retired women teachers of ontario mississauga branch...

Retired Women Teachers of Ontario

MISSISSAUGA BRANCH NEWSLETTER

Caring For Our Past – Sharing In Our Future Winter 2010 Vol. 4 Issue 1

From the President

This has been a very exciting year to serve as your president. I was honoured to represent Mississauga branch at Convention 2009 at Stage West. Convention 2009 was a huge success thanks to the hard work of the steering committee

and its many volunteers. At the October 14 luncheon, I was overjoyed to accept a cheque on behalf of the executive for $5306.16 which represented our share of the convention proceeds. One of my goals for this year was to increase the branch membership. On September 10, 2009, a New Members’ Tea was held at St. Patrick’s Church. I am happy to report that due to the efforts of our membership convenor, Pat Koelle and her assistant, Isobel Mather, treasurer, Johanne Dalton and the rest of the executive, we now have more than 300 members. I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of our new members. I hope that you enjoy your membership opportunities and make many new friends. We have 45 interest groups and great trips to tempt you. Each year five luncheons are planned for our membership to enjoy at the Living Arts Centre. Our October 14 luncheon was followed by a fall fashion show featuring Nygard fashions modelled by 12 of our members. At the December 9 luncheon, Sue Stephenson, a certified laughter

leader, gave an interesting presentation on the benefits of laughter. She tickled our funny bones

which seemed to be just what we needed in the busy holiday season. Our February 17 luncheon will feature a jazz choir of talented young people from Cawthra Park Secondary School. On April 21, our presenter, Celeste Martin will role play different personality dimensions. You will see yourself and others in her entertaining demonstrations.

Our last luncheon on May 12th will have

Marina Nemat, author of Prisoner of Tehran, as our special guest... If you haven’t read her book already, you will definitely want to read it after her talk. Copies of her book will be available for sale. In the spirit of caring and sharing, we raise money for the needy at our luncheons. Gerrie Khalid, our 2nd V.P. organizes the 50/50 draws which will support Interim House this year. Gerrie also organized our Christmas raffle which was the most successful raffle we have ever had. Congratulations to Gerrie and her team. Yvette Nehou, our Issues and Concerns convenor is in charge of the Salvation Army Toy and Food Drive. This year she was

overwhelmed with the generosity of our members. At each luncheon, Yvette gives members the opportunity to lighten their purses. She places a goblet at each table to collect spare change. The coins really do add up over the year. I am supported in my role by our hard working executive members who attend executive meetings, plan general meetings and luncheons as well as work on committees to serve our membership. I am constantly amazed at how well everyone works together to carry out branch business. Serving on the executive is a rewarding experience. If you

would be interested in volunteering for an executive position next year, please contact Louise Joyce, past president... Many thanks to Ann-Marie Buna, who volunteers to gather information, edit and publish our two newsletters each year. We appreciate Ann-Marie’s hard work and dedication...

Phyllis Robson

Caring For Our Past – Sharing In Our Future Winter Newsletter 2010

The words “boring” or “boredom” do not fit into the vocabulary of RWTO Mississauga branch ladies. We now have 45 very active interest groups with more to start up in the New Year. Activities include Afternoon Tea, Beading, Book Clubs, Bridge (including Learn to Play, Social, Duplicate and Marathon), Cooking for Fun, Crafts, Cross Country Skiing, Photography, Euchre

and Bid Euchre, Flower Arranging, Gardening, Genealogy, Golf, Hat Society, Hiking, Investment, Luncheon, Movies, Paper Craft and Scrabble. Our most active groups, Hiking and Golf, meet weekly as weather permits. This year, our Golfers were on the greens from April to the second week in November! Our seventh Book group met for the first time this Fall, and will meet monthly on the third Friday. Our first Genealogy group, hosted by Irene Bantin, also met in November. The Genealogy group will be meeting monthly on the third Thursday. Members of the Genealogy group were delighted to see the wonderful family trees Irene and Sandra Rumfeldt brought to our initial meeting. The research, effort and artistry evident in their family tree displays are most impressive! Yet to get started, but on the way, are a third Investment group, a third Afternoon Tea group, the return of Art Gallery Tours and our first Nordic Walking (also known as Urban Poling)

group. We may be retired but we are certainly not a “retiring” group! Special mention must be made of Theresa Mackenzie, my predecessor, for her hard work and commitment over the past four years. The interest groups grew and flourished under Theresa’s guidance. I had a great deal of fun and learned a lot assisting Theresa over the last two years. Thanks Theresa! Thanks also to the 45 individual Interest group leaders who continue to lead, and assist me in doing my job. It is because of you, and members like you, that the Mississauga branch has so many interesting, active groups. Questions, concerns and suggestions regarding Interest groups are always welcome. Please feel free to contact me by phone, or email listed in the membership list.

