brant forty - rtoero
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE ~ Keith Gloster
Hello everyone, - I hope this past Holiday Season was a most pleasant one for you and yours, and you are now looking forward to a prosperous and adventure filled, New Year.
I want you to know I am proud to assume my new position, with an executive ctte., with whom I feel proud to serve.
Just a brief description of me for anyone I have not yet met. I graduated from Western’s Ivey Business School, - (just a few years ago), - and
taught in the Business Studies departments of Pauline Johnson Collegiate, Burford District High School, and finished my formal teaching career at BCI.
My interests include travel, Mac computers, photography, video production, library volunteer work, and technology innovations.
I’m married to my lovely wife Eleanor, and have 3 children, and 3 grandchildren. Family is very important to me - and I thoroughly enjoy spending time with each
of them. Our RTO/ERO year ahead will bring many activities, and will focus in a number of
different directions. Provincially there will be changes in Governance, re-branding discussions, and
plans for 2018 - the year we celebrate 50 years of the RTO/ERO organization. As you have heard, your Brant 40 ctte. is anxious to hear from you about
celebration ideas, plans, concepts, activities, directions, and involvement. Our organization can only be a successful organization with member support. I
hope you will continue to be an active member, and perhaps bring someone along to activities who might have been previously inactive.
Remember, our organization will be stronger, and better with new members added to our roster of our growing 75,000 plus, provincial membership.
Could you perhaps bring in just one new member this year? (Remember, I have membership information lists to go along with our local and
provincial websites, -do contact me if you wish some lists please. PROVINCIAL - https://www.rto-ero.org BRANT 40 - https://district40.rto-ero.org
By now you should have received your new benefits booklet from SUN
ASSURANCE along with a new ID card(s). We have been assured there should be a seamless transition in the change provincially.
The Retired Teachers of Ontario
Here for you now ...
Here for your future.
Brant Forty
Presidents Message
RTO Travel
Membership Update
Good Will Report
Membership Gatherings
Swing Into Spring Golf
Tourney
District 40 Website
2017 Executive
Political Action Committee
(PAC) Report
Pension & Retirement
Concerns Committee Report
The Value of Your Pension
Plan
Tribute ~ RTO Member
Gord Osmond
Local Charitable Donations
The Wish Closet
2016 Golf Tourney News
VISIT OUR DISTRICT 40 WEBSITE AT http://distr ict 40.rto -ero .org
Winter
2017
Spring Luncheon @ Best Western ~ April 26 @ 12:00
New Retirees Breakfast @ Best Western ~ Sept. 5 @ 10:00
Annual General Meeting @ Best Western ~ Nov. 1 @ 11:00
Fall Luncheon @ Best Western ~ Nov. 1 @ 12:00
MEMBERSHIP GATHERINGS
Stay connected...Stay informed...Stay involved
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Numbers of Members attending ____ Number of Non-Members attending ____
Spring Luncheon _____ @ $17.00 each (member’s cost) Spring Luncheon _____ @ $20.00 each (non-member’s cost)
Breakfast __ @ $10.00 each (member’s cost) __@$15.00 (non-member’s cost) Breakfast is now being held at Best Western
Fall Luncheon _____ @ $17.00 each (member’s cost) Fall Luncheon _____ @ $20.00 each (non-member’s cost)
Names: ________________________________ ________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________ Phone: _______________ Postal Code: ________
E-mail: _______________________________________________ Total Enclosed: _______________
All events are subsidized by the Brant District 40 RTO. Please note: Non-members pay $20.00
Note: Cancellations can be accepted up to the Friday before the event.
Reply to: Jane Binkley 519-752-0875 or e-mail rtobrant40events@gmail.com
Make cheque (not post-dated) payable to: District 40 RTO and send with registration form to:
Jane Binkley ATT. RTO, 21 Chestnut Ave., Brantford, ON., N3T 4B9
** If you are attending and require assistance using the buffet due to managing wheelchairs, walkers, crutches or canes please contact Jane Binkley personally beforehand so that we can work out arrangements.
