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The Magazine of the Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association WINTER 2018
Ski In
Cross-Country
in the
Mountains
pg 40
In This Issue
Scholarships pg 22
Fortress Masada pg 36
Storytellers Wanted pg 48
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contents
The Magazine of the Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association WINTER 2018 | VOL. 27:2
Regular Features 50 From Our Partners 22 Scholarship Winners
5 President’s Message 52 Seniors Outdoors 28 Linda Wood Edwards,
6 Proust Questionnaire 55 Book Review: Funeral Celebrant
7 Executive Director’s Money Management 35 Building Connections
Report for Retirement 36 Fortress Masada
9 From the Editor 58 Opportunities 40 Ski In
10 ARTA Health 59 Letters to the Editor 44 Eight Steps to
14 ARTA in the Community 60 Opinion Intellectual Wellness
15 ARTA Wellness 62 In Memoriam 46 Something to
Laugh About
16 Spirituality and Wellness
Articles 47 ARTA 2018 Wellness
18 Gardening 12 You (Yes, You!) Are Challenge Results
31 From the Branches Making a Difference! 48 Storytellers Wanted
31 Contact Information 20 Highlights of the
2018 ARTA AGM
Cover photo: © Jock Mackenzie
This publication is provided for general information purposes only and is not meant as legal or other professional advice. You
should not rely on, or take or fail to take any action, based upon the information provided in this publication. The views expressed
in each article are the views of the author(s) of each article and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Alberta
Retired Teachers’ Association or of the Association’s directors, officers, employees, and agents. If you require specific legal or
professional advice on any issue, please consult a lawyer or other professional advisor. The Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association,
its directors, officers, employees, agents and authors shall not be liable in any manner, or to any extent, for any loss, damage or
expense whatsoever, arising from or in connection with any use of or reliance on the information contained in this publication,
including but not limited to, any indirect or consequential damages.
Regular Contributors
ARTA supports an engaged
Marilyn Bossert
lifestyle after retirement through President, ARTA
member-centred services,
advocacy, communication,
wellness, and leadership.
EDITOR
Robin Carson
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Daniel Mulloy
Margaret Sadler
Chief Executive Officer and
Executive Director, ARTA
COPY EDITORS
Vi Oko
Bev Sawyer
ADVERTISING AND MARKETING
Amanda Shaw
Jennifer Hope
Tony Esteves Robin Carson
PRINTING & DESIGN Editor, news&views
Burke Group
news&views is published four
times a year by the Alberta Retired
Teachers’ Association (ARTA).
To change your subscription or
move to a digital subscription,
call the ARTA office, or email Gary Sawatzky
info@arta.net Chief Operating Officer and
Contributions to news&views are
Director of Member Services, ARTA
welcome. They may be sent to:
nvsubmit@arta.net
To contact the editor, write to:
nveditor@arta.net Peggy McDonagh
Deadline for submissions to the Spirituality and Wellness
next issue is January 20, 2019. Minister of Worship at St. David’s United
Telephone: 780-822-2400 Church in Calgary. She shares reflections on
body, mind, and spiritual wellness — important
Canada only: 1-855-212-2400
fax: 1-780-447-0613 elements in her own life.
email: info@arta.net
website: arta.net
Return undeliverable Gerald Filipski
Canadian addresses to: Gardening
11835 149 Street NW Member of the Garden Writers Association
Edmonton, AB T5L 2J1 of America and gardening columnist for the
CANADIAN PUBLICATION AGREEMENT Edmonton Journal. He is the author of Just
#40033998
Ask Jerry.
4 | arta.net
President’s Message
Marilyn Bossert | President, ARTA
Welcome!
Welcome to all new members who have joined ARTA over the past few months!
At the beginning of September, many retirees gather • Are seniors taking too many medications?
for breakfast or brunch with their former colleagues • The risk of harmful effects increases when you
to celebrate both a rewarding career and the freedom take more medications. Possible harm from
of a new life that is no longer governed by the clock. medication can include drug interactions, memory
Despite diverse careers, ARTA members are linked problems, falls and fractures, and hospitalizations.
by a common purpose: to ensure a healthy, active, • Deprescribing means reducing or stopping
engaged, and vibrant lifestyle after retirement. medications that may no longer be beneficial or
To discover a more complete description of that may be causing harm. The goal of deprescribing is
lifestyle and how to reinforce it, visit our recently to maintain or improve quality of life.
updated website at arta.net. Click on Wellness • Medications are deemed inappropriate when the
found in the blue horizontal bar or on the Wellness risks outweigh the benefits and a safer drug or
icon that resembles a heart to connect to the Key non-drug therapy exists that can be used to treat
Sections in Wellness listed in the red bar to find the the same symptoms.
following dimensions of wellness: • Always consult with your doctor before stopping,
• Physical Wellness — maintaining a healthy body changing, or starting a drug.
with good health decisions; • Questions to ask your doctor and your
• Intellectual Wellness — lifelong learning, problem pharmacist: Why am I taking this medication?
solving, creating; What are the potential benefits and adverse
• Social Wellness — connecting and communicating effects of this medication? Can it affect my
with others; memory or cause me to fall? Can I stop or reduce
• Emotional Wellness — being aware and the dose of this medication? Who do I follow up
comfortable with one’s thoughts and feelings to with and when?
maintain a positive attitude toward life; • Keep your medication record up to date.