Deborah King Interest Group Convenor

Genealogy Interest Group (left to right) Marley Carroll, Karen Walters, Irene Bantin, Sheila Williams, Sandra Rumfeldt, Mary Ellen Kavanagh and Jeannette Magalhaes (photo taken by Debbie King, also a member of the group)


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On Tuesday, November 09, 2010 Mississauga Branch is hosting the Penta Luncheon. The

venue is Le Treport Banquet Hall located at

1075 Queensway East. The Steering Committee

for this event is comprised of:

Co-convenors – Anne Reedie and Louise Joyce

Registrar and Treasurer – Johanne Dalton

Entertainment- Carol McConnell

Raffle – Carolyn Venus

The Committee anticipates a good turnout of our branch members since we are the hosts

and the venue is in Mississauga. We are

working hard at planning the event and we

welcome suggestions from you. Any questions

or ideas for consideration should be directed to either Anne Reedie or Louise Joyce. We will

keep you informed of our plans and look

forward to your support. Louise Joyce Past President

An optimist is the human personification of spring.

Susan J. Bissonette

Please inform Eleanor Dallimore if you now have RWTO insurance as I want to

inform you of upcoming new

developments in insurance to be

announced soon. [email protected]

or 905 827 5970.

Be prepared…travel protected!

A few of our members and families took

advantage of the RWTO Travel Insurance

during this past winter. Don’t miss out on

these good prices! Call CanAm Travel Insurance toll free 1-

888-326-3535.

Hospital & Home Care 1-866-410-0550

Marsh Home & Auto 1-800-265-2196

New members please be aware that you do

not need a medical in order to be accepted

for RWTO insurance during your first year

of retirement.

Eleanor Dallimore Insurance Convenor

The 2009 Mississauga Convention was a

great success and net proceeds amounted

to $10612.32!! Alba Falconi presented a

cheque for $5306.16 to provincial President

Mary Jane Finn and provincial Past President Carole Watson. The Mississauga

Branch also received a cheque for

$5306.16. Well done, Mississauga!

mailto:[email protected]


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The goal of the Mississauga Branch this year

was to increase the membership to over 300.

Information was provided to retiring women

teachers and administrators through the school

boards and teacher associations, of the benefits of joining RWTO in retirement. The New

Retirees Tea in September was very well

attended. We are pleased to report that as of

December 2009 we now have 330 members.

This year we welcomed the following 52 new

members: Pauline Amirault Irene Bantin Mary Bothamley Tanya Buchanan

Moira Catania Brenda Charles Annette Chu Anne Curran Carole Davies Rosylnn Davis Yolande Declerq Dorothy Des Rochers Sylvia Di Vito Ruth Durward Peggy Fedderson Dianne Field Monica Forbom Carol Gibson Kerroll Hand Andrea Hogg Penny Holden Wendy Holt O’Brien Irene Jursza Mary Karol Diane Anita Knowlton Mary Anne Kuslikis Janet Latosik Patricia Lawrence Sandy Lawton Lily Marcinek Pam McBride Janet McIntoch Louise McKay Tena Murphy Linda North Anne O’Brien Beverley Perez Susan Perkauskas Visia Plum Margaret Ramsay Theresa Regan Jan Richardson Rosemary Rock-Vincent Eileen Rodrigues Valerie Rughi Patricia Santin Elizabeth Sax Karen M Walters Mary Lou West Mary Jo Wiley Dwyer Elsie Williams Doris Winslow

Thank you to all of our members who

demonstrated their enthusiasm for our

organization to their friends, colleagues and

new retirees. Your efforts were significant in

helping us grow and surpass our goal.

Pat Koelle Isobel Mather Membership Convenors

The Cora Bailey Award is a Provincial honour presented at the local level to recognize outstanding service or commitment by a member to her Branch for the benefit of RWTO. Past recipients include: 2005 - Audrey Baird, Pearl Walpole and Kathleen Brierley (posthumously)

2006- Alba Falconi and Barbara Johnston

2007- Marion Hazelton and Shirley Walker

2008- Anne Brownjohn and Libbie Fisher

We would like your input in helping the Executive select nominees for this year’s award. If you would like to submit a name for consideration, please contact Phyllis Robson before April 1st, at 905-847-2824 or [email protected]

Congratulations to Patricia O’Connor and

Ann-Marie Buna, our 2009 recipients of the

Cora Bailey Award.



