Letters to the Editor
Editor , news & views 409 , 11010 – 142 Street NW , Edmonton , AB T5N 2R1
Email newsandviews @ shaw . ca
To the editor :
I very much like the new look of our magazine , and faithfully read and enjoy all the articles , especially that I now live in Vernon , BC . But I do have a suggestion for improvement with regard to articles written by Diane Britton . As most of us retirees were raised in the pounds / ounces era , it is a chore to convert the measurements expressed in metric figures . Could she please include both in her recipes — it would be most helpful and practical !
Cheryl Curran ( EPSB retiree 2001 )
To the editor :
In looking at several back issues of news & views , I found the memorial pages to be a snapshot of the sociology of the teaching profession in Alberta .
The list of deceased members in the winter 2013 issue is an insult to the memory of our colleagues . When I see names like Joe Berlando and Jennie Emery who made such contributions to education and to the teaching profession in Alberta , I am embarrassed that we could not spare more ink and space to acknowledge their contributions . To not include the maiden names of the women is a disservice ; many of them began their teaching careers as young women and their former students and colleagues may not recognize them by their married names .
I sincerely ask that you re-think your decision about the format for this page .
Teresa Grice Vice-President , SWARTA
To the editor :
I lost a dear friend when Joe Berlando died this past October . The big man I knew also had a big heart , played a lot of musical instruments , lived life to its fullest , and enjoyed a happy family life . He loved life .
Joe ’ s contributions to ARTA started when he negotiated rent-free space for ARTA ’ s founding fathers — Durand , Cox and Rhine — in Barnett House . When I served as Executive Secretary between 1996 and 2006 , Joe was a fine mentor . STARTA in St . Albert became our tenth branch in 1996 with his guidance . Our very successful benefits plan owes much to his experience and wisdom .
I personally owe him for his help and guidance , and I would suggest that ARTA also owes him a debt of gratitude . Whether teachers were practicing or retired , Joe always had their welfare at heart .
Gerry Smith
To the editor :
Thank you so much to ARTA for the walking sticks that I won after I entered a contest advertised in the ARTA magazine . I really do appreciate it as I no longer ski , and using the sticks to walk is the next best thing ! I don ’ t usually enter contests because I never win , but I do like your magazine so I thought ... why not ? I was surprised to receive a call indicating I had won , and now I have no excuse not to expand my exercise program ( my husband would say , “ What program ?”)
Again , thank you so much ; and now I will keep entering other contests ... Who knows ...?
To the editor :
Donna Hutton
I would like to thank you for the new format for the In Memoriam page . It was both trying and stressful to compile a list of schools my mother had taught at when I submitted information about her death in 2012 .
The In Memoriam page is now straightforward , but recognizes , in a respectful manner , the teacher who has died .
Lin Keehn
8 Spring 2014