Where have all our schools

gone?

Fall 2009 Issue 41

RTO/ERO Norfolk District 12

Highlights Page Our President’s Message 2 Vice President’s Report 3 Health Services Report 4-5 Project Service to Others 6 New Retirees 7 Van Gogh Family Tree, A Few Words 8-9 Interaction, Where have all our Schools … 10-11 Fall Luncheon, Travel, Ryerson Bell Notes 12-13 Shen Yun Performing Arts 14-15 Goodwill, In Memoriam 16-17 Trea$urer$ Report 18 Norfolk District 12 Directory 19-20

Prime Time

Norfolk RTO has had another busy and productive year in 2008. Your executive faithfully attended five regular meetings to coordinate local activities. We jointly hosted a retirement workshop with Hamilton RTO. Your committee chairs attended Provincial workshops on Health Services and Pension Concerns. In April, along with Vice Presidents Ginger Pullen and Mary Antoniolli, I attended a President’s training workshop in Toronto. We learned a lot, and had fun getting to know each other better. Nancy Smiley, Ginger Pullen, Peter Wheatley and I represented Norfolk at the Spring Senate in May. Our luncheons, in October and May were well attended. Everyone seemed to enjoy the delicious meals catered by our own member, Ruth Reimer. Her fabulous dessert buffets were a great hit, although many of us should have jogged home afterwards. Like so many community organizations, RTO is run by volunteer educators. Imagine how much less satisfying life in Norfolk would be without the myriad of activities capably led by teachers, both active and retired. We have a wealth of talent contributing to RTO District 12 Norfolk. Don Gardner has been a great treasurer for over twenty years. Fred Guidolin pulls together an exceptional newsletter Prime Time twice a year. Mae Hill of the Goodwill Committee keeps in touch with our members especially the most senior ones. I would also like to thank Helen Sysiuk, our Secretary, and Marilyn Reeves, our Membership Chair, who are leaving the Executive this year. They are a delight to work with and their efforts are much appreciated. As always we need some new volunteers for Norfolk RTO. Please think about getting more involved. The work is interesting and not onerous. You also get to meet with great people. Help keep a fine organization going. Beth Wheatley

Our President’s

Message

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It has been a busy year for me in my second year of retirement and my second year on the Norfolk RTO Executive. What with my musical pursuits, my RTO activities and breaking my ankle in October I had no time to miss teaching! One of my duties, which I greatly enjoyed, was planning the presentation of the Egerton Ryerson Bell Awards to the 25-year retirees. What interesting stories they all had to tell! In addition I attended the Spring Senate Meeting and the Presidents' Workshop, both in Toronto. It was an eye-opener to see how enthusiastically and energetically our Provincial executive works on our behalf. I am looking forward (somewhat timidly) to my turn as district president, and know I will receive guidance from Beth Wheatley and Dave Garner who both were wonderful presidents! I am looking forward to the October Banquet and seeing you all again. Ginger Pullen

Vice- President’s Message

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Health Services Report Stu Ross As in past years, there have been changes to our Health Plan this year. These changes are designed to bring better service to our members, without significantly increasing our premiums. There were a total of eight changes made, effective January 1, 2009. These are outlined in the annual report as distributed at our fall general meeting and as described in the updates that every member received from the Provincial office. These updates should be placed in the pocket inside the front cover of your Health Care Plan booklet. At a provincial workshop for District Health Reps held in June this year, I learned that there are some weighty issues facing the Provincial Committee. These are:

1. H1N1, (Swine flu). If the pandemic returns again, as it is predicted to do this fall, it could stress the financial reserves of our plan. The reserves are currently sufficient to see us through such a pandemic, but they would have to be re-built again when it is over. The whole issue of funding reserves was the topic of much debate at the recent workshop.