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At the Oct. 14 luncheon, members were treated to a fall fashion show featuring fashions from the Nygard Outlet store in Heartland, Mississauga. Betty, the

store manager, introduced each model with interesting anecdotes. As our models circulated, Betty described what they were wearing and told us what was new for fall. Members received discount

coupons for the store. Annette Chu, one of our new members was the lucky winner of the $50 gift card. Thank you to our members who graciously consented to model in the show:

Karen Alexander Elinor Bayne Johanne Dalton Eva Hergovich Margaret Jackman Grace Kelly Sue Kitchener Nancy Perrin Louise Pivato Judy Putherbough Sharon Travis Ann Wright

Eva Hergovich

Sue Kitchener

Margaret Jackman


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Louise Pivato

On November 17, a group of executive members and

I had the pleasure of visiting the Applewood Centre for Adults with Special Needs. An invitation to visit the centre was extended after RWTO Mississauga branch had made a donation. We were greeted by Julie, one of the students who shook our hands. Ray, one of the centre’s two directors chatted with us and gave us a tour. The centre started with 14

students and has increased its numbers to 27. All students are over the age of 21 with some in their 30’s. Most students attend a full day from 9:00 – 4:00 working on literacy, computers, social games and food preparation. The centre has Personal Support Workers but no trained teachers. Volunteers would be appreciated at the centre. If you are interested or know of someone who might be interested, please contact me for further information.

Phyllis Robson President

BOOK CLUB #6

The Friday Night Knitting Club Book comes alive with Phyllis Robson, Gloria Kilpatrick, Louise Pivato, Mary Thompson and Eva Hergovich all knitting!! (absent are members, Betty Borowski and Sue Kitchener)

*********************************************************

Wednesday March 3

“Intimate Apparel” at the Bluma Appel

Theatre, Toronto - Cost $35

Tuesday April 20

Buffalo Shopping Trip – Cost $40

Tuesday May 4 “The Ideal Husband”-Shaw Festival Theatre

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Cost $93

Tuesday June 22

Grand River Cruise - Cost $88

Thursday October 21

Stratford Avon Theatre

“Evita” – Cost $120

Thursday November 25 Annual St. Jacob’s Trip

Includes Lunch and Theatre

“Separate Beds” Cost $104

Call Judy Putherbough 905-822-958

Book Club Corner

Recommended Books The Lace Reader - Brunonia Barry Still Alice – Lisa Genova On Chesil Beach – Ian McEwan The Double Bind – Chris Bohjalian Outliers – Malcolm Gladwell The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society - Mary Ann Shaffer The Story of Edgar Sawtelle – David Wroblewski Snow Flower and the Secret Fan – Lisa See

The Shack – William P. Young


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Our Christmas Raffle is a Huge Success !!!

Excitement and anticipation were the order of

the day on Dec. 9. Members gathered at the

Living Arts Centre to enjoy Christmas lunch

followed by the chance to win a wonderful array of raffle fundraiser items. (Never mind the rain,

snow and slush that greeted us all that

morning!) Many, many thanks to the donors

for their beautiful and generous contributions

(total estimated value of $2700), to the raffle

helpers and to all members who purchased tickets at the luncheon. After all tickets were

sold and prizes drawn, our branch raised a

whopping $1400 in proceeds for the

Mississauga Foodbank (formerly Foodpath) The

cheque was presented to the food bank on Dec.18, just in time to assist many needy

families with the holiday spirit of RWTO

Mississauga . Well done everyone!

Gerrie Khalid 2nd Vice-President

Yvette Nehou loaded down, with the donations for The Salvation Army to pick up at the

Christmas luncheon.

