From the Branches
Linda Manwarren | Past President, CRTA
A Peek into CRTA
For many of us, fall signals the
start of busier schedules and the
resumption of activities. Such was
certainly the case for members
of CRTA. The annual general
meeting was held in a new venue
with very positive feedback. With
the election of the executive
and directors, Brian Scott is the
new president, and we welcome
Ron Jeff rey as a new director.
Involvement in this dynamic
organization is a satisfying
experience, and volunteers are its
life source. During the AGM, we
also recognized two long-serving
volunteers: Jim Nielsen and
Pat Sokolosky, with the ARTA
Volunteer Award.
The ‘Grey Jays’ resumed their
monthly singing at Devonian
Gardens. A new series of art
workshops began under the
instruction of Liz Sullivan.
Many members attended
Lunchbox Theatre’s production
of In Flanders Fields and/or
the Rosebud production of A
Christmas Story. About forty
participants attended a workshop
on Advance Care Planning, a
topic that is sometimes diffi cult to
Recognizing two long serving volunteers: Linda
Manwarren stands between Jim Nielsen and Pat Sokolosky.
approach but everyone agreed is
necessary for peace of mind in the
years ahead — for the individual
as well as family and friends. A
small group toured the private art
gallery of the Esker Foundation,
followed by tea and sweets.
As part of our consistent focus
on wellness, we held a morning
of individual appointments with
HumanaCare personnel and the
InBody Composition machine
followed by an afternoon with
two presentations: brain health
and nutrition for seniors.
Through an endowment fund
we created several years ago,
which is administered by the
Calgary Foundation, a grant
was awarded to the Calgary
Immigrant Women’s Association
supporting a socialization
program for retired immigrants.
Planning has begun for the
spring conference Steppin’
Out, with the banquet to be
held on April 30 and a variety
of informative and enriching
sessions on May 1. We look
forward to a new venue and
a new student choir at our
annual Christmas luncheon
on December 4.
This magazine will likely arrive
in your mailbox as the winter
approaches with its shorter
days and colder temperatures.
Celebrations of light during
the darkness of December are
common in festivals throughout
history. I wish you joy bright
enough to light up these dark
days of December and love to
keep you warm, and may 2020 be
a time of good health and peace
of mind. ●
news&views WINTER 2019 | 13