March 2013 CONNECTIONS Retired Women Teachers of Ontario • Organisation des enseignantes retraitées de l’Ontario President’s Message Leslie Uttley Ohana President I remember the young German boy in grade the Goldilocks Syndrome down perfectly eight whom I had worked with so hard that makes each member feel “just right”! to help him adjust to his changed family circumstances in Canada. He awkwardly I am reminded of the young boy on a Mexi- returned to school after walking home with can beach walking along at low tide. He Ohana means family and his friends to give me a small lamb as he repeatedly bent and picked up one starfish family means no one is mumbled thanks for taking care of all the after another and then yet another. Time and left behind! This is the message from the sheep in the flock. I remember one grade time again he tossed the retrieved starfish Disney characters Lilo and Stitch, in their six boy in particular who had gleefully led back into the ocean. A man approached and children’s movie. Lilo a little Hawaiian me down his garden path of misbehaviour questioned his actions. The boy explained girl and her friend Stitch from outer space most of the year. I believe he was the cata- that each starfish would soon die from a have a bond which makes them a strong, lyst for my obsession with teddy bears. One lack of oxygen if it were left on the shore. vibrant force. Perhaps it was my recent trip day in desperation I said you need to do this The man said that he understood the boy’s to Disney (number fifteen, I believe), which because Mommy Bear says so. He finally good intentions but there must be thousands makes me think Ohana when I think of taught me how to appreciate his humour and of starfish washed up around the world. RWTO/OERO. On a side note, the memory eventually he came to appreciate the finer How could the boy’s actions make a differ- still holds strong as my knees still hurt from points of bearable behaviour. On Mother’s ence? The boy continued tossing the starfish all that walking. Disney owns twenty-eight Day he delivered a box of chocolates to me, back into the ocean and smiled slowly and thousand acres and my knees say I inspect- with a card saying, “To My Mommy Bear”! said, ”Made a difference to that one”. ed every acre. As life would have it, the next year his own Jackie Robinson waited a very long time As I have continued to visit the various mother passed away very suddenly. To this to break the colour barrier and play major branches across Ontario I am amazed at the day I am still Mommy Bear to him and league ball. Robinson stated, “A life is not warmth, the caring and the happiness that receive regular calls and updates from him. important except in the impact it has on abounds in every branch. No two branches He is now a fine parent to his own family. other lives”. are similar. Each branch has unique pro- Ohana means family with no one left I am proud to have the privilege of serving grams, foci and traditions. Each branch has behind! Yes, that is what each branch does. as your President this year. I am proud of dedicated members whether the branch is When I attend a branch meeting I always RWTO/OERO. I am proud to be part of the small or large. Each branch has seemingly feel welcomed, cared for and appreciated. RWTO/OERO Ohana, Family - nobody left unlimited capacity to reach out and include Teachers know how to create that special behind! other prospective members as they simul- sense of belonging and being special! You taneously tend to their members who have have that way of doing what is needed for Leslie Uttley attained Life Memberships. all your different members. Teachers have President How does this magic happen? HOW TO CONTACT US The secret, I believe, is that you all are Leslie Uttley teachers skilled in making sure each mem- Provincial President: Provincial Office RR 1 Stn Main 86714 Courtney Crt Box 13, Gloria Drake ber of each class each year was a prized Executive Secretary-Treasurer: Kincardine N2Z 2X3 15 Deer Cross Ave., Wheatley, ON N0P 2P0 member of the class. Some took extra 519-395-0706 [email protected] Toll free: 1-877-607-6696 coaching in the behavior department, some E-Mail: [email protected] needed a gentle push to participate and First Vice-President: Anne Graham some were ready to take your place as teach- 2519 Hanlon Ave, Ottawa K2B 7X2 Website: www.RWTO.org er with a moment’s notice. Class meetings, 613-829-4679 [email protected] sermons from the big desk and, yes, a lot of stickers and rewards made a class gel and Insurance Convenor: Judy Anderson care about every class member. Each year a PO Box 3227, Prince Albert L9L 1C2 Publications Mail Agreement No. 40739021 miracle would slowly unfold until you were 905-985-4257 [email protected] Return undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: sorry to see them leave each June. Manulife Financial 1-800-268-3763 RWTO/OERO Provincial Office I remember the little boy at six who had Broker: Terry Kennedy 1-519-583-0098 15 Deer Cross Ave., gone home to cook Kraft dinner alone and Fax: 519-583-2876 Mobile: 416-931-2142 Wheatley, ON N0P 2P0 place it back in the box to eat with his little [email protected] fingers during class. I let it happen and wove Publication a tale to the class so it was acceptable. This newsletter is published three times each year in September, December and March. Submissions by email to [email protected]. CARING & SHARING 2 Goodwill Report “The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole; a woman’s true beauty is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she Branches are reminded to verify the addresses of these lovingly gives, the passion that she knows.” special members to make sure our greetings reach Audrey Hepburn them. A very special thank you goes out to branches Our “Forever Young” club, RWTO/OERO members who for all their work with local Goodwill Committees. have reached their 90th birthday, now has more than 300 members. Congratulations and best wishes to Madeleine Honeyman (January 6) from the Ottawa–Carleton Branch, Jessie Calder (January 8) a member of the Owen Sound Branch and Edith McNeil (January 25) a Pay Direct mem- ber from British Columbia. These ladies have all recently celebrated their 100th Birthdays. A special milestone has Marilyn Emmett been reached by Orma Slack, Belleville Branch. She was Goodwill Convenor 110 on February 19, 2013. Second Vice President What a pleasure it has been this year to send birthday, Christmas and very soon, spring greetings to these won- derful members! It is very rewarding to receive notes from many of these special ladies, their families and caregivers. Our Goodwill efforts are truly appreciated. Membership RWTO/OERO members have HEART In the depths of our Canadian winter, February, is heart month. The Heart and Stroke Foundation is prominent in the news reminding us to take care of ourselves and our H happy bodies and be heart healthy. On Valentine’s Day we think of our loved ones near and far and are made aware of our E enthusiastic emotional need for friendship and the importance of caring and sharing in our lives. I was struck by the importance A astute of these issues at the Brockville branch February lunch at a restaurant. When I walked into the room, the cheerful R responsible sound of women’s laughter and chatter was accompanied by the visual impact of a room full of laughing ladies wearing T terrific red! The tables were beautifully decorated by Cheryl with centre pieces, and delightful Valentine favours at each place. When I asked the members what RWTO/OERO means to These are the traits our members project. Keep up the good them, they overwhelmingly replied fun, food and friendship! work ladies. You are very special. They also told me there is a sense of calm, supportive caring and promising friendships in an otherwise busy life. These women are involved in their community volunteering in many organizations. Our group however is unique. We cater to the needs of retired women teachers, caring and sharing Annalee Ladouceur with one another, as well as reaching out to others in need. Membership Convenor 3 Issues and Concerns Have You Been Left Holding The Baby? I’m a grandma and thrilled to be one. I tell everyone who will for TCA and this meant that most grandparent caregivers lost listen that it is the best job I’ve ever had. I can spoil them to the benefit. Grandparents may qualify for the Canada Child bits and then send them home. However a few weeks ago I Tax Benefit and Universal Child Care Benefit. Your lawyer, had to look after my grandchildren while my daughter and financial advisor, Service Canada or Ontario Works may be son-in-law were away. This opportunity allowed me a very of some assistance applying for these benefits. small glimpse of what it is like for those grandparents who for Parenting grandchildren today is very different from when we a variety of reasons must take on the parenting duties and raise parented our own children. Society has changed and children their grandchildren.