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chAPTeR RePoRTs

ok-RTAM chRisTMAs luNch Lorna Rothwell

on december 10, twenty-eight members and friends of the okanagan chapter of RTAM enjoyed a four course christmas lunch, in the veranda of the historical guisachan House restaurant, in kelowna.

designed in the indian colonial bungalow style, the house was built for the earl and countess of Aberdeen in 1891, as the focal point of a 480 acre ranch, and named after the family estate in Scotland. Today, it is surrounded by the beautiful gardens of guisachan Heritage Park.

upon lord Aberdeen's appointment as governor general, in 1903, the family moved to ottawa, but returned to guisachan Ranch for vacations for many years.

After lunch, we had a very entertaining re-gifting exchange, then wished each other farewel,l until our next ok-RTAM event in 2011.

hART BReAkFAsT cluB Denis Fontaine

From left to right: Dave Giesbrecht, Abram Wiebe, Tony Rempel, Denis Fontaine, Henry Dueck, Ed Laing, Alice Laing, Neil Wiebe, Victor Janzen, and Ron Kornelson.

greetings to all from the Hanover Association of Retired Teachers. Several HART members meet for breakfast on the second Friday of every month in Steinbach where the 2011 RTAM Annual general Meeting will be held. Some welcomed the new Year with a breakfast get-together on January 14, 2011, at the Village green restaurant to chat about everything under the sun dogs: trips to warmer climates, pension income, cola, etc. HART is pleased to host the 2011 AgM on May 10 and 11. 2010-2011 marks an important milestone for the Retired Winnipeg Teachers' Association. it is the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the organization. The fall meeting of the RWTA was held September 30, with an overflow crowd in attendance. The first meeting of the season has usually included a fashion show and this year we had an unusual and very interesting variation on that theme. Fashions for the last hundred years were modelled by members, to the delight of the audience. Some garments were borrowed from the Virden costume closet and many members generously loaned their treasured outfits. There were examples of early pioneer costumes, the oldest being a dark brown suit and hat from 1900 - the "early school marm look." There were outfits from the Roaring Twenties, the Flapper period, the Bobby Sox era, and even a Hot Pants ensemble; clothing from across the decades. Fittingly, there were almost sixty outfits modelled in our sixtieth year!

Splendid outfits included a black satin gown, with beaded sleeves, worn with a huge feathered hat, an engagement party ensemble from 1929. There was a rhinestone-trimmed, red satin ball gown and a mink stole, that had been worn, originally, at a government House ball, in 1950. Another model

The RwTA sixTieTh ANNiveRsARY FAll FAshioN show

Submitted by Phyllis Kalinsky, Joan Anderson and Barb McDole

Hippie Bride-Chris Graham. Cheerleaders: Left to right-Linda Kullman,Pam Buhr,Dolores Tutkaluk.

wore a mauve silk dress with matching accessories, which had first appeared at the Queen's garden party, in london, in July, 1970.

A highlight of the show was the wedding section with beautiful gowns and accessories, worn in the past by brides, bridal attendants and mothers of the brides. it was interesting to note the contrast between the brown wool wedding dress of 1903, and the heavily-beaded, white satin gown of 2005. The models were escorted onstage by tuxedo-clad members wearing suits that had been handtailored in germany, in 1905. one of the tophats worn was of brushed beaver, lined with birchbark.

Bessie Marie Hill did her usual outstanding job of organizing and coordinating the show and providing the commentary, which included a description of the vintage and history of each garment.

everyone attending agreed that it had been a splendid afternoon - a trip down Memory lane, and a very fitting beginning for our special year.

