Oakville Branch News
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We are holding some Social Distancing Events.
Welcome to RWTO Oakville Branch. The Oakville Branch is a small group of vibrant, enthusiastic ladies who welcome all retired women teachers to come and join us. All retired women teachers are eligible to join at any time. Please come and join us.
We are small, but we are mighty,
Dedicated, resourceful, supporting, tightly.
Sharing connects us to each other,
And has the power to bind us together.
Our wonderful motto of caring and sharing,
Is truly and greatly exemplified,
As we show concern for each gal’s faring.
It’s a solid truth that can’t be denied.
In great dedication, we gals do exert
Our utmost, when called for a special role.
Volunteering hours of time, and effort;
We use our talents to achieve a goal,
In two years time, we host Penta. once more.
Needless to say, for so great an event;
Many hands will get busy, to work as before,
And countless hours will surely be spent.
We help those in need, with each donation,
To some charities; so to you, we should tell
About Food 4 Kids, and Kerr Street Mission,
And Lighthouse for Grieving Children as well.
Areas of outreach, for children and youth,
Like Sleeping Children Around the World;
And ROCK, do need help, and to tell the truth;
It’s a way for support and care to unfurl.
Our witty ,informative, clever, newsletter,
Informs us all, of a coming event.
Colourful photos that could not be better,
Portray how joyfully, our time is spent.
Interest group meetings are very well done,
Book or Bridge Club, according to yen;
In each other’s homes to have some fun,
With G.A.R.D.E.N. Club, or Thursdays at 10.
Out to Lunch Bunch gets us out the door,
As Tea rooms,and Cinematic Sisters,do.
We love our Branch luncheons, maybe three or four ;
Or a Velodrome tour, Springridge Farm too.
So many outings, none are poor, we assure.
Zack’s Fashion Show, and the Weather Network,
The Lighthouse, and the Queen’s Park Tour,
And the Hamilton Mum Show as an added perk.
Valued executives and convenors provide
Responsible and caring leadership for all.
Following policies, for the members they guide
Through winter, spring , summer and fall.
So though our membership is somewhat small,
We manage to spread joy and inspiration.
We accomplish a lot , quite adeptly overall.
Yes,Oakville Branch is our proud organization.
For more information please contact:
President
Diane Sinden rwtooakville@gmail.com
Check us out on Facebook
About Us
“We may be small in numbers, but we’re mighty in our commitment to our members and our community. We have a variety of interest groups, events, and tours for our members. We are working on projects and financially support many charities in the community.”
We are an active group of young at heart retired teachers who enjoy Sharing and Caring within our community.
- Foster small group interaction among retired women teachers to help establish new friendships and maintain those of former colleagues
- Provide a variety of interesting, stimulating and supportive programs for retired teachers
- Provide information about a unique hospital and home care insurance plan, which is administered at the provincial level, to each RWTO/OERO member and their spouse, at a reasonable cost.
- Provide support for colleagues in times of illness, loneliness, stress, sorrow, as well as at times of celebration
- Contribute to charities and community groups
- Provide a newsletter several times a year; that allows members to be aware of current branch information
Due to the pandemic, groups have not been able to meet. However, the GARDEN Club has sent in photos so we can virtually enjoy the seasonal growth of everyone’s gardens. And, a new group, The Social Distance Club, has formed and met, following the health protocols the health officials have set out for us to stay safe. The Tuesday@10 Group has started meeting virtually by Zoom.
G.A.R.D.E.N. CLUB NEWS – Girls Are Really Dirt Engineering Naturalists
“Autumn…the year’s last loveliest smile.” (William Cullen Bryant)
Birthday Celebrations
Social Distance Club
After four months of social isolation, the province began to slowly open up, allowing people to social distance, providing they followed the health protocols. Social distancing, also called “physical distancing,” meant keeping a safe space of 2 metres (about 2 arms’ length) between yourself and other people who were not from your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces. So, some members started the Social Distance Club to help members safely meet outdoors to socialize and enjoy the company and conversation of others. Thank you to Irene M., Pat D., Lorette K., and Diann R.for being such gracious hostesses and for trying to make sure as many of the members as possible had a chance to safely participate in the Social Distance Club! Members arrived wearing masks and didn’t take them off till they were seated two metres from the others. Chairs were disinfected before the members’ arrivals.
