Hope M. Balke (née Fredette) taught in Leduc prior to its becoming a city and died December 9, 2005. Sheila Jensen (1937-2005) taught Drama, English and French for the St. Albert Protestant School Board between 1969 and 1992. She was employed at Sir George Simpson Junior High School and later at Paul Kane High School.

Letters to the Editor

Re: Newsletter
If you would cut the over-sentimental drivel and pedestrian jokes you could save a lot of money on the newsletter.
Shame! This is an embarrassment to educated people.

P. Robinson

Re: Services
Many thanks to those retirees who work for us. I appreciate your participation very much. The magazine is very interesting and enjoyable.

Louise McGuire-McNally

Re: Memories
We enjoy reading the newsletter when it comes out. Occasionally, I recognize the name of someone I once knew. Keep up the good work.
I taught at Caroline and David Thompson in the former Rocky Mountain School Division and at Vauxhall in the former Taber School Division. I also served on the executive of the Alberta School Library Council and the Central Alberta and Southern Alberta Regional Councils. I took early retirement in 1985.
Last spring, I started writing down memories of the past for our grandchildren. As a surprise to us, our sons published the manuscript. Now my third book of a longer series has been published.

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ARTA © 2005

This one may be of interest to fellow teachers. It is entitled Remembering My School Days. It tells of my memories as an elementary and high school student in Ontario; a normal school student in Winnipeg; a university student in Edmonton and other cities; a teacher in Manitoba, Ontario, Alberta and Missouri; and a railroad museum tour guide for school groups in Dallas.
A preview of the book can be seen here.

Duane Duff

Re: ARTA News and Views Fall 2005
It is with great interest and appreciation that I read the fall 2005 issue of ARTA's News and Views publication. Cover to cover, ARTA's Benefits Program was fully reported on by Dean McMullen's report from the Chair, Gerry Smith's announcements, and other related articles. It was also an honor being part of ARTA's front-page presentation of a Life membership to Joe Berlando.
Thanks also for arranging for the distribution of ARTA's member satisfaction survey through News and Views. To date [December 22, 2005] Johnson Inc. Has received 204 responses and 56 requests for more information. Although we expect more responses in January, this alone will provide a statistically significant sample for ARTA's benefit committee to review at the next meeting on January 31, 2006.
As Johnson Inc.'s link to ARTA, I found the scope and balance of News and Views to be a valuable perspective on the issues affecting seniors and ARTA members in particular.

Shannon Patershuk
Senior Consulting Actuary

Do you remember . . .?
With the emergence of the neo-liberal movement the battle cry was always choice. Parents should be able to choose the schools their children attend. Individuals should be able to choose their health care requirements. Well a recent book questions the need for choice and suggests that "reducing choice can limit anxiety." The book is The Paradox of Choice by American social scientist Barry Schwartz and is a self-help guide to good decision making.