A well-travelled Dave and Barb Huntley, a husband and wife team from Palmerston, took members of the Palmerston Branch of Retired Teachers of Ontario on a virtual tour of New Zealand at their meeting on Oct. 26.
Last November the Huntleys travelled over 14,000km on their trip to Australia and New Zealand. Their numerous pictures focused on the diverse landscape, vegetation and unusual birds and animals of New Zealand. Pictures of places where the movie Lord of the Rings was filmed were of special interest. Fjords, active volcanoes, world heritage sites and hot springs were all part of the presentation. The pair was introduced by fellow teacher and friend, Kathy Watt and thanked by neighbour Lynn Hodgins.
President Kathy Brown welcomed members and guests and introduced provincial president Leslie Uttley and retired teacher Marilyn Troyer from Arthur. Uttley spoke briefly about the uniqueness of the various branches she has visited. She also entertained the group with a couple of humorous stories about Halloween from her teaching years. She encouraged everyone to “pull out those memories” and share them with others.
As part of the “caring and sharing” motto Brown reminded members they will be able to purchase bed kits for Sleeping Children Around the World again this year at the Christmas dinner at the Chop House in Drayton on Dec. 7. Watt reported 17 bed kits had been purchased by members last year. As well, Brown thanked all the members who had donated a new Teddy bear to be given to the Palmerston and Mount Forest hospitals to comfort young patients.
The branch’s efforts towards “caring and sharing” continued when Lorraine Ballard, on behalf of the branch, gave a donation to member. Bullock who is helping to raise money for the Africa Arise Mission in Uganda. Lynne showed a quilt she had made as a fund raiser. She became involved in this project because of Trisha deBoer, birth sister of their youngest daughter. deBoer, formerly from Harriston, has spent many years working in orphanages in Africa and ministering to the Acholi people there. She started the Africa Arise Mission in Uganda a couple of years ago to support people who had been forced off their farms during the civil war. Bullock thanked the group for their donation.
Oriole Blyth, dressed in vintage hat, gloves and shawl, encouraged the ladies to prepare over the next few months for the May meeting at which members will be asked to sport their hats and clothing “from the past” to help celebrate a Historical Day.
Joan Simpson was the greeter at the door. Marilyn Cherry won the lucky draw which was donated by Ada Mason. Only one person paid a fine for not wearing her pin. The charity bottle was passed around for donations.
Travel convenor Lynn Morrison outlined the various trips and events being planned for the upcoming year. A trip to Deerhurst Resort with a matinee show to see Decades is planned for June 11, 2013; an Orillia boat cruise and theatre trip for next spring is in the planning stages; Agawa Canyon and Mackinac Island for Sept. 23-27; Fiddler on the Roof at Stratford on Oct. 18 is also planned.
Trips to Boston and Washington, D.C. are being considered for the future if there is enough interest.
Reports by goodwill convenor Lorraine Ballard and insurance convenor Mildred Francis were given.
Donna McFarlane reminded the group of the visit of some Maasai warriors from Kenya at Victoria Public School in Mount Forest on Nov. 15 and Wellington Heights Secondary School and St. Mary School in Mount Forest on Nov. 16.
On Nov. 8, an information meeting regarding trips to India and Kenya in 2013, as part of the Free the Children organization, was held at Wellington Heights Secondary School along with a trunk sale of jewelry, books, t-shirts and other items available for purchase.
On Dec. 2 there will be a “Taste of India” and silent auction at Pike Lake at a cost of $25 per ticket.
The meeting was adjourned with plans to meet at the Chop House in Drayton on Dec. 7 for a Christmas dinner.
