AfterWords: Volume 2, Issue3

Spring 2004

President's Message

Happy Spring!

For those who spent the winter in sunnier climates, I just want to say that this was the mildest, most balmy, sun-filled winter I’ve ever seen in these parts.

For those of us who have been here all winter, disregard the previous sentence.

But Spring is here, birds are returning, and we have an enjoyable article by ARM member Patricia Cole which talks about returning birds, good sighting spots, and the mysterious habits of those who call themselves “birders”.

We’re delighted to welcome an ad from Heeman’s Greenhouses and look forward to revisiting their great spot (as we have for many years) for a variety of vegetable and flower seedlings, etc.

Of course, Spring is also Income Tax time, and we have a few headache-reducing tips from Tom Getliffe, a partner in Ford Keast Chartered Accountants.

As well, lawyer Charlie Walters, a partner in Scott, Petrie, Brander & Walters, gives us some practical hints about wills and related items.

We have the Professionals here, just for you!

Do email or write a letter telling us how you are doing. We always welcome items from our members. In fact, we would not be here without them. Keep sending us your tips, jokes, experiences, greetings, and articles.

The Birds of Spring

Most people are glad to see the first robin of the year, but birders enjoy far earlier perks. It’s mid-February. Some of my friends have already made their annual daytrip to the St. Clair River to see migrating ducks. (They nearly froze.) This week, the female peregrine falcon is looking out from the nestbox on the TD-Canada Trust tower (hope she finds a mate this year!), a pair of red-tailed hawks is retrofitting a nest near Middlesex College, and great-horned owls have been heard hooting in Gibbons Park. Checking out returning birds is part of the birding cycle. Pre-spring highlights are the thousands of tundra swans that take rest stops at Aylmer and Grand Bend, and the great blue herons that traditionally nest on Hyde Park Road. Closer to home, I keep an eye out for the first grackle in my yard, admire the intense colours of the cardinals and starlings as they come into breeding plumage, and note the last day that I see juncos. It’s a great day when I hear the raspy turk-a-lee of a redwinged blackbird on territory along the riverbank and see those wing flashes. I know it must be spring - time to get out the Peterson’s Guide and brush up on warblers.

Warblers are the spring challenge. They are small and hard to identify because they flit around at the tops of (usually tall) trees feeding on insects. You can get a very sore neck watching them through binoculars, but they are beautiful. Once you see a few, you’re hooked. That’s why all those people flock to Point Pelee every May. It’s fun to go there, but it’s crowded, and because the best time to see the birds is daybreak, that means staying overnight. Unless you reserved a room last year, forget it. You can go to Rondeau or Long Point instead, or you can check out the birding areas closer to home. There are six designated natural areas in London. Each is described in a brochure published by the Upper Thames Conservation Authority. They are usually available at the Visitors’ Centre on Wellington Road between Southdale and Commissioners Roads.

A pair of binoculars and a guidebook are all the equipment you need. I recommend the Peterson’s Guide to Birds of Eastern North America because it won’t distract you with birds that are found only in the west. The Point Pelee Nature Series has published an excellent little book, Warblers of Ontario, by Chris Earley. It is available at Pelee, Rondeau and the Pinery. Without question, the most important “thing” you can take with you is an experienced birder.

Let me confess right now that I make no apology if the rest of this article reads like a commercial for The McIlwraith Field Naturalists of London. McIlwraith has published A Guide to the Natural Areas of London and Vicinity which sells for $5. The Lorimer Guide to London Birds, 2002, edited by J. Domm, contains information about 25 local hotspots recommended by Peter Read, co-chair of McIlwraith’s Birding Wing. The club meets twice a month; one meeting is devoted to nature in general, the other to birds. There are field trips as well, some of them open to the public and advertised in the London Free Press. These outings are excellent opportunities for beginning birders. They are led by experts with a passion for birding. For example, on Wednesday, April 28 at 7:30 pm, there is a walk along the north branch of the Thames to see migrant birds. Since this is the time when warblers are migrating, there are usually good sightings. After dark comes the grand finale - the courtship display of the American woodcock. You have to experience this to believe it. Everything about McIlwraith’s meetings and fieldtrips is available on the club’s website at www.mcilwraith.ca. There is also a nature line to call at 457-4593. Take a look, come out to a meeting or a walk, and think about joining. That way you can receive the journal, The Cardinal, now in its fifty-third year of publication.

By Patricia Cole

(Patricia Cole is McIlwraith’s representative to the Federation of Ontario Naturalists and serves on the Editorial Committee of The Cardinal.)

Golf Anyone?

ARM Chapter 12 (Toronto) is having a golf tournament at beautiful Mill Run Golf Club (near Uxbridge) on Wednesday, May 26. Chapter 11 members are invited.

The cost is $60.00 per person which includes cart rental and a sumptuous buffet lunch.

Registration is at 9:30 AM for a shotgun tee-off at 10:00 AM.

