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Provincial & Local Scholarships LOCAL Scholarships - District 3 has established awards of $500 at both Algoma University and Sault College. District 3 Contact: Rich Prophet, President District 3 rtoalgoma@gmail.com ____________________________ PROVINCIAL Scholarship Programme - Applicants, who are members’ relatives, who apply for scholarships must be in the last year from a Faculty of Education or who were in any programme in their final year of a College or university. Provincial Deadline: March 15, 2018 CLICK HERE, for Provincial Details

2000 Barbara Lamb 2000 Jean DuQuesnay 2000 Leona Galloway 2001 Ben Smith 2001 Grant Lawson 2001 Jean King 2001 John Jefferson 2001 Orlando Sicoly 2003 Bill Kidd 2003 Mary Kidd 2003 Ken Frier 2003 Mickey Contini 2004 John Fleming 2004 Maj-Liisa Donaghue 2005 Marilyn Patterson 2006 Diane Marshall 2006 Leone Hamilton 2006 Pat Fremlin 2008 Bill Purnis

2009 Geoff Shaw 2010 Ora Mae James 2010 Bonnie Forsell 2010 Moyra O'Pallie 2011 Nancy Sachro 2012 Gary Wills 2013 Gayle Manley 2014 Marie Della Vedova 2015 Bruce Avery 2015 Page Nicolson 2016 Emily Noble 2017 Bernice Whalen 2018 Kathryn Greening

Mickey Contini Award of Merit Recipients

Mickey passed away December 7, 2014.

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON SENIOR SOCIALS Every Wednesday afternoon at the Legion, from 2:00 to 4:00, the Happy Days Band (which includes a few retired teachers) plays great dancing and listening music. All seniors and retired people are welcome. There is a donation basket is at the door where you can throw in a toonie if you wish. Your favourite beverages are available at the bar.

Our meetings venue, the Royal Canadian Legion, SSM

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RTO/ERO HISTORY

We would like to establish a written chronological

history of District 3 Algoma: each Past President would

write a summary or highlights of their term as the

leader of our group. It will be enjoyable to read the

background and narration of our organization from the

earliest times to the present.

If you could send a 150-175 word reflection of your

year(s) at the helm to Rich Prophet at

rtoalgoma@gmail.com, it would be greatly

appreciated. We hope to publish these incrementally

in the near future.

First Article, by Past President John Fleming!

“Thank You” to the many District 3 members who volunteered their time at the Davey Home Tuck Shop!

View or download and print the 2019 Mickey Contini Award of Merit Nomination Form

Algoma U Offers Free Tuition for Senior Students Did You Say “Free”?! Are you a lifelong learner? Have you always wanted to learn French or Italian? How about a Fine Arts degree? Algoma University has a deal for you if you are 60 years old or older- you do not have to pay tuition! David Marasco, University Registrar, wants to get the good news out to all of us of a “certain age”. Active in retirement and lifelong learners, retired teachers fit the bill perfectly for this unique opportunity in the Sault Ste. Marie area. “I am a strong supporter of the tuition exemption program,” states Marasco. “It benefits not only the senior learners but also the learning community at the university.” The university experience is enhanced by the diversity of students of all ages with varied experiences to share. David Marasco wants to assure us that all are welcome in the Algoma University community. Russ Mason, retired from teaching for twenty years, is well-known as a weaver and dyer and often a part of artists’ shows like the Sylvan Valley Tour. Russ has now taken on a new challenge at Algoma University, enrolled in the first year of a four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts program. “Pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts was my dream when I entered university many years ago in 1963 but following my parents’ advice, I got a real job!” stated Russ. “The course load is incredibly heavy for someone who has been out of the student mode for over 40 years but I must say that staff and students are incredible with their support and encouragement. Added to that no one has called me Grandpa yet!” While senior students age 60 and over are exempt from paying tuition there are other student fees. For example, if you are enrolled in a course worth 3 credits, you have to pay $118.74 and for 6 credits it is $168.59. It would appear that the more credits you take, the better the deal. Senior citizens are not eligible to join the George Leach Centre as students but may join as community members. Parking passes are available for $100 per semester. Now it is just a matter of picking a course of interest. How about Science Fiction or Fantasy in English? Or Introductory French or Spanish? Anishinaabemowin? Film and Modern History? Computer Science? The choices are varied and interesting; check things out at www.algomau.ca Russ Mason offers these words of encouragement: “Your time is now. Go back to school and take the course you always wanted to do. Take advantage of the tuition breaks offered at Algoma University.”

The Mickey Contini Award of Merit The Mickey Contini Award of Merit was established within the Algoma District RTO/ERO to recognize outstanding contributions to the organization. Nominees for the award will be selected in recognition of their outstanding and/or long term contributions to the work of RTO/ERO at the Provincial and/or District level. The Mickey Contini Award of Merit recognizes the great effort that Mickey Contini put forth on behalf of the members of RTO for so many years. DO YOU KNOW A DESERVING MEMBER? WHY NOT NOMINATE THEM? Send Nomimations to Second Vice-President Folgo Della Vedova, rtoalgoma@gmail.com

Russ Mason, four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts student at Algoma U - Tuition Free.

