DISTRICT 33 CHATHAM-KENT
TAKE THREE
www.rto-ero33.org
APRIL 2013
INSIDE
President’s Message
Upcoming Events
Piquing Your “Pinterest”
Senior Advisory Committee
Black History Tour
Shaw Festival Trip
The Wellness Committee finalizes details for the May 1 Wellness Day.
Front Row: Maxine Robbins, Kathy McDonald, Jane Butterman, Joan Fitzpatrick
Back Row: Carol Belanger, Joanne Murphy, Paul Brown, Mary Hill
Wellness Day
Calendar of Events
Charitable Foundation
Retirement Planning Workshop
Photographs
courtesy of
Gale Lovell
SPRING SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
CLUB LENTINAS
9:30 Registration and Coffee
Guest Speakers
1. Senior Games – Don Hector
2. Anna Kovachis, from Merit Group Travel, will present travel and tour
opportunities. She will feature long stays in Portugal, France and
Texas. Anna will offer local short trips information as well as a longer
international “trip of a lifetime” opportunity. Anna has designed,
operated and hosted RTO trips for the past 14 years and looks
forward to sharing her expertise with us.
11:30 Luncheon
Menu: Salad, Rolls, Pasta. Chicken, Vegetables,
Assorted Desserts, Coffee/Tea
Cost: $15.00 includes registration fee (Subsidized by District 33)
$3.00 for those attending meeting only
1
Calendar of Events
EXECUTIVE
Past-president
Paul Brown
[email protected] 519.674.0758
President
Dennis Hill
[email protected] 519.674.5564
1st Vice-president
Joanne Murphy
[email protected] 519.352.4860
2nd Vice-President
Fitzpatrick
[email protected] 519.436.1179
Treasurer
Hank Lalonde
[email protected] 519.351.7384
Secretary
Doreen Edwards
[email protected] 519.352.3774
Secretary
Lynn Moir
[email protected] 519.354.4183
Goodwill
Edwinna Rawlings
[email protected]
519.352.7481
Health Services
Joanne Murphy
[email protected] 519.352.4860
Membership
Dianne Langan
[email protected]
519.354.6846
Newsletter Editor
Joanne Murphy
[email protected]
519.352.4860
[email protected] 519,351.7384
Newsletter Distribution Hank Lalonde
Travel
Joan Durdan-Fitzpatrick [email protected] 519.436.1179
Political Action
Dennis Hill
[email protected] 519.674.5564
Pension & Retirement Dennis Hill
[email protected] 519.674.5564
Web Master
Frank Lazzarin
[email protected] 519.351.3852
Recruitment
Joanne Murphy
[email protected]
519.352.4860
Constitution
Paul Brown
[email protected]
519.674.0758
Archives
Mike Murphy
[email protected]
519.354.0429
Social/Recreation
Theresa Dorion
[email protected]
519.352.8486
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
RTO/ERO offers Fact Sheets on a variety of topics. One of the
most significant Fact Sheets is entitled Important Documents
– H3. It is a fill-in-the-information document that you print and
put in a safe place. It is not stored on your computer.
A few of the topics are: Keeping Your Documents in a Safe
Place, Spouse/Family Member Knows the Location of the
Documents, Spouse/Family Member Knows How to Contact
Your Lawyer/ Executors. There is an 8 page appendix that
covers every possible fact that your spouse/family member
needs to know in the event of a problem. It is very easy to
access the site. Go to www.rto-ero.org and then click on
Publications. Click on the Fact Sheet Index located on the left
hand side. The Fact Sheet is Important Documents H-3. If you
have not registered on the RTO/ERO website, you will need
your membership number. It is on your membership card as
well as your RTO/ERO Health Card.
2
May 1
Wellness Day
May 14-15
Spring Senate
May 22
Spring Meeting
June 4
Stratford Trip
August 30
Deadline for Newsletter
Submissions
September 3
Bell Breakfast
September 11
Black History Tour
September 23
Golf Fun Day at
Maple City Golf Club
October 1-2
Niagara Trip
October 16
Annual Meeting
October 22-23
Fall Senate
November 6
Retirement Planning
Workshop
MOVED? CHANGED YOUR
MAILING ADDRESS?
LET RTO/ERO KNOW!
