Esso Resources Annuitant Club Editor Al Davis Publisher Gloria FleckFebruary 2012

Buffet & Show: $47.25 incl. GST (not gratuity)Doors open at 10:30 AM Buffet 10:30 - 12:00

To reserve tickets call: Christa Schaper 403 281 9699or e-mail Christa at: ceschaper@shaw.ca

STAGEWEST DINNER THEATRE727 - 42nd Avenue SE, Calgary

Wednesday Matinee, February 29th, 2012

Make Cheques payable to ESSO RESOURCES ANNUITANT CLUB and mail to:Christa Schaper911 Canfield Crescent SWCalgary AB T2W 1K5

REMEMBER, your cheque MUST BE RECEIVED February 17, 2012

Alfred Hitchcock’s

Broadway’s Longest Running Comedy

“Mix a masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash ofMonty Python and you have a fast-paced whodunit for anyone

who loves the magic of theatre.”

Esso Resources Annuitant Newsletter February 2012 page 2OFFICERS AND

CHAIRPERSONSJUNE 01, 2011 - MAY 31, 2012

EXECUTIVEPRESIDENT Gerry Kalyniuk 278 15931st VICE PRESIDENT Jim Deyell 851 04432nd VICE PRESIDENT Al Davis 254 0489TREASURER Howard Gallimore 242 8181SECRETARY Rosemary Kry 259 2951PAST PRESIDENT Manfred Schott 281 1198

BOARD OF DIRECTORSDorothy Bartnes 592 0368 Rick Wards 282 1486Rod Smyth 246 4764 Rick Kry 259 2951Lee Westermark 948 5325

STANDING COMMITTEESAuditor Peter Ramsay 256 6429Membership Rick Kry 259 2951Nominating Manfred Schott 281 1198Newsletter Gloria Fleck (Publisher) 251 4214

Al Davis (Editor) 254 0489Outreach Dorothy Hampton 278 9470

Joan Johnston 271 2087United Way Gerry Kalyniuk 278 1593

Ivan Erikson 547 2878VIP Program Manfred Schott 281 1198Visitation Dorothy Kaethler 278 9982

Cliff Kippen 238 1819

ACTIVITY COMMITTEESArts & Crafts Gordon Holland (Crafts) 249 7361

Roy Millar (Arts) 271 1046Bowling Richard & Joan Wilson 239 8014Bridge Linda Boyer 271 8032

Dorothy Hampton 278 9470Curling Peter Perry 270 0704Dinner Theatre Christa Schaper 281 9699Fall Dinner/Dance Gerry Kalyniuk/Jim Deyell 278 1593Garden Club Helen Mandry 281 6841Golf Andy Strilchuk 281 1176Hiking Peter Snell 254 6660Horseshoes Ken Gemmell 246 2898Lawn Bowling Norm & Angela Lussier 251 1307Reindeer Romp Al Davis 254 0489CC Skiing Don Schaef 217 4382Tech. Club Rene Bialek 247 0946Spring Lunch/AGM Gerry Kalyniuk/Jim Deyell 851 0443Spring BBQ Gerry Kalyniuk/ 278 1593Summer BBQ Dorothy Bartnes 592 0368Tent - Trailer Diane & Nick Weyland 938 1446Travelogue Bob Beatty 271 4217Walking Ron & Gloria Fleck 251 4214Wine Appreciation Ellen Swanston 238 1260Woodworking Rick Kruse 938 5407

REINDEER ROMPAl Davis

On December 7, 2011, for thethird consecutive time, the Reindeer Romp washeld at the Al Azhar Shrine Centre with 108 of the121 registered guests attending. This year theweather gods were kind to us as there was littlesnow and the roads were dry.As in previous years, the Annuitants attending theromp made donations to the Veterans' Food Bankeither in the form of food or cash donations. Aswell we had a raffle with three prizes, also to raisefunds for the food bank.This year approximately $325.00 of food was do-nated as well as $464.00 in donations and $295.00from the raffle for a grand total of $1084.00 in do-nations. Lorne Bylsma from the Veterans' FoodBank was on hand to thank the Annuitants for theirgenerous donations.The winners of theprizes were:Wes Baker (Costcogift basket),Betty Lou Purkiss(cheese gift bag) and

Joan Wilson (three bottlesof wine).I would like to thank NealMonaghan, Maureen Cookand Rick Kry for theirsupport in helping mecoordinate this event.Also special thanks toCec and Avis Huff-man, Delane Bro andDianne Davies for vol-unteering to help outat the registration desk and the raffle ticket desk.

