RTO/ERO DISTRICT 27 OTTAWA-CARLETONHorizonsSPRING 2014 VOLUME 27 38 NUMBER 2

See page 2 for our cover photo contest

LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT Featuring artcles about our members . . . by our members — a contnuing series Horizons 27

Magazine Co-Editors: Carol Barazzuol, Stuart Fraser Translation: Lise Rheault Website: Stuart Fraser

HORIZONS 27 is published three times per year by RTO/ERO District 27 Ottawa- FEATURED SECTION Carleton to provide information to members on matters both at the district and provincial levels. LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT The editorial committee reserves the right to modify any p. 8 submission to determine the appropriateness of the submission and to fit the space available in a particular issue. Articles about our members . . . By our members The views expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect those of RTO/ERO.

The opinions of our members are important to us. If you Richard Chataway is the lucky winner of a $100 gift card have any comments or suggestions, please feel free to email from Future Shop for signing up to receive our e-news Carol Barazzuol at [email protected]. We will include Letters to the Editor as space allows. bulletins. Rick attended Peterborough Teacher's College in 1968 and started teaching in the old town of Markham (now the No magazine? Changed address or e-mail? York Region School Board). New to the area? Moving away? Later, having finished his M.Ed at Queen's University, he Contact Toronto at 1-800-361-9888 moved to Ottawa to work in the Carleton Board of Education. Rick’s good fortune was to develop lifelong friendships with people from Henry Munro, Metcalfe Deadlines for Submissions Public, Blossom Park, Riverview and Lamira Dow Billings public schools. Fall Edition June, 2014 His final administrative posting was at Regina Street Winter Edition October, 2014 Spring Edition March, 2015 Public School in the newly-minted Ottawa Carleton District School Board. Rick was one of many subscribers to our e-news bulletins. You could be a winner too! To receive occasional news and events updates by email, visit our website at rto-ero- ottawa-carleton.org and follow the links. Contact Information When Horizons 27 contacted Rick, we found a District 27 member who wanted to share stories about his very active retirement. His first installment appears on page 12. President Membership Denis Monnin Janet Booren 613-864-5193 613-256-4031 [email protected] [email protected] LETTER TO THE EDITOR Health Services Pension & Retirement Roger Lalonde Samir Khordoc 613-749-6267 613 824 7348 [email protected] Horizons 27 (November, 2013). [email protected] I just received the latest issue of ERO What a nice surprise to see the article I sent you about my Aunt Maria, a nun. I am very grateful. Goodwill Committee What a joy it will be for Aunt Maria to be made aware of this great news! I will

If you know of a keep this special issue for a very long time. member who has 613-521-6714 I want to compliment you for the interesting and high quality articles. I love [email protected] . celebrated a receiving my issues of Horizons 27 special event, 613-739-7300 lost a loved one, [email protected] Bravo team! is hospitalized or is a shut-in, please ask Judy Knudson or Angèle Suzanne Bethiaume-Dorion Donoghue to send an appropriate message. Former teacher, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board

1 Horizons 27 • Spring 2014 • Volume 38 • Number 2 www.rto-ero-ottawa-carleton.org From the desk of Denis Monnin, President HEALTH PLAN - QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

The members of our organization travel to all Q1 - Why is it important not to be late in applying for your corners of the world all the time, and, when they RTO/ERO Health Plan? return, they are full of sun and wonder. They have A1 - As of October, 2013, there were 86,338 insured taken lots of pictures and have lots of stories to tell. participants in the RTO/ERO Health Plans. Only 36.4% of late applicants, who must submit medical evidence of insurability, We would like to hear them all, so do not hesitate are approved for entrance into our Group Benefits Program. to take notes while you travel and send them to us. This strongly supports the importance of prospective members We will publish them, be it either about a farm stay, applying for participation in the Semi-Private/Convalescent a walk along Hadrian’s Wall in , or the discovery of a Home Care or Extended Health Care Plans within the 60 day particular village on another continent. Why not make your expiration period of their board plan, spouse’s group plan or colleagues dream? any other group plan.

