Fall 2013 Welcome to all new retirees. We hope those of you who were able to join us for the No Bell Brunch, held on Tuesday, September 3rd, enjoyed the camaraderie with your colleagues. We hope that you will be able to make it to our regular luncheons, held every other month. For more photos of the No Bell Brunch, go to: http://lrta.weebly.com/

Upcoming luncheon dates at Newlands for this ‘school year’ are Nov. 19th (silent auction), Jan. 28, 2014, April 1, and May 20th (AGM). Doors open at 11:30, with lunch beginning at 12:00.

~~~~~~~~~~~~ For those of you who were not aware, one of our retired members, Norm Sherritt, passed away recently. The following is a link to a story from the Langley Advance, outlining Norm’s accomplishments during his lifetime. URL: http://www.langleytimes.com/news/220389301.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~

LRTA Program Chair Report – Christine Toth

On September 3rd, the LTRA again celebrated the first day of the school year with our “No Bell Brunch” at Newlands . The attendance was great with a number of new retirees joining our ranks. Instead of responding to the school bells sounding around the district, we did swing into another year of retirement to the sounds provided by ‘The Elderly Brothers’, formerly ‘The Bullfrogs’. They have been entertaining us at our No Bell Brunch for several years, and most of us are familiar with their impressive credentials and major performances in their music careers. They have, jointly or individually, performed at many major events like the Merritt Music Festival, the Sea Festival, with Del Richards, as well as at senior centers and many other occasions. Initially, Mike Villeneuve, a former teacher, and Bob Page, a retired Langley teacher, were to perform for us. Bob was not able to appear due to a minor accident. Luckily, Ched Millar, who was part of ‘The

Bullfrogs’ and had performed for us, then, as well, kindly agreed to step in for Bob and therefore “the show could go on”! Ched had saved the day for us and had sent his wife, a teacher, back to school that morning. The brunch was followed by the toe-tapping music, and was enjoyed by all, sending everyone off with a smile on their face and much appreciation for being able to celebrate another year of retirement. The   Nov.   19,   2013  luncheon  at   Newlands   will   be   designated  for   the   Silent   Auction.     Please   bring   your   contributions,  consumables  and  other  treasures,  and  be  prepared  to  do  some  Christmas  shopping.  There  will  be  great  deals  and  bargains.  

BCRTA 2013 AGM Saturday September 20th, BCRTA Annual Conference Linda Larson, BC MLA of the Boundary-Similkameen region, brought greetings from the province. Her main message was about keeping seniors at home and how the community should have a community-based volunteer group, such as the Better At Home program, offered by the Langley Seniors Centre. She spoke about keeping family members informed about one’s personal choices as one ages. She introduced the document called ‘My Voice’ from the following website: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=E7A581A9BC0A467E916CFC5AD2D3B1E8 Click on: My Voice: Expressing My Wishes for Future Health Care Treatment (PDF) on the right sidebar under ‘Advance Care Planning Resources)to download a copy of this document. There was a great exchange of ideas on both sides of intergenerational connections panel consisting of three grade 12 students from Richmond and three retirees, giving each group a new perspective of the young and the old. It was well received! Our Langley delegates had the opportunity to share ideas with other branches in small groups about branch program ideas. Gerry Tiede, past chair of the Teachers’ Pension Plan Board of Trustees started off with a pension report. The accounts are doing well. Both the basic account and the inflation adjustment account earned 10.4%. We were reminded that we are able to access our pension information online at http://www.TPP.pensionsbc.ca “Pet Plus Us”, a new pet health insurance, including wellness care, as well as accident and illness insurance, with a 4Life Guarantee, simplified claims and blue ribbon benefits was introduced – URL: https://www.petsplusus.com/ or by phoning 1-855-835-7387. There was an excellent session on accessing Pacific Blue Cross through CARESNET online – http://www.pac.bluecross.ca/corp/members/. This is something that we are planning on sharing with our members in the near future. There was a presentation on Grace Academy, and orphanage in Zambia. A group of teachers, through Seeds of Hope (partially sponsored by the RR Smith Memorial Fund Foundation), worked with the students and teachers for almost a month last summer. A description was given of the five programs that received the 2012-13 Golden Star Awards. A reminder was given that the deadline for the 2013 – 2014 awards is April 15, 2014. Posters are currently in the schools. The membership awards were given out, and again, Langley received an honourable mention for recruiting new members. Joanne Lauber presented an advocacy package for approaching local politicians in your area, concerns matters on seniors’ health and housing, in particular.

