​South Bruce Retired Women Teachers care, share and learn at autumn meeting

Members of the South Bruce branch of the Retired Women Teachers of Ontario/Organization des eneignantes retraitées de l’Ontario (RWTO/OERO) met at the Ripley-Huron Legion Hall, Wednesday, for their fall meeting.

Ever mindful of the needs of the community, particularly women, the ladies brought donations of personal hygiene products which were given to the Kincardine Food Bank for distribution.

New members Christina Lammerant and Jennifer Celeste were welcomed by President Jo Ann Ruetz, with a rose and RWTO pin. Guests Jackie Emmerton and Marilyn Wheeler were introduced and welcomed also.

A touching feature of the October meeting is the “In Memoriam” service for members who have passed away in the previous year. The lives and careers of Elaine Emmerton and Jacqueline McGillivray were honoured by Shirley Steele and Jo Ann Ruetz, respectively. As each formal tribute concluded, many members shared meaningful personal memories.

A gathering of teachers wouldn’t be complete without some group work and possibly, a homework assignment. Members worked together to list events, activities, milestones and members that were pivotal in the history of the South Bruce branch. They were also asked to provide personal reflections on how membership in RWTO/OERO has impacted their lives in retirement.

The homework assignment involves each lady writing a biography that includes information about her life before, during and after her career in education. As the provincial organization prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary, the local executive sees this as an opportunity to celebrate the amazing women of South Bruce in a collection of profiles. Several members will be featured at each meeting.

This project was originally proposed during the COVID-19 pandemic but was not completed. However, star students Eleanor Thompson and Melanie Clark had done their work and were able to present their profiles to the group. Their recollections and anecdotes highlighted the changing times and priorities in public education.

Following a hearty meal of soup, sandwiches and dessert, provided by the Ripley-Huron Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary, guest speaker Charles Liddle of the Ripley and District Lions Club was introduced.
Liddle presented an overview of the Lions Vision Screening Program. In partnership with Grey Bruce Public Health, trained Lions club volunteers provide free vision screenings for Senior Kindergarten students in local schools.

The program has grown since its inception in 2013 to include neighbouring school boards and collaboration with the Waterloo University School of Optometry.

Liddle displayed and demonstrated many of the tools and materials used by volunteers to test visual acuity, stereo-vision and colour-blindness. Woven into his presentation were stories that underscored the importance of early detection and correction of vision impairment in young students.

The retired teachers were appreciative of the work of the program and asked many questions.

The next meeting will be the Christmas Luncheon and takes place Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the Kincardine United Church. Attendees will celebrate the festive season and welcome representatives of both the Kincardine and Community Health Care Foundation and United Way of Bruce Grey.

Retired women audiologists, child and youth workers/counsellors, early childhood educators, educational assistants, office support staff, psychologists, social workers and speech and language pathologists in southern Bruce County are warmly invited to join the branch and may find contact information at rwto.org/branch-new/south-bruce/.