Beyond the Blackboard' Logo designed by
webmaster, Reg Walker.
'Beyond the Blackboard' Name created by Marion Axford
Volume 29 Number 2 ~ Summer, 2010 ~ Editor: Hal McCullough
The deadline for submissions for Summer's
Beyond the
Blackboard is
Friday, October 29, 2010
Download PDF Version
here ~ 2.3mb
(
)
NOTE: See our Photos Page (also linked to our Main Page) for additional photos
Some photos on this page are linked to larger versions.
President's Message
What
a great spring we've enjoyed. Summer is upon us and it's about time.
I am writing this note at the end of my term as President for 2009-10
and looking forward to a second term in the service of the membership which
is the raison d'etre for all RTO/ERO District Executives. For myself,
serving Scarborough and East York has been most enjoyable and a labour of
love. Our Executive is composed of the hardest working group of individuals
that I have ever had the pleasure to be associated with. (Did I just end a
sentence with a preposition?). Thirty-one individuals have brought their
different gifts to the table. Together, we discussed, debated and
accomplished much on behalf of you, our members. I saw myself as a
want-to-be conductor directing a fine professional group of musicians.
Continuing the metaphor – Thanks everyone… we made great music together!!
I would like to personally thank the members who have decided to retire from their positions on the Executive and are moving on to other challenges: Jerry Chadwick, Jim Devine, David and Eileen Higgins, Gord Reid, and Sharon Thurston. Thanks, gang, for all of your valuable contributions; you are loved and will be missed at our meetings. Stay in touch and bon voyage.
At the Provincial level, we are now embarking on establishing a Chair of Gerontology at the University of Toronto and becoming a charitable foundation. More details will be given to you as it becomes available. (See page 12.) Also, at the advice of legal counsel we now will be using waiver forms at our events so that we can show due diligence in case of a mishap and someone decides to take legal action for negligence. This is a little inconvenience for everyone, but a necessary one in an ever-changing society. There were a number of conferences held this year for Presidents, Goodwill committees, Treasurers, Health Reps, and Webmasters for the purpose of training and sharing of ideas of how to perform in their roles with effectiveness. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that we were able to get Gary Fick elected as Executive Officer.
At the Toronto level, the four Districts continue to work well together in the area of Retirement Planning Workshops for active teachers who are considering retiring in the near future. This is very important to us in seeking new members as it is the number of people served that determines our rates for insurance purposes. Help us by encouraging those friends of yours that are getting ready to retire to consider joining RTO.
At all levels, we have changed our focus from being adversarial with the government, and getting nowhere, to "advocating" for causes and looking for win-win solutions to problems. This is working well — doors are opening to us that have been shut before. We have met with and been listened to by all three political parties. Our "Political Action Committees" have been renamed "Political Advocacy Committees" to better reflect our focus.
At the District level, I am asking members to fill in a short survey (See page 9.), and return it to me so that our Executive can best serve the needs of our members.
To all of our members, have a great safe summer and look in this newsletter for events in which you can participate.
Frank Saliani, President
President's Survey
DISTRICT 24
EXECUTIVE ~ 2010/2011
(Get Executive Contact Page Here ~
47kb)
| Table Officers: | |||
| Past President | Bill Sparks | wgasparks@sympatico.ca | 416.293.7477 |
| President: | Frank Saliani | salianif@gmail.com | 416.281.3542 |
| First Vice-president: | Donna Hubel | dhub@sympatico.ca | 416.490.1861 |
| Second Vice-president: | Courtney Doldron | csdoldron@rogers.com | 416.421.6632 |
| Secretary: | Bill Hindle | wmshindle@yahoo.ca | 416.283.1402 |
| Treasurer: | Ron Smith | randgsmi@ca.inter.net | 416.431.0466 |
| Committee Chairs: | |||
| Archivist: | Les Coombs | lesonriviera@msn.com | 416.261.0568 |
| Communications (Newsletter Editor/Webmaster): |
Hal McCullough | hal@powergate.ca | 905.985.8760 |
| Golf Convener: | We are looking for a member to fill this position. | ||
| Goodwill Cards: | Marilyn Hodge | mjhodge@sympatico.ca | 416.284.9984 |
| Goodwill Phones: | Brenda Fick | bfick1@rogers.com | 905.683.9676 |
| Health: | Marilyn Tregwin | m.tregwin@rogers.com | 416.493.3757 |
| Membership and Recruitment: | Les Coombs | lesonriviera@msn.com | 416.261.0568 |
| Pensions and Retirement Concerns: | George Denny | havendayle@rogers.com | 905.420.1435 |
| Political Advocacy: | Bonnie Clarke | bonnie_clarke@rogers.com | 416.609.3635 |
| Program and Social Convener: | Judy-Anne Tumber | jatumber@rogers.com | 416.264.6016 |
| RWTO Rep: | Linda Jarvis | linjar@rogers.com | 416.293.8689 |
| Service to Others: | Carol Nelson | carol.nelson@sympatico.ca | 416.724.7107 |
| Ex-officio: | Gary Fick | gfick1@rogers.com | 905.683.9676 |
| Members-at-Large: | |||
| Elaine Aprile | elaineaprile@sympatico.ca | 416.267.2670 | |
| Bob Cook | bob.elainecook@sympatico.ca | 416.267.0246 | |
| Gloria Courtney | gcourt@rogers.com | 416.291.1721 | |
| Ken Drope | kendrope@rogers.com | 416.485.9538 | |
| Fernando Gonçalves | fgoncal@aol.com | 416.497.2812 | |
| Margaret Nicolson | marg.nicolson@rogers.com | 416.759.5560 | |
| Harolyn Panetta | h_panetta@hotmail.com | 416.445.0885 | |
| Terry Smith | chooch120@hotmail.com | 416.438.0430 | |
| Reg Walker | rwalker4@rogers.com | 905.686.4030 |
Executive Meetings:
All District 24 members are welcome to attend our Executive Meetings. We meet on Thursdays, usually 5 times a year. For the balance of 2010 the dates are:
September 9, 2010 - October 14, 2010 - November 4, 2010
We have refreshments from 9AM to 9:30AM. Our meetings begin at 9:30 and end around noon.
Currently, we are meeting at the Kingsway Arms Retirement Residence which is located on the southwest corner of Eglinton and McCowan. Parking is available at the back of the building.
NOTE: Visitors must sign IN and OUT —this is a requirement of Kingsway Arms.
Fun at our AGM - More pictures on our Photos Link above
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Financial Statement
Please direct any questions or concerns to our treasurer. Contact information for Ron can be found on the Executive Link.
~ Ron Smith, Treasurer
HST (Harmonized Sales Tax): Changes To Our Taxes
Have Questions?
To learn more about the HST visit www.ontario.ca/taxchange. You can also call 1.800.337.7222, teletypewriter (TTY) 1.800.263.7776. For more information, you can also contact the Canada Revenue Agency. Visit the CRA website at www.cra.gc.ca/harmonization or call 1.800.959.5525.
~ by Bonnie Clarke, Political Advocacy Chair
Historic Decisions at Senate
On Tuesday, May 17, 2010 the Senate of RTO/ERO at its spring session made two significant decisions. The first was to approve the setting up the RTO/ERO Charitable Foundation. The purpose of the Foundation is twofold: to bring under one umbrella all the charitable and socially responsible programs currently funded by RTO/ERO, such as Project STO, the 25 Scholarships awarded annually to those pursuing careers in education, the $10,000 Charitable Donation as well as donations made in the wake of natural disasters, Goodwill, and the Emergency Assistance Program. The other purpose of the Foundation is to establish, maintain and support The RTO/ERO Endowed Chair in Geriatrics at the University of Toronto.
The accompanying Object relating to the Chair of Geriatrics indicates "an emphasis on the promotion of interdisciplinary training among health care professionals, with the expectation that there will be collaboration with other medical schools in Ontario." This major project will be funded only with voluntary donations and the voluntary participation of members and of Districts. There will be no funds taken from fees currently paid by members nor will any deductions be taken from the annual grants made to Districts. The primary financial goal will be to raise $3 million over three years, and a possible stretch goal of $5 million to allow for the support of other institutions.
The Senate's decision underscores the rationale and criteria provided by the Provincial Executive in recommending the establishment of the Chair:
(a) A project so intrinsically worthy and easily
understood that it would appeal intellectually and emotionally to a
significant majority of our members.
(b) To build our brand and raise
our profile with governments, organizations, active teachers, and the wider
community.
(c) To be a magnet that attracts funding, participation and
engagement from multiple sources, but with RTO/ERO as the lead organization.
The research and clinical work that this Chair will undertake will be geared
to improving the health and quality of life of seniors, and thus align with
the interests of our members.
Over the next few months RTO/ERO through its legal counsel will be seeking legal standing for the Foundation. Once established, the Charitable Foundation will allow RTO/ERO to issue tax receipts for donations made. Over the next few months and leading up to the Fall Senate, RTO/ERO will endeavour to make as many members as possible aware of these initiatives, and we will propose a variety of strategies for fundraising, taking into account factors such as numbers of members, geography, infrastructure and other features that characterize our many Districts. The RTO/ERO Provincial Office in collaboration with the U of T will in due course provide information via Renaissance and other sources, and respond to queries from members/Districts in order to facilitate a greater understanding of and engagement with this major project. The commitment is to fund the Chair in Geriatrics through the voluntary participation and donations of members and of Districts initially, and later to invite partners and community members/associations to come on board.
