special project will be on display in the ARTA office and will serve as a great reminder of the 50 th anniversary commemoration .

The Ponoka and District branch is sponsoring the 50 th Anniversary Golf Tournament in Ponoka on June 19 . This event will be the fourth annual golf tournament and will feature special 50 th anniversary touches .

A Book Fair will feature the creative works of retired teachers . Let the ARTA office know if you have literary works you would like to have included in this project .

A 50 th anniversary Volunteer Recognition Program , outlined in detail in this magazine , will recognize many outstanding retired teacher volunteers with a special award .

The ARTA 50 th anniversary celebrations were launched at the Annual General Meeting banquet on October 3 . Thanks to the hard work of members of the Human Resources Committee , the office staff , the 50 th Anniversary Committee and the ARTA Executive the kick-off of ARTA ’ s anniversary celebrations was very successful .

The special touch of the table centrepieces , the great job done by CBC ’ s Mark Connolly as master of ceremonies , and the special entertainment provided by Bill and Myrna Lasecki made this an evening to be remembered . My thanks go out to all .

SO , WHAT IS NEXT ?

The first membership-wide activity is the ARTA 50 th Anniversary Bonspiel sponsored by the Central East branch on November 16 and 17 in Vermilion . The bonspiel will “ Remember Floyd Sweet .” Floyd served as the ARTA president for three years and as the president of the Canadian Association of Retired Teachers for two years .

The Photography Contest is ongoing . Special recognition and prizes await winners in the many categories .

A Feature Quilt is being created from the many quilt squares submitted by our members . This

Branches are encouraged to compile a brief Branch History that can be featured in future issues of News & Views . The history should include some significant photos .

Many branches are planning special 50 th anniversary activities of their own . The committee commends these efforts and will support the branch whenever possible .

More information on all of the projects and activities relating to the 50 th anniversary can be found on the ARTA website . Visit this site often for all things ARTA .

LET ’ S CELEBRATE OUR 50 th , A VERY SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN OUR HISTORY !

ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS ’ ASSOCIATION News & Views Volume 19 21 , No . 32