Check out the District 40 Website at http://district40.rto-ero.org Check out Who We Are, News and Activities , Newsletters, Events, Travel, Pictures, Join Us, Information about our Provincial Site, and a Calendar to view upcoming events. If you have an event you wish to promote on the District 40 Website do not hesitate to send me details and I will add it to the website. Barb Rogelstad, Webmaster rogieba@rogers.com
SPRING LUNCHEON SPEAKER three
ISLAM – Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask
The speaker at our spring luncheon will be the Imam\Director of Religious
Affairs for the local Muslim Association, Abu Noman Tarek. I heard him speak to a
large group of high school students and was quite impressed by his intelligence,
honesty, ability to communicate clearly and his way with an audience.
The Imam has 3 bachelor degrees in computer science and engineering, Islamic studies as well as
literature, arts and history. He also has 2 masters’ degrees from universities in Canada and Bangladesh.
The Imam will leave time at the end of his presentation for questions. Given the recent events in the
United States and Quebec, this event is particularly timely. Hopefully our attendance will demonstrate
some badly needed support for the local Muslim community. The executive looks forward to seeing you
on April 26.
Note: For those of you involved in other community organizations and interested in countering the phobia
about Muslims and Islam, Imam Tarek is willing to speak to other groups. To further that end he has given
permission to publicize his email. You can reach him at “anmtareq@gmail.com” ~ Gerry Fuss
Each year, Brant District 40 subject to budget limitations,
makes charitable donations to local organizations that fit
the criteria of our Local Charitable Donations Policy.
Please see the Brant District 40 website for the ‘Brant
District 40 Charitable Donations Policy”. This policy will
provide details regarding criteria and timelines. If you feel your organization meets the parameters
described in the policy and thus would be an appropriate recipient of a donation, please send a brief
description of your organization and details regarding your request to local District President, Keith
Gloster. As indicated in the policy, this request must be received by the District President by April 1, 2017.
District 40 is very pleased that it is able to support organizations that do such outstanding work in our
community.
https://district40.rto-ero.org/donations
LOCAL CHARITABLE DONATIONS
“If people did not love one another, I really don't see what use there would be
in having any spring.” ― Victor Hugo, Les Misérables
TO HELL WITH THE BELL GOLF four
Do you remember that very hot day last September? It seems our To Hell With the Bell golf events
can always be recalled in the context of crazy weather. One year, we were drenched with
rain and then last year we baked in the hot sun. Fifty golfers participated
and had a fabulous day. Individual winners of Liz Dunton, Jim Woodley
and Bob Ogilvie at Closest to the Pin on #2 and #11, Jill Leedham and
Don Ciotti at Closest to the Basket on #10, and Wendy Bethune at
Putting. Sieg’s popular Age Handicapping system brought the team of
Bob Peevers, Les Carr, Victor Grossman and Don Ciotti, with an average
age of 80, to the Low Net winning standing with 9 under Par. The Low
Gross winners were Jim Grime, Rob Scott, Bill Lord and Sieg Baldauf.
Other team winners were Donna Gravett, Kathy Everingham,Gail Merritt and Dot Townsend with
Low Women’s score and Scott and Jill Leedham, with John and Bernice Timms at Low Couples’
score. Thank you to everyone involved including my co organizer, Lori Henderson and Starter, Sieg.
Helping with the food break at cross-over were Diane Morgan, Marg Simpson (who can forget the
“Pearls of the Orient”?), Lorraine Sherred, Ann Verth and Lynn Haylock. Our Food Focus person, Lori
Chisholm did food prep in her kitchen beforehand. Our new relationship with Golf North has been a
pleasure. Thank you to Greg and his staff for their cooperation and service in making our event run
smoothly. Breakfast at 10am at the golf course was a nice start to the day. Thank you to Noel
Beach and Keith Gloster who work behind the scenes getting pictures, sorting out prizes and finally
making the monies work out. A special thank you to Noel for his regular contribution of an artistic
wooden Noel’s Bowl. Prizes on the prize table are courtesy of the Burford course, Shelly Drake and
Patricia Colough at Galuppi’s, family (in particular Wig and Jean Baldauf) and friends (in particular
Kim and Greg Anderson). So as we wait for spring to return to us with promise of more golfing,
please think about joining your RTO friends at Swing Into Spring, May 24, 2017 at Fescue’s Edge
golf course and To Hell With the Bell, Sept 5, 2017 at Burford Links golf course.