• Economic Wellness — financial awareness; and Make a chart for yourself to assist in tracking
• Spiritual Wellness — considering the meaning and medications. Categories you could include for each
purpose of life. drug might include medication name, how much to
Explore further to find links to previous news&views take, when to take it, the date you began taking it
articles that explore the six dimensions of wellness. and its intended duration, and some general notes
Then sit back and revisit your wellness intentions. Do such as side effects and targets met.
you think you need to make any changes?
This information and more can be found at
I recently attended a presentation by the Canadian
deprescribingnetwork.ca.
Deprescribing Network (CaDeN) on managing
medications safely. The following comments were Life after retirement is enhanced when we
found in their sample toolkit of articles, fact sheets, take responsibility for maintaining our
and brochures: personal wellness. ●
news&views WINTER 2018 | 5
ARTA Vice-President Lorna McIlroy
Responds to a Proust Questionnaire
“Carpe diem! ...is my motto; and it has served me well, leaving
me with wonderful memories and few regrets.”
What is strong connection between decades later and a few miles
your motto? humour, creativity, positivity, away from the farm, I still would
Carpe diem! and empathy. like to control the weather for
(which How do you find our farmers, as well as to avoid
translates meaning in life? the trauma and destruction
from Latin to “seize the day”) is I do not find meaning in life caused by hurricanes, floods,
my motto; and it has served me in any building or man-made and tornadoes.
well, leaving me with wonderful structure; I only find it in the What is your favourite place
memories and few regrets. sights, sounds, and smells of in Canada?
It means being open to new nature. I experience hope and It would be easy to say that my
opportunities and adventures trust as I plant bulbs in the fall. favourite place is the Grande
but does not mean making rash I fully expect a miracle when Prairie area where I have
decisions or giving no thought I plant a tiny carrot seed or a lived forever. Indeed, it is my
to the future. It entails living dried-up anemone corm, and I favourite place when I am there
life to the full and being totally am not disappointed. I admire with my family, friends, and
involved in the moment without the resilience of trees hugging flowers. My parents were born
dwelling on the past or worrying wind-swept cliffs and the return overlooking opposite sides of
about the future. of fireweed and tiger lilies after a the Atlantic Ocean, so perhaps
What do you appreciate forest fire. that is why I love the ocean and
most in your friends? Which talent would you feel that it is my best-loved place
It is crucial that my friends most like to have? when I hear the tide lapping
have a good sense of humour. This same question was posed or pounding on the shore. As a
First, it will help them tolerate when I was in the second grade. judge for Communities in Bloom,
my own dry, often irreverent My answer brought guffaws that I have been privileged to visit
sense of humour. Second, shook the one-room school, so communities in every province
it is so important to be able you are also allowed to laugh! and Yukon territory. Whichever
to see the humour in life’s Growing up on a homestead community I am in quickly
absurdities; to laugh at oneself where our survival depended becomes my preferred place as
and to laugh together. Finally, on the weather, I immediately I discover and celebrate what is
a sense of humour does not knew that I wanted to be able unique about that community.
exist in isolation: there is a to control the weather. A few Obviously, my favourite place is
wherever I am at the moment! ●
6 | arta.net
Executive Director’s Report
Daniel Mulloy | CEO and Executive Director, ARTA
Don’t Sugarcoat It:
I’m a Diabetic
November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, a time when communities
across the country team up to bring attention to diabetes and its impact on
millions of Canadians.
Diabetes is a personal crisis for of new cases of type 2 diabetes,
people living with the disease and which can often be prevented
for their families. Diabetes is also or delayed. Addressing the
a financial crisis for our health need to reverse this growth and
care system. It is consuming an ensure a healthy public can be
ever-larger share of provincial accomplished primarily through
and territorial health care changes in policy and with
budgets and will force an better education.
increase in those expenditures. ARTA is trying to help its
The direct cost of diabetes members counteract that trend
now accounts for about 3.5 by giving them the tools they
per cent of public health care need either to help manage
spending in Canada. This share diabetes (if they have already
is likely to continue rising given been diagnosed) or to help the disease, who are at risk
the expected increase in the people who are at risk keep the of becoming diabetic, or who
number of people living with disease at bay. The way we are have family members with the
diabetes in Canada. doing this is through education. disease.
The number of Canadians In November, we sent out While living with diabetes is
with diabetes has doubled a diabetes handbook to every not fun, if it is well managed, it
in the past twelve years and ARTA member to help highlight need not control your life but is
the escalation continues with some essential information. controlled while you live your
a new diagnosis every three Topics that are outlined life. As a type 1 diabetic myself,
minutes. Some of that growth include what diabetes is, how I know that living well with
cannot be changed — it reflects to mitigate your risk, and how diabetes is possible; my greatest
improved survival, genetic, to live with diabetes. Included hope is that the information we
and demographic factors, as are some great diabetic-friendly share will allow you to make
well as type 1 diabetes, which is recipes and resources.We hope wise decisions and seek the
not preventable. But an equal that this handbook will assist advice you need to best control
portion of the growth is because those members who live with diabetes in your life. ●
news&views WINTER 2018 | 7
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From the Editor
Robin Carson | Editor, news&views
Paradigm Shift
This column used to be called “In My Opinion” but in the last while, it has had
the more general title “From the Editor” and has dealt more with changes to
news&views than with opinion. However, this time, I have an opinion for you,
and I think that it is an important one.
