N.B. Society of Retired Teachers

 

Saint John Branch

 

Fall Newsletter

 

 

 

 Fall luncheon meeting

 

St. Mark’s United Church, Dexter Drive West.

 

Thursday, October 15th. 2009

 

Registration and socialising:  11:00 a.m.

 

Lunch: 12:00 noon. 

 

 

 

Your executive sends fall greetings - as we move into the days of glorious New Brunswick colours we look forward to the activities that come between us and the wintry days that inevitably lie ahead - but, we hope, not for a few months yet.

 

The luncheon meeting will be at St. Mark’s again - roast beef, with dessert, at the usual price of $12.00. Payment will be made at the front desk prior to the meal - we appreciate receiving cheques or cash in the correct amount.  As part of the fun there will be a 50-50 draw (proceeds to the Milk Fund) and various draws for door prizes.

 

 

Register for the luncheon by reserving tickets by October 11th  from:

 

Betty Betts - 696-3060

Ernestine Smith 672 -1374;    

or e-mail Larry McPhee at plmcp@nb.sympatico.ca

 

Please try to register with Betty, Ernestine or Larry on or before October 11th. After that date you will be charged $15.00. 

 

 

Attention new members !!!

 

To encourage those who have recently retired to join our group we have a very special offer.  Anyone who has retired this year, and who has joined NBSRTSJ  - or who signs up to join at the luncheon -   on identifying him or herself at the registration desk will qualify for that impossible gift - a free lunch.

 

 

We have a special guest speaker for this occasion. Freeman Patterson makes his home on his beloved Kingston peninsula; but while deeply rooted there he has travelled the world over, taking photographs and writing. He has long been recognised as one of this country’s, indeed the world’s, most highly regarded photographic artists and philosophers. We are privileged that he has agreed to share some of his experiences with us; his topic is “Creativity.”

 

 

Communicating with our growing membership.

 

Through e-mail and regular mail we are able to keep all those in the membership informed of the activities planned by the executive and its committees. We are still working on a voice mail system which will enable us to extend this communication to those of our members who do not have e-mail. If you have any questions about this contact Marg Urquhart - kimlin@nbnet.nb.ca  or 633-9692. We feel that keeping in touch with the members is one of the prime functions of the executive. Our growing e-mail list - we now have 190 members who receive their newsletters and other messages electronically, out of a total branch membership of 430 or so. This cuts down on the cost of stamps, paper and envelopes every time a message like this newsletter has to go out, a considerable saving.  If you are on e-mail and have not yet signed on to that system we encourage you to do so - see Lynne White at the luncheon.  As always, your executive encourages members to speak to any fellow retirees who have not yet joined our organisation - especially the recently retired;   stress that the best way to protect their pensions and other benefits is by helping our group to grow. The larger our number, the stronger our voice on issues that effect us all.  Let’s all continue to be recruiters.

 

Scholarship Fund.

 

You are invited to support our scholarship fund by making a donation to:

Development Office, UNB

P. O. Box 4400

Fredericton, N.B. E3B 5A8

 

All contributions will be credited to the Saint John campus to help increase the value of our scholarship. This scholarship is awarded annually to a grade 12 student from a local high school who will be attending UNBSJ.

 

Memorial and special occasion cards (wedding anniversaries, birthdays) and envelopes are available at our fall and spring luncheons. You can also use a generic card from funeral homes for memorials and forward your donation to the above address.

 

 

Card Committee.

 

Do you know someone who needs to know we are thinking about them?

 

The NBSRTSJ wants to acknowledge members who would be comforted by knowing that we care. It may be someone who is reaching a milestone in their lives – for example 50th wedding anniversary, 100th birthday – or someone who has been hospitalized or suffered a loss, or someone who is housebound or terminally ill or has been in an accident.

 

When you know someone who needs to know they are in our thoughts, please  contact the NBSRTSJ Card Committee Chair, Jean Cameron, at 672- 6515 with the person’s name, mailing address and reason for the card.

 

 

Social Committee.

 

The much anticipated Halifax casino trip has had to be cancelled as the casino management could not match the arrangements made for the last such outing.

 

Any retired teachers interested in playing cards are welcome to come to Bayview School on Loch Lomond Road from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month starting October 14th.  We play  45, Crib, Dame to Pick and others.  No previous experience at cards is necessary and we are willing and happy to teach you the rules we know. There is no cost involved and it is a fun time for those who attend.  For further information, contact LynneWhite at 849-2202.

 

 

Coming Attractions and Wellness activities.

 

The date has still to be set for the Christmas social - it will take place some time in mid-December. The Saint Patrick’s social will of course take place as near to the 17th of March as can be arranged. More details will follow. 

 

Bowling at Haymarket every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. No teams, no fuss, just fun.

  

 

Series of presentations at Bayview School library, 2:00 to 4:00, first and third Wednesdays of month.

 

Nov. 4th Planning in Retirement  -  the importance of having a will. Presenter - Wendy Maillet. Lawyer’s name TBA.

 

January 20th. Kreative Decorating by Denise Long, Certified  residential Interior Decorator. Topic - Mistakes Homeowners Make.    One hour power point presentation, followed by Q&A.  

 

Fundy gardeners on composting and preparing the garden for spring. Date TBA.

 

Several presentations on the general subject of elder care will take place over the year at dates TBA, 

          e.g. - Government assessment and the process involved.

                 - Compound Pharmacist on the value of taking supplements .

 

 We hope you will join in as many of these activities as may take your fancy.

 

We look forward to seeing you on October 15th.

 

Your executive .