.33 We pay (co-pay) $140.12 Johnson Insurance paid $508.86 Alberta Blue Cross pays $4201.00 Johnson Premium (RX only 12x140) $1680.00 Our total cost $1820.12 *** Johnson is ahead (1680 - 508.86) $1171.14 Alberta Seniors’ Drug Plan Premium (12x88.50) $1062.00 Co-payment $386.47 Our total cost $1448.47 *** Johnson only (RX pay 80% to max of $2000, previous max. was $1200) Premium (12x176) $2112.00 Johnson pays $2000.00 We pay (4950.33 - 2000.00) $2953.33 Our total cost $5065.33 *** Our RX bill is greater than our RX expenses! (1st question: Is the math correct?) (2nd question: If the math is correct why does one need the Johnson plan?) With Johnson RX 2000 max. and 60 day Travel Premium (12x210) $2520.00 We pay $2953.33 Our total cost ($2520 + $2953.33) $5473.33 *** 60 day travel cost($5473.33 - $5065.33) $408.00 With Alberta RX, Johnson RX and 60 Day Travel Alberta Premium $1062.00 Johnson Premium (2009 figure max. $1200) $2172.00 Co-pay $77.29 Our projected cost $3311.29
ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
The rise in the cost of living, (groceries, property taxes, utilities and now prescriptions) far exceeds the increase in our pension income. The ten years of my retirement have not resulted in the “golden life of the golden years.” We, like so many retired teachers, have experienced a continuing erosion of our purchasing power and consequently our lifestyle. I assume that ARTA has been in discussion with Johnson Insurance to determine a possible new alternative RX plan. Is there a possibility of Johnson Insurance offering a 60 Day travel plan without the prescription portion? In the past, before the Johnson plan, I have purchased medical travel and cancellation insurance from Morgex Insurance Agency for specific holidays. Later Morgex was bought by Johnson Insurance. Is it possible to make arrangements with Morgex for a teacher travel plan? Thank you for taking the time to look at this email. Reginald A Roberts, Edmonton
News & Views
Volume 18, No. 3
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www.albertarta.org
I read your articles in the News and Views Winter 2009 and my curiosity was aroused as to the exact financial impact the Alberta Seniors’ Drug Plan would have on our family drug plan. I reviewed the literature sent to us by the provincial government and by Johnson Insurance concerning costs. I transcribed the numbers from the prescription stubs of my wife and myself to a spreadsheet and made comparisons with the information in the literature.
Dear Editor: I read Allen Orr’s letter to you with very keen interest. I have always remarked that we Canadians are too eager to please immigrants to this country even if it means losing our culture. This is the only country I know that would allow such an assault on what has been dear to our hearts for so many generations. I am an immigrant myself, but because I have lived here for most of my life, I think of myself as a loyal Canadian. It angers me when we cave in to the whims of those who come here for a better life and seek to change our culture to suit themselves. We should demand that they do things our way. When in Rome do as the Romans do. Remember we are all free to leave if we do not like things the way they are. As for being politically correct, we need to stick to our guns and keep the Christ in Christmas. That is what Christmas is all about. Teach our children and grandchildren the true meaning of Christmas and when the time comes around, we wish everyone a “Merry Christmas” Too bad if some do not accept it, keep doing it anyway. I now live in Ontario and there was a movement this past year to keep the Christ in Christmas. That was exactly what we did. We wished people a Merry Christmas. So Mr. Orr, my message to you is “stick to your guns” and do what you know is right. Do not give in to the whims of those who are trying to change our culture.
Ruby Chung A young executive was leaving the office late one evening when he found the CEO standing in front of a shredder with a piece of paper in his hand. “Listen,” said the CEO, “this is a very sensitive and important document here, and my secretary has gone for the night. Can you make this thing work?” “Certainly,” said the young executive. He turned the machine on, inserted the paper, and pressed the start button. “Excellent, excellent!” said the CEO as his paper disappeared inside the machine. “I just need one copy.”
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ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
News & Views
Volume 18, No. 4
Frances Harcourt was nine miles from their place for Grades Eleven and Twelve. Frances attended Normal School in Saskatoon, graduating with a First Class Temporary Certificate. Frances’ first year of teaching was at Reigate School in rural Saskatchewan where she had thirty-two students in Grades One to Ten. It was the 1929–1930 school year. Her salary was to be $900.00 for that year. However, it was only for the first three months that she was paid $90.00 per month.
Frances, congratulations on your upcoming
100th birthday.
Frances Harcourt will be 100 years old on September 25, 2010.
The school was closed in January and February, it was too cold that year to keep it open, especially for the children who walked to school. Frances was not paid for those two months. When the school opened again, her salary was reduced to $40.00 per month. The Great Depression had started.
The Strathcona County Retired Teachers’ Association’s (SCRTA) executive decided that the best time to celebrate Frances’ birthday was now.
Frances taught for six years at Reigate School. At one time the School Board ‘paid’ Frances by reducing her landlady’s taxes. Frances got no money for herself.
Frances Harcourt, you are our inspiration.