Editorializing news is no longer frowned upon, If you don’t know what ‘solipsism’ means, it
apparently. Once, reporters used to work very really would be worth your while to look it up
hard to report fact and keep opinion out of what and familiarize yourself with the term because
they wrote. Opinion was confined to the editorial we have definitely entered an era of solipsistic
page of newspapers or to what columnists wrote. thought. Lie to protect yourself. Operate on your
Now, opinion has spread into the news, too. own beliefs, and logic and science be damned! Let
Particularly in stories that relate to politics or the generations to follow worry about themselves!
pipelines, curriculum or climate change, the It has become, “Me first! And let the women and
opinion of the writer — or of that writer’s medium children find their own lifeboats!” Am I that bitter?
— is pervasive. While the media have always tried You bet I am! And that, folks, is ‘My Opinion.’
to influence their readers as well as inform them, Give more; ask less. That is what I believe. ●
never has the bias of the writer mixing fact with
opinion been as blatant as it is today.
President Trump in the US has made the term
‘fake news’ popular. It is not a new idea that news
can be false: manufactured ‘news’ is the meat
and potatoes of every department of propaganda.
By telling partial truths or by mixing fact with a
clever blend of fiction, most people can be made
to believe almost anything. Logic gets a holiday.
There is also an increasing tendency to equate
belief with fact. A hundred scientists can warn
about global warming, but all a single politician
has to say is, “Yes, but I don’t believe it,” and
that is enough to forestall any action that might
alleviate the problem. We have moved into an
age in which the rights of the individual trump
(sorry!) the rights of the collective, and I suspect
that we will suffer deeply because of that shift.
news&views WINTER 2018 | 9
ARTA Health
Gary Sawatzky | COO and Director of Member Services, ARTA
Changes to the ARTA
Retiree Benefits Plan
It’s that time of the year again — the ARTA Retiree Benefits
Plan renewed on November 1, 2018, and, coincident with the
renewal, a number of plan design enhancements were made.
Here are each of these plan design changes in greater detail.
Addition of ARTACaresTM health conditions, accessing $1,100 every thirty-six months.
ARTACaresTM is a new program benefits, seniors’ safety, legal Hearing aid batteries are also
that provides a number of and financial matters, and covered under this benefit, as
services to ARTA members a discount on a personal are hearing aid repairs.
covered by the Extended Health emergency response system. Coverage for rental or
Care plan. These services Health care system navigation purchase of nebulizers has
include the following. and chronic disease support been added, to a maximum
• Medical Second Opinion are also included with the of $150 every five years,
provides support for a serious Eldercare benefit. including device accessories and
illness, injury, surgery, or ARTACaresTM is provided by repairs. Nebulizers are used to
chronic illness. It allows a HumanaCare, an Alberta-based administer medication in the
medical expert to review your health and wellness provider form of a vapor inhaled directly
medical records, diagnosis, with more than thirty-five into the lungs.
and treatment protocols to years of Canadian health care The Enhanced Special
ensure the accuracy of your experience. Authorization (ESA) process
diagnosis and treatment. used for certain specialty
Other Changes
All medical information is and biologic medications
The maximum coverage for
gathered and sent to the (introduced January 1, 2017)
hearing aids has been raised by
expert confidentially, at your has been expanded to include
$200. The maximum benefit
direction. The Medical Second two additional health conditions
for members covered under
Opinion service also includes — ankylosing spondylitis
either Health Wise or Total
nurse-led health care system and psoriatic arthritis. These
Health increases from $700 to
navigation services. health conditions were added
$900 every thirty-six months,
• Eldercare is available for to the ESA process because
while the benefit for members
ARTA members and for their the specialty medications used
covered under the Health
immediate family members. to treat them (called tumour
Wise Plus or Ultimate Health
It provides consultation necrosis factor alpha inhibitors,
plans increases from $900 to
about living situations, given such as Humira, Enbrel, and
10 | arta.netRemicade) are also used to treat and customary fees for the most fees guarantees that claims
rheumatoid arthritis, which common medical aids, devices, that are significantly higher
is a health condition already and services were originally than marketplace standards do
subject to the Enhanced Special implemented on November 1, not introduce excess costs into
Authorization process. 2017, the ARTA Health Benefits the plan.
Beginning July 1, 2018, Committee made a commitment Finally, for those members
semi-private and private to review these charges on an covered under the Dental
hospital room coverage was annual basis to ensure they Care benefit, fluoride varnish
raised to mirror increases to continue to be relevant based application has been added as
charges implemented by Alberta on the marketplace. In addition, a separate covered procedure
Health, effective July 1, 2018. the list of usual and customary code in order to comply with the
The ARTA Retiree Benefits fees has been expanded for changes to Canada’s Uniform
Plan now covers semi-private paramedical practitioners based System of Coding and List
hospital room charges at one on the type of claim submitted; of Services, which separated
hundred per cent up to $150 per for example, the plan now has fluoride varnish treatment from
day and private hospital room separate allowable maximums fluoride foam, gel, or rinse.