2. Biologics. That is the name of a new group of drugs that

has appeared on the scene recently. These drugs are extremely expensive and can quickly consume the $2,300 annual limit on prescription drug coverage provided by our plan. There are about 30 such drugs currently authorized for use in Canada, mainly for conditions such as arthritis and cancer. Typically, they cost thousands to tens of thousands of dollars per month. With about 150 more of these drugs currently in various stages of trials and due in pharmacies shortly, our current plan doesn’t provide much protection from the devastating financial blow that could result if our members were to avail themselves of them. Therefore, our Provincial Committee is looking at ways and means of offering coverage for such drugs. Obviously, this would not be without some impact on our premiums.

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Finally, a small snag in our plan has been discovered concerning “snowbirds”. Recently, at the request of members, provision was made for the purchase of a block of five additional days of out-of-province / country coverage. These 5 days were intended to provide snowbirds, who had a two month rental in Florida, time to get back home after their 62 days of automatic coverage had expired. Upon examination, it was discovered that the wording of the contract with Johnson Insurance does not allow for the addition of these five days to any other extension of coverage. For example, members cannot purchase a 15 day extension and then add a 5 day extension to it. The extra five days can only be used to extend the automatic 62 days of coverage that comes as part of our Extended Health Care coverage. It would seem that the best health care coverage still comes from that old adage that says, “The best health care comes not from cures, but from prevention.”

Excerpts from the Annual report

• The annual prescription drug benefit maximum was increased to $2,300.

• The hearing aid benefit was increased to an annual maximum of $1,000 every three consecutive calendar years.

• The frequency of the orthotics benefit was reduced to once every two years.

• The prescription eyewear benefit maximum was increased to $300 every two consecutive calendar years.

• The eye exam benefit maximum was increased to $75 in any two consecutive calendar years.

• Dental claims were reimbursed based upon the 2009 Dental Fee Guide.

• Semi-Private hospital room reimbursement was increased to 95%.

• The per-day maximum for Convalescent Home Care was increased to $75.

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Project: Service to Others Peter Scovil

If you have a project or are aware of one that you would like to present to obtain a one-time grant of up to $4000, please contact Peter Scovil (519-443-7297, peterandalma@sympatico.ca) or speak to Hazel Andrews (519-428-0551) for details. We would like all applications to be in by November 3. As an organization, our district has supported a number of excellent projects in the past, and we want to continue to reach out to our community and to the wider world in this tangible way.

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New Retirees Marilyn Reeves This is our first time to say "Congratulations" to the following people. We wish you well in your retirement. We apologize if we have omitted anyone. "Thank you" to the people from the list who have already joined RTO/ERO. We encourage others to join as soon as possible. Kathy Addison Joann Alho Chuck Anderson Sandy Bishop Julien Breault Sharon Brinn Ingrid Coppens Kim Corvino Linda Csuback Margaret DeKoning Melanie Douglas Mary Dungavell Joanne Faludi-Gamble Janie Forsythe Pat Gillispie Heather Kinnear Barb Luchka Maridene Parsons Edward Rector Linda Walsh

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Family Tree of Vincent Van Gogh Rose Pettit

His dizzy aunt Verti Gogh The brother who ate prunes Gotta Gogh The brother who worked at a convenience store Stop N Gogh The grandfather from Yugoslavia U Gogh His magician uncle Where-diddy Gogh His Mexican cousin A Mee Gogh The Mexican cousin's American half-brother Gring Gogh The nephew who drove a stage coach Wells-far Gogh The constipated uncle Can't Gogh The ballroom dancing aunt Tang Gogh The bird lover uncle Flamin Gogh The fruit-loving cousin Man Gogh An aunt who taught positive thinking Way-to-Gogh The little bouncy nephew Poe Gogh A sister who loved disco Go Gogh

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Vincent is one of my favourite artists, but I never really got to know his family … Thanks Rose!