Esso Resources Annuitant Newsletter February 2012 page 3MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Gerry Kalyniuk 403 278 1593Gerry.kalyniuk@shaw.ca

Winter is upon us, or so the calendar says. So far through mid January it’s been unusually mild. Globalwarming anyone? Anyway, by the time you get this newsletter, I expect it may be much colder, as Cana-dian winters should be.Our winter cocktail party, otherwise known as the Reindeer Romp, was once again a success, as 108 atten-dees enjoyed a great time socializing at the Shrine Centre on December 7 th. The weather was mild, the foodwas tasty and the ambience warm and friendly. Thanks again to Al Davis and his crew for a well organizedand managed event.Again as a reminder, next year is the 25th anniversary of the Esso Resources Annuitant Club. Your execu-tive is planning a special event to recognize this milestone. Instead of a Fall Dinner Dance and the ReindeerRomp in 2012, we plan to have a single 25 Year Anniversary Dinner event to celebrate the annuitant club’shistory and success. This will be an event you won’t want to miss! Mark your calendars for October 24 th,2012 and stay tuned for details.At our January 9th Board of Director’s meeting we discussed finances and membership of the club, bothstanding items on the agenda. The club is financially very healthy as we head into 2012 with costs andrevenues tracking budget. Membership wise, we stand at an all time high of 885 members. The article inthis newsletter by Rick Kry gives more detail and analysis on this phenomenon.Before we know it, it’ll be time for the Spring Luncheon and AGM, which is scheduled for Wednesday,May 16th. Details will be forthcoming. Meanwhile, mark your calendars. Speaking of the AGM, it’s whenwe announce our new executive and board for 2012-13. If anyone out there has an interest in serving as adirector, please let any of us on the executive know. Aside from it being a rewarding and fun experience(really, it is!), the club needs the skill and knowledge we know is out there to keep itself vital and take ad-vantage of new ideas. Please give it some serious thought.

Gerry

Esso Annuitant Club of Edmonton Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Mr. Keith WeissenbergerPresident 2011/12Esso Annuitant Club of Edmonton

Dear Keith,On behalf of the executive and membership of the Esso Resources Annuitant Club of Calgary, heartiestcongratulations on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Esso Annuitant Club of Edmonton.Please convey our congratulations to our fellow annuitants in Edmonton and best wishes for goodhealth and happiness in retirement. May your club and all it has to offer enjoy continued success intothe future.

Sincerely,Gerry KalyniukPresident 2011/12Esso Resources Annuitant Club

Esso Resources Annuitant Newsletter February 2012 page 4

ANNUITANT CONTACTSPLEASE CONTACT - RICK KRY

(Membership - see Page 5) to report achange in name, address, telephone number

or marital status, ANDCALL the IMPERIAL OIL ANNUITANT

HELP LINE - TORONTOToll Free at: 1-800-387 0621

to report changes in the above ORfor info regarding benefit forms,

medical cards, medical/insurance coverage,pensions OR any other concerns.

In addition to calling the Helpline, changes toaddress and bank accounts may be made by

accessing Managing Your Benefits web portalon www.iolemcbenefits.ca

OUTREACHJoan Johnston 403 271 2087

Dorothy Hampton 403 278 9470drhampton@shaw.ca

Thanks Againto those who “stuffed” the

November Newsletter -Ed Bollinger, Carl Stephenson,

Grete and Ben Greenfield,Duke Dukelsky, Dave Olesky,Al Davis. and John Jendruszka

We are ready to visit club members who are inCare Facilities, Seniors Homes,

or in their own home but are unable tocome out to our club functions anymore!

