The Magazine of the Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association SPRING 2015 | VOLUME 23:3 GREEK ISLAND HOPPING

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If you can leave on short notice, or wish to be more in the loop on great travel deals, make sure and sign up for regular email updates at www.cruiseplus.ca/arta PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Thoughts on a Pre-Spring Day BY JUANITA KNIGHT

By the time you read this, the days will be count of 182 days has now been ‘refined’ by US longer and the temperature warmer—and I will law. Follow the links in the article to be sure wonder what I was thinking about when I penned that you do not have any surprises. this article. Right now, I long for less snow to The Governance Committee has been shovel, for fewer bulky winter clothes and for reviewing the recommendations of the Board of warm fingers. I know this longing will pass as I Directors regarding how ARTA can best serve either immerse myself in travel articles and do its members for the next ten years. We are something about it, or just plan for summer. looking to the future, not to the present. Our Thankfully, travel articles in news & views organization is ever evolving. entice me with fascinating destinations—so I am concerned about what the effect that the many places to go and so much to learn. The decrease in our oil prices will mean to seniors’ glossy brochures hold much promise, but it programs and to the seniors themselves who is the lived experience I appreciate and trust. have worked so hard to make Alberta one of Thank goodness for ARTA travel insurance and the best places in the world to live. I encourage the work of the Health and Wellness Benefits all of you to offer your best advice and Committee that ensures worry-free travel. encouragement to whichever political party you That said, we need to be mindful of the rules, support. We did that as teachers, and we must regulations and customs of travel destinations. continue to do so knowing that, in the end, it You will find Daniel Mulloy’s article hits the will make our society a better place for all. Such high points of the Substantial Presence Test for personal involvement will be challenging—but travellers to the US. What used to be a simple ever so rewarding!

news & views SPRING 2015 | 3 CONTACTS + INFORMATION Contact Information ARTA: Edmonton area: 780-822-2400 Member Services Information Toll-free: 1-855-212-2400 email: [email protected] ARTA Member Services would like to remind Website: www.arta.net ARTA members in the Education Sector that, news & views: since you renew your membership directly with email: [email protected] ARTA, you do not need to wait until the renewal submissions: [email protected] Next news & views season to pay for your membership. You can call deadline: April 20 the office with a credit card number and we can ARTA Benefits Plan: renew membership in a timely fashion before the Claims: 1-855-444-2782 [email protected] hustle and bustle of May and June. It is also handy TW Insurance: to have it done ahead of time if you are away from (Home and Auto) 1-855-894-2782 home during those months. For Public and Private ATRF: 780-451-4166 Toll free: 1-800-661-9582 Sector members, since you pay your membership email: [email protected] fees monthly, we will automatically send you your CPP and OAS Benefits: membership card by the end of June. Toll free: 1-800-277-9914 All members, please note that if your contact information changes such as your address, phone Pension Dates number, email address or power of attorney), you ATRF Pension Dates: must contact ARTA Member Services and the Available at: www.atrf.com ARTA Benefits Plan Administrator, ASEBP. You CPP and OAS deposit dates: can reach ARTA Member Services at 1-855-212- March 27 April 28 May 27 2400 (press 1) or 780-822-2400 in the Edmonton June 26 July 29 Aug 27 Sept. 28 Oct. 28 Nov. 26 area. ASEBP can be reached at 1-855-444-2782 Dec. 22 Jan. 27 Feb. 25 or 780-989-8709 in the Edmonton area. The ARTA staff would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for your patience and Important Member Services Announcement understanding during our office renovation. We Out-of-country travellers, please note: endured some service disruption, but we appreciate ‘Trip’ means travel, undertaken by the insured person, your working through this change with us. We are which commences on the date of departure from the happy to serve you better in our new space! insured person’s province of residence and continues until the return date to the province of residence, Please remember to keep up to date with the latest subject to a maximum duration of ninety-two (92) ARTA office news on our website, www.arta.net consecutive days for Base Emergency Travel. Looking forward to the spring flowers! This means that you have 92 days per trip; but to renew those 92 days for another trip, you need to return to your province of residence.

4 | www.arta.net TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Magazine of the Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association SPRING 2015 | VOL. 23:3 26 Regular Features 32 3 President’s Message 4 Member Services 6 Executive Director’s Report 7 In My Opinion 8 Opinion 12 From the Branches 16 Spirituality and Wellness 18 Money Matters 24 Technology 31 Classifieds 34 Scholarship Information 40 From Our Partners 45 In Memoriam

Articles Features 20 Retired Teacher Ethics 6 The Perils of Overstaying Your Welcome 22 Power of Attorney 26 Two Bicycles 32 Raising Your Beds to New Heights 28 100 Years 36 Island Hopping in Greece 30 Journaling for Your Health 35 Building My Journey 40 Are Dental Care Plans in Alberta Sustainable? 44 Gotta Get My Steps!

EDITOR PRINTING & DESIGN Deadline for submissions for the Robin Carson Burke Group Summer issue is April 20, 2015. ASSISTANT EDITORS news & views is published four times a year Tel.: 780‑822‑2400; Vi Oko by the Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association Alberta only: 1‑855‑212‑2400; Bev Sawyer (ARTA). fax: 1‑780‑447‑0613; email: [email protected]; ARTA LIAISON Contributions to news & views are welcome. website: www.arta.net Jerry Stefanyk They may be sent to: 409, 11010–142 Street NW, Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Edmonton, AB T5N 2R1 409, 11010–142 Street NW, Chyrisse Dekker or email [email protected]. Edmonton, AB T5N 2R1 caNadiaN publicatioN agreemeNt #40033998

news & views SPRING 2015 | 5 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

The Perils of Overstaying Your Welcome BY DANIEL MULLOY “I’d seen people overstay their welcome and I didn’t want that to happen at all.” —Bobby Rahal

n 2011, Canada and the United Entry Exit Initiative–Phase II States (US) issued the Beyond Privacy Impact Assessment Ithe Border: A Shared Vision (PIA) Executive Summary. for Perimeter Security and Go to http://www. Economic Competitiveness cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/agency- document. As part of delivering agence/reports-rapports/ on their commitments in the pia-efvp/atip-aiprp/ee-es- Visit http://www.irs.gov/ Action Plan, Canada and the US phase-2-eng.html for more pub/irs-pdf/f8840.pdf to are undertaking the Entry/Exit details on this initiative. download this form. Initiative. The Entry/Exit Initia- A common misconception is Canadians who overstay tive allows officials to track how that Canadians regularly travel- their welcome in the US risk many days Canadians have spent ling to the US for long stays can the following: in the US. Prior to the agreement, spend up to 182 days, or six • Being considered a US the country could only track entry months, in the US without being resident for tax purposes dates, not exit dates. considered a resident for tax and having to pay taxes on “The Entry/Exit Initiative purposes. It is actually 120 days, worldwide income; will implement a system to or four months, averaged, using • Losing their Canadian exchange Biographic Entry a special formula, over a period residency for tax purposes and Data between Canada and the of three years. health care; US, such that an entry into The total number of days • Being deemed illegally one country is considered an includes all trips to the US resident in the US and being exit from the other, thereby in a single year. banned from the country for establishing a common and Canadians spending more three to ten years. integrated approach to border than 120 days in the US for The rules of length of stay management. The coordinated three years or more in a row can have not changed, only the investments in entry and exit extend their stay limit to 182 manner in which information is systems will assist the Govern- days and avoid being considered shared between borders. Border ment of Canada in meeting its a US resident for tax purposes officials can track all entries and objective of effectively admin- by filling out a “Closer Connec- exits from a traveller’s country of istering and enforcing Canada’s tion Exception Statement for origin and now have the means immigration program and Aliens” form detailing their to collect from those who have border management practices.” close ties to Canada annually. overstayed their welcome.

6 | www.arta.net IN MY OPINION

Act Your Age! BY ROBIN CARSON

quick to buy anything new that the very least, paying close promises to ‘reverse ageing.’ attention to diet and exercise. Fair enough, I guess; but it It is tempting to just give it all bothers me that we fight age up and sit on the couch; but ast July, I turned seventy. rather than embrace it. I don’t doing so both shortens life and I had one or two friends mind that I might ‘look seventy’ limits the quality of it. L tell me, “You don’t look because that is what I am. I People say strange things seventy!” I know that they never felt apologetic about being about being old. “Age is just a intended the comment as a thirty. Or fifty. Why should I number.” “You’re as old as you compliment, but a little voice even think to disguise my grey feel.” Nonsense! I feel seventy, inside me wanted to ask, “What hair or adopt a comb-over for and that is the number of my does seventy look like?” my growing bald spot? My age. Given more time, I hope There is a TV ad for a hair wrinkles and folds show a life to feel seventy-five, and more product that a man can use to lived and are proof that I have years past that. Why would dye his beard. In the ad, the been around long enough to well-meaning people try to young woman he’s trying to probably have learned a thing persuade me otherwise? impress complains to her friend, or two. I refuse to be pressured What is wrong with being as “But he looks so OLD!” Every to look younger—or to pretend a old as you are? Even the word time I see that ad, I am offended youth I do not feel. ‘old’ seems to be in disfavour as that the man feels pressured to Please understand that I we describe someone as ‘eighty dye his beard and try again do not advocate giving in to years young.’ My mother taught with a person who equates age age when it comes to health. me not to accept euphemism. with unattractiveness. Like many who will read this, She hated ‘golden years’ and Our world is a cult of I have some health issues; but the term ‘senior.’ “I’m old,” she youth. Hair dye for both men I know, for example, that as would say. “That’s just how it is.” and women, available for soon as I stop exercising and Pretending won’t ease centuries, has been increasingly just give in to the pain of my Shakespeare’s “sere and popular since the 1940s, and back and hips, I will have to yellow leaf” of age. The fact anti-wrinkle creams are a wave goodbye to any semblance is, that embracing the age we hot-selling item. We corset of upright mobility. To have a are is the first step towards ourselves, or otherwise disguise vital retirement means closely discovering an acceptance that sagging flesh; and we are monitoring health, and, at wards off despair.

news & views SPRING 2015 | 7 OPINION

What Should We Tell

Our Grandchildren? BY NEIL EVANS

e like to think we live in a great members of the OECD on per capita greenhouse province and great country; however, gas emissions. Expert opinion around the world Wover the past twenty-five years, is that without substantial carbon reductions, different ways of thinking about government and climate change will bring frequent disasters and taxation—that focus on less government, lower threats to the entire ecosystem. While other taxes and more privatization—have changed countries around the world are responding in Canada. We have paid a price that includes cuts positive and hopeful ways, in Canada, we see to the CBC, social spending, health care and resistance to the kinds of changes needed to education, science and research, and environ- accept the real costs of carbon emissions. Our mental protection. This neo-liberal revolution priority has been on economic growth and jobs in along with citizen disengagement has brought us the mistaken belief that these would suffer with to a point at which important conversations and a strong proactive approach to greenhouse gas actions are necessary. emissions. The USA and even China have proven I have been a friend of and listener to the CBC that development of green energy sources creates since I was a kid. In retirement, I regard CBC radio new industries and new jobs. What will we tell as an ever-present companion that entertains, our grandchildren about our failure to act? stimulates and informs. It clearly plays a strong role One of the reasons we are not acting is that we in promoting our Canadian identity, arts and culture, are starving the government of the money and as well as our conversations and ideas. In spite of will to do so. The 2014 federal budget spending strong public support for the CBC, the government was at just 14 % of the wealth produced in the has cut and will continue to cut its budget, with a country, the lowest it has been in seventy years. projected cut for 2015 of $130 million. We have For the first time since its introduction, income already seen the impact of such cuts with more focus tax accounts for more than half the revenue of on digital and smartphone platforms, with the same the federal Government. Furthermore, there has radio program being broadcast up to three times been a shift in the tax burden to families and the a day and with many CBC-produced TV programs middle class and away from corporations and soon to be cancelled. We are now in danger of losing the wealthy, contributing to growing disparities the CBC as we have known it. in wealth deeply favoring the wealthiest 20%. In Also of concern is Canada’s failure to respond 2012, the top CEOs in Canada made about 122 to climate change with any kind of vigour. times as much as an average worker, compared to According to the Conference Board of Canada, in 84 times as much in 2002. The low tax environ- 2010, Canada ranked the third worst of seventeen ment has reduced the government’s capacity to