For those who might like to drive down the day before and stay overnight to be refreshed for tee-off, there is a Comfort Inn about 20 minutes from Mill Run. It is on the edge of Newmarket. Their phone is 1-800-228-5150. Ask for an OSSTF Discount. It might work!

You must register your foursome by May 15.

Changes to the ARM Health Care Plan

Recently, you should have received notification of the many beneficial changes to our Health Benefits Plan which come into effect April 1, 2004.
Those who were at the ARM Annual Meeting in December, 2003, will recall hearing from Robin MacDonald, an expert on details of our Health Plan.
Robin will be visiting London in the near future to answer any questions about the changes, and respond to other queries.

April 5 (Monday) 10:00 AM, Four Point Sheraton (1150 Wellington Road, London):
This meeting is for current ARM members only who will be familiar with the old plan and may have questions about the changes.

May 4 (Tuesday) 4:30 PM, Four Point Sheraton (1150 Wellington Road, London):
This meeting is especially for prospective retirees in the education field and will address all Health Care Plans which are available. (Current ARM Members may also attend).

Sign and SEND!!

In mid-February, all ARM members received an “Authorization for the Release of Personal Information” from OSSTF.

If you have not signed, dated, and returned this form yet, we urge you to do so today.

Giving your permission means that we in ARM District 11 can receive a printout of your name, address, etc. This is vital for us if you want us to keep in touch with you through this newsletter, emails, or phone calls.

We rarely send emails or make phone calls to our members. But those who have submitted articles or ideas (via phone,email, or mail) are sometimes contacted to express our appreciation or give feedback. Perhaps once a year, we may phone some members who are clustered in the far reaches of this huge District to arrange a small meeting with those members in their home area.

Many thanks to those who have already sent in this form! And if the form did not reach you, please let us know, or contact OSSTF in Toronto to get another copy, and the special postage-paid envelope, for your reply.

If You’re NOT Interested, We Won’t Do It !!

The ARM Chapter 11 Executive is considering offering an on-line mentoring service to beginning teachers in the secondary panel.

This would be a secure web-site whereby teachers could ask questions that are both subject-specific and general in nature. e.g. “What is the best way to introduce ‘Romeo and Juliet’ to a class?” OR “How do you organize students and prepare them for group work?” OR “What is the best way to handle opening day or the first class?”

We are at the very early stages, and none of us wants to waste our time. But, we do need to know how many of you might consider getting involved with this potentially helpful service.

You would have a chance to share that experience gained over many years with new teachers. ARM 11 has about 200 members now, and with a 30 year average experience, this is a potential pool of 6,000 years of experience!

This would not be an “Instant Reply” service. Rather, new teachers would post their questions, and ARM members would log on whenever they had the time, read the questions, and respond (or not) as they see fit.

If this sounds at all like something you would be interested in, please let us know as soon as possible. However, if we do not hear from a fair number of people, we will not proceed with this project.

Beck Collegiate Reunion

All Spartans who attended Beck in London during the ‘50s and ‘60s are invited to a school reunion scheduled for October 1, 2, and 3, 2004. Individuals may contact the reunion committee by visiting www.beckcollegiate.ca/rollcall.html, sending an email to keitkind@execulink.com, or by writing to Beck Reunion, 22 Ainsley Court, London, Ontario, N6K 3Z8.

Please include your last year of attendance, phone number, and email address in your message. Spread the word to others who attended our great school.

See you there!

By Keith Kindree, Mount Elgin Ontario

The Grass is Always Greener

Let’s face it – to stay green all summer, grass needs watering. And water, in the city anyway, costs money. Who really enjoys paying those high water bills just to have a greener lawn? Surely there must be a better place for that money…

True, weeds do remain green no matter how severe the drought. However, pesky neighbours soon complain, especially if you also subscribe to an economizing lawn maintenance program (read infrequent mowing). Fines for such antisocial behaviour depend on the size of your lawn and can be quite hefty. Thus, other alternatives are in order. The problem is, lawns are a well-established urban tradition, with hierarchical and personal esteem elements, requiring careful thought before one paves them over.

Don’t give up hope - there is a way to have your green lawn, one with which I have experimented these past 3 years: Environmentally friendly lawn seed.

William Dam Seeds, in their Spring 2004 catalogue, describes their Eco-Lawn Mix (catalogue # 506) as “ecological… combining hardy grass varieties, legumes and yarrow”. Easy to seed, this mix does need frequent watering for the first season. However, it soon establishes itself into a barefoot mecca of ferny cushioned softness, requires less mowing, virtually no watering, smells great, and attracts butterflies and other friendly garden folk. The Cat also deems it a good place for mid-afternoon naps. What more could you ask for from a lawn?

Seed Source: William Dam Seeds, P.O. Box 8400, Dundas, ON L9H 6M1

By Donna Knight

London Senior Games

London Senior Summer Games are open to anyone who has reached a 55th birthday during 2004 (or before!). The games are held over a three week period (May 19 to June 10) which permits seniors to participate in a number of different games.