We do short visits several timesa year and that enables us

to keep in touch!We may even tell some stories or jokes!

We would like to hear from you.

Give us a call.Dorothy Kaethler 403 278 9982Cliff Kippen 403 238 1819

Visitation

The Esso Resources Annuitant Club extendssympathy to the family and friends of our latecolleagues:

Barbara McCourtAl RudkinBecky ShawRosa Shaw

Sympathy was also extended to:

Jim Deyell on the death o his mother,Joan.Gwyn Gillette on the death of herhusband, Lloyd.

Thinking of You and Best Wishes were sent to:

Morag Dornian Maxine GulsteneNorm Lussier Joseph SallayHelen Wells

We encourage members to pass on namesof other members who are ill or who have

a death in their immediate family.

Please noteThe deaths of all Imperial Oil Annuitants who

have died during the past year are nowrecognized by a listing on our Esso Website.

Click on the “In Memory” button to access thelist from hhtp://essoannuitants.ca.

Neil Murray Nov 16 85 yearsAlexander Skene Dec 6 90 yearsHelen Reiser Jan 5 85 yearsGordon Wells Jan 29 85 years

MILESTONE BIRTHDAYS

Esso Resources Annuitant Newsletter February 2012 page 5CLUB MEMBERSHIPS

Rick Kry 403 259 2951 rick@kry.caMail: 38 Spokane St. SW, Calgary AB T2W 0M5

We welcome the following new members to the club and look forward to meeting them at upcoming clubactivities and functions.

As of January 13, we have 888 members, including 801 annuitants and spouses, 40 associates and spousesand 47 honorary members. Our current numbers are at an all-time high as shown in the attached chart.

I think we are at the leading edge of the baby boomers reaching retirement age. One can see that we got abump in membership last year (almost twice as many new members as the average for the prior 4 years) andwe have almost as many new members so far this year, with just over half the year completed. Our club isindeed doing well and continuing to regenerate.It's time to start thinking about dues for next year. The club works best if you pay next year’s dues at theSpring Luncheon/AGM, or if you can’t make it to that function, get them to me at another function/activityor simply mail or email them to me. Cheques must be made out to Esso Resources Annuitant Club. Also,more email money transfers are being used by the computer adventurous for dues payment and they areproving very fast and convenient.Membership is currently $10/person, $20/couple for annuitants, or $60/person, $120/couple for associates.Membership matters can be addressed to me according to the contact information in the banner above.

Club Membership over past 5 years

750

770

790

810

830

850

870

890

1 Jun 06 1 Jun 07 31 May 08 1 Jun 09 1 Jun 10 1 Jun 11

Florence Shiells David Simpson and Caroline BannerPierre and Coleen Simard Dale and Paulina ClarkLori Harrison and Russel Morissette Fraser Croucher and Rita BendigJoan Lloyd Jim HughesWayne and Janice Rosentreter Robert and Lynne FallsPierre & Shiela Lebel

The Esso Resources Annuitants Club is approaching its 25 year anniversary in 2012! Our club officiallycame into being at an Imperial Oil sponsored luncheon on May 12, 1987.We are planning a special issue of our newsletter and we need the help of our members. If you have anyold pictures or any old articles/stories that you think would help make the anniversary issue special,please send them to Gloria Fleck, 79 Woodhaven Rd SW, Calgary AB T2W 5P2. Email rfleck@shaw.ca

Esso Resources Annuitant Newsletter February 2012 page 6Esso Resources Annuitant Web Site