Marg Couture, Harold Brathwaite
President, RTO/ERO Executive Director, RTO/ERO
Experiences of a Member of the Provincial Executive
I was recently asked, "What is it like being a member of the Provincial Executive?" My immediate reaction was? busy.
I began my Provincial Executive activities the day after the election when I was asked to bring greetings from the PE to my own District's Fall Luncheon. This was followed by a series of meetings to orient myself and other new PE members to the tasks ahead. One of these tasks was the signing of a confidentiality agreement.
My first Executive Meeting followed. One of the major decisions during the first PE meeting is the establishment of the year's Objectives. This process lasts until January when a final version is completed after input from the Districts. Liaison assignments are made assigning the Districts with whom the PE member will communicate monthly by phone and/or e mail. This is a two way street as Districts will contact you to request information of RTO/ERO issues and concerns.
Each Executive member is assigned to liaise with one of our Provincial Standing Committees. This means attending the committees meetings usually 4 times a year and updating the committee on provincial activities and after the meeting reporting on the committee activities to the Provincial Executive.
During a PE meeting we are responsible for monitoring the monthly expenses of the organization with respect to the Provincial Budget and the RTO/ERO numbered company. We receive quarterly reports on the state of the RTO/ERO investments from representatives of our investment firms. In between PE meetings we are regularly updated on issues from the Province by e-mail and are asked to approve decisions and actions. Many days there are numerous messages all of which require constant monitoring of e-mail even when away from home.
Before each Senate Meeting a pre-Senate meeting is convened to work with the District Senate representative to discuss the agenda for the upcoming Senate, and to answer or clarify items or issues.
A member of the PE may be invited to attend a meeting of each of the Liaison Districts the PE member represents once a year. This usually involves bringing greetings from the PE, making presentations on behalf of the province and/or District and meeting members.
The net result of all of this is a fair amount of time spent away from home sometimes for up to 3 or 4 days at a time. Many kilometres are driven when you consider how large the province is.
I have enjoyed my first 6 months as a member of the Provincial Executive and look forward to the completion of my year in October.
~ Gary Fick, Provincial Executive Member and a Past President of District 24
Project Service to Others Report
* a provincial programme that provides grants to
Districts for initiatives
* the initiatives support the concept of
Service to Others
* a way for RTO/ERO to demonstrate to the public that
retired teachers care about their communities and are willing to help others
* individuals or groups apply to the District for funding
* the maximum
grant is $4,000, but it is very possible that Districts will not receive the
full amount; therefore projects can be supplemented from other sources. In
2009, 35 applications were received and 32 Districts received some funding
for their projects.
What kinds of projects might be considered?
* heritage
or cultural projects
* support of children and/or parents who need
support
* support for elderly people
* District 24 has supported
Agincourt Community Service Organization (2002), Library books for Togo
(2007), and Touchstone Youth Centre (2009)
If you have a project you think fits the criteria, can involve RTO/ERO members, and might have other ways to have monetary support, then please let me know. We can explore it together and have a proposal ready for January, 2011. My contact information can be found on the Executive Listing.
~ Carol Nelson, Service to Others
13th Annual Breakfast for Kids Golf Tournament
Our Annual Golf Tournament on September 14th is approaching and interested golfers should send their applications to Ken Drope. This wonderful event provides money for the "Breakfast for Kids" Programme in Scarborough and East York.
There are four ways in which you can support this programme (even if you are not a golfer). They are:
- sponsoring one or more holes at $150.00 each
- making a cash donation
- donating one or items for our Silent Auction valued at more than $25.00 each
- donating one or more gifts for the Prize table each valued less than $25.00
Receipts are available for cash donations and/or
sponsoring a hole. Contact Ken Drope for your receipt:
Ken Drope,
604 - 1750 Bayview Avenue,
Toronto, ON M4G 4H6
Thus far, we have Sponsorships for these holes from:
- 1 - Retired Women Teachers of Ontario - Scarborough Branch
- Retirement Living by Revera (pending)
- RTO in Memory of Bob Duncan
- Kingsway Arms Retirement Residence
- Elementary Teachers of Toronto (ETT/ETFO)
- Home Meal Service
- TBA
- Retirement Living by Revera (pending)
- Alterna Savings
- Alterna Savings
- Retirement Living by Rivera
- Q-SSIS Banquet Halls
- Merit Travel + a "Hole-in-one" contest
- Mary Morton Tours
- Bryan Rose Contracting
- Johnson Inc. (pending)
- Retirement Living by Revera
- Retired Women Teachers of Ontario - Scarborough Branch
Among the donators for the prize table are:
- Mill Run Golf Club - Pair of green fees
- Merit Travel has a trip for anyone who gets a hole-in-one on their hole.
- Harmony Printing ? pair of Blue Jays tickets ($71 each) plus parking voucher for a game against the Yankees at the end of September.
Please consider patronizing the businesses that support this great cause.
DOWNLOAD GOLF REGISTRATION HERE
Telephone numbers and e-mail addresses will be kept confidential and are for organizational purposes only by the convener.
WANTED!!
A New Convener or Team is
needed to organize our 2011 Golf Tournament
At the end of the Breakfast for Kids Golf Tournament last year I announced that the 2010 tournament would be my last as convener.
I am willing to work with the new convener(s) of the 2011 tournament. There are extensive computer records from the past three tournaments that can be "mined" for assistance.
Please contact me by e-mail: kendrope@rogers.com OR by phone: 416.485.9538 if you are interested in helping in this area.
Bridge Club
District 24 has been sponsoring a Bridge group of Retired Teachers for the past 4 years. We play at Ellesmere Community Centre on Canadian Road (Ellesmere and Warden area) on Tuesdays from 12:30 PM to approximately 3 PM. We are currently up to 23 players!
We began playing every other Tuesday, but extended it to every week at the request of the players. We usually have between 3 and 6 tables, on a drop-in basis. Players have a general playing knowledge, but can come without a partner. A number of players have been coming consistently since the beginning of the group, but we also have new-comers on a regular basis.
Over the 4 years we have become "friends" as well as Bridge players, and socializing is as important a part of the afternoon as playing. Coffee, tea, and cookies are available. At Christmas and June, before our summer break, we have a pot luck lunch before we play. Everyone pitches in to help clean up and it's a great afternoon.
Play for this year is over, but we will be starting up again on September 7, 2010. Come out and join us.
~ Terry Smith
A Little Bit of Humour
:) Diplomacy - the art of letting someone have your
way.
:) It's not hard to meet expenses… they're everywhere.
:) I used
to have a handle on life, but it broke.
:) Quoting one is plagiarism.
Quoting many is research.
:) Earth is the insane asylum for the
universe.
:) It IS as BAD as you think and they ARE out to get you.
:)
I took an IQ test and the results were negative.
:) Consciousness: that
annoying time between naps.
:) Ever stop to think, and forget to start
again?
:) I don't suffer from insanity? I enjoy every minute of it.
:)
Help Wanted: Telepath. You know where to apply.
:) Money doesn't bring
you happiness, but it enables you to look for it in more places.
:)
Misers aren't much fun to live with, but they make great ancestors.
:)
Money isn't everything? there's credit cards, debit cards, money orders, and
travellers' cheques.
:) Shin: A device for finding furniture in the dark.
:) If at first you don't succeed, try again. Then quit. No use being a fool
about it.
:) The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the
same size bucket.
:) The real reason you can't take it with you is that
it goes before you do.
:) Some people are like blisters. They don't show
up until the work is done.
:) A person who can smile when things go wrong
has found someone to blame it on.
:) The world is full of willing people:
some willing to work and some willing to let them.
:) If you don't know
where you're going, you're never lost.
:) Your conscience may not keep
you from doing wrong, but it sure keeps you from enjoying it.
:) Nothing
sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're
wrong.
:) I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know
not to answer when they call.
What Do You See?
*
*
Take the Sudoku Challenge
Every Column must Contain the Numbers from 1 Thru' 9.
Every 3x3 Square must Contain the Numbers from 1 Thru' 9.