charges at one hundred per cent for acupuncture assessments ARTA is proud to be able to
up to $187 per day. Coverage for and for acupuncture introduce the plan enhancements
long-term hospital rooms was treatments, whereas the with no rate change, effective
also increased as of July 1, 2018. plan originally had only one November 1, 2018. ARTA will
Usual and customary charges allowable maximum, no matter continue to review potential
have been updated to reflect the type of claim submitted. plan enhancements on an
the claims for medical aids, Along with ensuring that most ongoing basis, while keeping
devices, and services submitted of the claims will be covered, the plan affordable for our
over the past year. When usual the list of usual and customary covered members. ●
news&views WINTER 2018 | 11You (Yes, You!) Are Making a Difference! Amanda Shaw | Director of Marketing, ARTA Did you know? As a member of ARTA, a small are absorbed by ARTA, so each donation makes a portion of your $25 annual membership fee goes huge difference! The foundation selects projects to support the Alberta Retired Teachers Charitable and organizations that specifically target seniors in Foundation. ARTA, through the foundation, helps Alberta. A donation to the foundation means you’re Alberta seniors find appropriate housing and health not just helping other seniors and retirees in Alberta services and provides support for seniors where — you’re helping yourself too! To make a donation, English is not their mother tongue. visit artcf.ca/give-online. We are entering the ‘giving’ season when We are excited to share two recent success stories donations to charitable organizations increase from the foundation’s contributions. The foundation as the holidays approach merrily and tax season looks forward to future donations that will enable looms. All personal donations to the organizations to provide critical support for seniors foundation made by individuals are used to living in Alberta. ● assist seniors. Operating costs of the foundation 661,848! From east to west and north to south, that is how many square kilometres make up Alberta. In that 661,848 km2 there are over ten thousand connect to the help and support they need. people living with Parkinson’s disease and tens These offerings include PAA’s Alberta of thousands more affected by it. The Parkinson Retired Teachers Charitable Foundation Association of Alberta (PAA) is dedicated to Tele-Support Groups. With the generous ensuring that not a single one of those individuals support of the Alberta Retired Teachers Charitable has to face Parkinson’s alone; it is quite a task, as it Foundation, PAA is pleased to offer three monthly is truly a lot of ground to cover. tele-support groups: one for people living with We offer a wide variety of programs and services and affected by Parkinson’s disease, one for people across the province designed to give Albertans the living with and affected by a Parkinson’s Plus opportunity to connect with peers, neurologists, Syndrome (PSP, MSA, CBD, or LBD), and one researchers, other health professionals, and experts exclusively for Care Partners. in a variety of fields. From support groups to Earlier this year, postcards highlighting this educational presentations to social gatherings, these unique service were created and shared with connections contribute to a better day-to-day life Primary Care Networks across Alberta and into the for those with Parkinson’s disease. And for those Northwest Territories and Yukon where support Albertans who cannot physically attend in-person services are limited. And PAA’s Client Services offerings, the Parkinson Association of Alberta Manager has been reaching out to each stakeholder offers a multi-faceted approach that includes personally to discuss the benefits of in-person and telephone and online options so that no matter tele-support groups in order to strengthen the where a person lives in the province, they can network of support. 12 | arta.net
To date, attendees from around the province additional support and education, and, more
report that they appreciate the Alberta Retired importantly, hear from others who understand the
Teachers Charitable Foundation Tele-Support challenges of Parkinson’s and celebrate the strength
Groups. The feedback we’ve received is that it and empowerment that comes from being a part of
has helped attendees build connections, receive a larger community. ●
Education can have Following a recent presentation, one health care
a transformative professional contacted the Alzheimer Society of
effect on individuals Calgary to express her gratitude.
impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of “Your presentation was fantastic and provided
dementia. Having access to pertinent information, me with great information to use with people who
tools, and resources can help families avoid crises have just been diagnosed.”
and even learn to live well with the condition.
For more than thirty-five years, the Alzheimer
Society of Calgary has helped Calgarians living
with dementia, their families, and caregivers by
providing education, support, and care. Thanks
to the support of the Alberta Retired Teachers
Charitable Foundation, the Society has been able
to meet an increased need for education in the
community, through the delivery of information
sessions and workshops held in various locations
around Calgary. With this support, these education
sessions feature expert speakers and deliver cutting-
edge information about dementia to the community. Another attendee, recently diagnosed with
With more than seventeen thousand people living Alzheimer’s disease, explained how attending an
with dementia in Calgary and area and the number education session was invaluable to her.
of diagnoses set to double in the next fifteen years, “Wow! A great evening. A couple of hours with
the need for education has never been greater. great information. This is what every presentation
Following a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease on Alzheimer’s should look like.”
or another type of dementia, families are often The Alzheimer Society of Calgary is truly
overwhelmed by an abundance of information. grateful to the Alberta Retired Teachers Charitable
Alzheimer Society of Calgary educational events help Foundation, whose support has provided hundreds
remove some of the pressure by sharing the most of local people with access to life-changing
relevant knowledge, tools, and resources that help knowledge and tools to help them cope. ●
families cope.
Have you or your loved ones been affected by one of these programs? We’d love to hear from
you, as we want to know how our support is affecting our community of retirees. Please contact
marketing@arta.net or by phone 780-822-2405.