VOLUNTEER OPORTUNITY
Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario's WALK-IT for Parkinson's is coming up September 10,
2017 at Mohawk Park in Brantford. The event is a great opportunity for people with Parkinson's
and their family and friends to come together and enjoy exercise, entertainment, food, and
camaraderie.
We rely on volunteers to organize the WALK-IT events and are currently looking for people to join
the organizing committee. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please
contact Steve HIckson, Coordinator of Special Events at steve.hickson@parkinsonsociety.ca or
toll-free at 1-888-851-7376.
Change of address or personal info?
Please make sure to let RTO know!
RTO office: 1-800-361-9888 or
RTO website http://www.ero-rto.org
Plans are in the works for our popular “Swing Into Spring” RTO GOLF SOCIAL. It will be held on Wednesday May 24 at 11:30am. Once again, this year’s spring golf will be at the Fescue’s Edge in Scotland/Oakland where we can play 9 holes of golf, enjoy coffee and snacks before and after golf, socialize and maybe win a draw prize. There will be carts available at an additional cost. The bar is always open too. Costs will be announced later but in the past, it has always been good value for your money.
The golf format is all about FUN with no competition. Teams can decide for themselves whether they score or play best ball. There will be the usual GOLF CHALLENGES on the course with closest to the basket, and putting for men and women. But we encourage everyone, at any golfing skill level to get involved.
If you are interested, please contact Sue Baldauf at suebaldauf@hotmail.com or 519 449 5993 before the May long weekend.
five GOLF SOCIAL...SWING INTO SPRING AT FESCUE’S EDGE
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE - Noel Beach, Membership Chair
As of mid-February, we have 1013 total members, which is a small increase since last year at this time. Of these, our females number 636, and our males number 377.
We are restricted in the information we can share due to Privacy Legislation, and while it may seem awkward or unreasonable in your case, we are limited to what the Provincial Office shares with us. For example, although everyone knows you as “Peggy,” if you registered as “Mergatroid” then that is how you appear on the membership list, and that is how you are reported.
Here are ALL the new 2016/17 members for the last year. This list includes all the Full and Associate new members to District 40, whatever the reason, and may include: recent retirees; associate members due to the death of a spouse or parent; transfers from other districts; other reasons.
Donna Langford Thomas Aerts Lori Barkans Thomas Blackburn Michele Boncardo Pamela Bray Sandra Brown Nancy Browning Marcia Clark Victoria Coyle Michael Dutchuk John Edey Albert French Brian Goodman Linda Howell Beverley Jones Donna Langford Jean Macdonald Judith Maxwell Dorothy Neely
Daniel Nichols Heather Noddin Joyce Pikula Suzanne Potts Edward Purcell Massimo Racine Mark Redmond Lynn Rollings Joanne Sabolsky Dawn Sabire April Sowden Philip Thomlison John Timms Darlene Urban Sandra Watts Hans Van Zandvoort Christopher Wadley James Turkiewicz Anne Wibberley
On a different but related topic, we received 17 of the last newsletters returned due to incorrect addresses. Again, although “everyone” may know you moved several months ago, unless YOU contact Provincial Office, they are not able to accept information from another source, including us.
Additionally, I will be leaving the District Executive after a number of years, effective November 1st, and someone will be required to assume this Membership position. If you have a modicum of computer skills, some knowledge of Excel, and have a few hours to spare each month, then the new Executive for 2018, installed this November would be happy to welcome you aboard.
The requirements for this position include: using Excel to electronically receive from Provincial Office, and forward membership information to members of the District Executive; reporting membership numbers at Executive Meetings, at the Annual General Meeting, and in the Newsletter; preparing the Excel spreadsheet of member information for mailing the newsletters; coordinating the Retirement Preparation Workshop which occurs every second year; coordinating the Recruitment Reception occurring in the late spring of each year; and other tasks associated with the position: usually including the Christmas reception.
GOODWILL REPORT
In memory of our RTO members and associate members that have
died in 2016. With deepest appreciation for their dedication to our
educational community.