Answer Elsewhere in this Issue…
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For Your Information |
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RTO/ERO District 24 ~ Scarborough and East York
Welcomes New Retirees to our Champagne Brunch Wednesday, September 22, 2010 Cathedral Bluffs Yacht Club Spaces Are Limited! Do You Know Someone Who Is Retiring this Year? Have Him/her Contact Elaine Aprile by Phone: 416.267.2670 or by E-mail: Elaineaprile@sympatico.ca So That He/she Will Be Able to Come out and Enjoy Our Brunch. For E-mail, Please Use the Subject: Rto – Champagne Brunch. For the Retiree, Our Champagne Brunch Is Complimentary! Where Is the Cathedral Bluffs Yacht Club? RSVP Elaine Aprile by July 31, 2010 |
RWTO New Retirees Luncheon
This year the RWTO's New Retirees Luncheon will be held Thursday, September 16 beginning at 12:30 PM at the Burrows Hall Community Centre/Chinese Cultural Centre. If you know of any female teacher who is retiring this year, please contact Lee Young at 905.420.6170 or by e-mail at jimleeyoung@rogers.com . |
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TDSB .TEL Email Addresses to Cease Are You Using Tel to Subscribe to Our Monthly E-news Update? If So, Please Let the Communications Chair Know If You Have an Alternat e Address We Can Use for You as the TDSB. Is Phasing out Tel Addresses for Retired Teachers. |
Club 48
Club 48 is an association of retired teachers who meet socially nine times a year from October to June, usually the afternoon of the second Wednesday of the month. It was named "Club 48" because it was founded in 1948 and two years ago celebrated its 60th anniversary. We attend plays, have lunch, take out-of-town trips, and hear most interesting speakers. Our membership fee is a reasonable $20 for the year. For some events a member can attend a lecture and enjoy coffee and cookies at no charge; for others you may wish to join us for lunch as well as the entertainment. You are always welcome to bring a guest to any of our meetings. For further information or a copy of our fall program, please contact Gwen Smith at 416.426.1553 OR gwensmith@rogers.com. |
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Sisters Seniors' Lunch Matinee
Enjoy a buffet selection with dessert, tea or coffee, and Friday, July 9, 2008 Cost: $21.00 Sisters Restaurant |
Breast Cancer Support Group Meeting
The meetings are held the last Wednesday of every month, except December, at 7:30 PM at Kingsway Arms, 2881 Eglinton Avenue East at McCowan Rd. in Scarborough. There is a bus stop at the corner of Eglinton Ave. and McCowan. Free parking is available on the south side of the building. Come and share with us your concerns, and gain courage and strength through mutual support of other women who have had breast cancer. For more information, please call: |
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The L2L Mission
The Need: L2L’S Contribution: Watch It Grow! Please support us so they can help themselves. L2L is unique. No other program trains student tutors in the pedagogy of effective tutoring. L2L'S Mission: |
BRAVO
Up to 200 retired boomers (aged 55+) are needed by Baycrest, an internationally-renowned academic health sciences centre, to be part of a four-year study that will scientifically measure the physical, psychosocial and cognitive benefits of engaging in volunteer work at the centre. "The long-term scientific objective of Baycrest's study is to see if volunteering is an intervention that has a protective effect against dementia," said Baycrest senior scientist and clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Nicole Anderson, who is leading the study. The Baycrest BRAVO study (Baycrest Research About Volunteering among Older Adults) is funded by the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Retirees aged 55 or older who are not involved in another formal volunteer position are welcome to join the BRAVO study. For more information, contact Baycrest at 416.785.2500, ext. 2577. Baycrest is internationally renowned for its care of aging adults and its excellence in aging brain research, clinical treatments and promising cognitive rehab strategies. RTO/ERO, D24 presents the two items on this page to you for your information only, and it should not be taken as an endorsement of the organizations. Any decision to take part in these programs is at the discretion of the member. |
To
train and certify student tutors to provide informed academic help not
otherwise available to large numbers of students who are academically at
risk, underachieving or new to the English language, and to do so in a
cost effective and easily replicable manner. 
Retired
teachers who are not currently engaged in any volunteering are invited to
participate in an innovative study in Toronto to see if volunteering can
boost brain health.
HEALTH AND
INSURANCE REPORT
by Marilyn Tregwin, DHR
Hello again fellow retirees!
I'm composing this column in the middle of the record-breaking May heat wave we recently experienced, and my new central air system is not working; good thing my computer's in the cool recreation room! As you read this, I hope the weather you're experiencing is just what you enjoy the most on a summer day.
Perhaps you know someone who has endured Shingles, a painful disease related to chicken pox that affects adults. Be sure to read the feature health article about Shingles at the end of my Health Report.
In February, the vice-president of Healthcare Services for Shoppers Drug Mart, Dan Rego made a presentation to the Provincial Executive. (You may recall his name from reading our Fall 2009 Newsletter reporting the highlights of the DHR Conference that I attended last year, and if you subscribe to our monthly e-mails, executive member Gary Fick has already informed you of this.) Dan's proposal was about potential benefits for all members who acquire their medication at Shoppers. The proposed benefits, as yet unveiled, will be at no cost to RTO members. However, given the current controversy between the Provincial government and the pharmacies regarding the generic drugs, the Provincial Executive has temporarily halted discussions with Shoppers Drug Mart and no further action will be taken until the controversy has been resolved. I will inform you via this newsletter, but probably sooner via our monthly RTO 24 E-News. Contact our webmaster, Hal, in order to get in on this and other 'happening' information. (See page 23.)
EatRight Ontario is a bilingual website designed and maintained by the Government of Ontario to help improve the overall quality of life of Ontario residents through healthy, nutritious eating. This service provides easy-to-use nutrition information to help you make healthier food choices, and covers a large variety of topics: digestive health, disease prevention and health condition, diabetes prevention, food and nutrition FAQs, healthy eating, healthy weights, menu planning, recipes and resources. EatRight Ontario allows you to ask a Registered Dietitian nutrition-related, non-emergency health questions and receive feedback by phone or e-mail. Phone service is available weekdays from 9AM—5PM (Tuesday and Thursday until 9PM). Outside these hours you may leave a voice mail message and your call will be returned the next day. Nutrition tools and links offer many additional resources to support you in developing healthy eating habits for you and your family. The Eatright website is updated monthly, and can be accessed at www.ontario.ca/eatright or by calling 1.877.510.5102. (Source: Ontario Ministry of Health, January 2010)
Many of our newsletters have included personal articles from our members who have kindly written about their experiences regarding a variety of health issues for the benefit of us all. Please read page 6 about one of our members who is working to improve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Thank-you, Kay, for sharing your success story with us.
The RTO Extended Health Plan covers drugs, sera and injectables that legally require a prescription. The plan also extends the Prescription Drug benefit to those who legally require life-sustaining over the counter (OTC) medications, when certain medical criteria are met. (Over the counter medications are those that can be sold without a prescription).
In the Budget presented in 2008, the Canadian Government announced that OTC medications were ineligible for the medical expense tax credit. Insurance plans, however, continued to provide coverage for OTC medications.
A 2009 ruling by the Canada Revenue Agency reinforced the government's position. Also in 2009, Health Canada began reclassifying many OTC medications and issuing a Natural Health Product Number (NHP) rather than a Drug Identification number (DIN). Canada Revenue Agency confirmed that the medical expense tax credit did not apply to NHPs.
Johnson Insurance provides clarification for us: If the RTO Extended Health Care Plan continued to cover life-sustaining OTC medications, or those that were reclassified as NHPs, then the premiums you paid for the Extended Health Care Plan may not have been eligible for the medical expense tax credit. Based on Canada Revenue Agency guidelines, OTC medications and NHPs are no longer eligible for coverage under RTO/ERO's Extended Health Care Plan. This ensures that your premium continues to be eligible for medical expense tax credit purposes.
Would you like to see changes to your Extended Health Plan coverage? The RTO Health plans are owned by you and administered by Johnson Insurance. If you want improved coverage, it's up to you and your colleagues to speak up. Any submissions for health plan changes received between January 2010 and December 2010 will be considered in 2011 for the 2012 benefit calendar year. To request the required Plan Enhancement Form ("2012 HPES") contact Melanie Johnson by e-mail at mjohnson@rto-ero.org, or by calling 416.962.9463 or 1.800.361.9888 x225 and be sure to provide your name, certificate number and/or mailing address.
At our District's AGM in May, Bonnie Clarke (your
Political Advocacy Rep) provided us with some specifics concerning changes
to the new HST (Harmonized Sales Tax). I thought you'd be interested in
learning about items in the area of health. The taxation on vitamins,
Massage Therapy services, cigarettes and tobacco, and nicotine replacement
products and alcoholic beverages will change to 13%. Feminine hygiene
products will continue to be taxed at 5%. There will be no HST on adult
incontinence products, prescription glasses/contact lenses, some medical
devices (includes walkers, hearing aids), prescription drugs, Pharmacist
dispensing fees, or auto insurance. There will be no HST on Physiotherapist
services, Chiropractor services, or Audiologist services if offered by a
licensed practitioner. Health items not found on this list are taxed at 13%
and will remain at 13%. To learn more about the HST visit
www.ontario.ca/taxchange. You can also call 1.800. 337.7222. You can also
contact the Canada Revenue Agency by visiting the CRA website at
www.cra.gc.ca/harmonization or call 1.800.959.5525.
(See also "HST:
Changes to our Taxes".)
This October 7, you will have the opportunity to attend yet another interesting health seminar. Following the positive comments I received about the information article on Diabetes in the spring issue of Beyond the Blackboard, I am pleased to invite you to learn more on this topic. Nearly one million Ontarians had diabetes in 2007-2008 and the number is rising. Michael Horbay, our guest speaker from the Canadian Diabetes Association, will educate us on how to stem the tide of this fast growing disease. His presentation will focus on what diabetes is, the different types of diabetes (including signs and symptoms and complications), as well as diabetes prevention through healthy eating, an active lifestyle and regular testing. I hope you mark your calendars now to attend. Please look for the ad in this newsletter on page 23 for further pertinent details. As always, you will be able to enjoy a free continental breakfast prior to the seminar; all you have to do is register with me your intention to attend. I hope to see you there. See the Executive list for my contact information.