CHRISTMAS RAFFLE DONORS:

Karen Alexander Gerrie Khalid

Marilyn Armstrong Pat Koelle

Virginia Armstrong Myrtle Laishley Sharon Bedard Isobel Mather

Ann-Marie Buna Sophie Matta

Annette Chu Sharon McCarthy

Eldred Cook Carol McConnell

Johanne Dalton Vicki McCudden Margaret Dietl Yvette Nehou

Nicole Dolan Louise Pivato

Alba Falconi Judy Putherbough

Jennifer Fowler Margaret Ramsey

Christina Gillespie Anne Reedie

Ann Goodin Phyllis Robson Eva Hergovich Carolyn Venus

Marilyn Hibbins Dolores Wielgus

Barbara Johnston Sheila Williams

Louise Joyce Ann Wright

Grace Kelly

Rosemary Rock-Vincent Mary Ryan-McCullough Businesses: Anne Marie’s Hair Salon

Cruise Net

Carolyn Venus and Gerrie Khalid

present our cheque to Meghan Nicholls

at The Mississauga Food Bank

The secret to staying young is to live

honestly, eat slowly and lie about

your age.

Lucille Ball


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Annual Memberships fees are due this year by May 1st, 2010. The total fee due is $55 ($40 provincial fees; $15 branch fees). Those members who retired before August 31, 1980 continue to pay $30 ($15 provincial fees; $15 branch fees). You may pay your fees at the February or April luncheons or submit them by mail.

The final due date for fees is May

31st 2010. Cheques should be made payable to RWTO – Mississauga and mailed to our treasurer: Johanne Dalton 2205 South Millway #29 Mississauga, On L5L 3T2 Please note: After May 31st, please add a $5.00 administration fee for a total of $60.00. This administration fee is to cover the cost for extra printing and postage in mailing out reminders to those who are late with payment of their fees. We encourage all of our members to submit their fees on time as it is difficult to contact people over the summer months. Thank you for your

cooperation. The Executive

**************************************************

“You can’t turn back the clock. But you can wind it up again.”

Bonnie Prudden

*****************************************************

We Need You on Our Team!

We are presently looking for new members

to join our RWTO executive team. We work

to provide programs throughout the year and

we have fun doing it!! At this time we need

to fill the following positions:

2nd

Vice President

Assistant Phone Captain

Assistant Trips and Tours Convenor

We would appreciate submissions from the

members and/or would gladly accept

volunteers. If you have questions or think

that you would like to give a few hours a

month, please contact Louise Joyce of the

nominating committee by email

[email protected] or by phone 905-

822-6114. Feel free to ask any executive

member what is involved.

SAVE THE DATE!! This year’s Annual General Meeting will

take place at 9:30 am on Tuesday May 4th,

2010 at St. Christopher’s Church Hall,

1171 Clarkson Road N. Please plan to

attend; see how our Branch works and

receive a copy of the Annual Reports.

Refreshments will be served.

Note: The Executive welcomes and

extends a thank you to

Eva Hergovich, who is the

Acting Secretary.



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Suggested Revisions of

RWTO Mississauga Branch Constitution November 2009

The Constitution and Resolution Committee are recommending the following changes. We will continue to review the Constitution and share our recommendations. Should you have any suggestions, please contact Carol McConnell. ([email protected])

Changes are:

1. The title Travel and Theater Convenor amended to Trips and Tours Convenor.

This will be in line with our Program Booklet. ( pgs.5,11 and 12)

2. A Regular Member shall be a current provincial member and shall pay a locally

determined fee to the Treasurer on or before May 1st, amended to May 31st. (pg 3)

3. The Annual General Meeting shall be for the purpose of:

-the receipt of annual reports, -the presentation of resolutions,

-the election and appointment of officers,

-the installation of officers and the presentation of the Past President’s pin.

amended to include “the presentation of the Budget” (pg4)

-any other business,

4. The Finance Committee shall:

i) Consist of the First Vice-President, the second Vice-President, Secretary and

Treasurer, amended to read “consist of the President, First Vice-

President, Second Vice-President and Treasurer. (pg 11)

iii) prepare a budget to be presented to the Executive for prior approval to

presentation to the membership at the first general meeting.

Amended to read “prepare a preliminary budget to be presented to the

Executive in April prior to presentation to the membership at the Annual

General Meeting in May” (pg 11)

5. Standing Committees

vi) present the proposed revisions and/or amendments to the AGM, amended to

“present the proposed revisions and/or amendments at a general meeting. (PG

11)



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The membership continues to keep Friendship

and Goodwill informed of the happenings of our

members. Since our last newsletter Get Well cards have been sent to Mary McLernan, Ann

Campbell, Audrey Baird, Vera Halpenny, Raisa

Mikovich, Marg Dietl, Elizabeth Haig, Marg

Taws, Stella Boland and Gerrie Khalid.