news&views WINTER 2018 | 13ARTA in the Community
Tony Esteves | Digital and Creative Strategist, ARTA
Continuing ARTA’s annual $2,500 that was used
tradition of giving back to the to purchase parts for
community, the ARTA staff spent a food processor and
a rewarding morning volunteering kitchen supplies for the
at Operation Friendship Seniors McCauley centre. OFSS
Society (OFSS) on Friday, August Drop-In Centre and
24. ARTA staff helped to prepare various sites are always
and serve a bacon-and-eggs looking for certain items
breakfast to seniors in need in to help keep seniors
Edmonton’s inner city. warm and dry. Please
underwear, underwear, socks)
OFSS provides services to inner consider donating items
• lightly read books (fiction or
city seniors by operating McCauley such as:
non-fiction, but no textbooks)
Seniors Drop-In Centre and by • winter clothing (toques, mitts,
• backpacks
providing outreach, transportation, gloves, scarves, parkas, boots)
• coffee
and housing placement services • jeans and hoodies
with six housing facilities available • toiletries (razors, shaving For more information on how
to inner city seniors. cream, toothpaste, shampoo, you can help OFSS, contact the
Along with the morning of conditioner, soap) Community Relations Supervisor at
volunteering, ARTA also donated • certain essentials (towels, thermal 780 408-2958 or visit ofss.org.●
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14 | arta.netARTA Wellness: The Diabetes Volume
Amanda Shaw | Director of Marketing, ARTA
Over 425 million people around the globe are Again, according to Diabetes Canada, people
currently living with diabetes. Most of these cases are with diabetes face an even greater risk from
type 2 diabetes, which is largely manageable through smoking: smokers have more trouble with insulin
regular physical activity, a healthy and balanced diet, dosing and with controlling their disease. Also,
and the promotion of healthy living environments. just like high blood sugar levels, chemicals in
November is National Diabetes Month, with World cigarette smoke attack blood vessels. When blood
Diabetes Day on November 14. Timed with this vessels are under attack, the arteries begin to
occasion, ARTA released its first Wellness publication harden, affecting the blood’s ability to carry oxygen
focused on diabetes. The publication discusses throughout the body and contributing to long-term
topics including what diabetes is, how to mitigate complications of diabetes.
risk with age, and living with a diagnosis of diabetes. If you are ready to stop smoking, there are many
Learning all you need to know about diabetes may resources available. Consider asking your doctor
seem daunting, but the more you learn, the better or a family member for help and accountability.
equipped you will be to make lifestyle adjustments Research nicotine replacement products, and
that come with good diabetes management. purchase some if you think they may help you.
ARTA Wellness: The Diabetes Volume provides a Federal and provincial governments also provide a
great introduction to diabetes and links to valuable variety of resources. ●
resources for more information. To further build
on the information provided, articles related Recommended Resources
to diabetes will appear in upcoming issues of
Government of Canada:
news&views.
Gosmokefree.gc.ca or call a “Quit Coach”
If you did not receive your copy of ARTA
toll-free 1-866-366-3667
Wellness: The Diabetes Volume, please contact the
ARTA office to have a copy mailed to you. Alberta Quits:
albertaquits.ca or call 1-866-710-QUIT
Diabetes and Smoking (7848)
There are many ways to stay healthy; one of the BC Quit Now:
most important is to stop smoking. While it is well quitnow.ca or call 1-877-455-2233
known that smoking increases risk for heart attacks,
Canadian Cancer Society
lung cancer, and strokes, Diabetes Canada suggests
Smokers’ Helpline:
that smokers are also thirty to forty per cent more
smokershelpline.ca or call 1-877-513-5333
likely to develop type 2 diabetes than nonsmokers.
New Clients Are Welcome Gerhard Sawatzky, MEd, CFP®
Life Insurance and Financial Services 1-403-652-9453
Mutual funds and other securities are sold through Portfolio momentumcap.ca
Strategies Corporation; other products and services are
provided through Momentum Capital Management. info@momentumcap.ca
news&views WINTER 2018 | 15Spirituality and Wellness
Peggy McDonagh
The Words We Speak
It is said that there is the power of life and death in the tongue.
As a student at the University of Alberta in situations, women are persistently told that they
the mid-’80s, I minored in social and cultural are ignorant, lazy, irresponsible, bad mothers,
anthropology. I recall some of the studies done and negligent.
about Indigenous communities and their ability Damaging words can mentally scar us.
to use words to modify behaviour. One interesting Unfortunately, people too often deliberately use
story was told of an Australian Aboriginal who their words as weapons with an intent to inflict
died not long after someone pointed a bone at emotional harm. Such verbal cruelty occurs in
him and cursed him with a death threat. relationships but now more potently through
Apparently, as the story reported, in this various forms of social media.
Aboriginal community, a person convinced of The terrible consequences of verbal cruelty
his own impending death unintentionally wills are only too real. Young people commit suicide
that death by becoming so stressed that he stops because they are physically and verbally bullied
eating and drinking. at school or on social media. There are many
An ancient wisdom text says that the tongue is stories of online bullying of people of all ages,
one of the smallest organs in the body but exerts gender, and sexual orientation worldwide who
tremendous force. Words are an essential mode have then committed suicide as a result of such
of communication and can be the most influential verbal bullying.
power available to humanity. We can choose In an article entitled “Can Words Cause
words to tear down and humiliate or choose Cancer?” Dr. Lolette Kuby writes about the
words to build up and encourage. effects of words on our health and well-being.
Most of us are familiar with the childhood Dr. Kuby believes that the immediate terrified
saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones response to the word ‘cancer’ occurs because of a
but words will never hurt me.” A boy might call phenomenon called ‘verbal realism,’ which means
his sister mean and stupid and she, in turn, that “the mind responds to words as strongly as it
chants back that his words do not hurt her. would to the things they represent.” Thus, a word
However, words do hurt and can be destructive. carries the emotional power of the real thing.