Have a very good summer, and perhaps I will see you somewhere in Q2 - What percentage of retirees receiving an OTPP Europe. pension, who have a deduction for Health Benefit purposes, are insured with RTO/ERO? A2 - 83.3% are with RTO/ERO. E-News Bulletins

District 27 occasionally emails members in order to keep them informed Q3 - Why should you maintain your Extended Health Care of our latest notices, social activities and new initiatives. (EHC) coverage when you turn 65 since you are eligible for the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program? Visit our website or go to the following link to sign up for our e-news A3 - While the Ontario Drug Benefit program provides bulletins: http://tinyurl.com/mny4kx6 coverage for certain drugs, more than half of the drugs available in the Canadian market today are not covered by You will still receive paper copies of Horizons 27 when you subscribe to ODB. In addition, the RTO/ERO Extended Health Care plan our email service. Member names and email addresses are confidential covers much more than prescription drugs. For example, it and will not be shared. also covers vision care, 15 different paramedical practitioners, private duty nursing, and travel coverage (including trip If your postal address or email has changed, or if you are adding an cancellation and interruption/delay), just to name a few. email address to your member profile, send your request to: [email protected]

Read our latest e-news bulletin: http://tinyurl.com/nsf6u6x

YOUR PHOTO COULD BE ON OUR NEXT COVER

Submit your high resolution photo to Carol Three past presidents of District 27 at the annual St. Paddy's Luncheon on March 11, 2014 Barazzuol at [email protected] Vern Phillips and Sue Jones with Provincial President Norbert Boudreau (right)

Horizons 27 • Spring 2014 • Volume 38 • Number 2 2 PUT A IN YOUR STEP! GET INVOLVED . . .

DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE OFFERED THIS SPRING

The Senior Citizens Council, in conjunction with RWTO and RTO/ERO, has organized two sessions of the Defensive Driving Course. They will be held on Friday, May 23 and Friday, May 30 from 9:30 am to 12:30 p.m. at the Maplewood Residence, 340 Industrial Ave. The cost is $30.00. Friends are welcomed to participate at the same price.

Please mail a cheque, made payable to Senior Citizens Council of Ottawa, to: Senior Citizens Council (Attention Kay Freeman) 019-670 Albert St., ON K1R 6L2 Include your name, address, and telephone number or email address.

WORKSHOP - GLASS FUSING BASICS

Discover the exciting possibilities of glass fusing and slumping in a kiln. No glass experience required. Our experienced instructors will teach you how to work safely with glass. The project is a fully fused and slumped plate of your own design. You will learn about the properties of glass and how it reacts during the heating cycle so you can start planning your next project. Your plate has to be fused and formed in a kiln. It can be picked up one week later. All materials included.

WHERE: Northern Art Glass (955 Gladstone Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario) DATE: Wednesday, June 4 TIME: 9:00 a.m. - approximately 4 hours (MINIMUM 8 students, MAXIMUM 12) FEE: $90.00 + HST per person REGISTER BY: Friday, May 23 CONTACT: Yvonne Hough, Unit 206 – 1005 Beauparc Pvt., Ottawa, ON K1J 0A1 or 613-668-1384 or [email protected]

JOIN US FOR BRIDGE Come and join RTO/ERO Bridge for a cost of $5.00 a year Monday Social Bridge - 12:00 p.m. Contact Cécile Roy, 613-738-2421. at the Heron Road Community Centre, Third Floor, St. Wednesday Duplicate Bridge - 12:30 p.m. Contact Chandra Beebakhee, Peter’s Room. See next page for Bridge Extravaganza. 613-425-3590. A partner is required. Chandra may suggest one for you. Thursday Social Bridge - 12:30 p.m. Contact John Quinn, 613-731-1152. No partner required. Players at all levels welcomed.

