Owen Sound And Area Branch News
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Welcome To RWTO Owen Sound And Area Branch!
We are an active group of young at heart retired teachers who enjoy Sharing and Caring within our community.
We meet four times a year for a Branch Meeting, which includes a delicious lunch, business and entertainment or speakers. We also have many activities we can choose to participate in between the Branch Meetings. Each September we start the new school year with a Back to School Breakfast on the first day of School. We meet at Harrison Park Inn to catch up over the summer and enjoy this meal together.
Our activities between our four Branch Meetings vary. Sometimes we will enjoy a movie afternoon together, participate in a craft session or even take a day trip to a local attraction. In June, we usually enjoy a potluck luncheon at one of the rural homes of our members. We have many senior retired teachers who are just happy to come for lunch and socialize with their friends at the Branch Meetings.
We have a very active Goodwill Committee who visit and provide small gifts for those who are ill or can no longer attend meetings, and we send many cards of celebration and caring to our members
We were very happy to nominate 3 of our members for the Cora Bailey Award this past year. Jessie Ross and Orla Cathrae and Donaldene Waugh are long time members who have been on our phoning committee for over 20 years…..what dedication to our Branch.
Please read the other sections – About Us, Events and Charities and take a look at our Picture Gallery
We encourage and welcome retired teachers to join us. You will be our guest at your first luncheon and we do hope you will enjoy our group. Please call our Membership Coordinator, Penny at 519-794-2837 to let us know you will be joining us.
Our very active executive meets 5 times annually at the beautiful Grey Roots Museum. This is where we conduct a lot of business and plan for our Branch Meetings and additional activities.
Executive
| Executive 2019-2020 | |
| Honorary President | Suzanne Vamplew |
| Past President | Connie Morris |
| President | Sue Lloyst |
| First Vice | Vacant |
| Second Vice | Vacant |
| Secretary | Jan Chamberlain |
| Alternate Secretary | |
| Treasurer | Marg Abra |
| Assistant Treasurer | Kay Simpson |
| Insurance Rep | Rhonda Riley |
| Assistant Insurance Rep | Cathy McCoy |
Convenors
| Membership | Pennie McKay |
| Goodwill | Lorraine Dunning and Barb Schwartz |
| Archivist | Mary Mackenzie |
| Public Relations | Suzanne Vamplew |
| Communication-Website | Connie Morris, Laurie James |
| Communication-Newsletter | Laurie James, Rebecca Hlynialuk |
| Social | Suzanne Vamplew, Marilyn Goldie Louise Lipsett, Bobbie Harris Louise Dobson, Cathy McCoy |
September Meeting 2019
Click on individual photos below to enlarge each one.
Branch Meetings
We meet four times a year at Georgian Shores United Church, 4th Avenue East, Owen Sound, beginning at 11:00am and finishing about 2:00pm New members are always welcome. To learn more about our Branch, or to become a member, please email: pogo@bmts.com or phone 519-794-2837
We have revamped our meetings to begin with an opportunity to socialize for half hour. We have had raffles, scarf demonstrations, holiday table settings to look at, displays of members hobbies such as quilting and one month brought in our baby pictures! This allows us to meet and greet each others, and to find common interests
A half hour Business Meeting and announcements follow the social time at 11:30. This is followed by a delicious lunch prepared by the ladies of the church. After lunch, we have an enjoyable program or entertainment. Often we include music and have had local community choirs and handbells entertain us. Programs are varied and may include speakers on topics of interest. Each meeting in different and enjoyable!!
Our program for 2019-2020 is as follows:
Wednesday, September 25 – Legends of the Great Greenock Swamp
Presented by Shannon Woods of the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority.The Greenock Swamp is Southern Ontario’s largest forested wetland.
Wednesday, November 27 – Festive Christmas Dinner and Celebration
Presented by the Executive and the church ladies in the kitchen! This is our attempt to more inclusive during the busy festive season, rather than having an additional lunch out to a restaurant. Puppets and a Sing-a-long with Jackie Ralph will allow us to enjoy festive music together. There will be lots of door prizes and we hope it will be a special afternoon.
Wednesday, March 15 – The History of Owen Sound
Presented by Richard Thomas. He will show slides and tell stories of life in Owen Sound years ago. We will have our Provincial President join us at this Branch Meeting.
Wednesday, May 27 – From Lemons to Lemonade
Presented by Judy Suke, who is a well respected motivational speaker in our community. We will also conduct a memorial remembrances if needed, and it will be our Annual Meeting.
Each year we ask our membership what charities they would like us to support. The list varies from year to year, but we feel very fortunate to make a difference in our community. In 2019-2020, we will make donations to the following:
We Support the Following Organizations
- Salvation Army Food Bank
- Royal Canadian Legion (wreath for Remembrance Day)
- Grey Root Museum
- Grey Bruce Regional Hospital
- Keystone Child, Youth and Family Services
- Chapman House, Grey Bruce Hospice
- Georgian Bay Riding Association for Challenged Equestrians