~ Marilyn Tregwin DHR
7th Annual Health Seminar
RTO District 24 is excited to announce our next Health Seminar? on Diabetes. This is being presented by Michael Horbay, from the Canadian Diabetes Society.
Diabetes
Thursday, October 7, 2009
Midland
C.I. (also known as The Bond Academy)
10:00 AM TO 11:30 AM
Do not get caught up in the diabetes tsunami!! Come and hear about how you can prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
Mr. Horbay's presentation will focus on what diabetes is, the different types of diabetes (including signs and symptoms and complications), as well as diabetes prevention through healthy eating, an active lifestyle and regular testing. Attend this informative seminar to hear more.
Come early!! A continental breakfast will be provided at 9:30 AM. This will also allow you time to meet and socialize with colleagues old and new.
This seminar is provided for you at no cost and is limited to 100 participants. But to reserve a seat, you must pre-register, preferably by e-mail: m.tregwin@rogers.com OR by leaving a phone message for Marilyn at: 416.493.3757, giving her your name and phone number.
For E-Mails, use subject: RTO - Health Seminar (Messages without this subject will not be opened!)
How to Find Midland Collegiate
Midland C.I. (also
known as The Bond Academy) is located on the west side of Midland Ave.,
south of Eglinton Ave. Look for the prominent property sign ? Bond Academy.
We will be meeting in the old library on the lower level.
Further details concerning parking will be sent to you via e-mail in the fall.
~ Marilyn Tregwin, District Health Rep
Shingles
You probably know of someone who has had shingles, since approximately 20% of North Americans develop shingles at some point in their life. Even though children can develop shingles, the risk begins to take off at age 40, and skyrockets after age 60. About two thirds of the people who get shingles do so after age 60; by the time your reach 85 you have a 50% chance of having had it.
Anyone who has had chicken pox can develop shingles since it is caused by the same virus. This painful skin rash is called the Varicella zoster sometimes referred to as the 'devil's whip' and is in the Herpes family of viruses (note that the herpes virus that causes shingles is not the same herpes virus that causes genital herpes). After the chicken pox illness passes, the problem never really goes away — the virus lives in part of the spinal cord in the nervous system and is never fully cleared from the body.
One's immune system keeps the virus dormant; however it can be reactivated even many years after one has had chicken pox. This 'resurfacing' of the virus can occur when your immune system is not working at its best. As a person ages, their immune system tends to weaken thus the prevalence of its development as people get older. Other factors may include illness, use of drugs that suppress the body's immune system (e.g. corticosteroids for severe asthma), HIV infection, certain types of cancers, and radiation treatment.
When the virus 'reawakens' and becomes active again, one may experience numbness, itching, severe pain, headaches, upset stomach, fever and chills. These symptoms (early warning signs) often precede the appearance of the skin rash. The skin rash usually appears three to five days after the symptoms appear. The rash itself is reddish, with many tiny, fluid-filled blisters. The blisters follow the path of the individual nerves that come out of the spinal cord and appear as a band or a belt-like pattern on an area of the skin. For a few days the rash spreads, although its extent varies from one person to another. The rash commonly occurs on one side of the trunk of the body. The blisters will break, dry out and then crust over. Shingles can result in persistent pain lasting for months, even years, after the rash has gone away (post-herpetic neuralgia: PHN). Your doctor can have the fluid from your blisters analyzed to determine if you have the virus.
Shingles is contagious. It can spread from an affected person to children or adults who have not had chicken pox, but instead of developing shingles, these people develop chicken pox.
Once they have had chicken pox people cannot catch shingles (or contact the virus) from someone else. Once infected, however, people have the potential to develop shingles later in life.
There are several effective treatments for shingles. Anti-viral drugs fight the virus and work best if started within three days of developing the shingles rash. This will minimize the extent of and spread of the rash and minimize the pain associated with it. Blisters will also crust over and heal faster. Anti-viral drugs may also help to reduce the risk of developing chronic pain shingles. Anti-viral drugs in use today include acyclovir, valacyclovir and famcilcovir.
Talk to your pharmacist about the use of over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen for the pain associated with PHN. Your doctor can prescribe other types of medication for severe pain that work to decrease the action of the pain fibers and alter the way the pain signals are interpreted by our brain.
To relieve itching and pain of shingles you can try applying calamine lotion, using cool, moist compresses, or soaking in the tub with cornstarch or oatmeal.
To prevent shingles, the first step is to avoid getting the chicken pox. If you have not had it, make sure you do not touch the blisters of people with either chicken pox or shingles. A vaccine is now available against the Varicella zoster virus for both adults and children. Health Canada has recently approved a shingles vaccine (Zostavax). The RTO health plan covers the ingredient cost for the vaccine providing one has not reached the annual maximum limit.
Much has been learned about shingles including new ways to treat the disease. The other sign of hope is that the wide vaccination for chicken pox may essentially diminish both chicken pox and shingles for current and future generations.
Sources: www.medicinenet.com Goodtimes; Manulife
Nuts and an Apple
Most of my adult life, my husband cooked the suppers in our household and I used the left-overs for lunch at school the next day. I paid no attention to portion control or exercise. During the work day, I ran between classes at three schools in my itinerant job, spending some of my lunch hours doing choir practices. At night, I had only enough energy left to deal with my children's activities.
That all changed when I retired. Now I was able to eat whenever I wanted as I had no fixed timetable and food was nearby whenever I wanted it. I ate when I was bored. I ate when I was stressed. I could only spend so much time being distracted from hunger pangs doing crossword puzzles, reading and taking a non-credit course at university. Swimming for an hour every three days at the local community centre was offset by snacks at Tim Horton's and munchies while watching PVR movies at night.
I began to notice that I couldn't fit into a lot of my clothes and that the photos taken of me were not flattering to a 5' 6" frame. I joined a club and hired a trainer. At first, I could hardly hold the weights. I got better and attended for about six months. Then, with family problems and my mother's death, I stopped going. I didn't want to be seen where I would have to talk to anyone. I would get teary-eyed at the simplest expression of sympathy. I began to eat too much again.
About two months later, a flyer came in the mailbox about an eight-week Weight-Loss challenge where one could get nutritional advice and have a coach encourage one's journey to a healthier, more well-balanced lifestyle. There was also the incentive of a cash prize for the most percentage of weight loss. I attended the first eight weeks and was educated in proteins, carbohydrates and calories. I got weighed and measured each meeting. I received advice from a coach; she herself had gone through the process of losing weight and inches.
I used meal replacement protein drinks twice a day, snacks between each meal and a full supper. I still haven't been able to drink eight glasses of water a day but I am much better at adding more to my day instead of juice or ice caps. For exercise, I returned to the exercise club, now that I had more energy and felt better about my shape. I got a newspaper route twice a week, which forced me to go out and walk in the colder weather.
I attended the next set of nutritional lessons and this time I won second prize. I continue to drink soy milkshakes and I keep snacks of almonds or soy nuts in small, re-sealable plastic bags beside the TV, on my desk and in my purse for those times when I get a craving, for example when I smell the cinnamon rolls my son has just made. When I go out, I have an apple, water and my baggie of soy nuts in the car. It is especially handy whenever we go to a movie, restaurant or party. Then I am not eating the popcorn, bread or appetizers.
Eventually, I will drink only one nutritious milkshake as I will be at a maintenance weight. That is not too far in the future. My biggest triumph is not the loss of weight but the inches around my waist so that I had to buy new jeans two sizes smaller than I had been wearing for fifteen years. I will also have to see a seamstress for those pants that I couldn't get into that are now too big for me.
~ K. Targett
Goodwill Report (Cards)
Every year each 90th, 100th and older birthday celebrant is honoured with a special card and a donation to Breakfast for Kids given in his or her name.
When I am notified, Get Well, Thinking of You or Sympathy cards are sent to members or their families.
Please inform me if you know of anyone who should receive a card.
Marilyn Hodge
416.284.9984
E-mail: mjhodge@sympatico.ca (Use the Subject: RTO - Goodwil)
~ Marilyn Hodge, Goodwill (Cards)
The following members have celebrated a special birthday between January and June 2010.
| 90th Birthday Celebrants | ||
| Margaret Allan | H. Gordon Barnes | Dr. Inge Bundesmann |
| Margaret Ethel Higham | Edith Komisar | Al Leblanc |
| Sylvia MacMillan | Charles Neville | Dorothy Prosser |
| 100th Birthday Celebrant |
| Mary Brown |
Goodwill (Phone)
District 24 presently has 590 RTO members who have retired in 1993 or before whom we like to contact personally by phone. This is unique for a district of our size (over 2300 members). Any member who has not been reached by phone is sent a greeting card — we usually send about 200 cards.