Thomas Bassett ( husband of Suzanne Bassett )
Katharine Hoffman
Lenore Reeves
George Cormier
Hilda Telfer
Ruth White
Gladys McCrea
Irene Ray
Alan Sovran
Jacqueline Bailey
Larry Waterhouse
Denys Jones
Wilhelmina Wiacek
Norma Lebron
Joann Muir
Edwin Neely
June Bragg ( wife of the late Harris Bragg )
Winnifred House
Helen Knill
Jean Williams
Donald MacDonald
Elizabeth Diegel
Vivienne Scarrow ( wife of Wes Scarrow )
Wes Scarrow
Rev. Calvin Diegel ( husband of the late Elizabeth Diegel )
Margaret Hickman ( wife of the late Frederick Hickman )
six
Thanks to our members for their continued support of Goodwill. We appreciate your
communication. Please keep us informed of passings, anniversaries and significant
occasions in the lives of our members.
Clair Keodprom ~ 519-751-0162 Marg Simpson ~ 519-753-7629
clair1162@rogers.com dalemargs@rogers.com
PAC REPORT - our talk with MPP, Mr. David Levac seven
We met with Dave Levac in mid-August. Transportation and the
Metro Lynnx System were on his mind. The first phase of a
system is already working through the Go Bus System from
Brantford to Aldershot and McMaster. The long-range vision is to
connect the system to Brant County and Six Nations. The concept
of a rail connection is way in the future, but it is a start. The
Provincial Government supports the overall concept and plan.
Looking forward, public transportation could be financed with
partnerships between government, business, and entrepreneurs.
With our aging population increasing rapidly, a comprehensive and affordable
transportation strategy needs to be proposed and developed ~ especially in small towns
and rural areas. There needs to be a linkage between small and big centres through a
system of hubs that link communities and support travel for appointments, shopping,
entertainment, family visits and community services.
Dave supports geriatric training for doctors and those entering the medical field.
And you’ll be happy to know that on our highways the Government does have a plan to
make the lines more visible!
~ Jim Harder and the PAC Committee
RTO PAYS TRIBUTE TO GORD OSMOND
It is with a profound sense of loss that we share with the membership news of the sudden
death of our dear friend and colleague, Gord Osmond. He shared his leadership skills at the
provincial and district levels for many years. He served two terms as president of District 40,
was chair of the PAC committee and represented us at numerous provincial senate meetings.
He also helped organize successful grant applications to the provincial Project Service to
Others Committee. Many local organizations were able to implement programs of significant
value to the community as a result of his efforts. RTO\ERO is stronger because of his
commitment and contributions. Gord was a long serving member of staff at Brier Park School,
where his contributions were valued by his students and fellow teachers. After retirement he
continued to give generously of his time and talents as a volunteer at the school.
Gord’s integrity, essential decency and concern for others were without parallel. The executive valued his wise
counsel. His input and stamp of approval always assured us that we were doing the right thing. We will miss his quiet,
positive leadership and unfailing sense of humour. The world will be a lesser place without Gord.
Although Gord had many interests - among them curling, golf, hockey, slow pitch, travel and simply being with friends
- he was above all else dedicated to his family. Our thoughts are with Bonnie, daughter Teri and husband Greg, son
Kevan and partner Acca and new grandbaby, Rory.
Submitted on behalf of the District 40 executive by Dave Haylock and Gerry Fuss
THE VALUE OF YOUR PENSION PLAN eight
Pension Plans – An argument in favour of defined benefit pension plans.
Note: Much of the material in this short essay is drawn from a presentation made to a RTO
Senate meeting by the head of the Teachers’ Pension Plan.
The world of pension planning has changed dramatically over the last decade or more.
Fewer pensioners will have the advantage of defined benefit plans when they hit
retirement age. Companies are rapidly shifting to defined contribution plans. For
corporations the advantages of the latter are significant. Instead of taking fiscal
responsibility for covering any future shortfalls in the funding available to make their retirees’ monthly
payments, they have no responsibility for the stability of the plans in the future. Responsibility is
generally limited to matching the monthly contributions to the pension fund made by their employees.
Some companies even offer the option of a choice in the range of payments made to the plan. (As a
hypothetical example, the range might be anywhere from 4% to 8%. If the employee chooses to pay 4% of
his\her monthly earnings or $250 the company would also only have to pay $250. Should the employee
choose 8% the employer would have to pay $500. The benefits to the company are obvious, especially
when one considers the reality that people in their 20’s and 30’s are thinking about kids and mortgages
not an event 30 or 40 years in the future.)