Contact: RTO/ERO Provincial Office
18 Spadina Road, Suite 300
Toronto, ON M5R 2S7
Dianne Vezeau
1-800-361-9888. ext. 223
or email [email protected]
Help save postage and
unnecessary effort of returned mail!
President’s Message
Dennis Hill, President
It is finally is beginning
to feel somewhat like
Spring. The weather we
have been experiencing
has
really
been
uncommon this year. Our
many friends who are
returning from warmer
locales may be shocked
by the cooler weather
that will greet them on
arrival home.
In Memoriam
We extend our condolences to the families,
friends and colleagues of those cherished ones
who passed away recently.
We share in the mourning of the loss.
David Allin
Margaret Clow
Beatrice Foster
Helen Gawne
Frederick McDonald
Last fall one of the decisions made by your Executive
was to retire the Volunteer Appreciation Awards. Many
people suggested this. Often when a potential recipient
was approached, she/he was quite embarrassed.
The reason for this was the fact that the volunteering
was not for an award but rather because that person
wanted to give back to the community.
What we have once enjoyed
we can never lose;
All that we love deeply,
becomes a part of us. Helen Keller
For your RTO/ERO executive, the coming of Spring
means a renewed focus on upcoming activities for
the membership. The first major undertaking is the
Wellness Day, May 1st. We look forward to the many
activities planned for the day. Other activities and
events are outlined in this newsletter.
MEMORIAL DONATIONS
Whenever one of our members passes away,
a memorial donation is made to the RTO/ERO
Foundation in memory of that person.
Seniors Advisory Committee Report
Carol Ann Belanger is our representative on this committee.
The Senior Advisory Group meet once a month to discuss issues that will enrich and enhance the health and
quality of life of seniors (over 55 years of age) in the Chatham-Kent community. Minutes from each meeting are
sent to council for their perusal. As well, once a year, representatives from the committee prepare and present
an annual report for the information of Council to summarize the activities of the Committee in the previous year
and suggest a work plan for the coming year.
Up until Dec 31st, 2012 the Senior Advisory Council was automatically funded by a grant from the Municipality
of Chatham-Kent. The funding from this grant was divided between this committee and the Senior Games
committee. A new funding process was initiated on January 1, 2013. Now, both groups have to apply for a grant
from the Community Partnership Fund-Core Grants Component. A small group of committee members have
been chosen to develop a grant proposal. RTO is represented on this focus committee.
The group has also applied for a Trillium Foundation Grant to begin working on a “Chatham-Kent Age Friendly
Plan”. An announcement is expected soon on the success of receiving this funding. Funding for a part-time
project manager is detailed in the grant application. This may be of some interest to RTO members. RTO
members will be asked to participate in a survey, along with other members of the various Senior Centres across
the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. Results from this survey will help the committee to provide valuable input (and
in some cases recommendations) to CK Council on the steps needed to build an age-friendly community.
One of the main challenges of this group is regular attendance at meetings and the lack of volunteers within
many Senior Centres.
3
Piquing Your “Pinterest”
RTO/ERO FOUNDATION
I’ve mentioned my wonderful,
and technologically challenged, wife in past articles. She is
once again the inspiration for
my current topic. Actually, I
believe it was our mutual cardplaying friends who got her
started on her latest craze.
What are we attempting to achieve? Our mission is
to improve the quality of life for senior citizens. Our
first goal is to raise $3 million to establish a Chair in
Geriatric Medicine at the University of Toronto. Please
help the Foundation achieve this important work by
making a donation.
Remember we are the first “geriatric generation” in
the history of mankind.
I’m referring to a website
Frank Lazzarin
called Pinterest. As though
my darling mate hasn’t enough to do with her tablet,
she is now addicted to this new web site. The “iPad
Diva” raved about this site so much, I had to explore
it for myself.
To obtain more information and to donate online go to
our website. www.rto-ero.org
Cheques can be made out to the RTO/ERO Foundation
and mailed to:
Pinterest is more of a service to help organize the vast
number of Internet sites based on your own personal
interests. Topics found on Pinterest include everything
from film, music, tattoos, cars and motorcycles,
humour, technology and history. Literally dozens of
topics are included.
RTO/ERO
18 Spadina Road, Suite 300
TORONTO ON M5R 2S7
NEW MEMBERS
You must first create an account using an email address
and password. You are then presented with a variety
of topics from which you are asked to choose five. You
can then create “boards”. These boards are areas in
which you can “pin” these sites for future reference.