The QPARSE Winter Newsletter may now be found on the web at http://www.qparse-apperq.org/e/newsletter.shtml

or from the french page http://www.qparse-apperq.org/f/newsletterf.shtml

The Spring 2011 PEIRTA newsletter is available at www.peitf.com and www.peirta.com

LIFE MEMBERS

December, 2010 Florence J. Bell, East St. Paul, MB

January, 2011 Marie Louise Last, Winnipeg, MB Catherine M. Thexton, Stonewall, MB

February, 2011 Marjorie B. Hadaller, Anola, MB

ReFlecTioNs FRoM A ReTiRee: so whAT is The cosT oF liviNG? PART i

Donna Goodman

lugging my grocery bags into the house, i grumble as usual: “oh no, there is no inflation - except on everything i buy. '"now, i readily admit that i'd rather be facing price creep in canada than floodwaters on a plain in Pakistan, but i cannot deny that there is still that nagging feeling. How realistic are the inflation figures we hear about and upon which our minuscule pension adjustments are based? How is the cost of living calculated? is it possible that government and industry conspire to keep the official inflation rate lower than it is? Am i just confusing the cost of my high living with the high cost of living? in any case, i began to reflect and do a little research.

What’s in your Basket?

The commonly used broad measure of the cost of living in canada is the consumer Price index, or cPi. each month, Statistics canada tracks the retail price of a representative shopping basket of about 600 goods and services, for an average household, including food, shelter, transportation, furniture, clothing and recreation. items in the total basket are assigned a weight, supposedly to reflect typical consumer spending patterns. Alcohol and tobacco consumption, for example, comprise a 3% weight in the basket.

But what does our own experience suggest to us about the present cost-of-living? How well does the official cPi reflect the typical basket of goods and services consumed by retirees? Just as there is no typical consumer who makes the identical purchases, month after month, year after year, there is no “typical” retired teacher. The globetrotting 56-year-old has significantly different financial challenges than a 90-year-old, seeking comfortable, affordable long-term care. That being said, here are some reflections.

Disinflation, yes, but (or is that my butt?)

We are told that we have disinflation – a newish word for a long period of very low inflation or a slowing or decline in the rate of inflation. The rate of increase of the cPi is reported as the percentage increase in the index over the past 12 months. in december 2009, the increase in the cPi for canada, compared to december 2008, was 1.32%. The 2010 figure was 2.4%, the result of that jump at the pump.

one can find both evidence – and exceptions – to the disinflation narrative. Yes, those lap-tops, Hd TV’s, and digital cameras, purchased a few years ago, now cost significantly less, with more programs or pixels than one can ever need. But the electronics stores are unlikely to refund us the “savings,” but will eagerly pitch an expensive extended warranty. Yes, a toaster oven can be bought for 1/10 of the price one would've forked out 20 or 30 years ago –but one would be lucky, indeed, if its lifespan was a tenth of the old model. is this planned disposability factored into cPi calculations? granted, there may be “falling” prices at the dollar store or the big-box discount-mart. does this not just seduce us into spending more on “stuff” that we really don't need, and then on storage products to organize it?

True, gassing up doesn't cost as much as it did in the difficult summer of ’08, but energy costs still spike unpredictably and painfully. do you use Transit Tom instead of driving? in nine of the last 14 years, the price of bus fare has increased in excess of the stated cPi. Hoping to escape on an airplane? occasionally, flights do seem cheaper, but that’s before you add on the costs of luggage, lunch and pat-downs. indeed, many items, like property tax rates and tuition may have been “frozen,” but the real price includes surcharges, user charges, and increased reassessments. Rent controls do help seniors but only until that dreaded ‘converting-to-a-condo' notice arrives.

Yes, food prices fluctuate with seasons and specials. But. has Stats canada considered product downsizing, the miracle by which a 980 ml jar of mayonnaise suddenly morphs into 890 ml? Advertised supermarket deals and costco size packaging cause us to buy more than we need and we, consequently, throw out more. Smaller packages and servings carry a significantly steeper unit price – the increased cost borne by single seniors, especially those without wheels.

For those who still have mortgages, a growing segment of seniors,it is true that rates are a fraction of what they once were. But this does not help us if we do not have a mortgage, and, isn't it ironic, that those of us who endured mortgage rates in the double digits are now rewarded with almost invisible interest rates on our golden-years savings? But, you say, aren't seniors cashing in when they sell their homes into an upward spiralling market? not quite so simple. last year, in Winnipeg, the average increase for the residential bungalow or two-storey that retired folk are likely unloading was around 10%; the price increase for that coveted condo was more like 30%. do not forget that new condos seem to demand new furniture.

Savings and Surprises

We are told that costs are lower in retirement, about one third less. Supposedly, we save money on the costs associated with employment. Some of these predictions, however, do not

accurately relate to the modus operandi of typical teachers’ lives. if the purchase and dry-cleaning of business suits was not part of the usual expense of going to work then there is little savings to be realized. likewise, there is little saving on pricey downtown restaurant lunches if a brown bag in the staff room was the usual fare. Sure, there's no longer commuting to and from work, but new hobbies and volunteer work mean there are still places to go. oh, and did i mention the chauffeuring of grandkids to daycare, school or lessons?

This brings us to the observation of Winnipeg financial planner david christiansen in a magazine article about the myths of retirement. in his experience, the most unforeseen and most expensive surprise of retirement years is the costs associated with adult children. Some may not successfully launch from the nest and some may return home. unemployment, perpetual education, relationship breakdown, or health problems – all are reasons whyour kids may have their hands out. in Spain, where unemployment for those under age 40 is high, it is now estimated that half of grandchildren are supported by their grandparents. That may not be the extent here, but, yet, i suspect that a fair bite is taken out of many pension cheques to help offspring and their offspring.

Where Does All Our Money Go?

certainly everyday life seems to present us with the sense that our wallets are under attack. The internet/cable provider frequently sends out “to serve you better” notices, i.e. price increases. The price of a single ticket for the ballet or a concert used to buy two tickets - and even that was never cheap. Restaurant prices constantly edge upward; servers seem to expect 15 to 20% of the newly-inflated bill rather than the 10 to 12% gratuity that used to be standard. The dentist, the drycleaner, the lawyer, the auto mechanic; all demand their colA, unrelenting annual price hikes. our aging homes put constant pressure on our pocketbooks. The furnace fails, the roof and plumbing leak. if you can find tradespeople that actually show up, their billing will not be one-third less.

But, it is also our ageing bodies that significantly and relentlessly inflate our cost-of-living. We encounter new categories of expenses, for example, paying to have our grass cut or snow shovelled. Sooner or later, the cost of medical assists and devices, depends products, even the astronomical parking fees at hospitals and clinics, take their toll. We learn about "tray fees," a euphemism for charges for selected medical services, not covered by Medicare.

The increase in “Health and Personal care”, which accounts for only 4.7% of the cPi basket, has exceeded the inflation rate for two decades. This is never more evident than at the drug store, where world-wide shortages and new designer drugs add to the tally. As we age, we increasingly need,or are prescribed, more drugs. A financial guru, whom i recently heard, advised his audience to get into pharmaceutical stocks because of the ageing boomer population He declared, “65 is the patient age at which doctors forgo the ‘change-your-lifestyle’ lecture and instead just reach for the prescription pad.”

if one does choose to live and eat healthily; prepare to pay. Stocking up on the canned tomato soup and plastic-cheese specials, at the grocery store, will not fit with that low-sodium diet. lucky enough to make it into another year or to celebrate a birthday? Prepare to pay. Premiums for extended Health care for retirees rise annually; in September, 2002, my Blue cross premium was $78.30; in January, 2011, it was $135.60. (incidentally, what cost $100 in the cPi basket in 2002 rose to $117.50 in the same period.) With each “milestone birthday," we find that the cost of our travel or term insurance catapults dramatically. is there a point in the future, i wonder, when the escalating costs of these ‘benefits’ will exceed the shrinking pension payout? My head hurts.