8 | www.arta.net OPINION

“…there has been a shift in the tax burden to families and the middle class and away from corporations and the wealthy…” effectively respond to many issues and needs. and of acting that will allow individuals to pursue Many Canadians, however, seem to be uninter- and achieve their dreams but also to ensure the ested and disengaged from politics and political greater good is being served. Can we do it? What issues. Over nine million people representing will we tell our grandchildren if we don’t? 40% of voters did not vote in the last election. The party in power today won a majority with about 40% of the vote, representing 24% of eligible voters. Furthermore, the largest block of Letters non-voters is young people. Instead of viewing politics as an opportunity to become involved to the Editor in discussions about the really important issues facing us, people are distracted. Perhaps our To the Editor: politics, including reliance on hyper-marketing, Thank you for the changes in the winter issue of more tax cuts, and narrow self-interest has made news & views. I have enjoyed the new columns. My people apathetic and distrustful. senior eyes like the large print. However, I do think Getting past the apathy and distrust will not be that we do not need such a high quality paper. easy. In 2010, Michael Enright said, “Our politics has been reduced to a level that would embarrass Cathy McNeil a schoolyard bully. Division has driven out debate. Parksville BC. Confrontation has crushed consensus. Cooper- ation has been overwhelmed by conflict.” Our challenge is to find a way to build national vision To the Editor: and broad consensus on tough issues. To meet The death of Dr. Bernie Keeler on January 1, 2015, this challenge, the health of Canadian democracy brought to an end an outstanding career in educational must be a major issue for all of us, now. leadership and the life of a dedicated humanist. We need a national conversation on the role In 1961, after receiving a PhD in Education, he of government in our lives: how much inequality was appointed the first principal of Jasper Place we are prepared to accept and what kind of Composite High School. He was elected president of society we want. In his book, Tax is Not a Four the Alberta Teachers’ Association and later became Letter Word, Alex Himelfarb asserts a need to its executive secretary—a position he held for twenty rethink what we are doing; to restore our sense years, providing significant educational leadership. of community responsibility and to accept taxes as the primary means by which we serve our Irl Miller collective interests, and to find ways of thinking

news & views SPRING 2015 | 9 OPINION

The Stone Age BY DOUG MIRTLE

s many seniors tend to do, I have been todays—just with a different date. Pot bellies were reflecting on the backroads of my mind, stoves and not a socio/medical problem; gouging Aconjuring up the long, tumultuous journey was related to tractor functions and not prices fed from my childhood to the present time. by greed; chiarismatics were crooners like Frank I was born just before WWII was about Sinatra, their ‘radicalized’ followers were known to explode in Europe. My dad served in the as Bobby Soxers; extremists were those led by Canadian Army throughout the entire war, so Elvis Presley and by the Beatles in a wild revolu- my mother was home alone to raise three boys. tion known as ‘Rock ‘n Roll’; and the most sacred Lately, after visiting my father’s grave in the books were school textbooks. Field of Honour in Queen’s Park Cemetery, the From a wider perspective, the political, following reminiscences occurred: economic, religious and social grids were quite I had grown up during the war when food stable. Postwar societies were slowly catching up rationing was part of our culture and money to new industrial demands and job opportunities. was always scarce. I was the youngest of three Our community and world at large seemed to be boys raised during these times—harsh times; do like a small jigsaw puzzle where all of the pieces without times. We played cheap, simple games fitted easily and neatly into place. It was stable, like hide-and-seek, kick the can and marbles. predictable, and best of all, understandable. I Girls skipped enough rope to circle the globe, compare those days as being like living in the played ‘house,’ tended to dolls and kept busy with Olduvai Gorge where primitive man eked out a hopscotch and jacks. meagre existence because that was all that was All of these games were simple, cheap, and known. Those years, the good years, were indis- filled our days with friends and good times. We tinguishable except by their dates. had the liberty of the streets; a child could walk I also view the period from 1945 to 1957 as downtown alone without fear. There was no a period when the territorial imperative was, television so there was a lot of playing outdoors— if possible, to maintain the status quo. Small rain or shine. We lived in a quiet village (Calgary) currents of change were in the wind, but occurred where our tomorrows were much the same as our ‘out there’, far from my life—but this was soon to

10 | www.arta.net OPINION

change quickly and drastically. Big changes finally hit the educational circuit Then, in 1957, the impact of Sputnik changed by the mid-sixties with the introduction of the our quiet village forever. It was not change itself concept of non-gradedness in elementary schools. but rather it was more the volume and rapidity of Many more insights and innovations quickly forthcoming changes. My generation not only had evolved from this revolution. to quickly act as a go-between from the past to The reason I bring this quick sketch of the the then present, but we also became explorers of educational landscape to your attention is that, as a brave new world. We became agents of change I have told many of the classes that I have taught that lasted throughout our professional careers. at the school and university level, I was born in, It was like a tsunami funnelling a large volume and have come from ‘The Stone Age.’ I have found of water through a small culvert. Adapt or die it both amusing, and discouraging that today’s became a rallying cry for this new wave, this future generation is disconnected from my home base— wave, of instability. Even now it has not relented, so much so that I have not yet figured out whether but continues its abrasive intrusion into what was I am an Australopithecus, Neanderthal or some once our quiet village. Technological change is Cro-Magnon being. changing the way our world operates almost daily. Sometimes when I talk to my grandchildren, I Unfortunately, it brings the bad with the good, in a feel that I must be one of those hairy beasts from paradox that gets cloudier every day. the Stone Age as my grandchildren are all conver- Of course none of this is new to the ‘older’ sant with the leading-edge technology in almost generation. I mention these perceptions simply every field. I’m still happy that I have just a flip to establish a base for my reflections as I stood phone and can send or receive a message when I beside my father’s gravestone. want, if I want. I do not text, and do not want to The irony of these little flashbacks is that when text! I do not have a compulsion to be phone busy. I started teaching in 1961, I taught a Grade Six Dick Tracy’s radio watch is now a reality, but class using the same material that I had encoun- we have now gone far beyond that primitive tered in school nine years earlier—exactly the benchmark of revolutionary technology. Creative same readers, arithmetic book, social studies imaginations now have the wherewithal to push topics, and . . .well, you get the idea. Chalk the envelopes of what might or could be into and blackboards, pencils and scribblers, and new realities. Paradigm shifts, transformational textbooks were the ‘instruments of mass instruc- re-structures, shorter and shorter best-before tion.’ Authoritarianism was still an integral part dates are all common occurrences to this younger of a school system’s structure. Beginning teachers generation—I find it harder to adjust. relied to a large extent on the support and As I strolled from the graveyard, I had these and wisdom of their elders, which was readily acces- many more thoughts about my past. I glanced at the sible. Instructional pedagogy was largely founded gravestones on my way out of the cemetery. How on a hand-me-down process. These ‘givens,’ ironic: I had just come from one Stone Age, yet soon compared to the instructional arenas of today, I will be going to another. I’ll be joining my many were like the primitive chipped stones and bones friends and colleagues who are already at that final found in Olduvai Gorge as related to the practice staff meeting. The agenda promises to be heavenly, that I had just inherited. and you can carve that prophecy in stone!

news & views SPRING 2015 | 11 FROM THE BRANCHES

NEARTA Outstanding

Volunteer Award BY PAUL BOISVERT

only natural for her. Her deeply entrenched love of her church made it easy for her to volunteer within that context, a service that continues to this day. Eileen came to Canada in the early 50s when a dire shortage of teachers existed to handle the surge of baby boomers. Her intended one-year adventure has lasted for sixty years. During her Larry Lambert and Eileen Vallee teaching career, her great sense of compassion for those in need drove her to bake goods for her students so that every day, her students would be On December 9th at the NEARTA Annual able to share something nutritional. Not only were Christmas Dinner meeting held in Bonnyville, there mitts in the winter for those who had none, branch president Larry Lambert presented the Eileen would knit toques for every student in her 2014 ARTA Volunteer Award to Eileen Vallee of class. By beginning the celebration of Heritage Day St. Lina. in her school, she was able to create activities and Her own words provide a good understanding make costumes for children from various ethnic of why Eileen Vallee was selected by NEARTA to backgrounds to proudly learn and share something be a recipient of the ARTA Award for 2014. “Vol- of their heritage. unteering seems to be one of those things that just In retirement, Eileen has made and dis- happens… sometimes with coercion… and often tributed hundreds of quilts for children and lasts for years… some enjoyable… some things you adults to places where there is need, from the realize will not get done if you don’t do it.” Stollery Hospital for Children to hospices for the Eileen’s career of volunteerism started early in homeless. She has made and distributed layettes her life when at the age of twelve, the horrors of for unwed mothers who have no family support. World War II changed forever the meaning of life Many of her quilts and other items have gone in her native England. Her knitting skills served her to the Dominican Republic. In 2014, when the well to knit socks for members of the armed forces. Catholic Parish of St. Lina celebrated the 100th After the war, Eileen became a teacher, which led anniversary of its founding, Eileen was honored her into numerous other volunteering endeavours for her continuous service to the parish. both in and out of the school setting. Always a In Eileen’s words, “Volunteering comes in all warm, caring person, it followed that helping people shapes or forms, and I’m sure it will keep me with special needs—both adults and children—was busy as long as the Good Lord leaves me here.”

12 | www.arta.net FROM THE BRANCHES

WELCOME TO . . . “ STEPPIN’ OUT 2015 ”

The Calgary Retired Teachers’ Association is celebrating their 10th Annual Conference for Retired Colleagues and Friends. We’re saving a spot for you at the Banquet on Thursday and the Sessions on Friday.

THURSDAY, April 30th Join us for Dinner followed by a

Rock ’n' Roll Country Comedy Show Richard and Deborah Popovitch have been entertaining Western Canadian audiences with their own unique brand of humour and music for over 20 years. This Comedy Show includes loads of humour and famous songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s, as well as comedy impersonations.

FRIDAY, May 1st Breakfast, Lunch, and a Wind-Up Social, and in between choose from over 20 exciting Presentations on topics including FINANCE, HEALTH, LIFESTYLE, WELLNESS, GARDENING, HERITAGE, TRAVEL, TOURISM, WRITING, DANCE, GOLF and more.

Join us at the RAMADA PLAZA CALGARY AIRPORT (Formerly GREENWOOD INN) 3515 – 26 Street NE Calgary, Alberta

Complete Program and Registration Information is available online at http://www.calgaryretiredteachers.org or by calling Gordon Cumming at 403-288-5731

The CRTA wishes to thank the following Funders for making our Conference possible.

A branch of ARTA Heartland Regional Workshop Day

The Heartland branch of ARTA is holding its second licences. Participants will also explore options to annual Regional Workshop Day on Tuesday, June increase available resources through volunteering. 9, at St. David’s United Church in Leduc. Join us We will announce the facilitator once we have for registration and coffee beginning at 9:30 a.m. confirmed the details. Workshops will begin at 10:15 a.m. Finally, we will offer a session on Nordic Pole A variety of workshops includes “Cooking for Walking. In this session, Mary Checkley will One or Two,” presented by the Leduc Food Bank, a explore walking as a practical form of exercise and session showing how singles and couples can prepare demonstrate how walking with poles can help to nutritious meals. strengthen the upper body. “Cellphones and Tablets” will demonstrate tips on Details of all the above sessions will be announced using these devices as well as answer questions about once arrangements are finalized. Stay tuned! cellphone and tablet use. Registration forms are available on the ARTA Another session will deal with resources available website at www.arta.net to those who can no longer drive after losing their Be sure to save the date—June 9!

news & views SPRING 2015 | 13 FROM THE BRANCHES

Dean McMullen and Marilyn Bossert CERTA Volunteer Award BY MARILYN BOSSERT

and outside of the classroom. For years, he has worked with youth in football, hockey, baseball and skiing. Dean strongly supports community service groups. He is a member and one of the hard-working volun- teers of several, also serving on their executives. He has been involved with many community projects with the Vermilion Elks, the Vermilion Rotary and Communities in Bloom. Throughout his career, Dean was a strong supporter of both teachers and education. He has served on the ATA local as an executive member, ATA Provincial Executive, Central East Teachers’ Convention Board, and CAPSLE (Canadian Associa- Dean McMullen has been and still is an excep- tion for the Proactive Study of Law in Education). tional volunteer, both within the community In retirement, Dean continues to make remark- and beyond. CERTA’s choice for the 2014 able contributions as a volunteer. He has served on ARTA Volunteer Award, Dean was presented the Vermilion Credit Union Board of Directors, the with the newly designed Inukshuk trophy that executive of CERTA, ARTA’s Board of Directors, and reads, “The Inukshuk serves as a reminder of has also been ARTA’s representative at ACER/CART. our dependence on each other and the value of Dean is still actively involved with CERTA and strong relationships.” the Vermilion Rotary Club. He will always be one During his teaching career, Dean believed in estab- of the most reliable and competent volunteers—a lishing a strong relationship with students both inside true asset to any community.