Sympathy cards have been sent to the following

members who have lost a loved one: Mary-

Ellen Kavanagh, Jeannine Dykstra, Patricia

O'Connor, Sandra Rumfeldt, Jennifer Fowler,

Eleanor Dallimore, Isobel Mather, Sharon

Lingley and Marilyn Hibbins.

Donations have been made to Armagh House

(for mothers and children in Mississauga), the

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada

and the Heart and Stroke Foundation in memory of Margaret Smythe, Lydia Lencz and

Marion Harrison respectively.

Our Golden Girls (over 80) were remembered at

Christmas with a card and they continue to

receive a card as they celebrate each birthday.

We would like to thank all of our members who

have demonstrated sharing and caring by

informing us of the health and welfare of our

membership. Anne Reedie 905-897-7473 Friendship and Goodwill Convenor

Lydia Lencz, a wife, a loving mother, a

proud grandmother of five passed

peacefully on October 20, 2009. Professionally, Lydia was a teacher, a

consultant and a wonderful Vice-Principal.

Upon retiring, Lydia joined RWTO

Mississauga and soon became part of the

Core Executive as our Secretary. Lydia was charming, calm and diligent, never drawing

attention to herself, but always ready to

volunteer, mentor or just listen.

Lydia took an active part as a model in our

Fashion Show and in our Convention 2009

at Stage West. Although she was experiencing anxiety, she smiled as best

she could and helped as much as possible.

Mostly, our dear friend was a person of

deep inner faith, ready to do what she was

called to do. She put others first and truly cared about those who had the good

fortune of knowing her.

She is sadly missed but fondly remembered

for her wisdom, her friendliness and her

quiet humour. What a Lady!

Louise Joyce and Carol McConnell

IN MEMORIAM

We fondly remember our deceased members

Marion Harrison

Lydia Lencz

Margaret Smythe


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RWTO MEMBERSHIP LIST UPDATE – CHANGES/ADDITIONS – January 2010

Please staple this page to the back of your Blue Membership List.

ANZIL Phyllis 905 238-0292

BODROGI Pat 905 274-2500 1610 Magenta Court Mississauga ON L5G 3A7 [email protected]

BUCHANAN Tanya 905 873-9419 10616 8th Line Georgetown ON L7G 4S5 [email protected]

DAVIS Rosylnn [email protected]

GINGRAS Joan 416 231-7833 707-1300 Islington Avenue Toronto ON M9A 5C4

HOAD Shirley [email protected]

HOGG Andrea 905 820-5984 4077 Marigold Crescent Mississauga ON L5L 2A4 [email protected]

KORDAN Elvira 7 Joymar Drive

LAJEUNESSE Margaret 416 947-1251 39 Parliament Street P.H. 4 Toronto ON M5A 4R2 [email protected]

MADILL Marilyn [email protected]

MARSHALL Gail [email protected]

McCARTHY Sharon 905 848-3935 1104 - 350 Rathburn Road West Mississauga ON L5B 3Y8

MURPHY Tena 905 896-2788 700 Eversley Drive Mississauga ON L5A 2C9 [email protected]

PEREZ Beverley 905 824-3277 3135 Stevenage Court Mississauga ON L5N 4T7 [email protected]

PERKAUSKAS Susan 905 820-1948 4088 Taffey Crescent Mississauga ON L5L 2A7 [email protected]

PERRY Jean 910 - 1140 Parkwest Place Mississauga ON L5E 3K9

RICHARDSON Jan 905 459-1118 136 Mill Street South Brampton ON L6Y 1T3 [email protected]

RYAN McCULLOUGH Mary M9B 5M7

SAX Elizabeth 905 848-2664 3075 Gambin Court Mississauga ON L5A 3Z6 [email protected]

TAWS Margaret 108 - 350 Princess Royal Drive Mississauga ON L5B 4N1

THOMPSON Mary [email protected]


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Thanks to all of our members

who submitted

articles and photos

for our

Winter newsletter

April 21 General Meeting/Luncheon

May 1 Membership Fees Are Due

May 4 Annual General Meeting

May 12 General Meeting/Luncheon

May 31st Membership Fees Deadline

June 1-3 RWTO Convention 2010 in

London, Ontario

Newsletter Submissions

Please email articles, poetry, your ideas and

suggestions for the 2010 Spring Newsletter to:

Ann-Marie Buna, [email protected] by April 1, 2010

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