Was our youth and world perfect ? Of course not . We lived after two world wars ; witnessed the Korean War , Vietnam , and Kent State ; feared the Cold War ; had nuclear bomb shelters in backyards and escape route signs if missiles were incoming — we knew what the Doomsday Clock was . Women stayed home while the men worked . Open discrimination was tolerated . We saw an American president and his brother assassinated on television . A simpler time perhaps but certainly not perfect .

Most of us survived ; developed dreams and lived our lives the best we could , meeting challenges and fears as they came and working to make the world a better place to live for ourselves and our families .

Over time there are those of us who stop dreaming ; stop hoping ; stop planning ; stop achieving . We have stopped “ looking out the window ” at the world and reimagining our place in it .

Whatever time we have left with whatever limitations we might encounter along the way can and should be meaningful . Like the child in the window — we never have to stop dreaming and hoping .

Ron Jeffery taught with the Calgary Board of Education for thirty years and worked in educational travel for 16 years , even to this day hosting longstay tours for retirees . He continues his passion of photography and volunteering with ARTA and CRTA committees .

The Calgary Retired Teachers ’ Association invites you to join us at the annual “ Steppin ' Out ” Conference . We look forward to welcoming retired colleagues and friends from across the province and are saving a spot just for you !

Thursday evening will see you enjoying a delicious meal followed by entertainment provided by 3rd Time Lucky Quartet . Their repertoire includes barbershop classics , pop hits , folk songs , touching ballads , and musical theatre tunes .

Friday ' s Keynote Speaker : Retired news anchor Darrel Janz . Building on stories from his long career as a journalist , Darrel will be focussing on the importance of finding purpose in retirement .

Riviera Hotel and Conference Centre 3515 26 Street NE , Calgary , Alberta

Complete program and registration details online .