On your behalf I would like to extend a thank you to this dedicated group of 26 callers without whom this service would not be possible:
| Sue Ackerman | Gill Uddenberg | Bill Jones |
| Donna Hubel | Marjorie McGinty | Les Coombs |
| Noreen Coombs | Elaine Aprile | Louise Henderson |
| Carol Nelson | Gloria Courtney | Janette McClure |
| Allan Leighton | Joan Taylor | Lynn Pentz |
| Ann Smola | Anne Storrison | Olivia Gibbins |
| Helen Lavender | Helen Sharpe | Lucille Parrish |
| Linda Jarvis | Marilyn Hodge | Frank Saliani |
| Bonnie Clarke | Judy-Anne Tumber | George Denny |
| Bob Cook | Gloria Smith | Nancy Wistow |
We are always looking for volunteers, particularly some of our "junior seniors" to assist us with the phoning. If you are able to take only a few hours, once a year, to brighten someone's day, please contact: Brenda Fick at 905.683.9676 or by e-mail at bfick1@rogers.com .
~ Brenda Fick, Goodwill (Phone)
~ Marilyn Hodge / Goodwill - Cards
In Memoriam
In understanding that each life is a miracle that changes the world, we remember and honour the lives of our departed colleagues and friends.
| To: 30/4/10 | ||
| Ronald T. Allen | Florence Beharry | Charles Bristlon |
| Robert Campbell | Margaret Cummings | Alice Daoud |
| Joseph Destine | Fred J. Dier | George Dufton |
| Lorne Empey | Margaret Gerrard | John Haining |
| Lilian Hargrave | Audrey L. Hawkshaw | Arthur Hughes |
| Mary L. Hunt | Rudolf Kula | Joseph P. Lusina |
| Elizabeth R. MacDougall | Murray D. MacFee | Ivan Notter |
| Robert H. Roozenboom | Arthur L Sivell | Elizabeth Von Ploennies |
|
Robert (Bob) Douglas Duncan (PIC p07a)
March 25, 1936 - April 5, 2010
~ Bob Cook |
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Bob
Duncan, a former president of RTO ~ District 24 passed away on April
5th, 2010. Bob had been an active member of our District from his
retirement in 1993, serving as Secretary, Treasurer and as President
from 1996 to 2000. Known as a gentleman always, Bob welcomed many
into RTO and encouraged several to take an active role in our
organization.
Is Your Name In Our E-mail Database
Thank you to those who have been forwarding your e-mail addresses to our Webmaster. With only three newsletters a year, your e-mail address allows us to send you our monthly E-Mail Update with current District 24 events and happenings. It also allows us to provide you with any important information that comes our way in the health field, or when new information has been posted to the Toronto Districts' website, or remind you about upcoming day trips and other activities.
Please note:
Providing your e-mail address is voluntary. It is not
provided to us by RTO.
Your e-mail information will be held in the
strictest confidence and will not be shared with any other organization.
E-mails are sent to you as Bcc (Blind carbon copies). You don't get to see
the e-mail addresses of the other recipients, and they don't get to see
yours. Our message should appear in your in-box titled as "undisclosed
recipients".
Our e-mails are always prefaced with RTO.
E-mail
updates are usually sent out on the first day of the month. However, to keep
you fully informed, we do, occasionally, send special mailings.
Our
E-Mails are sent only in .pdf format. Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free
download from our Toronto Districts website (its address is in the footer on
this page). There are no hard copies that can be mailed to you.
Updates
that are returned to the Webmaster because your in-box is full, or classed
as "spam" by your server, are not re-sent.
If you change your internet
provider, please remember to provide us with your new e-mail address!
If you wish to participate, and we encourage you to do so, please send your e-mail address to our Webmaster: hal@powergate.ca. Use subject: RTO - E-Mail Address. (Messages without this subject will not be opened!)
We currently have some 380 members (about 17%) participating in our monthly updates. We look forward to adding your name to our list!
Dry Tortugas National Park (PICS 25a,b 27a)
While flying over the Florida Keys, more than thirty years ago, an uninhabited island with a white sandy beach caught my attention. The beach was lined with palm trees that had a distinctive lean to them, from years of being jostled by strong ocean winds. Its peacefulness and natural beauty were engraved in my memory. Recently, I found myself again looking at such a dream island, but this time I was actually there, standing on the soft white sand of the Fort Jefferson beach, surveying the beauty of the other six islands of the Dry Tortugas National Park.
On
a recent family vacation, we booked The Fortunata, a seventy-five foot
yacht, and we were off to explore the Florida Keys. It was in Key West we
became aware of the Dry Tortugas National Park, and began to discuss the
possibility of making a trip there. The park is situated about 70 miles out
to sea from Key West. It was far enough away to be an adventure, and close
enough to be a day excursion. Dry Tortugas is an area of 100 square miles of
ocean park, reefs, and seven very small islands. In 1513 it was named
Tortugas, meaning turtles, by the Spanish explorer Ponce De Leon. Eventually
it was called Dry to warn navigators of the lack of fresh water there.
Graham, our captain, studied his charts and forecasts, and agreed that we could leave very early the next morning if the weather remained favourable. At seven o'clock the next morning I was awakened by the movement of the rolling seas and the noise of the waves as banged the hull directly under my bed. I knew we were on our way. It was a beautiful day, and although the seas were rough, the sky was clear and blue. There was no sign of land or other boats and we were all alone on the open sea. I felt a sense of adventure as I searched the horizon for signs of land. After 3 hours of travelling across the open sea, I noticed birds flying above and I knew land must be near. Soon the first of the islands came into view, appearing as a sand bar. Then I saw it! I saw an uninhabited island with a white sandy beach with a row of swaying palm trees. It looked exactly like the natural island that fascinated me so many years ago. The other six islands came into view as we searched for a vacant anchorage off the Fort Jefferson beach on Garden Key.
We were now in the Dry Tortugas National Park, an ocean park, a new concept in national parks for me. This park was in the middle of the ocean. The sky was clear and blue, and the water was the most beautiful turquoise colour imaginable. It was so calm here in the lea of the islands that I could clearly see the white sandy bottom among the reefs. I reached down to touch the ocean and felt the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. I could see a black cloud of birds flying over the Bird Key. Captain Graham informed us that these frigates had a wingspan of about seven feet. As we puttered our way to shore in the dingy, Captain Graham pointed out the fish by names: the grunts, and parrotfish, and nurse sharks swimming below, as also the sponges and multi-coloured corals. The park is surprisingly natural and naturally beautiful.
Fort Jefferson is located on Garden Key which covers about seven acres, the largest of these islands. The rustic nature of the fort is a reminder of how long ago it built and how isolated it must have been in those times. I looked through the viewing ports and imagined what a soldier would see and the shot he would be planning as a pirate ship or enemy vessel came into view. I noticed a visitor walking along the top of the moat, and I imagined a prison guard walking there, checking the moat for any sign of escapees. I took note of how historical documents and photos were very well preserved, but also accessible to the visitors. These included doctor's records, soldiers' logs, and scientific data on the marine life. The prison record was detailed as to dates and reason for confinement. I quickly scanned the names and ensured that my ancestors were not on the list. It was interesting to note that most infractions were for desertion, although the only escape would be to swim to the mainland. And the curator mentioned that many soldiers had attempted just that feat, and been returned as prisoners. Only one group on record managed a successful escape. Seven African-Americans who worked at the fort as slaves managed that feat by taking all the available boats with them, or setting them loose. They finally arrived at Key Vacas, 120 miles away, only to be captured and returned to Fort Jefferson.
The
significance of the Dry Tortugas does not end with the fort. An area of 100
square miles was dedicated in 1992 as a national park and protected area for
birds, sea turtles, and other aquatic animals, and the coral reefs. Bush Key
is a nesting place for the sooty terns. These birds spend most of their time
at sea, but use the island for nesting. It is a principal fly over area for
many migratory birds on route to Cuba and South America. Other birds that
are present are the cormorants and the pelicans. All these birds feed on the
squid and small fish in the park. It is surprising to see so many species of
birds here so far from the mainland.
Because of the location of the Dry Tortugas near the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico, there have been at least 300 shipwrecks off these islands, one of which is the wreck of the Avanti, a Norwegian vessel, in 1907. This site is a well charted site for divers or snorkellers, and underwater photographers. The nurse shark and the tarpon, vivid red and purple coral, and schools of small mouth grunts and sergeant majors can be seen. The last time I was snorkelling I was surprised by an octopus, not knowing which arms to move away from. So I enjoyed watching the marine life from the dingy, and took pleasure in the excitement of my children and grandchildren as they discovered interesting sea life.
The Dry Tortugas has such a rich history that there is
something of interest for all the visitors young and old. It has been used
as a lighthouse to guide ships through the treacherous reefs, a military
fort, a prison, a quarantine station, a coaling station, and research lab,
and finally the
Dry Tortugas National Park. There exists documentation
and exhibits from each of these eras. For the visitor, arriving by sea,
after completing the journey from Key West, feeling the isolation, there is
a sense of being immersed in its history. The Dry Tortugas will wet your
appetite for the natural, the untouched and unspoiled.
As land comes into view again, dolphins are jumping near the boat on the port side. Cruise ships come into view and then the high rise condos and we are back in Key West once more, realizing that we have experienced something rare and special.