JOIN ENTRE-NOUS CHOIR

This bilingual RTO/ERO choir provides entertainment to seniors in the Ottawa area. Choir practices are held every Thursday from September to June at the Heron Community Centre, 1480 Heron Road from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Consult our website at choraleentre-nouschoir.ca or contact Ronald Desroches at 613-748-6950 or [email protected] for more information on how to join our choir or for information on the choir’s activities.

73 Horizons 27 • NovemberSpring 2014 2013 • Volume • Volume 38 • 37 Number • Number 2 3 www.rto-ero-ottawa-carleton.org www.rto-ero-ottawa-carleton.org Event Coupons

Annual Bridge Extravaganza - 5 hours of fun, fellowship and food. Top score prizes and door prizes.

St. Thomas the Apostle Church Hall, 2345 Alta Vista Dr., Ottawa, ON K1H 7M6 Friday, May 30th, 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Fee $12.00 Registration by Saturday, May 24th

Name:______Address: ______Telephone: ______email: ______

Mail completed form and a cheque for $10 payable to Treasurer, RTO/ERO, District 27, to Wendy Old, 1754 Forman Ave., Ottawa ON K2C 1A8

80+ Reception

The Centurion Conference and Event Center, 170 Colonnade Road, Ottawa, ON K2E 7J5 Tuesday, October 7, 11:30 a.m. Free for members who are 80+ (guests $10.00) Registration by Tuesday, September 30

Name:______Address: ______Telephone: ______email: ______

Mail completed form and a cheque for $10 (guests only) payable to Treasurer, RTO/ERO, District 27, to Louise Noailles, 3691 Old HWY 17, Rockland, ON K4K 1W2 or 613-446-5863 or [email protected]

AGM & Fall Luncheon

Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club, 1 Hunt Club Rd., Ottawa, ON K1V 1B9 Tuesday, November 18, 11:15 a.m. Cash Bar: 11:45 a.m. Lunch: (optional) $25 12:15 p.m. Business Portion: (all welcomed - no charge) 1:15 Registration by Tuesday, November 11

Name:______Address: ______Telephone: ______email: ______

Mail completed form and a cheque for $25 (lunch only) payable to Treasurer, RTO/ERO, District 27, to Denis Monnin, 13 Creek's End Lane, Ottawa, ON K2H 1C7 or 613-864-5193 or [email protected]

VOLUNTEER/JOB OPPORTUNITY - KLEO VOLUNTEER

Do you enjoy interacting with youth? Do you have talents, skills and interests to share? KLEO (Karen Learning and Education Opportunities) — a 7 person not for profit board of volunteers passionate about empowering the Karen community in Ottawa needs you. Who are the Karen? Check out the website to find out about this gentle, hard-working, family-oriented community: www.kelosupportgroup.org

Every year, KLEO runs a summer school and is looking for RTO members to volunteer an afternoon in July in a supporting role to the classes aged 4 to 16. Flexible schedules. Flexible projects. You can define and decide your participation, and we at KLEO support you. For complete information, please contact Mindy Woolcott: [email protected] or phone 613-612-1726.

Horizons 27 • Spring 2014 • Volume 38 • Number 2 4

LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT Articles about our members . . . By our members We asked for your submissions, and we were extremely impressed with your responses! The retired teachers of District 27 prove, yet again, that "life after retirement" is full of adventure, excitement and deep meaning. The articles on the following pages show that teachers never stop playing, exploring and learning, enjoying life to the fullest. We want to hear more about your activites, travels, hobbies and interests. Want to contribute? Go to page 13.

A class reunion, 47 years in the making!