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*ARTA member benefit savings varies by tour. Member benefit savings is valid through April 30, 2016. Other restrictions may apply; call for details. Travel Industry Council of Ontario Reg. #3206405; BC Reg. #23337

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14 | www.arta.net FROM THE BRANCHES

CERTA Volunteer Award SWARTA Presents BY MARILYN BOSSERT the ARTA Volunteer Awards Ray Bryant (L) and Terry Michaelis (R) BY DOREEN PAWLOWSKI

A great number of retired teachers provide invaluable volunteer service to their communities and beyond and deserve special recognition. At the SWARTA Christmas Banquet, December 4,2014, two very deserving gentlemen were presented the ARTA Certificate and Inukshuk plaque.

Ray Bryant is always attentive to peoples’ Terry Michaelis is very active in his community of concerns and tries to solve their problems. He is Milk River in trying to improve living conditions and extremely good with seniors. Here are just a few access to services in this small town. He is willing to of his volunteering experiences: help any organization that needs assistance. Here • Member of Taber Kinsmen; are some of his involvements: • Founding member of Taber and District Health • Town of Milk River councillor for over thirty Foundation Board; years, mayor for 25 years; • Grade 2 Reading program at L.T. Westlake School; • Doctor Recruitment and Retention Committee; • Young Life Canada Highway Clean-up and • Cemetery Board; Taber Community Clean-up; • Seniors Organization, St. Matthew Lutheran • Served on Taber Council for twenty-three Church (elder); years and as mayor for nine years; • Kinsmen; • Served on Taber Aquafun Centre Building • Milk River Historical Society; Committee, Clearview Lodge expansion; • Barons-Eureka-Warner Family and Community • Promoted twinning of Taber with Hidashioni Support Services; City, Japan; • Oldman River Regional Services; • Volunteers at Cornfest, Community • Horizon School Division trustee for ten years; Halloween Party, Taber Parade Committee, • Founding member of Canadian Badlands Industry. MADD Checkstops; • Inducted into Vauxhall High School Hall of Fame; These deserving men are outstanding exemplars • 2013, awarded Queen Elizabeth Diamond of volunteerism in their communities. Jubilee Medal; Each plaque has a carved Inukshuk. Below the • 2013 Urban Municipalities Association Service name of the volunteer is inscribed, “The Inukshuk Award for over twenty-one years of service. serves as a reminder of our dependence on each other and the value of strong relationships.”

news & views SPRING 2015 | 15 SPIRITUALITY & WELLNESS

Spiritual

Wellness BY PEGGY MCDONAGH

invite you to spend a few moments considering ensnared are we by outer self and by the external the following questions: trappings and challenges of life. Nonetheless, I there is a bubbling energy of spirituality evident as • Do I make time for quiet reflection and people seek to be at peace with themselves, with moments of relaxation? others and with the world. • Do I approach life with a negative or a Professor emeritus Eugene Peterson of Regent positive attitude? College in Vancouver observes, “In our times spiri- These questions help us to reflect on how well tuality has become a major business for entrepre- we attend to our spirituality— an element that we neurs, a recreational sport for the bored, and for ignore too often in the daily rush of life. some . . . a serious and disciplined commitment to ‘Spirituality’ is a puzzling concept that people live deeply and fully. . . .” Spirituality has become talk about but few comprehend. It is often associ- a commodity of sorts, viewed as something that ated with religious beliefs; however, mystics can be discovered in a self-help book or found in throughout history and within all religious tradi- a special rock or crystal. Such offerings suggest tions have viewed spirituality not as a religious that all things spiritual must be found or acquired tenet but rather as the innate human longing to be externally, but they do little to help us move from connected to one’s inner self in such a way as to our edges to our centre. live in harmony with all of life. French philosopher Teilhard de Chardin Richard Rohr, a global leader in spiritual provides an interesting perspective. He says, “You awakening, suggests that we are ‘circumference are not a human being in search of a spiritual people’ living on our edges and far from our experience. You are a spiritual being immersed respective centres. He says, “Living in this material in a human experience.” The more we search the world, with a physical body, and in a culture of external world for what we imagine is spiritual, affluence which usually only rewards the outer the more we lose sight of the spirituality we seek self, it is both more difficult to know our spiritual because what we seek is already within us awaiting self and all the more necessary.” He believes that our attention. our contemporary culture undervalues spirituality Spirituality is uniquely individual and may be because people do not know how to ‘go inward,’ so identified as that aspect of our humanness that

16 | www.arta.net SPIRITUALITY & WELLNESS

helps us to create a more meaningful life. It puts us When you spend intentional time reflecting on in touch with the courage, strength, wisdom and you in your life, you notice how pain, anger, compassion that reside within us that influence prejudice, fear, guilt, and loss hold you prisoner. how we live our lives and interact with others. As you courageously befriend your negative attitudes, debilitating emotions and challenging Spiritual Wellness problems you are able to move through them and We may each define spirituality differently; beyond. The journey is not easy but essential if however, spiritual wellness is considered to be you wish to embrace your inner wisdom. Such a willingness to transcend the ego in order to spiritual endeavour brings a profound sense of contemplate the meaning of our lives. Doing so openness and expansion allowing for growth and involves a process of examining how our way clarity to emerge. of being affects our involvement in life. Such Spiritual wellness requires practice; therefore, intentional examination provides the wisdom it is essential to engage in spiritual practices such and perseverance needed to help us navigate the as spending time in silence, learning to let go of challenges that come our way. the past and not dwelling on the future, being Many of us seem unable to stay grounded open to pain and struggles, listening to your heart, and remain poised when faced with the trials being as curious as a child, and making choices of life because we give little attention to our for happiness and fulfilment. We must strive to be physical and emotional health and even less to less judgmental and critical and to start the day by our spiritual well-being. People experience loss, giving thanks for another new beginning. We must aging, retirement, divorce and illness, and feel also learn to take breath breaks during the day and great concern about such matters as global insta- to be optimistic, to laugh and to play. bility. When we are disconnected from our centre This journey allows us to come to understand we often find ourselves without the tools to help that we are a spiritual beings immersed in a us cope and survive. human experience so that we may awaken to who Spiritual wellness is essential to our overall we already are and align with the truth of our well-being because it puts us in harmony with being. Everything becomes alive; every moment is body and mind and contributes to the physical and our teacher; all people and creatures become our emotional stability required to manage the difficult family, and we come to notice that our lives are and heartbreaking situations that disrupt our lives. part of a much greater whole. Most importantly, Spiritual wellness reduces stress and generates we are able to stay calm in the turbulence of life. positive energy. It promotes a strong sense of self, Take a moment and be in touch with your spontaneous kindness and an increase in one’s amazing, beautiful inner presence and let it capacity for compassion. awaken you to the wonder of life.

The Journey The path to spiritual wellness is a journey of Peggy McDonagh, Minister of Worship at St. David’s awakening that calls for an inevitable movement United Church in Calgary, shares reflections on body, into the shadowed centre to endure the sharp mind and spiritual wellness—important elements in pains of self-discovery in search of the true self. her own life.

news & views SPRING 2015 | 17 MONEY MATTERS

It’s Your Money

BY JOSEPH BATTY, CA

Joseph Batty’s long history in financial management First and foremost, it is your money (not the has made him a recognized authority. His experience bank’s or brokerage firm’s), so you have 100% with financial matters has covered a range from control over where your money is placed. structuring knowledge-rich companies to capitalization Do not let a financial institution bully or intimi- of intangible assets. date you into believing that, once you write them a have been quoted as saying that a lot of people cheque or transfer your money to them, they now spend more time mowing their lawns than they decide where to place your money. These institu- Ido managing their money. tions have impressive questionnaires and sets of I must have uttered this in a discussion when tidy, neat forms (that seem logical) to designate I was talking about how grossly complex the your level of sophistication and your agreed level financial world has become. As a CA, when I of risk. Once they get you to sign them, they take bought my first copy of the Tax Act, I think it cost control and also absolve themselves of any respon- $20 and was about 300 pages. Now, it is over sibility if you lose some of your money. 1,000 pages. Finance, banking and investing have It’s your money—you should the one deciding become equally daunting. what to do with it. Is it any wonder that so many people have When people walk into the offices of the bank yielded decisions about their money to the new or brokerage firm to discuss their thoughts with army of ‘investment advisors’ that populate our an ‘investment advisor,’ many of them become financial institutions? Sadly, there is an over- intimidated because of the complexity of the whelming sense of helplessness that permeates discussion. At this point, many people yield their our society when it comes to money matters. decisions to the person across the desk from them Sadly, as well, there is a mountain of evidence (even though they may not know this person). The that suggests our many financial institutions whole ambiance of the building and the institution know this sense of helplessness exists and they seems to create a false sense of security and trust, prey on it to their advantage. even though, in most cases, people know there is So what are some basic facts that you should evidence that this trust is often betrayed. know and use when you manage your money? Thinking back to my own school days, the 3 R’s—

18 | www.arta.net MONEY MATTERS

Readin’, ‘Ritin’ and ‘Rithmetic—were the key. I 3. Should I designate my investment was quite good at the ‘rithmetic, and I am sure activities as ‘self-administered?’ most of you reading this are equally good at ‘Self-administered’ means that you decide what math. What makes me wonder is why most of us kind of investments you want to make and the become intimidated when a dollar sign appears in financial institution simply does the paperwork front of numbers? (for which they charge a fee). The second basic fact in money management Most firms, do not want you to designate your is that, after you have agonized and decided, you account as self-administered because the transac- should invest some of your cash in a third-party tions you will probably choose will benefit you the investment—but you need to know there are still most, but not them. A self-administered account three additional decisions to make: usually means they will not earn as much in fees from the transactions as they would if you bought 1. Do you want to put your money into a their pre-canned products. So, typically, they will licensed account? not tell you about this option. A licensed account is a TFSA, an RRSP or an Designating your investment activities as RESP. These accounts have been established as self-administered is as easy as filling out one form. part of our Income Tax Act and must be admin- istered by a licensed institution that will report So, folks, think like a teacher, and think about what your status to the Canada Revenue Agency. we could do to help the myriad of people who find You don’t have to do this; but if you do, there managing their money very confusing and difficult. could be income tax issues (both good and bad) I think that the answer might be that we should now, and in the future. put financial knowledge into the curriculum and make it a mandatory requirement for graduating. 2. What specific investments do I want to What do you think? place my money into? In the meantime, for those masses of people There are a multitude of options available who could not benefit from such an initiative for you to choose from, and this is where the because they are already out of school, perhaps complexity starts. If you have not done some someone should be developing a new app for pre-meeting homework, you will soon be over- smartphones, or a computer game specifically whelmed with the terms ‘diversify,’ ‘risk,’ ‘yield,’ designed to train people about money. ‘r.o.i.,’ ‘dividend,’ ‘share,’ ‘debenture,’ ‘bond,’ The naysayers of course would say there is lots of ‘emerging markets,’ and so on. information available right now, and that may be Do you need to know all of this? No! true; however, most of that information has been Most of these complex terms are only used by prepared by financial institutions and is extremely large, sophisticated investors like pension funds. biased, or, like the Canada Revenue Agency’s Unless you are investing millions, you only need material, is in a form that adds to the confusion. to know the basics. Just sayin’.

Go to www.proventurespathway.com or email me at [email protected] if you would like to know more, or if you have questions.

news & views SPRING 2015 | 19 Are We Ever Truly Retired?