Happenings and Changes - Rick Ward

Over the past several weeks our website has undergone severalbehind the scene changes as well as a change of personnel in theWebmaster role.The key material change has been the consolidation and transferof most of our club web pages from personal web sites of clubmembers to a new club web space hosted by the provider“Canadian Web Hosting”. This change will allow all of our webpages to eventually be housed under one site. The club URL re-mains www.essoannuitants.ca. Members should use this URL toaccess the site rather than any bookmarks that may previously have been saved, since the URLs of all pageshave changed. Members accessing the site using http://www.members.shaw.ca/kaethler/club/ will have no-ticed that they are automatically redirected to http://www.essoannuitants.ca/. A Google search for EssoAnnuitant will also find the site.These changes will allow the various pages to be managed more effectively and eventually the websitecommittee will be able to build a more unified site with a common look and feel for all pages.The changes discussed above were precipitated by Al Cole’s wish to step down from his role as webmasterof the numerous club pages that house and support the photograph albums for the Hiking, Ski and Snow-shoe Club, Wine Club as well as other club events. Al has done a wonderful job in creating and maintainingthis pictorial record of our member’s activities, accomplishments and contributions. Since the first pictureswere put up in 2003 Al has spent endless hours of tedious work processing photographs, creating web pagesand albums as well as maintaining his web server for the club’s benefit. Al deserves a very big thank-youfrom every club member for this valuable contribution to the life of the club.Rick Wards has agreed to take over Al’s responsibilities as well as the role of webmaster for the new con-solidated website. Rick is also a board member and is a keen participant in the Hiking, Skiing, Wine andTechnology Clubs.The other key contributors to the maintenance of our website are Rudy Kaethler and Hank Heerema. Rudyhas been the webmaster for the information pages of the main club as well as pages of several of the specialinterest clubs. Most of these pages have now been transferred to the new site and Rudy will continue tomaintain a number of these. Rudy also deserves a big thank-you for all the work he has put into the websitesince it was initiated by the Computer Club (now Technology Club) a number of years ago. Hank Heeremawas instrumental in getting the Club Newsletter online and has since maintained the pages containing theonline version. Hank will also continue in this role and deserves many thanks for maintaining and hostingthe online newsletter.Member input into the website is encouraged and welcomed.Any feedback, suggestions or inquires should be directed to the webmaster.

Website URL: www.essoannuitants.caWebmaster: Rick Wardswebmaster@essoannuitants.ca403.282.1486 Esso Resources

Annuitant Web Sitehttp://www.essoannuitants.ca

Esso Resources Annuitant Newsletter February 2012 page 7Interesting Annuitants Doing Interesting Things

Raymond “Alan” RudkinJan 6, 1927 - Nov 22, 2011

"Calgary Geologists Find Messages Left During Arctic Hunt For Franklin" was a headlinethat ran in the Calgary Herald in September 1960. Raymond "Alan" Rudkin was one of thesegeologists, and the discovery of Sir Edward Belcher's messages made him a bit player in oneof the greatest adventures in European history - the search for the Northwest Passage.Rudkin got his start in the industry after a tour in the army. Born in Edmonton, he spent mostof his life there, where he earned his degree in geology at the University of Alberta and beganwork for Imperial Oil in 1950.He came to be in the north through his work as a geologist with Imperial. He taught petro-leum geology at SAIT and wrote a book, The Lower Cretaceous of Western Canada. Hestarted his own firm, R.A. Rudkin Consultants Ltd. in 1968 and then became president andvice-president of a group of companies, including Petromark Minerals and Blue Sky Oil and Gas Ltd., within Canadaand the U.S.And it was really by chance Rudkin's team discovered the historical documents left by Belcher, who had been tryingto find evidence of the Franklin Expedition.Sir John Franklin set out from England in 1845 with a fleet of ships to search for the northern shortcut to Asia andthen disappeared. Until the passage was found in 1905, massive search parties were sent out to "search for the search-ers" at the cost of hundreds of lives and dozens of ships. Belcher was one of those searchers, and he commanded afleet of ships that set out in 1852 to find the Franklin party. He left documents regarding the expedition in severalrock cairns his crew erected before he returned to England without finding evidence of Franklin.It would be another 107 years before the Calgary geologists accidentally discovered Belcher's documents.In 1959, Imperial Oil Ltd., among others, obtained new Canadian government permits allowing expeditions in theCanadian Arctic to determine the petroleum potential of the vast region.Rudkin was chosen, along with one other geologist, two pilots and a wireless operator/cook to conduct geologicalreconnaissance and mapping of the Arctic archipelago in 1960.The three-month expedition began almost 2,000 kilometres from the North Pole on Somerset Island and would end950 km from the pole. The supplies for the expedition had been picked up in Montreal by a tanker the preceding Au-gust and left on Cornwallis Island, and caches of equipment were stowed in a series of seven base camps by the expe-dition members in 1960.The geologists would fly out daily from a base camp, land, walk a loop six hours out and then six back while map-ping the geology of the area.On July 26, 1960, a flattened stone cairn was discovered and found to have been constructed by the crew of the HMSAssistance, commanded by Belcher.The cairn contained a document written by Belcher and sealed in a metal cylinder outlining information on the loca-tion of two other cairns erected for surveying.Three days later, the other two cairns were found, along with two metal cylinders, near a natural rock formation. Onemetal cylinder, found partially buried in gravel, was still covered in the original grease. The document inside, writtenby Belcher in pencil, explained that from the deck of the ship, he mistook the rock for a cairn.