A Few Words from… George Burns You know you're getting old when you stoop to tie your shoelaces and wonder what else you could do while you're down there. When I was a boy, the Dead Sea was only sick. Retirement at sixty-five is ridiculous. When I was sixty-five I still had pimples. At my age flowers scare me. I'm very pleased to be here. Let's face it, at my age I'm very pleased to be anywhere. By the time you're eighty years old you've learned everything. You only have to remember it. Woody Allen It's not that I'm afraid to die, I just don't want to be there when it happens. Another good thing about being poor is that when you are seventy your children will not have declared you legally insane in order to gain control of your estate. There are worse things in life than death. Have you ever spent an evening with an insurance salesman? I'm very proud of my gold pocket watch. My grandfather, on his deathbed, sold me this watch. I don't believe in the after life, although I am bringing a change of underwear.

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Prime Time Interaction Alfred Guidolin As I mull and sometimes fret about these issues of Prime Time going to press, my biggest concern is improving interaction with our members. I do hear comments and feedback about our issues and I very much appreciate the excellent reports, articles and photographs from our members. However, I’d like to invite more of our members to take a greater participatory role in our newsletters. Do you write poetry? Are you an amateur photographer? How does your garden grow? Do you enjoy music? Do you collect or distribute internet anecdotes? What favourite teaching or retirement memories do you like to share? Are you currently living outside Norfolk? What’s that like? Is there a special interest that you’d like to explore or share? Please consider sending in a submission for a future issue. It may be a few photos, a brief or lengthy article, a poem or reflection or just give me a call with an idea. I’m certain that there are a number of members who can share their wonderful talents or insights through this newsletter. So, here is an open invitation to all our RTO/ERO District 12 Norfolk members to become more interactive in Prime Time. You might be surprised how your ideas can travel and resonate. Not only do our local members receive each issue, but copies are shared around the province and the world (through our website). Let’s interact!

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Where Have All Our Schools Gone? Alfred Guidolin As you drive around our lovely county, especially through the smaller villages or back roads, you’ll often see the remnants of an old schoolhouse. Many have been converted to homes. Some are business places, community centers or retirement homes. I’ll bet there are great stories that ought to be told about those schools, the teachers and students, custodians and trustees, the builders and current owners. Unfortunately some of our schools have fallen to the wrecking ball. And even more are slated to close! Still, there are memories! Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Perhaps you have access to some of the stories and maybe some photographs or memorabilia that we can feature in a future issue of Prime Time. Aren’t our schools a valuable part of our District’s collective being? Ought we not at least keep their spirit alive as the buildings themselves change or disappear? I know I have wonderful memories associated with these schools. Let’s keep the memories alive! Drop me a line, an email, or your own style of communication.

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RTO/ERO District 12 Norfolk

Fall Luncheon

Wednesday October 14, 2009

Vittoria Community Center

Menu Catered by Ruth Reimer

Chicken with Sauce

Potatoes, Vegetables and Salad Dessert Buffet

Cost $15

Please contact Don Gardner

by Wednesday October 7, 2009

14-175 Victoria Street Simcoe ON

N3Y 5L8

519 426 2381

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Last Minute Travel Tony DeKeukelaere Some teacher travel is decided at the last minute usually because discounted tickets become available. The only way we have of advising our members is by email. If you did not receive our notice of a trip to the ROM to see the Dead Sea Scrolls on September 15, you have not given us a current or valid email address. To provide us with your email address send an email to rto@norfolkrto-ero.on.ca. Simply provide your name in the letter. All email addresses are kept confidential.

Egerton Ryerson Bell Recipients

2009 The following members will be presented with Egerton Ryerson Bells having been RTO/ERO members for 25 years. Congratulations! Genevra C. Campbell, Simcoe ON Evelyn Tummon-Deacon, Simcoe ON Gladys Todd, Ingramport NS

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This Thanksgiving weekend, Shen Yun Performing Arts

(www.ShenYunPerformingArts.com) is offering RTO/ERO members

the opportunity to watch a world class performance of Chinese

classical dance and music, while also helping “at risk” students

involved in art education attend the show with their families.