The evening concluded with a banquet and entertainment by the ‘Beattles Taxmen’, a group of young men emulating the Beattles. They had most of the crowd up and dancing in a conga line!

Saturday, September 21st, BCRTA AGM RR Smith Memorial Fund Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the BCRTA, held their AGM. Beverly Anderson and Judy deVries were elected as directors. It was brought to the membership’s attention that errors were made by Pension Corp., resulting in overpayments to individual retirees over the past ten years. Teachers Pension Plan has reduced the pensions and is clawing back the overpayments. The AGM passed a motion, enabling the Board of Directors to continue attempting to support these members, including possible legal advice up to $15,000. Pat Brady talked about a COSCO initiative called ‘Passing the Torch Project’. The Passing the Torch project is an exciting initiative, starting this September. COSCO received a grant from New Horizons to present leadership training for people who are involved with senior groups. There will be a number of sessions offered in the lower mainland in the New Year. Stay tuned for details.

Membership fees will remain the same through the 2014 – 2015 year.

The BCRTA executive was introduced, including newly elected members. Pat Brady and Sylvia MacLeay, longtime directors and past presidents of the BCRTA, did not run for re-election for the next year. Respectfully submitted by: Heather Anderlini, Annette O’Connor and Maureen Wilson

For more photos of the BCRTA AGM, go to: http://lrta.weebly.com/

Langley  members:  Judy  deVries,  George  Main,  Beverly  Anderson,  Heather  Anderlini,  Maureen  Wilson,  Annette  O’Connor  

Checking  one  of  the  winning  tickets   Joanne  Lauber  

Lucky  draw  winners  

BCRTA  AGM  

Langley Retired Teachers’ Association

Volunteer/Participate ~ submitted by Annette O’Connor~

Volunteering is fun and rewarding! It allows you to: Stay young at heart • Enjoy yourself • Keep your curiosity • Bring pleasure to others • Share your skills • Laugh often • Challenge yourself • Be active in your community • Keep your mind stimulated • Be part of a team • Help others • Enrich your life • Meet interesting people • Be social and make new friends. The LRTA is always looking for members to run for the executive, be a phoner, and help with activities. Contact any executive member to get more information or put your name forward. LRTA is associated with other organizations that offer interesting and fulfilling volunteer opportunities. Check out the LRTA section of the BCRTA website (bcrta.ca) for a more complete list of volunteer opportunities. BCRTA Retirement Workshop Facilitator bcrta.ca The BCRTA provides a pre-retirement workshop THERE’S MORE TO IT THAN MONEY for active teachers. You do not need to be an expert on pensions. The workshop is about retirement. It’s fun to facilitate a workshop where the participants are really looking forward to a positive retirement. Excerpt from a letter to the BCTF Teacher Magazine: “For several years in my local (Coquitlam), our professional development day offerings have included ‘There’s More to it Than Money’ sessions presented by BCRTA members who share their personal experiences with colleagues who are investigating retirement. Each year the sessions have been oversubscribed and extremely well received by attendees. Many teachers view retirement with mixed emotions and the workshops provide an excellent forum for realistic, informed discussion. The focus of these sessions is on life after retirement – the endless possibilities of retirement lead to thoughtful conversations facilitated by BCRTA presenters.” Usually two presenters facilitate workshops. Out of pocket expenses are covered and training is provided. For more information contact Kristi at the BCRTA office. 604 871 2260 or 1 877 683 2243 COSCO Health and Wellness Workshop Facilitator – coscobc.ca Over the last few years, thousands of people ��� throughout B.C. have participated in one of the ��� COSCO Seniors’ Health and Wellness Institute’s free ���health promotion workshops. Since they launched Falls ���Prevention in 2007, the demand for, and the number of, workshops offered, has grown exponentially. They now offer 38 different workshops. Each workshop is available free of charge to any ���seniors’ group. The sessions are 90 minutes long and ���are delivered by a trained senior volunteer facilitator ���who presents practical and useable information, free ���of technical jargon.