Working with a social service program for women What we hear becomes our reality.
living in abusive situations I learned that ‘sticks According to Don Miguel Ruiz in his book The
and stones,’ in other words broken bones and Fifth Agreement, “Words are the language we
bruises, most often heal. Much longer lasting is speak that results in the creation of the reality
the lack of self-esteem and self-confidence and we come to know.” Words do not change reality;
increased self-hatred and insecurity that women instead, they change how we perceive reality. If
experience because of verbal abuse. In such a young person hears words like, “You are ugly,”
16 | arta.netNegative and hurtful words spoken between
people can damage hearts and lives.
“You are fat,” “You will never fit in,” then when
she stands in front of a mirror she sees — even
if it is not real — a fat and ugly person, a
castoff, and someone who is not worthy.
Negative words generate a powerful
bio-emotional reaction that shapes the
distorted stories we create about ourselves and
causes us to lose sight of the goodness of our
humanity: our true selves. Negative and hurtful
words spoken between people can damage hearts
and lives. They bury themselves deep inside and
haunt us for years, if not for life, often destroying
human potential, goodness, and worthiness. Every
one of us has been affected by some form of verbal
attack, and I suspect that most of us have used
words that have harmed others.
When the heart is angry, insecure, envious,
prejudiced, and prideful, what comes out will self-esteem and self-confidence because they
be words that harm and dehumanize. People show support and respect, stimulate positive
may hurt others with words in order to build emotions, honor and protect, inspire and
themselves up and to feel good about themselves empower, and, most importantly, build trust and
because they suffer from self-hatred or a lack of show compassion.
self-confidence and self-esteem. Being impeccable with our speech, even when
Verbal realism works both ways. If words help it is difficult to do so, and being mindful of what
to create our reality and that of others, then why comes out of our mouth allows us to take a quiet
not make that reality positive, constructive, and moment to relax, to breathe, and then to let
beautiful? Don Miguel Ruiz suggests that our our words arise from kindness, understanding,
happiness is up to us, and it is his opinion that self-assurance, and self-love. What then emerges
happiness occurs when we are ‘impeccable with our is always love.
speech.’ Being impeccable with our speech means In your conversations, ask yourself some
that we use words for encouraging, for building pointed questions. Are my thoughts kind? Will
up, and for healing ourselves and others. We never these words build up or tear apart? Will my
use words in self-judgment or to judge others nor speech make the world a more loving place? If
emotionally to harm ourselves or others. the answer to these questions is no, then in that
Healing of the heart begins when words speak moment silence is the best response.
life to us. Being impeccable with our words Words have the power of life and death. Choose
means that we talk positively to ourselves and life. Choose love. Always be aware of how you
with family, friends, spouses, co-workers, or even engage with others and, as much as possible, be
strangers. Positive, encouraging words build up impeccable with your words. ●
news&views WINTER 2018 | 17Gardening
Gerald Filipski
Forcing Bulbs
All right, I’ll admit it! I’ve already had enough of winter and have started
craving spring and the flowers it brings with it. The snow in September did
not help these feelings. I thought that many of you would feel the same,
so today we will talk about how to get a head start on spring by enjoying
flowering bulbs indoors.
Having a beautiful floral display You can force bulbs in many Another good idea is to ask
and even some fragrance would different types of pots or your local garden centre expert
be a welcome addition to any containers. You can choose which of the bulbs that they
home, and that is especially true to use clay or plastic pots. are selling are best for forcing.
with snow still on the ground. In While they are perhaps more When you’re in the garden centre
fact, a pot of blooming tulips can aesthetically pleasing, clay pots choosing your bulbs, pick up
inspire a winter-weary gardener do tend to dry out more quickly some good quality potting soil
to survive the remainder of the than plastic ones so that may be as well. A mix of potting soil and
winter. For me, forcing bulbs a consideration if you don’t want a handful of sand will give the
is something I like to start in to water as often. The bulbs bulbs the well-drained soil that
November or December so won’t care which you choose as they need. Don’t worry about
that I can enjoy the blooms in long as they have the moisture fertilizing the bulbs as they have
February or March. they need. Make sure that you enough food stored to get them
Small bulbs such as use clean pots for forcing. Scrub through a single bloom.
snowdrops, scilla, grape them clean before you use them. When planting, ensure that
hyacinths, chionodoxa, and When buying bulbs to force, the drainage holes in the bottom
crocus can be forced to bloom choose number one bulbs. In of the pot are not covered with
just as easily as daffodils, other words, use the ones that
tulips, and hyacinths. The are the biggest and best in order
basic technique is similar for to give you the best display of
these bulbs. Forcing is basically bloom size and colour. Do not
inducing the plant to leaf out buy bulbs that are soft to the
and flower well ahead of its touch or may be sprouting.
natural schedule. Forcing needs Avoid any that appear to be
to imitate and compress in damaged. The reason for being
an indoor setting the process so picky is that you need a bulb
that the plant would normally that is healthy and full of the
experience outdoors. nutrients required to produce a
great flower.