Acclaimed for its high-level performances that seek to revive the

true authentic artistic traditions of Chinese culture, Shen Yun

Performing Arts features masterful choreography, colourful

costumes, spectacular backdrops and a live orchestra that combines

Eastern and Western instruments. Shen Yun has performed in 100

cities and five continents, and has received congratulatory letters

from dignitaries, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper and

Governor General Michaëlle Jean.

With performances that seek to revive cultural artistry rooted in

traditional values of beauty and goodness, the Toronto performance

of Shen Yun has teamed with DAREarts (www.darearts.com), a

Canadian organization that fosters arts education for thousands of

youth in difficult socioeconomic conditions. The founder Marilyn

Field is a Meritorious Service Medal winner and a TDSB teacher.

For every RTO/ERO member, as well as family and friends who buy

a Shen Yun ticket, 20% will allow DAREarts kids and their families

to see the performance in Toronto at the Canon Theatre on Oct 9,

10, and 11, 2009.

Prime Time 14

Local organizer New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV), a New York

based independent Chinese TV station, and the international

newspaper The Epoch Times, one of the media sponsors have

offered RTO/ERO coverage of the initiative if a fair number of

members participate. In Canada, The Epoch Times is published in

several cities including Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver in English,

French and Chinese.

Districts are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to

experience the richness of Chinese culture, help kids and promote

RTO/ERO. Bus discounts and dinner packages may also be

available upon request. Call Ticket King at 1.800.461.3333 or

www.TicketKing.com, code: RTO. For more details, contact

Madalina Hubert at the Provincial Office.

The deadline is September 30.

Madalina Hubert Acting Administrative Assistant, Communications and Planning Retired Teachers of Ontario/Les Enseignantes et Enseignants Retraités de L'Ontario 18 Spadina Road, Toronto, ON M5R 2S7 P: 416.962.9463 ext: 231 Toll Free: 1.800.361.9888 F: 416.962.1061 www.rto-ero.org

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Goodwill Report Mae Hill District 12 had a total membership of 562 this year, which is 12 more than last year, but we should do better. Congratulations to the 4 members who reached their 90th birthday this year, 11 who reached their 85th and 7 who became 80. Each of that group was to receive a card but my health and that of my husband made it impossible We are both on the mend now and have moved into the Golden Pond Retirement Lodge in downtown Waterford. Do come and visit us in this lovely old building. The caring staff and the delicious meals make it a great place to be when you are not able to manage at home anymore. Many of us may reach this stage but it came very suddenly to Jack and me. Two happy events that we were able to attend briefly this summer were Marion MacGowan's 85th birthday party in June and Marion Anderson's 90th in July. These two ladies are an inspiration to the rest of us. I have now completed 28 years of retirement and am happy to have many wonderful memories. I am thankful that I can enjoy hearing about other people's trips. The many slides that we took make it possible to enjoy them again. Our photography hobby and the Simcoe Camera Club were a great source of pleasure. Another activity we started in our first year of retirement and continued for ten years was square dancing. Many of you know that many of my happy memories were in connection with my involvement with RTO/ERO at both the local and provincial levels. I hope those of you just beginning your retirements will get involved in new activities and begin your happy memories. Volunteering and family activities are, of course, a large part of a balanced retirement. It takes planning!

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In Memoriam Mae Hill This year we are remembering 7 members and 4 spouses. Alex Chanyi (husband of Betty Chanyi) on November 13, 2008. Ralph Evans on December 25, 2008 at 72 years. Ruth Young (wife of Mervyn Young) on March 2, 2009. Emil Kalmbach (husband of Rita Kalmbach) on March 6, 2009. Ray Huzul on March 10, 2009 at 74 years. Allison Burbidge on May 9, 2009 at 79 years. Jean Potts on May 11, 2009 at 77 years. Vivian Brown on May 28, 2009 at 87 years. Elmo Richards on June 26, 2009 at 76 years. Jean Wilhelm (wife of Wilfred Wilhelm) on July 3, 2009. Earl Mayer on September 9, 2009 at 72 years.