~ article and photo by Jean Clarke
Prince Edward County Wine Tasting and Guided Tour, May 11, 2010
Our trip to Prince Edward County was a rich educational experience and a great opportunity to sample the wines from three selected wineries.
At Cobourg, Peter Brotherhood, a retired history/ geography teacher, hopped on our bus as guide for the day. He shared many stories with us about the early settlement of the County by the United Empire Loyalists as we passed through small villages with their interesting storefronts and colourful tree blossoms along the side of the road.
We visited and sampled wines from the Black Prince Winery, Huff Estates Winery and Casa-Dea Winery. Peter explained that these wineries were chosen because the grapes grown, in each case, were grown on different types of soil. Ordovician limestone, present throughout the County, is a soft limestone which breaks down easily providing minerals for the thin layer of soil on top of the limestone. This favours the production of excellent grapes for producing high quality wines. Peter introduced us to the word "terroir" which includes such physical elements of the vineyard habitat as subsoil and climate. Conditions are perfect in Prince Edward County for fine wines!
For lunch, we enjoyed a wonderful meal at the Waring House Inn in Picton. The stunning, country setting made for a relaxed, enjoyable dining experience. The rhubarb and berry custard tartlet was magnificent!
Our time in Prince Edward County concluded with a trip to an English lavender farm where we explored the gift shop and learned about growing lavender. The couple who runs the farm was delighted that we were the first bus tour of the season.
It is always special to experience a success story. The wine industry in Prince Edward County has grown from one winery in 2000 to 38 wineries a decade later. Many of us on the tour were already looking forward to our next trip to this delightful area of our province.
~ article and photos by Shari Baker
~
additional photos on Photos Link above
 Black Prince Winery |
 Scent of lavender |
 Lake on the Mountain |
 Waring House Restaurant |
 Huff Estates Winery |
 wine tasting |
 wine tasting |
 getting there half the fun! |
 Casa-Dea Winery |
 getting there half the fun! |
 |
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PROGRAM SCHEDULE FOR 2010
Download our 2010
Schedule Here ~
PDF 148kb
Descriptions and coupons for these Spring activities below. Information about our "Front of the Line" service will be found below.
Trip tips::
- Unless Indicated Otherwise, All of Our Bus Trips Now Depart from Kennedy Commons. The Mall Is Located on the East Side of Kennedy Road Just South of the 401.
- Please Park near the Amc Theatres. Look for a Pacific Western or Mary Morton Bus.
- Please… Plan to Arrive 10-15 Minutes Ahead of the Indicated Departure Time. Traffic Can Be Unpredictable, and We Need to Leave on Time.
- for Reservations, Please Send the Programme Coupon with Your Cheque Made Payable To: Retired Teachers of Ontario — District 24.
- Be Sure You Have Read and Understood the Waiver Agreement on Page 12 and That You (And Your Spouse/guest) Have Signed the Activity Coupon.
- Cheques for Our Events Are Not Usually Deposited until the Trip Is onfirmed. Don't Be Concerned When We Hold Your Cheque.
- Suggestion: Post-date Your Cheque to the Deadline Date of the Activity.
- If Both You and the Facilitator Have E-mail, You Can Choose to Have Your Confirmation E-mailed to You, Saving You Time and the Cost of an Envelope and Postage. Check the Appropriate Line on the Coupon. Then Mail the Coupon (Signed If/where Necessary) along with Your Cheque.
- If You or the Facilitator Does Not Have E-mail, You must Enclose a Stamped, Self-addressed Envelope.
- You Will Receive Confirmation for Your Event: by E-mail, Return Envelope, or Telephone When the Facilitator Is Ready.
- Unless Noted Otherwise, Our Trips Are "All Inclusive": Lunch, Bus Transportation, Tickets (Where Applicable), Taxes and Gratuities.
Reminder:
Family and friends are always welcome to
join you for any of our RTO trips and activities. If someone is joining you,
they must also read and understand the Waiver Agreement AND they must sign
the activity coupon.
About our "Front Of The Line" Service…
For 2010, We Are Continuing Our Front of the Line Program.
If You Are Interested in Reserving a Place for Any Event, You Should E-mail or Phone Judy-anne. If the Event Is Marked T.b.a., Judy-anne Will Contact You as Soon as the Dates and Information for the Events Are Released. She Will E-mail or Call You Back with All the Details and She Will Put You on the List.
Then, When You Receive Your Newsletter, You Simply Send Your Programme Coupon and Cheque to the Facilitator — Judy-anne Will Have Passed on Your Name to Him/her.
Updates to Our Programme Line-up Appear in Our Monthly E-mail Update: Rto 24 E-news. See Page 23 for Details on this Service.
416.264.6016 / jatumber@rogers.com (Use Subject: RTO - Front of the Line (Messages without this subject will not be opened.)
~ Judy-Anne Tumber, Program Chair
FACILITATOR INFORMATION:
|
Les Coombs: 7 Riviera Dr. Scarborough, ON M1N 1J9 416.261.0568 lesonriviera@msn.com |
Ken Drope: 604 – 1750 Bayview Ave. Toronto, ON M4G 4H6 Telephone: 416.485.9538 kendrope@rogers.com |
Marilyn Hodge: 48 Langevin Cres. Scarborough, on M1C 2B6 Telephone: 416.284.9984 mjhodge@sympatico.ca |
Ellen Mccormick: 29 Morningside Ave. Scarborough, ON M1E 3B9 Telephone: 416.284.7795 ellenmccormick@sympatico.ca |
|
Hal McCullough: |
Harolyn Panetta: |
Marilyn Tregwin: 41 Ravencliff Cres Toronto, M1T 1R7 416.493.3757 marilyn.tregwin@tel.tdsb.on.ca |
Judy-Anne Tumber: 203 Sylvan Ave Scarborough, M1E 1A4 416.264.6016 jatumber@rogers.com |
PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
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* About Agawa & NYC When the Joint Executive of RTO met, the travel coordinators agreed to try something new. Since we occasionally have to cancel a trip because of low numbers from one district, we planned a trip to the Agawa Canyon together with a representative of Merit Travel. We will be travelling with teachers from Toronto, Etobicoke, North York, as well as Scarborough and East York, so hopefully there will be enough members to fill the coach and we will avoid disappointing members with another cancellation. So far, the Agawa Canyon trip is filling up well. This same format has been used for the NYC trip. Contact Tommi Hayhoe at Merit Travel ASAP if you wish to join us on these terrific trips. ~ Judy-Anne Tumber, Program Chair |
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Blue Jays Baseball vs. Detroit Tigers
Date: Saturday, August 28, 2010 This Price (Regular Price $52.00) Is Available to RTO Members, Family and Friends. Our Excellent Seats Are in the 100 Level along the 3rd Base Line. And this Year, You May Also Choose Tickets in the 200 Level, Also along the 3rd Base Line! This Year's Charity, Selected at Spring Senate, Is Pennies for Peace. They Will Receive a $10,000 Cheque from RTO/ERO in a pre-game Ceremony. Waiver: No Travel: Note: Transportation Is Not Included. Seats: Field Level or 200 Level, 3rd Base Side Facilitator: Les Coombs Contact Info Is above * Deadline: Friday, July 30, 2010 |
Stratford Festival ~ The Tempest
Date: Wednesday, September 8, 2010 Travel: Depart Kennedy Commons. See Trip Tips, P14 Waiver: Yes Facilitator: Judy-Anne Tumber |
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Stratford Festival ~ Evita
Date: Thursday, September 30, 2010 Travel: Depart Kennedy Commons. See Trip Tips, P14 Waiver: Yes Facilitator: Hal McCullough * Deadline: Friday, August 27, 2010 |
Shaw Festival ~ Harvey
Date: Thursday, October 21, 2010 Travel: Depart Kennedy Commons. See Trip Tips, P14 Waiver: Yes Facilitator: Ellen Mccormick Contact Info
above |
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Christmas in the Country
Date: Friday, December 10, 2010 Travel: * Depart Agincourt Mall. See Trip Tips, P14 Waiver: Yes Facilitator: Harolyn Panetta Contact Info above * Deadline: Friday, November 26, 2010 |
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New York City
Date: April 25 to April 29, 2011 Monday: Depart Toronto for New Columbia, PA, Where We Stop for the Night at the Comfort Inn. Tuesday: after Breakfast, We Drive into Manhattan. After Lunch, We Have a Tour of Manhattan Including the Financial District and Wall Street. In the Evening We Go to the Observation Deck, "Top of the Rock", 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Our Hotel for the next 3 Nights Is the Comfort Inn Midtown Located at 42nd and W45th. Wednesday: Breakfast Is at the Hotel Followed by an Nbc Studio Tour. The Rest of the Day Is Free for You to Decide What You Would like to Do. Your Tour Director Can Assist You with Such Activities as a Hudson River Tour (Afternoon or Evening) or Tickets for a Broadway Show. Thursday: after Breakfast, We Travel to Battery Park for the Ferry to
Liberty Island for a Close up Look at the Statue of Liberty. You May
Disembark to Tour the Island and Then Continue on to Ellis Island Before
Returning to Battery Park. The Rest of the Day Is Yours to Enjoy. Perhaps
the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or a Guided Tour of the United Nations
Complex, Or... Cost: Double: $999.00 / Triple: $839.00 / Single: $1549.00 Included in this Price: Four Nights Accommodation (Including Taxes); Luggage Handling for 1 Large Suitcase per Person; 4 Continental Breakfasts and 1 Lunch; City Tour of Lower Manhattan; Ferry Crossing to Liberty and Ellis Islands; Admission to "Top of the Rock"; Guided Tour of Nbc Studios; Services of a Hanover Holidays Tour Director. Waiver: Yes Contact: *Tommi Hayhoe (Merit Travel) |
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Agawa Canyon
Dates: Monday, September 27 to Thursday, September 30, 2010 Monday: Depart Bayview Village Parking Lot at 8am Waiver: Yes Contact: *Tommi Hayhoe (Merit Travel) * Deadline: Friday, August 20, 2010 |
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Trip Waiver Forms
Please read the Waiver information below very carefully. Many of our activities now require that this waiver be signed before you can participate. Acknowledgement, Waiver and Release By signing the activity coupon and in consideration of the participant's attendance at the Event, the participant hereby releases and forever discharges RTO/ERO, District 24, and their respective directors, officers, members, agents, employees and volunteers (collectively, the "Releasees") from any and all actions, causes of action, claims, and demands (collectively, the "Claims") from any loss, injury or damage of any nature, including death which has arisen or may arise from the participant's attendance at the Event, unless such loss, injury or damage has arisen as a result of the sole negligence of one or more of the Releasees. Any claims arising out of the participant's attendance at the event will be governed by the laws of Ontario, Canada, and the participant consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts in Ontario, Canada in any such action. ~ Provincial Executive, January 2010 On the activity coupon, where requested: * Please… print your name and that of your spouse/guest
(if applicable). |
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THIS ISSUE TURNS THE SPOTLIGHT ON:
