Luncheons 06

CALGARY RETIRED TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION
LUNCHEON MEETING
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
CARRIAGE HOUSE INN

Santa greeted 135 members and guests at the Christmas luncheon held at the Carriage House on December 13^th. CRTA president Chuck Rose, introduced Don Calvert from Slave Lake and Dean McMullen, President of the Alberta Retired Teacher's Association and welcomed everyone to the luncheon. After much searching, the "Spirit of Christmas" was identified as Sandra Lucas. Following grace, said by Charlie Grant, a delicious turkey dinner was enjoyed by all.

Our thanks go out to Heidi Woods, Director of the Lord Beaverbrook Choir and members of the choir who presented a lovely and greatly appreciated program of music for all of us to enjoy.

DOOR PRIZES

PRIZE WINNER DONOR

Book: Far Pastures Helen Shworak Heritage House Publishing
www.heritagehouse.ca

Annual Membership Diane Vogt CRTA

2 passes to Zoolites Eileen Thurlow Calgary Zoo

Flowers                                 Edna McNeil                   CRTA
                                             Mary Tyrrell
                                             Sharon Norem

Luncheon Doorprize Al Snider CRTA

2 passes to Glenbow Jeannette Veal Glenbow Museum

2 passes to Twelve Days Patricia Edgar Heritage Park
of Christmas

2 Brunch Tickets Mary Lou Dewar Carriage House Inn

Travel Blanket Joyce Hunter Johnson Insurance

Our thanks go out to "Santa Claus" Dave Thomson and to Charlie Grant. Thanks as well to all of the donors who graciously gave door prizes. We appreciate the interest shown by the members toward the donor pamphlets placed on the tables.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THANK YOU FROM THE VETERANS' FOOD BANK

We would like to thank you for your very kind donation to the Calgary Poppy Fund. These funds are used to assist veterans and their dependents in need to give them a better quality of life.

Once more, we would like to thank you for the generous and most welcome donation.

Chuck Rose welcomed guests. Members who had served as phone contacts for luncheon confirmations were recognized and thanked. Prior to the serving of lunch, Nina Tait said grace.

After lunch, Erich Berndt and Glen Roszel were thanked for all their work in maintaining the CRTA Website. It was pointed out that the CRTA does not accept any liability for the Volunteer Opportunities on the website in which members may participate.

There was an update on the work of the CRTA Pension Committee. The CRTA will be sponsoring two forums this fall, which will be advertised on the web site and in the newsletter.

The treasurer, Paul Demers, presented his report. He pointed out that escalating prices for our luncheons has meant that some of the luncheons have had to be subsidized and may result in a need to increase lunch prices in the future.

Chuck Rose gave an update on the LTD monies, numbers who had applied and a court date set for June 28^th at Court of Queen’s Bench at 10:00 a.m. Distribution of the LTD money is still set for June 30, 2006.

Marj Weerstra presented the slate of officers for 2006-2007. Please check the web site

10 Kg. Of Honey Erich Berndt Paul Demers – Calgary Gold
Honey Products 286-8338

Bar U Family Pass(2) Betty Rose Bar U Historic Ranch
Sally Carr Highway 22 South

Don Williams and Friends entertained the luncheon crowd with a wide selection of songs that were thoroughly enjoyed by people as they quietly tapped their toes, smiled and laughed at the jokes and songs. It was a wonderful program to end our last luncheon before the summer holidays. We learned that our president is not only deft at running a meeting, but is also a formidable bass player.

Charlie Grant began the luncheon by saying grace when 120 retired teachers met at the Carriage House to enjoy good food and company.

The Lord Beaverbrook High School Concert Choir, under the direction of Monique Olivier, entertained the teachers with a selection of the pieces that were sung at the Kiwanis Musical Festival. Everyone enjoyed the excellent singing and they were congratulated for being one of the Calgary representatives at the Provincial Music Festival.

A short business meeting followed the luncheon. Chuck Rose, CRTA president. presented an update on the LTD Rebate, the Society for Pension Reform, and a possible second meeting with the Minister of Education.

The treasurer's report was presented. Notices for census takers, writing to the troops, and a request for those wishing to serve on the executive were noted. This years's CRTA Scholarship winner, Jody Simpson, was congratulated.

-Free CRTA lunch ticket for June 14th along with a "door" which must be brought back for the June 14th luncheon

- Certificate from the Lord Beaverbrook High School Cosmetology Department for cosmetology services,

The meeting was adjourned. See you at the next luncheon to be held at the Best Western
Village Park Inn on June 14th.

Indoor Gardening Kit: Kathy Short from Johnson Insurance
Basket of Baking: Carriage House Inn
Cosmetology Certificates: Cosmetology Department at Lord Beaverbrook High School
(777-7946)
Eye Witness Camera Kit: Kelly Kovacsics Sales Agent (606-9922)

Santa greeted and wished Merry Christmas to the 189 teachers who gathered at the Best Western Village Park Inn for the Christmas luncheon. The room was alive and buzzing with conversation. Christmas was definitely in the air.