Defined benefit plans, like the OTPP, have 2 major advantages for the average future retiree…
advantages not faced by contributors to defined contribution plans. Firstly, most people making
payments to their own retirement plans, do not have a lot of financial expertise so they are likely to buy
mutual funds. In this case they face an average Management Expense Ratio (MER) of 2 to 4%. If we
assume an average annual MER expense of 3% and an inflation rate of 2%, the result is the person must
achieve a return of over 5% to merely stop their fund from losing money. How many of us can make over
5% a year in our investments? The OTPP costs each teacher 0.17% a year to manage. And with that money
it can hire the best advisors and still be quite cheap for each of us while at the same time earning over
5%. Defined contribution plans benefit financial planners but do they benefit the average person planning
for retirement?
Secondly, large defined benefit plans, know exactly how much money they will need in the future to
meet their obligations. They know the average length of time a pensioner lives while collecting a
pension. In the case of the OTPP, it is around 28 years. This means that OTPP must have enough money
to pay pensions for 28 years for each of us. Does this mean that those in defined contribution plans have
only to save enough money to cover 28 years? What happens if the retiree leaves work at 60 and lives to
95? (The fastest growing group in OTPP are those over 100 years of age.) In this case, the money would
run out at age 88. This latter is the retiree’s worst nightmare… outliving his\her money. How much more
money will have to be saved every month of one’s working years to make sure this doesn’t happen?
Another reason to thank OTPP and defined benefit plans.
~ Jim Harder
PENSION AND RETIREMENT CONCERNS REPORT nine
Pension and Retirement Concerns Committee (PRCC) Report
The Provincial PRCC has recently developed a policy statement
concerning Defined Benefit Pension Plans. It will be referred to
Spring Senate in May for approval. The committee feels it is
important to have such a statement for a couple of reasons:
i) it is appropriate for the organization to make a clear statement as
to why we promote and defend Defined Benefit plans.
ii) it allows our organization’s elected officials and staff to quote it when they are speaking on our behalf.
The committee has begun working on the development of a resource document that will compare the different
types of pensions. This document will describe the advantages and disadvantages of each type of pension. It will also
include a question and answer section. The aim of the document is to allow district leaders and members to better
understand and to defend our Defined Benefit Pension plan.
The Provincial PRCC has provided some information that you may find of interest. For each pension dollar that you
receive $0.77 is from growth of investments, $0.115 was funded by you and $0.115 came from tax dollars.
When Betty Finley was an Attendance Counsellor with the Brant County Board of Education she began a programme of attendance assemblies where perfect attendance was rewarded with a small gift. This “Light a Smile” project spawned a Christmas programme whereby “Angels” from her community donated so families of her listed students had a Christmas to remember.
One Meet The Teacher Night at Major Ballachey School in order to address a need that had become apparent – kids didn’t attend because they didn’t have the clothing they needed – she offered some hand-me-down clothing for parents to freely take what they wanted. With the help of then-Principal Jane Goldspink, the lunchroom morphed into The Wish Closet, and it was on its way. With community partners, business partners, and The Grand Erie District School Board, The Wish Closet became a permanent fixture.
Based on the precept of Pay-it-Forward, all its goods are free for those in need. “Children’s Aid,” and the Police and Fire Departments know that when a crisis arrives, The Wish Closet can be counted on. A Brant 40 proposal was submitted to Provincial Office to provide infrastructure, for industrial shelving, storage bins, a ladder, labeller, a redesigned website and blog, and other bland items, and a $4,000 cheque – the maximum – arrived as a Provincial Service To Others grant. This has made a world of difference.
Staffed totally by volunteers, some of whom have been recipients of The Wish Closet’s programmes, and who believe whole-heartedly in the Pay-it-Forward philosophy, it is now open more than 8 hours a week.
You can donate any school day at Major Ballachey from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, and we will have a bin at our Spring Luncheon for gently used clothing, shoes, boots, coats, books, toys, linens and household items for children, adults, and families who “Wish” they could have something they need.
