FROM THE BRANCHES
FROM THE BRANCHES
New Frontiers at NWARTA
LORNA MCILROY
After excellent work on Mother ’ s Day by the executive of the Northwestern Alberta Retired Teachers ’ Association ( NWARTA ), on May 15 , 2017 , the conference facility at the Grande Prairie & Area Safe Communities complex was ready for New Frontiers , NWARTA ’ s third annual one-day conference . Since the first New Frontiers conference in 2015 , attendance has increased four-fold .
NWARTA directors Helen Neufeld and Dawn Chapman brewed coffee , Linda Schofield displayed information on the ARTA walking challenge and our July body composition clinic , and Perry Schofield began a visual record of the day ’ s activities while Susan Thomson checked in registrants . Tables were decorated with floral displays provided by vice-president Joan Godbout . Local merchants , conference presenters and TW Insurance donated snacks , coffee and door prizes . The Regional Artists ’ Art Show & Sale , organized by Ingrid Galipeau , lined the walls with paintings and provided a display of quilts and pottery .
In her opening remarks , NWARTA president Lorna McIlroy quoted Halford E . Luccock , “ No one can whistle a symphony . It takes a whole orchestra to play it ” and sincerely thanked her own orchestra — the NWARTA executive — who worked hard to present this conference .
The opening keynote address , ‘ Tune in to Music ,’ presented by Jennifer Buchanan , an expert in the field of music therapy , thrilled attendees who laughed and applauded — and discreetly wiped away a tear or two .
Attendees chose sessions from ‘ What YOU Need to Know About Crime Prevention ’ by a city spokesperson ; ‘ The Experts Provide Safe Driving Practices ’ by an Alberta Motor Association representative ; and a discussion on ‘ Current Events as Seen Through the Eyes of History ’ led by Duff Crerar , a history professor from Grande Prairie Regional College .
After a catered lunch and another look at the art show , afternoon sessions began .
ARTA ’ s news & views editor , Robin Carson , presented ‘ Getting It on the Page ’ to encourage getting started with personal writing , followed by a second session , ‘ Around the Writer ’ s Block .’
Local artist Alicia Doerkson proved that ‘ You Too Can Be an Artist ’ with a room full of painters . Her guided step-by-step session continued after the break and resulted in unique paintings .
A third location offered ‘ Learn Resistance Training ’ with Sherry Ouimet , a fitness instructor and personal trainer who specializes in helping older adults .
Artists Jennifer Buchanan Break time 18 | arta . net