All of the material and equipment is provided for the volunteer facilitators. You do NOT need to be an expert. Out of pocket expenses are covered and training is provided. Being a facilitator for these workshops is very rewarding.

If are interested in becoming a facilitator or booking a workshop, ���please contact Sheila Pither at 604 684-9720 or ���pither470@shaw.ca

LSRS – Langley Seniors Resource Society - Volunteer / Participate – lsrs.ca Participating at this active and vibrant place offers a wide variety of recreational programs, interesting field trips, great food, and a wonderful opportunity to socialize. The Outreach programs provide members with information and referral, a telephone buddy program, counseling services, including housing information, income tax advice, government forms and personal counseling. LSRC offers orientation and training for their volunteers. It’s a great opportunity to give back and do more of what you enjoy. The centre is located at 20605 – 51 B Avenue in Langley. Please consider stopping by Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 4:00pm to check out the facility and programs.

Volunteer Opportunities Langley Volunteer Bureau

5339 207 St., Langley V3A 2 E6 604 534 7921 Contact - Melissa Giles extension 1205 langvol@uniserve.com http://www.langleyvolunteer.com

Includes both local and international volunteer opportunities. Immigration and Multicultural Volunteer Services

Contact - Sandy Sih Home visits of New Canadian Families assisting with a variety of tasks one day per week - commitment for 6 months.

Langley Community Services Contact -Melissa Giles Community Connections Coordinator

Early Years Refugee Project Langley Community Services Society (LCSS) 604 534 7921 extension 1205 mgiles@lcss.ca Community Activities and Recreation Liaison (CARL) This is a youth focused program that mentors refugee youth to be able to access community resources. Homework Club: Monday and Thursday from 3:30 – 4:30 pm at Douglas Recreation Center. Food bank 5339 207 Street 604 534 7921

Presently looking for volunteers for group facilitator and the Harvest Box Program.

Langley Seniors' Recreation & Resource Centre Contact – Janice McTaggart 20605 - 51 B Ave. 604 530 3020 - Extension 302 http://www.langleyseniorresourcecentre.com

Langley Centennial Museum Coordinator – Nadean Vonk 9135 King St., Fort Langley 604 888 3922

Volunteer positions are available including docent volunteers for school programs.

Langley Big Brothers & Big Sisters #201 205558 Fraser Highway 604 530 5055 bbslang@aol.com http://www.bbbslangley.com Offers an in school-mentoring program for children ages 7 to 12. Langley Christmas Bureau — http://www.langleychristmasbureau.com

Langley Spirit of BC # 101 20611 Fraser Highway 604 534 2159 Contact - Georgina Kropf http://www.langleyspiritofbc.com (click on volunteer Langley) Examples of services required: Dog walking, office assistance, Cancer Society, Langley Lodge, Meals on Wheels

Langley School District Foundation Contact - Linda Jensen 604 534 7891

lJensen@sd35.bc.ca Hosting Charity Auction to raise money for the SummerLAND programs this May or June. Looking to collect “good” donated wooden chairs that can be painted with wonderful scenes and pictures. Looking for chairs to donate and anyone willing to paint the chairs.

Langley Literacy Association Contact - Linda Jensen 604 534 7891

lJensen@sd35.bc.ca Promotes literacy in Langley Needs books for “Wrap a Read” through the Langley Christmas Bureau.

Train tutors and provide instruction for adult literacy. Meets the 3rd Monday of the month at the City of Langley Library – 204th & Douglas Crescent at 6:00 pm.

Pacific Riding for Developing Abilities 1088 – 208 St. 604 530 8717 vol@prda.ca http://www.prda.ca

Through equestrian activities and with the involvement of the community, they enhance the quality of life for individuals with a wide range of challenges.

Canadian Red Cross Langley Equipment Distribution Centre #101 9770-196A St. 604 881 1113 Lower mainland contact – Krista Mennell 604 340 4669 krista.menell@redcross.ca

Presently listing volunteer positions for customer service and equipment maintenance.