Frances taught in two other schools, totalling 11.5 years in Saskatchewan.
Frances Harcourt, née Abbott, was born in Saskatchewan in a twostorey log house built by her father on their spruce and poplar wooded homestead. Frances was the third child in a family of nine children— five girls and four boys. She attended the local rural school for Grades One to Ten. She boarded at the nearest town, Tisdale, which
While at the last school, Frances met Andy Harcourt who was teaching at the neighbouring school. They were married in 1941. After Andy had joined the Air Force they were posted in many places since Andy was an instructor for Air Force troops who were to go overseas.
ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
When the war ended, Frances and Andy decided to live in Alberta. Andy went back to teaching at the high school. Frances worked at home taking care of their two daughters, Judy and Peggy, as well as substitute teaching when needed. Frances remembers subbing for $4.00 per day and paying the babysitter $2.00 per day. The Harcourt family lived in Clyde, Provost, Innisfree, and Vegreville. Frances taught full time the last year they were at Vegreville. The Harcourt family moved to Sherwood Park in 1958 to be near Edmonton so that Judy could go to university. Frances planned to substitute, but full time teachers were needed. She was teaching full time again – Grade Six in a portable at Campbelltown School. In the following years, Frances also taught at Sherwood Heights School and Pine Street School. She fondly remembers teaching her favourite Grade Fours at these schools. Frances taught for 31.5 years. She resigned due to poor health. After retirement, Frances enjoyed her painting classes, bus trips to Edmonton for shopping and lunches, and get-togethers with other Pine Street retired teachers. Frances attributes her longevity to keeping busy doing her own housework and yardwork until she was well into her 90’s. To end, I’d like to quote Frances: “I loved my work as a teacher, my pupils and the many friends I have accumulated over my first 100 years. I hope the next 100 will be as happy!”
News & Views
—Bill and Natalia Labatiuk (from notes and interview with Frances)
Volume 18, No. 4
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Volunteer Facilitators CNIB Calgary’s Outdoor Sensory Classroom is a one–of-a-kind learning environment where children can develop skills, knowledge and awareness about vision loss. Volunteers are needed to help facilitate children’s programs from May to October. Can you help once per week for several hours? Contact Trish Axten: 403‑266‑8831 or
[email protected] About CNIB CNIB passionately provides community‑based support, knowledge and a national voice to ensure Canadians who are blind and partially sighted have the confidence, skills and opportunities to fully participate in life. For more information: www.cnib.ca
Lunenburg Nova Scotia Farmhouse by the Sea Newly renovated farmhouse, overlooking a cove in Lunenburg Nova Scotia a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Weekly summer rental. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, living room, den, dining area, fully equipped kitchen, washer, dryer, BBQ, hi‑speed internet. $1600 per week. http://www. holiday-rentals.co.uk/79032 or email
[email protected]
Tanbur African Aid Society is seeking a volunteer kindergarten teacher for a new English school in Bujumbura, Burundi, currently offer-
ing Play School and K–Grade 2. A new grade is added yearly. Preference will be given to a teacher with kindergarten experience. Minimum time commitment is 3 months. Accommodation and meals and local transportation are provided. For more information contact Diana McIntyre at 780‑469‑4140 or
[email protected].
Rental Sunrise Chalet in Radium, BC. Beautiful family style chalet includes kitchen, living, dining, deck, BBQ and many other amenities. Overlooks Radium Resort and Golf Course. Quiet neighborhood. Near Hot Springs. Sleeps 2 to 10. Two day or weekly rates. Ideal for the retired or family groups. Call 1‑888‑809‑2233 or www.kootenayescapes.com
The Irma School is planning to celebrate its 100th anniversary
on July 16th, 17th, and 18th at Irma, AB in the Irma Curlling Rink. All retired teachers or teachers that have moved to other schools are invited to attend. More information and registration forms can be found on our website irmareunion.com or phone Carol at 780‑336‑6658
Maple Bear Canadian Schools are now hiring Canadian Educators! Now Hiring: Full Time Academic Directors, Training Contracts, Full TimeTeachers, ShortTerm Contracts. Maple Bear is an English Immersion School located in several countries overseas. The curriculum at Maple Bear is Canadian-based and focuses on inquiry-based learning. Maple Bear is currently conducting interviews for positions in South Korea, Vietnam, Turkey, China and Brazil. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me by email at: laura.beaulac@ globalschools.ca, or by phone at: 604‑880‑3955. Please also visit our websites for further infor mation: www.teachingoverseas.ca, www.maplebear.ca
A musical director was having a lot of trouble with one drummer. He talked and talked and talked with the drummer, but his performance simply did not improve. Finally, before the whole orchestra, he said, “When a musician just cannot handle his instrument and does not improve when given help, they take away the instrument, and give him two sticks, and make him a drummer.” A stage whisper was heard from the percussion section: “And if he cannot handle even that, they take away one of his sticks and make him a conductor.”
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ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
News & Views
Volume 18, No. 3
Canadian Publication Agreement #40033998
