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“Teachers and Students Together Again”
13th Annual Dr. Louisa Loeb Permit Teachers of Manitoba Reunion Committee
Front Row, L-R: Theresa Antoniuk - Committee Chairperson; Edith Alexiuk - Registrar; Karen Boughton, Vera McCallum - Student Representative; Margaret Lesperance, Lavone Lesperance. Back Row, L-R: Wally Stoyko, Andy Alexiuk, Ralph Trombo, Mel Bodnarus - Treasurer; Bill Badiuk. Missing: Ed Arndt - Secretary
Dr. Louisa Loeb Permit Teachers Of Manitoba 13Th Annual Reunion, July 13, 2017
Text And Photos By Theresa Antoniuk- Reunion Committee Chair
Reunion Chairperson, Theresa Antoniuk, welcomes attendees at the 13th Annual Reunion
On July 13, 2017, 61 permit teachers, former students and guest registered for the 13th Annual Dr. Louisa Loeb Permit Teachers of Manitoba reunion at the Viscount Gort Hotel in Winnipeg, MB.
As former students of permit teachers were invited to attend, the theme of the reunion was once again, “Teachers and Students Together Again.”
The Registration Table was open from 10:00 a.m.- 10:30 a.m. Welcoming guests at this table were: Edith Alexiuk (Registrar), Karen Boughton, Vera McCallum, Margaret Lesperance and Lavone Esperance. Since it was Canada’s 150th Birthday, attendees were given a program with the Canada and Manitoba Flags featuring prominently on it; also note pads and pens with the Maple Leaf on them.
Andy Alexiuk and Ralph Trombo greeted the guests as they arrived to register.
Before the Program began, an “Ice Breaker” featuring a 22 question Canada Quiz kept the guests occupied before the program began and challenged our teachers on their recollection of Canadian History.
Reunion Committee Chair, Theresa, called the attendees to order using an old fashioned school hand bell, which must have brought back many memories, followed by opening remarks, a welcome and introduction of former students and their teachers.
The Guest Speakers, Anna & Dora Maendel, daughters of the late Peter Maendel, made a very interesting presentation utilizing a slide presentation of their father’s life in the field of education. Peter was the first person of Hutterite origin who taught as a Permit Teacher in 1959 - 60. He taught on permit from September to
Theresa Antoniuk, Dora Maendel, Anna Maendel (guest speakers) awarded a gift of appreciation by Margaret Lesperance
Mary Zadorzny (Winnipeg), is acknowledged by Theresa Antoniuk (right) as the “First to Register”
L-R: Hilliard Sawchuk (Brandon) and Shirley Armstrong (Brandon) receive their acknowledgement from Chair, Theresa Antoniuk for “Coming the Longest Distance” to attend the reunion
Christmas at the New Rosedale Colony School, northeast of Elie, MB, and then from January until the end of June at the new daughter colony, Fairholme, located southwest of Portage la Prairie. In 1960, Peter enrolled at the Manitoba Teachers’ College (Normal School), in Tuxedo. In July and August of 1962, after Teachers’ College and teaching for one year, Peter attended the Gimli Summer School camp. He earned his Permanent Teaching Certification in 1962.
Anna & Dora Maendel were introduced and thanked by Margaret Lesperance, Member-at- Large of the Reunion Committee. Margaret presented the guest speakers with a copy of a book authored by Dr. Loiusa Loeb, “Manitoba Teachers of World War II.” An honorarium was also presented to Anna & Dora Maendel by the chair, Theresa Antoniuk. Special recognition was given to two permit teachers who travelled the furthest distance. They were Shirley Armstrong and Hilliard Sawchuk, both from Brandon, MB. The first to register was Mary Zadorzny from Winnipeg All these were recognized with as small gift by the chair.
Wally Stoyko, Member-at-Large, presented Meta Johnson with a recycled copper metal pin featuring the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa. Meta was a permit teacher who taught on permit in 1942 and we welcomed her presence at this reunion. Meta also brought one of her former students, Audrey Clayton, to this reunion.
Before the luncheon, Karen Boughton, presented an “In Memoriam,” followed by grace.
Following a delicious lunch prepared and served by the staff of the Viscount Gort, Member Bill Badiuk introduced us to the wonderful music of David Smith and Dennis Carlson of the Gimli-Selkirk area. Bill Badiuk presented an
Wally Stoyko, Meta Johnson and Audrey Clayton (student of Meta Johnson)
