District 17 – Simcoe County Historical Review

1972-2017

Photo of the 2017-18 Executive for District 17 – Simcoe County, May 2017

(From Left to Right) Glenn Conduit, Gail King, Henry Gabriels, Andy Prokopich, Margaretta Naray, Anne

Marie Inglis, Janet Politi Berni, Roger Heath, Sue Thompson, Marg Holroyd, Sharon Kitsemetry, Janice

Napp, Lu LaFrance (Absent: Carole Allen, George Allen, Peggy Gemmell, Daisie Gregory, Paul Healy,

Cathy Sirdevan)

Compiled by “esteemed” archivist Lu LaFrance

DISTRICT 17 – SIMCOE COUNTY

1972 to 2017

HISTORY and DESCRIPTION OF DISTRICT 17 [Note: The account of STO – District 17’s history was prepared by its first archivists – Fanny Stewart & Mabel Wilson. Some updates have been added by Lu LaFrance – RTO/ERO District 17’s present “esteemed” archivist.] In 1972 District 17 was formed including Simcoe County and York County. Flora McGregor was the first President. Wes Ankerman was Vice-President and Anastasia Hughes was Secretary-Treasurer. Barrie already had a unit with Flora McGregor, President; Anastasia Hughes, Secretary-Treasurer; and A.B. Cockburn, Senator. North Simcoe became a Unit of District 17 at a meeting at the Sundial Inn on October 30, 1974. The President was Ken Cowan, the Vice-President was Eileen Peters (Dettmers) and the Secretary-Treasurer was Lyal Thorpe. West and North Simcoe became a Unit in 1974-75 with President G.M. Shouldice, Vice-President Mrs. Hartle and Secretary-Treasurer Mr. Priddle. Since that time, we have developed into a strong organization and have not only profited financially, but have also formed many lasting friendships. York withdrew from District 17 in the late 1980s to become District 34. This was necessary due to a large membership and long distances to travel. The last District Annual meeting that York attended was at the Holiday Inn in Barrie in September of 1985. Prior to this, at a meeting in Collingwood on June 5, 1985, the matter of dividing the South-West Unit was discussed. It was felt to be a wise move as there were approximately 100 members in the southern part of the County. Florence Blanchard and Mabel Wilson were appointed to research and organize the formation of a new unit in the southern part of the County. At the first meeting held in Alliston in October 1985, they were elected President and Secretary respectively. The new Unit was called the South Simcoe Unit. Both held their offices until September 1987. Education in STO became the priority for meetings, all of which were well attended. In 1998, the name was changed to RTO/ERO. District 17’s four units are going strong: Barrie and Area (Unit 17-1); Orillia and Area (Unit 17-2); South Simcoe Unit which includes Alliston and area (Unit 17-3); and Collingwood and Area (Unit 17-4). These four Units form District 17 and carry out the mandate of RTO/ERO to work in the interests of all retired teachers in Simcoe County and now all those who have retired from the educational community. The Presidents of District 17 since its inception are: 1973-1998: Under the name of STO – Superannuated Teachers of Ontario 1973-74 Flora McGregor 1974-77 Wes Ankerman 1977-78 Bill Bell 1978-79 Dorothy Hartle 1979-80 Eileen Dettmers 1980-81 Lloyd Morrison 1981-82 Gerry Smith 1982-83 Bruce Laing 1983-84 Audrey Lemmon 1984-85 Victor Knox

1985-86 Irene Marchand 1986-87 Mary Calvert 1987-88 Winton Schneider 1988-89 Mabel Wilson 1989-90 Daisy Wilson 1990-91 Wallace Campbell 1991-92 Jean Walker 1992-93 Dorothy Cauthers 1993-94 Howard Lacey 1994-95 Gord Watt

1995-96 Kay Freethy 1996-97 Bruce Fraser 1997-98 Merv Everall 1998- to present: Name changed to RTO/ERO – Retired Teachers of Ontario/Les Enseignantes et Enseignants Retraités de l”Ontario in 1998 (Why: The term “superannuated” was not understood. Oxford dictionary definition: “dismiss or discard as too old”. We think NOT!!! “Retired” is more positive and much gentler.) 1998-99 Lu LaFrance 1999-00 Murray Skinkle 2000-01 Bill Case 2001-02 Cliff McDonald 2002-03 Joyce Stanga 2003-04 Daisie Gregory 2004-05 Bill Bolger 2005-06 Marilyn Bancsi 2006-07 Anne Marie Inglis 2007-08 John Gilbert