Written by Alan’s daughter, for publication in the Calgary Herald.

Picture taken from the Alan’s obituary, McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes.

Esso Resources Annuitant Newsletter February 2012 page 8

Our Xmas fun bowl was December 19th, the last day of bowling before the Christmas break. We bowled three novelty games: the “Poker Game” was won by the team of Peggy Burnett, Wilhelmina Geerds,Maurice Lehodey and Margaret Harper; the “Golf Game” was won by the team comprised of Peter Perry,Shirley Triffo, Clarence Triffo and Olive Kippen and the third game; “The Race to the Xmas Tree”, waswon by Elsie Lewis, Rosemary Kry, Marlene Heacock & Dennis Heacock. The second team across the treeskirt was Peter Perry, Shirley Triffo, Clarence Triffo and Olive Kippen. This team was second becausethey were penalized for winning the golf game. All the winners took home boxes of chocolates as did thosewho won ticket draws.Thanks to all the ladies who supplied the lunch and wonderful Christmas baking!Our next event is the Valentine Fun Bowl on February 13th. Remember guys, you are responsible forbringing the lunch!!Details are being worked out for our bowling trip to Red Deer. Nothing has been confirmed yet. We will letyou know all the particulars at a later date.Please remember to mark Family Day, Feb 20th, on your calendar as there will be no bowling that day.Hope to see everyone at bowling!

Our November wine tasting featured wines from Greece. Sommelier, Marian Tsaprailis, selected the winesfor presentation to the club. The evening also featured food pairings that were selected specifically to com-plement the wines. The club members were treated to Kephalograwiera Cheese, meatballs, Spanakopita,and Dolmathers. This was a marvelous evening reflecting on the wine industry of Greece.On December 6th, 86members of our Wine Appreciation Club enjoyed a Wine and Cheese Pairing whichwas presented by Janice Beaton Wine and Cheese. Janice Beaton along with her assistant, Wendy Lees,treated us to a selection of unique cheeses that were paired with a lovely selection of delicious wines. Thedecorating committee, made up of Sheryl Partington, Dianne Partington, April Partington, Maureen Cook,Ivan and Jean Eriksen, had the room looking festive and very welcoming for everyone as they came throughthe doors. The evening came to a close with a lovely assortment of sweets that were prepared byMarg Evans, Ellen Scarrow, Dianne Partington, Sheryl Partington, Betty Weckman, Sadie Dunn and Caro-line Johnson. Thanks to all of you who worked so hard to make this a memorable evening of laughter,friendship, and good cheer.The upcoming themes for this year include -February Ladies’ & Gentlemen’s Select April A Night at the MoviesMarch Wines from France May Gala Dinner at the Pinebrook G&C Club.Our wine club is having a very successful year and so far this seasons we have 103 members registered.The club meets at the Lakeview Community Hall at 7:30 with the doors opening at 7:00. The events areheld on the first Tuesday of the month. Pre-registration is required for each event.All current members will receive their monthly notification to register by Evite. You may also register byphoning Luise Merk directly at 403-257-1900. If you have any questions, please call me, Ellen Swanston, at403-238-1260 or visit our web page. We look forward to seeing you at one of our events.

