Steppin’ Out 2025

Our ability to adapt, learn, and grow doesn’t stop at a specific age – it continues throughout our lives as long as we nurture it. Gwen will share insights on creating a mindset of curiosity and confidence, including the technique of Eye Movement Integration which can engage the brain’s natural ability to adapt and rewire itself. By embracing new experiences, challenging ourselves and staying physically and mentally active, we keep our brains flexible and open to growth. Come explore how we can all create a fulfilling, dynamic, and stress-resilient life moving forward.

Gwen Nieuwkerk is a clinical hypnotherapist and life coach with more than 20 years of experience in life coaching and 5 years specializing in clinical hypnotherapy. She hopes you will see stepping out of your comfort zone as vital for long term mental and emotional health.

Gary will present an update on the ARTA Benefit Plans, including plan performance, changes over the past year, emerging directions, as well as updates on the Calgary ARTA office and the upcoming ARTARx pharmacy opening in Calgary.

Gary Sawatzky has worked in the area of Group Benefits for twenty-six years and has been a most welcome presenter at Steppin’ Out Conferences since 2013. He has been the Chief Operating Officer of ARTA since 2017 and has worked on ARTA’s Benefit Plans since 2000. No one understands the Retiree Benefits, and in particular the Alberta Retired Teachers (ARTA) Benefits plan better than Gary does. He has been a major architect of the unique aspects that make ARTA Benefits the plan of choice for eligible retirees.

Join Laurie Bauer from Orbit Insurance Services to discuss upcoming Automobile Insurance Reforms. Laurie will discuss the new insurance model, regulatory changes, and next steps that will be undertaken to prepare for the 2027 launch of Alberta’s Care First Model. Other topics related to auto insurance including the Good Driver Credit, rate increases, and potential rebates in 2027 will also be reviewed.

Laurie Bauer is a Business Development Manager at Orbit Insurance Services with extensive experience in the insurance industry and a long-time supporter of the Steppin’ Out Conference.

OOPS I don’t want to fall! Falls can significantly impact independence and quality of life. This session equips participants with balance-improving techniques to enhance stability reduce fall risk, and boost confidence. Focused on core strength, coordination, and safe movement patterns, attendees will learn exercises they can practice daily to stay steady and secure. Maddie will have another physiotherapist, Arash Roozdar, working with her and you!

Maddie earned her Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy in 2004 in Iran, where she gained experience in private clinics and home physiotherapy services. She later completed her master’s degree in Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy at KU Leuven University in Belgium. 

In this talk, Jeromy will explore Glenbow Ranch’s ambitious plans to create the world’s largest urban park, connect with nearby communities, and establish innovative programs that inspire future leaders. Join Jeromy for a deep dive into the power of grassroots conservation, community engagement, and a vision for one of Alberta’s most treasured landscapes. He will discuss how the park’s preservation efforts have been strengthened by recent victories in conservation as well as the Foundation’s development of the “Steward an Acre” sponsorship program.

Jeromy “Pathfinder” Farkas completed a life-changing 172-day run from Mexico to Canada in support of Big Brothers and Big Sisters. He formerly served on Calgary City Council and is presently CEO at the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation, overseeing the working ranch operations with a mission to protect and promote Alberta’s signature provincial park.

Explore cycling as an interesting and beneficial addition to your life through Duncan’s lively and entertaining presentation. He will discuss the pros and cons of e-bikes and traditional bikes. Time will also be spent on bike travel planning tools: what’s available, components of a good plan, including the importance of a Plan B when something goes wrong.

Duncan Milne is an avid bike enthusiast who has been riding and leading bike trips in the Calgary area for many years. He is thrilled to share his passion and the joys of biking with you.

Be it by phone, online, or in person, we are increasingly under siege from what seems to be an endless barrage of scams, seeking to prey on our emotions, fears or good will. All of them threatening to separate us from our hard-earned assets. Seniors have become a favourite target. We welcome Constable Michelle Jansen of the Calgary Police Services, Crime Prevention Unit. She will a review a variety of scams, be they old or new. Her session will increase your awareness of the types of issues facing Calgarians, and advise us on how to protect ourselves, and decrease the likelihood of being taken in.