18 | arta.netExamples of
bulbs suitable
for forcing:
• Tulips
• Daffodils
• Hyacinths
• Crocus
• Dutch iris
• Scilla
• Chionodoxa
soil. Use some broken pieces of between 2° and 9° C. A fridge bowl filled with pebbles. If you
terra cotta pots or small stones or cold room will work. The choose the pebble route, when
over the holes to keep them bulbs should be kept at this you add water, the level should
open to the water. My newest temperature for a minimum of not cover more than the bottom
technique is to use paper coffee twelve to thirteen weeks making third or quarter of the bulb.
filters to cover the drain holes. sure the potting soil stays moist. Both amaryllis and paperwhites
Next, fill the pot half full of After a minimum of twelve have their own added bonuses.
soil and place the bulbs in it to weeks, check the pots to be The amaryllis might well be
check the depth. The top of the sure the bulbs are well rooted. called the king of bulbs with
bulb should reach the rim of the Short shoots should also be its spectacular floral display
container. Add enough soil to present. Bring the containers with huge, showy blooms. The
fill the pot, but do not bury the into a cool, bright room that paperwhites offer an intense
bulbs. Don’t push the bulbs into can be kept at 13° to 16° C or as fragrance in addition to their
the pots because doing so will close to it as you can manage. delicate beauty.
compact the medium below the They should bloom in three to I experience a deep satisfaction
bulbs and inhibit rooting. four weeks. Discard the bulbs when viewing the forced blooms
When planting tulips or other after they flower as forced bulbs that seem to make winter just a
bulbs that have flat sides, place seldom will re-bloom when little shorter — and spring seem
the flat side of the bulb facing planted outdoors. even closer. ●
the outside of the pot. This will Some bulbs do not require
cause the first leaf of each plant chilling to trigger the blooms. Gerald Filipski is a member of
the Garden Writers Association
to face outward and create an Amaryllis and paperwhites fall
of America.
attractive arrangement. into this category. You can grow
Place the containers in an area these bulbs in a pot with soil like
that will maintain a temperature other bulbs but also in a shallow
news&views WINTER 2018 | 19Highlights of the 2018 ARTA AGM
Vi Oko
Board members and delegates from the eighteen As of October
branches of the Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association 1, 2018, 19,436
(ARTA) reaffirmed their confidence in Marilyn of the 21,792
Bossert, Lorna McIlroy, and Dolaine Koch by electing members of ARTA
them by acclamation to their respective positions of were enrolled in
president, vice-president, and treasurer at the Annual the ARTA Retiree
General Meeting (AGM) held at the DoubleTree by Benefits Plan. In
Hilton Hotel West Edmonton on October 2 and 3. the past year, the
ARTA officers, committee chairs, and association Health Benefits
representatives reported on how officers, standing Committee
committees, and related boards fulfilled their specific increased daily Marilyn Bossert — Re-Elected as
ARTA President
roles and responsibilities this past year. hospital rates for
The Communications Committee revised its private and semi-private rooms, continued the
brochure grant and discontinued the banner grant diabetes initiative internally with the research
since all branches now have one. Improvements provided from ACHORD, added coverage for
have been made to the ARTA website accessibility nebulizers to the Extended Health Care plan and
and a redefined logo has been approved. ARTA ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis
has partnered with a web development company as health conditions under Enhanced Special
that has begun to develop websites for the six Authorization, implemented coverage for Shingrix,
branches approved two years ago. The wireframe raised the three-year hearing aid maximum
being prepared for the Heartland Alberta Retired to $900 for the Health Wise and Total Health
Teachers’ Association is intended as a template for plans and $1,100 for the Health Wise Plus and
all branch websites. Joomag will post four issues Ultimate Health plans, as well as augmented
of a digital version of the news&views magazine the Dental Care plan to include fluoride varnish
as a pilot project. There will be an ARTA booth at treatment. ARTACares, a new program provided
the Substitute Teachers’ Convention this year in by HumanaCare, offers a medical second opinion
addition to all other teachers’ conventions province- service, health care system navigation assistance,
wide. Writing and photography contests are popular and chronic disease support benefits to all ARTA
with the membership. members covered by the Extended Health Care
The executive members comprise the Executive plan. There will be no premium increase to any
Committee. Individual committee members are health benefit plans next year.
responsible for finance, nominations, and human In conjunction with its ongoing responsibility
resources and also serve as ex officio members on all to review all ARTA governance documents, the
ARTA committees. Implications of satellite branches Governance Committee updated and revised
and any increase in the size of the Board of Directors several sections in ARTA Policies and Procedures.
were investigated. As well, an audit of paid-up ARTA The committee approved four Branch Project
members within each branch provided the number Grant applications to financially support retiree
of delegates with voting privileges each branch was conferences, doubled the number of scholarships
entitled to at the ARTA AGM. awarded by ARTA, and increased the amount of
money available in the grant and bursary programs.
20 | arta.netThe Pension and Financial Wellness Committee was created to support Alberta seniors seeking
continues to advocate on pension issues on behalf appropriate accommodation, health services, and
of retiring and retired teachers and endeavours to education by partnering with like-minded charitable
inform ARTA members about financial issues of agencies. The Foundation is administered by a
concern to retirees. six-member Board of Directors elected annually.
In the past year, the Strategic Planning and Grants have been provided to the Alzheimer Society
Advocacy Committee held orientations for new of Calgary, CNIB, and the Parkinson Association
committee members, incoming committee chairs, of Alberta. Four ARTA branches contributed a
new branch presidents, and returning board total of $1,000 in donations to the Foundation this
members. Joint Chair meetings were held in October year. Provisions have been made for CanadaHelps
and May to discuss committee business plans and (canadahelps.org) to facilitate online donations
initiatives. The annual retreat took place in Canmore with a tax receipt generated for each contribution.
at the end of May with informative and entertaining ACER-CART is the voice of retired teachers at the
speakers addressing the topic of advocacy. national level addressing issues of common concern
The Wellness Committee renamed its Walking to all seniors. ARTA is entitled to an additional
Challenge the Wellness Challenge, having representative to ACER-CART because of the election
participants count minutes of active involvement in of ARTA’s past president to the position of regional
fitness pursuits. With the introduction of support representative west at the ACER-CART AGM in June.