Bill Sparks, Past-President
Bill was an "army brat" and attended 17 schools K-12, three
of them at DND bases in Germany. He went to College Militaire Royale for two
years, a year at Peterborough Teachers College (where he met and later
married Pat, his partner for 43 years) and joined the Scarborough Board in
1966. Over the next 34 years he was at Edgewood, Bendale Jr, Woburn, G.B.
Little, Regent Heights, Pauline Johnson, Beverly Glen, V.P. at J.G
Diefenbaker, Principal at Charlottetown, two years as Federation President
and finished his career as Principal at North Agincourt. He taught French,
was a librarian for twelve years, taught full grades at the JK, 4,5,6, and 7
levels and vocal music and instrumental music as prep or rotary to all
grades. He had the privilege of guest conducting at the 7 day Scarborough
Music Camp for three years. Bill picked up two B.A.s, an M.A, an M.Ed.,
Principals' Courses part 1 and 2 and his S.O. papers during the summer and
winter for 20 years by attending U of T, York, and OISE. His favourite grade
was JK; favourite prep was music.
Unlike those thirty-three schools, his home life has been much more static with 38 years in his present home in Agincourt. He and Pat produced two wonderful daughters, Sherri and Tricia. Sherri was born with Down Syndrome. She had a hole in her heart which was repaired at Sick Kids when she was 2, on the morning of the birth of her sister. Unhappily, Sherri died at age 25. Interest in the needs of developmentally delayed children and adults led Bill into advocacy work, first in Scarborough with the Association for the Mentally Retarded, then the Toronto District and on to the Ontario level. Bill was the last President of The Ontario Association for the Mentally Retarded and the first President of Community Living Ontario, a move to change from label to goal for their members. In his term in 1985, the Ontario Government announced they would close institutions for people with developmental delays. The last two finally closed last year. He was Speaker for both CLO and the Canadian Association AGMs.
Bill likes organizations. He and your Communications Chair were on the Executive of the Scarborough Librarian's Association. He was an OPSTF member spending 17 years at their AGMs, ran the AGM meeting committee, was Speaker, was on the Provincial Executive and the OTF Board, and was the representative to the Canadian Association of Principals for three years. He was local President on the Council for Exceptional Children, served on the Provincial CEC, and was their Treasurer. He was active in the Scarborough Principals' Association and served as Treasurer and was their last President. When Mike Harris removed principals from the union, Bill served at the Toronto School Administrators Association and at the Ontario Principals Council and helped write the new Constitutions for both. He still serves as Speaker for the TSAA annual meetings.
On all of these groups, Bill particularly enjoyed arranging various local, provincial, federal and international conferences, especially if he could be involved in giving presentations.
Currently Bill is our Past President and is on the RTO Provincial Constitution Committee, where he helps with Senate including taking the chair as Speaker for a session.
Bill reads a book a day, sees a movie a week, walks three kilometres a day, looks after a 6-year-old grandson, Alexander, at least once a week, does the Sudoku and crossword puzzles in the paper, the Jumble puzzle without pen, and is approaching his 25,000 mark in Free Cell games on the computer. He has been a fan of Zelda on all the iterations of Nintendo over the years. On the walls of his den are over 1000 sets of paperback novel collections of favourite authors, mainly in science fiction, mystery, suspense and historical fiction. Sadly, he has let his lip for trumpet and French horn wither in his ten years of retirement. Perhaps he'll pick them up again?
WELCOME TO DISTRICT 24
To: 30/4/10
To all our new members for 2010, we offer you a warm welcome! Whether you are a new retiree or have moved from another district, we hope that you find District 24 ~ Scarborough and East York a comfortable and happy fit.
Our District motto is: “Where Old and New Friends Meet”. We count you among our friends.
| Margaret W. Allen | Donald Heenan | Kidane Bahta |
| Edna Janus | Cindy Breslin-Carera | Lorna Lamb |
| Ann M. Brisbois | Catherine Logan | Pauline M.T. Bristlon |
| Ron A. Lowe | Sandra Bott | William J. MacDougall |
| Susan Burke | Lee W. MacLeod | Faye Campbell |
| Mary Lee Meyer-Balconi | Ronald Chumbley | John B. McNally |
| Elaine Cook | Margaret Myllynen | Joseph Destine |
| Nancy Paris | Elva I. Dier | Elizabeth Pasternack |
| Dianne H. Dufton | Barbara Pawlack | Heather A Empey |
| John Ridgers | Douglas Figueroa | Dennis Smith |
| Linda Frankfort | Nancy Spencer | Deborah Gilchrist |
| Bonneatta E. Thomas | Stephen Gilchrist | John Tomlinson |
| Harold Gold | Gail Varey | M. Diane Gray |
| Nancy Wistow |
As of May 31, 2010 District 24 had 2357 members!
RTO 24 E-NEWS:
As new members, we would encourage you to participate in our monthly
E-Mail Updates: RTO 24 E-NEWS. See below for details on how you can
subscribe to this service.
We now have over 475 members receiving our Update. May we add your name?
RTO 24 E-NEWS
Do we have your name in our E-mail
Database?
We publish only three newsletters a year. Give us your e-mail address and we will send you our E-Mail Update, RTO 24 E-NEWS, in the months when there is no newsletter. It contains topics such as current District 24 events and happenings, information in the health field, new information that has been posted to the Toronto Districts' website, items of interest from Provincial RTO, major school events like anniversaries, or reminders about upcoming day trips and other activities in our District.
PLEASE NOTE:
- > Providing your e-mail address is voluntary. We could, but do not, take it from the RTO membership list.
- Your e-mail information is held in confidence for District 24 use only and is not shared with anyone or any organization.
- E-mails are sent to you Bcc (Blind carbon copies). No one gets to see anyone else's e-mail address.
- Our e-mails are always prefaced with RTO.
- E-mail updates are usually sent out on the first day of the month. However, to keep you fully informed, we do, occasionally, send out an Update Extra.
- Our E-Mails are sent only as .pdf attachments. There are no hard copies that can be mailed to you.
- An Update that is bounced back to the Communications Chair, no matter the reason, is not re-sent.
- If you change your internet provider, please remember to provide us with your new e-mail address!
If you wish to participate, and we encourage you to do so, please send your e-mail address to our Communications Chair: hal@powergate.ca. Use subject: RTO ? E-Mail Address (Messages without this subject will not be opened!)
We currently have some 475 members (almost 20%) participating in our monthly updates. We look forward to adding your name to our lists!
~ Hal McCullough, Communications Chair
RTO/ERO Fact Sheet: Dealing With Identity Theft
ATMS or Point-of-sale (POS) Keypads
*
Thieves use tiny cameras hidden on themselves and elsewhere to spy on
individuals as they input PINs at ATMs or point-of-sale keypads on checkout
counters. Shield the keypad when using these.
* Try not to hand credit
cards to servers who take them for processing. Pay at the cashier or insist
they bring the machine to the table. Ensure cards are not swiped more than
once. Thieves make duplicate passes with the cards, and then steal the
information to access accounts.
* PINs should be changed regularly.
Personal information should not be on card slips.
Internet and E-mail
* When receiving
a new computer, avoid the temptation to go online immediately. Take the time
to activate, register and update the virus protection program. Many
computers are compromised in the first fifteen minutes online because the
operator began to browse before initiating the anti-virus program.