Constable Jansen is a graduate of Mohawk College in Law and Security.

Our lives are enhanced immeasurably by the presence of plant growth. As we age and downsize, our gardening scope certainly changes. Join Lorna for a wealth of ideas for growing things, both indoors and out. Without a doubt, a few of these concepts will fit with your present situation and lifestyle. Your quality of life is guaranteed to benefit in so many ways.

Many of us know Lorna McIlroy as the Past-President of ARTA, and for her service to the Retired Teachers of this province. But Lorna is also a lifelong gardener and a lifelong learner. As a five-year-old, she transplanted a row of pineapple weeds (Matricaria discoidea) along the path leading to their home, so her mother gave her a plot in the vegetable garden and Lorna has been gardening ever since. This interest grew into training as an Alberta Horticultural Association judge, a Prairie Horticulture Certificate; and more recently, wider fame as an international Rose Judge and Master Gardener.

Many retired folks find themselves tackling this daunting task alone with family living elsewhere and friends unable to help. Downsizing can be both physically and emotionally taxing. Lynn will share ideas for downsizing within your existing home or in preparing for a move to a new home. You will learn practical and helpful downsizing tips and tricks easing the stress of downsizing and relocating. Creating a positive mindset towards downsizing and excitement about new opportunities are the foundation of Lynn’s presentation.

Lynn Van Egnmond is the founder of Soft Landings Senior Downsizing and Relocation Services.

Learn how to develop your ability to deal with a wide range of issues and life events with effective communication. Our ability to communicate our needs, cares and concerns is vital to our quality of life. We are living in an age of longevity. Increased life spans bring more life events or transitions that require communication, planning and decision making within our most important relationships including with family, friends, and service providers. We can positively influence our life and relationships with effective communication. How we navigate issues such as our health, housing, finances, and relationships often begins with important, challenging conversations. Vital conversations may include speaking to your family members about your will, financial planning, addressing healthcare needs or advance care planning. The focus will be on intentional, proactive, supportive communication that can help you thrive in longevity. Attendees will be provided a practical guide to approaching any important conversation.

Susan Kennedy is an elder/intergenerational mediator and the owner of 2resolve Conflict Services. Susan is passionate about the potential for mediation to support adult families in having some of the most important conversations of their lives, while preserving relationships.

Discover how artificial intelligence and innovative technologies are reshaping the aging experience. Join Catherine as she explores the latest advancements in “age tech”. Age tech is digital technology that’s built around improving the lives of aging adults. From AI-driven care tools to smart health solutions, this engaging presentation will highlight the exciting opportunities these technologies offer for enhancing independence, connection, and well-being in later life. Don’t miss this inspiring look at the future of aging!

Catherine Laing is the Executive Director of the Dr. Barrie Strafford Centre for Learning, Innovation and Quality.

Today millions of people hold up the 50’s as a golden age of peace and prosperity, patriotism, respect for authority, happy families, safe streets and wholesome, shared values. Yet other millions mock, and even deride, the 50’s for those very things. How could this bland decade have sparked the “culture wars” that divide us 70 years later?

A native Calgarian and frequent speaker at the Steppin’ Out Conference, we are thrilled to welcome Doug Coats to our cadre of speakers this year. He was first captivated by Calgary history at the age of 11 when reading that you could see the date “1888” in the sandstone of the Alberta Hotel building. An almost 80-year-old artifact was pretty impressive to a kid in Grade 7! Sixty years later both Doug and the hotel are a lot older, but still standing.