Some members have made face masks, PPE (personal protective equipment), for family and for themselves, to help protect others from the spreading of Covid-19. Does one’s new “normal”, during this pandemic, make one feel like a masked bandit?
G.A.R.D.E.N. CLUB NEWS – Girls Are Really Dirt Engineering Naturalists
By Leslie Watkins.
“The Garden Song”, “Inch by inch, row by row, gonna make this garden grow. All it takes is a rake and a hoe and a piece of fertile ground. Inch by inch, row by row, someone bless theses seeds I sow. Someone warm them from below, ’til the rain comes tumbling down.” tells the gardener what they need to do but Mother Nature plays a role as well, “March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers.” The season of spring awakens life in the soil.
Surviving the COVID -19
Some of our members decided to participate in the bear hunt game that went viral around the world to help kids pass the time during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was to keep kids occupied as they went for walks with their parents as they were no longer able to play with others or go to parks or community centres or playgrounds, due to physical distancing. The object of the game: the kids were to search and count the teddy bears seen in windows of homes they passed. The game was believed to be inspired by the Michael Rosen children’s picture book, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.
“We’re going on a bear hunt, we’re going to catch a big one. What a beautiful day! We’re not scared!” “WHAT’S THAT? One shiny wet nose! Two big furry ears! Too big googly eyes! IT”S A BEAR!!!!”…Into bed. Under the covers. We’re not going on a bear hunt again.”
How many stuffed bears and animals did you count?
Other members have decided to make or had made face masks, PPE (personal protective equipment), to help protect others from the spreading of the coronavirus, and, along with physical/social distancing, are our new normal in these trying times, along with self-isolation.
Some members enjoyed the musical, “Cabaret”, at the Sheridan Theatre on the afternoon of February 23rd.
The Book Club met at Bev T.’ home on March 16th.
On March 9th, the Out to Lunch Bunch dined at Maro’s Bistro.
The Chartwell Bridge Club met on March 4th for a friendly, competitive card game.
On March 3rd, the Tuesday @ 10 Club participated in Chair Yoga at Cathy D.’s, led by member, Laurie M. It was a gentle stretch and relaxation session designed for people of all abilities.The benefits were improved flexibility, blood flow, breathing, and a sense of well-being.
On February 12th, some members gathered at the new Food 4Kids location to help pack 399 grocery bags for Halton schools’ students. The Tuesday/Thursday @ 10 Group donated $40.
RWTO Oakville Branch Activities & Events
- Out to Lunch meet on the 2nd week of the month
- Book Club -third Monday of the month
- Garden Club – third Thursday of the Month
- Tuesday at 10 -First Tuesday of the Month
“We are having Zoom Meetings for the Tuesday at 10.”
The next few meetings are on Nov. 17th, Dec 1st, and Jan 5th.
Please contact Cathy D. for further information.
Interest Groups
Book Club, Bridge Group, Garden Club, Movies, Out to Lunch Bunch,Tuesday @ 10 ,Tea Room Adventures
Cora Bailey Award Recipients
Leslie W. and Bev T.
SCAW
Kerr Street Mission
Food4Kids
ROCK
St. John’s Ambulance Pet Therapy
Shifra House
Robbie’s Rainbow
Halton Women’s Place
2020
It was with great sadness that we lost two dear friends and members, Vera Mac., on May 20, 2020, in her 91st year, and Elfriede B., on August 5, 2020, beginning her 87th year.
After a courageous battle with family by her side, our dear loving Eleanor passed away on Sunday, October
13, 2019 in her 91st year at Princess Margaret Hospital. Eleanor was a retired teacher and especially enjoyed teaching young children. She earned a Master’s degree in Education. Some of her many skills included being : a “wanna be” carpenter, an upholsterer, seamstress, renovator and decorator, artist, counselor and overall great friend and loving human being.