by a registered nurse, wellness clinics will include ACER-CART, instrumental in developing strategies
preliminary screening for diabetes. Wellness grants and producing resources to counter elder abuse, is
were doubled to encourage more branch wellness committed to a national pharmacare program, is
initiatives. The Wellness Committee contributes focusing on a strategy to combat federal legislation
articles about wellness to each issue of news&views, that would allow the conversion of defined benefit
and arranges wellness options for retreat participants. pension plans to target benefit plans, promote the
Seven new committee members were elected to establishment of a Ministry of Seniors, and actively
vacant standing committee positions, with two on the espouse enhanced senior health care supports
Governance Committee. and residential care facilities. In cooperation with
Branch presidents reported on the variety of like-minded groups, ACER-CART will continue
activities organized for their membership over the to advocate for the protection of defined benefit
past year. pensions and the implementation of a single payer
Under a trust agreement with ARTA, the ARTA national pharmacare plan during the 2019 federal
Benefit Plan Trust was established in 2008 to election campaign.
guarantee the indebtedness of the Education The Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund (ATRF)
and Public/Private Sector health benefit plans is the trustee, administrator, and custodian of the
with its Board of Trustees responsible for the assets of the Teachers’ Pension Plan (TPP) post-1992
administration of the investment of Fund assets. fund and the Private School Teachers’ Plan (PSTP)
The Emergency Travel Reserve Fund, set up in for 80,338 members, of which 27,625 are retired
2016, is also governed by the Board of Trustees with teachers. The funded ratio of the pension plan is
two trustees elected annually. now 90 per cent. Beginning September 1, 2018, the
The Alberta Retired Teachers Charitable contribution rate for active teachers was reduced to
Foundation, incorporated as a non-profit society 11.92 per cent. There are 230 members aged 95+,
in 2012 and granted charitable status in 2015, and 35 who are 100+. ●
news&views WINTER 2018 | 21The Future Looks Bright!
ARTA Congratulates This Year’s Scholarship Winners
Once again, the outstanding qualifications of the scholarship applicants made
the decision in choosing the recipients of the scholarships an exceedingly
difficult task for the ARTA Governance Committee.
This year funding was is noted when reviewing the academically as well as in
available to double the number applications that an applicant community involvement and
of scholarships from previous is dealing with compelling volunteer work. Personal
years, enabling ARTA to choose circumstances, bursary dollars accomplishments, future
six recipients for the ARTA–TW are available. goals, and supporting letters
Insurance Degree Scholarships The scholarships are of reference are also taken into
and six recipients for the awarded to direct relatives consideration in determining
ARTA Certificate/Diploma of current ARTA members the winners.
Scholarships. In addition, if it for significant achievement
Thomas Coderre, Calgary
$5000 ARTA–TW Insurance Degree Scholarship
For years I have driven myself to develop the skills, experience, and
perspective necessary to actualize my vision of leveraging emerging
technologies to enhance human well-being. Regardless of the depth of
my dedication, there remains a unique satisfaction any time my progress
is externally recognized. That recognition is even more potent when
accompanied by support that enables me to invest even more heavily in
my academic preparations.
As I complete the capstone year of my Bachelor of Health Sciences, the peace of mind afforded by
ARTA’s generous scholarship will be especially impactful. By contributing to the financial security
necessary to work exclusively on my studies, the award will noticeably augment my final year of
preparation before graduate studies. Reinforced by a deep commitment to those who have supported
me, with special attention given to ARTA and its partners, I will continue to work tirelessly to achieve
my lifelong aspirations.
22 | arta.netAnya Siddons, Calgary
$5000 ARTA–TW Insurance Degree Scholarship
I am so honoured and grateful to have been chosen as a recipient of the
ARTA–TW Insurance Degree Scholarship. This award will support me in
pursuing a Master of Nursing following the Bachelor of Nursing I am currently
undertaking. I plan to use these degrees to research ways in which Alberta’s
health care system can be made more accessible to those living with chronic
mental illness. I hope to one day implement changes that will help our health
care system better support these individuals and their families.
I would like to thank ARTA for its support in this endeavour and my mother Lisa Siddons, whose
passion for teaching has set such a powerful example for me as to how life-enriching a career can be.
Jesse Webb, Edmonton
$3000 ARTA–TW Insurance Degree Scholarship
Attending school full time and being successful at it is tough even under
the best circumstances. Attending as a mature student with a family and
outside commitments has been one of the most challenging endeavours of
my life. It has been worth every minute, however, to pursue what started
as a goal, but has since become a passion. I began my school journey with
a vague goal to enter the health care field, to better the lives of others,
and to improve the situation of my family. Through my coursework in the
Bachelor of Science program, I’ve found a passion for scientific research, which I intend to follow by
pursuing an eventual career as a medical researcher. The requirements to enter this field, however,
are high, both in time, and in academic standards.
Pursuit of this career, for me, would not be possible without the support of others, which is why
I’m so grateful to the Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association for the granting of this scholarship. This
money means the world to my family and me, as it allows me to devote more of my time to academics
and alleviates many of the stresses that accompany the financial realities of being a full-time student.
To all those who support me, including my family, my friends, and ARTA, thank you. Together, we
will achieve this dream.
news&views WINTER 2018 | 23You can also read