WINE APPRECIATIONEllen Swanston 403 238 1260

herbswan@telus.net

BOWLINGJoan & Richard Wilson 403 239 801

richard203@shaw.ca

Esso Resources Annuitant Newsletter February 2012 page 9

Travelogue and Wine Tasting ClubThe Polish Canadian Cultural Centre, 3015 - 15th Street NE

7:15 PM Wednesday March 14, 2012

Admission Sippers Abstainers Call for ReservationsMembers $15 $10 Bob/Cheryl Beatty 403 271 4217Non Members $22 $17 Val Turnbull 403 243 1722

E-mail address: Beatty - bob.beatty@shaw.ca

Registration/Cancellation Deadline is March 9, 2012 Call or Email for reservations.

If you reserve with an answering machine, please indicate if you are sippers or abstainers,and leave your telephone number for a confirmation call.

Cruise the Volga-Baltic Waterwayfrom St. Petersburg to Moscow

Enjoy a spectacular voyage through the heart of Russia with Jean and Dieter Bussealong its colourful and historic waterway. Explore St. Petersburg and area andthen cruise northeast through Europe’s two largest lakes, Ladoga and Onega.

Visit the island of Kizhi and cities such as Goritsy, Yaroslavl and Uglich before dockingin Moscow to finish off the adventure in Red Square and the Kremlin.

AmaKaterina

Esso Resources Annuitant Newsletter February 2012 page

Bridge attendance has improved since our slow start in September, but our numbers have declined over lastyear. We are always looking for new players. As mentioned before, you don't have to be an expert to jointhe club. You just have to enjoy playing bridge. Come out and try us!Twenty-nine members of the bridge club attended our Christmas dinner held on December 12, 2011. Asusual, the Kerby Centre provided an outstanding dinner of stuffed pork tenderloin with all the trimmingsand TWO desserts. What could be better! Malcolm provided his excellent choices of wine to pair with ourdinner. The evening prize winners were Rosemary Kry and Jocelyn Powell.Other prize winners October through January were as follows:

High Man High Lady Most FriendlyOct 17 Dennis Dunn Betty Lou Purkiss Al LewisOct 31 Dennis Dunn Jocelyn Powell Wes HatlelidNov 14 Neal Monaghan Rosemary Kry Peter PerryNov 21 Rick Kry Patti Sikstrom Betty Lou PurkissNov 28 DennisDunn Dorothy Hampton Joanne HeeremaDec 12 George Dunbar Iris Eggen Rick KryJan 9 Dennis Dunn Kathleen Hatlelid Diane AuldDuplicate: 1st 2nd 3rdOct 24 Diz Bleakley/Iris Eggen 1.Kathleen/Wes Hatlelid (3 way tie)

2.Sadie/Dennis Dunn3.Maureen/Derek McClure Dorothy Hampton/Hank Heerema

Dec 5 Linda Boyer/Al Lewis Kathleen/Wes Hatlelid Jocelyn/Russ Powell

Club participants cross country ski or snowshoe on Thursdays with transportation by car pool (8:30 am de-parture) to suitable locations based on conditions (Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Kananaskis - RibbonCreek, West Bragg Creek, etc). Club membership currently stands at approximately 60.This year’s weekly Thursday cross country ski and snowshoe outings commenced on Nov 24 with 7 com-pleted as of mid January. Hopefully, the recentwild weather swings (too warm, then too cold)are history and the remainder of the season willbring good snow and “just right” temperaturesthrough the end of March. In addition to the regu-lar Thursday XC and SS outings, two overnighttrips are planned - the ever popular Lake Louiseovernight (2 or 3 nts.) commencing January 31currently has 31 participants, while the inaugural2 nt. stay at William Watson Lodge in PeterLougheed Provincial Park) scheduled for March13/14, currently has 20 participants. If you wishany details on club activities, please contact me.

X-COUNTRY SKIING/SNOWSHOEINGDon Schaef 403 217 4382

donschaef@shaw.ca

BRIDGE CLUBLinda Boyer 403 271 8032

Dorothy Hampton 403 278 9470

Photo by Rick Wards

Esso Resources Annuitant Newsletter February 2012 page 11

HALF DONE, HALF TO DOHalf done doesn’t refer to the great food we enjoyed before the Christmas/New Year’s break but to our funcurling league’s 10 team standings that was won by Gary Staples, Susan Sawka, Gary Cain and Cec Huff-man. Second place went to Bill Bullas, John Wasson Rick Trow and Judy Gabert. After Pierre Simard’sgrace and the banquet, the dice roll winners, Richard Sawka and Delane Bro, and 50/50 winners Pierre Si-mard and Judy Gabert were awarded their prizes too. (See photos, by Richard Sawka). For the second half,the teams have been rearranged and the first of the 9-game round-robin is now a memory.Dennis Heacock has arranged for our annual bonspiel against the High River Seniors. The trip is for Satur-day, February 25. Preference will be to our league curlers. Please phone Dennis at 403-241-6492, if youwish to participate. Curling and food, $16.00!Our 55 regular and "spare" curlers have to be commended for their enthusiasm that make our Club such asuccess. Also to be commended are those who do behind the scenes organizing: our committee of DelaneBro, Bill Bullas, Dennis Heacock, Cec Huffman, Peter Perry, and Richard Sawka; as well, those who havewillingly volunteered to help the committee members make things click: Pierre Simard, Connie Scruton,Avis Huffman and Percy Williamson. A big thanks to all!We expect to have 12 teams for the 2012/13 season. Why not register your name now to be on a regularcurling team or to be a spare. Phone Peter, 403-270-0704, to talk it over.

SPRING LUNCHEON & AGMCarriage House Inn

Wednesday May 16th, 2012Cost is Free with Membership

(registration and other information in the April Newsletter)

CURLINGPeter Perry 403 270 0704

peter347@shaw.ca

50/50 Winners: Pierre Smard& Judy Gabert

Dice Roll Winners:Delane Bro & Richard Sawka

Bill Bullas, John Wasson,Rick Trow & Judy Gabert

Gary Staples, Gary Cain,Susan Sawka& Cec Huffman

Esso Resources Annuitant Newsletter February 2012 page

TECH CLUBRene Bialek 403 247 0946

The Tech Club continues to meet once per month. During December very informative presentations weregiven on cell phones. Topics included the various available bandwidths, “locking”, “unlocking” SIM cards,and various cost options and methods for local and international communication. A number of membersalso shared their experiences.On January 16th the Club met at the Big Rock Brewery for lunch, socializing, and a very interesting tour ofthe brewery.February’s meeting will involve a workshop on Apple’s handheld computers. Beyond music and videos,“office functions” (e-mail, calendar, contacts, notes, reminders) can be synched with MACs and PCs, andthe internet browsed in your backyard with no additional monthly charge. Over 500,000 “apps” are avail-able that provide news, weather, phone, games, e-books, maps, travel support, etc. Add a still/video cam-era, Cloud computing and AirPlay to other Apple products, all in a device that fits in your pocket! Join uson February 21, at 7:30 PM at Esso Place (FAP) to hear about this phenomenal tool, to share your experi-ences, and to learn about interesting new applications. Doors open at 7 pm. Register with Peter Baltais(runcisenroute@yahoo.com) by Feb 19.A number of interesting and informative topics are being considered for March. The year will end with awindup social in April. Planning for 2012-13 will commence at September’s meeting.For more info about the future events or about the Club in general, give Rene Bialek a call at 403 247 0946or e-mail at rsc3b@aol.ca or look in future newsletters.