BY DR. S. BURKE

n the winter 2014, ATA Magazine, Ihor Kruk But that choice still bothers me. I felt I had points out in his article, “Under A Microscope,” a great deal to offer in the way of information Ithat one decision of the Supreme Court of and experience on the subject. Was I letting my Canada stated that ‘teachers wear their teacher hat community down by not speaking out? Privately, 24/7.’ This decision puts teachers’ conduct under my family dealt with it by withdrawing my grand- scrutiny all day, every day. But what about when children from the local education district and teachers retire? Are we still subject to the Code of placing them in another one. I suppose, in a way, Professional Conduct or are we now ‘just citizens’? that too was a non-verbal demonstration of what This question arose for me after a particularly my opinion was. hot educational issue sparked a conflagration in Common sense and moral responsibility tell our small community. Many people wanted me, us that as retired teachers we have to be careful as a retired teacher of the district, to speak out of what stories and opinions we express about on the issue; and, believe you me, I was dying to our teaching experiences. Many of our stories do so. However, upon reflection, I wondered just and opinions are humorous, some are sad, and what my ethical responsibilities were regarding some are very political about the inner workings the local school, the district, and the profession. of schools and educational districts. If you live Could I give a public response to the issue? Would in a very small community as I do, you rarely get my remarks be viewed as the opinion of a private to share any of these stories because the people citizen? Or would they be interpreted as a teacher involved are still present and, even when a story is speaking out? In the end I did not express my edited to remove names, people can guess who was opinion, either publicly or privately. involved. Common sense aside, am I bound by an

20 | www.arta.net ethical code to not relate any stories or express any opinions about colleagues I may have worked with or on educational issues that may arise? What about our private lives? Do we still have an onus to ‘act in a manner which maintains the honour and dignity of the profession’ (Section 18, Code of Professional Conduct)? Some retired teachers may feel that because we are retired we SAVE THE DATE! ‘can wear purple,’ so to speak. Certainly, as elders TUESDAY JUNE 9, 2015 of our communities, we may feel that our opinions, based on education and experience, can and Please see www.arta.net/newsandevents for should be expressed. Is there a code of conduct the registration form and information for the for retired teachers? Should there be a code of Workshop on Tuesday June 9, 2015, at conduct? Do we ever get to be ‘just a citizen’? After pondering these questions I contacted St. David’s United United Church in Leduc. the Member Services department of the ATA. The The program includes key presenters speaking response was extremely helpful. First, they defined about a variety of topics of interest to retirees. a ‘teacher’ as anyone who holds a valid teaching The workshop is open to all and includes a license, whether temporary or permanent. When lunch. Registration fee is $25. you retire, or change professions, your license is still in effect, which makes you bound by the Register early as space is limited. No refunds ATA code of professional conduct. For example, a after May 27, 2015. retired teacher who criticizes publicly, or privately, another member of the profession is still liable to charges of slander and a disciplinary hearing. The same applies to a teacher who leaves the profes- sion and pursues other vocations. I wonder if this has been made clear to those teachers who have chosen to opt out of the The Journey Continues… profession. Is their sense of moral and legal A Wellness Conference for Retirees responsibility to the profession intact? After reading the ATA Magazine’s articles on “When Chateau Louis Conference Centre Oct. 21, 2015 Teachers Get In Trouble” I sincerely believe that, given what teachers in the profession are liable Reserve the date now and get ready to to do, teachers who opt out of the profession do RENEW! RECONNECT! RE-ENERGIZE! not realize that they are still bound by the Code of Professional Conduct. Watch for more information from branch I would really appreciate it if retired teachers representatives, in news & views, on the ARTA website or check out would comment on this issue, or share any informa- www.gertasecondwind.org tion or experiences they may have that relate to it.

news & views SPRING 2015 | 21 Parents Need to See Their Children Realistically When Signing a Power of Attorney

BY LYNNE BUTLER

ot long ago, as I picked up my lunch from a drive-thru, I paid for the food being bought by the people in the car behind mine. When I mentioned this to a friend, Nshe said, “but what’s stopping the clerk from pocketing the money and still charging the next car for their meal?” I suppose nothing is stopping the clerk from doing that, but I was (and still am) prepared to take the chance. All I stood to lose in this particular transaction was less than $10. I would certainly have a different attitude if the potential loss was greater. Can you imagine taking this kind of unprotected leap of faith if the money you handed to the clerk was every cent you own? And yet, this is done every day. People carelessly hand over access to everything they own and will ever own by signing powers of attorney. Not enough importance is placed on the fact that this extremely powerful document is often abused, causing losses that can be anywhere from inconvenient to catastrophic. I know what you are thinking. You are thinking that the risk is greater when you put

22 | www.arta.net a stranger (such as the clerk) in charge of your If clients turn an intentionally blind eye to an money than it is when you put a family member issue and refuse to deal with it, there is not much in charge. Well, unfortunately, you are wrong any lawyer can do for them. about that. The majority of financial abuse of With the cooperation of their clients, lawyers seniors is perpe- who specialize trated by family The majority of financial abuse of seniors in estate members. This planning is not cheerful is perpetrated by family members. This is can draft information, but not cheerful information, but it is accurate. documents it is accurate. that allow It’s not my intent here to dissuade anyone from for annual accounting to other family members. having a Power of Attorney document prepared. They can provide that any person acting under a In fact for years I have been involved in the power of attorney who takes money or who cannot process of helping my clients get these documents account for missing money will lose that amount in place. What I have a problem with is the power from his or her inheritance. However, when clients of attorney document that puts no guidelines in refuse to even entertain the idea that a child of place, allows for no accountability to anyone and theirs could give in to temptation or pressure or gives too much power to someone who does not financial problems, the lawyer’s hands are tied. know how to handle it. I do not like the idea of A client who is wilfully blind to the possibil- giving anyone carte blanche. ities and will not protect himself is in the same Part of the blame for the existence of these position as I was going through that drive-thru dangerously powerful documents belongs to the lane—handing over the money and just hoping it lawyers and planners who do not take the time to will all be okay. talk the customers through the potential pitfalls and then draft strong provisions in the document to head off problems. But I would say that a huge part of the problem lies squarely in the Affinity Program Update laps of those parents who refuse to acknowledge BY CHYRISSE DEKKER that anyone related to them could possibly do anything dishonest or negligent. Last week I spoke with an older, widowed woman whose children are already starting to quarrel over her money even though she expects We are proud to announce that we have to live for many years yet. She said to me, quite sadly, “I thought my family would be different. I partnered with Cruise Plus.ca for excellent thought we’d rise above this kind of thing.” Why special offers and fantastic deals on all sorts did she think this? Her children had not shown of quality travel—including cruises, packaged any signs of being any different from the rest of holidays, escorted and regular departure tours us humans on the planet. Her unsupported belief and more. Visit www.cruiseplus.ca/arta in the superiority of her children is shared by to find out more. many mothers—and fathers—the world over.

news & views SPRING 2015 | 23 Safe Surfing

While Travelling BY ERICH BERNDT

t is almost impossible these days to travel anywhere without the need to access the Internet to confirm reservations, check maps, read email or conduct financial Itransactions. Even if our accommodation provides Internet access, wired or via Wi-Fi, my wife and I still practice safe Internet surfing. We especially take precautions if we need to use a laptop or tablet that is on a public network like those provided at McDonald’s or Starbucks. Unsafe surfing can result in receiving more spam email or even downright hacking of your computer and email accounts.

To prevent our surfing Yahoo or Apple. With DDG, the highest-ranked habits from being tracked site is not necessarily the one that paid the most by companies like Google money to the search engine provider. With DDG, (Chrome), Microsoft (Internet the most relevant site appears first. This search Explorer) or Apple (Safari), we engine can be downloaded free from https:// have installed a safe browser duckduckgo.com and Apple includes it with and a safe search engine on the new Yosemite operating system. our devices. Firefox, which is an open source browser, does not track your surfing, nor does it Finally, to prevent others on spam you with paid-for advertising. It is available public networks from seeing for download for free (from https://www. what we are browsing or even mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new) on most what is on our laptop, tablet computers and devices including iPhones and or smartphone, we use the iPads, Android tablets or phones, Macs and PCs. products of a Canadian software company, SurfEasy.com. Our safe search engine of SurfEasy provides a ‘virtual private network choice goes by the strange (VPN)’ connection while on the Internet. A VPN name of DuckDuckGo. DDG connection is encrypted in the same way that banks does not track our surfing and the Canada Revenue Agency are when you do nor does it sell or give away your online banking or pay your income tax. A VPN that data to others. We have is like an encrypted ‘tunnel’ through the Internet, found that DuckDuckGo which means it is virtually impossible to hack often takes us to sites that are different from the into. It is like connecting a private telephone line paid-for-by-advertiser searches done by Google, between two locations.

24 | www.arta.net SurfEasy is available in four formats. You can provides unlimited data usage and protection. We download for free a 500 MB per month version use it on our laptop or with public access computers that can be installed on your devices. The 500 when we travel. This browser stick gives us peace of MB per month limit is for all your installations mind to do our banking, emailing and web surfing. on all of your devices. All browsing information is stored on the USB We have installed the free version on our tablet stick and not on the computer or device. The USB and it suffices for most of our usage while travel- SurfEasy Browser is available from suppliers such ling light. SurfEasy offers two other subscription as BestBuy, Future Shop, and London Drugs for a plans and a SurfEasy Browser USB stick for those one-time cost of $69.99. who require more than 500 MB per month. For As an added bonus, if you use SurfEasy, you can more information and costs, Go to their website switch to one of seven current SurfEasy server sites at www.surfeasy.com for more information. located in Canada, USA, UK, Singapore, Australia, Brazil and Germany. If you subscribe to Netflix The most convenient and Canada, you can access Netflix USA by switching the safest SurfEasy product is to the USA Server. By using the UK server, you the USB SurfEasy Browser can download, install and use the BBC iplayer that stick. This device comes in allows you to access BBC radio, BBC television a credit-card-like sleeve that channels and archived programs. Favorite shows can be kept in your wallet. You like TopGear UK , Sherlock, Dr. Who, and all those can insert the USB stick into extra US Netflix movies are now watchable any any device that has a USB port. The browser stick time you want to view them.

2015 Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association Annual Golf Tournament Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at the Wolf Creek Golf Resort

$125 Registration includes the following: Green Fees for 18 Holes Power Cart Lunch and BBQ Supper Marvellous Prizes See the summer issue of news & views, go to the ARTA website at www.arta.net or contact your branch president for more details and a registration form.

news & views SPRING 2015 | 25 Two Bicycle Trips BY DUANE DUFF icycling at any age can be fun–and healthy. necessary to grip our handlebars tightly and to All you need are a healthy body, a bicycle of ride our brakes. Suddenly, I felt a crashing on Ba comfortable style and in good condition, a my left ribs and the thump of my helmet as I good surface with minimal traffic, and the desire struck the grassy area beside the road! My wheels to go somewhere. Even if one has not ridden a must have slipped on the rocks. The wind was bicycle in recent years, the skill is there and needs knocked out of me. Pam and our grandson lifted only to be honed. me up to my feet. Pam, a former geriatric nurse, In July 2013, shortly after Pam and I moved could find no evidence of broken ribs, and then from Surrey, British recommended that Columbia, to Annapolis I walk down the last County, Nova Scotia, half-kilometre to the our son, his wife, their lake and to continue son, and the two of us moving until our son purchased bicycles. arrived on his bicycle. Could we still ride? Returning, we set Even though I had not out for the truck ten ridden in twenty years kilometres away with and Pam even longer me setting the pace on because we had lived my bicycle. I dodged in cities, it did not take us long to regain our skills, potholes, stopping only once for a moment at a although we were not quite as adept as when we bridge, until we reached the highway. I felt no pain were teenagers. We have the old style of bicycle while riding and managed with no problem. My with basket carrier, fenders, and foot brakes. Our bicycle suffered no damage. son and our grandson also purchased lightweight The only injury that I had was a pinched nerve touring bicycles for long trips. in my back, which made it uncomfortable when In October 2013, we decided to ride on a lying in bed at night. Thus, for about three weeks, gravelled rail bed trail for ten kilometres some I spent my nights sitting comfortably in a reclining distance away for a final trip of the year. Our son chair in front of our wood stove. Before cold let the four of us off where a hydro power road weather set in, Pam and I took one last ride of intersects with the highway. We were to bike about one kilometre, and then left our bicycles in down the grade for about one kilometre to the the garage until late spring 2014. hydro power dam beside the trail and wait for We have often heard of seniors who fall and him to arrive by bicycle after he parked the truck break bones. For my bones to have escaped at the end of our route. a fracture, I give credit to Pam, who is deter- The road was fairly steep and had many mined to keep me healthy as long as possible protruding rocks. We should have walked the with nourishing foods, appropriate supplements, whole distance, but we decided to ride. It was walking, and bicycling.