* Most
malware is constructed to target Microsoft products (Internet Explorer and
Outlook Express). Other products seem less susceptible to attack, might have
superior features, and typically are no-cost items, e.g.: Mozilla's Firefox
browser and Thunderbird and Google's G-Mail e-mail program.
* Those with
DSL or cable high speed service, especially with wireless access, are
especially vulnerable to identity thieves. Turn computers off when you are
not using them. Protect wireless networks with passwords to protect unwanted
access.
* If storing passwords electronically, consider using a removable
drive with no locating information on it, instead of a hard drive. Avoid
copy-and-pasting passwords. Thieves use programs which harvest data from
temporary memory. Remove temporary Internet files regularly.
* Online
money transfer services (PayPal is one example) pose significant risks.
Register only low-credit-limit credit cards or a low-balance bank account
with such a service. See "Phishing" below.
* Never click on a link, then
enter personal or account information. Instead, open a new browser and go
directly to the company's site and log in from there.
* Install and
regularly update appropriate firewalls (free at wwwzonealarm.com),
anti-spyware (free at
www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx), and virus
protection (free at www.avast.com). Routinely (or automatically) check for
Windows or other operating system updates and install them.
* Remember
that VoiP (Voice-over-Internet Protocol) telephones can be hacked and
conversations eavesdropped upon. VoiP providers can help users protect
themselves against this type of potential identity theft.
* Avoid aiding
and abetting spam (unsolicited junk e-mail), the mechanism by which much of
online identity threats are spread. Do not forward those jokes, hoaxes,
chain letters etc. forwarded to you. If an e-mail must be forwarded, copy
and paste it into a new message and send it to a specific individual.
*
Avoid sending e-mail messages to entire lists unless the blind carbon copy
(Bcc) feature is used, so that individual e-mail addresses are not revealed
to the other recipients. Thieves love getting entire e-mail lists and
compiling masses of them for sale to spam.
Phishing and Spoofing
* Thieves will
send e-mails with special offers or requests for information. Often, such
e-mails look legitimate, using exact logos and identifiers of trusted
businesses. However, the legitimate businesses never ask for such
information or make such offers on line. Sometimes, a tip-off to illegal
activity lies in the awkward sentence structure or misspelled words of the
message. Forward such messages to the legitimate website of the organization
and ask for verification.
* Never click on a link in an unexpected
e-mail. If a fraudulent e-mail from its very appearance in an inbox looks
suspicious, don't even open it, because the simple act of opening it may
compromise a computer. Three sources of such phishing often involve fake
banks, E-Bay or PayPal.
* Some e-mails ask to update account information.
Immediately forward such requests to the legitimate websites of these or
other relevant companies (see above). Financial institutions do not contact
clients by e-mail; neither does Microsoft, Bill Gates, etc.
General Information
* Do not leave
information open to view, even at home. Keep personal information in a
secure place, ideally not in a dresser. Maintain a back-up list of all card
numbers with emergency 800 numbers, and include items such as passports,
licences, credit cards and SINs. Keep this list in a secure place (with
copies for your spouse/partner), but not on the hard drive of a computer.
* Passwords should be changed on a regular basis. Do not use the same
password for all applications and don't use obvious passwords such as a
mother's maiden name or partner's birth date. Use a password which is case
sensitive, alpha-numeric and at least 6 characters long, preferably more.
Keep a secure list of your passwords, logins and what each relates to (but
not on a hard drive). Update these lists regularly. If possible, passwords
and licence/card numbers should be memorized.
* When ordering new or
replacement cards, make a note to watch for the incoming mail. If the
replacements don't arrive in a week or so, notify the issuers. Cancel all
cards not used for six months. "Open" credit is a prime target.
* The
three-digit code on the back of a credit card must be safeguarded. If a
thief gets it, it is very difficult to prevent unauthorized on line or phone
use of the card.
* Do not carry a Social Insurance card, birth
certificate or passport unless necessary.
* Be very cautious about using
credit cards for on-line payments, and if so, ensure that it's on a secure
site (beginning with "https" ? note the 's' at the end of 'http').
* If
donating to a tele-marketed charity or responding to a request from someone
who asks for personal information, ask them to send a request in the mail or
tell them you'll look up their phone number and so that a call will be
placed with them to verify the authenticity of the request. Persevere and
resist through their encouragement to "do it now, on the phone".
* Do not
permit photocopying of documents when asked to provide your ID.
* Use
initials on phone directories, not full names.
* Cell phone users who are
on line should be vigilant and alert and should seek advice from service
providers with respect to protection against identity theft.
* Banks and
other financial institutions never ask for personal information over the
phone. If someone tries to "verify" an account or asks for "help to catch an
internal thief", this is a scam. Try to get a phone number from them and
then call the bank to report the phone numbers as possibly fraudulent.
*
The Ontario government ensures that property will not be lost as a result of
the registration of a falsified mortgage (obtained with stolen identity), a
fraudulent sale of property or a counterfeit power of attorney. As well,
consumers in Ontario have the right to have fraud alerts placed on their
credit report to help stop identity thieves from using their personal
information to commit fraud. (See RTO/ERO's Fact Sheet E-10, Mortgage
Fraud.)
Glossary
Alpha-numeric / password or
code having both letters and numbers, e.g. - postal code P2B 3M5
Bcc /
"blind carbon copy", a feature which distributes the message to all on the
list but prevents each recipient from seeing the names and addresses of
other recipients
Firewall / a program which detects and blocks the
attempts of other computers to link with yours without your approval
ISP
/ Internet service provider
Malware / a generic term for programs written
for malicious purpose
Pharming / (pronounced "farming") is an attack
aiming to redirect a website's traffic to another, bogus or spoofed website
Phishing / (pronounced "fishing") is an attempt to lure a person into
revealing information; occurs both online and by telephone
Spam /
unsolicited e-mail, often disguised as an "attractive" opportunity - e.g. -
the Nigerian Letter which asks you to help move funds from overseas for a
commission, for which purpose you are required to provide your bank account
information
Spoofing / attempt to lure person into revealing information
by setting up a facsimile website
Zombie / a computer which has been
taken over for unscrupulous use, e.g. - to forward spam via your e-mail
account with the purpose of distributing a malicious program
~ compiled by George Denny from information
gleaned from an RTO Legal Fact Sheet, September, 2009.
Reprinted with permission.
DATES TO REMEMBER ~ 2010
Dates to Remember
Every Tuesday, Bridge Club (12:30pm)
(Beginning Again September 7, 2010)
| August 28 | 2010 | Baseball: Blue Jays vs Detroit Tigers |
| September 7 | 2010 | Executive Meeting – Everyone Welcome |
| September 8 | 2010 | Stratford: the Tempest |
| September 14 | 2010 | B4k Golf Tournament – Mill Run |
| September 22 | 2010 | Champagne Brunch for New Retirees |
| September 27-30 | 2010 | Agawa Canyon |
| September 30 | 2010 | Stratford: Evita |
| October 7 | 2010 | Health Seminar: Diabetes |
| October 14 | 2010 | Executive Meeting – Everyone Welcome |
| October 21 | 2010 | Shaw: Harvey |
| October 26/27 | 2010 | Fall Senate |
| October 28 | 2010 | Fall Luncheon — Q-ssis Banquet Hall |
| November 4 | 2010 | Executive Meeting – Everyone Welcome |
| November 24 | 2010 | Old Mill: Mysteriously Yours |
| December 1 | 2010 | Fall Newsletter Delivery (Approx.) |
| December 1 | 2010 | Christmas Luncheon at S.g.&c.c. |
| December 10 | 2010 | Christmas in the Country |
| January 6 | 2011 | Executive Meeting – Everyone Welcome |
| March 1 | 2011 | Spring Newsletter Delivery (Approx.) |
| April 25-29 | 2011 | New York City |
Last Friday of Month Deadline for next RTO 24 E-news
1st
Day of the Month RTO 24 E-news E-mailed
Seasons Change On:, Sept 23;
Dec 21 | Mar 20; June 21
Daylight Saving Time:, Ends Nov 7, '10; Begins
Mar 13, '11
MAKE YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO… BEYOND THE BLACKBOARD
Since the next issue of Beyond the Blackboard will be coming your way around the end of June 2008, why not:
- Send a line to share with our readers and let former colleagues know what you are up to.
- Write a Letter to the Editor.
- Send us photos and an accompanying article.
- Write a short article on any matter that may be of interest to our retired colleagues.
- Share a funny story, a poem, or some other piece of prose with our many readers.
Submissions may be sent in AppleWorks (.cwk), Word Perfect (.wpd), MSWord (.doc), or text (.txt). Please do not format. Or send it via Canada Post — handwritten or typed. My address is on our executive link above.
Send your submission to the editor:
hal@powergate.ca
Use the subject: RTO - Newsletter submission. Submissions without this
heading will not be opened!
IF YOU ARE YOU MOVING…
Do these apply to you?...
Moving?…
Address information incorrect?…
contact Dianne Vezeau at RTO/ERO:
in writing: 18
Spadina Road, Toronto, ON M5R 2S7
by phone: 416.962.9463 or
1.800.361.9888 (ext 223)
by e-mail: dvezeau@rto-ero.org
do not contact the newsletter editor or the membership chair
