2026 August E-note

ERTA Fall Luncheon: September 23, 2026

ERTA’s Fall Luncheon will feature esteemed local Canadian author, Laurel Deedrick-Mayne, who will speak about her book “A Wake For The Dreamland”! The book is set in Edmonton, Alberta, earned the Alberta Readers’ Choice Award and was on the Edmonton Journal Bestseller List for 35 weeks! 

You are welcome to read her book prior to the luncheon as Laurel will entertain questions after her presentation. The book is available to borrow from the Edmonton Public Library or for purchase at Audrey’s Books and Indigo/Chapters.

The deadline for registering is September 17, 2026. 

For more information and to register, click here.

If you need assistance, please contact presidenterta@gmail.com. 

EVENTS

Are you interested in joining other retired teachers for a coffee and morning snack? Square One Coffee (Windsor Park) is local friendly, provides great-tasting coffee and bakes their own treats and has a special mezzanine area that will be set aside for us. 

Come have fun with your friends and colleagues. Join in conversation, share memories, discuss current events, and foster connections. There is a maximum of 12-15 participants for this get-together, so register soon!

For more information and to register, click here.

Join us for an afternoon of fun 5-pin bowling with friends and former colleagues at Plaza Bowling Co., a vintage bowling alley playing vintage music! This light-hearted afternoon will include at least two different bowling games and some light snacks. Come alone, bring a friend or spouse/partner, and have some laughs! No skill or previous experience needed!

For more information and to register, click here.

Are you interested in learning to paint while having fun in the company of friends and colleagues? Any skill level is welcome! This workshop is a 4.5 hour “Creation Session” offered in collaboration with an award winning artist, designer and illustrator, Lorraine Shulba! Lorraine will guide us and provide instruction as we paint with acrylic on individual canvases. 

This workshop includes ALL materials and instruction PLUS wonderful snacks, beverages, prizes and more! Make memories! Come join the fun! This workshop is limited to 30 people, so sign up soon to save your spot!

For more information and to register, click here.

The now famous ERTA Wine Tastings are starting a new season at the MacTaggart branch of Wine and Beyond and the first one of the season is October 7, 2026. Register as soon as possible as they fill up fast!

For more information and to register for ALL wine tasting events, click here.

Bring your friends and meet up with former colleagues to enjoy a tour and tasting at one of Canada’s most unique breweries! Blind Enthusiasm has a very interesting history in Edmonton, and has an inspiring presence in Edmonton’s new “Happy Beer Street”. This eventincludes a tour and a guided tasting. This tour was also held in June, with all participants expressing their complete enjoyment of the event (even the non-beer drinkers!). Here is a sample review from a new ERTA member: 

“Attended this amazing tour organized by ERTA. Zach was our tour guide – what a gift! He is so knowledgeable and so enthusiastic! The way he conducted the tour was outstanding and clearly this guy is a teacher (even if he doesn’t know it!). His passion was contagious! The story of your business and the innumerable awards that you have been given make me proud to have you here and proud to be an Edmontonian!”

With a limit of 12 participants, this event is sure to sell out, so register early to ensure your spot! For more information and to register, click here.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

A Reading Buddy program was launched at Ellerslie Campus in 2026. The students and staff are keen to have volunteers return to the school for this program in the fall. Volunteers dedicate a consistent block of time each week to sit beside a student and listen, cue, encourage and mentor a young reader. 

If you are interested in volunteering or wish to learn more about the program, please contact Edna Colville at edna.colville@gmail.com.

Regards,

Sue Stephenson

Communications Director