“The Voice of Edmonton Retired Teachers”
The Mayfield Dinner Theatre is offering a fabulous line-up of stage presentations for the 2025–2026 theatrical year. Seating has already been reserved and a downpayment was made for the first four shows.
The new dinner theatre season begins with a booking for Wednesday, October 22, 2025, for The Simon and Garfunkel Story, the epic account of the dramatic rise to stardom of the most successful duo of all time.
The music of the 90s is showcased in the stage production of The 90s: It’s All Coming Back to Me Now. Listen to a range of musical artists from Bryan Adams to Celine Dion and Janet Jackson to the Spice Girls on Wednesday, November 19.
Tickets will be available for the brunch presentation of One Night with Roy Orbison on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The tribute will feature his rock and roll music from the 1950s along with his hits in the 1960s, as well as the music of the 1980s super-group The Traveling Wilburys.
Reservations have been made for Footloose the Musical on Wednesday, May 6. This musical is based on the 1980s hit movie. The storyline focuses on a young rebel who moves from Chicago to a small farming town where he meets the rebellious daughter of a local preacher. The community’s strict rules, enforced by the preacher, diametrically conflicts with the enthusiasm of youth and a battle for the freedom to dance ensues.
Early in the summer the war between the sexes is fought on the curling ice in the hilarious comedy Hurry Hard. A medical emergency forces a ceasefire of this confrontation when a trophy at the regional bonspiel is in jeopardy.
Section ticket prices will vary for each stage production this year. Ticket prices for seats in Section C booths (the smaller booths on the left-hand side at the back) will vary from $90.98 to $98.13 (15% discount on the base price + $5 gratuity + $6 administration fee + GST), depending on the show. Tickets for Section B seating (the larger booths closer to the buffet) range from $99.90 to $102.58 for the first four shows. Prices for Section A and Gold tickets increase by about $9.00 per section, respectively. Only Section B and C seats have been reserved; however, some tables and the more expensive booths may be available if the request is made several months in advance of the booking date. The Wednesday brunch presentations became very popular with seniors groups when they realized that the seats are more economical.
To make certain that a sufficient number of seats have been reserved, telephone Vi Oko at 780-459-8013 at your earliest convenience to indicate your preferences for the year. Your call will not be regarded as a commitment to purchase a ticket unless specifically stated.
ERTA Spring Luncheon, Wednesday March 19, 2025Our Spring luncheon was held at the Chateau Louis with many of our members attending.
A buffet including a variety of salads and vegetables, mashed potatoes, battered fish and several dessert selections was available.
Our luncheons are a great way of reconnecting with former colleagues, meeting new members and keeping up to date on what is happening in our organization.
In preparation for the ARTA Walk in June, we invited Mike Salme to speak on the topic of ‘The Importance of Movement for Seniors’.
He is graduate from the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta in the Physiotherapy Program.
His presentation was excellent and included research to back up his examples of why movement is so important for all of us.
His mantra is Movement is Medicine!
Mike gave several reasons why movement is so important; it gives us independence and a good quality of life as we age. It keeps us connected with others and prevents isolation.
He also gave us examples of the types of exercise we should be doing; muscle strength, aerobics and very importantly, balance improvement to prevent falling.
In conclusion, Mike talked about ‘Overcoming Barriers to Exercise’.
He gave us some ideas on how to begin; start small, work safely, join a group or have a partner.
He also left us with the phrase, ‘Small Changes Lead to Big Results!’
by Carol Williamson (Director)
The ARTA Heart and Sole Wellness Walk will be held on Thursday, June 5. Participants are to meet in the parking lot at the Edmonton Ski Club, 9613 – 96 Avenue at 1 pm. There is a shorter 1km walk and a longer 6km walk. 
All participants are encouraged to bring a donation for the Food Bank.
When I was a child, I hated walking. It was boring. Why would anyone walk somewhere when they could easily and more efficiently run? At recess, going back and forth to school and my friends’ homes, I would run. And when I got older, running became the preferred way for me to maintain my weight and keep fit. However, after sustaining numerous injuries and feeling chronic pain in my knees and hips, I made a consequential visit to my doctor. At the tender age of 40, I was told by my doctor to stop running and take up walking. Although she explained to me that walking would be easier on my knees and hips and was a habit that would lead to lifelong good health, I was very skeptical and disappointed.
At first, I tried walking on my own around the neighbourhood where I had been running. Here are some of the things I learned:
I began telling my friends about my walking and I invited them to join me. What began as a solitary activity evolved into a group of friends who arrange times with me to walk weekly, every two weeks, some whenever they are in town because they have moved away, and some only very occasionally. The best part is that we get some exercise, see the beautiful walking paths throughout Edmonton, and enjoy each other’s company all at the same time! I was even able to maintain my friend’s walks during COVID when we would call each other when we were on our solitary walks and chat the whole time! On days when I don’t have a walking buddy, I choose to listen to audiobooks. I have listened to a ton of books and I have noticed that if the book is a really suspenseful one, I tend to walk faster, and if the book is so good I can’t put it down, I walk farther!
Some might say I am obsessed with walking. It is true. Walking makes me feel better every single day. I won’t miss a day even when I’m traveling. I have been known to walk the halls of hotels, gas stations and mini malls, walk home from a restaurant with my husband following in the truck, and plan trips around venues where it is safe for me to walk. This year I hope to complete a portion of the Camino Trail with one of my best walking buddies. It is my way of celebrating our friendship, our health and our love of walking.
If you think you might want to start walking, here are a few tips: