11th Annual Reunion

CHAPTER REPORTS Dr. louisa loeb: Permit Teachers of Manitoba - 11th annual Reunion

Text & Photos By Ed Arndt-Virden

Far left: L-R: Ed Arndt, The Honourable James Allum, Minister of Education & Advanced Learning, Theresa Antoniuk (Reunion Committee Chair). Left: Marlene Anderson from Delta, B.C. is recognized as the person "Coming the farthest" to attend this reunion.

Far left: Registration Desk Personnel welcomed reunion attendees. L-R: Lavone Lesperance-Caron, Edith Alexiuk (registrar), Karen Boughton. Left: Theresa Antoniuk makes a presentation to Bill Badiuk (Petersfield) for being the first to register for the 2015 Reunion.

On July 9, 2015, a year’s planning by the Louisa Loeb Permit Teachers of Manitoba 11th Annual Reunion Committee culminated in a reunion of approximately 50 permit teachers and their former students and guests at the Viscount Gort Hotel in Winnipeg.

The theme this year was “Students and Teachers Together Again.” This theme reflected the fact that this year, as a slightly different approach to our reunion we were encouraged by Louisa Loeb to invite former students whom we had taught on permit to attend the reunion with us. This first attempt appeared to be somewhat successful and it is our hope to expand this aspect for our 2016 Reunion. It was interesting to note some nine former students were in attendance, including five from one school in the rural Gilbert Plains area.

Committee Chair, Theresa Antoniuk, welcomed all teachers and guests and outlined the day’s activities.

Ed Arndt introduced The Honourable James Allum, Minister of Education, who was the featured speaker during the day. In his speech Minister Allum acknowledged the great contributions made to the educational process by permit teachers in Manitoba and congratulated the assembled group for their ongoing efforts in preserving this aspect of Manitoba’s history.

On behalf of the permit teachers Wally Stoyko thanked the minister for taking the time out of his busy schedule to attend this reunion.

A sit down meal was served followed by an enthusiastic “Sing Along” led by Marie Enns accompanied by her autoharp.

Several attendees were recognized for various reasons. Marlene Anderson of Delta, B.C. was awarded a prize for coming the farthest to attend this reunion and Bill Badiuk from Petersfield, MB was recognized for being the first to register for the 2015 reunion. The “Open Mic” session provided an opportunity for both former teachers and their students to share some humourous and intriguing stories of their experiences as teachers and students of permit teachers.

Thanks to many generous donors a host of door prizes were given away during the day.

A new reunion committee to plan the 2016 Reunion was elected. This committee includes Andy & Edith Alexiuk, Theresa Antoniuk, Ed Arndt, Bill Badiuk, Mel Bodnarus, Karen Boughton, Wally Stoyko, Ralph Trombo and former students Vera McCallum and Sydney Puchailo. §