Ron will share his extensive expertise on how to ensure we reach our travel objectives realistically, safely and with minimal angst. It is hoped at the end of this session, you will be ready to pack your bags and as Dick van Dyke said on his 99th birthday – the secret to longevity is to “Keep Moving”! Some of the themes to be covered during the presentation will include: 

•  I have ideas of where I would like to go, but where do I start?
• I have some physical limitations – how do I ensure I can manage travel?
• Can I still be insured if I have pre-existing conditions?
• I have always booked my own travel online – is this realistic now?
• Is a travel agent advisable and if so, how do I ensure I have the right one?
• Traveling as a senior alone – can this be done safely?
• Multi-generational travel – what is realistic?
• Setting a realistic budget for travel and sticking to it.
• Where in the world is safe to travel now and how do I know?
• Getting packed and hitting the road.

Ron has accumulated an impressive body of experience in travel. He has travelled to 51 countries, and in recent years has been hosting retired group Longstays (28 days or more) with his wife Linda, returning from Portugal this year at the end of March. 

Join Lisa in this presentation designed to add beauty to our spaces outside which may also add beauty to our inside spaces. She will discuss how to plan a small-space cut-flower garden suited for our Zone 4 climate! The session will cover sourcing and selection of plant material, how to ensure what you select will look stunning in an arrangement, and how to care for your plants. The talk is suitable for both beginner gardeners and those with thriving perennial or vegetable gardens.

Lisa is a Calgary-based gardening educator and Master Gardener with the Calgary Horticultural Society. She regularly does talks and leads workshops throughout the Calgary region.

Graphic narratives have been gaining in popularity in recent years and are now the third best-selling genre (35 million books sold) in the U.S. and Canada, behind general fiction (49 million) and romance (36 million). In addition to the visual appeal of graphic novels, the format has come to encompass a variety of genres, styles, and subject matter, from memoirs and historical fiction to fantasy and science fiction, romantasy and horror. Join Teresa to learn about the power of visual storytelling and the special magic that happens when text meets image. Graphic memoirist Teresa Wong will give an intro to the graphic narrative, read from her latest book, All Our Ordinary Stories (longlisted for Canada Reads), and also lead a simple comics exercise.

Teresa Wong is the author of the graphic memoirs All Our Ordinary Stories (2024) and Dear Scarlet (2019), which was a finalist for The City of Calgary W.O. Mitchell Book Prize. A teacher of memoir and comics at Gotham Writers Workshop, she was also the 2021–22 Canadian Writer-in-Residence at the University of Calgary.

In a recent article written by Oprah, “Doodling can boost your mind’s ability to notice and remember mundane information by nearly 30 percent”. According to Mary, you can discover the artist within and have a lot of fun focussing in the moment and creating! Mary will lead you through some examples of patterns and arrangements. You will create a “cheat sheet” for your future reference and a greeting card front for you to take home.

Mary is a long-time member of CRTA who loves to travel. While on a recent cruise she enjoyed the doodling classes immensely. Being a teacher, she felt compelled to share it with the participants of Steppin’ Out!

This session is designed to help attendees discover the power of resistance training to build muscle strength, improve balance, and enhance overall health. Participants will learn beginner-friendly strength exercises using resistance bands that target key muscle groups. The session includes practical demonstrations and tips on incorporating resistance training into daily routines for long-term benefits. Maddie will have another physiotherapist, Arash Roozdar, working with her and you!

Maddie earned her Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy in Iran, where she gained experience in private clinics and home physiotherapy services. She later completed her Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy at KU Leuven University in Belgium.

Steppin’ Out is delighted to welcome Cathy Hume, long-time President of the Calgary Senior Housing Forum, a group that provides in-person housing information sessions, and articles to the Calgary Herald every 60 days. Cathy’s presentation will focus on: ‘Types of Housing,’ ‘Finding the right fit for you’, and ‘How Health and Housing are directly linked’. She will examine a full spectrum of Housing from Home Living through Independent Living, Supportive Living, and the different degrees of possible Government Support. This will be a most relevant and informative session, not only for our own decision making, but also for making us a resource to friends, former colleagues, and neighbors in the retirement community”

Cathy’s “senior living” career spans over 35+ years. She has held senior executive roles with large national and not-for-profit senior living housing providers. In 2023, she received the prestigious government of Alberta Minister’s Seniors Service Award for her individual commitment to Alberta seniors.