Of the shoppers, proud RTO member Betty Finley says “I see the pride in their faces. I watch them stand up taller. I believe we are making our community a better place. Wishes do come true each and every day. All of us can make a difference for a stranger by Paying-it-Forward.”
Brant 40 is proud to have been able to sponsor and receive the $4,000 PSTO grant.
WISH CLOSET ~ $4 000 PSTO GRANT PROJECT 2016 (BRANT 40)
BEFORE AFTER
WE HEAR FROM YOU...WHAT I DO IN MY RETIREMENT ten
Thanks to all for sharing what you do in your retirement life!
Here’s what one retiree has been up to...thanks for sharing!
I work 10 hours a week, have volunteered in emergency
and other floors at the BGH, John Noble Home, United
Way warehouse sale, food bank and Christmas Baskets.
I drive to Binbrook, once a week, during the school year, to volunteer in my
youngest grandson’s class (JK, and SK next fall).
Aquafit classes sometimes, zumba in the past and always shopping (that’s my
hobby) and lunching with friends.
BRANT 40 TRIVIA CHALLENGE Beginning sharp at 7 on Thursday, March 2nd, is our third annual get-together, at the Ger-
man Sonnenhof, with registration from 6:30 pm. Pre-registration is available on the District 40 website at: https://district40.rto-ero.org/trivia-registration-form
Most people are familiar with the Jeopardy, the Reach For The Top, or Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader formats which are NOT like ours whatsoever. In our format: A team consists of 4 people. Team answers are printed on an answer sheet, and are validated by another team during one
of the breaks between rounds. There is no buzzer or time clock, however there is an obnoxious quiz master. The bar is open during the evening, and some snacks are provided. Our registration fee is $40 per team of 4 if registered in advance, or $50 at the door.
While there are prizes, they are modest for the winners. Proceeds go to the RTO Charitable Foundation. Please don’t make me have to give cash to the same team for the third year in a row.
We have put this together as a FUN evening, and participants from previous years will notice some changes. There will be some visual and audio questions, and some other tweaks to the night. And for those who DO like the one-on-one competition idea, there will be an optional opportunity to participate in one very short scenario like that. We hope to see you there, and more information can be gleaned from the Brant 40 website or
from: rtobrant40membership@gmail.com
“When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest. The
only thing that could spoil a day was people and if you could keep from making engagements, each
day had no limits. People were always the limiters of happiness except for the very few that were as
good as spring itself.” ― Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast
“Spring is the time of plans and projects.” ― Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
eleven
Travel Committee Garry Burns, Lori Chisolm, Joanne Vitiello
Tours
Food Focus: Southeast Sicily September 13 - 23, 2017 Maximum 12. Open.
For further information contact Lori Chisolm lorichisholm@rogers.com.
These pools that, though in forests, still reflect
The total sky almost without defect,
And like the flowers beside them, chill and shiver,
Will like the flowers beside them soon be gone,
And yet not out by any brook or river,
But up by roots to bring dark foliage on.
The trees that have it in their pent-up buds
To darken nature and be summer woods -
Let them think twice before they use their powers
To blot out and drink up and sweep away
These flowery waters and these watery flowers
From snow that melted only yesterday. SPRING POOLS ~ Robert Frost
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE (CONTINUED)
Return Address:
ATT. RTO,
10 Riva Ridge, Brantford, ON.,
N3P 1R9
twelve
There is a President’s workshop coming up shortly, and June Szeman will attend in
my place as I will be out of the country at that time. Both June and I will attend the Spring Senate on your behalf. Plans are in the works for continuing support for the local “Wish Closet”, and we
are reviewing suggestions for A PSTO grant. Also Brant 40 will be providing scholarships to each of the local secondary
schools and post-secondary institutions and we will be making charitable donations
Make sure you are on the email/newsletter list, so we can quickly and conveniently keep you up to date on the activities.
A “Trivia Night” in March, a Spring Wine and cheese perhaps for new retirees, a retirement planning workshop in the Fall, a travel ctte. that is looking to plan activities, our growing website, our next AGM, - we have a lot, in the planning stages for you.
PLEASE DO STAY TUNED !
It’s your retirement - be sure to make the most of it !
Keith Gloster January 2017
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