26 | www.arta.net CLASSIFIEDS

On July 4, 2014, we celebrated our fiftieth wedding anniversary. We did not want a typical form of recognition for this milestone, so I WAILEA BREEZE suggested that we ride our bicycles from our Municipal Address: Manowar Drive, Golf home in Brickton to the town of Bridgetown, Park Road, Cap Estate, Gros Islet, St.Lucia located sixteen kilometres away. We would travel Postal Address: P O Box 515, Castries, by the old rail bed trail that runs behind our St.Lucia garage. The route beyond Lawrencetown, four Telephone: 1-758-450-6559 (h) 1-758- kilometres away, was new to us. Our son and our 488-4984 (c) 1-780-800-9516 (Can) grandson had ridden the route and advised us of Email: [email protected] the most difficult parts. We set out at 6:20 a.m. The first six kilome- Looking for a phenomenal teacher tres were good, but beyond that, there were We are looking for a retired teacher with challenges—steep grades, rocky areas, mud holes, extensive elementary school experience to loose gravel and sand, hot and humid weather, and administer a home schooling programme based biting insects—the day before Hurricane Arthur on the Alberta curriculum. We have two children hit. When we reached the edge of Bridgetown at - Chase aged 6 (grade 2) and Taryn aged 10 8:50 a.m., we were hot, tired, and determined not (grade 5). Knowledge of a second language(s) to return by that route. We rested at a picnic table (French/Spanish) would be an asset. Our by a gasoline station for twenty minutes. In the goal is develop our children’s reading, writing, meantime, we enjoyed a bottle of apple-grape juice communication and problem solving skills. to supplement our bottles of water. Determined not to return home by bus, we set Where: St. Lucia, Caribbean out on the highway that parallels the trail. When the grades were too steep on this roller coaster When: September 2015 to June 2016 pavement, we walked. At Lawrencetown, we rested for fifteen minutes at our son’s house. Then we What we are offering: followed the trail back to our home, arriving at 10:50 - An opportunity to live and work in the a.m. We were tired, but happy to have completed our Caribbean (avoid winter) goal. We had no mechanical problems. However, less - Free room and board in a new self contained, than two weeks later, the front tubes of both bicycles fully furnished one bedroom apartment with all had to be replaced. amenities (internet, cable TV) I am 84 years old and Pam has been near death - Access to a vehicle (valid driver’s license required) three times between 1994 and 2003, finally curing - Monthly stipend herself. We wanted to show that we could complete - Return airfare these trips as seniors and also as vegans of twenty years. We have not been on medication since the Please contact Vanya at [email protected] 1990s. Friends were surprised that we would attempt with resume and references or 1-780-800-9516 / such trips at our ages. We would like to encourage 1-780-481-6559 for more information. other seniors who are able, to take up bicycling or other physical activity. CLASSIFIEDS CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

news & views SPRING 2015 | 27 100 years BY LOU DUIGOU

his is a time in the history of our province before boarding a train to Athabasca the very next when families often celebrate one hundred day. There, they purchased horses and wagons to Tyears or more of having arrived in Alberta as complete the journey to the Plamondon area. immigrants from many parts of Europe. Last year, Why did they decide to emigrate? Simply put, 2014, marked the 100th anniversary of the arrival life was not great in the old country. All these of the Ulliac-Duigou-Cosperec-Le Rouzic families young people really had no future other than to from Gourin, Brittany, France. Upon their arrival work as sharecroppers or farmhands—a meagre in Alberta, they settled in an area northeast of existence indeed, with no hope of ever becoming Edmonton between Lac La Biche and Athabasca. significant landowners. In Europe, there was also There they established farms near Charron Lake the constant threat of war, which did occur in 1914. and Plamondon. They named the place they The decision to emigrate was not an easy settled Gourin after their hometown in France. one. Some wanted to come to Canada; but some In 1914, Joseph and Marie-Louise Ulliac, both wanted to go to Algeria, a French colony at the aged fifty-four, decided to move to Canada in time. But, finally, grand-mère Ulliac put her foot order to give their children and grand-children down and said, “Either we all go together, or no a better life. There were fourteen persons in the one goes.” So, off to Canada they went. group that arrived in the area following a seven- By 1937, Gourin, Alberta, had a school, Gourin teen-day trip across the Atlantic in a ship called School, which became part of the Lac La Biche The Sicilian and a five-day train ride to get to School Division in 1955. Gourin Post Office Edmonton. They attended Mass on Palm Sunday opened in 1923, and a store opened in 1937. Both

28 | www.arta.net the store and the post office was published with 230 copies sold. The index closed for good in 1967. So, contains over 1200 names. no more Gourin until 2014, The families feel these celebrations are when, under an Alberta Culture important because they “help us know who we program, Minister Heather are and remember where we came from,” says Klimchuk, re-established the Lou Duigou, co-editor of the history book with his Gourin name as a locality in the wife, Lynne, and their daughter, Nicole. “It’s also Athabasca County. interesting to see what the various descendants The families who established have done or are doing with their lives.” These Gourin love to celebrate. In descendants now work in many fields such as oil 1964, these families and their and gas, agriculture, education, medicine, art, descendants celebrated fifty music, and robotics. years in Canada. They marked the occasion by erecting a small monument on the edge Spring Again of the first homestead. In 1989, these families celebrated their Let me stand here for a moment— 75th anniversary in the town warm sun on the back of my dark jacket. of Atmore, Alberta, a mere three miles west of Gourin and the site of the My neighbourhood has begun to soften: delicate leaves against the sky, homesteads of the Duigou and Le Rouzic families. a bush, unremarkable last week, They erected a larger and more permanent shouts its pinkness from a block away, monument to replace the first one. The plaque May’s afternoon clouds more robust than February’s. states that by 1989 there were over 450 descen- dants, but today it is estimated that there are Joggers return. 1500 inclusive of births and marriages. Two of them—shocking white legs— A 100-year family reunion occurred in pad along the middle of my street. July 2014 at the fine facilities and grounds in In the schoolyard a white Frisbee soars. Plamondon. Over 400 family members attended “Throw it to me!” and celebrated. Events included meeting and “Here! Here! Here!” visiting with all the cousins, games, a banquet Later, in the sun-deprived hallway, on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday, ending I imagine a student says, with the celebration of a Mass and the release “Ms. Johnson, can we have class outside?” of balloons with the names of deceased loved “Only if it rains,” she deadpans. ones written on them. A notable highlight of the Something stirs in my garden; celebration was a flag-raising ceremony at the something stirs in me. monument in Gourin where three flags were raised: the Canadian flag, the Alberta flag, and Keith Worthington a flag of Brittany in acknowledgement of our from Poet on a Cargo Plane roots. As well, a history book of nearly 400 pages

news & views SPRING 2015 | 29 Journaling for Your Health

BY SHARON GOERG

ournal writing was a valuable tool that I used Some websites act like a journal, letting you with all my students throughout my teaching track your diet, blood pressure, exercise, and Jcareer. Since retiring I have led workshops sleep. (Lose it! or MyNetDiary) You are able to on journaling for teens and adults including record your moods, your reactions, your feelings. sessions for health care workers. Earlier journals It does not have to be elaborate, just honest and had to be created, but today journals abound in spontaneous. Learn about yourself in relationship all sizes, formats, and designs wherever statio- to food, exercise and overall health. nery products are sold. This article emphasizes Discovering your inner self can be another goal. the therapeutic and health aspects to journal Use a journal to describe your emotions, thoughts, writing that include diet, fitness, emotional fears, hopes and life experiences. An article by J. perspective, creativity and enjoyment. Smyth, et al., in the Journal of American Medical Journaling can be as simple as tracking your Association (April 1999) states that “research successes each week. A combination of your has demonstrated that writing about emotionally short-and long-term food goals—portion size traumatic experiences has a surprisingly beneficial and consumption—with your exercise program effect on symptoms, well-being, and health care is a good approach. Types of exercise, distances, use in healthy individuals. Patients with mild to weights, heart rate, and any aches and pains moderately severe asthma or rheumatoid arthritis can all be recorded. There are also many food who wrote about stressful life experiences also prompts for weight loss on the Internet. For had clinically relevant changes in health status at example: this time when I diet I hope to . . . or four months compared to a control group.” More weight loss is important to my health because . . . research on journaling for cancer patients has been The more details you include in a food and published recently with books like The Write Way exercise journal, the more useful it becomes as the to Wellness supporting these positive claims. The actual process of writing can reinforce and clarify Journal of Clinical Oncology reported that early- your goals. Statistics show that journaling doubles stage breast cancer patients may benefit from journ- a person’s likelihood of weight-loss success. A aling by recording their feelings about the disease, Chicago author, Marilyn Fitzgerald, has written a resulting in a reduced number of visits to the doctor journal called Spirit of a Winner. She maintains because of breast cancer related symptoms. that a journal can work as a tool for self-empow- Esther Sternberg, a doctor who is the director of erment that often reveals self defeating and self the neural immune program and neuro-endocrine sabotaging thinking that can hinder personal immunology and behavior at the National Institute progress in terms of weight and overall health. of Mental Health in the United States, claims that

30 | www.arta.net CLASSIFIEDS claims that writing about emotionally charged memories, even for a few minutes a day, can be therapeutic. Those who Alberta Guide Dogs is seeking volunteer Puppy Raisers to write about traumas, negative or provide loving homes to puppies training to be Guide Dogs and positive turning points in their Autism Support Dogs. This is a 24/7 commitment that involves lives, or simply write about their providing our pups with basic obedience and socialization skills, life stories, derive great benefits. from the time they are 7-8 weeks to 14-18 months old. Through Often, men do not write about life scheduled visits and obedience classes, as well as guidance from a events or emotions, but success Puppy Raising Supervisor and advice from existing volunteers, you through writing seems to apply to will have a terrific support system throughout this very rewarding men and women equally. Journal experience. Volunteers must be available during the day. We writing is not a substitution for provide food, vet care and other basic necessities for the pup. If clinical therapy, but, for many, you are interested in raising a puppy that could grow up to change the process can be useful. someone’s life, please call Sandra at 403-616-3228 or by email at Most people know stress can [email protected]. weaken the body’s defenses ______against illness. Releasing stress through writing may help the Roving ChessNuts healing process by allowing for Chess Programs For All Ages acceptance of feelings. A Univer- IF YOU LOVE CHESS, here is pleasant, rewarding part-time work! sity of Texas psychologist and Alberta’s largest provider of chess instruction is seeking retired researcher, James Pennbaker, educators with chess knowledge to conduct lunch period and after- contends that regular journaling school classes in Edmonton and region. There may be opportunities strengthens immune cells. By to do so anywhere in Alberta with support and lessons via internet writing about stressful events a and interactive webinars. Evening or weekend classes might be an person can come to terms with option. Roving ChessNuts has taught chess to thousands of students them, thereby reducing the impact since 2001, and some have become provincial and national champs. of these stressors on physical We are looking for teachers, not chess nerds or titled players! Basic health. Scientists do not know knowledge of chess plus an interest in learning more about the game exactly how this process works, while teaching and supervising are needed. Ability to handle mix but it seems that the hormones of elementary and junior high students is essential. Depending on and nerve chemicals released duties - supervisory or head instructor and level of class - hourly from the brain and adrenal wages start at $25 and can go over $50. Travel allowance available. If glands when stressed change an applicant has other skills, supplementary work in administration, the way immune cells function. course development and marketing may be available. IF YOU LOVE Writing about a stressful event WORDS, our successful formula for chess is prepared to launch a may interrupt the flow of stress word mastery program for elementary ages where spelling, vocabulary hormones that harm the immune and elements of literacy are rolled into fun competitive classes. system and lead to disease. Contact Roving ChessNuts: [email protected], CONTINUED ON PAGE 39 780-474-2318.

news & views SPRING 2015 | 31 Raising Your Beds to

New Heights BY JANE THRALL

I favor building a box from 2”x8” lumber, using 2”x2” corner posts for support. Today’s lumber is no longer treated with potentially harmful preservatives and cedar isn’t treated at all, so even if you plan to grow food for your family, wooden boxes are safe and moderate in cost. Keeping your raised bed under four feet in width will allow you to reach the entire space, something you’ll appre- ciate when it’s time to sow seeds in the spring or pull weeds in the summer. In his book All New Square Foot Gardening, Mel Bartholomew recommends ardening in raised beds has become increasingly popular using a box that is 4’x4’ in order over the past several years, largely in part to the overall to maximize efficiency. Gresurgence of gardening as a whole. A raised bed offers The concept of square-foot a clean canvas to grow whatever the gardener loves most while gardening is that you can use making an artistic statement. the space in your garden more For some the palette will be an assortment of fresh vegetables; efficiently by planting each for others a spectrum of stunning flowers or array of aromatic individual 12”x12” square herbs. Whatever your passion, gardening in a raised bed is simple separately according to simple and rewarding. guidelines. For example, in The first step is to choose a structure. A raised bed can be created each square foot you can plant from a simple arrangement of stones or any large container with one cabbage, four lettuce, nine good drainage. A number of prefabricated products can be found in spinach or sixteen carrots. As gardening shops or home improvement stores. the plants mature and are