Classmates.com, and LinkedIn, so many we reconnected as if we had never left phone calls and emails, finally led to this each other! After all the hugging and the great reunion after all those years! ‘OMG, I can’t believe it’s you,’ we spent Unfortunately, there were many we did most of our weekend recounting not manage to contact because they had boarding school anecdotes that dealt with changed their names, moved outside how we managed to avoid the nuns’ Northern Ontario, out of province, or surveillance and the pranks we played on even out of country. However, what IS each other and sometimes on the nuns. fabulous is that several who were unable But, mostly, we told each other our to attend last year’s reunion have individual life stories, our joys, our promised to be there next time. sorows, the good and the bad times I was so looking forward to our get- which have shaped our lives. together! My eagerness to reconnect There were no judgement calls, no with my long-lost good friends was such raising of eyebrows — we were just the by Lise Rheault, District 27 member that I didn’t get much shut-eye the night friends we used to be! before I left. We had all agreed to bring Each of us has already added the next y boarding school friends and I food and wine, but mostly we were reunion on our calendar as we have had not seen each other since wanting to reconnect. decided to make this an annual event. I M 1966/67. In September 2013, The most amazing thing is that even encourage each and every one of you to eleven of us got together at the Blue Demon Lodge northeast of River Valley in the if we had changed physically after all do the same: the energy and the affection vicinity of Sturgeon Falls. those years, and while our lives had I found still support me after all those So many searches on Facebook, certainly gone off in different directions, months!

Horizons 27 • Spring 2014 • Volume 38 • Number 2 6 Robert Hursti, retired Ottawa high school teacher, loves sharing his passion for music

Robert was born in Timmins on May 7, 1936 where he attended primary and secondary school. In 1952, he won the coveted Rose Bowl at the Porcupine Music Festival. He had his own violin program, ‘INTERMEZZO,’ on CFCL radio before attending the University of Toronto and studying under scholarship with the renowned Canadian violinist, Elie Spivak, at the Royal Conservatory of Music. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education in 1959 and the Ontario College of Education in 1960. Later studies took him to the Eastman School of Music in Rochester and to the University of Michigan at Interlochen. He retired as Head of Arts at Lisgar Collegiate in 1992 after over 30 years in the teaching profession. A highlight was the well-received concert tour of by the Lisgar Collegiate Concert Band in 1989. Robert still performs in the Ottawa area and can be seen performing on ‘YouTube.’

obert Hursti, District 27 member, held the release of his Timmins Centennial CD ‘FINNSCAPE’ and associated R booklet ‘IDLE HOUR HARMONY’ last year in South Porcupine/Timmins. The CD features Finnish folk song favourites, and the associated booklet has an eclectic content of photos and anecdotes. Robert has spent much of his retirement researching the history of the Finnish community in the Timmins/Porcupine area of Northern Ontario. At one time, there was an active and significant presence of immigrant Finns in this area of the province. In fact, Timmins' first-born resident was a Finn born on July 2, 1912, and in 1921 the Finns were the largest ethnic group after immigrants from the British Isles and the French. This CD was a two year Timmins Centennial Project for Robert, whose parents were Finnish immigrants. The CD is already a welcome addition to the National Archives in Ottawa.

YouTube links: Robert Hursti presents a copy of his CD ‘FINNSCAPE’ to former (Canada Day 2013) http://tinyurl.com/kam5qfw Finnish Ambassador Risto Piiponen last year here in Ottawa. (Huron Carol) http://tinyurl.com/mfmnz4q

7 Horizons 27 • Spring 2014 • Volume 38 • Number 2 www.rto-ero-ottawa-carleton.org Volunteer retirees discover South African orphanage that could use your help by Sue Miall, District 27 member

Sue and Jerry Miall, both retired elementary teachers, have spent the last 10 years teaching and travelling to countries that include Mexico and South Korea and three different cities in China. “It was a way to continue doing what we love, teaching and travelling, with a new twist for us of teaching English as a second language (ESL). The people we met, the experiences and challenges we had, the students we taught and are still in touch with have made these post 'retirement' years the most amazing of our lives.”