2008-09 Lori McLachlan 2009-10 Flo Delkus 2010-11 Sharon Kitsemetry 2011-12 Paul Macallum 2012-13 Paul Healy 2013-14 Janet Politi Berni 2014-15 Gail King 2015-16 Marg Holroyd 2016-17 Glenn Conduit 2017-18 Janice Napp

HIGHLIGHTS OF DISTRICT ACHIEVEMENTS

Publish 2 excellent newsletters a year: “The Bulletin Board” keeping members well informed and connected

Support 4 district units

Increase enrollment yearly

Offer many opportunities/activities to meet and enjoy each other’ company and our retirement MAIN DISTRICT ACTIVITIES (e.g. main annual events, social activities/clubs)

Spring and Fall General Meetings/Luncheons per unit and district level

Sensational travel opportunities – including trips to Newfoundland, New York, Cirque du Soleil, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, Christmas on the Rhine, to name a few

Annual Curling Bonspiels

Other: Senior Prom; Car Rally.

Also our innovative and esteemed archivist has come up with a fun game, to encourage interest in our archives. At our District AGMs, a quiz and raffle is held, based on the archives display. Who knew that the archives could be so much FUN?

MAIN AREAS OF FOCUS FOR DISTRICT:

To benefit our members To benefit our communities To provide “service to others” To continue to be an effective liaison between Provincial and District and Units To smile a lot and enjoy our retirement

MAJOR DISTRICT CONTRIBUTIONS: to such important causes as:

Southlake Regional Health Centre - $5,000.00

Cancer Care - $10,000.00

MacLaren Art Centre - $16,000.00

Prom Dresses - $500.00

Project Umbrella Burma

The Barrie Music Festival- sponsor

Gilda’s Club - $1,000.00

Philippine Relief (after typhoon) - $4,000.00

Sistema Huronia Music Academy - $4,000.00

Orillia Youth Symphony Orchestra - $4,000.00

CASLE (Continued Adult Special Learning Experience) - $3,000.00

… and many other worthy groups. NOTEWORTHY MEMBERS

We are all noteworthy!

Recognition Awards are presented annually to members of Units and Districts as selected by their peers.

Award (SCDSB) to George Allen for his years of work in support of Elmvale District High School

Caring Counts Philanthropist Award & Citizen of the Year: Lu LaFrance

June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism & Citizen of the Year: Joan Banbury

Linda Collins elected mayor of Springwater Township – Nov. 2010

Katy Austin – Counsellor – City Council – Springwater OUR DISTRICT IS BEST KNOWN FOR;

Its AGM’s and its newsletter are especially appreciated by our members, keeping all well informed

Its welcoming spirit

Its vibrant units

Its volunteerism

Its generosity AS A DISTRICT, WE ARE MOST PROUD OF:

Support from and for each other

Level of community commitment from our members

Our oldest member who is 110 years old

How hard we try to meet the needs of our members through our 4 units, which is unique within RTO/ERO structure

Our great communication system

Our caring goodwill efforts for those disabled, in need of transportation, in need of a visit, a card, just staying connected.

Retiree’s Song

(Sung at a meeting when Victor Knox was President 1984-1985, to the tune of ‘Little Brown Jug’.)

Oh, every day it’s nice to know, We choose the places we will go. No bells that ring to cramp our style, No kids to stand in rank and file.

CHORUS: Ho Ho Ho ev’ry day, We can sleep or we can play.

Ho Ho Ho we can say, Life is good in ev’ry way.

Decisions great must still be made, At just what time will Bridge be played? Will our trip be East or West? At Stratford, just what plays are best? (CHORUS)

Now some of us at games are good, And some like camping in the wood.

At picture taking some will shine, We volunteer, we love to dine. (CHORUS)

We taught when we had jobs to face, And life had not so fast a pace. We taught when jobs were more secure, And much more easy to procure. (CHORUS)

Respectfully submitted by: Lu LaFrance “Esteemed” archivist of RTO/ERO District 17 – Simcoe County