What is a “good death”? Where can we find support and guidance as we, or our loved ones, face end-of-life? Join Laura as she explains the growing role of death doulas with a mix of humour, anecdotes and pragmatic information. Laura will encourage you to feel a sense of empowerment about your own future and that of your loved ones in this lively presentation.

Laura Silver is a Certified Death Doula with a busy practice in Calgary and across Canada. Laura spent nearly two decades working on system-level healthcare delivery in both Ontario and Alberta as a senior policy advisor and senior project manager.

Have you considered teaching in retirement as a conduit to travel and cultural immersion? Glenn will give you an idea of some low-stress ESL teaching opportunities that might pique your interest. These range from one week to one year (or more). They include volunteer immersive experiences at four-star resorts (all expenses paid), to fully compensated opportunities teaching at a university. Glenn will also share his knowledge of the requirements and processes to be successful in obtaining a position abroad.

Glenn had an extensive career in the engineering and construction industry, working in Canada, Venezuela, and the United States before following his love of travel. He went to Hamburg for an intensive course to develop the skills in Teaching English as Second Language. For the last eight years Glenn has enjoyed a variety of teaching experiences in Calgary, Poland, Spain, and Japan. For Glenn, “Working in a place allows for an incredible, culturally immersive experience.”

Worried about ensuring your plants get the water they need this year? Looking to make water choices that are healthier for our plants and the environment? Join Jennifer to learn all the strategies for creating a resilient and drought resistant landscape in your garden spaces. You will hear about ways to use less water, ways to capture and store water, and select drought tolerant plants. Jennifer believes it is possible to have a beautiful landscape and a reasonable water bill, even with water restrictions!

Jennifer Hoglin has been getting her hands dirty in the garden since before she could walk. Currently she is the owner of Gooseberry Gardens (a gardening website and landscape design company). She also teaches for the Calgary Horticultural Society, including their Master Gardener Program.

Bees are all around us! Over the last 10 years, Calgary has seen a boom in backyard beekeeping. Join local beekeepers, Esther and Randy, to learn what is going on over that backyard fence! You will hear about the season of a beekeeper and the joys and challenges of keeping bees in a city backyard. You don’t have to be an aspiring beekeeper to support bees in our environment. Hear about how these beekeepers have adapted their own yard to support their apiary and also attract native bees. You will learn about what makes a backyard ‘bee friendly’ and simple steps you can take to attract pollinators to your backyard.

Esther Suter and Randy Beaton have been keeping honeybees in their backyard apiary for over 10 years. Both are active members of the Calgary and District Beekeepers Association (CDBA) and are part of a group that collects honeybee swarms reported to the city. Randy served on the CDBA board for a number of years. In 2023 Esther and Randy were part of the organizing committee for the Western Apicultural Society conference held in Calgary.

Did you ever consider that to find and observe wildlife in Alberta and Saskatchewan, it’s best to first check out the local geology? From the Rocky Mountains to the rain shadow of the prairies, from deeply entrenched rivers having prairie oases and glaciated terrain, geology has a strong impact on wildlife distribution. The relationship between wildlife and landscape is explored and exemplified in the lives of golden eagles over the Rockies, the American pika and eroding mountains, of burrowing owls on glaciated plains, and greater short-horned lizards surviving in badlands and a vast rain shadow.

Dale Leckie is an adjunct professor in the Geoscience Department at University of Calgary and has published widely on the geology of Western Canada. He is recognized for his long-term contributions to geology and is an honorary member of Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM) and Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists (CSPG).

As well as planning our own affairs, many of us have “inherited” the responsibility for ensuring the final resolution of an estatewhen named for significant roles in the plans of friends or family. This session will focus on the roles and responsibilities of an executor / attorney / agent and speak to the importance of choosing well when selecting individuals for these roles. We are pleased to welcome Katie Beever from McLeod Law to make this presentation.

Katie is an associate in the Wills, Estates and Trusts department. She advises clients on a range of wills and estate matters and works closely with them to protect their interests and manage their risks.