Celebrating our Super Seniors: May 1, 2018 Over 100 people enjoyed the Super Seniors Celebration on Tuesday, May 1 at the Royal Canadian Legion. As our guests came in the door, they were greeted by members of the organizing committee who pinned corsages and boutonniers on our Super Seniors. There was a lot of laughter and visiting going on in the room as people met up with friends and former colleagues. We were pleased to have Dorothy Morrow cut the cake on behalf of all those present. Moyra O’Pallie added clever quips and quotes to make us laugh over the lunch hour. Topping things off was the entertainment with the wonderful Korah Korahsters with teacher, Denine Williams. A great event for all concerned! Thanks to Sherrill Dewar, Bruce Avery, Page Nicholson and Bob Cole who helped to bring some members to the celebration. Many thanks to the organizing committee: Kathy Greening, Bernice Whalen, Bettyanne Plaskett, Marlene Falls, Marie Della Vedova, Joanne Mantha McConnell, Judy Conlin, Gary Wills and Gayle Manley. Special thanks to Gary Wills who provided photos, background music, almanac scrolls and visuals for the event. Mark your calendars for our next celebration in May 2020!

RTO-ERO District 3 Algoma Mickey Contini Award of Merit Congratulations Kathryn Greening! The Mickey Contini Award of Merit recognizes outstanding contributions to the organization at the local and/or provincial levels. On May, 16, 2018 at the last General Membership meeting of the year, 2nd Vice President, Folgo DellaVedova announced the recipient of this prestigious award. Since 2009 Kathy has demonstrated long-time service, dedication and strong engagement as a member. Characterized as a team player and highly capable individual, she has devoted time, energy and talent to the Christmas socials, silent auctions, the local district’s 40th Anniversary celebration and the Super Seniors celebrations. Additionally, she made a significant contribution to the District 3 Historical Document that was submitted to provincial office for their archives as part of this year’s RTO-ERO’s 50th Anniversary. Kathy has served on the executive in several leadership roles and has also racked up volunteer hours in our community, namely, in the Zonta Club, the Davey Home Tuck Shop and the Festival of Trees events. Her interests and involvement do not end there. She has served in leadership roles as the Board Chair of Breton House and Board Director for Women In Crisis. Her personality would aptly be described as warm, caring, cheerful, artistic, industrious, generous and dependable. She clearly reflects the values and spirit of the Mickey Contini Award and those treasured in our organization. On behalf of all of us well done and well deserved Kathryn Greening!

David Gooderham, of the Sault Search & Rescue, presented “Project Lifesaver” at the October 2018 General Membership Meeting. David would like to thank District 3 for the presentation opportunity AND for the spontaneous donations made in support of Project Lifesaver.

NEW District 3 Travel Allowance Rates! District 3 has mirrored the Provincial Travel Rate of 53 cents per kilometre traveled, door-to-door, both ways, for members to attend District Meetings. The Executive will have Travel Forms available at each General Membership Meeting. As well, you may download a travel form in advance of your trip, by clicking on the Travel Form link below. To calculate your distance travelled, you may choose to set your vehicle odometer and then double the distance traveled from your door to the door of the venue. You can use the website https://www.distancefromto.net/ and fill in: • Your Home Address • The SSM Legion Address (96 Great Northern Rd, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 4Y5) • Click “Driving Distance” • Click MEASURE (NOTE THE “Distance in km” CALCULATED ON SCREEN) • Download & Complete the District 3 Travel Allowance Form (Download HERE) • Bring to the meeting for immediate payment or mail in (address on Form) See YOU at the next District 3 General Membership Meeting!!

RTO-ERO Volunteers Take a Bow On February 4th an e-mail was received from a Royal Canadian Legion member for RTO-ERO support with the orals. Although there was little lead in time, the Executive Board approved assisting this worthy organization for the 2019 orals on February 23rd. How proud we can be of our members who unselfishly put aside their personal Saturday plans to respond as volunteers serving as judges, scrutineers and time keepers. Special thanks to Kari Lustig, Marie Della Vedova, Corrine Jones, Susan Shepherd, Carol Neave, Sylvie Mackey, Cheryl Montgomery, Del Weber, Gayle Manley and Gary Wills who served us well under the RTO-ERO banner. The generosity of RTO-ERO members is noted throughout our communities: ARCH, the hospitals, city beautification through the horticultural society, libraries, St. Vincent’s Place, the Soup Kitchen, Christmas Cheer, Red Cross, Search and Rescue, Algoma Family Services, Camp McDougall, retirement homes, Breton House, Zonta, the arts, and church groups just to name a few endeavors throughout District 3. Teachers never truly retire. They just bring their gifts into their communities to serve in different ways. How proud I am to say I am a member of RTO-ERO! Submitted by: Bernice Whalen