e have always wanted to give We were amazed to see how happy we were given an apartment at the B and back in some way to society, the kids were and how well run the B for half price, $20.00 Canadian per W and for many years I looked orphanage was by Hans and Mirjam. night. It truly was a win-win situation as at various websites where one could They also run a bed and breakfast called we were so happy to be able to give back volunteer in different countries. What Sunrise House which brings in the and the kids were great. The older ones always bothered me was the fact that we necessary revenue to support themselves could speak English sufficiently enough would have to pay our own return fare and partially run the orphanage. It is a to communicate with us quite easily and and lodging — fair enough — but there constant stress to them to come up with their enthusiasm was contagious. was a hefty fee for the privilege of the needed moneys, and much time is Hans and Mirjam would love to have volunteering. We decided not to pursue spent applying to different organizations anyone come over to help them. There these costly opportunities. to get funding for the children. are always things to repair and remake, Last fall, after talking with friends We were warmly welcomed by Hans and the teaching opportunity is there as who had taught in Africa, we decided to who was happy to have us help out for well. It was totally up to us how much combine a holiday trip with a visit to an two weeks (or as long as we wanted) at time we volunteered. The town of orphanage in Greytown, South Africa, the orphanage. In the mornings, we Greytown itself was lovely and we run by a lovely couple from Norway who repainted the interiors of the children's enjoyed walking everywhere to explore started and have been running the place homes, and in the afternoons we helped it when our 'work' day was finished. for the last 15 years. They began with 3 the students with their English home- If anyone is interested in more children and are now at 60, all of whom work as well as organizing games and information about this wonderful they house, feed and educate with the activities for them (because of our love opportunity to help make a difference, help of foster moms who live with them of sports). The bonuses were that we please feel free to contact me at: in small homes on their property. didn't have to pay for volunteering and [email protected].

Horizons 27 • Spring 2014 • Volume 38 • Number 2 8 you? Why do you not eat ice cream for breakfast?” Their answers: “It is never done. My mother would never allow it.” WHY CHINA? I continued, “Why not? Would you become ill? What would happen if you did eat ice cream for breakfast?” Much discussion took place, and the class was over. The tale of a paradigm shift Two months later on the last day of school, I arranged through the campus grocery store to buy 100 ice cream bars. I would pick by Joanne Braaksma, , District 27 member them up at 7:50 am. I then brought them over to the classes and gave each student an ice cream bar for breakfast. Some hesitated any people have asked me why I chose to go to China. to eat them, but, once one student started, the others thoroughly Actually, China chose me. So many other countries enjoyed the treat. M thought that I was too old. I was 57 years old. When I They will never forget the concept of “paradigm shift.” inquired about China, they said their age limit was 75. I was in. I was hired to teach Business English in “Er Wei,” a university in Beijing. No, I did not notice the smog as we were way out in the east end of town. I had a room on campus, and it took 30 seconds to walk to my class. I never drove in Beijing but I did learn to take the buses and taxis all over the city. You should know that in China the teacher talks and the students take notes and do not interrupt to ask questions during the talk. Here in Ottawa we do things differently, and I explained to the students that it was okay to stop me and ask questions. Still silence. Finally, one student had the nerve to ask me a question. “Why is your hair very orange (my hair was much brighter then) but your eyelashes are black?” I stood there with a stupid look on my face. This was the very first question I was asked! When I tried to explain that my hair was my natural colour but I used mascara on my eyelashes, they looked stunned. They had never heard the English word mascara. So in the middle of a Business English class, I am teaching them everyday words about Chinese students taste their first milkshake ever in an unforgetabble appearance. learning moment. One evening, we had an English speaker. Afterwards, one student came up to me all worried. The speaker had said that he would give her a “ring”. She was already engaged and did not know how to tell him. I then had to explain that this kind of ring meant a telephone call. Another time at the end of the day, a student asked me what a “milkshake” was. She had read about the word in the story they were reading in another class. As there was a McDonald’s just across the street from the campus, I told the other two students remaining in the classroom to come with me. We were going to have a “milkshake”. One student was worried because she thought she would be beaten up. I just kept quiet as we walked over. There I ordered four chocolate milkshakes. When I started to drink, they followed suit. None of them had ever had a milkshake before. They did enjoy it. On a business topic, I was trying to explain the concept of a “paradigm shift.” I used the Japanese concept of watches, where the watches were now battery operated and one did not have to wind them. Joanne Braaksma’s inquisitive students in her Business English class I asked, “What could change or be a paradigm shift for ask the oddest questions.