We welcomed several new members in the past few
months. They are:
Becky Beckett
Camilla Dunn
Allan Erison
Gordon Malvern
Adriana Renaud
Pinterest is loaded with interesting ideas and projects
as well as articles and information from a wide range
of sites. One of the advantages is that you are first
presented with a picture and summary of what you
would find on a given site without actually going there.
This in itself can be a time saver.
RTO-ERO TRAVELLERS
Although it can sometimes be confusing to navigate
between pins, topics and boards, this gets easier
the more you use it. My loving spouse can attest to
the fact that Pinterest can be as addictive as potato
chips. Once you start, you can’t stop. See for yourself
at www.pinterest.com.
Were you one of the lucky winter travelers this year?
If so, we hope that you remembered and collected
unused toiletries. These can be brought to the May
meeting where there will be a collection box. In turn,
these will then be donated to the Women’s Centre on
your behalf.
Patricia and Jerry Kral coming home from Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Diane Watson and Joan Fitzpatrick
4
WE NEED YOU HELP
Do you know someone who is retiring in the next several years? If so, please let that person know about our
Retirement Planning Workshop on November 6. Retirement Planning is a critical element when preparing to
retire in order to ensure a smooth transition.
If you know of someone retiring this year, please forward that person’s name to any person on the Executive.
We will invite him/her to our Bell Breakfast held on the first day of school in September.
yourfreedom
YOURTO/ERO
Teachers, school & board administrators,
educational support staff, college & university faculty
… you deserve the best in retirement.
Connect with the
RTO/ERO community
and join us ...
Marjorie Blake
member since 2001
Fran Wren
member since 2001
Edward Yamamoto
member since 2008
Comprehensive health plans
Member discounts and opportunities
Customized travel
Pension and political advocacy
Volunteer and job opportunities
Award winning magazine - Renaissance
Bilingual services
Guaranteed travel coverage at no additional cost
If you are planning to retire in the next five years,
let RTO/ERO help you start planning now.
COME TO OUR WORKSHOP
Learn more about the best choices for your retirement:
RTO/ERO group benet and travel
insurance options
Suggestions for smart nancial planning
Insights into your life as a retiree
JOIN US!
November 6, 2013
Check-in: 4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. & refreshments
Workshop: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Aristo’s (Smitty’s) 307 Grand Avenue West, Chatham
$25 Light lunch, refreshments & workbook included
REGISTER WITH PAYMENT BY
OCTOBER 25, 2013 TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE.
Contact:
Hill 519-674-5564
Contact:Dennis
Paul Brown
519-674-0758, or
Dennis Hill 519-674-5564
Joanne Murphy
519-352-4860
JoanneorMurphy
519-352-4860
5
yourfuture
YOURTO/ERO
www.rto-ero.org
NEW TRIP INFORMATION
BOOKING PROCEDURE
Departures:
Please e-mail diane.watson @sympatico.ca or phone
your reservation to Diane Watson 519.351.1397. Your
postdated cheque made out to “RTO/ERO District
33 must follow immediately. Please send to Diane
Watson, 454 McNaughton Ave. W. Chatham, Ont.
N7L 4J3
IN CHATHAM – All trips will depart from the former
Kinsmen Auditorium parking lot on Tweedsmuir
Ave. (on the east side of the Memorial Arena parking
lot)
IN BLENHEIM (20 minutes after Chatham)
Departures will be from the street along the side of
Tim Horton’s
IMPORTANT CANCELLATION NOTE:
If after registering, circumstances prevent you from
attending, please immediately phone Diane to see if
there is a waiting list. If not, then you are responsible
for finding a substitute or forfeiting your payment.
IN RIDGETOWN (20 minutes after Blenheim)
Departures will be from behind Shopper’s Drug Mart
BLACK HISTORY TOUR: Wednesday September 11, 2013
Cost $62.00
Join us as we step back into history to a time when hundreds of fugitive slaves made their way to freedom on
the Underground Railroad. Our tour guide will be Shannon Prince from the North Buxton Museum.
The tour begins at the Wish Centre with a guided tour of the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society’s collection
of local artifacts including the history of Chatham’s Black Community after they escaped slavery. The next stop
is a visit to Uncle Tom’s Cabin. From there we proceed to North Buxton to enjoy a “soul food” dinner prepared
by the North Buxton Ladies’ Auxiliary. The final leg of the journey will be to The Buxton National Historic Site &
Museum. This was one of the last stops on the Underground Railroad for many runaway slaves.
