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  1993 marked the 25th anniversary of STO/ERO. Retired teachers have good reason to celebrate the foresight and initiative of those who pioneered the founding and growth of our provincial and local district associations.

Toronto is proud to report that the founder and first provincial president of STO/ERO was one of ours, Art McAdam. Mr. McAdam died in the spring of 1993 but he never lost interest in STO/ERO and was a delegate, and later honoured, guest at many Senate meetings. Art McAdam fought and won the battle for indexed pensions for us all.

Our first district executive met on Wednesday, October 10, 1973. We are indebted to those leaders who organized our District for Toronto teachers. The first local President was Murdoch McIver and he had a first-rate executive of Allen Sweetman, Vicki McNabb and John Ball, Margaret Kennedy, Ted Stubbs, Bill Darbyshire and Harold Tufts. The annual fee was set at $2.00. There was no newsletter but notices were mailed to members. In 1973, our membership was 540. Today (1993) our membership is well over 1,000.

For 20 years we have enjoyed entertaining speakers, travelogues, retiree luncheons, trips to various places in Ontario, and a special May breakfast/luncheon.

Through the years, many fine people have served as leaders of District 16. The Presidents from 1973 to 1993 were Murdoch McIver, Allen Sweetman, Archie Milloy, Harold Whitley, Dr. Harry Barrett, Laura Schissler, Cecil Longmuir, Walter Reid, Mary Moore, Sidney Coles, Harold Dean, Mary Thomas, Al Robb, Margaret Smith, Mike Lennox, Bernice McGinn, George Hayes, Charlotte Hardie, Ruth Lindsay and Dennis Fiedler.

District 16 has been very active and involved in decision-making at the provincial level. Several members have served and chaired provincial committees. District 16 has drafted several motions regarding health plans and pensions and steered them through the Senate to acceptance. The newsletter, Facts and Impressions, originated in Toronto.

District 16 has a social arm called Club 16 formed in 1975. At that time, there were eight activity groups - bridge, travel, historical research, photography, local history, knitting and needlecraft and lively arts. Today we have many of the same groups but perhaps we should revive the lively arts?

Club 16 has flourished over the years under the leadership of Bea Machin, Jean McEachern, Jean Watson, Doug Sparks and John Perry.

In 1993, District 16 acknowledged the contribution of 14 members who had served on the executive for six or more years. The two longest-serving members were Margaret Smith, 15 years, and Anne Fraser, 13 years - a great due. Others are Hank Condie, Bernice McGinn, Charlotte Hardie, George Hayes, Don Cooper, Doug Sparks, Cecilia Dineen, Mary Thomas and Betty Chandorkar. (All were awarded Certificates of Merit. In the 1999-2000 Executive Anne Fraser and George Hayes remain active members.) No wonder District 16 has been a great success! The STO motto is "Service to Others". This principle is the aim of all the dedicated volunteer members of District 16.