Sticker Shock and Hardship

Sticker shock describes the psychological impact of rising prices. i remember, decades ago, being impatient at my mother’s dismay over prices. “get with it," i thought, and, that's easy to do, when one's wages and investments are rising at least as readily as the cPi (remember 19% canada Saving Bonds?) nowadays, i'm less smug when i take my frugal 91-year-old aunt out for an occasional lunch. She is unable to enjoy the meal - even though i am paying - because the menu prices are so much greater than she remembers or can comprehend. i begin to wonder what my diminished pension dollars will pay for, if i were to live another 20 or 30years.

increasingly, we may find that the rising costs of living, combined with a shrinking colA, will cause some of us to make hard choices. At first, it might be a lunch out with friends or a night at the movies, a trip of a lifetime or a hearing aid? Perhaps, by skipping medications a couple times a week, the budget could be made to balance.

disillusioned with the disinflation thesis, one investment blogger recently wrote: “could it be that inflation is already here, that it has infiltrated our defences and lurks in our very midst?” Stirring in a dash of conspiracy theory, he adds, that this is despite central bankers knowing “which lever to pull and which knob to turn, at precisely the right moment.” in the next Part Two, we will research some of the levers and knobs used in calculating the cPi. We will examine, too, the forecasts about and impacts of inflation

RETuRNING TO TEAch?

Visit www.traf.mb.ca for more information.

how chilDReN's Books GeT wRiTTeN AND PRiNTeD

Carol Szuminsky

carol Szuminsky taught elementary school for 32 years in St. JamesAssiniboia School division (21 years of grade 2, after starting at grade 1 and then moving to kindergarten). in July, 2004, she published a children’s book called Why Penny Loved Peanuts that grade 1 teachers could use a resource for The Five Senses science cluster. The original draft was written during maternity leave, after the birth of her daughter, who drew the book’s illustrations, when she was 15.

once carol had satisfied the “everyone has a book in them” saying and achieved her goal, she thought her writing career was over. Then a parent said to her, “Breanne’s begging for a dog. We told her she has to prove that she’s responsible."

That’s how Penny Picks the Perfect Pet came to be.

Because it was difficult to market a self-published book, even it was professionally done, carol decided to find a manuscript that was a “winner” and put it into print. A local publisher introduced her to gwen Smid, an enthusiastic young lady who taught high school english and geography in the River east Transcona School division, and that’s how Mary’s Atlas: Mary Meets Manitoba came to be published in April, 2008. This book, with its brightly-coloured watercolour illustrations, painted by Sonia nadeau, is a useful resource for teaching k-5 social studies and science curricula, and is in school and public libraries all across canada. People of all ages, especially those who appreciate quality children’s literature that is both entertaining and educational, love this book! The story sees Mary and Bou, a flying bison, rescue the golden Boy’s torch so that he can so his job of watching over Manitoba at night. Around the same time, carol proposed to Manitoba conservation that she and her father would co-write a children’s book called Andrew Goes Fishing in Manitoba that would encourage children to become life-long anglers. carol also started going out to schools to talk about writing/ publishing and to share the draft, in order to gain feedback from students at various grade levels. carol printed 10 000 copies, all to be given away free – 3 000 reserved for public and school libraries and the other 7 000 for the general public. Shortly after the release of the “fishing book,” as it’s affectionately called, carol proposed a second book on another local topic and again enlisted the help of students, which resulted in the publication of Penny Visits Oak Hammock Marsh, in december 2008.