The price of the trip includes all tours, transportation, tips and lunch in North Buxton. The coffee break at Tim
Horton’s in Dresden is not included in the price of the tour.
BOOKING PROCEDURE
*See NEW TRIP INFORMATION (above) for BOOKING PROCEDURE.
Send a postdated cheque (July 26, 2013) made out to RTO/ERO District 33 as soon as you make your
reservation for the trip. Each RTO member is allowed to bring a non-member friend.
TRAVEL SCHEDULE
Please note that this trip begins with the Ridgetown pick-up, then Blenheim and then Chatham.
8:00 am Depart Ridgetown. Approximate time back in Ridgetown is 4:00 p.m.
REGISTRATION for BLACK HISTORY TOUR
Name(s) _______________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone _____________________________________________________________________________________
Email address__________________________________________________________________________________
Your departure location__________________________________________________________________________
Number of spaces at $62.00 each ___________ Total Amount _____________
6
HABITAT for HUMANITY
Supervisor. Do you have the time, skills and desire to
donate some time in the capacity of a Site Supervisor?
Qualifications include organizational skills and some
basic construction knowledge. “Building Homes - Building Hope”
Habitat for Humanity Chatham-Kent is only weeks
away from the build of the first home in the community. The ground breaking ceremony is scheduled for April
25th at 11:00 at 223 Bristol Drive in Chatham.
Contact Nancy McDowell for more information.
Nancy McDowell
Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity Chatham-Kent
519.354.0430 ext. 245
cell at 519-437-8690
[email protected]
Much organization and coordination is required to bring
together various community members, businesses,
church groups and individuals to build a home with
volunteer labour. Many of these elements are already
in place. However, there is still a need on some of
the build days for the supervision or designated Site
SHAW FESTIVAL THEATRE
October 1-2, 2013 • Cost: $325.00
Treat yourself to this overnight sojourn that features two wonderful theatre productions and a whole lot more!
October 1: Depart: Chatham at 7:30
Lunch: Three course lunch at the scenic Queenston Heights Restaurant.
Afternoon Tour: A local War of 1812 experience is being planned.
Dinner: On your own
Evening Performance: The musical “Guys and Dolls”, one of the greatest American musicals, at the Festival
Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake at 8:00p.m..
Accommodations: The Clifton Hill Comfort Inn in Niagara Falls. The Comfort Inn features an indoor pool as
well as a deluxe continental breakfast.
October 2: After breakfast, shopping and exploring in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Lunch: On your own.
Afternoon Performance: The classic “Major Barbara”, one of Shaw’s wittiest and most provocative plays at
the Royal George Theatre at 2:00 p.m.
Dinner: “Tucker’s Market Restaurant”. This buffet dinner is included in the cost of the trip.
Arrival in Chatham: Approximately 10:00 p.m.
This trip requires a moderate amount of walking.
The total cost is $325.00 each which includes all gratuities. (Additional charges are largely due to increased
theatre ticket prices.)
*See NEW TRIP INFORMATION for BOOKING PROCEDURE (top page 6)
Send a postdated cheque (August 15, 2013) made out to RTO/ERO District 33 as soon as you make your
reservation for the trip. Each RTO member is allowed to bring a non-member friend. After June 1st, if there are
still vacancies, bookings will be open to all.
REGISTRATION for NIAGARA TRIP 2013
Name(s) and EMAIL_ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone__________________________________________________
Departure Location_______________________________________________________
Queenston Heights Lunch: Choose: [
] Fish
[
] Chicken
[
] Beef
Room Mate Name and EMAIL_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone__________________________________________________
Departure Location_______________________________________________________
Queenston Heights Lunch: Choose: [
] Fish
[
] Chicken
[
] Beef
Number of spaces at 325.00 each ___________ Total Amount _____________
7
New retiree,
Brian Chambers,
enjoying the
RTO activity
for the first time.
Elaine Blain
Theresa
Dorion
Lois Wood, left, sits with the John and Mary Lou
Wood who organized the curling fun day.
RTO / ERO District 33
Hank Lalonde
36-393 Baldoon Rd.
Chatham, ON N7L 4P3
Publications Mail
No. 40039414
Postage Paid