32 | www.arta.net harvested, the square can be replanted with another crop. So a radish square may become a lettuce square in its second go-around. The organized and clean look of the square-foot garden is what makes it attractive for many, but it also saves space and produces more. Weeds are easy to keep at bay because they fall outside the pattern of the plants and can be easily identified and plucked. Once you have your raised bed built, it needs to be sited in a location that gets a minimum of Sample Raised Beds eight hours of daily sunlight and preferably much more. Some sort of weed barrier should be placed underneath to prevent weeds and grass from Another advantage of a raised bed is that it is easier making their way up, but if you balk at the cost of to access for those who have difficulty kneeling or landscape fabric then consider two or three layers of bending. A bed with a height of 12” to 16” can be cardboard. The advantage of cardboard is that it will tended from a comfortable stool or bench. eventually decay, allowing worms and other helpful Wheelchair accessible gardens should be 18” to 24” organisms access to your garden from below. in height and have a minimum of four feet of space Once in place the structure needs to be filled surrounding them. Tabletop beds should be built 36” with soil. A good soil mix retains moisture, air off the ground to allow a wheelchair to fit underneath. and nutrients. Although there are many prepared container mixes available, I like to blend my own using an equal volume of vermiculite, peat and compost. The final step in raised-bed gardening is I use a large block of peat (107 litres or 3.8 cubic choosing and planting your crop. In Alberta many feet), a large bag of #2 expanded vermiculite (118 seeds can be sown in April, but some of the more litres or 4 cubic feet) and four bags of manure sensitive plants should wait until after the last (4×10 kg or 22 lbs each). The manure or compost risk of spring frost. By mid May virtually all seeds should be a mix of different types: steer, sheep, are safe to sow, although having a plan to cover mushroom, worm castings, or whatever you can delicate seedlings in case of a late frost is prudent. get your hands on. The more variety the better. Once established, keep your bed well watered, Today’s horticultural vermiculite is not the same as it will tend to dry out more rapidly than a product as was blown into attics in the 1950s as typical in-ground garden. If you want to take your insulation. There has been controversy about the garden to the next level, consider a simple irriga- safety of vermiculite because the primary producer tion system attached to a rain barrel. during the 20th century, a mine in Montana, sold Whether you favor a row of radishes, a plot of product contaminated with asbestos. That mine has parsnips or a square of squash, raised beds make been closed for nearly twenty years and Canadian urban gardening gratifying. suppliers have been sourcing their vermiculite from alternate producers for years. For those who still Jane Thrall is a self-taught amateur gardener. You can harbour concern, a suitable substitute with similar follow her blog about gardening in zone 3b at aeration and moisture-retention properties is Perlite. www.gardeningrrl.wordpress.com

news & views SPRING 2015 | 33 ARTA Scholarships ARTA–TW Insurance Degree Scholarships Clarence M. Goldade Memorial Golf The ARTA–TW Insurance Degree Scholarships Tournament Scholarship are made possible by the generosity of TW Clarence M. Goldade, a retired teacher and Insurance Brokers, a service partner for home administrator, was active at the branch and and auto insurance. TW Insurance Brokers provincial levels of ARTA. Clarence contributed to provides, through ARTA, scholarships for his profession as a negotiator for twenty-six years undergraduate students who are related to an and as a student council advisor for eighteen of ARTA member. those years. Besides his dedication to education, These scholarships recognize academic Clarence was also involved in his community. He achievement, community involvement and was deeply committed to service and a master volunteer work. Future goals, personal at organizing community groups and events. In accomplishment and supporting letters of addition to serving on many local boards, Clarence reference are also significant in determining the directed musicals, coached junior volleyball, scholarship recipients. refereed hockey and umpired baseball. Degree Scholarships are awarded as follows: The Clarence M. Goldade Memorial Golf 1st Place—$5,000 Tournament Scholarship of $1,000 will be 2nd Place—$3,000 awarded to a student entering the second year 3rd Place—$2,000 of studies in the Faculty of Education. This scholarship is a one-time award established in memory of Clarence M. Goldade by the Golf The ARTA Certificate/Diploma Tournament Committee and funded by the profits Scholarships from the 2014 ARTA Memorial Golf Tournament The ARTA Certificate/Diploma Scholarships are hosted by the Medicine Hat and District Retired made possible by the generosity of the Alberta Teachers’ Association. Retired Teachers’ Association (ARTA). ARTA The award is offered in addition to the regular provides scholarships to students in a certificate scholarships administered and awarded annually or diploma program of two or more years at an by ARTA. The same application requirements and accredited post-secondary institution who are selection criteria will apply. related to an ARTA member. Applications are welcome from direct These scholarships recognize academic relatives (children, grandchildren, first and achievement, community involvement and second generation nieces and nephews) who are volunteer work. Future goals, personal sponsored by current ARTA members. accomplishments and supporting letters of Application forms and criteria are available reference are also significant in determining the online at ARTA’s website: www.arta.net or by scholarship recipients. writing to: Certificate/Diploma Scholarships are awarded Executive Director as follows: Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association 1st Place—$2,500 409, 11010 142 Street NW 2nd Place—$1,500 Edmonton, AB T5N 2R1 3rd Place—$1,000 The application deadline is July 31, 2015.

34 | www.arta.net aving taught for nearly thirty-five years across Hnortheast and central Alberta, ARTA member Steve Kamelchuk has always maintained a busy lifestyle. His career began in a one-room schoolhouse in 1953 teaching Grades 1 and 2 at Imperial Mills School, then later in Smith. Shortly thereafter, he went back to the University of Building My Journey: Alberta to complete his degree, then taught in Athabasca, A Profile of an ARTA Member Edmonton, Lamont, and Devon

before returning to Edmonton BY CANDICE ULLIAC to teach at Holy Redeemer College. Lac La Biche then roots across the continent and are his retirement. became his home for twenty raising their own families—ten In his shop, Steve experi- years where he taught high grandchildren for Steve and Helen. ments with various types of wood school sciences. Steve, who is now eighty including caragana, maple, oak, Steve finally retired from years old, is an industrious walnut, mahogany and birch. teaching after working at Alberta retiree who has enjoyed many “Each wood has its own grain Vocational College (AVC) in hobbies over the years. He has and character. I try to mix light Athabasca, and settling on an served on his local community and dark woods in my projects so acreage just outside of town parish council and has acquired that the details stand out.” This is where he still resides. While a private flying license. He especially true in the wood plates teaching, Steve became a grain reads, paints, fishes, practices he creates with detailed inlayed farmer, which made for long taxidermy, gardens, and is designs, often with elements hard days. During the summers a photographer. Steve and found in nature such as humming- when school was not in session, Helen’s travels have taken them birds and flowers, but also of other Steve built houses as well. to British Columbia, California, subjects such as airplanes. Steve Steve and his wife Helen Mexico, Halifax, Mesa, Alabama, has also created wooden vases, raised a family of four children Toronto, Hawaii and Alaska. toothpick holders, birdhouses, who now have successful The couple also enjoy their cabin airplanes, life-sized Disney careers. “I believe that at Lac La Biche. One hobby characters and rocking chairs. education was essential for a Steve holds particularly dear, Many hours of craftsmanship satisfying, rewarding career and however, is woodworking. For go into each project. For instance, for one’s own fulfillment. I am a him, woodworking was an Steve spends approximately believer in higher education if at intriguing learning experience eight hours creating each plate all possible.” Steve and Helen’s and an eventual passion during children married, established his teaching years and in CONTINUED ON PAGE 39

news & views SPRING 2015 | 35 TRAVEL

Island Hopping

in Greece BY STEVE BURGER

t is hard for me to imagine planning a trip to My wife and I have been to Greece in both Greece without thinking of island hopping. the shoulder and off-seasons. On our last trip, IThousands of Greek islands are scattered like island hopping was from mid April to mid May. jewels across the Sea of Crete, and the Ionian and The weather was warm, and a kaleidoscope of Aegean Seas. Some islands are huge, like Crete or color from wild flowers carpeted the islands. The Evvoia. Others are smaller, like Patmos, Santorini beaches were mostly deserted, and the water was or Rhodes, each with its own cultural, geographic cool but manageable for swimming. Many hotels and historic flavour. Many are so small they and apartments had been spruced up over the remain uninhabited, mere outcroppings of winter, so some rooms felt brand new. volcanic rubble in the turquoise-blue sea. On an earlier trip, from mid September to Greek island hopping from mid June until early October, we found the beaches empty and mid September is very busy, with prices at their the water warm for swimming. Grapes, olives highest. People from every corner of the globe and fruit crops were being harvested, making for pack the beaches. Hotels, museums and restau- some real deals on fresh foods and local wines. rants are filled. The shoulder season from mid By late November, quite a few hotels and restau- September to mid October and from mid May to rants were closed, especially in smaller centres. mid June has fewer tourists, and nearly all the The challenge then was not just to find a room, hotels and restaurants are open. The off-season, but also to find a hotel that was open. from mid October to mid May, is quiet with few A few islands have small airports with plane tourists. Many facilities are closed while the connections to the Athens International Airport. owners and staff spend the winter in Athens. Flying is a good option, especially if you choose a

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distant island and hop back to Athens using the ferry system. Most island hoppers use water transportation, either cruise ships or ferries. Cruise ships are not just for transport; they also are both restaurant and hotel. Everything is organized, which means you do not have to move luggage off the ship every time you land—a real advantage. Cruise lines operate their own organized tours that will get you to some of the islands’ most significant attractions. There are some challenges to cruise travel Santorini hotel balcony as well. Because each individual tour package Island Hopping is organized to visit only a few of the islands, we arrived at Santorini by ferry for a three-day you have to make sure your cruise is going to stay. We promptly rented a car because it was far stop at islands you want to see. An island like cheaper than using a taxi and gave us the flexi- in Greece BY STEVE BURGER Santorini with its stunning view of towns perched bility to wander everywhere. We visited ancient on volcanic cliffs is a very popular cruise ship ruins, vineyards, beaches and pottery shops. The destination. In peak season there may be eight crowning glory was finding a hotel room on the or ten ships in the bay, which means the streets edge of a cliff in Oia, the town with the best sunset of the towns are crowded with more than twenty views. The experience of sitting for the afternoon thousand eager tourists. Another consideration is at the edge of the cliff and watching the sun sink that you have only a few hours ashore. Most stops slowly into the sea was beautiful beyond words! are between three and six hours, so an afternoon Greece has one of the best ferry systems in the swimming at the beach is probably not possible. world largely because of the constant movement The island of Santorini is thought to be the of people between the hundreds of populated location of the fabled city of Atlantis, destroyed islands scattered across the eastern Mediter- by a volcano thousands of years ago. Having ranean. That said, it is almost impossible to visited here by both cruise ship and ferry organize ferry tickets ahead of time since several provided me with an interesting comparison of different companies run the ferry lines with island vacations. From the cruise ship we had schedules that change at various times of the six hours ashore, with most of the time spent year. If you travel in peak season, the ferries are wandering the crowded streets in the town of as regular as city buses, but weather can be a Thira. We rode donkeys up the cliff from the factor that delays or stops ferry travel for hours— dock and returned by gondola—a safer way down or even days. Tickets can be purchased at kiosks since the donkeys tend to run down the trail to in any island port and at the major ports of Rafina get fed at the bottom. We returned to the ship as and Pireaus (Athens). the sun set. I was left wanting to see more of this When you first arrive at an island, it is a good stunningly beautiful island. idea to talk to an agent at one of the kiosks A few years later, travelling in the off-season, about ferry schedules in order to organize your

news & views SPRING 2015 | 37 Patmos monastery

stunning views. The beaches in the fall were amazing with miles of fine sand, warm ocean water and almost no people. Old Town is a maze of narrow streets with every twist and turn offering new shops and restaurants to explore. Mykonos, an island with a jet-setting party-like vibe, has amazing beaches that are very crowded on holidays and throughout the summer. The streets of the main town were designed as a serpentine maze of dead ends and side streets to make it harder for pirates to raid. Standing over the harbour are several well-preserved windmills. departure. When my wife and I landed on the From Mykonos there are shuttle boats to the Island of Sifnos the kiosk was closed. A schedule island of Delos, an uninhabited island that was on the door said a ferry left for Paros Island at once a holy pilgrimage site in ancient Greece. The 1:15 on Wednesday. We rented a car and toured the island for a couple of glorious days. When I Mykonos windmills returned the car at 11:45 on Wednesday, my wife went to get our tickets. I was leisurely walking toward the dock when, off in the distance, I saw her wave to me frantically. The posted schedule was from the previous week. The last ferry that day was leaving for the Island of Ios in ten minutes. Although it was not on our list of stops, it was now our next destination—if we could run to the ferry in time. The islands that were not cruise ship desti- nations were quieter with a slower lifestyle and island’s large city was sacked by pirates and has better prices. Often, accommodation could remained in ruins since ancient times. It is worth be negotiated with hotel vendors waiting for some time to explore the ongoing excavation and customers at the ferry dock. the Archeological Museum. Milos Island is where the statue of Venus de Each Greek island has its own unique person- Milo was found in a farmer’s field. There are ality, cultural history and geography. The Greek numerous small beaches, some only accessible by people are fabulous—friendly, helpful and eager boat. The beach of Sarakiniko, with its white rock to share their hospitality and rich history, which formations, is a World Heritage Site worth a visit is the early history of western civilization. Food and a swim. We stayed in an apartment on a farm in grocery stores and restaurants was reasonably and were treated to fresh eggs, garden produce priced and delicious, and there are beautiful and wine made from their own grapes. beaches and turquoise blue seas. Naxos, the largest island of the Cyclades, has Perhaps, if you are island hopping we will meet. I a diverse agricultural industry. The island is will be that guy with a Greek coffee and a chocolate a network of winding roads, small towns and pastry watching the sunrise from a beachside cafe.