9 Horizons 27 • Spring 2014 • Volume 38 • Number 2 www.rto-ero-ottawa-carleton.org Old barns: one of this world's wonders

The world has many wonders of both natural and human design. We travel far to view snowcapped mountains, leaning towers, and ornate cathedrals, yet many wonders are right here on our own doorstep. There are hills, valleys, lakes and rivers, museums, art galleries and entertainment complexes. But in my book, there's nothing better than standing alone beneath the cathedral-like beams of an abandoned barn.

and the sawmills where logs were converted THIS Old barn by Victor Laurin, into planks, beams and lumber. District 27 member There are visions of sunbaked men nailing this all together in rhythmic hammering. There The late afternoon sun are others of horse-and tractor-pulled wagons shines zebra-striped piled high with golden hay. Through the opaque Through the weathered wood eering upward, I have marveled as dusty windows, you can almost see a clothesline of this old barn. cracks between weathered timber strung above the flower garden surrounded by a Some wasps build a nest P split the sun's rays into ribbons of white lattice enclosure. near rusty horseshoes translucent air. I've watched wasps building An old barn can inspire one to write a poem, above a vacant cattle stall nests at discrete places, spiders trapping flies in which is exactly what I did one autumn day in and mice too shy to be seen eloquent, functional webs, and explored vacant 1988. I had all but given up hope that I'd ever nest in the mouldy hay stalls where horses stood and binder twine hung. see the poem again since I recall having given while swallows sweep I have gazed through dusky windows at the away what I thought was the very last copy. above the grey-worn beams remnants of a vacant farmhouse surrounded by Buried in a drawer with old seeds, elastic bands of an old tin roof. tall grass and burdocks. and an ancient recipe collection was the poem. This barn has felt the chill There's the smell of well-ripened hay, the It brought back fond memories of the Labour of autumn nights sight of caked cattle dung, the chirping of Day weekend spent along the banks of the the touch of winter's frost swooping barn swallows and the occasional Lièvre River, a day that would transition from while in its soul none of this is lost. glimpse of a mouse scurrying about. Once, as I standing alone in a vacant barn to being with Cement floors are caked with was about to push aside a couple of crates, a around 30 pupils in a crowded classroom. cattle dung porcupine bristled a few yards away. Pupils, I might add, who like myself would have some binder twine ties memories Best of all is that old barns tell their own to reorient themselves to a very different mode to another time and place stories. There are stories of the felling of trees of life for a few seasons. when it was strung and cobwebs brush the face of one whose childhood dreams are fading who knows that life for him like this old barn can never more be young.

New members are welcomed to District 27 at the Annual General Meeting held November 20, 2013. rto-ero-ottawa-carleton.org

Horizons 27 • Spring 2014 • Volume 38 • Number 2 10 Physical exercise keeps retirees healthy & active

630 miles in 28 years!

by District 27 Retired teacher Linda Loder, pictured with Trevor Whitwam, Ottawa, Ontario, are inveterate hikers.