The previous spring, before retiring in June, 2007, carol had her class work together to do illustrations for a story, Who Wants This Puppy? that was written by her fellow-teacher, Pat Ternovetsky. one student, a sevenyear-old boy, with obvious artistic talent, wanted to create his own version of the book in his spare time. As carol watched the drawings unfold, she decided that someday she would turn this combination of talent, Pat’s text and Zane Belton’s illustrations, into a real book. The book launch took place at Mcnally Robinson, on november 17, 2008. during the same time period, carol was working on another project for Manitoba conservation and its Sustainable development innovations Fund. This time it was a hardcover book called Penny Visits Oak Hammock Marsh that had a theme of environmental stewardship woven into the text, and the message that even young children can do small things to help protect their world. The book can be described as a 29-page narrative of grandpa Brown teaching Penny everything he knows about the plants and animals she sees and hears that day at the marsh. The next book carol chose to publish was more mainstream, but still contained relevant themes that parents and teachers could discuss with youngsters. Resa ostrove, another long-time teacher who taught at the gray Academy of Jewish education, is the author of Freddie’s Problem, an enchanting story about a frog who’s experiencing his first bout of really bad gas, after eating too many flies. Jason doll, an award-winning cartoon animator, created brilliant illustrations. The fourth member of the team was lee Huscroft, a talented graphic designer, who used interesting techniques to bring the pages to life. We were all thrilled when “Freddie” was shortlisted for the 2010 Manitoba Book of the Year for children (Younger category).

gwen Smid moved to ottawa and, in February 2010, the second book in the Mary’s Atlas series, Mary Meets Ontario went into print. in this book, Mary and gavi the loon must investigate why the great lakes are drying up and enlist the help of the beavers to solve the problem. The story and

illustrations introduce readers to famous places located in ontario, such as Parliament Hill, the Rideau canal, the cn Tower, the Royal ontario Museum, Fort York, casa loma, and niagara Falls. This book, along with Mary Meets Manitoba, is a must for every school and public library in the country, as will be the next book in the series Mary Meets Alberta. carol is in the process of trying to get these books into the international schools overseas that teach either the ontario, Manitoba or Alberta curricula.

in december, 2010, the next book, The Windplane Man, was ready for publication. Patricia Anne Thain wrote her story, back in the 1950s, when she taught primary school in england. The story came with her to canada, where she continued to use the storyline, to encourage her students to learn about geography and to write tales of adventure, in which the main characters would visit famous attractions located around the world. Pat was a teacher in Portage la Prairie and later moved to oakville School. She passed away, in december 2008, and so never got to see The Windplane Man in print. it was her wish that her story be published and shared, to encourage young minds to think, to learn and most of all, to dream. it was also her hope that teachers and parents/grandparents would use the book's content as an educational tool. carol is working hard to make Pat’s dream come true by getting copies of her book into the english schools, especially those in norfolk county, where the story starts and finishes. Besides putting her time and energy into publishing and selling books, carol visits schools around the province, although mainly in Winnipeg, to speak about writing and publishing and to share the nine Peanut Butter Press titles with students. Her emphasize is on getting students to pick up the pencil and make an effort to record their thoughts on paper and then, as thoroughly as possible, edit for errors and make revisions. no two presentations are ever exactly alike, as carol takes her cue from the students and teachers. She always stresses these words of wisdom: “When you think you’re done (writing), you’ve just begun, because that’s when the editing for conventions really begins." carol can often be seen balancing a peanut on her nose or wearing her fly costume, while selling books at The Forks Market, during the summer and at Spring Break. She has also presented her Aspiring Young Writers course for River east Transcona School division continuing education for the last couple of years and also gave a course she called, How to Self-Publish Your Book, for ReTSd and St. James-Assiniboia School division. This session, she’ll also be giving a course called, Writing children’s Books, for louis Riel School division continuing education. carol continues to give away free copies of the “fishing book” to the everyday people she meets, wherever she goes, as well as to public and school libraries across canada. She’s going to run out soon. So, if you would like a free signed copy for your grandchildren or someone else, you can contact her in Winnipeg at 221-6401, to arrange a way to get the book to you. once these books are all gone, or if you’re not into fishing , you may be able to convince carol that you and your family need a free copy of Penny Visits Oak Hammock Marsh instead.

AGeless QuesTioN

"How old is old?" does this question leave you cold? or is your response swift and bold? don't be misled by numbers and by years For the intrepid souls face up to fears And over passing years shed no tears But welcome the future with open arms And increasing age rings no alarms For each day is a golden gift, And saddened spirits is known to lift.