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ARTA Traveler’s Health Care  How to report an emergency to AXA Assistance, Emergency Editor’s note: As a result of a misfortune Travel Assistance Provider that happened on a recent holiday, Sue Stein and Mary Turner created this little checklist In a dire situation, get medical help immediately and call AXA Assistance as soon as possible. Call first in non-dire situations. for travellers. Photocopying it, filling it out and carrying it with you on your holiday will enable You must inform AXA Assistance within 48 hours of the you to have the information you need all in one emergency, or as soon as is reasonably possible. This includes events that result in your needing to make a trip-cancellation or place when you need it most. interruption claim.

PHONE: In Canada / USA: 1–888–996–9003 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 Any other country, call collect: 1–514–285–0142 Taking time out for reflective thinking is an 1. Before you make the call, have these items ready: effective technique for temporarily separating - pen and paper; ourselves from the world. Such time out is a - ARTA / AXA Assistance ID number (included on your ARTA Retiree Benefits Plan ID Card); chance to clear the mind and gain perspective ARTA/AXA ID number: ______in many areas. Entries in a journal are not as - the policy number, which is 1MW60; crucial as the enjoyment and insights gained - hotel, ship or mobile phone number where an AXA Assistance agent can reach you; from creating it. It is important not to forget to - Hotel / ship / mobile phone number: ______write when feeling joy and gratitude, too. And, of course, a journal can be used for various 2. The phone call: - Use the appropriate AXA Assistance phone number (above). formats of creative expression like poetry, art, - During the phone call with AXA agent, and memoir writing. - Ask the name of the person with whom you are speaking; It is important to reflect and to assess - Agent’s name: ______- State the medical problem; your writing weekly, leaving margins to - Ask the agent for direction in having the problem make comments about changes, results, and addressed; improvements. A journal can serve as your - Ask if AXA Assistance will pay medical bills up front; - Ask when and how their communication with medical biggest nonjudgmental motivator and record accountants starts. of your lifestyle.

3. Ask for a file number, anddo not hang up before the agent assigns one. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35 Emergency file number: ______and thirty hours per chair. “I have had no (This could take between up to fifteen minutes.) Take this information to the hospital or medical provider for reference. formal carpentry instruction. Woodworking has always been an interest 4. Keep all receipts: boarding passes, train tickets, taxi fares, of mine and I developed my own ideas from hotel receipts, cruise ship registration, payments made at a hospital, pharmacy or medical clinic, ship to shore phone calls, year to year.” Many of these treasures, received any costs related to the emergency, etc. You will need these as gifts, are proudly displayed in the homes of should you need to file a claim upon return home. family and friends. 5. Always carry the name and telephone number of your own Steve embodies the true essence of the ARTA medical practitioner. vision. He is active, engaged and informed, and leads a vibrant lifestyle. Steve’s note on Your doctor’s name: ______retirement: “I have never been idle or bored—I Telephone number: +1 ______have always had things to do.”

news & views SPRING 2015 | 39 FROM OUR PARTNERS

Are Dental Care Plans in Alberta

Sustainable? BY GARY SAWATZKY, BA, CEBS | Aon Hewitt Senior Consultant

s we have reported to have cost about 39% less in British Columbia, and about 13% less you over the past year, in Saskatchewan. Athe generic drug price As a result, we decided to analyze the annual cost increases over reductions legislated in Alberta the four previous years. We found that in Alberta, the average and in other provinces have helped annual increase in the insurance providers’ fee allowances were ARTA maintain current Extended almost three times the Alberta annual consumer price index (CPI) Health Care benefit rates. and about 40% higher than the annual dental fee guide allowance More recently, we were increases in other provinces. asked by the ARTA Health and Wellness Benefits Committee Table 1: Certain Provincial Aggregate Costs Relative to Alberta to analyze the increase in the Aggregate Costs dental fees paid in Alberta compared to other provinces -38.97% where fee guides are available -32.68% in an electronic format. It was -26.89% not surprising that our analysis -22.86% -13.42% confirms that Alberta dental costs are the highest in Canada, but it was surprising to find out how much higher Alberta dental This rate of increase in dental costs compelled the ARTA Health procedure code allowances are and Wellness Benefits Committee and the ARTA Board of Directors than the rest of Canada. to reflect on the hurdles and challenges that ARTA faces in the future In our analysis, we used ARTA while trying to provide stable rates for dental benefits under the dental claims data (by procedure ARTA Retiree Benefits Plan. code) for the past year and All Canadian provinces and territories and their taxpayers (us) are calculated what these procedures currently under budgetary pressures. Public health care costs are would have cost in specific particularly challenging as health ministries account for about 40% provinces, as indicated in Table 1. of provincial budgets across Canada (45% for Alberta and 38% for Actual 2014 ARTA dental BC in the 2014/2015 fiscal year). The elevated costs can be partially benefit claims in Alberta would attributed to a lack of effective management of health care spending

40 | www.arta.net FROM OUR PARTNERS

Table 2: Comparison of Provincial Fee and CPI Increases

Province 2010 2011 2012 Alberta Fee Change (Average) 4.63% 3.85% 3.92% CPI Change 0.99% 2.44% 1.11% British Columbia Fee Guide Increase 2.42% 1.80% 2.38% CPI Change 1.34% 2.37% 1.12% Manitoba Fee Guide Increase 3.36% 3.49% 3.30% CPI Change 0.79% 2.96% 1.60% New Brunswick Fee Guide Increase 2.00% 2.00% 3.00% CPI Change 2.11% 3.54% 1.67% Newfoundland & Labrador Fee Guide Increase 6.00% 6.00% 4.50% CPI Change 2.44% 3.41% 2.06% (maybe a change in eligibility Nova Scotia Fee Guide Increase 2.04% 2.50% 2.52% CPI Change 2.16% 3.81% 1.96% for seniors coverage to an older Ontario Fee Guide Increase 2.43% 2.00% 2.54% age—perhaps age 67), or a new CPI Change 2.46% 3.09% 1.42% Prince Edward Island Fee Guide Increase 2.07% 2.27% 2.00% provision mandating second CPI Change 1.88% 2.93% 2.03% payor coverage under the Alberta Quebec Fee Guide Increase 2.90% 1.60% 2.40% CPI Change 1.23% 3.05% 2.11% Blue Cross Coverage for Seniors Saskatchewan Fee Guide Increase 4.07% 3.00% 3.01% health plan for an Albertan 65 CPI Change 1.37% 2.78% 1.56% years of age or older who has (certainly a federal government view) and some employee coverage under an employer- announced reductions in the federal government sponsored benefit plan. transfer payments to some provinces and This provincial review will almost certainly territories (beginning in fiscal year 2017/2018). mean an increased focus on the cost of The ARTA Retiree Benefits plan faces the same professional fees and the level of health care challenges as the publicly funded health programs, remuneration paid in Alberta compared to other including the continued escalation of the cost of provinces and territories. health care services, products, and supplies. The The cost of dental benefits will be viewed downturn in the economy and the consequential through this cost management lens to a greater decrease in revenue will result in an increase extent by all benefit plans in 2015. The average in these challenges to provincial and territorial dental fee increase on January 1, 2015, was governments as well as to ARTA. ARTA needs to 3.15%, which suggests a weighted cost impact continue to focus on ways to enhance value and to ARTA’s actual claims cost of about 3% that in manage costs within the health services sector in turn would suggest a 3% rate increase for dental which it operates. benefits on September 1, 2015. With the recent dramatic drop in the price of In preparation for the anticipated dental oil, the Alberta government estimates a $7 billion fee increases on January 1, 2016, we will budget shortfall in the next fiscal year. This recommend cost-saving initiatives to ARTA's shortfall may mean some structural changes in Health and Wellness Benefits Committee that publicly funded health care—possibly in the areas will ensure that the current dental benefit plans of revenue generation (increased or new taxes, will be more sustainable in the longer term. We or the return of Alberta Health Care premiums will also work with ARTA to open a dialogue that are possibly cost shared by employers and with the Alberta dental professions regarding their employees), in the area of benefit coverage these issues.

news & views SPRING 2015 | 41 FROM OUR PARTNERS

ARTA Retiree Benefits Plan Premium and Claims Summaries

BY SHELLY ROBICHAUD, BA, GBA, ASEBP | Benefit Plan Liaison

ach February, the Alberta School Employee Explanation of Benefits statements for seven Benefit Plan (ASEBP), administrator for years, in case you are audited. Ethe ARTA Retiree Benefits Plan, provides If you are using the information in your members with a ‘premium and claims summary’ premium and claims summary to calculate your that summarizes for the previous year both the medical tax credits, we highly recommend that premiums paid for your ARTA retiree benefits you contact a qualified tax advisor. and the claims reimbursements on behalf of you The following list describes the headings and your family. If you have not yet received found on the claims summary and provides an your summary, please contact a benefit plan explanation of each one. coordinator at 1-855-444-2782 to receive either • Service Date: the date the item was an electronic or paper copy. purchased or the treatment was provided. Premiums: This summary includes premiums • Product/Procedure: the item or treatment paid to the ARTA Retiree Benefits Plan between that was provided. January 1 and December 31, 2014. The summary • Charged Amount: the total amount charged can be used for your medical tax credit for the for the item or treatment. 2014 income tax year. Premiums for the Total or • COB Amount: the amount paid by another Ultimate Health plans exclude the non-medical plan, for example, the Alberta Coverage for portion of any Emergency Travel premium, which Seniors Benefit or another insurance provider. is not considered to be eligible by the Canada • Paid Amount: the amount that the provider Revenue Agency (CRA) for the medical tax of the service was paid for the item or treatment. credit—25% of your travel premium. • Difference: the amount that you paid out Claims: Your summary also includes a listing of pocket. of all the claims you submitted between January TOP QUESTION OF THE MONTH: 1 and December 31, 2014. If eligible, the amounts We polled our Benefits Plan Coordinators, and you paid out of pocket may be submitted as part here is the most frequently asked question: of your medical tax credit. The media has recently reported on Your premium and claims summary is not a case in Saskatchewan regarding out- an official tax receipt. When applying for your of-Canada coverage. I have a medical medical tax credits, you must use the Explanation condition. Will it be covered when I travel? of Benefits statements you received at the time of AXA Assistance (the ARTA travel provider) your claim as your official receipt. When claiming provided the following response to this recent tax credits, it is advisable to keep copies of the case in Saskatchewan.