ow! Are we ever slow! Twenty-eight years has got to be a record for how slowly you can complete the The journey, despite its twists and turns, has W South West Coast Path, England's longest waymarked given us a goal to accomplish, a direction in our long-distance footpath. I do have a few words to say in our defence: first of all, we live in Canada, a fair hike away; retirement that has spurred us on, and faith in secondly, we have had detours along the way, most of which ourselves that we could do it. prevented us taking overseas holidays. However, our first experience of hiking the path in 1985 from Tintagel to Boscastle and again in 1994 from Hope Cove to Salcombe left an indelible impression. We began again in 2000, taught about the South West in evening classes and at a retirement starting with the Dorset section that looked user-friendly and had course at our university. I made slide shows to music and Power the greatest accessibility. Once we had finished this entire Point presentations of the route along the path to appreciative section, we felt that just maybe we could tackle a bit more, audiences. I painted coastal scenes that I had photographed, and though the idea of completing all 630 miles seemed a little up on our kitchen wall was a map of the South West Coastal Path, beyond our reach. whose distance “faded forever and ever as we hiked.” The year 2004 brought in another detour but we had our boots, The ultimate year of 2013 saw questionable weather but, with our maps and our dreams, and, in 2008, we again started to hike only 27 miles to go, we braved it and completed the path and the path putting it on “project status” for the next six years. That received our certificates. was our May holiday - we hiked the path, and, the more we did, Our memories are so diverse that it would be impossible to the more we were determined to finish it. name the high points. Each section of the path had its own flavour Our method was not point to point but often circular. We but the constants are there. The journey along the path has given rented cottages along the route and, using our rental car, local us months of fresh air and exercise and introduced us to acres of buses and, on occasion, taxis, we navigated the sections, often flowers, countless sea birds that have accompanied us on our hikes walking twice the distance if there were no return bus. The and hundreds of animals that have shared our path — from a Roseland and South Ham sections were areas where busing was surprised badger in Dorset, to seals by Godrevy lighthouse, to scarce, and we did circulars. Humphrey, the curious cow who I painted on our return. As we completed large distances of the path, we highlighted The journey, despite its twists and turns, has given us a goal to our atlas and thirsted after more. We joined the SWCP (South accomplish, a direction in our retirement that has spurred us on, West Coast Path Association) and approached the whole and faith in ourselves that we could do it. enterprise as we would a military campaign - with strategy and So at the ages of 82 and 67, we have achieved our goal and the determination. journey was wonderful. Hiking is therapeutic, meditational and, Our Coast Path experience extended to our home in Ottawa. when surrounded by beautiful scenery, one of the best ways of Here I wrote course packs on travel in this area of England and learning about ourselves as well as the land we love.

11 Horizons 27 • Spring 2014 • Volume 38 • Number 2 www.rto-ero-ottawa-carleton.org MY LIFE AS A CELEBRITY RUNNER by Rick Chataway, District 27 member

I have been addicted to running for 30+ years. For over a quarter of a century, I've been running the paths and streets around Ottawa and the world. The sport has been good for me for several reasons. No doubt it helps me maintain my health. Then again I am reminded of the story of the couch potato who said, "Runners always talk about the ‘runners’ high’ but they have to run 40 kilometres for it. That's why I drink and smoke. I get the same feeling from a flight of stairs." Sure, I'm proud of the 25 marathons I've completed. But more importantly, jogging has provided wonderful experiences and memories and friends. From the Cabot Trail to Vancouver, from Bangkok to Boston, I've enjoyed adventures that only running there could provide. One of the highlights for me in my running "career" was being invited to run the in England eight years ago in 2006. The summary I wrote then after that race seems all the more important today as the person who invited me died on January 19th this year.