The EVENTS: Bid Euchre (4 handed), Bocce, 5 pin bowling, Carpet Bowling, Contract Bridge, Cribbage, Cycling, Darts, Euchre, Golf (9 or 18 holes), Horseshoes, Lawn Bowling, Mini-golf, Shuffleboard, Slo-pitch, Swimming, Tennis, Walking, and Triatholon (walking, swimming, and cycling).

Registration Deadline is May 1, 2004. You may pick up a registration form at the North London Optimist Community Centre (661-5198) or download one from their website www.londonseniorgames.com.

Let’s keep the “ACTIVE” in ARM alive. All members are encouraged to enter now. Of course, you could also cheer from the sidelines this summer. Have fun!

Proverbs from the Young

A grade three teacher was introducing her students to the concept of proverbs and sayings that have been passed down for generations.

She wondered how many of these they had heard before, and made up a little list on the board. The list contained the first part of a familiar proverb and left out the last part.

Here are some of the quite creative responses to complete the proverbs.

Better to be safe than......................................Punch a 5th Grader
Strike while the ............................................Bug is close
You can lead a horse to water but........................How?
A miss is as good as a......................................Mr.
No news is....................................................Impossible
Don’t bite that hand that..................................Looks dirty
If you lie down with dogs, you’ll.........................Stink in the morning
Love all, trust ..............................................Me
A Penny Saved is ..........................................Not much
Where there’s smoke, there’s...........................Pollution

Love Gardening, Plants, and People??

Heeman Greenhouses and Strawberry Farm, a family-run greenhouse and retail garden centre, located 5 minutes east of London, is now hiring for seasonal employment.

The positions available are customer service with some potting, supervisor of cashiers, and general labourers. General labourers are responsible for moving plants and potted containers plus some watering duties. Weekend work will be required.

If you like working with people and plants, are conscientious, and don’t mind being on your feet most of the day, contact Rita Heeman at (519) 461-1416 or email rita.heeman@sympatico.ca.

Did you hear the one about the dead duck?

A man walks into the local veterinarian’s office with a rather limp duck in his arms. He is clearly distressed about the pet.

The vet asks him to place the duck on the examining table. He then proceeds to use his stethoscope to check vital signs. After a moment or two, he sighs, shakes his head, and says, “I’m very sorry, but your pet is dead.”

The man protests, “But how can you be sure? I mean you haven’t done any testing on him or anything. He just might be in a coma or something.”

The vet rolls his eyes, turns around and leaves the room. He returns a few moments later with a Black Labrador Retriever. As the duck’s owner looks on in amazement, the dog stands on his hind legs, puts his front paws on the examining table, and sniffs the duck from top to bottom. He then looks at the vet with sad eyes, and shakes his head.

The vet pats the dog, takes him from the room, and returns in a few minutes with a Golden Lab Retriever. This dog does more or less what the black dog did.

After taking the Golden Lab away, the vet returns with a huge Persian cat. He places the cat on the examining table and the cat gives the duck a thorough sniffing and pawing. She meows rather sadly, and is taken from the room.

The vet says to the man, “I’m sorry but this is a very dead duck.” He then goes to his computer, hits a few buttons, and proceeds to give the man a bill for $320.00.

The man is in shock and says, “You want $320.00 just for telling me my duck is dead?!!”

The vet shrugs and says, “Well, if you’d taken my word from the first examination, the bill would have been $20.00. But what with the Lab tests and the CAT scan, it all adds up.”

Senior Personal Ads

These are actual ads seen in Florida newspapers. At the very least, they do prove that we seniors still have a sense of humour.

FOXY LADY: fashion-conscious blue-haired beauty, 80s, slim, 5’4” (used to be 5’6”), searching for sharp-looking, sharp-dressing companion. Matching white shoes and belt a plus.

SERENITY NOW: I am into solitude, long walks, sunrises, the ocean, yoga, and meditation. If you are the silent type, let’s get together, take out our hearing aids, and enjoy quiet times together.

BEATLES OR STONES?: I still like to rock, still like to cruise in my Camaro on Saturday nights, and still like to play the guitar. If you were a groovy chick, or are now a groovy hen, let’s get together and listen to my 8-track tapes.

MINT CONDITION: Male, 1922, high mileage, good condition, some hair, many new parts including hip, knee, cornea, valves. Isn’t in running condition, but walks well.

MEMORIES: I can usually remember Monday through Thursday. If you can remember Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, let’s put our heads together.

WINNING SMILE: Active grandmother with original teeth seeking a dedicated flosser to share rare steaks, corn on the cob, and caramel candy.

LONG-TERM COMMITMENT: Recent widow who has just buried fourth husband looking for someone to round out a six-unit plot. Dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath not a problem.

Let us not take thought for our separate interests, but let us help one another.
(OSSTF Motto)

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