42 | www.arta.net FROM OUR PARTNERS

A medical emergency related to a pre- Since the ARTA Benefits Plan Coordinators existing medical condition may be covered if do not have access to your complete medical the condition was deemed stable by the treating history, we cannot confirm if a particular medical physician and that no treatment, recurrence condition or ailment would be covered while you or complication of the condition and/or its are outside Canada. symptoms could have been expected, prior A copy of the ARTA Emergency Travel to departure from the province of residence. Insurance contract for coverage outside Canada However, all claims are subject to final is available on the ARTA website, www.arta.net, determination by the Claims Adjustment under the Benefit Programs tab. department at AXA Assistance, and supporting evidence may be required to prove the Medical Shelly Robichaud is Branch Plan Liaison for the ARTA Emergency was indeed sudden and unforeseeable. Retiree Benefits Plan.

How Does Your Car Rate on the

CLEAR System? BY LAURIE BAUER | Business Development Manager, TW Insurance

our neighbour drives a new GMC Sierra, • Ford F350 SD, AWD; while you get around in an older but sporty • Ford F250 SD, AWD; YHonda Civic SiR. You both have clean driving • Honda Civic SiR, 2-door; records and travel the same distance to work. The • Cadillac Escalade, 4-door, AWD; Sierra is worth more than the Civic, but then the • Acura RSX Type S, 2-door; shock comes—you’re paying more for auto insurance • Chevy Trailblazer SS, 4-door, AWD. than your neighbour. This kind of question leaves Vehicles designed with more safety features consumers asking why—well, the answer is CLEAR. that experience fewer thefts are more likely to Every vehicle make, model and year available have lower insurance rates. The Honda is stolen in Canada is rated according to the Canadian Loss more often than the Sierra, which is why its Experience Automobile Rating (CLEAR) system. insurance rates are higher in the example above. This rating system assesses each type of vehicle Before you decide on your next vehicle purchase, based on expected claims frequency and cost, check how the make and model of your new car will and the likelihood the vehicle will be stolen. This affect your auto insurance rates. Visit the ‘CLEAR’ system assists in calculating insurance rates: the section on the Insurance Bureau of Canada website lower the claims risk, the lower the rates, and the at http://www.ibc.ca/on/auto/buying-auto- higher the claims risk, the higher the rates. insurance/how-auto-insurance-premiums/ According to vehicle data for 2013 and 2014 clear to see how your car model rates. provided by the Insurance Bureau of Canada, the Call TW Insurance Brokers at 1-800-272-5688 or worst-rated vehicles based on theft frequency visit the website at https://www.twinsurance.ca claims are as follows: to learn more about insurance rates.

news & views SPRING 2015 | 43 Gotta Get My Steps! BY CHANDEL LOVIG am a pharmacist, the daughter of a teacher, and sleep data collection. Should I choose to enter my a promoter of all things good for you! There bedtime and waking time, Tory alerts me about the Ihas never been a better time to set an activity quality of my sleep. goal for 2015. Sometimes it is fun for me to take a Tory has become quite a motivational tool—not detour from assisting with drug therapy and talk to mention a topic of conversation between patients about routes to improve people’s health that do and co-workers alike at the clinics I attend. I leave not involve prescriptions. my house and circle the neighbourhood, or pace the As I write this, I’m wearing my FitBit. In fact, airport rather than sit in the waiting area, or (gasp!) for the past six months, nothing comes between walk to work—all in pursuit of the tingle of the my FitBit and me, although this article is not Tory buzz marking my daily accomplishment. For a product endorsement. Because Tory Burch a person who is obsessive to begin with, Tory, my had recently collaborated with FitBit, it was my trusted FitBit Flex, has become my personal trainer, chance to wear a Tory Burch designer bracelet perpetually egging me on. and a FitBit all in one fell swoop. Naturally, I Numerous activity trackers have hit the have nicknamed my FitBit ‘Tory.’ Canadian market in the past two years. Like the So what is this bit of fit that has me so captivated? FitBit, almost all cost between $99 and $199. If Tory is a tiny, physical activity tracking device you are shopping for your first activity tracker, that pairs with a website and an app, wirelessly I encourage you to look for one that will best fit uploading activity data to provide me with an your needs. The Garmin Vivofit has a neat activity easy-to-understand visualization of my daily activity bar that shows whether you’ve been sitting for patterns. Tory sits in a fashionable rubber bracelet too long. The water-resistant Nike+ FuelBand SE on my left (non-dominant) hand. When I reach my aims to improve calorie burn by allowing you to daily goal of 10,000 steps, Tory buzzes, alerting log different types of workout sessions (such as me that I have ‘nailed it,’ and in turn, I get a surge yoga or weightlifting). And if you’re looking for of excitement and self-fulfillment. I have come to a tracker that also incorporates GPS monitoring, know that 10,000 steps amounts to a little more the Microsoft Band may be for you. than 5 km for someone my size—5’3’’. Not much Getting into shape, losing weight, and meeting really! I no longer imagine NOT hitting my mark of daily exercise goals are tough. An activity tracker can 10,000 steps per day. help. Becoming more mindful about your present Tory is a highly evolved cousin of the pedometer level of activity is the first step to getting fit. As I often of the yesteryear and does more than just track hear myself say in the clinic, “Every little ‘bit’ helps.” steps. My favourite feature is the number of ‘active minutes’ logged per day. While the 10,000 mark is Chandel Lovig is a pharmacist practicing in a Primary Care the baseline motivator, achieving twenty to thirty Network in Southern Alberta. She works in family physician active minutes per day fits my wellness philos- offices helping patients and health care professionals alike ophy in a more evidence-based fashion than the tackle the daily task of medication management. Chandel number of steps. Another health-related feature is can be reached at [email protected]

44 | www.arta.net In Memoriam

Please note that for former teachers in this memorial, the place given is where they last taught.

Let us remember…

Dr. Asad Ahmed, Sherwood Park Margaret Hatch, Forestburg Duncan Anderson, Red Deer Doreen Hatfield (née Exley),Leduc Sr. Elizabeth Antonio, Edmonton John Head, Medicine Hat Paul April, Vermilion Gail Elizabeth Holliday, St. Albert Aldo Bianchini, Picture Butte Bernard Trueman Keeler, Edmonton Erika Elizabeth Binder, Edmonton William Lakey, Edmonton Leslie William Bryant, Keephills Aline Marie Lapalme (née Germain), Boyle Edith Cappelle, Rich Valley M. Laurette, Calgary Brenda Clampitt, Red Deer Peter Lawson, Medicine Hat David Frank Clemo, Duncan, British Columbia Nestor William Litwin, Edmonton Sharon Cooper, Sundre Linda Lewyk, Edmonton Doreen Cross, Airdrie Rosaline Link (née Packolko), Edmonton Amelia Cecilia Drake, Westlock Allan Maisonneuve, Edmonton Mary Elaine Dumka (née Tabor), Vulcan Hazel McKenzie, (née Watson), Lethbridge Sam Frohlich, Edmonton Mary Claire Noyes (née Slade), Speldhurst Jean Funk, Spruce Grove Rachel Ovics, Edmonton Judith A. Golec, Edmonton Louis Pade, Pearce Dr. Kenhaya Gupta, Edmonton Beverly Jean Pashuk, Lethbridge

news & views SPRING 2015 | 45 Peter Preston, Edmonton Barbara Elizabeth Desruisseaux Dr. John (Jack) Ephraim Reid, Edmonton (née Masson), Calgary Linda Renkas, Edmonton Gertrude (Trudy) Joan Dunsmore, Frederick Ring, Calgary Foothills School Division Elisabeth “Lis” Christine Robert (née Anne Elias (née Slevinsky), Edmonton Schmidt), Yellowknife and Swift Current, Shirley Aileen Elliott (née Swinton), Ponoka Saskatchewan Ruby Reino Fraser (née Rose), Radway Cameron Ross, Edmonton Deanna (Diane) Mary Friedel, Peace River Elsie (Lasha) Rowe, Edmonton Kathleen H. Gerrard, Bowden, Wimborne Thomas (Tom) Albert Ruzycki, Calgary Sidney (Gordon) Gilson, Didsbury Garry Silverman, Edmonton Kieth Richard Graves, Medicine Hat Henry Peter Simonson, Edmonton Karen Duncan Harries, Edmonton Walden Smith, Wetaskiwin Christina (Chrissie) Emlia (Clark) Hittel Donna Thompson, Magrath (née Marum), Medicine Hat Norman Lewis Usiskin, Stony Plain Stella Hnybida, Edmonton Lester Werner, Edmonton Frances May Hornby, Calgary Ranald Parke White, Calgary Bernard (Barney) Hughes, Jasper Reta Elizabeth Wilk (née Speers), Calgary Edwin William Jahraus, Bentley, Lacombe Doreen Wilkie, Coaldale, Lethbridge Barbara Ann Karbashewski (née Trivett), Stuart Wilton, Olds Lethbridge ______Cecilia Grances Keller, Provost As we mentioned in the autumn issue, now we Margery Josephine Kenny (née Murray), are able honour the memories of teachers who Rimbey have passed away, and who are reported to us Alice Lavina Kolstad (née McKilligan), Red Deer by Member Services. These are the names of John Paul Marshall, Edmonton teachers from past years. Elsie McRoberts, Irma Margaret Wilma McSorley, Calgary 2013 Dilys (Gittin) Mitchell, Edmonton Phyllis Leona Bentz, Sundre Genevieve (Vieve) Moreau, Edmonton Marguerite (Miki) Bryant, Coaldale Amelia (Millie) (‘Mrs. Bird’) Muceniek, Jack Cleveland Calkins, Edmonton Edmonton Joseph Alexander Campbell, Calgary Rose Mudrik (née Hawrishok), Sr. Louise Champagne, Medicine Hat Sherwood Park Isabel May Collins, Olds David Robert Owen Noel, Ponoka William (Bill) Day, Edmonton Lucille Gwendolyn Odegard (née Hagen), Anthony (Tony) Christopher De Almeida, Edmonton Peace River Lawrence Francis Peta, Edmonton

46 | www.arta.net Herbert Thomas Pritchard, Calgary Rick Westine, Edmonton Clarence Prochnau, Bruderheim Corinne Margaret Wikjord, Medicine Hat Dr. John Proctor, Strathcona County Derald Colin Willows, Edmonton Sonja Maxine Pugh (née Arneson), Wainright Dr. George John Zytaruk, Edmonton William (Bill) Spencer Rae, Medicine Hat 2012 Helen Mary Raycheba, Edmonton Jessie (Jay) McAllister, Calgary Donna B. Rediger, Calgary Anna Alida (Ada) Nanning, Ronald (Ron) Rumpel, Edmonton (née Witmondt), Edmonton Evelyn Rustad, Vermilion Elda May O’Brien (née Sandercock), Edmonton Jean Simonson, Edmonton 2011 Kathleen Emily Smith (née Finch), Lacombe Enid Olive Bond (née Parsons), Morwen (Morrie) Smith (née Jenkins), Grimsby, Ontario Lethbridge Elizabeth (Betty) Ganton, Vermilion Hugh Owen Tamblyn, Lethbridge Lawrence Keith Lynn, Edmonton Fred Tarlton, Edmonton Carol Gwyneth Setter (née Edmunds), Calgary Gladys Victoria Thomas, Calgary 2010 Julian Paul Thomas, Edmonton Phyllis Audrey Morgan (née Masson), Calgary Muriel Corinne Torgunrud (née Doyle), Ida Wiens, Coaldale St. Albert 2009 Maurice (Morris) Warick, Edmonton Lawrence Allan Modin, Elk Point Charles Leonard (Len) Waters, Big Valley

The 2015 ARTA Photo Contest Paul Boisvert–Contest Coordinator

ARTA is proud to sponsor its third annual photo contest. This contest is open to any regular or affiliate member of ARTA. Each participant may submit one entry in each of the four categories. Entries must be either 5” x 7” or 8” x 10”, and must be mounted on a rigid backing. The closing date to submit entries is May 31, 2015.

The categories for 2015 are as follows: Category 1: Nature scenery in Alberta (not man-made structures); Category 2: Nature scenery in Canada (again, not man-made structures); Category 3: Nature scenery in other lands (not man-made structures such as the Great Wall of China or the pyramids); Category 4: Black and White (no limit on the subject of the photograph).

Further details, rules and entry forms are available on the ARTA website. Visit www.arta.net/contests

news & views SPRING 2015 | 47 PM 40033998 Canadian Publication Agreement #40033998 Canadian Publication Agreement #40033998TW Insurance Brokers in partnership with ARTA TW Insurance Brokers in partnership with ARTA

TW Insurance Brokers in partnership with ARTA

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