Volunteer Langley B.C. (Google - Volunteer Langley, BC)

Lists other individual groups and their volunteer activities. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ The LRTA sends cards to members who are experiencing a significant illness and to the family of members who die. Please contact Cindy Silen (604 852-1171; e-mail: silen@telus.net) if you are aware of a member who fits either of these criteria. ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Scholarship Report - Maureen Pepin You will be pleased to know that we awarded nine $500 scholarships to students in 2013. The winners are planning a career in education, and wrote to thank us for our efforts. We are now starting our campaign for the 2014 scholarships. We will be getting interest for about four awards from the Langley Retired Teachers Trust which is part of the Langley District Foundation. We are hoping that our members will donate money in the Direct Ask Campaign to make up at least $2000 for next year’s awards. The rest of money comes from donations and the 50/50 draw at the luncheons, membership fees, and the silent auction. If you wish to donate to the Direct Ask account in honour of someone who has passed away or as part of your charitable donations this year, please send a cheque made out to “The Langley District Foundation/Scholarship” to M. Pepin. You will receive a tax receipt in due course. If you have any questions, please call Maureen Pepin at 604 856-8908.

Travel Opportunity (plus a great opportunity to add to our scholarship fund) The Three Kingdoms of Indochina

- an LRTA Special for Nov. 6, 2014 - at

Marlin Travel 20190 Langley By Pass Langley, BC, V3A 7E9

604-532-0507 One of the benefits of being a member of the BCRTA are the Travel Affinity Programs we have with Collette Vacations and an arrangement with Marlin Travel, is the money we make for our scholarship fund. The way this works is similar to ski trips I used to plan for my school. Get a lot of people together and the cost for busses, lessons, ski rental rental and lifts is less than the cost of the ski lift ticket if you went alone – the larger the group, the more the saving. What a deal.The same principal works with vacation packages. In the Three Kingdoms Package, not only is the saving passed on to you as BCRTA members, it also provides money to support our Langley Scholarship fund. Tom MacLean of Collette Travel, and Dana Bustin at Marlin Travel, 604-532-0950 have planned a presentation evening for those interested on September 24th at Marlin Travel. Something to remember when planning your trip – through Marlin, you can convert Air miles to cash to pay for your trip, while getting Air Miles at the same time for your trip. For more information, use the following links:

http://www.marlintravel.ca/travel-agencies/langley/langley-power-centre-42638 http://www.collettevacations.ca/link/569761 - .Uh_VJhbA5BT

"Let's Go Group"

The first meeting of the “Let’s Go Group” was held at the School Board Office on Monday, September 16th. It was an enthusiastic group who quickly got into the swing of planning trips and outings. It seemed as though everyone had lap tops and iPads and were looking up places and googling possibilities.

I represented the male side of the LRTA as I was the only male there, and was told, “Men usually don’t like planning vacations!” Please, gentlemen, show up at the next meeting!

Before leaving, Judy made sure everyone in the group had an assignment. We all will think of an outing or interest such as going to a theatre, a place to walk and see eagles, a bus trip to Whistler, a cruise in the Maritimes, a timeshare in Hawaii, anything of interest that others may also enjoy. We are then to plan a trip - how to get there, places of interest, cost etc. Judy will then make a list of the

possibilities and send them out. LRTA members are already sending vacation opportunities to the group. They have properties all over the world that they are willing to rent. "Let's Go" will keep track of, and publicize, these opportunities soon.

The next meeting of the group will be on October 21st at 1 PM at the SBO.

We are trying to be environmentally aware, as well as save on printing and mailing costs, by sending electronic copies of our newsletters, wherever possible. If we do not have your current e-mail address and you would like to be part of our ‘green team’ and receive your newsletter via e-mail, please let us know by e-mailing us at: lrta.35@gmail.com

To recap a previous notice: The LRTA is offering the “Let’s Go Group” as an opportunity to members who are interested in "going places and doing things". It is always more fun and often less money to have one or more friends share in an activity whether it be going to the movies, sharing a cruise ship cabin, touring, or planning an adventure. Fall is coming and there are so many roads to travel and events to attend. If you have an interest in being part of this group, send your email address and phone number to:

Judy deVries, devriesj@telus.net or 604-530-7103.