District 35

Congratulations to our members who are celebrating their 25^th year of retirement.
Isabel, Leslie and Frances have been with RTO/ERO since July 1, 1987.

Frances Pringle Certificate

Frozen Grapes

In another part of my life I am a student again. That learning, in addition to playing free cell on the computer is an opportunity to keep my brain cells actively engaged in exercise.  I understand the importance of doing so.

In October of last year our RTO executive had arranged an occasion to meet with Gordon Cressie regarding the “Foundation”.  I made the effort to go and was glad I did.  I guess that’s the thing for me – I was in information gathering mode.  We’d heard bits and pieces about the Foundation before that time but it was this presentation that touched me.

This is what made sense.  Things ARE a lot different for retirees and the elderly today.  I have been making a mental journey back in time to what growing old was like for my grandparents.  I am experiencing some of what it can be as caregiver to my father and I see where I am.  We all want the best for our family and friends.  Many of you have and continue to work hard in your home communities to make the best available as you volunteer in many capacities.

My father’s mother came from the Ukraine about ten years after my grandfather, she made a great blueberry pie you could carry around and eat from your hand, English never was her first language.  When she could no longer manage on her own, she was moved to different communities and eventually her home was the East wing of the hospital.  That was the best place for her to be.  My mother and father visited regularly and brought her frozen grapes because she enjoyed them.  Frozen grapes added a small measure of quality to her life.

My mother’s mother by contrast was able to remain in her home.  She was a woman with a great sense of humour, who brushed dandelion wine on her fruit cakes, always wore dresses and got a pacemaker at 80 years of age.  For all of her life she had had a “delicate” heart.

At that October presentation it clicked in and I understood and appreciated the RTO vision for the Foundation.  It is all about quality of life for seniors, those in our own community, those across the province of Ontario and elsewhere.  The Foundation will put resources to work in the area of geriatric health and medicine that will benefit ALL seniors.  It is a legacy.  It is something I can do for about the member cost of this luncheon times 12 months times 3 years.  The Foundation fundraising is built mostly on drops in the bucket – mine and yours.  The Foundation sounds a whole lot better than frozen grapes to me.  I hope you will consider the investment too.  (Julie Dzeoba)

Note: For more information about the Charitable Foundation, go to the RTO website.

Got a medical appointment?  Need a ride?  Carol Peterson wants to hear from you.

Carol Peterson is the Community Services Coordinator for the Dryden and District Branch of the Canadian Red Cross and is the one to call if you have a medical appointment and need a ride.

Addressing a gathering of RTO members and guests at the Ukranian Hall in March, Peterson spoke of the transportation services provided by the Red Cross.

This service is available to those 55 years of age and older who need transportation to a medical appointment either locally, in Kenora or in Thunder Bay.  Unfortunately, appointments in Winnipeg do not fall under the mandate due to current regulations.

The service started in the area in 2008.  It provided 133 trips last year and the goal is to increase the number this year.

The drivers are volunteers who are screened according to the mandate and provide door to door service for a fee that is determined by the distance travelled. Travel grants can be made out to third party as designated on the form or the client will be invoiced for the trip.  No money is exchanged during the ride.  Clients must be able to get in and out of the vehicle by themselves but drivers can offer an arm of support walking to the door.

Peterson said the boundaries of the service are fairly wide.  It is not just for out of town travel but can and should be accessed by those for local medical appointments as well.  This service, she said, is very important for those in the 75-90 years of age bracket as a large number of these individuals have no family in the area to help them out.

Rides must be arranged in advance by calling the office at 223-4751.  A minimum of three days notice is needed for local rides and seven days for out of town travel.  All rides are subject to driver availability.  Despite Northwestern Ontario weather, only one trip has had to be cancelled due to driving conditions.

Need a ride, want to be a volunteer driver or for more information on this service, call Carol at 223-4751. (Donna Gereben)

Gathered at the United Church in Dryden on Feb. 13, 2012 to enjoy fellowship about 64 members and their guests enjoyed a lovely lunch provided by church members.  A brief update was given on the RTO Charitable Foundation.  So far, donations and pledges will have raised $250,000.  The goal of the Foundation is to raise 3 million dollars over three years from pledges and donations.  The aim is to raise funds to increase the numbers of professional and support staff qualified and trained in geriatric care as well as to support research and programs that improve the quality of life of seniors in Ontario and Canada.    Those interested in donating can find information in Renaissance and the RTO website.

Lunch was followed by a presentation by RTO member, Bill Hovi, who has found a way to give back to the community in his retirement, as chair of the Dryden and District Youth Justice Committee.

The Youth Justice Committee provides young people who have somehow come in contact with the law, an alternative to going through the court system. It is a program designed to minimize the effect on the youth while holding them responsible for what they have done to the community, themselves and the victim without a Young Offenders Record.  Accountability  for their actions can take many different forms from restitution to community service. (more…)

Judith Hamilton at the Amarok display board at the Feb. 13, 2012.  At the dinner held last November,  RTO District 35 (along with their partners the Rotary Club of Dryden) raised $2,500 enough to sponsor one school in Bangladesh where mothers are starting to instruct other mothers how to teach.

RTO gave District 35 a $4,000 and along with a $1,000 from Dryden Rotary, more schools are planned. (Donna Gereben)

RTO Christmas Luncheon at the Centre, catered by Nancy Ross.  Music provided by Jeannette Denby, Ken Denby and Tom Stratton.

No formal meeting at this annual event; however, Julie Dzeoba announced that to date (Dec. 14, 2011) RTO members donated over 150 food items to the Dryden Food Bank and for the Loonies for Charity collections, $119.50 went to Hoshizaki House and $261.00 to the Food Bank.

Collections of non-perishable food items and loonies for charity are part of every RTO luncheon and are collected near the sign in desk.  (Donna Gereben)

April 17, 2011

Created as a joint program of the Rotary Club of Dryden and the Dryden District of the Retired Teachers of Ontario “An Evening to Support Literacy in Bangladesh” was a fitting way to end Literacy month. (more…)