BEV MALLETT

From a very small group of committed Alberta teachers , OKARTA has grown to a healthy paid membership of about fifty-five people . Because our area covers the whole Okanagan valley , information on ARTA and OKARTA is sent to an additional sixty retired teachers who may not be able to attend meetings .

As might be expected , OKARTA get-togethers take full advantage of the beautiful Okanagan landscape and climate . Early July kicks off with the Raspberry Garden Party hosted by Fred and Marilyn in their Peachland paradise . The timing depends on when their raspberries are ready to be picked . Needless to say , all of our members are on standby alert , ready to cancel any other activities . It is an event not to be missed with the added bonus that attendees get to pick and take home cherries , more raspberries and anything else that is growing at the time .

Those of you who have spent any time in the Okanagan valley know why so many retired Alberta teachers call this area our second home . To establish an ARTA branch here required the efforts of many very committed people . Ron Rhine , the first OKARTA president , was a major influence in ARTA during the organization ’ s early years . When he moved to the Okanagan , he began writing letters to teachers who had retired to this area . The first organizational meeting , chaired by Ron , was held on December 1 , 2005 . Marilyn Resler was elected secretary and Ernie Leeck became our treasurer . Two years later , on October 3 , 2007 , OKARTA became the first ( and only ) satellite branch outside of Alberta . When Ron Rhine stepped down , Fred Resler was elected president and we were on our way !

Summer in the valley means visitors , but once everyone heads back home in September Rose and Carl McColl host the annual Chili Cookoff in their West Kelowna home . Bev and Rob Mallett prepare Texas chili , and everyone who attends

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