be part of a “celebrity” team. From those four minutes of fame, he The Great North Run is different from went on to a distinguished career in your average footrace. It’s the flagship politics, business, television and event of the sport marketing group, Nova philanthropy. Since he was invited to International, founded by Brendan take part in the run as a ‘celebrity’ Foster. Almost every participant runs for runner, our group, by default, took part a team supporting a good cause. As a as celebrity runners — a wonderful new When Chris Chataway invited me to run the result, The Great North Run typically status for a very commonplace runner Great North Run in October, 2006, a fabulous raises over fifteen million pounds for like yours truly. running memory was born. charities throughout the world. The course starts on a highway in So, "How did a back-of-the-pack Newcastle, crosses the Tyne River runner from Ottawa get to this famed Bridge, ending 13 miles later in the race?" you ask. The only reason I was seaside community of . there was thanks to my cousin, Sir “How can anyone find their way to the . Chris was a start line through these throngs?” I celebrated British middle distance runner wondered. However, for our exclusive in the 1950’s. He had invited me to join group, traffic problems were not a worry. the “Chataway Party” for the huge A chartered bus took us to a special The “Chataway Party” relaxes in the celebrity charity fundraising race. Besides Chris, corral at the front of the line. Twenty feet corral before the Great North Run. two of his sons, Matt and Adam, Adam’s away, the BBC was broadcasting live. fiancée Vickie, Matt’s friend Ed and I Behind us, as far as the eye could see, n October 1, 2006, I ran a half- made up the running team. runners were gathering, creating a marathon in Newcastle, England. Although Sir Christopher is colourful undulating wave down four O I was not alone. Forty-nine approaching 76 years old, he remains lanes of the motorway. Every 200 thousand, nine hundred ninety-nine others well known in UK sporting circles. metres, large screens broadcast the were also registered in The Great North Run Many may remember him as one of the television program as we waited. Two — the largest half-marathon in the world. people who paced to helicopters hovered overhead to gain a Never before, and likely never again, will I run the world's first four minute mile. bird’s-eye view. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Horizons 27 • Spring 2014 • Volume 38 • Number 2 12 CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Crowds of people peered through the fence into our “celebrity” pen. Some recognized sport or TV personalities are asked for autographs. Graciously, I appeared not to be upset that no one asked for my autograph. Ten minutes to start time, the hymn “Abide With Me” was broadcast to the athlete army. I choked up remembering a brother who died recently. How many thousands were reminded of personal reasons they collected pledges to run this race? The gun sounded, and the mass of humanity surged forward. As expected, our “Chataway” party team was swallowed by the mass of runners. Sir Christopher disappeared with the faster runners in front. I settled down to run my own race — to savour running 13 miles with enough people to create a small city. As we passed under several underpasses, someone shouted what sounded like “Ogi! Ogi! Ogi!” Instantly the response echoed back, “Oy! Oy! Oy!” Approaching the Tyne Bridge, an ear-shattering roar announced the Red Arrows, Britain’s version of our Snowbirds. The nine planes passed low leaving contrails of red, white and blue. Halfway through the race, rows of spectators grew to 4 and 5 deep. By race end there were twice that many. A whiff of sea air announced our arrival at the coast and the approach of the final mile. The road dropped down a steep hill. Mile 12 mark was passed. Oh how I wish to pick up the pace and get the pain over with sooner! Finally the finish line is in sight, and my race is over in a time of 1:53:18. Our “celebrity” team took stock. Most of us ran rather ordinary times except for the real celebrity, Sir Christopher, who ran 1:38:57. His age-graded time was that of a 30 year old male. Based on age and distance effort tables, an age-equivalent time would be 1:11:09. We repaired to the VIP area. Inside the marquis, we are welcomed by a full smorgasbord. Bottles of wine sat atop the white linen tablecloths. Free beer was available on tap at the bar. A parade of bona fide celebrities moved through our area including and . Findlay Young was cheered for having completed his 24th half-marathon in as many days. After several hedonistic hours eating, drinking and laughing, our luminary group was whisked back to our hotel by helicopter. I thought, "Perks like this make any running pains manageable." In a matter of minutes, we landed back in Newcastle. Reluctantly I stepped down from the whirlybird. My feet hit the ground. My life as a celebrity was over. It's fun to win the occasional race. To do this, always pick one with the The sport of running leads you down many roads. I recommend it as a fewest number of participants possible. path to health, friendship and fun. I hope to see you on the jogging trail.

We want to know more about you!

Are you doing interesting things in your retirement? Have you visited a unique vacation spot? Have you published a book? Do you have an exciting second career? Do you have an interesting hobby? Do you know a retired teacher who lives an exotic and adventurous life?

We want to hear from you! Horizons 27 would like to include articles about District 27 members who prove the saying "life begins after retirement." If you are this person or you know someone else who is enjoying retirement to the fullest, let us know.

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13 Horizons 27 • Spring 2014 • Volume 38 • Number 2 www.rto-ero-ottawa-carleton.org