District 12 Norfolk Financial Statement

January1, 2009 – July 31, 2009 Balance January 1, 2009 $ 3,604.59 Revenue Grants 11,169.00 Meals 1,129.00 Total Revenue 12,298.00 Expenses Executive Meetings 20.44 District Meetings 1,743.40 Senate 1.481.81 Newsletter 1,496.13 Office Expenses 154.19 Website 147.00 Donations 100.00 Total Expenses 5,142.97 Bank Balance July 1, 2009 10,759.62 Submitted by Don Gardner

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Norfolk District 12 Directory DISTRICT EXECUTIVE 2008-2009 Past President David Garner 428-0731 President Beth Wheatley 426-8480 First Vice-President Ginger Pullen 582-2661 Second Vice-President Mary Antoniolli 443-5858 Secretary Helen Sysiuk 443-5185 Treasurer Don Gardner 426-2381 DISTRICT BOARD (Includes District Executive, Committee Chairs, Newsletter Editor, Provincial Officers, and others as needed) COMMITTEE CHAIRS Archives Diana Moir 583-0225 Goodwill Mae Hill 443-5137 Health Services Stuart Ross 586-7681 Membership Marilyn Reeves 426-9966 Newsletter Fred Guidolin 582-2945 Pension Concerns Peter Wheatley 426-1905 Political Action Doug Thompson 426-1063 Project Service To Others Peter Scovil 443-7297 Travel Virginia Birnie 426-5162 Webmaster Tony Dekeukelaere 426-3541 DIRECTORS Jack Beamer 428-1537 Howard Clark 426-1605 Muriel Dennis 586-7418 Sandy Honsberger 426-9478 GOODWILL COMMITTEE Mary Frances Bergen 429-3639 Cynthia Burroughs 443-8753 Ella Eecloo 582-0575 Rose Pettit 582-1274 MaryAnne MacDonald 426-9636 Nina Robinson 586-2494 Donna Woodcock 428-4031

Prime Time submission deadlines

Spring Issue

April 1

Fall Issue September 1

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Norfolk RTO/ERO Website If you have news or photos for our website relating to the activities of retired educators in Norfolk, please contact our webmaster, Tony Dekeukelaere at 519 426 3541 or email him at rembrandt@kwic.com Our webpage can be found at norfolk rto-ero.on.ca You’ll also be able to view this newsletter there as well as finding many other useful links.

Norfolk District 12 Directory MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Sheila Evans 583-3094 Margie Ridzon 582-3952 Jo Anne Barber 426-4496 Mary Antoniolli 443-5858 POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Lee Buffin 583-0429 Howard Clark 426-1605 Donna Hudson 443-5354 Andy Putoczki 582-1952 COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Rose Pettit 582-1274 TRAVEL COMMITTEE Sandy Burggraeve 582-1679 Jack Smith 429-3941 Nancy Smiley 426-2847 PROJECT SERVICE TO OTHERS Muriel Dennis 586-7418 Hazel Andrews 428-0551 David Walker 426-3834 ARCHIVES Diana Moir 583-0225 Emergency Funds The Provincial RTO/ERO provides financial assistance for members who are in dire financial need. Applications may be obtained from Pauline Duquette-Newman at the provincial office (1 800 361 9888). This is done in the strictest confidence. Each case is numbered and any reference to the case is by number. It is important to understand that only those members who prove to be in dire need will be granted funds. This is not a loan. There is no expectation of repayment. This is not considered as earned income and is not to be declared as a taxable income on your yearly tax return. Often the situation can be resolved with assistance other than financial.

Norfolk

District 12 RTO/ERO

Home Office 36 Melody Drive

Delhi, Ontario N4B 3E1

519 582 2945

alfredguidolin@

sympatico.ca