Big RockBreweryTour

Esso Resources Annuitant Newsletter February 2012 pageWOODWORKERS CLUB

Rick Kruse 403 938 5407krusera@shaw.ca

On Nov. 25, the Esso Woodworking Club met in Rick Kruse's backyard shop in Okotoks for its last get to-gether of the year. We were happy to welcome our newest member, Peter Perry, an avid woodworker, whojust finished renovating his home, cabinets and all. John Jack has also joined our club.New business discussions ranged from how to build “Queen Anne” table legs to table building in general.Stu Boyer showed us an end table that he had made.After the table building discussions, Rick explained his shop layout and showed some wood turning projectsand “offset” turning techniques that he likes to try. We also had a chance to look at some of his “bark carv-ings” as well as other projects he has on the go. There were lots of questions and discussions around vac-uum systems and their set up, air compressors, vises, and some of the great deals at Princess Auto!Herb Swanston and Cliff Kippen continue to work on identifying woodworking projects that our club couldpursue to help support the needs of hospitals, homes, and community support groups.Thanks to the lovely Mrs. Penny Kruse for serving us coffee, tea and cookies.The next meeting will be at Cliff Kippen’s workshop on Jan. 25th. The main items on the agenda will beshop layout, toy building and band saw tune-up.Thanks to all you woodworkers who made the trek to Okotoks,Anyone wishing to join the Woodworking club should contact me, Rick Kruse, at 403-938-5407 or e-mailme at krusera@shaw.ca

Interesting project notes:Earlier this month Tim, Stu and Rick shared a morning of fun, salvaging Manitoba Maple wood from theproperty across the street from Tim’s house. All three woodworkers went away with some great pieces thatwill be turned into everything from table tops to bowls. Thanks, Tim, for the call.

I think he needs a pickup truck!! Stu’s huge stump being cut up into slabs.

The world is just getting too complex for me. They even mess me up every time I go tothe grocery store. You would think they could settle on something themselves but this sudden"Paper or Plastic?" every time I check out just knocks me for a loop. I bought some of thosecloth reusable bags to avoid looking confused but I never remember to take them in with me.

Now, I toss it back to them. When they ask me, "Paper or Plastic?"I just say, "Doesn't matter to me. I am bi-sacksual. "

Rick with his treasure.

Esso Resources Annuitant Newsletter February 2012 page

UPCOMING EVENTSPlease mark YOUR calendar !

Jan 25 Woodworking Club -Cliff Kippen’s Shop

Feb 21 Tech Club - Apple’shandheld computers

Feb 25 High River Bonspiel

Feb 29 Stage West - “39 Steps”

May 01 Wine Club Gala Dinner

May 16 AGM and SpringLuncheon

ARTS AND CRAFTSGordon Holland/Roy Millar

249 7361/271 1046

Please contact Activity leaders for moreinformation about these events.

NEWSLETTER DEADLINEMar 18 2012 for April Issue

Mail pictures and typed articles toGloria Fleck

79 Woodhaven Rd SWCalgary AB T2W 5P2

orE-Mail rfleck@shaw.ca

IMPERIAL’S VIPpays up to $1000 a year to charitable and

non-profit associations supported byemployee and annuitant volunteers.

For details of the program access theweb-site www.imperialoil.ca,

then "search for" VIP Programand follow the links.

If you have any difficulty obtaining theapplication form please callManfred Schott 281 1198

Another year has whizzed by and it'snow time again to think about your

contributions to the2012 Arts and Crafts Show

held in conjunction with the Annual Spring Lunch-eon on Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 at the CarriageHouse Inn on McLeod Trail.This year is special as we are celebrating the 25thAnniversary of the founding of the Esso AnnuitantClub. For this we must have a "really big show". Itis hoped that many of the new club members willparticipate. Here is an opportunity to show off anyart, craft or artefact you have created in the last 30plus years. To say "yes", please phone

Gordon Holland at 403 249 7361(crafts)Roy Miller at 403 271 1046 (arts).

Kananaskis Opal Ridge Dec 22 11

Chester Lake Jan 12 12

Photos - Kevin Meaney