-Mary (Hrenchuk) Pankiw copyright october 2, 1999

eveNTs AT The FoRuM ART ceNTRe FoR This sPRiNG, 2011

We’re delighted to join in on the First Friday concept, already happening in the exchange district of Winnipeg.

Art classes start April 4 for 10 weeks at the Forum Art centre, 120 eugenie Street in St. Boniface. open House & Registration is Saturday, March 12, from 1:00 – 4:00 and up to March 31, by phone. Free studio time with most classes, free parking with wheelchair access for most classes. For details visit: www. forumartinstitute.ca or call 235-1069.

Spring is a great time to learn How to draw with many opportunities. This session includes drawing/painting of People/ Perspective (english/French instruction), out & About Sketching, Portrait & life drawing, Teen Art drawing, drawing & Watercolour combo. We also offer Acrylic, Abstract landscape in Acrylic, Retro graphic Art Painting, Watercolour, Water Soluble oil, Fresco – Plaster Sculpture, clay Sculpture, All About clay, Handbuilt Pottery, Medium of Your choice, curating Your own Art Show, gallery inspiration, Artistic digital Photography, creative digital Photography for Teens, childrens & Teens Art.

Workshops at the Forum Art centre, 120 eugenie Street: digital documentation of Your Art (last Sunday of each month by appointment), Making Your own canvas on March 24. For details visit: www.forumartinstitute.ca or call 235-1069.

whAT Do You kNow ABouT GReeN BuRiAls?

Submitted by Ann Ingalls

green burial has long been popular in the united kingdom but north America has been slower to join the movement. You are invited to attend a free lecture by Jane Saxby, Administrator of cemeteries, city of Winnipeg. come to learn about this environmentally friendly practice and, specifically, what is available in Manitoba.

Sunday, May 15, 2011 @ 2:00 St. Mary’s Road United Church - 613 St. Mary’s Road just south of the junction of St. Mary’s Road & St. Anne’s Road

This lecture is presented by The Funeral Planning & Memorial Society of Manitoba (FPMS) as part of their AgM. FPMS is an independent, non-profit organization operated entirely by volunteers. FPMS is not affiliated with any religious group or funeral home. our mandate is to encourage and assist members to plan their final arrangements. FPMS has been in operation in Manitoba for over fifty years. For more information go to:

www.funeralsocietymb.org 204-452-7999 fpmsinfo@mts.net

BRANDoN colleGe: TeAcheR TRAiNiNG clAss oF '60

Pat Bowslaugh

Yes, fifty years ago the Brandon "Hallowed Halls of learning" were at Brandon college and this is where one hundred prospective teachers gathered to take one year of "Teacher Training" in the fall term of 1969.

Thus, it was time to have a "golden Reunion" and "golden" it was!

in the spring of 1960, 97 of us graduated and received an "interim certificate" which allowed us to teach for two years during which time we needed two summers of "summer school" courses and the recommendation of the inspector of schools to obtain a "Permanent certificate." The starting salaries for each of us ranged from $2 400 to $2 900 . . . PeR YeAR!

needless to say, to have a reunion, we needed to find our classmates!

This task was begun by Marjorie (Hoy) Wildeboer and Pat (Mowatt) Bowslaugh, with the gracious assistance of carla eisler from the Brandon univerity Alumni office. After many phone calls and lots of detective work, we found all except two

CLASS A. Top row: Bob Finlayson, Sylvia Brown, Diane Fowler. Middle row: Darlene Bothe, Donna Airey, Marilyn Beddome, Phyllis Cochran, Faye Farley. Seated: Evenlyn Foster, Donna Cook, Pat Curtis, Eileen Blain.

of the graduates. Sadly, over the years, nineteen from our midst had passed away. However, there were great and exciting commmunications from so many of our members that we were able to plan events over the three-day Bu Homecoming Weekend in mid october, 2010.