Ralph Levinson served as Commissioner of Oaths and was kept busy signing LTD forms prior to the luncheon. A short business meeting was convened during which time Chuck Rose, the president of the CRTA, provided an update regarding the LTD money and pensions. This was followed by the Treasurer’s Report.

The luncheon began with Pat Sokolosky saying Grace, followed by a traditional and delicious Christmas dinner. After the luncheon, the 16member Honour Choir from the Arts Centre Learning Program-Belfast Elementary, under the direction of Sandy Taylor and accompanied by Shannon Fisher, entertained the teachers with a delightful program of Christmas songs.

Irene Bruzga and Lois Marchand handed out door prizes to the following people:

Gift bags and cosmetology services from E.P. Scarlett to Ruth Deans and Elisabeth Bourges

Our sincere appreciation goes out to both Dave Thomson who volunteered his time to be Santa Claus and the choir as they added a great deal to the festive atmosphere.

We also appreciate the door prizes that were donated by the following:
     Country 105 Radio Station
     Cathy Methuen, Department of Cosmetology, Dr. E.P. Scarlett for the gift baskets
     and certificates for services
     Best Western VPI for the certificate
     Johnson Inc.
     CRTA member Irene Krouse for donating the Prairie Mountain Fiddlers CD.
     For information about the CD and their concerts contact
     Lloyd Erickson at 238-2011

Join us for the next luncheon at the Carriage House on April 12, 2006. Confirmation for this luncheon will be from Monday April 3 to Friday April 7. If your name was incorrectly spelled on your nametag, please make us aware of the correction when you confirm your attendance. See you there!

Conversation and laughter filled the dining room of the Carriage House Inn, when 167 members of the Calgary Retired Teachers Association met for their fall luncheon on October 12. While dining on a delicious roast beef dinner, friends and colleagues past and present shared their latest travel experiences and generally got caught up on what had happened over the summer.

Chuck Rose, the president of the association, welcomed everyone and made some opening comments. He then introduced the following guests to the membership: Christine Dozzi and Nolan Johnson from Cascallen and Lockwood law firm who served as Commissioner of Oaths before and after the luncheon; Kathy Short from Home and Auto Consultant, Johnson Inc.; Shannon Patershuck, Senior Consulting Actuary, Johnson Inc. and Gerry Smith Executive Secretary from the Albert Retired Teacher’s Association. (ARTA).

During the business meeting after lunch, Chuck presented an update on the LTD monies and reviewed several points made by Judge Mahoney in the judgement handed down in June 2005. The trustees overseeing the distribution decided that “word of mouth” would be the first step in a process to advise people of the application process. Members were asked to communicate with colleagues that may have been employed between 1981 and 1996. If these people did not receive an information package they were encouraged to contact either Chuck Rose or Paul Demers of the Calgary Retired Teacher’s Association as outlined on the website www.calgaryretiredteachers.ca

Members were reminded of the new procedure for confirming attendance at the luncheon by phoning specific contacts according to their last name, or through e-mail. Members were reminded that if they do not attend the luncheon after registering, or do not cancel by the confirmation deadline, they would be billed for the meal.

Erich Berndt, the Technology Coordinator and Ena Beunder the Newsletter Coordinator invited members to submit items for both the newsletter and the web site.

Stephen Brown, on behalf of CRTA members thanked the Executive for the work done on the LTD issue. Chuck Rose recognized the following members, who along with the current Executive Members had been part of the process for the past five years: Gordon Branson, Marj Weerstra, Irene Bruzga who raised the issue of LTD monies and the late past president Gordon Vincent.

Gerry Smith brought greetings from the Provincial Association on behalf of the President Jack Fulwiler and presented a short overview of what is happening provincially.

Gift bags and cosmetology services: - Gordon Jepson, Sue Wood, Jeannie McCauley and Judy Branson
One-year membership to the Calgary Retired Teacher’s Association: - Lois Brown
Toll Painted Candles: - Lynn Lacentra
Free Christmas Luncheon: - Cornelia Van Geel
Assortment of Baking from the Carriage House Inn: - Margaret McCallum
Johnson Inc. Camp Chair: - Doreen Cross

Jean Hutchinson spoke to the members regarding the Celebrity weekend. For further information check out the website www.celebrateteachers.com

Following the adjournment of the meeting, the commissioners of oaths were available for signing forms.

Shannon Patershuk spoke regarding the Health Plan and Kathy Short spoke on Home and Auto Insurance.

Don’t forget to register for the December 12^th luncheon at the Village Park Inn. Whether you are phoning or e-mailing, be sure to give your first and last name, as well as your phone number. If you are also registering for a friend or bringing a guest, be sure to give their first and last name together with their phone number. This will ensure that a spot is reserved and a nametag is ready for you at the door.

Thanks to the following who donated door prizes for the October 12^th luncheon;

- Cathy Methuen, Department of cosmetology, E.P. Scarlett for the gift baskets and certificates for services such as manicures, pedicures, haircuts etc.

Come and join us for the Christmas Luncheon in December. Information about the luncheon will be appearing on the website and in the next newsletter. See you there!

01/07/07

DOOR PRIZES

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THANK YOU FROM THE VETERANS' FOOD BANK